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| Last Updated: Apr 23, 2011 - 2:27:50 PM |
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IRIN drags itself into Somalia’s clan based politics
15 Jan 15, 2010 - 3:05:24 PM
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IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Networks ) comes under the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, but “has” an editorial independence. IRIN’s editorial independence has been dquestioned because of failure to be alive to the intricasies of Somalia’s clan based politics.
In October 2009 IRIN reported that two Somaliland [sub]clans were rearming for a another round of conflict.
IRIN quoted a police officer in Gabiley as saying: “We are afraid [that] new conflict could break out any time.” The feud between Reer Nour subclan of Samaron and Reer Hareed subclan or Habar Awal was triggered by a dispute over the farm dating back to 1950s.
IRIN identified Reer Nour as former supporters of the milaitry regime, but describes Reer Hareed as suporters of the former Somali National Movement, an armed Somali opposition outfit that had a role in toppling the military regime of Somalia in 1991.
If a certain Somali clan did not support a clan based (armed) position group from 1978-1991, it does not have to lead one to conclude that the clan was pro-dictatorship. IRIN’s characterisation of Reer Nour as pro-government is biased. It may fuel the hostilities. Sixteen years have elapsed since Somaliland took a path of reconciliation. The map IRIN used to illustrate the story is the same as Somaliland’s map.
Does IRIN use the same map when it publishes stories on Somaliland? An IRIN story — “Rape a major problem for Bosasso IDPs”— another map Puntand was used. The two maps have one thing in common: Puntlanders and Somalilanders cannot agree on which of the two maps is correct because Somaliland map contains territories that Puntland claims and vice versa. Will IRIN salvage its reputation by setting the record straight on cartographic misjudgements ?
Sources: (1) Rival clans "re-arming" over Somaliland (2)Rape "a major problem” for Bosasso IDPs
Somalia Research Report
editor@somaliaresearch.com
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