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| Government of Somaliland established normal living standard to there citizens, availing entire basic human right services including security, education and free health services besides liberty and dignity to every Somalilander equally. Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family in Somaliland is foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Home made democracy of Somaliland pushed forward human rights respect in Somaliland unlike many UN Member states in Africa. Such unique model of democracy in Somaliland, with no Western experts at their elbow, [Somalilanders] has devised a political system that eliminates clan rivalries while carving out a special role for clan elders, the traditional pillars of Somali society. They have demobilized thousands of the young gunmen who still plague Somalia and melded them into a national army. Somaliland, even held three rounds of multiparty elections, no small feat in a region, the Horn of Africa, where multiparty democracy is mostly a rumor. Oppositely, In Somalia whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people. Somaliland promoted friendly relations with neighboring nations, implementing its homemade peace analysis techniques in Ethiopia, after clan based fighting broke out in eastern regions of Ethiopia resulting death of many innocent people. Somaliland reacted on such human rights violations and rebellion and enforced major principles of Human Rights Geneva Convention. Somaliland ended such kind of interclan fighting several times in Ethiopian and other parts in East Africa. Unfortunately international community and UN overlook such development in Somaliland. Whereas the people and government of Somaliland reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. United Nations (UN) Member States including African Union (AU), European Union (EU) United States of America (USA), Arab League Members, International Human Rights Watchdogs and Human Rights Societies should co-operate with Somaliland Authorities and even people of Somaliland on promoting universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In Somaliland, discrimination has no place and everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in Human Rights Declaration in Geneva, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, Somaliland applies “No distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it is independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.” According to me, Somaliland is save heaven to every peace loving, human rights respecting human being. Some of Human Rights paragraphs in Somaliland Constitution teach the following aspects: 1. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person 2. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. 3. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 4. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. 5. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. 6. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution 7. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of Somaliland, shall enjoy the same social protection. These are some of my selected articles from Somaliland Constitution – Human Rights Paragraphs. In Somaliland, no body is above the law including government officials, where elected parliament is major monitoring body in the country against any human rights violations and corruption. Somaliland citizens and expatriate residents in Somaliland both have got equal access to Somaliland Courts and other Judiciary System. Somaliland Education syllabus is fully directed to the development of human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedom. It promotes understanding, tolerance and friendship among all its inhabitants regardless of religion or ethic. Parents or guardians have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. Somaliland completely implements UN Human Rights Declaration articles and maintains peace in the region, establishing it self as most peaceful nation worldwide. Minorities and Women get full rights just like their counterparts in community, constitution of Somaliland grants extra protection to women, and as per Islamic Sharia. Recently, Somaliland human rights record suffered fallback due to fresh arrests of major journalists after they unveiled corruption scandal in Somaliland Presidential Palace, but Somaliland human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom remains strong and solid against such unlawful arrests against leading Newspaper in Somaliland. Somaliland Opposition Parties with majority in Somaliland Parliament demanded immediate release of journalists without preconditions and Journalists hired lawyer in the court. Major Somaliland journalists print the scandal with bold headlines. We (Somalilanders) call modern and democratic international community to look into such growing human rights respect and democracy in this small part of the world, which middles between nations ruled by dictators. Somalilanders are people who worked hard to establish developed nation not like many UN Members including Somalia. Somaliland deserves respect and recognition for its efforts in promoting human rights and democracy. Allah Bless Somaliland …………………………………… we all stand united | |
The Author: Abdirahman Ahmed Ali. Authors Location: undefined Authors Email: an.ahmed@somaliland.net | |
Saturday, March 20, 2010
In Somaliland: Human rights for all human being
UN Somali Monitoring Group Report March 2010
Up to half of the food aid intended for needy Somalis is routinely diverted, according to a United Nations report, an extract of which was obtained by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.
The report by the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia, originally tasked with tracking violations of the arms embargo, was very critical of the world body's food agency WFP and condemned a de facto cartel of distributors.
The report, which was submitted to the UN Security Council's sanctions committee, said that while access to WFP contracts should in theory be subject to tender, there was "little or no scope for genuine competition".
"Preliminary investigations by the Monitoring Group indicate the existence of a de facto cartel, characterised by irregular procedures in the awarding of contracts by the WFP country office, discriminatory practices and preferential treatment," the report said.
The Monitoring Group found that WFP transportation contracts are the single largest source of revenue in Somalia and "just three contractors receive 80% of that business", which weighed in at $200-million in 2009.
"For more than 12 years, delivery of WFP food aid has been dominated by three individuals and their family members or close associates," it said.
Wealth, influence
"These three men have become some of the wealthiest and most influential individuals in Somalia."
The UN report pointed out that the vast majority of humanitarian assistance to the troubled Horn of Africa country consists of food aid, most of which is provided by the WFP.
In 2009, it accounted for 60% of the total UN assistance budget, or $485-million.
The report explained that because WFP requires that implementing partners themselves certify the delivery of food, they often agree with the transporters and other players to divert the aid and share the proceeds.
"Percentages vary, but sources interviewed by the Monitoring Group describe an approximate division of 30% for the implementing partner and local WFP personnel, 10% for ground transporter, and 5 to 10% for the armed group in control of the area," it said.
"The remainder of the consignment is distributed to the recipient population," it said, pointing out that transporters themselves admitted "the system offers a variety of opportunities for diversion all along the supply chain."
WFP ban
Late last month, the al-Qaeda-inspired insurgent group al-Shabaab, which controls about 80% of the country, banned the WFP from operating in Somalia.
In January, the food agency had announced the suspension of its operations in southern Somalia, citing months of attacks and extortion by insurgents.
The WFP replied it would probe the allegations.
"We have not yet seen the UN Somalia Monitoring Group report, but we will investigate all of the allegations as we have always done in the past if questions have been raised about our operations," WFP deputy executive director Amir Abdulla said in a statement.
"Despite dangerous operating conditions, WFP has sought to follow all rules and regulations surrounding our operations," he said.
In its report, the UN Monitoring Group also alleged that systematic collusion between transporters, implementing partners and armed groups had spawned very large paramilitary outfits.
"The provision of food aid has thus become a militarised business, with businessmen maintaining their own militias in order to protect their warehouses, convoys and distribution points," the document said.
"Not surprisingly, WFP contractors have maintained some of the largest private militias in southern Somalia," it added. - AFP
"Percentages vary, but sources interviewed by the Monitoring Group describe an approximate division of 30% for the implementing partner and local WFP personnel, 10% for ground transporter, and 5 to 10% for the armed group in control of the area," it said.
"The remainder of the consignment is distributed to the recipient population," it said, pointing out that transporters themselves admitted "the system offers a variety of opportunities for diversion all along the supply chain."
WFP ban
Late last month, the al-Qaeda-inspired insurgent group al-Shabaab, which controls about 80% of the country, banned the WFP from operating in Somalia.
In January, the food agency had announced the suspension of its operations in southern Somalia, citing months of attacks and extortion by insurgents.
The WFP replied it would probe the allegations.
"We have not yet seen the UN Somalia Monitoring Group report, but we will investigate all of the allegations as we have always done in the past if questions have been raised about our operations," WFP deputy executive director Amir Abdulla said in a statement.
"Despite dangerous operating conditions, WFP has sought to follow all rules and regulations surrounding our operations," he said.
In its report, the UN Monitoring Group also alleged that systematic collusion between transporters, implementing partners and armed groups had spawned very large paramilitary outfits.
"The provision of food aid has thus become a militarised business, with businessmen maintaining their own militias in order to protect their warehouses, convoys and distribution points," the document said.
"Not surprisingly, WFP contractors have maintained some of the largest private militias in southern Somalia," it added. - AFP
Source: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-03-10-half-of-somalia-food-aid-diverted-says-un-report
Monday, March 15, 2010
Somaliland: Fragile Democracy Under Threat
The Somaliland government's disregard for the law and democratic processes threatens the territory's nascent democracy, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The administration of President Dahir Riyale Kahin has committed human rights violations and generated a dangerous electoral crisis.
The 56-page report, "‘Hostages to Peace': Threats to Human Rights and Democracy in Somaliland," says that Somaliland's government has helped create a measure of stability and democratic governance even as Somalia has remained mired in armed conflict. But Somaliland's gains are fragile and currently under threat. The administration of President Riyale has regularly flouted Somaliland's laws and has twice delayed elections that were originally scheduled for April 2008, through processes of questionable legality. A further delay of elections, now slated for September 2009, could prove disastrous for democratic rule in Somaliland.
"Somaliland has spent 18 years trying to build stability and democracy, but all its gains are at risk if the government continues to undermine the rule of law," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The electoral crisis has laid bare the need to create functioning government institutions that will respect human rights."
The Human Rights Watch report is based primarily on a two week visit to Somaliland in March 2009 in which researchers interviewed government officials, opposition leaders, civil society activists, local analysts, and victims of human rights abuses.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 after the demise of Somalia's last functioning government. No country has recognized Somaliland's claim of statehood. Human Rights Watch takes no position on whether Somaliland should be internationally recognized as an independent country. But international actors should engage more deeply with Somaliland, press Somaliland's government to respect human rights and the territory's emerging democratic norms, and provide assistance tailored to bolster key government institutions, the media, and civil society.
In recent years the Riyale administration has regularly treated the opposition-controlled legislature as an irritant, refusing to respect its role in the legislative process or in overseeing opaque government expenditures. Little has been done to build the capacity of the nominally independent judiciary; the lower courts are often incapable of applying the law while the Supreme Court has acted as though it is entirely beholden to the president.
Government actions in violation of domestic and international law have directly infringed upon the rights of Somalilanders, Human Rights Watch said. The Riyale administration has circumvented the courts and trampled on the rights of criminal defendants by relying on "security committees" that are entirely under the control of the executive and that have no legal basis under Somaliland law. The security committees sentence and imprison Somalilanders, including people accused of common crimes and juveniles, without any pretense of due process. They regularly sentence defendants en masse on the basis of little or no evidence after truncated hearings in which the accused are given no right to speak. When Human Rights Watch visited Mandhera prison outside of Hargeisa in March, over half of the prisoners there had been sentenced by the security committees, not the courts.
The government has also engaged in other repressive practices that are common in the region, but relatively rare in Somaliland. A former driver for the president's family was imprisoned after publicly accusing the first family of corruption, and only released after photos surfaced of the man lying shackled to a hospital bed, gravely ill. The leaders of a dissident political association called Qaran, which challenged the existing three parties' legal monopoly of electoral politics, were sentenced to prison terms and banned from political activity, though they were released before serving their full terms. And Somaliland's leading independent human rights group was dismantled during a leadership struggle in which government officials blatantly intervened.
But patterns of low-level harassment targeting journalists, opposition activists, and others are the most common. On numerous occasions government officials have detained, usually for brief periods, individuals who have publicly criticized the government or provided press coverage deemed to be unfavorable.
Somaliland's precarious situation in the region has deterred Somalilanders from protesting loudly when their rights are abused for fear of damaging their territory's hard-won stability and its quest for international recognition. Many people told Human Rights Watch that they are effectively "hostages to peace" - unable to confront Somaliland's deepest problems effectively for fear of upsetting the fragile balance that has kept the territory from going the way of Somalia and other countries in the region.
The repeated delay of Somaliland's presidential election threatens the foundations of its emerging democratic system. President Riyale has twice been granted lengthy extensions of his term by Somaliland's unelected House of Elders. The election is currently scheduled for September 29, but there is considerable uncertainty whether it will take place and under what circumstances.
"Somaliland is at a dangerous crossroads," Gagnon said. "Eighteen years of progress towards democratic governance and general respect for human rights will either be consolidated or endangered, depending on President Riyale's next moves."
Source: Hostages to Peace': Threats to Human Rights and Democracy in Somaliland," http://www.hrw.org/node/84298
UN Somali Monitoring Group Report March 2010
Up to half of the food aid intended for needy Somalis is routinely diverted, according to a United Nations report, an extract of which was obtained by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.
The report by the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia, originally tasked with tracking violations of the arms embargo, was very critical of the world body's food agency WFP and condemned a de facto cartel of distributors.
The report, which was submitted to the UN Security Council's sanctions committee, said that while access to WFP contracts should in theory be subject to tender, there was "little or no scope for genuine competition".
"Preliminary investigations by the Monitoring Group indicate the existence of a de facto cartel, characterised by irregular procedures in the awarding of contracts by the WFP country office, discriminatory practices and preferential treatment," the report said.
The Monitoring Group found that WFP transportation contracts are the single largest source of revenue in Somalia and "just three contractors receive 80% of that business", which weighed in at $200-million in 2009.
"For more than 12 years, delivery of WFP food aid has been dominated by three individuals and their family members or close associates," it said.
Wealth, influence
"These three men have become some of the wealthiest and most influential individuals in Somalia."
The UN report pointed out that the vast majority of humanitarian assistance to the troubled Horn of Africa country consists of food aid, most of which is provided by the WFP.
In 2009, it accounted for 60% of the total UN assistance budget, or $485-million.
The report explained that because WFP requires that implementing partners themselves certify the delivery of food, they often agree with the transporters and other players to divert the aid and share the proceeds.
"Percentages vary, but sources interviewed by the Monitoring Group describe an approximate division of 30% for the implementing partner and local WFP personnel, 10% for ground transporter, and 5 to 10% for the armed group in control of the area," it said.
"The remainder of the consignment is distributed to the recipient population," it said, pointing out that transporters themselves admitted "the system offers a variety of opportunities for diversion all along the supply chain."
WFP ban
Late last month, the al-Qaeda-inspired insurgent group al-Shabaab, which controls about 80% of the country, banned the WFP from operating in Somalia.
In January, the food agency had announced the suspension of its operations in southern Somalia, citing months of attacks and extortion by insurgents.
The WFP replied it would probe the allegations.
"We have not yet seen the UN Somalia Monitoring Group report, but we will investigate all of the allegations as we have always done in the past if questions have been raised about our operations," WFP deputy executive director Amir Abdulla said in a statement.
"Despite dangerous operating conditions, WFP has sought to follow all rules and regulations surrounding our operations," he said.
In its report, the UN Monitoring Group also alleged that systematic collusion between transporters, implementing partners and armed groups had spawned very large paramilitary outfits.
"The provision of food aid has thus become a militarised business, with businessmen maintaining their own militias in order to protect their warehouses, convoys and distribution points," the document said.
"Not surprisingly, WFP contractors have maintained some of the largest private militias in southern Somalia," it added. - AFP
"Percentages vary, but sources interviewed by the Monitoring Group describe an approximate division of 30% for the implementing partner and local WFP personnel, 10% for ground transporter, and 5 to 10% for the armed group in control of the area," it said.
"The remainder of the consignment is distributed to the recipient population," it said, pointing out that transporters themselves admitted "the system offers a variety of opportunities for diversion all along the supply chain."
WFP ban
Late last month, the al-Qaeda-inspired insurgent group al-Shabaab, which controls about 80% of the country, banned the WFP from operating in Somalia.
In January, the food agency had announced the suspension of its operations in southern Somalia, citing months of attacks and extortion by insurgents.
The WFP replied it would probe the allegations.
"We have not yet seen the UN Somalia Monitoring Group report, but we will investigate all of the allegations as we have always done in the past if questions have been raised about our operations," WFP deputy executive director Amir Abdulla said in a statement.
"Despite dangerous operating conditions, WFP has sought to follow all rules and regulations surrounding our operations," he said.
In its report, the UN Monitoring Group also alleged that systematic collusion between transporters, implementing partners and armed groups had spawned very large paramilitary outfits.
"The provision of food aid has thus become a militarised business, with businessmen maintaining their own militias in order to protect their warehouses, convoys and distribution points," the document said.
"Not surprisingly, WFP contractors have maintained some of the largest private militias in southern Somalia," it added. - AFP
Source: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-03-10-half-of-somalia-food-aid-diverted-says-un-report
Friday, March 5, 2010
Elmi Bodhari; The King of Love
It was sometime before 1960, while Elmi Bodhari was working at a bakery shop in the port city of Berbera. In late afternoon a young and beautiful lady named Hoddan bought bread from the store that employed him. From that day on, Elmi was mesmerized by the natural beauty and elegancy that God had given to Hoddan. What followed that afternoon to the end of his life became the most famous love story in the continent of Africa.
Initially Elmi faced two difficulties – not only was Hoddan's family much better off financially, he also faced the cultural taboo that surrounded the concept of love. Both were formidable challenges for him to overcome. One could only imagine his anguish of trying to convince a society that regarded love as a disgrace and shameful thing. His family, including his relatives, tried to convince him to stop bringing shame on the family but to no avail. His heart was attached to Hoddan and no matter what people tried to do, he demonstrated his devotion to Hoddan through countless romantic poems. At one point a dozen beautiful girls from his tribe came to persuade him to forget about Hoddan and settle for on of them. Elmi's response was one of the most beautiful love poems in the history of the Somali people:
HADAY ILI WAX QABANAYSO OO LAGU QABOOBAAYO
AMA QURUX LADAAWADO KOL UUN AADMI KU QANCAAYO
ANIGUBA QADRAAN SOO ARKIYO QAARARKII HODDANE
HAYEESHEE QAREEN BAA IGU GALAY QALAY NAFTAYDIIYE
HABLAYAHOW HALKII QOOMANAYD BAAD IQABATEENE
QALBIGAAN BOGSIINAYAY BAAD QAC IGA SIISEEN
QAR QARADA JIDHKAYGIYO GACMUHU WAY QADH QADHA YAANE
QALBIGUU WAX IGA YEELAA ILAYN NAASKA QAAWANIYO
INAAN EE BAHAY IDIN QATALIN QARIYE LAABTIIN
This roughly translates to
IF THE EYE CAN CAPTURE SOMETHING (beauty) AND THAT COULD CALM DOWN SOMEBDY (somebody's heart)
OR EVER A HUMAN COULD BE STISFIED WITH BAEUTY
I HAVE SEEN KHADRA’S (Hoddan's) SHOULDERS, NECK, AND FACE
HOWEVER, I HAVE STRIKEN BY LOVE THAT DEVESTED MY LIFE
LADIES, YOU HAVE POKED THE PART (the heart) THAT WAS IN PAIN
YOU HAVE HURT THE HEART THAT I WAS TRYING TO HEEL
MY UPPER BODY AND HANDS ARE SHIVERING (due to the painful effect of love)
THE NAKED BREAST HURTS MY FEELING
GOD FORBIDS TO SEND YOU TO DISTRUCTION, I ASK YOU TO COVER YOUR CHEST
Hoddan did not show affection towards him but perhaps due to pressure from her family she was unwilling to deal with his passion for her - a hardship of love that isolated him from society.
After learning that Elmi was too depressed from his infatuation of her and it was taking a physical toll on him, she paid a short visit to his place. Though she never showed feeling for him before, her visit to his residence in the last few days of his lives tells us otherwise. When she arrived, Elmi's roommate and best friend Muse informed her Elmi had not slept for several days until today.
Hoddan didn't want to disturb Elmie, so she told Muse to tell Elmi that she was here to see him. Upon waking late in the afternoon, Elmi was informed the woman that he loved the most was here to see him and she wished him the best. In utter disbelieve and regretful for missing her visit, Elmi placed his hands on his head and said
HOHEEY HADHKA GALAY HURDADU WAY XUNTEE
BAL INAAN HABAAR QABO MAXAA HODDAN IWAYDAARSHAY
SLEEPING DURING THE DAY, IS NOT A WISE IDEA
UNLESS I AM CURSSED, WHY DID I MISS HODDAN
Unlike the story of Romeo and Juliet, the story of Elmi and Hoddan is based on real events. Its beginning and finale have been passed from generation to generation and a book was written about it sometime after Elim's death.
I have heard many times in the past our ladies complaining about that Somali men don't know how to love, and I think what they meant by that is; we are such devoted lovers, and we don't recover easily when we fall for them - instead we die.
Written by Dalmar
Initially Elmi faced two difficulties – not only was Hoddan's family much better off financially, he also faced the cultural taboo that surrounded the concept of love. Both were formidable challenges for him to overcome. One could only imagine his anguish of trying to convince a society that regarded love as a disgrace and shameful thing. His family, including his relatives, tried to convince him to stop bringing shame on the family but to no avail. His heart was attached to Hoddan and no matter what people tried to do, he demonstrated his devotion to Hoddan through countless romantic poems. At one point a dozen beautiful girls from his tribe came to persuade him to forget about Hoddan and settle for on of them. Elmi's response was one of the most beautiful love poems in the history of the Somali people:
HADAY ILI WAX QABANAYSO OO LAGU QABOOBAAYO
AMA QURUX LADAAWADO KOL UUN AADMI KU QANCAAYO
ANIGUBA QADRAAN SOO ARKIYO QAARARKII HODDANE
HAYEESHEE QAREEN BAA IGU GALAY QALAY NAFTAYDIIYE
HABLAYAHOW HALKII QOOMANAYD BAAD IQABATEENE
QALBIGAAN BOGSIINAYAY BAAD QAC IGA SIISEEN
QAR QARADA JIDHKAYGIYO GACMUHU WAY QADH QADHA YAANE
QALBIGUU WAX IGA YEELAA ILAYN NAASKA QAAWANIYO
INAAN EE BAHAY IDIN QATALIN QARIYE LAABTIIN
This roughly translates to
IF THE EYE CAN CAPTURE SOMETHING (beauty) AND THAT COULD CALM DOWN SOMEBDY (somebody's heart)
OR EVER A HUMAN COULD BE STISFIED WITH BAEUTY
I HAVE SEEN KHADRA’S (Hoddan's) SHOULDERS, NECK, AND FACE
HOWEVER, I HAVE STRIKEN BY LOVE THAT DEVESTED MY LIFE
LADIES, YOU HAVE POKED THE PART (the heart) THAT WAS IN PAIN
YOU HAVE HURT THE HEART THAT I WAS TRYING TO HEEL
MY UPPER BODY AND HANDS ARE SHIVERING (due to the painful effect of love)
THE NAKED BREAST HURTS MY FEELING
GOD FORBIDS TO SEND YOU TO DISTRUCTION, I ASK YOU TO COVER YOUR CHEST
Hoddan did not show affection towards him but perhaps due to pressure from her family she was unwilling to deal with his passion for her - a hardship of love that isolated him from society.
After learning that Elmi was too depressed from his infatuation of her and it was taking a physical toll on him, she paid a short visit to his place. Though she never showed feeling for him before, her visit to his residence in the last few days of his lives tells us otherwise. When she arrived, Elmi's roommate and best friend Muse informed her Elmi had not slept for several days until today.
Hoddan didn't want to disturb Elmie, so she told Muse to tell Elmi that she was here to see him. Upon waking late in the afternoon, Elmi was informed the woman that he loved the most was here to see him and she wished him the best. In utter disbelieve and regretful for missing her visit, Elmi placed his hands on his head and said
HOHEEY HADHKA GALAY HURDADU WAY XUNTEE
BAL INAAN HABAAR QABO MAXAA HODDAN IWAYDAARSHAY
SLEEPING DURING THE DAY, IS NOT A WISE IDEA
UNLESS I AM CURSSED, WHY DID I MISS HODDAN
Unlike the story of Romeo and Juliet, the story of Elmi and Hoddan is based on real events. Its beginning and finale have been passed from generation to generation and a book was written about it sometime after Elim's death.
I have heard many times in the past our ladies complaining about that Somali men don't know how to love, and I think what they meant by that is; we are such devoted lovers, and we don't recover easily when we fall for them - instead we die.
Written by Dalmar
Monday, March 1, 2010
15 Time Management Tips
In the meantime, here are 15 practical time management tips to help you get started...
1. Write things down
A common time management mistake is to try to use your memory to keep track of too many details leading to information overload. Using a to-do list to write things down is a great way to take control of your projects and tasks and keep yourself organized.
2. Prioritize your list
Prioritizing your to-do list helps you focus and spend more of your time on the things that really matter to you. Rate your tasks into categories using the ABCD prioritization system described in the time management course.
3. Plan your week
Spend some time at the beginning of each week to plan your schedule. Taking the extra time to do this will help increase your productivity and balance your important long-term projects with your more urgent tasks. All you need is fifteen to thirty minutes each week for your planning session.
4. Carry a notebook
You never know when you are going to have a great idea or brilliant insight. Carry a small notebook with you wherever you go so you can capture your thoughts. If you wait too long to write them down you could forget. Another option is to use a digital recorder.
5. Learn to say no
Many people become overloaded with too much work because they overcommit; they say yes when they really should be saying no. Learn to say no to low priority requests and you will free up time to spend on things that are more important.
6. Think before acting
How many times have you said yes to something you later regretted? Before committing to a new task, stop to think about it before you give your answer. This will prevent you from taking on too much work.
7. Continuously improve yourself
Make time in your schedule to learn new things and develop your natural talents and abilities. For example, you could take a class, attend a training program, or read a book. Continuously improving your knowledge and skills increases your marketability, can help boost your career, and is the most reliable path to financial independence.
8. Think about what you are giving up to do your regular activities
It is a good idea to evaluate regularly how you are spending your time. In some cases, the best thing you can do is to stop doing an activity that is no longer serving you so you can spend the time doing something more valuable. Consider what you are giving up in order to maintain your current activities.
9. Use a time management system
Using a time management system can help you keep track of everything that you need to do, organize and prioritize your work, and develop sound plans to complete it. An integrated system is like glue that holds all the best time management practices together.
10. Identify bad habits
Make a list of bad habits that are stealing your time, sabotaging your goals, and blocking your success. After you do, work on them one at a time and systematically eliminate them from your life. Remember that the easiest way to eliminate a bad habit, it to replace it with a better habit.
11. Don’t do other people’s work
Are you in the habit of doing other people’s work because or a ‘hero’ mentality? Doing this takes up time that you may not have. Instead, focus on your own projects and goals, learn to delegate effectively, and teach others how to do their own work.
12. Keep a goal journal
Schedule time to set and evaluate your goals. Start a journal and write down your progress for each goal. Go through your goal journal each week to make sure you are on the right track.
Keeping a journal on your computer has never been easier!
13. Don’t be a perfectionist
Some tasks don’t require your best effort. Sending a short email to a colleague, for example, shouldn’t take any more than a few minutes. Learn to distinguish between tasks that deserve to be done excellently and tasks that just need to be done.
14. Beware of “filler” tasks
When you have a to-do list filled with important tasks, be careful not to get distracted by “filler” tasks. Things such as organizing your bookcase or filing papers can wait until you tackle the items that have the highest priority.
15. Avoid “efficiency traps”
Being efficient doesn’t necessarily mean that you are being productive. Avoid taking on tasks that you can do with efficiency that don’t need to be done at all. Just because you are busy and getting things done doesn’t mean you are actually accomplishing anything significant.
1. Write things down
A common time management mistake is to try to use your memory to keep track of too many details leading to information overload. Using a to-do list to write things down is a great way to take control of your projects and tasks and keep yourself organized.
2. Prioritize your list
Prioritizing your to-do list helps you focus and spend more of your time on the things that really matter to you. Rate your tasks into categories using the ABCD prioritization system described in the time management course.
3. Plan your week
Spend some time at the beginning of each week to plan your schedule. Taking the extra time to do this will help increase your productivity and balance your important long-term projects with your more urgent tasks. All you need is fifteen to thirty minutes each week for your planning session.
4. Carry a notebook
You never know when you are going to have a great idea or brilliant insight. Carry a small notebook with you wherever you go so you can capture your thoughts. If you wait too long to write them down you could forget. Another option is to use a digital recorder.
5. Learn to say no
Many people become overloaded with too much work because they overcommit; they say yes when they really should be saying no. Learn to say no to low priority requests and you will free up time to spend on things that are more important.
6. Think before acting
How many times have you said yes to something you later regretted? Before committing to a new task, stop to think about it before you give your answer. This will prevent you from taking on too much work.
7. Continuously improve yourself
Make time in your schedule to learn new things and develop your natural talents and abilities. For example, you could take a class, attend a training program, or read a book. Continuously improving your knowledge and skills increases your marketability, can help boost your career, and is the most reliable path to financial independence.
8. Think about what you are giving up to do your regular activities
It is a good idea to evaluate regularly how you are spending your time. In some cases, the best thing you can do is to stop doing an activity that is no longer serving you so you can spend the time doing something more valuable. Consider what you are giving up in order to maintain your current activities.
9. Use a time management system
Using a time management system can help you keep track of everything that you need to do, organize and prioritize your work, and develop sound plans to complete it. An integrated system is like glue that holds all the best time management practices together.
10. Identify bad habits
Make a list of bad habits that are stealing your time, sabotaging your goals, and blocking your success. After you do, work on them one at a time and systematically eliminate them from your life. Remember that the easiest way to eliminate a bad habit, it to replace it with a better habit.
11. Don’t do other people’s work
Are you in the habit of doing other people’s work because or a ‘hero’ mentality? Doing this takes up time that you may not have. Instead, focus on your own projects and goals, learn to delegate effectively, and teach others how to do their own work.
12. Keep a goal journal
Schedule time to set and evaluate your goals. Start a journal and write down your progress for each goal. Go through your goal journal each week to make sure you are on the right track.
Keeping a journal on your computer has never been easier!
13. Don’t be a perfectionist
Some tasks don’t require your best effort. Sending a short email to a colleague, for example, shouldn’t take any more than a few minutes. Learn to distinguish between tasks that deserve to be done excellently and tasks that just need to be done.
14. Beware of “filler” tasks
When you have a to-do list filled with important tasks, be careful not to get distracted by “filler” tasks. Things such as organizing your bookcase or filing papers can wait until you tackle the items that have the highest priority.
15. Avoid “efficiency traps”
Being efficient doesn’t necessarily mean that you are being productive. Avoid taking on tasks that you can do with efficiency that don’t need to be done at all. Just because you are busy and getting things done doesn’t mean you are actually accomplishing anything significant.
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