Thursday, June 23, 2011

Somali-Canadians Denounce Kampala Accord, Support Farmajo.

By Farid Omar,

Somali-Canadians joined Somalis from across the world in voicing their vehement opposition to the June 9th Kampala Accord, which observers say undermines the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) and infringes on Somalia’s national sovereignty.

In direct contravention of Somalia’s transitional charter, the controversial and illegal accord extends the mandates of the Somali President, Speaker and Parliament till August 2012 when elections will be held and called for the resignation of the Prime Minister within 30 days. Struck behind the scenes without any prior consultation with the Somali parliament, the dubious deal is a total mockery of the democratic aspirations of the Somali people.

The architects of the Kampala Accord, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and the UN special representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, claim it was meant to resolve long standing political wrangles between President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden. But the accord, which has orchestrated the removal of popular Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, is a backward step for the nation and will likely plunge war-torn Somalia into deeper crisis.

A close examination of the full text of the agreement reveals that the accord has transferred Somalia’s sovereignty to the seven - member East African regional grouping, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the international community. The most contentious clauses read as follows:

“Both Government and Parliament shall work together with the international community to establish a road-map with benchmarks, timelines and compliance mechanisms for the implementation of the priority tasks”.

“The Heads of State of the Region (IGAD and EAC) shall constitute a Political Bureau with participation of the UN (UNPOS) and the AU, similar to the Burundi Regional Peace Initiative. The Bureau shall oversee and monitor compliance of the TFIs with agreed benchmarks and timelines to implement the transitional tasks and to advance the Somali Peace Process”.

“The international partners and the Regional Bureau reserve the right to evoke appropriate measures with consequences to ensure compliance with the benchmarks and timelines by the TFIs including the application of appropriate sanctions against spoilers.”

Based on the above, it is clear that for the first time in the history of modern international relations, the sovereignty of a nation has arbitrarily been transferred to foreign powers with the UN playing a direct role in such a sinister move.

Like their fellow countrymen across the world, Somali-Canadians reacted angrily to the Kampala Accord. In a well-attended event organized by Somali youth activists in Toronto, hundreds of concerned Somali-Canadians converged at the Days Inn Hotel located at Wilson Avenue West on Saturday, June 18th, to denounce the Kampala Accord and pledge their support for the deposed Prime Minister.

The PM, who was forced to resign, was seen by Somalis as the best hope moving forward, having made significant security gains against the insurgency as well as gaining the trust of the Somali public through his direct and concerted consultations with civil society groups.

Protests broke out in Mogadishu and globally as Somalis took to the streets and held public forums to condemn the Accord and rallying their support behind Farmajo, the first head of state who had obtained important results in twenty years. His removal has only precipitated the ongoing power struggle between the two Shariffs with latest reports coming out of Mogadishu pointing to a fresh row between the president and the speaker. Analysts fear that this mindless power struggle may wipe out Farmajo’s gains and actually provide the Al-Shabab insurgency with a bonanza and regain all the grounds it lost in the military offensive under the Farmajo government.

Outraged Somali-Canadians were unequivocal in their condemnation of the Kampala Accord. “From a Somali stand point, this is tantamount to modern day colonialism” said Adifatah Warsame Maroyare, a youth activist and one of the organizers of the Toronto event. “The so-called international community is complicit in this. On one hand, they preach the virtues of democracy, on the other hand, they practice hypocrisy” said Abifatah.

Abdifatah, a prominent co-ordinator of the Centre for Youth Development and Mentoring Services that provides academic, social and recreational supports for at risk youth, further noted that it was “the Western world that has contributed to state collapse in Somalia in the first place and is still meddling in the internal affairs of the country” labeling Somalis “pirates”, “terrorists” and “anarchists” and “not allowing Somalia to stand on its feet.”

While the young generation was detached from Somalia’s state of affairs in the past, Abdifatah is of the view that there is now a growing sense of awakening among the Somali youth who are demanding positive change in Somalia free from external meddling.

“The youth and Somalis in general are taking action against the ongoing infringement of Somalia’s sovereignty. The reactionary elites who are financed by UN dollars have sold out the country. They indulge in expensive overseas trips in the oil-rich Gulf countries and western capitals often lavishing in five star hotels” said Abdifatah. The prominent youth activist called for Somalis across the world to “rise above clannish politics and confront those responsible for the ongoing mayhem in Somalia”.

His views were echoed by Somalis artists, Nakruma and Daleys who urged the global Somali community to take back their country from external forces that are reigning havoc on the their belegurerd nation saying that the “Somali artists will always support the Somali people and lend voice to their struggles.”

“Down with the Kampala Accord! Down with Mahiga” chanted Nakruma on the stage in reference to the UN Special Representative to Somalia, who is directly complicit in the ongoing destabilization of the country. As part of the artistic and cultural component of the evening program, the celebrated Somali divas led the enthusiastic crowd in singing the Somali national anthem and patriotic songs in a scene awash with blue and white, the national colours of the Somali flag.

Abdijabar, a youth activist seen as a rising star in the Somali-Canadian Community and a potential future leader for Somalia, doled out humorous rhymes correctly depicting the reality of Somalia’s state of affairs today.

The Mississauga-born master rhymer rocked the house highlighting Somalia’s past greatness and its current nadir status “our ancestors were free and uncolonized. But in today’s reality, our people are dispersed with a serious case of mistaken identity” rhymed Abdijabar to a thundering applause from the floor.

Khadijah Ali, a radio host and youth activist, said that the deposed Prime Minister “was a competent leader who placed Somalia’s national interests above external agendas”. The York University Social Work major also noted that “Prime Minister Farmajo had given Somalia a second chance. The country has suffered for far too long and we don’t want another 20 years of anarchy. Farmajo’s vision represents a true hope and the best way forward for Somalia”.

Professor Mohamed Siyyad Togane, a Somali scholar and poet known for his stern rebukes, called the gathering “ a historic event” saying that Somalis must be willing “to shed blood, sweat and tears” to re-take their country. Professor Togane said he flew all the way from Montreal to join Somali-Canadians in Toronto to express their outright opposition to the Kampala Accord.

“Rebuilding Somalia requires sacrifices from its people. For the last 20 years, we were moving in circles. Farmajo initiated a viable process for the country and the people of Somalia rallied behind him” said Professor Togane who recited a powerful poem titled “Enough”, which portrayed Prime Ministers who came before Farmajo as “tools” employed as a “fifth column” by a UN system bent on keeping Somalia down.
Professor Togane also highlighted how Somalia was directly governed from Nairobi by foreign UN personnel, observing that Farmajo was determined to relocate the UNDP office to Mogadishu.

“Farmajo, an emerging national hero, said hello no. We won’t go to Nairobi. Come to Mogadishu” said Togane.

“No more Nairobbery” chanted Togane in a philosophical reference to the Kenyan capital where Somalis believe their country’s sovereignty is being stolen and dismembered by external actors operating within an increasingly unpopular , corrupt and inept UN establishment.

Hibaq Guelleh, a Somali youth activist, told participants that the Somali people are a homogeneous entity “who share common identity, culture, language and religion and yet caught in a turmoil.” She emphasized the fact that each concerned Somali has “an important role to play to ensure Somalia takes its rightful place in the world” and called for “a tribal-free, united and prosperous Somalia”.

“We are tired of tribal-minded leaders, warlords and power hungry individuals. Somalia needs practical solutions and it can only be built by Somalis themselves.” said Hibaq.

She also underscored the greatness of Somali youth pointing to the fact that it was “the Somali Youth League (SYL) initially comprising of 13 youthful leaders who gave independence to Somalia,” reminding the public of the contributions of Somali freedom fighters the likes of Sayyid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, Hawo Tako etc. “Let’s help our brothers and sisters back in Somalia. And by the will of God, let’s move swiftly but together.”

Shadya Yasin, a longtime youth leader, poet, performer and organizer said “Somali things should be done Somali way”. Noting that the situation affecting Somalis is traumatizing, Shadya provided grim statistics on the Somali humanitarian crisis with “1.6 million refugees living in desperation and continually on the move, 1.5 million of internally displaced people inside Somalia (half the Toronto population) and 2.2 Million people classified as living in need and concern.”

“Imagine being born and growing up in a refugee camp. Imagine getting married in a refugee camp, giving birth to a boy or girl in a refugee camp. That’s the reality facing our people”. Said Shadya.

“Somalis are now taking action. Similar events (in opposition to Kampala Accord) are taking place in Mogadishu and across the world. The silent are speaking again. Revolutionary events are taking place in the world today and Somalia should be no difference,” said Shadya who pledged to return to help rebuild Somalia in the near future.

“Corrupt leaders need to be stopped. Once you have no country, you have no self-esteem. Unity should be the reality of the Somali Diaspora. We need to start here to help those back in the motherland. We have to take back Somalia by ourselves. No one will give it back to us. Power to the people!” chanted Shadya to another round of thunderous applause.

Still jet-lagged from a long trip, Dubai - based civil engineer, Nasra Agil, whose visit in Canada coincided with the Toronto event, said that “Young people represent hope for Somalia” adding that she was concerned with the plight of her people.

But the young engineer offered a message of hope stating that Somalis can borrow a leaf from Dubai, U.A.E. “Twenty years ago the residents of Dubai only looked to a solitary, high standing tower that dominated its skyline. Today, Dubai has not only the tallest tower in the world but boasts of the best of the best in almost every category of development. By the same token, we can rebuild Somalia from its 20 years of anarchy to a thriving nation”. Said Nasra.

In the concluding remarks of the evening, Abdi’qani Farmajo said that the Kampala Accord effectively places Somalia under external control.

“Mahiga is not our ruler. The UN is not our ruler. Museveni is not our ruler” said Abdiq’ani who noted that the deal was aimed at “orchestrating the downfall of the PM and his government, muzzle the Somali parliament and place Somalia under direct control of (IGAD).”

“How can the UN and IGAD tell us who should rule us” queried Abdi’qani who pointed to a Nairobi –based cabal of UN opportunists who have turned Somalia into a profit-making venture, raking in millions in donor funds while perpetuating and prolonging the suffering of the Somali people.

Rightfully describing this cabal as the “Lords of Poverty” Abdi’qani observed how the manipulation of Somalia by these external forces has turned the country into the third largest refugee producing nation in the world after Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The largest refugee camp in the world is located in Dadaab Kenya. With a capacity of 60,000 people, this camp is home to 450, 000 Somali refugees who live in squalid conditions. Somalia is also home to the largest camp for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) while 1 out of 7 babies born in Somalia die before reaching age 5” said Abdi’qani, adding that disruptive external forces have contributed to societal disintegration in Somalia.

“No one wants Somalia to develop. External forces have conspired to destroy Somalia. Only Somalis can resolve Somalia’s crisis. The Diaspora should play a role to fight for Somalia. If we want freedom and liberty, we must fight for it” concluded Abdi’qani.

For Somali-Canadians, the fight to wrestle control of their beloved nation from external forces continues and many have pledged to from the rank and file of this important struggle.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The New Africa: A Frontier of Innovation, Technology and Sustainability.

By Farid Omar.

Africa is fast emerging as a global south trend setter in social innovation and sustainability. While cynical western observers have often depicted what they deem "the dark continent" in negative light, Africa has proven skeptics wrong by turning its fortunes around amid adversity to present opportunities in virtually all sectors of development, be it technology, education, manufacturing, real estate development, media, arts, agriculture, transportation, telecommunications etc.

The world is now taking notice that in the coming decades, Africa is poised to take the centre stage in terms of economic growth and infrastructural development, providing investment opportunities for world governments and international business. It is now common knowledge that modern day investors from across the world are seeking to do business with Africa.

An international conference held last year in Ottawa, Canada, was rightfully titled;" Africa's New Frontier: Innovation, Technology & Prosperity". The organizers of the conference, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC),agree that "Africa is a continent of exciting possibilities", which in the 21st Century, is "emerging as a dynamic and innovative continent".

The official website of the conference positively depicts ´this new Africa" as a continent that boasts a reservoir of young talent, a growing market for cutting-edge technologies, and a source of fresh ideas".

Overall, the conference aimed to enrich Canadian conversations about Africa, highlighting "good news stories from Africa, and drawing on lessons learned, projecting trends, and focusing on the many ways in which Canada can support innovation on the continent".

On the media front conference themes focused on how to re-brand Africa for the 21st century, Africa´s place in the digital age and the cellular evolution in which mobile phones are making African markets work better. The film ´Nollywood Babylon´, a documentary from the National Film Board of Canada, was screened at the conference and later re-screened at Toronto´s National Film Board Theatre. The film presents an "electric vision of a modern African metropolis and a revealing look at the powerhouse that is Nigerian cinema".

On the economy, experts shed light on Africa´s Local Direct Investment, which sounds as a new concept to many and especially to those who in the past could not see beyond the northern-led calls for Foreign Direct Investment as primary source of capital inflow into Africa and the best available means for economic stimulation, growth and development.

For a continent that has suffered a large share of brain drain, the conference included a theme on "The health care brain gain: Networks, technology and access to care". In terms of education, a large number of Africa´s future generation of leaders now increasingly has access to post-secondary education.

Despite ongoing security challenges, African economies have experienced an accelerated growth over the last 5-6 years. The picture is getting rosier each passing year as three African countries, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt, have made the list of the Emerging Economic Report, published by India´s Bangalore-based, innovation consulting company, the Center for Knowledge Societies (CKS).

The CKS notes that "Emerging Economies are those regions of the world that are experiencing rapid informationalization under conditions of limited or partial industrialization". This new development according to CKS, "allows us to explain how the non-industrialized nations of the world are achieving unprecedented economic growth using new energy, telecommunications and information technologies"

Key regions of the world, the report states, are being transformed by the phenomenon whereby soft infrastructure -especially, mobile phone networks - is installed despite the absence of hard infrastructure (such as roads, or nation-spanning power grids). This is a crucial element of what Ezio Manzini, the Director of Unit of Research Design and Innovation for Sustainability at the Politecnico di Milano calls the "leapfrog hypothesis" in which developing countries jump over the environmentally most damaging stages of industrial development.

In sum, what the CKS report implies is that countries like Kenya, South Africa and Egypt, have joined four other emerging economies in the world such as India, China, Brazil and Indonesia as economies that will sustain global growth. Key findings of the CKS report indicate that Indian and Chinese Investments will drive Africa´s growth and that Africa´s once dysfunctional informal economy is now driving user innovation. More importantly, the report found that alongside other emerging economies, the three African nations are innovating environmentally efficient modes of energy consumption.

Africa is making important strides in innovation and technology and a brighter future that will usher in an era of prosperity is certainly on the horizon. The world is waking up to this important reality and strategic investors are eager to get on board Africa's New Frontier that promises unlimited opportunities.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Superstar Saado Ali warsame Receives Gold Record Award

By Farid Omar.

In a historic event held in Toronto on Saturday, June 4th, diehard fans of international superstar, Saado Ali Warsame, thronged the upscale Taj Banquet Centre to see their iconic national hero perform and receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Gold Record Award, the first ever to be awarded to a Somali artist, was presented to Saado Ali by Hodan Nalayeh, the media relations and international co-ordinator of the Somali Refugee Awareness Project. The Somali Refugee Awareness Project is an advocacy group designed to bring mainstream media attention and action on the current Somali refugee crisis in Africa. The prestigious award is in recognition of Saado Ali Warsame's impressive 35 years in music and Somali social activism.

Singing the Somali national anthem upon entering the packed arena, Saado Ali, singer, composer, poet and song writer, was mobbed and hugged by hundreds of supporters as she was ushered to the stage to a raucous welcome. As she took the mike for the opening act, the ecstatic crowd rose to its feet greeting their beloved superstar with sustained, thunderous applause in a splendid ceremony filled with pomp and colour.

The milestone event attracted close to one thousand Somali-Canadians of all generations and walks of life and Canadians in general. Participants travelled from as far as Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Windsor and from across southern Ontario. It featured who is who in the Somali-Canadian community including community leaders, social activists, artists, media personalities and members of the business community.

The ceremony was a fundraising dinner to help The Somali Refugee Awareness Project to advocate and educate the mainstream media about the current Somali refugee crisis in Africa. Saado Ali will be traveling with the Somali Refugee Awareness Project to Kenya this summer for a video documentary project. June 20th is World Refugee Day and Somali Refugee Awareness Project is asking all Somalis to join together in humanity for Somalis in refugee camps around the world.

For the global Somali community, Saado Ali Warsame is not only an accomplished international performer but a national icon revered for her unwavering stance on human rights, freedom, justice and equality in the entire Somali Peninsula. More importantly, she has emerged as the pre-eminent symbol of national unity for a beleaguered nation torn by a protracted conflict over the last two decades.

In celebrating Somalia´s most iconic musical personality, renowned social activist and leading proponent of national unity, Hodan Nalayeh said that Saado Ali "is not only a superstar with international appeal, but a brave and courageous woman who has demonstrated a great leadership for her community and commitment to the suffering masses including the victims of the civil war, refugees, the displaced, women and kids etc."

Speaking to the Digital Journal's Farid Omar, Hodan said: "Somali professionals and community leaders in the West should advocate for Somali refugee rights. There are over 1.2 million Somali refugees scattered in camps in neighbouing Kenya, Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world".

"While refugees in Sudan are backed by Hollywood celebrities, Somali refugees are not a priority for re-settlement in safe countries in the West including Canada and the US. Saado Ali can bring that level of awareness to the global arena. She is a great symbol of activism and we are here to honour her as a Somali woman and a great human being" said Hodan.

Addressing the massive gathering, Hodan said: "Tonight, we celebrate Saado Ali and the resilience of our people. We recognize Saado for her historic contribution to music, art and culture and for her advocacy for peace and refugee rights in Africa. We should work together to create awareness on the dying and the unfortunate and the woman who can help change that is Saado Ali."

"We are not part of the qabil (clannish) movement. We have one flag, the Somali flag. We must help the helpless. Let´s wake up, twenty years is far too long" said Hodan in reference to the devastating civil war in Somalia.

In her eagerly awaited acceptance speech, Saado Ali Warsame thanked her supporters and called upon the global Somali community "to unite and rise above clannish divisions". She appealed to her supporters not to antagonize her detractors but strive to bring them back to the Somali fold. Despite death threats and vicious attacks by those who oppose her unity project, Saado Ali, true to her national colours, has always extended an olive branch to her misguided detractors. She urged her followers to do the same.

"For those who hurl insults at Saado Ali, don´t respond in kind, simply tell them thank you" said Saado Ali to a cheering, enthusiastic crowd.

Saado Ali also recounted her persistent struggles to speak on behalf of the downtrodden and oppressed across Somalia. During the military regime, she defended the people of North West Somalia (present Day Somaliland) against the regime´s excesses. When fellow Somalis in the North East region (present day Puntland) and Southern Somalia suffered a similar fate, she was equally vocal in defending their rights.

"Whether it was SNM, SSDF, or USC, I supported all folks who were at the receiving end of the regime. I was thrown in jail for standing up to the regime in defence of the oppressed" Said Saado Ali. "I am hurt today by the fact that folks, whom I defended in the past, are engaging in a smear campaign against me."

"Why all these double standards?" Saado queried. Always taking the high road, Saado Ali asked her supporters to refrain from accosting her slanderers. "Whoever engages in defamatory acts directed at my person, don´t fight them. Invite them back to the Somali fold with open arms."
"The majority would praise me, others would scorn me. I know I am on the right path and I will always stand for justice and the truth."

Saado Ali also paid tribute to Hodan Nalayeh of the Somali Refugee Awareness Project, a prominent professional working for a major corporation in California. A rising star in her own right, Hodan is poised to play a significant role in international development and refugee advocacy circles.

A diverse global movement that includes a burgeoning youth constituency is increasingly rallying behind Saado Ali´s national cause for Somali unity, peace, and justice and equality. Ayat Musse, a new young admirer of Saado Ali says she and her peers "adore Saado Ali, listen to her music and are motivated by her consistent message for the Somali people".

Donning colourful traditional attire set in Somali national colours, Samia Mohamed, only 15, expressed her utmost admiration for Saado Ali, stating: "Saado Ali is an amazing singer who is inspiring the younger generation".

Another ardent fan, Hodan Adan Caamiye, said that Saado Ali "is the best national artist and the true voice for all Somalis regardless of their regional or communal affiliations".

Hassan "Karate", the event Co-MC and anchor of Ogaal Radio, 88.9FM Toronto, paid a glowing tribute to Saado Ali´s contributions to Somali arts, social activism and national unity project.

"Saado Ali has been steadfast in her desire to unite the Somali people. Her persistent message of peace, justice and national unity is resonating well with all Somalis. She is a priceless national icon who has enriched our cultural landscape through her patriotic, socially-conscious music. Being the champion of the downtrodden and voice of the voiceless, her social activism defends the rights of the vulnerable while calling for peace, love and unity for her long suffering people." Hassan "Karate" said.

During the historic event, Saado Ali entertained the audience with her hugely popular, chart topping nationalist and patriotic songs and other musical tracks spanning her illustrious career. Her artistic expressions form a unique brand of edutainment in utterly thrilling songs loaded with socially-conscious lyrics that are equally entertaining. Her unique style that combines a dose of social commentary and esthetical variations has taken Somali music to a new level.

Throughout the concert, the sold-out crowd stayed on their feet as the pulsating beats lent a carnival atmosphere to the event sending the Toronto revelers into near delirium. Her gigantic Toronto fan base is demanding the prompt return of their beloved superstar and a July 1st concert simultaneously coinciding with the Somali National Day and Canada Day is already in the works in what promises to be the concert of the century.