Friday  17, May  2024 {HMC} Continuing her farewell meetings, United Nations Special Representative Catriona Laing today visited Hargeisa where she met Somaliland’s leadership and discussed the world body’s support for development and humanitarian efforts.

“We had a very good discussion, and the President talked to me about the development plan, which sets out his economic long-term vision around the benefits of the ‘blue economy,’ around minerals, and thinking about transformation of the livestock trade as we prepare for climate change impacts on the nomadic lifestyle,” Ms. Laing said following a meeting with President Muse Bihi and members of his cabinet and advisors.

“We talked about the UN role in support of delivering the economic vision and all the other work we do around social development, health, education, humanitarian and in other areas,” Ms. Laing added.

The situation in the Laascaanood-Sool region – where conflict flared up last year, resulting in the loss of lives and displacement of thousands of people – was also discussed.

“There have been some challenges in the past and we were both pleased to see that things have calmed down, and the President assured me that it is his objective that the things remain calm,” the UN Special Representative said.

“The UN will play its part,” she continued, “in delivering humanitarian assistance and demining for the benefit of the people in that region.”

UN in Hargeisa

The UN Special Representative also took the opportunity to officially introduce the new head of the UN’s office in Hargeisa, Nikolai Rogosaroff, who took up his post in March this year. She described his presence there as an indication of the UN’s commitment to supporting local development and humanitarian efforts. Currently, more than a dozen UN agencies, funds and programmed operate in Somaliland.

Ms. Laing will complete her assignment later in May.

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Mike Schuler
Friday May 17, 2024

The European Union’s counter-piracy naval force, Operation ATALANTA, has transferred six suspected Somali pirates to Seychelles, where they will stand trial for a pirate attack on the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Chrystal Arctic.

The ship was attacked on May 10 in the Gulf of Aden, however the attack was repelled when the ship’s on board security team returned fire.

The transfer was confirmed by Operation ATALANTA on Wednesday. The suspects are now in custody and awaiting trial.

Before the suspects were handed over, a delegation consisting of the Minister of Internal Affairs, a representative from the National Information Sharing Coordination Centre, and members of the Seychellois Police Department, along with three representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), were briefed on board the ATALANTA frigate. The European delegation to Mauritius assisted in coordinating with Seychelles authorities.

Operation ATALANTA maintains legal agreements with various nations in its Area of Operations, including Seychelles, allowing for the prosecution of suspected pirates apprehended by participating warships. This legal process, known as the “Legal Finish”, includes deterrence, arrest, detention, and prosecution in accordance with international law.

Since its establishment in 2008, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has transferred 177 suspected pirates to competent authorities, resulting in 145 convictions. The operation remains committed to supporting Seychelles in prosecuting the case until it goes to trial.

Earlier this year, 35 suspected Somali pirates were taken to India for prosecution over the hijacking on the MV Ruen in mid-December. The ship was freed by the Indian Navy in March after three months in pirate captivity.

Friday May 17, 2024 With the participation of the Arab world leaders, the 33rd session of the Arab League Council at the summit level kicked off on Thursday in Manama, Bahrain.

The summit will thoroughly discuss the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and efforts to stop the bloodshed of the Palestinians and put an end to the humanitarian crisis they are facing.

The situation in Gaza has worsened with the ongoing Israeli military operation in Palestinian Rafah, which necessitates a clear stance from the international community against this move.

Moreover, the ongoing civil war in Sudan will be addressed at the summit, said the spokesman for the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Jamal Rushdi in media comments to “Kol Youm” talk show on ON T.V.

He added that the summit will tackle the Somali crisis to support the country in preserving its sovereignty against Ethiopian ambitions. “The Somali land Agreement is null and void and threatens the unity of Somalia,” Rushdi stated.

“Additionally, the issue of water security for Arab countries will be on the agenda of the Bahrain Summit,” he continued, indicating that the establishment of a new council for cybersecurity that will join the Arab League will be discussed.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, along with other world leaders, headed to the Kingdom of Bahrain on Wednesday and Thursday.