Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule that managed to impose a degree of stability in the country for a couple of decades. After the regime's collapse early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence and continues efforts to establish a constitutional democracy, including holding municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998 but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides toward reconstructing a legitimate, representative government but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. A two-year peace process, led by the Government of Kenya under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the formation of an interim government, known as the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). The TFIs included a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA). President YUSUF resigned late in 2008 while United Nations-sponsored talks between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) were underway in Djibouti. In January 2009, following the creation of a TFG-ARS unity government, Ethiopian military forces, which had entered Somalia in December 2006 to support the TFG in the face of advances by the opposition Council of Islamic Courts (CIC), withdrew from the country. The TFA was increased to 550 seats with the addition of 275 ARS members of parliament. The expanded parliament elected Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed, the former CIC and ARS chairman as president on 31 January 2009, in Djibouti. Subsequently, President SHARIF appointed Omar Abdirashid ali SHARMARKE, son of a former president of Somalia, as prime minister on 13 February 2009. The TFIs are based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), which outlines a five-year mandate leading to the establishment of a new Somali constitution and a transition to a representative government following national elections. However, in January 2009 the TFA amended the TFC to extend TFG's mandate until 2011. While its institutions remain weak, the TFG continues to reach out to Somali stakeholders and work with international donors to help build the governance capacity of the TFIs and work toward national elections in 2011.

The Hiiraan University Fund Raising Project

The Hiiraan University Fund Raising Project

Gallery

Hiiraan University will be soon be a reality, The Universtiy was conceived two years ago but constrution was put on hold because of lack of funding and the unstable enviroment. Building is back on track , and the University is scheduled to be complete in January 2009 . The campus which will be located in Beledweyne, Somalia will feature eight teaching and learning classrooms, an administrative center, a multi-purpose hall, a staff room, library services, and other accessories. There are also future plans to accommodate labs, multimedia production facility, sports facilities, and a computerized system which will enable staff and students to have access to online resources. The faculty of agriculture is scheduled to admit 50 – 100 undergraduate Somali Nationals in January, 2009.

A Hiiraan University fund raising ceremony, the first of its kind, was held at the Loews Denver Hotel in Denver, Colorado State on October 08, 2005. All segments of the Somali Community of Colorado have attended the event. Members of the religious, intellectual, youth, women and community leaders, have spoken at the event. As expected more than $15,000 (fifteen thousand dollar) was raised. Insha Allahu (God Willing) the fund raising project of the Hiiraan University will continue throughout the United States and the rest of the world.On behalf of the Hiiraan University Foundation, Professor Ahmed M. Warfa of Utah, the keynote speaker at the fund-raising acknowledged the unfailing effort of the Somali community of Colorado for the good gesture.

Hiiraan University continues to rely on donations to help complete the project.
Inquires/Notifications of donations of test books(medical, science, arts), materials, money or time could be directed to:

Chief Fundraiser:
Professor Ahmed Warfaa
ahmedwrf@yahoo.com

Treasurer:
Bashir Duale
dualbid@msn.com

Emily Parker (Team Leader)

My name is Emily Parker and I am a second year student at the University of Denver. I am a part of the Pioneer Leadership Program and, as a part of that program, we get to partake in a Community Change Initiative (CCI) throughout the course of our second year. I, along with a team of classmates, have chosen to work with the Youth Program at the Somali Community Center for the duration of this year.

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