TOL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (TLC)

PRESS RELEASE

Minneapolis, MN (USA), December 9, 2011.  The TLC, a civic Tol organization of the Gadaboursi community everywhere, is disheartened to hear about the latest crime that has taken place in the Gabileh zone of Somaliland:  a blatant murder of three members of the Gadaboursi and citizens of Somaliland. This is the second time, in less than three years, in which such unwarranted killings have taken place. The TLC, in a press release on the earlier violent transgression, had warned the authorities in Somaliland that unless the perpetrators of such horrible acts are immediately caught, tried and brought to justice, public safety and common civic identity would quickly erode. What will follow, then, would be for the Gadaboursi people to be given no choice but to fall back on building their own defenses to protect the safety and personhood of their kin. It is incomprehensible, then, that those accused of the earlier killings have been walking freely in the area. Now comes this new and barbaric aggression. In view of all of this, the TLC brings forth the following urgent points:

• We send our most profound condolence to the victims’ families.  We share fully their sense of violation; and their heavy grief is felt by every member of the TLC.
• We condemn with utmost outrage those who had committed this crime and anyone who had aided them to do so.
• We join the traditional leaders and other members of the citizens of Somaliland in calling for calm and restraint.
• We remind the Somaliland authorities of their most fundamental duty: the protection and safety of ALL the citizens of the country. Thus, we urge them, once again, to act with speed to bring the culprits to justice. A lack of decisive action again, will only further denude the collective belonging that is essential for the unity, stability and progress of Somaliland that the TLC supports.
• We urge the Somaliland authorities to expeditiously find EQUITABLE and FAIR resolution to the long-standing and flammable communal dispute at Ceelbardale and enforce such a resolution with the full force and power of the government.

TOL Leadership Council

http://tolleadershipcouncil.org/

tlc@tolleadershipcouncil.org

Bayaan Saxaafadeed: Golaha Hoggaanka Tolka oo mar labaad adkaynaya aragtidii lagu aasaasmay

MINNEAPOLIS, U.S.A, APRIL 23–Golaha Hoggaanka Tolku wuxu xilliyada qaarkood soo saari doonaa bayaano oo uu ku iftiiminayo arrimo uu ka werwersan yahay ama uu danaynayo.  Haddaba ujeedada Goluhu ka leeyahay bayaanka soo socda waxa weeyi in uu:

1. Mar labaad ku celiyo adkeeyana in taariikhda, waayaha maanta jooga iyo mustaqbalka nolosha dadka ku dhaqan gobolka Somaliland ay yihiin qaar si adag isku tidcan oo aan la kala furfuri karin. Taa macnaheedu waxa weeyi in sida taariikhdoodii hore iskugu soohan tahay ay waayaha nololeed ee ay haatan ku jiraan iyo masiirka da’aha so socdaaba ay sidaas oo kale iskugu lammaan yihiin.

Haddaba ilaalinta iyo korinta xidhiidhkaa hodanka ah ee sida xoogga leh iskugu lifaaqan wuxu uga baahan yahay bulshada (beelaha) oo dhan in ay:

1. Xoojiyaan danwadaagga quruxda badan iyo garaadka habboon ee had iyo jeer ku salaysan astaamaha ah hab dhaqameed bulsho iyo nabad waarta:
2. Yareeyaan wax kasta oo keeni kara fanqooqid iyo kala fogeyn bulshada, abuurina kara necbaansho iyo kala jajab colaadeed.

Qodobka hore wuxu xushmaynayaa nolosha, mustaqbalkana wuxu ka dhigayaa mid shacni iyo rajo fiicani ka muuqato oo hakisa haddii aanay ka adkaanba aafooyinka dadkeenu la lee’deen oo ay ka mid yihiin gaajada, cudurrada iyo qaar kale oo horseed u ah horumar la’aanta.

Qodobka labaadna wuxu dhalan doorinayaa taariikhda iyo waayaha hadda jira wuxuuna saboolnimo dhaxalsiinayaa mustaqbalka.

1. Si xushma leh u xusuusiyo Masuuliinta Hargeisa fadhiya in bulshada Gadabuursi ay leedahay cabashooyin run ah oo u baahan in si degdeg ah oo wax ku ool ah in wax looga qabto. Cabashooyinkaa waxa ka mid ah:

• In si cadaaladi ku jirto loo qaybsado kuraasta golayaasha sharci dejinta, dawladda iyo haya’daha fulinta iyo maamulada dawaladda.
• In si xikmadi ku jirto loo soo afjaro muranka dhulka ee meelaha qaarkood ka taagan
• In si degdeg ah loo baadho loona soo taago maxkamad lana xukumo dadkii ka masuulka ahaa dilkii loo geystay dadkii masaafurka ahaa ee aan waxba galabsan ee iyagoo socdaal ah lagu laayey jidka u dhexeeya Hargeysa iyo Boorama bishii July 11, 2009.
• In si siman loo wadaago joogitaanka hantiyeed iyo aqooneed iyo xarumaha ay haya’daha caalamiga ee aan xukuumiga ahyni ku leeyihiin dalka.

Waxa hubaal ah haddii aan tallaabooyin wax ku ool ah oo ka soo baxa meelaha ugu sarreeya xukuumadda waqti fiicana ku qabsooma aan laga qaadin arrimahan in ay keeni karaan in fogaanshaha bulshada Gadabuursigu sii korodho.

1. Ku dhiirrigeliyo xubnaha Tolka ee ku dhaqan daafaha dunidu in ay fiiro dheer oo mug leh siiyaan isku dheelitirkaa aan sinaba looga maarmayn ee waaraya oo ah: in qofku xaq u leeyahay in uu wixii maskaxdiisa ku jira cabbiro isla markaabana dusha u rito masuuliyadda culus ee ah in uu iska ilaaliyo in uu ku dhaqaaqo tallaabooyin degdeg ah oo aan si fiican looga baaraan deign. Arrintan dambe waxay keeni kartaa ugu yaraan in ay dhaliso wareer bulshada dhexdeeda ah iyo iska hor imaad colaadeed oo bulshada u hor seegi kara kala jajab oo liciifin kara awoodeeda. Arrintani waxa kale oo ay dhaawici kartaa isku dhawaanshihii beelaha wada nool.

1. Adkeeyo in hawsha udub dhexaadka u ah jiritaanka Golaha Hoggaanka Tolku ay tahay in ay abaabulaan shirweyne bulshadu isugu timaado magaalada Boorama bisha December 2011. Abaabulka shirkuna si fiican ayuu u socdaa ujeedadiisa ugu muhiimsanina waa in la dhiso hoggaan karti leh, hufnaan leh, lagu dhan yahay, laguna midaysan yahay oo waari kara.

Golaha Hoggaanka Tolka

Golaha Hoggaanka Tolka, oo dhidibada loo joojiyey , bishii Abriil 1-3, 2010 magaalada Minneaplois, Gobolka Minnesota ee Carriga Maraykanka, waxay ujeedadiisu tahay in uu noqdo urur keena hoggaan ay leeyihiin Tolka ku nool Geeska Afrika iyo adduunka oo mideysan, hodan ah, oo nabad kuwada nool, nabadna kula nool dadka ay oodwadaagga leeyihiin iyo deegaankooga dabiiciga, awoodina kara in ay kor u qaadaan ilaaliyaana xuquuqdooda ay wadaagaan ee bulsho, dhaqaale, hantiyeed iyo aadami.

Wixii tafaasiil ah waxad kala soo xidhiidhaa: Xafiiska Xidhiidhka Tolka:

Email: (  tlc@tolleadershipcouncil.org or contacts@tolleadershipcouncil.org )

Website: http://tolleadershipcouncil.org/

Please find attached to this email the press release that will be distributed to the media at the press conference to be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Parliament Hill.  This will be followed by a demonstration to be held by Canadian Somalis from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in front of the Prime Minister’s Office.

For more information contact:

Canadian Somali Congress

Tel: 613-979-3422

Email: canadiansomalicongress@gmail.com

Website: www.canadiansomalicongress.com

Todobaakii ina soo dhaafay waxaa magaalada Jabuuti ka socday shirar kala duwan oo ay ku lahaayeen aqoonyahanka soomaliyeed. Shirkaas oo kan ugu mihiimsanaa uu furay madaxweynaha Jabuuti waxaa soo qaban qaabiyay aqoonyahano soomaliyeed oo uu hormood u yahay Prof. Ahmed Ismaaciil Samatar oo isla markaana gudoominaayay shirkaas oo lagaga tashanaayay sidii xal kama dambayn ah loogu heli lahaa dhiilada Somalia ka taagan.

Shirkan aqoonyahanka soomaliyeed waxaa marti galiyay macadka Daraasada Culuunta Siyaasada iyo Istaraateejiyada ee dalka Jabuuti oo uu madax ka yahay Dr Cumar Cismaan Raabe oo ah aqoonyahan weyn oo magac weyna ku leh halgankii xoraynta dalka Jabuuti.

Shirkan aqoonyahanka soomaliyeed ku lafagureen mashkalada soomaliyeed waxaa laga qabaa rajo weyn, waxaana la saadaalinayaa inuu noqdo mid dhala dhaqdhaqaaq mug leh oo ay ku bahoobaan aqoonyahano soomaliyeed oo diyaar u ah inay dalkooda majara u qabtaan iyagoo talada iyo fikirkuba iyaga ka soo baxayo taas oo ah midka uu shirkoodu kaga duwan yahay shirarkii horay looga bartay soomalida.

Prof. Axmed I. Samatar oo ka hadlaaya shirkii aqoonyahanka soomaaliyeed

Waxaad moodaa in aqoonyahankii soomaliyeed u soo jeestay sidii talada dalka ay u maarayn lahaayeen. Kooxda Jabuuti ku shiraysa oo u gudoominaayo Prof. Samatar oo ah shaqsi aqoon iyo daacadnimo looga bartay iyaa ah midka u weyn ee wixii soomali jecel is leeyihiin rajo weyn iyaa bilaabantay.

Shirkaas isaga ah ee arimada soomaliyeed lagaga hadlaayay waxuu ku soo beegmay mar dalka Jabuuti oy ku sugnaayeen wafti saddex xubnood ah oo ka socday ururka Tol Leadership Council (TLC) ee uu gudoomiye u yahay Prof. Samatar laftiisu. Waftigan oo hawshiisa la qorsheeyay bishii July 2010 waxaa hogaaminaaya Prof. Maxamad Farax A. Good (Wardi) waxaana ku wahelinaaya Dr Ali Bahar oo madax ka ah gudi-hoosaadka Diaspora ee TLC iyo Maxamad Farah ( Saqiiro) oo ka mid ah madaxda TLC.

Joogitaanka Jabuuti ee waftiga TLC wuxuu qayb ka yahay socdaal saddex todobaad qaadanayaa oo uu waftigu uugu baxay Geeska Afrika iyagoo soo mari doona Jabuuti, Soomaliland, iyo Itoobiya si ay ula kulmaan Tolka ku kala nool degaanadaasi

Intii ay joogeen Jabuuti waftiga TLC waxaa ku biiray inay hawlahooga kala qaybgalaan Prof.Samatar iyo Prof. Hussein Ahmed Warsame oo iyagu Jabuuti u joogay inay ka qayb galaan shirarka aqoonyahanka soomaliyeed. Joogitaanka labada Professor ay joogaan Jabuuti waxay miisaan culus siisay waftigii TLC. Waxaanse hoosta in laga xariiqo u baahan in ganacsadaha weyn ee reer Jabuuti , Mudane Cabdi Farah A. Good uu ahaa masuulka u xil saarnaa inuu isku duba rido hawlaha waftiga TLC intay Jabuuti joogaan. Hawshaana si geesinimo iyo hoggaanimo ku jirto iyay uga soo baxeen isaga iyo dadkii reer Jabuuti ee hawshan kula jiray.

Wararka naga soo gaadhaya Jabuuti iyaa sheegaya inay waftiga TLc ee prof. Wardi hogaaminaayo ay dhowr shir la yeesheeen reer Jabuuti. Shirrarkaas waxaa lagu soo afjaray kulan balaadhan oo laba boqol oo qof ay ku kulmeen dadkaas oo ka koobnaa aqoonyahan, ganacsato iyo siyaasiiba. Kulankaas oo mid xiisihiisu noqday mid aad u sareeya waxay reer Jabuuti muujiyeen inay yihiin dadka ugu hanweyn TLC iyo hogaankiisa prof. Samatar. Waxaa la soo sheegayaa in oday da’ah oo reer Jabuuti ihi madasha ka sheegay erayo ka turjumaya magaca uu prof. Samatar ku leeyahay tolka dhexdiisa:  « Cimrigaaga oo raagaa, ileen Axmad Ismaciil Samatar oo noolna wuu ku tusaa! ». Nin ka mid ahaa waftiga iyaa murti ahaan yidhi : « Waxaan garwaaqsanay inuu prof.Samatar yimid hoygiisii isagoo la kulmay dad qalbigiisa la baxay ».

Isku soo wada xooriyoo TLC guushii u horaysay ee tolka dhexdiisa waxay kala kulantay magaalada Jabuuti oo TLC u aragta urur wax weyn ka badali kara hanashada hamilooyinka ummada ka dib sabbano badan oo dhibaatooyin xad dhaaf ihi ku habsadeen tolka meel kastuu joogaba.

Waftiga TLC ee prof. Wardi hogaaminaayo waxuu Jabuuti ka amba baxeen bisha 23keedii iyagoo u sii jeeda Hargaysa halkaas oy  horey  uuga sii wadi doonaan socdaalkoodii ay ku kala bixinayeen geeska Afrika waxaana la filayaa inay soo dhawayn weyn kala kulmaan  dhinaca gobolka Awdal iyo Salal oo waftigu ku soo foodleeyahay.

Jama Osman Geele

ahersihassan@gmail.com

Ottawa, 24/12/2010

 Source -Wadhaf.com

AMOUD FOUNDATION

For Education and Development

P.O. Box 165614, Irving, TX (972) 871-8297

================================================

November 26, 2010

 Press Release

 Sheikh Gyasi Mckinzie joins Amoud Foundation as Executive Director

 Amoud Foundation is pleased to announce the hiring of Sheikh Gyasi Mckinzie as its Executive Director effective December 1, 2010.

Sheikh Mckinzie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience; he holds advanced degrees in Islamic and theological studies from Islamic University at Madinah,

Vanderbilt University, and the Hartford Seminary; he is a proven Islamic community builder with over 10 years of experience as an Imam, Youth Director, Chaplain,

and teacher, providing leadership to Islamic institutions and communities.

Please join us in welcoming Sheikh Mckinzie to Amoud Foundation and to the larger Muslim community of North Texas.

Amoud Foundation Board of Directors

www.amoudfoundation.com

Eedeysanayaashii dilkii 7/11 Waxay Ka Qadhaabtaan Afaafka Madaxtooyada Soomaalilaand!

Oct.10 – (alnuur)-Dilkii dhacay 11kii Juulaay 2009 ee lagu laayey afartii haldoor ee ka soo jeeday Awdal iyo Salal, kalana ahaa Cali Maxamed Nuur, Cali Sheekh Cumar Barre, Mowliid Xasan Cumar iyo Daa’uud Xaashi Jaamac, ilaa maanta wax laga qabtay, haba yaraatee ma jirto . Iskaba daa wax qabashe, eedeysanayaashii falkaa sida tooska ah u fuliyey ayaaba maanta ka qadhaabta afaafka hore ee Madaxtooyada Soomaalilaand. Sidaa waxa cadeeyey Wasiirkii hore ee Daakhiliga oo madaxtooyada afaafkeeda u eedeysane Cawar Xareed ugu hanjabay inuu ka aargoosandoono. Waa dhacdo kale oo la yaab leh oo iftiiminkarta mugga u leeyahay shirqoolkii lagu dilay afarta muwaadin ee aan wax dambi ah galabsan.

Waqtigii dawladii hore jirtay eedeysanuhu wuxu ku dhuumaaleysan jiray buuraleyda ku xeeran Gabiley, haddase wuxu dhex mushaaxaa magaalooyinka waaweyn ee Soomaalilaand, isga oo weliba wata baabuur iyo dabley hubeysan. Arrintani miyeysan marag u aheyn in budhcadii dadka leysay ay garab iyo gaashaanba ka heystaan dawladani cusub ee Soomaalilaand. Tani miyeysan aheyn gardarro garab og!

Dad badan oo ka soo jeeda beelaha dhexe oo nala soo xiriiray ayaa noo iftiimiyay in dilkii 7/11 uu ahaa mid siyaasadi ka dambeysay oo aysan suurtagel aheyn in xal loo helo. Arrintaas waxa loo fasiran karaa in muwaadiniintaasi ku dhex dhinteen loolankii siyaasadeed ee u dhexeeyey Kulmiye iyo UDUB. Haddii ay taasi jirto, ficilada labada xisbi ayaa kala cadeyndoona kooga ka dambeeyey shirqoolkii lagu dilay afarta muwaadin.

Dawladii hore awood ayey u laheyd iney soo qabato dadkii ka dambeeyey dilka kor ku xusan. Waxa taa u daliil ah dhacdadii lagu dilay sarkaalkii sare ee ka tirsanaa ciidanka Soomaalilaand ee lagu dilay Laascaanood loona xirxiray eedeysanyaal fara badan, maxkamadna la hor keenay. Dhacdadaasi Madaxweyne Siilaanyo isagoo markaa ahaa Guddoomiyaha Kulmiye, wuxu si toos ah falkaasi ugu eedeeyey Madaxweynihii hore Mudane Daahir Rayaale. Annaguse dhacdadii 7/11 si toos ah ugu eedeyn mayno Madaxweyne Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud ilaa annu helno wax cadeyn ah oo isaga farta ku fiiqda.

Dawladan cusubi iyana awood ayey u leedahay iney dilkani wax ka qabato, taasina waxa markhaati u ah dhacdadii dhawaan ka dhacday Burco ee baabuurka lagaga qaaday Badhasaab ku-xigeenkii hore ee Togdheer. Qabashada baaburkan waxay ku kaliftay Wasiir Gaboose in u ciidan ku hubeysan tikniko u diro Burco. Madaxweyne Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud wuxu isna u diray koox ka tirsan ciidanka qaranka, si ay uga hawl galaan soo qabashada baabuurkaas. Hase yeeshee askari kaliyana uma dirin soo qabashada dambiilayaashii afarta muwaadin gawracday ee weliba meydkoodii googoosay.

Reer Awdal, reer Salal iyo dhamaan shicibka dalku midna ilaabi maayaan aamusnaanta u Madaxweyne Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud ka aamusay dilkii loo geystay afarta haldoor ee reer Awdal/Salal ahaa ee lagu gumaaday dariiqa weyn ee u dhexeeya Hargeysa iyo Boorama.

Urur weynaha ARDAA wuxu aaminsanyahay in dhacdadani 7/11 ay tahay arrin boog ku ah dhamaan shicibka, dimuqraadiyada, iyo karaamada Soomaalilaand loona baahan yahay in fal dambiyedkani qaran (national crime) loo xaliyo si sharciga dalka waafaqsan . Haddii ay dhagari dhacdo waxa yimid fal dambiyeed u baahan in dawlada xilka haysaayi baarto oo ay dambiga ku soo oogto ciddii fulisay, ha noqdeen siyaasiyiin falan amase mooryaan dhiiga shicibka ku mamaye.

Waxa jirtay in 14kii Jeenawari 2010 lagu qabtay magaalada Tog-wajaale eedaysanyaasha kala ah Maxamuud Aw Cabdi (Qarxiye) iyo Cumar Cabdi Amare laguna xidhay jeelka weyn ee Mandheera iyaka oo loo aaneynaayey iney ka mid ahaayeen budhcadii jidgooyada ku laysay afartii muwaaadin ee la dilay 11kii Juulaay 2009. Warar isa soo taraaya oo laga soo xiganaayo ilo wareedyo xogogaal ah ayaa sheegayaa in dawladan cusubi ay labadaa eedeysane sii daysay iyadoo maxkamad anan horkeenin. Haddii ay sii dayntaasi dhabowdo, ha ogaato dawladan cusubi in ay fari ku godan tahay oo dadweynuhu la xisaabtami doono marka ay haboonaato!

Waxan dhamaan dadweynaha, hay’adaha xuquuqda aadamaha u dooda, golayaasha wakiilada iyo guurtida ku boorinaynaa in ay eegaan cawaaqib xumada ay leedahay dhacdadii 7/11 kuna dhiirigeliyaan dawlada, gaar ahaan hay’adaha amniga in ay talaabo cad oo sharciga dalka waafaqsan ka qaadaan cidii fulisay iyo wixii ka dambeeyey dilkaasi foosha xun ee ugubka ku ah dhaqanka bulshadani. Ogaada fulinta sharcigu inuu dan u yahay dhamaan dalka iyo bulshoweyntiisaba.

Eedeysanayaasha fal dambiyeedkan waxaan ugu baaqaynaa iney hay’adaha amniga isku dhiibaan si xeerka dalka waafaqsana iskaga difaacaan eeda loo soo jeediyey. Bulshoweynta reer Gabileyna waxa haboon in haddii ay daafacayaan eedeysanayaasha ku difaacaan sharciga hortiisa ooysan isticmaalin xeerkii Caynaba (xeerka kaymaha). Haddise ay door bidaan in sharciga gacatooda ku qaataan, ha ogaadaan iney noqon doonaan kuwa daloolinaaya doonta Soomaalilaand wada saran tahay.

Urur weynaha ARDAA wuxu hambalyo u dirayaa dhamaan Suldaanada iyo madax-dhaqmeedyada reer Awdal iyo Salal isaga oo ku bogaadinaaya kaalintii firfircoonida iyo geesinimada laheyd ee ay ka qaateen dhacdooyinkii dhawaan ka dhacay gobolada xilku ka saran yahay ee Awdal iyo Salal. Waxan idin leenahay si xilkasnimo, niyadsami, isku duubnaan iyo dhiiranaani ku jirto ayaad u gudateen masuuliyadii idinka saarneyd shicibka aad hogaanka u tihiin. Ogaada inaad baal dahab ah kaga jirtaan taariikhda dalka, nabad gelyadana uga shaqeeya sidii aad waligiinba uga shaqeyn jirteen.

Ugu dambeyntii, Wasiir Gaboose ha ogaado in Suldaanada iyo madax-dhaqmeedyada Soomaalilaand yihiin xabagta isku haysa beelaha. Taladooda iyo tusaala hooguna yahay ka ay ku soo caana maashay Soomaalilaand labaatankii sano ee u dambeysay. Madax-dhaqmeedyada reer Awdal iyo Salal ee u fududeysanaayo wasiirku waa kuwii doorka dahabka ah ka qaatay dhismihii Soomaalilaand, hadana udub dhexaadka u ah qaranka maanta jira. Waxan Wasiirka uga digaynaa in dhaqankii uu ku soo barbaaray ee ku saleysan ?KAC AAN IS DILNEE? u keeno Soomaalilaand sababta oo ah dhulkii loo raray dhaqankaasi wuxuu dhaxalsiiyey waxay ka muuqata Xamar iyo isha ku taalla walaalaheena koonfureed.

Ururka ?ARDAA?
e-mail: info@ardaa.org
10/11/2010

Ururka ARDAA waa urur dalad guud ah, kuna saleysan habka bulshada (community-based), isla markaana samafal ah. Waxa Lagu asaasay Waqooyiga Mareykanka sanadkii 2007 si ay taageero ugu fidiyaan mashaariicda horumarineed ee dhaqan-daqaale ee gobalada ADAL iyaka oo mideynaaya muruq iyo maalba, una fidinaaya tababar, wacyigeliyaana, horena u mariyaana hogaankooda iyo iney u doodaan xuquuqdooda aadamaninimo.

 Urgent Press release 

                        A call for peace and achieving the common good                                     To Somaliland, Ethiopia and the Community of Awdal/Salal regions

MINNEAPOLIS, U.S.A, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010–We, The Tol Leadership Council (TLC), founded by a group of concerned scholars, professionals and community leaders of the Gadaboursi (hereafter referred to by the traditional name Tol) at a convention held on April 1-3, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, in an effort to launch the long process of reinvigorating the traditional Somali leadership while envisioning modernized innovations for the Tol in the Horn of Africa and around the world, have followed with great concern the recent chain of unwelcome incidents in the Awdal/Salal regions in Somaliland.

These incidents included the landing of unknown and heavily armed militia on the coastal area between Zeila and Lughaya , the sporadic and spontaneous mass uprisings in Borama,  the reported entry of Ethiopian military personnel in Awdal and Salal regions,  and the obvious lack of coordinated and efficacious actions by  the authorities of Somaliland in dealing with the situation. 

As peace and stability have come to be held as a singular achievement and, thus, a source of pride among the people of Somaliland over the recent years, we have been deeply disturbed by the possible repercussions of such events on the public safety of citizens, the security of the country, the prevailing communal harmony between Somaliland communities, and the government’s ability to contain any pernicious fallout from these incidents.

Having faith in the wisdom of the Awdal/Salal communities and the judicious awareness of the Somaliland authorities, and realizing the concern of all parties, including Ethiopia, for the peace and stability in the Horn of African region, we call upon:

1. Awdal/Salal Communities:

1. A.     The communities in Awdal/Salal regions to make concerted and conscientious efforts to avoid anything that could jeopardize their peace and stability, their unity, their communal harmony with neighboring communities and the trust they have with the Government.
2. B.      The communities to exercise their right to express their legitimate grievances through the proper governmental and communal channels while, at all times, reining in their passions and keeping in mind that what harms the peace in one area can ruin the peace of the whole country  — resulting in making losers of all.
3. C.      The communities to handle their issues with optimum situational intelligence for which the people of the Awdal/Salal regions are known and to assist the Government in containing the situation by carrying out an adroit investigation that will address any security lapses to the satisfaction of their community.

11. The Somaliland Government: 

1. A.     Although we recognize that the Government is still new and has yet to plant its feet firmly on the ground, it is also imperative that shirking its responsibility under the pretext of being in a transitional mode or shifting the blame to previous situations will not absolve it of its own obligation in safeguarding the security of the country and the safety of its citizens.
2. B.      We, therefore, urge the Government to acknowledge its shortcomings, accept the blame where it is due and take immediate action to rectify it in order to earn and sustain the esteem of the people.
3. C.      We also press upon the Government to avoid taking any unwarranted actions or issuing statements that could inflame emotions and erode the citizens’ confidence in the authority of the Government. It should be a primary conviction of the government that earning the trust of the citizens is a perpetual task continuously tested, but particularly after an electoral victory.
4. D.     It is, indeed, the responsibility of the Government to redress the legitimate grievances and security concerns of the Awdal/Salal communities and those in other parts of the country and not to leave issues to fester and grow until they reach the point of eruption.  We urge the Government to take immediate steps to look into these issues in close coordination with the community leaders of Awdal/Salal regions and their political representatives.
5. E.      As upholding justice is one of the paramount responsibilities of a viable public authority, we stress with the Government to bring those who murdered the innocent passengers on the road between Kalabaydh and Dilla to face the full weight of the law. The fact that the previous Administration had failed to apprehend these fugitives should NOT warrant that they remain free. Rendering justice to whomever it is due is among the most crucial responsibilities of public authority, and has no timeframe.  Arresting those who committed this heinous crime and bringing them before a court of law will go a long way in uncoiling bitterness and making the citizens feel safe, and secure in protection of their rights.  Moreover, justice served to the families of the victims is bound to thicken the loyalty of the citizens to public leaders and institutions.

111. The Ethiopian Government: 

1. A.      We recognize the legitimate concerns of the Ethiopian Government over the security of its country and the protection of its citizens. Nonetheless, we remind those authorities that maintaining the friendship and good neighborly ties that they have built with Somaliland over the years obligates them to avoid taking any rash and unilateral action that could jeopardize such long term relations and, consequently, usher in a state of insecurity and disorder to the whole region.
2. B.      We, therefore, ask the Ethiopian Government to understand the paramount importance of reinforcing mutual trust through continued consultations and cooperation with Somaliland on all issues related to mutual security.
3. C.      We would like to strongly urge them to avoid taking any unilateral military action or sending any military personnel to any area of Somaliland without the prior consent and pre-arranged measures with the Somaliland Government and local community leaders.
4. D.     It should be known to the Ethiopian Government that any unilateral military incursions to hunt down perceived enemies without the prior knowledge and coordination with Somaliland authorities will only invoke righteous rage on the part of the people of Somaliland against Ethiopia. The fallout of any such incidents will be grave, undermining regional peace and stability and, therefore, playing into the hands of the extremist forces that are determined to wreak havoc upon the shared goals of the two countries: peace and development. 

Finally, we want to goad all the parties to resort to sagacity as a mode of thinking and acting and, as a result, exercise extreme caution and patience in dealing with the delicate security situation. To act in ways that would guarantee the common well being of all the peoples of the Horn of Africa is the gold standard for political maturity and effective leadership.

About TLC:

The Tol Leadership Council (TLC), founded on April1-3, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, to be the premier Tol organization that unites all Tol and has the conviction and capabilities to facilitate the establishment of a Tol in the Horn of Africa and around the world that is united; prosperous; at peace with itself and its neighbors; and able to effectively advance and safeguard the common social, economic, and human rights of its people.

For further details kindly contact:

Communication Office:

Email: ( tlc@tolleadershipcouncil.org or contacts@tolleadershipcouncil.org )

Website: http://tolleadershipcouncil.org/

Somali civilians in Southern and Central Somalia are increasingly caught between the hammer of the Al Shabaab terrorist movement and the anvil of a weak, incompetent and corrupt federal government.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
I want to begin my remarks by thanking the organizers for inviting me to take part in this very important event. I was able to speak earlier with Iman and Siham and I informed them that I have been following events at Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee camp in the world, for a long time. I will not talk about the humanitarian issues related to Dadaab because they have already been touched upon by the documentary that we just saw. My role tonight is to add to the discussion by speaking about the topic of human rights for the people in and around Dadaab. In addition to the goal of providing humanitarian aid to Somali refugees, the aim of this initiative is to contribute to their self sufficiency by setting up educational and other opportunities for the 300,000 people there. Highlighting the human rights abuses that Somalis face and taking steps to end them will play a crucial role in the healing and restoration of the dignity of these vulnerable people.

Contrary to Kenyan and international law, Kenya closed its border to Somali refugees in 2007 and also shut down the crucial refugee processing centre in the border town of Liboi. This centre was used as a first stop for the refugees before they were provided with safe passage to Dadaab which is much further inland. The border remains closed to this day. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as well as numerous human rights organizations have constantly sought to overturn this decision while at the same time respecting Kenya’s genuine security concerns. They have called on the Kenyan government to differentiate between dangerous criminals and terrorists, and refugees in need of protection. The closure of the border and the processing centre has given a free hand to some corrupt Kenyan police and border paramilitary forces to engage in serious human rights violations against Somali refugees. First, Kenyan border paramilitary forces routinely ignore the principle of non-refoulement which forbids the expulsion of a refugee into an area where the person might be again subjected to persecution or where their lives or freedoms could be threatened. Secondly, credible human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, have documented some of these border forces and police officers near the dadaab camp engaging in:

- Random shooting of groups of refugees crossing the border,
- Extortion of refugees that are caught making their way to the camp and the illegal detention of those who refuse to pay bribes,
- Rape and sexual assault of female refugees.

It is important to note here that these abuses are not officially condoned by the authorities and that Kenya has hosted hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees since the beginning of the civil war in Somalia. Nevertheless, these abuses are of great concern to Canadian Somalis who have family members and relatives among the large refugee population in North Eastern Kenya. As we move forward to address this matter, we must also unequivocally condemn the Al Shabaab terrorist organization because the brutality of its fighters is the root cause of the Somali civilians fleeing to Kenya. Somali civilians in Southern and Central Somalia are increasingly caught between the hammer of the Al Shabaab terrorist movement and the anvil of a weak, incompetent and corrupt federal government. We will loose credibility if we take on the Kenyans for their abuse of Somalis while ignoring the nihilistic death cult that is the Al Shabaab.

What is the segment of Canadian Somalis that are best placed to highlight the human rights abuses that Somali refugees face and take steps to end them? The obvious answer to this question is the Canadian Somali youth. You possess the knowledge, commitment and sincerity that is necessary to tackle these and similar issues. The problem is that you defer to our elders on virtually every issue. There is nothing wrong with respecting the experience of the elders but they also have to appreciate that you can function better in the diaspora. As such, the youth have to step up and play their rightful role in the progression of the Canadian Somali community as well as contributing to peace and prosperity in Somalia. I would strongly urge you to make sure that your activities are in accordance with Canadian values as you assist Somalia. An example of this is the great Canadian practice of protecting minority rights. You will not be taken seriously or make any headway if you complain about human rights violations of your relatives when at the same time you appear to condone or fail to speak about the suppression of minority clans inside Somalia.

In addition to the provision of humanitarian supplies, what concrete activities can Canadian Somali youth engage in to assist Somali refugees? First, they can work with the credible human rights organizations that I mentioned earlier in order to keep this issue alive. Second, due to the fact that the countries bordering Somalia have taken in a huge number of refugees, they can also request the Canadian government to help relieve this pressure by taking in their share of Somali refugees. But this can only occur if the community starts to see themselves as Canadian citizens of Somali heritage who have a stake in the future of this country. We also need to proactively engage our elected officials, welcome them into our communities and neighbourhoods, and highlight the issues of concern to them.

I want to end my speech by recognizing the debt that we collectively owe to the Canadian Somali women who constantly exhibit resilience and a quiet dignity as they overcome overwhelming odds. That is why we consider them the undisputed backbone of our people in Canada.

Thank you very much.

FromCanSomCongress <cansomcongress@gmail.com>

                                29/07/2010

Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland, Mudane, Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud, ayaa maanta soo saaray laba xeer oo uu ku kala magacaabay labadan masuul ee hoos ku xusan, kuwaasi oo kala qaban doona Chief of Cabinet-ka Madaxtooyada iyo Af-hayeenka Madaxtooyada Somaliland. 

1.     Mudane, Xirsi Cali X. Xassan oo uu u magacaabay inuu noqdo Chief of Cabinet-ka Madaxtooyada. 

2.     Mudane, Cabdillaahi Maxamed Daahir (Cukuse) oo uu u magacaabay inuu noqdo Af-hayeenka Madaxtooyada.  

 Allaa Mahad Leh 

Maamulka Xafiiska Madaxweynaha JSL

Waaheen.

Holding their first Tol Convocation on April 1-3, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, the conference attendees unanimously singled out failure of leadership as the fundamental cause of the Somali people’s economic underdevelopment, social disharmony and erosion of cultural values. Hence, they made “…launching the long process of reinvigorating the traditional leadership as well as imagining modernizing innovations…” as their urgent priority for their community in the Minneapolis communiqué. The Committee resulting from the Minnesota Tol Convocation held its first meeting in Ottawa, Canada, and issued the following communiqué:   

Gatineau Communiqué

The First Meeting of the Governing Board of the TOL Leadership Council, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada July 2^nd - 4^th, 2010.

(For Immediate Release)                                                                 

Maantaba malkaa inagu qummane, yaan la gees marine,  

Marka aanad hammon noloshu waa, mooyi dabadeede,  

Madhax ma laha aadmigu wuxuu, kuu mitamiyaaye,  

macaluul wax kaagama taraan, maal laguu guraye,  

midigtaadu waxay xoogsataa, maydha kaa jara e,

                      (Abdillahi Suldaan Maxamed, Timacadde, 1971)

The concept of TOL acknowledges primordial ties but, more importantly, stresses the following: optimum protection of individual and communal welfare, and meeting of obligations to other communities (from the intimate neighbor to the most geographically distant of the Somali people) in a larger context of peace, social justice and generosity (Prof. Ahmed Samatar, 2010)

In the mighty vortex of history, which inevitably crushes all peoples that are not as hard and as flexible as steel, such a community couldn’t permanently maintain itself (Theodore Mommsen, 1908)    

Without overlooking the discernable variability in the condition of the Somali people, these are, indeed, dark times for the majority.  All indictors of the major spheres of existence, from environmental, economic, cultural, political, to personal security, point to the buildup of vulnerabilities, best captured by this alarming fact: nearly half of the population is now considered to suffer from notable degrees of malnourishment.

 The general state of affairs notwithstanding, we are convinced that some zones are more brittle than others.  One such example is the Gadabursi community – inhabitants of a large swath of territory in the Horn of Africa.  While specific members of this community have found notable successes in their respective endeavors, we hold that these individual accomplishments do not add up to the progress of collective well-being. In fact, a strong argument can be made to the contrary:  communal survival, let alone advancement, is in new danger.  To be sure, the threats emanate from a variety of sources, whose clear identification, detailed analyses, and judicious prioritization are waiting to be undertaken. What is certain is this:  there is a growing consensus that the most immediate challenge to the community, and key to any collective efficacy in the face of the mounting menace, is the question of effective and inclusive leadership – one that combines the best of the community’s traditions and talents in imagining a new, galvanizing and enabling vision delivered and pursued with uncommon ability, courage, and rectitude

Here, it is necessary to make clear the nature of the group’s affinity. The conviction behind this initiative distinguishes between an affiliation based on tribal mentality/clanism and kinship. Describing the difference between the two in his opening speech at the Minnesota Tol Convocation, Professor Ahmed I. Samatar said:

“The first (clanship), connotes what Somalis would call Qabiil and, thus, is motivated by small-mindedness and the ‘Othering’ of those who don’t belong to the assumed genealogical tree; the latter is grounded on the concept of Tol that acknowledges primordial ties but, more importantly, stresses the following:  optimum protection of individual and communal welfare, and meeting of obligations to other communities (from the intimate neighbor to the most geographically distant of the Somali people) in a larger context of peace,  social justice and generosity.

“In short, Qabiil is always negative, if not degenerative, and lends itself to internal fissures and hate for the non-member. TOL, on the other hand, is conducive to group solidarity linked to deep empathy for strangers. We believe such a perspective transforms the way many contemporary Somalis relate to each other and, thus, bodes well for engagements that enrich constructive pluralism.”

This first meeting of the TOL Committee follows on the footsteps of the Minnesota convocation earlier this year where a cohort of scholars, professionals, and civic leaders were elected. This meeting moved the ball further by creating a formal structure to this important TOL initiative, defining its vision and mission. Here is a summary of the proceedings of the TOL Committee meeting in Gatineau, Canada:  

COMMUNIQUE

Whereas:

1-       The first TOL Committee meeting held in Gatineau, Canada, on July 2-4, 2010 aimed at advancing the ideas and insights gained at the TOL Convocation held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in April 2010.

2-      The Gatineau-Ottawa coordinating group put together a memorable event with outstanding meeting facilities, exquisite food, and convivial ambience to welcome their TOL brothers and sisters to their city.

3-      The TOL committee conducted a vigorous debate and deliberated on the vision, mission, and bylaws of the new TOL Committee.

4-      The attending TOL Committee members appreciated and enjoyed the gathering of the Ottawa TOL held on the last day, July 4, 2010 where frank and friendly exchange of ideas with the larger community were conducted, culminating in a pleasing cultural entertainment in the evening at the beautiful Chateau Cartier Hotel and Conference Center, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

5-       We are committed to the vision of a TOL in the Horn of Africa and around the world that is united; prosperous; at peace with itself, its neighbors and its natural environment; and able to advance and safeguard the common social, economic, property and human rights of its people.

6-      We recognize and affirm the imperative of promoting unity among the component constituents of the TOL for the common good.

7-      We recognize, respect, and affirm the rights and responsibilities to neighboring communities with whom we share common spatial habitat and whose destinies are deeply intertwined with that of our TOL.

8-      We are committed to establishing a bridging mechanism which is capable of facilitating the smooth merger of the wisdoms of the traditional leadership with the dynamism of modernity.

9-      We recognize the need to engage the TOL globally in its various settings to harvest the market place of ideas and generate insights; undertake an in-depth analysis of the nature and magnitude of the major challenges facing the TOL; and establish a road map for the attainment of the Council’s vision.

The TOL Committee passed the following resolutions:

1)      The name of the TOL Committee shall be the TOL Leadership Council (TLC)

2)      The structure of the TOL Leadership Council was discussed and the bylaws were formulated, debated and adopted.

3)      The Governing Board was  expanded to a total of 30 members, with Ugas  Abdirashid Ugas Roble as  honorary member

4)      An Executive Committee of 10 members was elected as the first Executive Officers of the TOL Leadership Council.

5)      The Governing Board agreed that a grand TOL Convention be held at an appropriate location back in the region as soon as feasible.  

6)      The Governing Board agreed to send the first TLC delegation, consisting of three members, to the TOL-inhabited areas of the region to assess the state of the TOL community, hold community conversations with the TOL traditional leadership as well as the community at large, and gather ideas and insights. They will also lay some of the groundwork for the Grand TOL Convention

List of the Executive Committee Members:

1)      Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar, Chair

2)      Yusuf Aden Qalib, Vice Chair

3)      Abdiwahid Sh.Osman, Vice Chair

4)      Dr. Hodan Muse Rabile, Secretary

5)      Rhoda Haji Mizan, Treasurer

6)      Bashir Sh. Omar Goth, Director of Communications

7)      Abdi Dahir Aye, Webmaster

8)      Professor Hussein Warsame, Convener of the Education, Culture, and Training Committee

9)      Professor Mohamed Farah Good, Convener of the Resources and Planning Committee

10)  Dr. Ali Bahar, Convener of the Diaspora Relations Committee

List of the Expanded Governing Board:

1)      Ebado Hussein ( Ontario , Canada )

2)      Mohamed Farah ( Alberta , Canada )

3)      Dr Ali Ibrahim Bahar (Texas, USA )

4)      Eng. Rashid Cige Guled (Illinois, USA )

5)      Dr. Hodan Muse Rabile (Texas, USA )

6)      Halimo Hassan Saad ( Ontario , Canada )

7)      Dr Abdirahman Beileh ( Tunis , Tunisia )

8)      AbdulWahid Sheikh Osman Qalinle (Minnesota , USA )

9)  Professor Hussein Ahmed Warsame ( Alberta , Canada )

10)  Prof. Mohamed Farah Good (Wardi)(Massachusetts, USA )

11)  Safia Abdillahi Ismael (Texas, USA )

12)  Halimo Jama Hadi (Texas, USA )

13)  Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar (Minnesota , USA )

14)  Mubarak Ahmed Nur ( Illinois , USA )

15)  Bashir Sh Omar Goth ( Abu Dhabi , UAE)

16)  Yusuf Adan Qalib (Texas, USA )

17)  Roda Haji Ahmed Mizan (Texas, USA)

18)  Abdi Dahir Aye (Texas, USA )

19)  Lul Ahmed Osman ( Ontario , Canada )

20)  Abdulkadir Ismail Jama (Minnesota, USA)

21)  Abubakar Hamud Jibril (Minnesota, USA)

22)  Jama Osman ( Ontario , Canada )

23) Hassan Aden (Ottawa, Canada)

24) Hassan Musa Khalif (London)

25) Abdirahman Dahir (London)

26) Dr. Elmi Nur (Sweden)

27) Dr. Yaqub Aden (Sweden)

28) Abdillahi Osman (Australia)

29) Vacant (to be filled soon)

30) Vacant (to be filled soon).

For further information you can write to:

Bashir Goth, email: bgoth@yahoo.com

Abdi Aye, email: abdiatom@gmail.com

Lul Osman, email: ravenclewis@hotmail.com

In early April 2010, members of the Gadabursi Community drew a line; making a clear departure from the traditional way of  fixing and plastering the cracks of the status quo to digging the root cause of the community’s ills and finding visionary and long-lasting solutions for them.  

Holding their first Tol Convocation on April 1-3, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, the conference attendees unanimously singled out failure of leadership as the fundamental cause of the Somali people’s economic underdevelopment, social disharmony and erosion of cultural values. Hence, they made “…launching the long process of reinvigorating the traditional leadership as well as imagining modernizing innovations…” as their urgent priority for their community in the Minneapolis communiqué. The Committee resulting from the Minnesota Tol Convocation held its first meeting in Ottawa, Canada, and issued the following communiqué:   

Gatineau Communiqué

The First Meeting of the Governing Board of the TOL Leadership Council, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada July 2^nd - 4^th, 2010.

(For Immediate Release)                                                                 

Maantaba malkaa inagu qummane, yaan la gees marine,  

Marka aanad hammon noloshu waa, mooyi dabadeede,  

Madhax ma laha aadmigu wuxuu, kuu mitamiyaaye,  

macaluul wax kaagama taraan, maal laguu guraye,  

midigtaadu waxay xoogsataa, maydha kaa jara e,

                      (Abdillahi Suldaan Maxamed, Timacadde, 1971)

The concept of TOL acknowledges primordial ties but, more importantly, stresses the following: optimum protection of individual and communal welfare, and meeting of obligations to other communities (from the intimate neighbor to the most geographically distant of the Somali people) in a larger context of peace, social justice and generosity (Prof. Ahmed Samatar, 2010)

In the mighty vortex of history, which inevitably crushes all peoples that are not as hard and as flexible as steel, such a community couldn’t permanently maintain itself (Theodore Mommsen, 1908)    

Without overlooking the discernable variability in the condition of the Somali people, these are, indeed, dark times for the majority.  All indictors of the major spheres of existence, from environmental, economic, cultural, political, to personal security, point to the buildup of vulnerabilities, best captured by this alarming fact: nearly half of the population is now considered to suffer from notable degrees of malnourishment.

 The general state of affairs notwithstanding, we are convinced that some zones are more brittle than others.  One such example is the Gadabursi community – inhabitants of a large swath of territory in the Horn of Africa.  While specific members of this community have found notable successes in their respective endeavors, we hold that these individual accomplishments do not add up to the progress of collective well-being. In fact, a strong argument can be made to the contrary:  communal survival, let alone advancement, is in new danger.  To be sure, the threats emanate from a variety of sources, whose clear identification, detailed analyses, and judicious prioritization are waiting to be undertaken. What is certain is this:  there is a growing consensus that the most immediate challenge to the community, and key to any collective efficacy in the face of the mounting menace, is the question of effective and inclusive leadership – one that combines the best of the community’s traditions and talents in imagining a new, galvanizing and enabling vision delivered and pursued with uncommon ability, courage, and rectitude

Here, it is necessary to make clear the nature of the group’s affinity. The conviction behind this initiative distinguishes between an affiliation based on tribal mentality/clanism and kinship. Describing the difference between the two in his opening speech at the Minnesota Tol Convocation, Professor Ahmed I. Samatar said:

“The first (clanship), connotes what Somalis would call Qabiil and, thus, is motivated by small-mindedness and the ‘Othering’ of those who don’t belong to the assumed genealogical tree; the latter is grounded on the concept of Tol that acknowledges primordial ties but, more importantly, stresses the following:  optimum protection of individual and communal welfare, and meeting of obligations to other communities (from the intimate neighbor to the most geographically distant of the Somali people) in a larger context of peace,  social justice and generosity.

“In short, Qabiil is always negative, if not degenerative, and lends itself to internal fissures and hate for the non-member. TOL, on the other hand, is conducive to group solidarity linked to deep empathy for strangers. We believe such a perspective transforms the way many contemporary Somalis relate to each other and, thus, bodes well for engagements that enrich constructive pluralism.”

This first meeting of the TOL Committee follows on the footsteps of the Minnesota convocation earlier this year where a cohort of scholars, professionals, and civic leaders were elected. This meeting moved the ball further by creating a formal structure to this important TOL initiative, defining its vision and mission. Here is a summary of the proceedings of the TOL Committee meeting in Gatineau, Canada:  

COMMUNIQUE

Whereas:

1-       The first TOL Committee meeting held in Gatineau, Canada, on July 2-4, 2010 aimed at advancing the ideas and insights gained at the TOL Convocation held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in April 2010.

2-      The Gatineau-Ottawa coordinating group put together a memorable event with outstanding meeting facilities, exquisite food, and convivial ambience to welcome their TOL brothers and sisters to their city.

3-      The TOL committee conducted a vigorous debate and deliberated on the vision, mission, and bylaws of the new TOL Committee.

4-      The attending TOL Committee members appreciated and enjoyed the gathering of the Ottawa TOL held on the last day, July 4, 2010 where frank and friendly exchange of ideas with the larger community were conducted, culminating in a pleasing cultural entertainment in the evening at the beautiful Chateau Cartier Hotel and Conference Center, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

5-       We are committed to the vision of a TOL in the Horn of Africa and around the world that is united; prosperous; at peace with itself, its neighbors and its natural environment; and able to advance and safeguard the common social, economic, property and human rights of its people.

6-      We recognize and affirm the imperative of promoting unity among the component constituents of the TOL for the common good.

7-      We recognize, respect, and affirm the rights and responsibilities to neighboring communities with whom we share common spatial habitat and whose destinies are deeply intertwined with that of our TOL.

8-      We are committed to establishing a bridging mechanism which is capable of facilitating the smooth merger of the wisdoms of the traditional leadership with the dynamism of modernity.

9-      We recognize the need to engage the TOL globally in its various settings to harvest the market place of ideas and generate insights; undertake an in-depth analysis of the nature and magnitude of the major challenges facing the TOL; and establish a road map for the attainment of the Council’s vision.

The TOL Committee passed the following resolutions:

1)      The name of the TOL Committee shall be the TOL Leadership Council (TLC)

2)      The structure of the TOL Leadership Council was discussed and the bylaws were formulated, debated and adopted.

3)      The Governing Board was  expanded to a total of 30 members, with Ugas  Abdirashid Ugas Roble as  honorary member

4)      An Executive Committee of 10 members was elected as the first Executive Officers of the TOL Leadership Council.

5)      The Governing Board agreed that a grand TOL Convention be held at an appropriate location back in the region as soon as feasible.  

6)      The Governing Board agreed to send the first TLC delegation, consisting of three members, to the TOL-inhabited areas of the region to assess the state of the TOL community, hold community conversations with the TOL traditional leadership as well as the community at large, and gather ideas and insights. They will also lay some of the groundwork for the Grand TOL Convention

List of the Executive Committee Members:

1)      Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar, Chair

2)      Yusuf Aden Qalib, Vice Chair

3)      Abdiwahid Sh.Osman, Vice Chair

4)      Dr. Hodan Muse Rabile, Secretary

5)      Rhoda Haji Mizan, Treasurer

6)      Bashir Sh. Omar Goth, Director of Communications

7)      Abdi Dahir Aye, Webmaster

8)      Professor Hussein Warsame, Convener of the Education, Culture, and Training Committee

9)      Professor Mohamed Farah Good, Convener of the Resources and Planning Committee

10)  Dr. Ali Bahar, Convener of the Diaspora Relations Committee

List of the Expanded Governing Board:

1)      Ebado Hussein ( Ontario , Canada )

2)      Mohamed Farah ( Alberta , Canada )

3)      Dr Ali Ibrahim Bahar (Texas, USA )

4)      Eng. Rashid Cige Guled (Illinois, USA )

5)      Dr. Hodan Muse Rabile (Texas, USA )

6)      Halimo Hassan Saad ( Ontario , Canada )

7)      Dr Abdirahman Beileh ( Tunis , Tunisia )

8)      AbdulWahid Sheikh Osman Qalinle (Minnesota , USA )

9)  Professor Hussein Ahmed Warsame ( Alberta , Canada )

10)  Prof. Mohamed Farah Good (Wardi)(Massachusetts, USA )

11)  Safia Abdillahi Ismael (Texas, USA )

12)  Halimo Jama Hadi (Texas, USA )

13)  Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar (Minnesota , USA )

14)  Mubarak Ahmed Nur ( Illinois , USA )

15)  Bashir Sh Omar Goth ( Abu Dhabi , UAE)

16)  Yusuf Adan Qalib (Texas, USA )

17)  Roda Haji Ahmed Mizan (Texas, USA)

18)  Abdi Dahir Aye (Texas, USA )

19)  Lul Ahmed Osman ( Ontario , Canada )

20)  Abdulkadir Ismail Jama (Minnesota, USA)

21)  Abubakar Hamud Jibril (Minnesota, USA)

22)  Jama Osman ( Ontario , Canada )

23) Hassan Aden (Ottawa, Canada)

24) Hassan Musa Khalif (London)

25) Abdirahman Dahir (London)

26) Dr. Elmi Nur (Sweden)

27) Dr. Yaqub Aden (Sweden)

28) Abdillahi Osman (Australia)

29) Vacant (to be filled soon)

30) Vacant (to be filled soon).

For further information you can write to:

Bashir Goth, email: bgoth@yahoo.com

Abdi Aye, email: abdiatom@gmail.com

Lul Osman, email: ravenclewis@hotmail.com

In early April 2010, members of the Gadabursi Community drew a line; making a clear departure from the traditional way of  fixing and plastering the cracks of the status quo to digging the root cause of the community’s ills and finding visionary and long-lasting solutions for them.  

Holding their first Tol Convocation on April 1-3, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, the conference attendees unanimously singled out failure of leadership as the fundamental cause of the Somali people’s economic underdevelopment, social disharmony and erosion of cultural values. Hence, they made “…launching the long process of reinvigorating the traditional leadership as well as imagining modernizing innovations…” as their urgent priority for their community in the Minneapolis communiqué. The Committee resulting from the Minnesota Tol Convocation held its first meeting in Ottawa, Canada, and issued the following communiqué:   

Gatineau Communiqué

The First Meeting of the Governing Board of the TOL Leadership Council, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada July 2^nd - 4^th, 2010.

(For Immediate Release)                                                                 

Maantaba malkaa inagu qummane, yaan la gees marine,  

Marka aanad hammon noloshu waa, mooyi dabadeede,  

Madhax ma laha aadmigu wuxuu, kuu mitamiyaaye,  

macaluul wax kaagama taraan, maal laguu guraye,  

midigtaadu waxay xoogsataa, maydha kaa jara e,

                      (Abdillahi Suldaan Maxamed, Timacadde, 1971)

The concept of TOL acknowledges primordial ties but, more importantly, stresses the following: optimum protection of individual and communal welfare, and meeting of obligations to other communities (from the intimate neighbor to the most geographically distant of the Somali people) in a larger context of peace, social justice and generosity (Prof. Ahmed Samatar, 2010)

In the mighty vortex of history, which inevitably crushes all peoples that are not as hard and as flexible as steel, such a community couldn’t permanently maintain itself (Theodore Mommsen, 1908)    

Without overlooking the discernable variability in the condition of the Somali people, these are, indeed, dark times for the majority.  All indictors of the major spheres of existence, from environmental, economic, cultural, political, to personal security, point to the buildup of vulnerabilities, best captured by this alarming fact: nearly half of the population is now considered to suffer from notable degrees of malnourishment.

 The general state of affairs notwithstanding, we are convinced that some zones are more brittle than others.  One such example is the Gadabursi community – inhabitants of a large swath of territory in the Horn of Africa.  While specific members of this community have found notable successes in their respective endeavors, we hold that these individual accomplishments do not add up to the progress of collective well-being. In fact, a strong argument can be made to the contrary:  communal survival, let alone advancement, is in new danger.  To be sure, the threats emanate from a variety of sources, whose clear identification, detailed analyses, and judicious prioritization are waiting to be undertaken. What is certain is this:  there is a growing consensus that the most immediate challenge to the community, and key to any collective efficacy in the face of the mounting menace, is the question of effective and inclusive leadership – one that combines the best of the community’s traditions and talents in imagining a new, galvanizing and enabling vision delivered and pursued with uncommon ability, courage, and rectitude

Here, it is necessary to make clear the nature of the group’s affinity. The conviction behind this initiative distinguishes between an affiliation based on tribal mentality/clanism and kinship. Describing the difference between the two in his opening speech at the Minnesota Tol Convocation, Professor Ahmed I. Samatar said:

“The first (clanship), connotes what Somalis would call Qabiil and, thus, is motivated by small-mindedness and the ‘Othering’ of those who don’t belong to the assumed genealogical tree; the latter is grounded on the concept of Tol that acknowledges primordial ties but, more importantly, stresses the following:  optimum protection of individual and communal welfare, and meeting of obligations to other communities (from the intimate neighbor to the most geographically distant of the Somali people) in a larger context of peace,  social justice and generosity.

“In short, Qabiil is always negative, if not degenerative, and lends itself to internal fissures and hate for the non-member. TOL, on the other hand, is conducive to group solidarity linked to deep empathy for strangers. We believe such a perspective transforms the way many contemporary Somalis relate to each other and, thus, bodes well for engagements that enrich constructive pluralism.”

This first meeting of the TOL Committee follows on the footsteps of the Minnesota convocation earlier this year where a cohort of scholars, professionals, and civic leaders were elected. This meeting moved the ball further by creating a formal structure to this important TOL initiative, defining its vision and mission. Here is a summary of the proceedings of the TOL Committee meeting in Gatineau, Canada:  

COMMUNIQUE

Whereas:

1-       The first TOL Committee meeting held in Gatineau, Canada, on July 2-4, 2010 aimed at advancing the ideas and insights gained at the TOL Convocation held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in April 2010.

2-      The Gatineau-Ottawa coordinating group put together a memorable event with outstanding meeting facilities, exquisite food, and convivial ambience to welcome their TOL brothers and sisters to their city.

3-      The TOL committee conducted a vigorous debate and deliberated on the vision, mission, and bylaws of the new TOL Committee.

4-      The attending TOL Committee members appreciated and enjoyed the gathering of the Ottawa TOL held on the last day, July 4, 2010 where frank and friendly exchange of ideas with the larger community were conducted, culminating in a pleasing cultural entertainment in the evening at the beautiful Chateau Cartier Hotel and Conference Center, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

5-       We are committed to the vision of a TOL in the Horn of Africa and around the world that is united; prosperous; at peace with itself, its neighbors and its natural environment; and able to advance and safeguard the common social, economic, property and human rights of its people.

6-      We recognize and affirm the imperative of promoting unity among the component constituents of the TOL for the common good.

7-      We recognize, respect, and affirm the rights and responsibilities to neighboring communities with whom we share common spatial habitat and whose destinies are deeply intertwined with that of our TOL.

8-      We are committed to establishing a bridging mechanism which is capable of facilitating the smooth merger of the wisdoms of the traditional leadership with the dynamism of modernity.

9-      We recognize the need to engage the TOL globally in its various settings to harvest the market place of ideas and generate insights; undertake an in-depth analysis of the nature and magnitude of the major challenges facing the TOL; and establish a road map for the attainment of the Council’s vision.

The TOL Committee passed the following resolutions:

1)      The name of the TOL Committee shall be the TOL Leadership Council (TLC)

2)      The structure of the TOL Leadership Council was discussed and the bylaws were formulated, debated and adopted.

3)      The Governing Board was  expanded to a total of 30 members, with Ugas  Abdirashid Ugas Roble as  honorary member

4)      An Executive Committee of 10 members was elected as the first Executive Officers of the TOL Leadership Council.

5)      The Governing Board agreed that a grand TOL Convention be held at an appropriate location back in the region as soon as feasible.  

6)      The Governing Board agreed to send the first TLC delegation, consisting of three members, to the TOL-inhabited areas of the region to assess the state of the TOL community, hold community conversations with the TOL traditional leadership as well as the community at large, and gather ideas and insights. They will also lay some of the groundwork for the Grand TOL Convention

List of the Executive Committee Members:

1)      Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar, Chair

2)      Yusuf Aden Qalib, Vice Chair

3)      Abdiwahid Sh.Osman, Vice Chair

4)      Dr. Hodan Muse Rabile, Secretary

5)      Rhoda Haji Mizan, Treasurer

6)      Bashir Sh. Omar Goth, Director of Communications

7)      Abdi Dahir Aye, Webmaster

8)      Professor Hussein Warsame, Convener of the Education, Culture, and Training Committee

9)      Professor Mohamed Farah Good, Convener of the Resources and Planning Committee

10)  Dr. Ali Bahar, Convener of the Diaspora Relations Committee

List of the Expanded Governing Board:

1)      Ebado Hussein ( Ontario , Canada )

2)      Mohamed Farah ( Alberta , Canada )

3)      Dr Ali Ibrahim Bahar (Texas, USA )

4)      Eng. Rashid Cige Guled (Illinois, USA )

5)      Dr. Hodan Muse Rabile (Texas, USA )

6)      Halimo Hassan Saad ( Ontario , Canada )

7)      Dr Abdirahman Beileh ( Tunis , Tunisia )

8)      AbdulWahid Sheikh Osman Qalinle (Minnesota , USA )

9)  Professor Hussein Ahmed Warsame ( Alberta , Canada )

10)  Prof. Mohamed Farah Good (Wardi)(Massachusetts, USA )

11)  Safia Abdillahi Ismael (Texas, USA )

12)  Halimo Jama Hadi (Texas, USA )

13)  Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar (Minnesota , USA )

14)  Mubarak Ahmed Nur ( Illinois , USA )

15)  Bashir Sh Omar Goth ( Abu Dhabi , UAE)

16)  Yusuf Adan Qalib (Texas, USA )

17)  Roda Haji Ahmed Mizan (Texas, USA)

18)  Abdi Dahir Aye (Texas, USA )

19)  Lul Ahmed Osman ( Ontario , Canada )

20)  Abdulkadir Ismail Jama (Minnesota, USA)

21)  Abubakar Hamud Jibril (Minnesota, USA)

22)  Jama Osman ( Ontario , Canada )

23) Hassan Aden (Ottawa, Canada)

24) Hassan Musa Khalif (London)

25) Abdirahman Dahir (London)

26) Dr. Elmi Nur (Sweden)

27) Dr. Yaqub Aden (Sweden)

28) Abdillahi Osman (Australia)

29) Vacant (to be filled soon)

30) Vacant (to be filled soon).

For further information you can write to:

Bashir Goth, email: bgoth@yahoo.com

Abdi Aye, email: abdiatom@gmail.com

Lul Osman, email: ravenclewis@hotmail.com