Although the international media has under-reported it, the world has recently witnessed a major event in the Horn of Africa - a free, fair and generally peaceful election in Somaliland.

On July 2, Isse Yusuf Mohamud, the chairman of Somaliland’s election commission, announced that Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo, the leader of the opposition Kulmiye Party, won the presidential election with 49.59 per cent of the 538,246 votes cast. The incumbent president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, came a distant second with 33.23 per cent of the votes.

International observers declared the election “free and fair” and praised the conduct of political actors and stakeholders involved in the election campaign.

Even more significantly, unlike many leaders in the region, Kahin embraced the popular verdict and accepted defeat gracefully.

A peaceful transfer of power is now underway.

The News:
http://english.aljaz … 721103446978514.html

The Defense Minister, Mr Saleban Warsame Gulled said one soldier was killed Monday night when the national army clashed with an armed militant in the village of Widwid in the disputed region.

Mr Gulled told local reporters the clashes happened in the Widwid village in Buhodle region at around 12 p.m. when his men came under attack from SSC militia and the two sides exchanged fire for several hours.

Reporters in Burao told Somalilandpress two injured soldiers were receiving treatments in Somaliland’s second largest city of Burao. The army also brought seven prisoners to the town who were captured from the SSC.

They also reported at least four casualties and dozen of injuries inflicted on the militia who were taken to the town of Buhodle. It was not possible for us to reach the town as communication was down.

The News:
http://somalilandpre … itia-five-dead-17144

Leader of Kurdistan Workers’ Party said that his fighters could lay down arms if Ankara will accept a dialogue. Turkey Government should also accept a cease-fire.

Talking with Bbc from a base of Pkk in mountains of Kurdistan, Murat Karayilan has affirmed that he will order to his men to lay down the arms under supervision of Onu if Ankara will accept the truce and some claims.

Conflict started in 1984, it has caused 45 thousands deaths.

The News:
http://www.corriere. … /1-A_000121081.shtml

Six Turkish soldiers have been killed in an attack by Kurdish rebels near the border with Iraq, Turkey says.

The attack took place overnight on a military outpost near the town of Cukurca in Hakkari province, south-east Turkey.

Another 15 soldiers were wounded in the attack, Turkey’s prime minister said. He said one rebel was shot dead, and the military was pursuing others.

The News:
http://www.bbc.co.uk … orld-europe-10696410

Plastic guns and shouting: two children with short hair chase one another among the cheeses of ricotta of bazaar in Nazran, Russian Republic of Ingushetia.

They play at cops and robbers that here is in «menty and waha», «cops and islamists». The problem for Moscow is that «goods» of play are the «waha», or wahabiti, islamic foundamentalists.

It’s not yet Afghanistan, but Ingushetia is already a Russia talibanization. Vladimir Putin commands during the day, Dokku Umarov, Emire of North Caucasus, during the night.

Moscow patrols go fast, spies of clandestine Emirate watch every movement.

I «governments» live under siege, like in a occupation land. Also first city, Nazran, is changing face like is happened in Bagdad during faida between shiites and sunnis: there are districts pro-russia and others pro-islamics.

The News:
http://www.corriere. … 6-00144f02aabe.shtml

The Organization of American States (OAS) is to hold a special meeting on 22 July to hear Colombia’s complaint that Venezuela tolerates Colombian rebel camps on its territory.

Colombia says it has strong evidence that Venezuela is providing a safe haven for left-wing guerrillas.

Venezuela strongly denies the charge.

It has accused Colombia’s President, Alvaro Uribe, of trying to provoke a diplomatic crisis before he leaves office next month.

“Colombia has the right to denounce in front of the international community the presence of guerrillas in Venezuela”, Colombian Interior Minister Fabio Valencia said.

The News:
http://www.bbc.co.uk … tin-america-10674859

Uganda is ready to send an additional 2,000 peacekeeping troops to Somalia despite threats from hard-line Somali Islamists of more attacks if peacekeepers are not withdrawn, an army spokesman said on Friday.

Coordinated explosions ripped through two nightspots in the Ugandan capital Kampala on Sunday, killing 73 people watching the World Cup final.

“If we’re called on to contribute a stronger force in Somalia, we’re ready to send an extra 2,000,” spokesman Felix Kulayigye told Reuters by telephone.

The al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which claimed the Kampala strikes, said it was avenging the killing of civilians by the African Union peacekeeping force. Ugandan forces form the backbone of the 6,100-strong deployment in Somalia.

Regional allies have promised to send an extra 2,000 soldiers to Somalia by mid-August.

The News:
http://www.markacade … 2010/20100716_1e.htm