- Title: [SW News] (News Wires) Hiiraan Elders Complained
- From:[]
- Date :[]1999-12-25 00:10:38
:Hiiraan Elders Complained for Lack of Action
1999-12-25
Nairobi, Kenay (Dec. 19). Mr. Elmi Farah Nur, made a long speech in Somali which was
interpreted into English. Mr. Nur's speech was a series of complaints directed at the
international community in general, and to UN agencies in particular. Mr. Nur said,
"the only time we hear the international community talking about Somalia, is when
they speak of 'Somaliland' and 'Puntland'. He continued to argue that while Hiran has
full-fledged peace, the international community for some unknown reasons has,
"ignored Hiran Region". He also said "it is wrong to link Hiran with what
is going on in Mogadishu". Pilot Abdi Osman Farah alias 'Duuliye Sare', deputy
chairman for USCPM, appealed to the international community and asked them to give special
consideration to the people of Hiran region. Mr. Farah, while speaking on the issue of the
new Somali peace initiatives and proposals sponsored by President Ismail Omar Guelleh of
Djibouti, said " we the leaders of Hiran region support this initiative in full, but
the UN and international community should give this peace initiative commitment that is
stronger than those they gave to the 12 Somali peace reconciliation that have failed in
the past 9 years". Mr. Farah, stressed the need for a military force that would
implement whatever comes out of the peace reconciliation plans that are coming with
President Guelleh's proposals. After two hours of intense speeches, the audience was given
an opportunity to ask questions, and hold discussions, and this was followed by a tea
break. The second session commenced after 15 minutes. This session was a series of
discussions on matters pertaining to the Hiran region, from both the panel and members of
the audience. An issue that almost all speakers talk about, was a complaint related to
Beletweyn's main hospital, which is now closed. Hiran leaders mentioned that the hospital,
which was rehabilitated by COSV (Coordinating Committee of the Organization for Voluntary
service), has never been completed because COSV, funds ran out. Hiran leaders argued that
this hospital was a referral point not only for Hiran region but also for neighbouring
regions like Gal-gadud. Thus, they all reiterated a request for the Beletweyn hospital to
be completed, and the international community sends doctors and medicine to Hiran Region.
The Hiran Region elders directed a question to Dr. Babafemi Badejo of UNPOS. They asked if
he could explain why the fact-finding mission that visited both 'Somaliland' and
'Puntland', did not go to Hiran region. Dr. Badejo responded "no comment", but
promised the Hiran leaders that he will report their concern to Mr. David Stephen,
representative of the UN secretary-general for Somalia. Complaints related to UN limited
activity in Hiran, were directed to me (Yabarow), being the UNDOS representative. I told
the panel and audience, that UNDOS works in many regions of Somalia, including Hiran where
UNDOS sends professionals on a regular basis. I gave them an example related to the
findings of UNDOS professional staff member, Abdullahi Sheikh Ali, just a week ago.
Several people on the panel nodded their heads in agreement, and one of them continued to
say that he had personally met Mr. Sheikh Ali in Hiran. I informed the audience, that as
recently as the morning of the meeting, I had left on my desk, a document about the Hiran
reconciliation conference, which UNDOS Documentation Center is translating, and that the
document would be ready shortly.I concluded my remarks saying that UNDOS would do anything
within its ability to help Somalis. The discussions went on till midday, when Mr.
Abdullahi Abdi of Tecno NGO made the closing remarks, thanking all participants for their
attendance, and expressing the hope that Hiran leaders would meet the International
Community in future meetings, like the one they had held that day. Abdirahman Yabarow,
Manager, Documentation Center UNDOS
[Back to the top] [ News] |