Response from Protection delegate of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Dr Fahmo Abdi Whereabouts

Thu, May 12, 2011 7:15:35 AM

Subject: Complaint

From:	ADD_Prot
To:	sbolaleh@yahoo.com
Cc:	SOK_Tracing

---

Dear Mr Suleiman Ismail Bolaleh, 

in response to your query (below) to search for Dr Fahmo Abdi in prisons, we would like to let you know that the ICRC is not visiting places of detention in most of Ethiopia, including the Somali Regional State, nor does the ICRC have a presence in the Somali Regional State.

Also, as per working procedure, the Red Cross usually conducts tracing on the basis of a tracing request initiated by a family member.

With best regards,  

Micha Wedekind
Protection delegate
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Bole sub-city, Kebele 12/13, House no. new
Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 647 83 00 Fax: +251 11 647 83 01

Urgent Alert: Forced Disappearance Of Dr. Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden - A Female Medical Doctor In Somaliland

April 23, 2011

To: H.E Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gaboose - Somaliland Minister of Interior

To: Red Cross and Red Crescent Offices in Somaliland and Ethiopia

To: Media

(Hornwatch) Hargeisa - Dr. Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden, Somali female medical doctor have been missing since her disappearance in Gabiley district of Somaliland in the Sunday late evening on 17 April 2011. Somaliland Impartial Human Rights Organizations Network (SOHIRA-NET) fears she may be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment.

17 April 2011, Dr Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden told her family that she will go to Gabiley district to collect some documents and return back to her home immediately. Unexpectedly her family members told to the human rights researchers from SOHIRA-Net that she had sent A short massage from her mobile cell phone and stated âan armed man wearing civilian clothes had kidnapped me.

Somaliland Impartial Human Rights Organizations Network (SOHIRA-NET) concerns are heightened by persistent reports of torture and other ill-treatment as well as prolonged detention without charge or trial in the Somaliland. Somaliland Impartial Human Rights Organizations Network (SOHIRA-NET) fears that the missed of the female medical doctor Ms. Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden in conditions amounting to an enforced disappearance puts her at a great risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

Dr Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden is the owner a private medical center in Xero Awr village in Hargeisa since 2006 when she fled the civil wars in Mogadishu, Somalia.

SOHIRA-Net is deeply concerned about the safety of Dr. Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden as her whereabouts remain unknown. SOHIRA-Net fears that she may be subjected to torture, ill-treatment and/or extrajudicial killing. Somaliland intelligence and security services have a well-established track record of using forced disappearances and unlawful deportation of lawful refugees to Ethiopian security. SOHIRA-Net urges the competent authorities to guarantee her physical and psychological integrity at all times, in accordance with international human rights law, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

According news article published Waaheen newspaper on 21 April 2011 disclosed that Somaliland intelligence had handed to the Ethiopian Intelligence an Ethiopian refugee man called Cabdisalan Mukhtar Haji who lived several years in Somaliland and has a refugee status at the UNHCR Office in Hargeisa (http://waaheen.com/?p=13142).

RECOMMENDATIONS

To the Somaliland government:

- Somaliland human rights defenders are request to Somaliland Government to:

- Immediately locate and disclose the whereabouts of Dr. Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden;

- Carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the enforced disappearance of Dr. Fahmo Abdi Sh. Aden, the results of which must be made public, in order to bring those responsible before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal and apply penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;

- Ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

To the Red Cross and Red Crescent office in Somaliland and Ethiopia:

- Calling for the red cross and red crescent office in Somaliland as well as in eastern Ethiopia to search her the prisons of the two countries;

Suleiman Ismail Bolaleh
NATIONAL SPEAKER
Somaliland Impartial Human Rights Organizations Network (SOHIRA-NET)

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) East Africa Mission on June 7th 2011 rolled out an ambitious program to enhance business investment and economic opportunities in the self-declared republic of Somaliland.

The developed agency which launched a blueprint multimillion initiative dubbed ‘Partnership
for Economic Growth’ in the capital Hargeisa, says it seeks to improve the environment for
investment and expand economic opportunities in the tiny Northern region of troubled Somalia

“We believe in the resiliency and entrepreneurial spirit of the Somali people,” said Acting
USAID East Africa Mission Director, John Power. “This partnership will not only benefit the
local economy, but will also promote stability.”

The US’s largest aid agency will provide Somaliland’s business communities with new
opportunities to help them improve their incomes and build a better future.

As Hargeisa emerges from a backdrop of historical destruction, the USAID led program will
address strategic economic fields both in the private and public sectors.

“The Partnership for Economic Growth will work with a broad range of government authorities
and private sector to assess strengths, weaknesses and investment opportunities in the most
productive Somali value chains, including livestock, fisheries, gums and resins” USAID said in a
press statement

Part of the program also includes addressing the role of women in entrepreneurship by helping
women groups achieve some form of sustainable development through enhancement of their
much neglected businesses.

“It will improve access to business development services, especially for women entrepreneurs.
It will support the development of regulatory policies to do business better and ultimately attract
more investment” the statement read in part.

At a colorful function attended by representatives from the Ministries of Commerce Industry and
Tourism, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, the Chamber of Commerce, financial institutions,
private sector, women entrepreneurs and local associations, Somaliland authorities hailed the
initiative describing these efforts as one that will revitalize the economic mainstay of the region.

“The private sector is the pillar of the economy,” said Abdulahi Dirie Jama, Secretary General of
the Chamber of Commerce. “It is a source of revenue for the government and a major supplier of
livelihood for residents.”

War Degdega:Madaxwayne Silanyo Oo Xilkii Ka Qaaday Gudoomiyihii Maxakamada Sare Iyo Isku Shaandhayn Lagu Sameeyay Garsoorka Dalka

Madaxwaynaha Jamhuuriyada Somaliland Axmed Maxamed Maxmuud Silanyo ayaa xilkii ka qaaday Gudoomiyihii Maxakamada Sare Maxamed Xirsi Oomane, waxa uu sidoo kale Madaxwaynuhu isku shaandhayn balaadhan ku sameeyay Garsoorkii Dalka.

Arrintan ayaa ku soo beegmaysa wakhti yar ka dib xidhitaanka Shirwaynihii Dib- u habaynta Garsoorka Somaliland taasoo uu Madaxwaynuhu ka jeediyay khudbad uu aad uga dayriyaya nidaamka Cadaalada Dalka kuna balan qaaday inay Xukuumadiisu si dhakhso ah wax uga qaban doonto

Somaliland: Volcano In Eritrea Affects Flights

ARGEISA (Somalilandpress)–Flights between Somaliland and Djibouti have been halted due to the volcano that is erupted in Eritrea two days ago. Speaking to the press, the Somaliland’s Minister of Civil Aviation said they are worried about the situation and there have been problems since the last two days. The Minister said that there were no flights from/to Djibouti yesterday as the result of the volcano which affected many countries in the region.

He told the reporters that they are trying to find ways to overcome the problem but they are lacking the necessary equipments to estimate the danger. The minister said the flights to UAE and other countries have not been affected.

Red ashes could been seen on the Somaliland sky for the last two days which some described as the result of the volcano.

A huge Volcano erupted in the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia two days ago which affected the aviation in the two countries. Reports also said the Clinton’s trip to the Horn of Africa have been cut short because of the volcano.

“We are currently working on improving the Hargeisa and Berbera airports. We have very limited budget and we are trying to do the necessary and important improvements” Said the Minister.

War Degdega: Madaxwayne Siilaanyo Oo Si Rasmi Ah Ugu Dhawaaqay Furista Ururada Una Gudbiyay Barlamaanka

SOHIRA-Net (Harg) - Madaxwaynaha Jamhuuriyada Somaliland Axmed Maxamed Maxmuud Silanyo ayaa saaka Qudbad uu ka jeediyay Xaflad uu ku furayay Dhisme Cusub oo loo dhisay Golaha Wakiilada kaga dhawaaqay Furista Ururada, isagoo Madaxwaynuhu intaa ku daray in uu u gudbiyayay Golaha Wakiilada.

Madaxwayne silanyo ayaa hore Gudi ugu saaray ka soo talo-bixisa Furista Ururada Siyaasiga ah Gudidaas oo ku talisay in la furo Ururada una gudbiyay Go’aankooda Madaxwaynaha oo laga dhursugayay inuu si rasmi ah ugu dhawaaq.

U gudbinta Baarlamaanka uu Madaxwaynuhu u gudbiyay arrintan Furista Ururada ayaa ka turjumaysa in uu Madaxwaynuhu si rasmi ah ugu dhawaaqay taasoo ay Barlamaankuna ka gudan Doonaan Wajibaadkooda Dastuuriga ah.