Doc Holiday

Former Las Anod Militia Figure Fahima Yusuf Quuje Returns to Support Somaliland Cause According to journalist Mohamed Yusuf Bakayle, Fahima Yusuf Quuje, a prominent Sool figure and former militia leader involved in the fighting against Somaliland forces in Las Anod, has returned to support the Somaliland cause after nearly three years away. She is expected to arrive in Hargeisa soon.

غير عادي 🔴يقوم رئيس وزراء صوماليلاند حالياً بزيارة إلى الإمارات العربية المتحدة لإجراء محادثات تهدف إلى "تحديد مستقبل البلاد على الساحة العالمية".

What is the case ? Any logical explanation How is it that the culture of Eebe Qorii Bunna in Borana (Kenya) and Bunaysi in Abgaal (Somalia) is the same, and there is no similar tradition in the geographic areas between them? How can the same subculture exist among different groups in different countries ? 🤔

Tazas Ming y Qing del puerto de Siyara, en Somalilandia (siglos XV a XVIII). Ocho siglos antes de que se popularizara en Europa, los somalíes ya tenían acceso a la cerámica china más delicada: qingbai, celadón y porcelanas.

I would like to begin by clarifying that I warmly welcomed Somaliland’s recognition by Israel and still believe it was a transformative moment for our nation. I personally organized demonstrations in support of the recognition in Hargeisa, and I was the first public official in this government to place the Israeli flag on his shoulder to rally the people around this historic event. It is also beyond doubt that mutual recognition between the two states comes with strings attached. Israel did not recognize us out of goodwill alone; it acted based on its strategic interests—particularly its security posture in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Berbera. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Houthis’ previous threats to maritime routes in Bab el-Mandeb, especially targeting Israeli vessels, it is entirely logical for Israel to seek to project its maritime interests from Berbera. A military presence near Bab el-Mandeb, for example, would align with its strategic needs. However, any such arrangement must come with security guarantees for Somaliland’s strategic cities, especially Berbera. Without the capability to defend ourselves from threats posed by groups like the Houthis, it is extremely risky for the current government to treat this recognition as a behind-the-scenes deal benefiting only President Cirro’s close associates. The public deserves transparency about the conditions attached to this mutual recognition. There is, after all, no such thing as a free lunch. On the matter of accountability and asking the right questions when Somaliland faces major strategic decisions, President Cirro has historically challenged previous administrations at critical moments. He opposed the DP World agreement signed by former President Ahmed Maxamed Maxamuud Siilaanyo, even calling him a traitor for a deal that later proved instrumental in Berbera’s development and in building international confidence in Somaliland’s ability to negotiate. President Abdirahman Cirro and his party, Wadani, also opposed the MoU with Ethiopia and demanded that the government make its details public. Today, I am asking the same question President Cirro once asked others: What is happening under the table that even your ministers do not know—known only to a small circle of associates? Somaliland is a democracy, and secrecy has no place in a democratic system. Furthermore, the current situation in Somaliland’s western regions, particularly Awdal and Salal, urgently requires the government’s attention. The events in these regions have exposed the government’s inability to manage conflict effectively. When the issue of Xeer Ciise arose, the government issued at least three contradictory decisions, ultimately leading to the tragic loss of life in Borama. The president has traveled abroad numerous times, yet he has not visited the western regions to show solidarity with the people. His most recent trip was to Berbera, but perhaps he should have gone to Borama or Zeila. During his visit to Ceerigaabo, the president, accompanied by Ugaas Abdirashiid Ugaas Rooble Ugaas Doodi, carried a white cloth symbolizing peace; a well organize media campaign meant to paint the president as a great negotiator and peacemaker. Unfortunately, that same gesture has not been extended to the people of Awdal and Salal. These communities have consistently contributed to Somaliland’s stability and were, for many years, among the most peaceful regions in the country. Neglecting them is extremely dangerous for Somaliland’s long-term prosperity.

One of my friends told me he recently visited Hargeisa, Somalia, without getting a Somalia e-visa. When I asked how that was possible, he said he flew to Addis Ababa, stayed there a few nights on an Ethiopian e-visa, then took a local flight to Jigjiga and crossed by car via Togwajaale into Somalia. The whole journey took about six hours, instead of the 1 hour 25 minutes it would’ve taken if he’d just flown directly from Addis to Hargeisa with a Somalia e-visa. I couldn’t help thinking — that’s a lot of travel gymnastics just to avoid a Somalia e-visa! You’re happy to get an Ethiopian one, but not Somalia’s?