Former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after being sworn in as the new president of Somalia after being elected by Somali members of parliament in the presidential elections in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia, 15 May 2022. Voting took place at Mogadishu's fortified airport only involving the country's 329 members of parliament, following long delays. EPA / SAID YUSUF WARSAME
Former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after being sworn in as the new president of Somalia after being elected by Somali members of parliament in the presidential elections in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia, 15 May 2022. Voting took place at Mogadishu's fortified airport only involving the country's 329 members of parliament, following long delays. EPA / SAID YUSUF WARSAME
Former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after being sworn in as the new president of Somalia after being elected by Somali members of parliament in the presidential elections in the capital Mogadishu,
Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
May 18, 2022
US President Joe Biden swore to end his country’s “forever wars”. It polled well, as did it for his predecessor, Donald Trump. But in practice, it has been hard, at times hugely controversial to implement – the starkest example being the chaotic and detrimental US withdrawal from Afghanistan last summer.
However it is viewed, it is a promise that may come to define his presidency. But this legacy is not yet set. News that President Biden recently approved a plan to re-deploy hundreds of American troops to Somalia shows how complex America’s position in the world has become.
First, it is a sign that American policy towards the region has been inconsistent. Former president Trump withdrew most US forces from the country during his tenure. Second, it shows quite how bad the situation has become in Somalia.
In better circumstances, this would be a time of optimism for the country. It has just elected a new president after the chaotic and process of removing the former leader, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, from power. Now, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has promised to “build a Somalia that is in harmony with itself and is in harmony with the world”.
In actual fact, Mr Mohamud is not that new. He was Somalia’s leader between 2012 and 2017, and clearly did not do enough to stabilise the country. It is imperative he does better this time and builds a strong, fair government not for his legacy only but for the sake of his citizens, because very little is harmonious in today's Somalia. It regularly ranks near the bottom on important development indicators. Only Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic are lower when it comes to infant mortality per 1,000 births, according to the World Bank. The Legatum Institutes' Prosperity Index puts Somalia 161st out of 167, citing poor "economic quality" as the country’s biggest challenge. Somali politics is chaotic, with tensions still high after former president Mohamed did all he could to cling on to power, including extending his term last year. Corruption is also a major issue.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (R), marking his election win with incumbent leader Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed in Mogadishu, Somalia, has returned to the nation's top office. AP Photo
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud voted out of power as president in 2017. AP Photo
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud celebrates his triumph at the Halane military camp in Mogadishu. AP Photo
Somali MPs applaud as Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is sworn in as the new president. EPA
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after being sworn in as the new president of Somalia. EPA
Hassan Ali Khaire, former Somali Prime Minister and candidate for the 2022 presidential elections, during the first round of voting in Mogadishu. Reuters
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, the incumbent President and a candidate for the 2022 elections. Reuters
Said Abdulahi Deni, Puntland region president and another candidate for the 2022 Somali presidential elections. Reuters
A member of the Somali parliament casts a vote in Mogadishu. Reuters
African Union peacekeepers provide security during the Somali presidential elections in Mogadishu. Reuters
Incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (C) sits with members of parliament as they attend the presidential elections in Mogadishu, Somalia. EPA
Voting got under way after long delays in the Somalia presidential elections, with 39 registered presidential candidates in the running. EPA
Cleaning up the political landscape would be a start, but it is going to take more to strengthen Somalia and promote the harmony Mr Mohamud wants. Perhaps the main impediment to change is the security situation. Al Shabab is known the world over as one the deadliest terrorist groups in operation. Today, it has inserted itself into daily life in the country, be it acting as judges or the taxman. Worst of all, it is murderous. The Armed Conflict, Location and Event Data Project estimates that between 2010 and 2020 the number of civilians it killed stood at more than 4,000. The majority were in Somalia. The new president must commit to countering extremism in all its facets.
Of course, Mr Mohamud’s government does have valid security concerns, and US troops could help in this regard; a central part of their renewed mission is targeting key leaders in the organisation. But both presidents must learn the lessons of recent failures to stabilise unstable places by relying too much on the military.
Security is imperative, but that can only be built by understanding the true, holistic nature of the challenge the country faces. Al Shabab is deadly, but so are the country’s many environmental crises, including desertification, drought and poor management of land. Almost 90 per cent of districts are affected by continuous, severe water shortages, and the impact that is having on food supplies leaves 1.4 million children malnourished, more than 300,000 severely. In a world already slow to act on the danger of climate change, and now distracted by the war in Ukraine, the sort of multilateral approach and drive needed to address these issues must be emphasised constantly.
Somalia might be isolated, but its instability has global ramifications, whether by piracy affecting international shipping or being a breeding ground for militants. Today, as a new president emerges and a renewed US military presence begins, minds must be focused not yet again on just the results of Somalia's strife, but the causes, too. Only then can the country be in harmony with itself and the world.
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
What are the influencer academy modules?
Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
Cinematography, shots and movement.
All aspects of post-production.
Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
