MY TIME WITH GOVERNOR AW HIRSI, PART II: AHMED A. GULLEID. COMING SOON

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MY TIME WITH GOVERNOR AW HIRSI, PART I: AHMED A. GULLEID

First day I met with Mr. Aw Hirsi, [Some spell like: O’Hirsi] the Governor, the man whose name will be interchangeable with mine, the astute politician, the young and energetic governor, the US-trained political journalist who will persuade me to work in the mountainous Gedo region of Southwestern Somalia alongside with him was exactly the New Year’s Eve of 2007. He was having a lunch with a group of about ten of his friends in the famous Paradise Restaurant in Baidoa. I was a young freelance journalist then.

The would-be governor of Gedo spoke Maay-Maay with some of his friends on the lunch table and pure Maxaad tiri to the rest. That cleverness and proportionality quite attracted me and I –standing carefully his left-behind side- decidedly said “My name is Ahmed Abdullahi Gulleid, I am a free-lance journalist…. “Well, I am a freelance politician sort-of! He replied. “It is very nice to know you sir” I said and stuck my hand towards him. He shook my hand warmly, looked me in the eyes and wrote his phone number on a piece of an old Gulf News Magazine commonly substituted for soft napkin tissues; gave it to me and said “Call me at your earliest convenience, Mr. Gulleid.” “I sure will” I said and left the restaurant.

Three to four days later [and in 2007] I had interviewed him on what he thought about the Emergency Law that the President is seeking from the Baidoa-based Transitional Federal Parliament.

In the interview, He over-explained the word “Martial-Law” and left the rest of my questions to probabilities and uncertainties. Mr. Aw Hirsi would later frankly tell me that He didn’t want to make a clear stand on the issue at all. However, that particular interview was very crucial for me for I had to show my reach and strength to my peers; and it, in fact, secured me a respectable position in the Somali local media.

In an afternoon in January, Mr. Aw Hirsi gave me a call and personally told me that he expects an appointment as the governor of Gedo region. I surprisingly asked him if that’s possible. “Don’t worry. Things are in place” He said. “I want you to be the first to break that news to your friends.” I must confess, the reason I had asked the possibility was that I thought He was from Bay or Bakol and not from Abud-wak or Garbaharre! I myself happen to originate from Gedo but I spent all the years of my life in the midst of Maay-Maay speakers.

The appointment came in the early morning of Saturday; February, 2007. As promised the newly appointed Governor summoned me to his residence at Hotel Sare and handed me a copy of the presidential decree. The decree read, among other names: Aaden Ibraahim AwXirsi (Cirro) Guddoomiyaha Gobolka Gedo. and so on and on..... I was the FM media superstar for the following 24 hours.

GEDO ELECTION: A SUCCESS TO THE EYES OF THE WISE

FADLAN AKHRI ARAGTIDII GUDDOOMIYE AWXIRSI EE MAARSO 2008

MY TIME WITH GOVERNOR AW HIRSI: COMING SOON

Ahmed Abdullahi Gulleid, an aide to the former governor of Gedo region will look back at the year and half he worked with "the young, tough, and maverick Governor."

The article containing this and more about Aw Hirsi will be published here.

GULLEID'S LAST GLEANING

A new governor was elected Tuesday in the southwestern Somali region of Gedo in a local democratic process with minimal support from Somalia's transitional federal government, our correspondent reported.

With 32 votes up for grabs, Mr. Hussein "Farey" Sheikh Abdi received 19 votes, giving him a winning edge over the other two candidates competing for the governor's office.

Two deputy governors were also elected by the regional delegates, namely First Deputy Gov. Mohamed Abdi and Second Deputy Gov. Mohamed "John" Burale.

The gubernatorial election, held in the Gedo provincial capital of Garbaharey, was attended by Somali lawmakers, officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Regions and Reconciliation, United Nations representatives, traditional elders and hundreds of local residents.

A. Ibrahim O'Hirsi, the former governor of Gedo, offered a brief address following the victory of new Gov. Hussein Farey, saying that he welcomes the openly democratic process by which the new governor was elected.

The former governor was appointed two years ago by Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf.

But the process that completed in Garbaharey today was organized and supported by the people of Gedo region, who worked hard to establish district councils that are representative of the region's clan dynamics.

The new governor and his regional administration face daunting tasks in Gedo, including insecurity and lack of resources to deal with conflict and poverty.

On Tuesday, at least 8 people were killed in the Gedo district of Luuq after rival militias clashed over land ownership.

Somalia's interim government spends most of its resources fighting an insurgency in Mogadishu, a factor that has crippled the government's ability to extend its authority to other regions.

GULLEID.

GOVERNOR O'HIRSI ACCEPTS DEFEAT; CONGRADULATES THE NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNOR

HUSSEIN SHEIK ABDI ISMAIL (FAREI) HAS BEEN ELECTED GOVERNOR TODAY.

THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF GEDO REGION, MR. ADEN IBRAHIM AW HIRSI ACCEPED THAT HE GOT DEFEATED IN THIS ELECTION AND PROMISED THAT HE WILL WORK WITH THE NEW GOVERNOR.

PRESS RELEASE: UNSC SHOULD ACT ON SOMALIA

(New York, April 25, 2008) – Relentless violence in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, is worsening the humanitarian and human rights crisis faced by hundreds of thousands of Somali civilians, Human Rights Watch said today.

The latest clashes pitting a coalition of insurgent forces against Ethiopian and Somali government troops resulted in scores of civilian deaths on April 19 and 20, 2008, according to Somali human rights groups, including at least 11 civilians reported killed in fighting at Mogadishu's Al Hidaya mosque. The United Nations Security Council is discussing a new resolution on Somalia and will vote on it next week.

'The latest round of violence in Mogadishu shows that just when you think it can't get worse for Somali civilians, it does,' said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. 'The UN Security Council should act decisively to end abuses. It ought to establish an international commission of inquiry into the recent crimes and consider targeted sanctions on the worst abusers.'

The conflict in Somalia has escalated since early 2007, when Ethiopian troops intervened in support of the Somali Transitional Federal Government and ousted the Islamic Courts Movement from Mogadishu. Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured and up to 700,000 have been forced to flee indiscriminate attacks, targeted killings, destruction of property and other abuses documented by Human Rights Watch.

Jibriil A.
Garbaharre

BENEDICT XVI, THE POPE, CALLS AN END TO THE VIOLENCE IN SOMALIA, THE SUDAN, AND BURUNDI

VATICAN CITY (AFP) — Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday made an impassioned plea for an end to conflicts in Somalia, Sudan's western Darfur region and Burundi.

"The news reaching us from some African countries continues to be a cause of deep distress and concern," he said, lamenting "bitter armed conflicts" in Somalia, hundreds of thousands "left to their own devices" in Darfur and clashes in the Burundi capital Bujumbura.

Benedict called on "local political officials and the international community to respect their commitments to end the violence."

The pope told pilgrims in St Peter's Square: "In Somalia, particuliarly in Mogadishu, violent armed clashes make the humanitarian situation more and more dire for this dear population, oppressed over too many long years by brutality and poverty.

"In Darfur, thousands of defenseless people fending for themselves still live in an endless tragedy," the 81-year-old pope said.

In Burundi, the pontiff said recent clashes had "terrorised the inhabitants of the capital" Bujumbura.

He urged "all parties concerned to take the path of dialogue and reconciliation in the face of the risk of a new civil war.

"I have great hope that the local political authorities and the international community will make every effort to end the violence and honour their commitments, to put down solid foundations for peace and development," Benedict said.

The United Nations has estimated that the conflict in Darfur has claimed 300,000 lives since 2003.

In Somalia, at least 63 people were killed in Mogadishu last weekend in fighting between insurgents and Ethiopian troops allied with the Somali government, according to an AFP tally.
Burundi rebels launched an offensive on April 17 in Bujumbura and four western provinces with a death toll of at least 38, according to military sources, while others say many more were killed.
The central African country is still barely recovering from the aftermath of a civil war that started in 1993 and claimed 300,000 lives.

Gleaned by: Haweia Igeh,

Windsor, Canada.

JUST CAME: THE ELECTION IN GEDO POSTPONED AGAIN

A source very close to the office of the Governor has just told GEDOREGION that the election in the region to elect a governor and two deputies is postponed once again. The election was previousely supposed to take place tomorrow.

It is not yet known the reason behind this, but the source told that the Governor has just now recieved the news. The source added that the Governor is very much frustrated with the undecisiveness of the UNOPS and MOI.

TRIPPLE G. NEWS-DESK.

GOVERNOR AW HIRSI PREDICTS A "LAND-SLIDE VICTORY" IN THE UP-COMING ELECTION

The governor of Gedo region has today predicted over 85% of the regional votes will go to him and his allies.

Speaking to a crowd of people in Garbaharre, the Governor said: "Our opponents state regularly that they are more experienced than we are, but I think they are so only on war and how to defend what they called the clan territories. And guess what! people want to forget about the past, go ahead and reconstruct their shattered lives and homes, and we are the way" "Now" He said "We have a confidence that we'll win over 85 per cent of the votes cast come tomorrow or the day after."

The governor, 40, an American-trained political journalist, has allied himself with other multi-clan young politicians from across the region. The Governor is said not to be in good terms with the veteran politicians [former SNF] that controlled the region for the last seventeen years.

In his speech yesterday, he made his disdain clear for what He called "uncles in Baidoa" in reference to the National MPs from Gedo region when he said; "I feel my uncles in Baidoa will press the regional MPs to vote for Hussien Abdi Ismail only to have a yes-man at the top seat here, but this time the votes are secret and RMPs will vote by their hearts and feelings." He also told the crowd that he asked the RMPs not to vote for him if they don't believe he'll advance the region and its people.

THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR CALLS UPON THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR TO EXPEDITE THE ADMINISTRATION ESTABLISHMENT PROCESS

The first deputy of the governor of Gedo region, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Ali has today urged the MOI to expedite the administration establishment process.

"It has been about a year that we have been in this process and we need it ended and it must end now." He said.

Speaking to a gathering of a regional parliament members and district commissioners from six districts of Gedo region, Mr. Ali said "We must be either rehired or fired so that we can look for other jobs we can excell."

GEDOREGION NEWS-DESK
Garbaharre, Somalia

PRESS RELEASE: "EXTERNAL FACTORS MUST REFRAIN FROM MEDDLING IN OUR ELECTIONS:"

PRESS RELEASE

Gedo Regional Administration is shocked by the fact and therefore regrets too deeply to learn that some wickedly powerful external factors are bent on to factor in the outcome of the elections in Gedo region. The evidence and effect showing this corruption and misdeeds by those factors with the sole intent of getting their choice of leaders at this region's top seats -by any means necessary- are abundantly visible.

The GRA strongly believes that the people in this region and the representatives they had selected are wise and adult enough to choose whom they want to be their leader (s). We also think that any entity that is involved in the violation of this people's inherent rights -to choose whom they want- by either bribe and/or extortion of any shape or form in order to change the will and choice of the voters are as guilty as they are; and they will one day be mentioned in front of the people's justice.

We therefore call upon those men who are known to be running around distributing cash or making very long and long-distance phone calls promising some of the electors resources and threatening the rest with death or loss of employment/financial opportunities, to cease and desist the criminal acts they are indulging before none of us can do none about the consequences.

Adam Aw Hirsi,

The Governor.

RUNTU MA FANTAA? WASIIRKU WUXUU HAYSTAA SHAQADIISA; XILDHIBAAN BARRESE TIISA MA YAQAAN?

Waxaa maalmahan muuqata in ay dad faro-ku-tiris ah oo caadeystay in ay mafaarishta lagu caweeyo, adeerkeey.coms -ka iyo meelo kale oo aan munaasib ahayn "ha lagaa sheego iyo hebel-ma-i-maqlaysey" la fariistaan, ay si is-daba-joog ah bogagga internet-ka ugu qorayeen aflegaaddooyin rakhiis ah oo aan xitaa anshaxa wax-qoridda iyo hadalkaba ku habbboonayn oo ka dhan ahaa Dr. Cabdirizaaq Ashkir Cabdi Jiijiile, Wasiirka Horumarinta Gobollada, Arrimaha Dastuurka & Dib-u-heshiisiinta.

Dadkaas qaar ka mid ah ma aanay soo qorin magacyadooda, qaarna waxay qorayeen magacyo sarbeeban, maqaallada qaarna waxaaba qorayey mulkiilayaasha website-yadaa oo magacyadooda qarinayey.

Maqaalkan lama qarinayo. Waxaa qoray: Aaden Ibraahim AwXirsi Guuleed (Cirro) Guddoomiyaha Gobolka Gedo, waxaana lagu bojin doonaa dadka habowga ah ee weli aaminsan in nin madax ah ama ahaan jirey layska gado oo loo habrado, iyada oo markaa mid kale oo laga yaabo in uuba isaga ka fiican yahay la xurmo-darraynayo.

Bismillaah: Wasiirku [Amb. Jiijiile] wuxuu tibaaxay "In aysan jirin dawlad Barre Hiiraale shaqo uga dirsatay Kismaayo" Taa waa run oo Xildhibaan Hiiraale habeenkii uu Baardheere ka dheelmaday galabtii ka horreysay wuxuu saxaafadda maxalliga ah iyo dad aan anigu ku jiraba [khadka tilifoonka] inoogu caddeeyey in uu Baardheere u yimid in uu wax ka dhamaystiro maamul u dhisidda gobolka Gedo.

Halkaa waxaa ka cad in safarka Barre Hiiraale ee Kismaayo uu ahaa arrin iska hawtul-hamag ah, ama ay cid kale yeerinaysay oo aanu isagu kuba taloggelin in uu Kismaayo aado iyadoo aan maamulka Gedo la dhamaystirin. Marka aan sidaa leeyahay waxaan ixtimaalayaa in aanu markii hore xildhibaanku been inoo sheegaynin.

Wasiirku waxa kale oo uu sheegay in ay "hawsha maamul-u-samaynta Gobolka Gedo marayso meel fiican." Taasi iyaduna waa run. Waxaa kale oo run ah in uu wax badan ka geystay in ay arrintaasi miro dhasho, oo uu xitaa xiriirro 'constructive' ah nala sameynayey innaga iyo UNOPS-ba isaga oo safarro ku maraya Yurub iyo Eeshiya.

Haddii aan milicsado adeerkay Barre: Waxaa la yiri "Tagtadii ninkaan garan, taagantu waa ku adag tahay." Barre wuxuu la ayni yahay Xildhibaannada kala ah Qanyare, Muuse Suudi, Bootaan Ciise, Axmed Cumar Jees, iyo duul kale oo badan. Xildhibaannadaasi iyo Mr. Geeddi oo beri dhaweyd lagu darayba waxaa saaran il-ku-hayn caalami ah; (international surveillance) adduunkuna mar kale farahooda ma gelin doono mustaqbalka Soomaaliya. Taasi waa abadan!

Raggaasi (Qab-qablayaashii hore ee aan xariifnimada u ciyaarin) in ay meel fariistaan oo inta u hartay waqtigooda ay mushaharka baarlamaanka ku qaataan oo midkoodii awooda uu qabiilkiisa iyo gobolki uu ka yimid hoolka Baarlamaanka uga doodo ayaa caalamku doonayaa.

Ciddii haatan ku riyoonaysa 'Barre port-charge-ka Dekedda Kismaayo ha kuu dhiibee mas'uuliyiinta uusan jeclayn dhaleecee'-na waxay kororsanaysaa daal iyo oon oo qura.

Barre iyo raggiisa waxay ahayd in ay haatan Baydhabo joogaan oo ay la xisaabtamayaan ragga uu ka mid yahay Muuse Nuur Amiin, Wasiirka Arrimaha Gudaha, oo diidey in Maamulka Gedo la dhamaystiro. Waxay ahayd in ay abaaraha iyo cudurrada Gedo iyo Galgaduudba aafeeyey ka hadlaan oo dawladda culays ku saaraan in ay International Attention-ka u soo duwdo dhibaatooyinkaa baaxadda leh ee gobolladeenna aafeeyey.

Barre iyo raggiisa waxay ahayd in scholarships-ka maalin waliba ay xildhibaannada aynigood ah hawada ku kala goosanayaan in ay ka raadiyaan oo soo dhiciyaan saamigii ay Gedo, J/Hoose iyo Galgaduud lahaayeen. Waxay ahayd in ay Wasiirka laftiisa talo iyo muuqaalba ku kordhiyaan si uu u noqdo mid ay xildhibaannadiisii garab taagan yihiin oo uu markaa eraygiisu culays leeyahay.

Barre iyo raggiisa waxay ahayd in ay Garbaharreey soo fariistaan oo mamulka gobolkan inala yagleelaan, oo Alle-magane ay amniga iyo hawlaha kale ee ina daashaday nala cel-celiyaan. Waxay ahayd in aanay culays iyo mashaqo hor leh ku noqon guddiyada dhaqanka iyo siyaasadda beesha ee la mahadiyey oo haatan gacanta ku haya degmada Kismaayo.

Waxaan dadka wax qoraya iyo kuwa wax sheegayaba u soo jeedinayaa in inta ay khiyaaliga illoobaan, ay runta walaashadaan.

Walaalkiin,
Aaden I. AwXirsi (Cirro)
Guddoomiyaha Gobolka Gedo
Garbaharrey, Soomaaliya

GOVERNOR O'HIRSI CUTS HIS TRIP SHORT; COMES BACK TO BASE

The governor of Gedo region, Mr. Adam O'Hirsi has today changed his plan to stay in Kenya for three days and rushes back to Garbaharre, where his office is.

Some unconfirmed news sources suggested that there are the selections of the high officials of the region within this week, and that Mr. O'Hirsi wants to get reelected to his current post.

He however explained his coming back like this: "I am back to Garbaharre only to make sure that the Aid organizations are safe and comfortable being in Gedo for this very crucial time of drought and diarrhoea."

Jibriil, Garbaharre.