2022 in Somaliland

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 2022
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See also:List of years in Somaliland

Events in the year 2022 in Somaliland.

Incumbents[edit]

Events[edit]

Ongoing – Somali Civil War (2009–present); COVID-19 pandemic in Somaliland

January[edit]

  • January–February – The mayor of Borama estimates at least 10,000 refugees from the Tigray War have crossed over the border from Ethiopia to the city.[1]
  • January 10 – The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change break ground on the construction of the 800ha CCF Somaliland Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC). The construction is said to take place in phases over the coming year. When complete, the CRCC will provide a permanent home for cubs rescued from the illegal pet trade or human-wildlife conflict situations and provide Somaliland with a tourist destination.[2]
  • January 16 – The Supreme Court reaffirms the legality of the original Law 14 of 2011, reaffirming the nation is representative democracy over a direct one.[3]
  • January 18 – Around two dozen British MPs convene to discuss the recognition of Somaliland's independence in a motion introduced by Conservative MP Gavin Williamson, close ally of President Abdi.[4][5]
  • January 31 – Taiwan gifts 150,000 doses of its domestically developed Medigen COVID-19 vaccine as part of the nations renewed vaccine diplomacy push.[6]

February[edit]

  • February 1 – President Abdi offers the United States military use of the Berbera seaport and airfield overlooking strategic maritime routes in exchange for steps toward recognizing the region as a sovereign country.[7]
  • February 3 – Environmental Minister Shukri Ismail Haji announces plans to open a national park "where the cheetahs will be able to roam".[8]
  • February 9 to 13 – FM Kayd goes on a five-day tour of Taiwan at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen. One of the main goals of his visit was to extol the potential for Taiwanese companies to take advantage of Somaliland's abundant natural resources. This visit was condemned by China.[9][10]
  • February 21 – Taiwan's envoy to Somaliland, Allen C. Lou (羅震華), gives a $500,000 USD ($13.9 million TWD) donation to VP Saylici to combat severe drought within the nation. Taiwan also announces plans of sending 300 tons of rice to help with ongoing food shortage.[11]
  • February 26 – Welsh MP Alun Cairns to discuss the nations UN recognition and possible funding.[12]

March[edit]

April[edit]

  • April 1 – A large fire destroys main market (Waheen Market) in the city of Hargeisa, destroying an estimated 2,000 shops and stalls and injuring 28 people.[20]
  • April 3 – Intelligence officers in Hargeisa arrest freelance online journalists Abdisalan Ahmed Abdisalan shortly after he broke his fast for Ramadan at a local restaurant, allegedly for speaking out about his March 18 attack.[17]
  • April 4 – Somalia offers to send $11.7 million to Hargeisa to help those who lost their lives and property in the Waheen market fire. There is debate among politicians and the families that need the money if they should accept money from the country they are trying to separate from.[21]
  • April 5
    • The US city Minneapolis' Somali community and 40 organizers come together to raise awareness and launch fundraisers for people affected by the Waheen Market fire on 1 April, according to organizer Abdirahman Kahin.[22]
    • San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas travels across the nation with NPO Mercy-USA to give back to impoverished communities during Ramadan.[23]
  • April 6 – Somaliland officials launch an international appeal for $2 billion to urgently deliver humanitarian and livelihood support, particularly towards the estimated 5,000 family businesses destroyed in the fire. 2 billion was chosen as the amount as that was the estimated loss caused by the fire.[24]
  • April 11 – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demands the unconditional release of freelance online journalist Abdisalan Ahmed Awad, after his arrest on April 3, and hold the intelligence officers who harassed and assaulted him and two other journalists on March 18 responsible.[17]
  • April 13 – Police and intelligence officers arrest a group of at least nine journalists who were covering a fight between inmates and guards in Hargeisa. Later that day, security personnel raided the Horn Cable TV offices, which was one of the stations that aired the breaking news dispatches from the scene of the prison fight, and arrested six more journalists for reporting on "unconfirmed news" and for "exaggerating the incident", according to Ahmed Awale Yusuf, the head of Somaliland’s Custodial Corps. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is working towards their "unconditional release".[25][26]
  • April 20
    • Somaliland police release all but three journalists; Mohamed Abdi Ilig Mohamed (MM Somali TV), Abdirahman Ali Khalif (Gobonimo TV) and Abdijabar Mohamed Hussein (Horn Cable TV), who are transferred to a central prison.[27]
    • Qatar's Fund for Development, in cooperation with the Qatar Emiri Air Force, sends 45 tons of food aid parcels to help alleviate families affected by harsh drought conditions and the Waheen Market fire.[28]
  • April 27 – Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs donates USD $500,000 to help the victims of the Hargeisa Market fire on 1 April.[29]
  • April 28 – The Canadian Alliance to Rebuild Hargeisa Market, members of Canada's Somaliland community, meet with MPs in Ottawa to provide $10 million in aid toward rebuilding efforts, and to match funds raised by local community groups across Canada.[30]
  • April 30 – The Taiwanese government and two Taiwanese NGOs donate USD $550,000 (NT $16.91 million) and a container of humanitarian supplies to help those affected by the Waaheen Market on 1 April. The envoy, headed by Allen Lou (羅震華), handed the money and container of aid to Somaliland authorities.[31]

May[edit]

  • May 3 – A senior army officer is arrested for allegedly shooting dead the young bride Najma Abdullahi, who was currently serving as a Secretary to the director of the Ministry of Agriculture. He may face execution for his crime according to a police officer working with the BBC.[32]
  • May 6 – Somaliland is connected to the Pakistan & East Africa Connecting Europe (PEACE) submarine cable system in Berbera, promising to substantially reduce network latency in the nation by adopting a shortest-direct-route connection.[33]
  • May 9 – Reporters Mohamed Abdi Mohamed (MM Somali TV), Abdirahman Ali Khalif (Gobonnimo TV), and Abdijabar Mohamed Hussein (Horn Cable TV), who have been detained since 13 April, are charged with "subversive propaganda" and spreading "false, exaggerated, and tendentious information liable to disturb public order". This decision is criticized by Reporters without borders (RSF) and the secretary general of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).[34]
  • May 13 – The United States announces it will not promote "the secessionist ideology being pushed by Somaliland" and will continue to promote their Single Somalia Policy, despite attempts from President Abdi to seek recognition on March 14. Closer ties are also agreed upon with officials.[35]
  • May 18 – Loula Isman, representative of Somaliland to Canada, and Ahmed Hersi, secretary of finance for the Waddani Party, visit Edmonton, Canada to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the nations independence with Canadian Somalilanders.[36]
  • May 21 – Djibouti national and vocal critic of his nations president Aare Saleebaan Owleed is detained in the Gabiley District by security forces. The government is yet comment on the reason for his arrest. Owleed calls on the government and people of Somaliland to not extradite him back to Djibouti in fear of grave punishment.[37]
  • May 23
    • An agreement is signed with Taiwan regarding energy and mineral resource cooperation, which will provide "a legal foundation for joint resource exploration and drilling activities," according to Taiwan's office in Somaliland. The agreement was signed by Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua (王美花) and Energy and Minerals Minister Abdilahi Farah Abdi in Taipei.[38]
    • Hargeisa Regional Court sentences two journalists (who have been detained since 13 April) Mohamed Abdi Ilig of MM Somali TV and Abdijabar Mohamed Hussein of Horn Cable TV up to 16 months in prison for reporting "subversive or anti-national propaganda". This is decision highly criticized by the CPJ, especially after reports by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) announce that Mohamed is seriously ill and that his condition has only worsened while in jail.[39]
  • May 24 – A Memorandum of Understanding is signed with the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) by Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Information and Communications, Innovation, and Youth Affairs Joseph Mucheru and Deputy Ambassador to Kenya Sharmake Gele at the PCK headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The agreement will explore cooperation in international mail processing and delivery, as well as in electronic data interchange (EDI).[40]
  • May 25
    • Four members of the Political Associations and Parties Registration Committee recently approved by the Somaliland House of Representatives are sworn in by Chairman of the Supreme Court Adan Haji Ali Ahmed, with President Abdi in attendance.[41]
    • A meeting is held in Hagesia between President Abdi representing the ruling Kulmiye party, with representatives from the opposition Waddani and Justice and Welfare (UCID) parties. The meeting was called to discuss 5 points of concern about the upcoming November 13 presidential elections, but no agreements are made with the Kulmiye party and the meeting ends in a stalemate.[42]

June[edit]

  • June – The ongoing drought within the nation grows more severe with the summer months, making way for massive outbreaks of common and preventable diseases such as measles and cholera, which previously had not been seen in the nation for an extended amount of time. There are an estimated 6,000 cases of measles in the nation and thousands of children malnourished.[43]
  • June 2 – President Abdi, along with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdinasir Omar Jama and the Director General of the Presidency of Somaliland Mohamed Ali Bille, meet with European Union (EU) Ambassador Tiina Intelmann and Swedish Ambassadors Per Lindgärde and Maria Groeneveld in the Somaliland Presidential Palace. The meeting was organized to discuss the upcoming presidential elections, and the ongoing drought in the nation and how the EU could potentially help.[44]
  • June 5 – Waddani opposition party leader and presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) tells supporters at a restaurant in Hargeisa to join him in protest of President Abdi, who he accuses is responsible for the resignation of members of the Electoral Commission for failing to hold the November 13 elections.[45]
  • June 9
    • The protests called for opposition party leader Abdullahi on June 5 begin in Hargeisa, blocking roads in some areas. Live rounds were reportedly fired into the crowd to disperse the protests by security forces, causing an unspecified number of injuries. Security forces also arrest several protesters including an unnamed local opposition figure.[46]
    • A revised Somaliland Partnership Act, introduced to the US senate on March 17, passes. The legislation will require the Department of State to report to Congress on engagement with Somaliland, and to conduct a feasibility study regarding the establishment of a partnership between the two nations.[47][48]
  • June 10
    • Protests by the opposition parties Waddani and UCID against the management if the upcoming presidential elections in Hargeisa stop. Video from the protests the day before saw national security forces spraying tear gas and kicking protesters, while the protesters were seen shooting at the police riot cars as they arrived at the scene. Many injuries, many gunshot wounds, occurred on both sides but no deaths were reported. The Waddani party officials taken into police custody after the protests include Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir "Ukusse" (former minister), Ahmed Omar Abdullahi (deputy chairman), Mohamed Yussuf Waabeeye (deputy chairman), Mohamed Farah (Interior Affairs Secretary), and at least a dozen more regional officers. The only member of the UCID party taken into custody was Yussuf Keyse, Secretary of Information.[49]
    • The protests from the day before is officially condemned by the governments of the EU, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, and Norway.[50]
  • June 11
    • Ethiopia's attempt to acquire the Berbera port since 2018 ends after the nation "failed to meet the conditions needs to acquire the stakes before the deadline," according to Finance Minister Saad Ali Shire. Ethiopia reportedly lost 19% of its stake in the port because of their failure to meet this deadline.[51][52]
    • The House of Representatives receives nominations for the new seven-member National Electoral Commission (NEC) from the President's office.[53]
  • June 12 – President Abdi, along with multiple ministers and speakers of parliament Suleiman Mohamoud Mohamed of the Guurti and Hon and Abdirizak Khalif Ahmed of the House of Representatives, travels by air to Erigavo to attend the closing ceremony of a grand conference of an important clan in the region. While there, Abdi also cuts the ribbon for developmental projects implemented in the region including the Mit fishing jetty, the Erigavo airstrip, and the 300-kilometer-long road connecting the region to the rest of the country.[54]
  • June 13 – President Abdi speaks towards crowds in the Erigavo District, expressing sorrow over the June 9 protests in Hargeisa, explaining he did not let the opposition parties hold the peaceful protests they wanted, after they "wrote a letter informing us that they were being held hostage" and were being harassed, which just was not true, according to Abdi.[55]
  • June 14 – Kenya expresses their "regrets" towards Somalia after inviting a Somaliland official to a diplomatic luncheon hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta where the Somalia ambassador to Kenya Mohamoud Ahmed Nur was also a guest. Nur regarded the presence of the Somaliland official at the meeting and the presence of the Somaliland flag as "inappropriate" and walked out.[56] A statement later released by the national government said they were "outraged" by the ambassador's actions.[57]
  • June 26
    • Somaliland celebrates it's 62nd anniversary of independence from the British. President Abdi in a speech celebrating the day, also mentions his views that newly elected Somalia President Mohamud is "the right candidate" to break the stalemate of Somaliland independence talks from Somalia.[58]
    • New Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre announces plans to continue forward with Somalia-Somaliland separation talks as soon as "trust [is] built".[59]

Upcoming[edit]

  • November 13 – The next presidential elections are due to take place.[3]
  • November 26 – The next political party elections are due to take place.[3]
  • December 26 – The licenses of the current political parties will expire.[3]

Deaths[edit]

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sutton, Sean. "'People are dying': Ethiopians escape war only to face hunger in Somaliland". theguardian.com. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  2. ^ Rodgers, David. "Somaliland starts work on 800ha cheetah sanctuary". globalconstructionreview.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Somaliland's Elections in Limbo". theelephant.info. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Somaliland's quest for recognition: UK debate offers hint of a sea change". theconversation.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  5. ^ "It's for Somaliland and Federal Govt of Somalia to decide their future - Vicky Ford". garoweonline.com. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Taiwan tries hand at COVID diplomacy again with Somaliland vaccine gift". reuters.com. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  7. ^ Phillips, Michael M. "Somaliland Offers U.S. Military Access to Port, Airfield as It Pushes for Nationhood".
  8. ^ Houreld, Katharine. "Cheetah cubs threatened by pet trade, global warming in Somaliland". reuters.com. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  9. ^ Olander, Eric. "Somaliland FM Pitches "Huge" Oil and Gas Potential to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen". chinaafricaproject.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  10. ^ Mureithi, Carlos. ""We were born free and we will stay free": Somaliland is resisting pressure from China". reuters.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  11. ^ Chen, Kelvin. "Taiwan donates US$500,000 to Somaliland to combat drought". taiwannews.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  12. ^ Moore, Dylan. "Alun Cairns visited Somaliland as country seeks UN recognition". thenational.wales. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Somalia: Hunger Crisis 2021-2022 - Revised Emergency Appeal, №: MDRSO011". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Somaliland's leader appeals for international recognition". africanews.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Missing Somaliland religious scholar found in Al-Shabaab Stronghold". garoweonline.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Why is the American right waging a stealth neocolonial assault on Somalia?". salon.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  17. ^ a b c "Somaliland intelligence officers attack 3 journalists; detain journalist Abdisalan Ahmed Awad". cpj.org. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  18. ^ Gramer, Robbie. "Somaliland Courts U.S. for Independence Recognition". foreignpolicy.com. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Recognition Seeker: Adna Adan heads an organization that represents millions of people". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Hargeisa: Huge fire destroys market in Somali breakaway region". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  21. ^ "Somaliland Special Arrangement: What is Somaliland's special arrangement?". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  22. ^ Ansari, Hibah. "Minnesota's Somali community is mobilizing to send aid to Somaliland after a massive fire broke out at a well-known market. The fire in Somaliland hit on the eve of Ramadan". sahanjournal.com. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  23. ^ McDonald, Briana. "Ambry Thomas Gives Back in Humanitarian Trip to Somaliland". 49ers.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Somaliland demands $2 billion appeal after market inferno". africanews.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  25. ^ "Fifteen journalists detained for covering prison fight in Somaliland". cpj.org. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  26. ^ "Somaliland escalates crackdown on press freedom". garoweonline.com. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Somaliland releases journalist from incommunicado detention, holds three others in jail". hornobserver.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  28. ^ Fatemeh, Salari. "Qatar sends Somaliland aid to tackle drought and fires". dohanews.co. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  29. ^ "Taiwan pledges US$500,000 to help victims of Somaliland fire". focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  30. ^ Marhnouj, Safiyah. "Canada's Somaliland community calls for federal support after massive fire in Waheen Market". theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  31. ^ Chen, Kelvin. "Taiwan provides financial, humanitarian aid to Somaliland following market blaze". taiwannews.com. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  32. ^ Ali, Abdikadir Yussuf. "Justice: A soldier accused of killing a bride". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  33. ^ Hasan, Yusuf M. "Peace Cable Lands in Berbera, Somaliland". subtelforum.com. SomalilandSun.com. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  34. ^ "Absurd charges brought against three journalists imprisoned in Somaliland". rsf.org. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  35. ^ "US rules out recognition of Somaliland ahead of Somalia's presidential poll". garoweonline.com. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  36. ^ Junker, Anna. "Somaliland celebration planned at St. John's Cultural Centre on Saturday". edmontonjournal.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Warar kala duwan oo ka soo baxaya muwaadin Jabuutiyaan ah oo lagu xiray Gabilay (Various reports from a Djiboutian citizen arrested in Gabiley)". bbc.com (in Somali). BBC. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  38. ^ Ya-shih, Huang; Kao, Evelyn. "Taiwan, Somaliland sign energy cooperation agreement". focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  39. ^ "Two Somali journalists sentenced to 16 months in jail for false news". cpj.org. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  40. ^ "MoU to cement postal services integration in Kenya and Somaliland". postandparcel.info. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  41. ^ "Guddiga Diiwaangelinta Ururrada & Axsaabta Somaliland oo la dhaariyey (Somaliland: Associations and Parties Registration Committee sworn in)". horseedmedia.net. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Khilaaf ka taagan doorashada Somaliland & Xisbiyada mucaaradka oo ka hadlay (Conflict over Somaliland elections & opposition parties speak out)". horseedmedia.net (in Somali). Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  43. ^ "In Somalia and Somaliland, drought is worsening multiple health crises". doctorswithoutborders.org. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  44. ^ "Madaxweynaha Somaliland oo la kulmay Safiirka Midowga Yurub (Somaliland president meets with EU ambassador)". horseedmedia.net (in Somali). Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  45. ^ Ifiye, Khadar. "Musharrax Cirro oo ka hadlay is casiladii Guddigii Doorashooyinka Somaliland (Candidate Cirro discusses the resignation of the Somaliland Electoral Commission)". horseedmedia.net (in Somali). Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  46. ^ "Somalia: Political unrest in Hargeisa, Somaliland, June 9". crisis24.garda.com. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  47. ^ "Risch, Van Hollen, Rounds applaud committee passage of Somaliland legislation". foreign.senate.gov. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  48. ^ Pecquet, Julian. "US Congress moves forward watered-down Somaliland bill". theafricareport.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  49. ^ Spock, A. "Somaliland: Traditional Leaders Stay Saturday's Opposition Rallies". somtribune.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  50. ^ "International partners statement on Somaliland". gov.uk. British embassy in Mogadishu. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  51. ^ Tekle, Tesfa-Alem. "Ethiopia loses its 19pc stake in Berbera port: Somaliland minister". theeastafrican.co.ke. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  52. ^ "Ethiopia reportedly lost 19 percent share over Berbera Port of Somaliland". borkena.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  53. ^ "Somaliland: President Submits New NEC Members to Parliament". somtribune.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  54. ^ "Somaliland: President Bihi Embarks on Easternmost Region visit". somtribune.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  55. ^ "Madaxweyne Muuse Biixi: "Mucaaradku sidii doobkii ayuu tuhun dilay" (President Muse Bihi: "Opposition kills suspects like idiots")". bbc.com (in Somali). BBC. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  56. ^ Mutambo, Aggrey. "Kenya expresses 'regret' after Somalia envoy walks out of Uhuru Kenyatta event". theeastafrican.co.ke. The East African. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  57. ^ "Somaaliya iyo Somaliland: Xukuumadda Somaliland oo si adag uga hadashay shirka Tarsan dartood uga baxay (Somalia and Somaliland: Somaliland Government Slams Out of Tarsan Conference)". bbc.com (in Somali). BBC. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  58. ^ "Bihi expresses optimism new Somalia's president can break stalemate". garoweonline.com. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  59. ^ "Ra'iisul Wasaare Xamsa: Goonni isu taagga Somaliland waa in laga garaabo (Prime Minister Hamsa: Somaliland's independence must be recognized)". bbc.com (in Somali). BBC. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
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