• A riot broke out during the Democratic nominations for Minneapolis City Council in Minnesotas Ward 10, leading to the events shutdown over safety concerns.
• Supporters of candidate Nasri Warsame, primarily from the Somali community, engaged in political violence, reportedly assaulting council member Aisha Chughtai and her supporters.
• Video footage shows Warsame supporters storming the stage, banging tables, waving signs, and disrupting the proceedings.
• The convention chairman adjourned the meeting without selecting a candidate due to safety concerns, calling the situation an embarrassment. Minneapolis police confirmed no arrests were made, and two individuals received medical treatment for injuries. Read More

The post Riot Erupts During Minneapolis Democratic Convention appeared first on The Clarion Project.

By: Mohamed Abdiqafar Haji Hussein

Upon assuming office as President of Somalia last year, Hassan Sheikh declared his desire to achieve peace within the country and with the international community. However, it quickly became apparent that his manner of managing government affairs would not lead to a peaceful Somalia. Specifically, he focused his administration on his party, neglecting the presidential candidates who had helped him  secure victory. This situation was compounded by the conflict that arose between President Said Abdullahi Deni and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, with some accusing the latter of reneging on the deal made during the presidential election and others attributing it to constitutional differences.

The conflict between the two presidents escalated after President Hassan spoke from the Villa Somalia Masjid, where he predicted that Puntland might cease to exist after 24 days if President Deni did not heed the peoples desire. He also suggested that after 24 years of Puntlands existence, it would not be fair for that to happen. President Hassan attempted to drive a wedge between the people of Puntland and their government by asserting that the leadership was the issue, not the people themselves. He warned President Deni that his plan to extend his rule would not succeed.

Many Puntlanders perceived President Hassans speech as interference in their internal affairs, while supporters of President Deni viewed it as a threat. President Hassan implied that he possessed knowledge that was unknown to most Puntlanders. There is a constitutional dispute between President Deni and the opposition, who alleged that he sought to extend his rule. However, President Deni did not publicly address these accusations. It would have been appropriate for him to clarify his position, but instead, Puntlanders were left unaware of his intentions. There was no other known issue standing in the way of upcoming election.

However, the impasse between the two presidents necessitated the intervention of Prime Minister Hamza Ali Barre, who had an ideal opportunity to resolve the conflict. There was no known animosity between him and the President of Puntland. As the executive of the Somali government, it was in his interests for Puntland to be on the discussion table. The prime minister himself recognized the importance of Puntland. Even if President Deni refused to engage with him, the...

Analysts say the crisis, which has displaced more than 200,000, is damaging foreign perception of Somaliland, long seen as relatively more stable than Somalia.

Since February 6, there has been fighting in the disputed city of Las Anod between forces in the self-declared state of Somaliland and local militia from the Dhulbahante clan in northern Somalia.

The city, also known as Laascaanood, is located between Somaliland and Puntland, a nearby semi-autonomous region in Somalias northeast. Both regions are laying claim to the city.

According to data received from hospitals in Las Anod, the death toll stands at 299, with 1,913 injured and more than 200,000 displaced since the conflict began.

Somalilands forces have retreated approximately 50km (31 miles) further westwards from its military base in Tukaraq, to military bases on the outskirts of Las Anod, reportedly launching attacks from there.

But analysts say beyond causing chaos in Somaliland, long celebrated for relative stability compared with Somalia, the war is also denting the regions campaign for international recognition.

The international community still regards the region as part of Somalia, despite decades of lobbying by regional officials on the foreign scene.

Division and secession

The region sees itself as a successor state to the State of Somaliland which existed for five days in June 1960 on todays territory and had relations with 35 countries, including China, Ethiopia and Israel.

On July 1, 1960, the State of Somaliland voluntarily united with the Italian-ruled south to form the Somali Republic. Three decades later in May 1991 Somaliland declared secession from Somalia, reclaiming the borders of the old British Somaliland protectorate.

The secession came as Somalias military government headed by Siad Barre attacked northern cities to crush a rebellion by the Ethiopia-backed Somali National Movement (SNM).

Today, Somalias federal government consists of five states, including Puntland. Until 2007, when Somaliland seized Las Anod, the city was under Puntland administration.

Since it broke away, Somaliland has been under the dominanc...

By: Mohamed Abdiqafar  Haji Hussein

Upon President Hassan Sheikh Mohamuds election on May 15, 2022, many Somalis hoped for a change in the presidents management style. It was expected that President Hassan would nominate a trusted individual for the position of prime minister, and then allow that person to execute the prime ministers duties without interference. Hamza Ali Barre, a long-time friend of President Hassan, became prime minister.

However, it did not take long for President Hassan to start performing the duties of the prime minister. He traveled overseas and signed contracts before and after the prime minister was appointed. His appointment of more than half of the government ministers and an equal number of state ministers was viewed by many Somalis as a move to undermine the prime ministers position. 

Additionally, the president began addressing the Somali people directly, which was considered to be a departure from the approach of his predecessor, the former President Farmaajo. Supporters of the president have stated that he is more open than any previous president, being willing to answer any question he is asked.

But those who oppose the president believe that his actions raise concern about political interference, and that he cannot think clearly or make sound decisions because of his attention-seeking behavior.

On one particular day, President Hassan spoke in the Masjid in Villa Somalia after Friday prayers. During his speech he revealed that his government had discovered cases of corruption in the government, specifically regarding absenteeism from work. He stated that over one-third of government employees had not reported to work on the previous day, and that no one knew why. The government learned of this through the use of an electronic system that required employees to log in. Many Somalis were left wondering why the president had spoken of this matter, as it was typically something the prime minister should discuss with his cabinet.

A few days later the prime minister presented a detailed report to his cabinet and urged action against those who failed to show up for work. The report showed the prime minister reviewing the number of employees reporting for work, live on his computer. However, the report was rendered useless because President Hassan had already told the Somali people about i...