Khat users chew the drug to ingest an ingredient which is similar to an amphetamine. QMI AGENCY PHOTOALEXANDRIA, Va. — Thirteen men and women have been convicted of smuggling millions of dollars' worth of the illegal African drug khat (COT).

The convictions came Thursday in federal court in Alexandria following a month-long trial.

Authorities said when they made the arrests last year it was one of the largest khat smuggling rings they had ever disrupted, importing nearly 10,000 pounds, worth roughly $5 million, into the U.S.

Somali refugees wait on Yemen's Red Sea coast for transport to Aden. A record number of African migrants fled to Yemen this year, with 43,000 people having reached the Middle Eastern country in only four months, the United Nations refugee agency said today, adding that it is concerned with the rise in insecurity and trafficking in the region.

"All those who had decided to make the crossing exposed themselves to extreme risks and dangers at every stage of their journey," a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Andrej Mahecic, told reporters in Geneva. "They faced shocking levels of abuse and violence by smugglers, as well as arbitrary arrests and detention, closed borders and forced returns, trafficking, lack of access to shelter, water, food or medical assistance."

Traditional leaders in meetingYears ago, managing conflict resolution and peace building in Somaliland was an obstacle that kept the nation's progress slow while unresolved triggers of past conflict threatened to surface. Today, formal education that includes unique traditional Somali approaches is one outcome of a higher education partnership between Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and the University of Hargeisa (UoH). The partners focused on providing methodology that promotes peace and stability in Somaliland through the involvement of traditional elders and modern best practices in global conflict resolution. During a four-year period, EMU, based in Virginia, worked closely with the UoH to establish an Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) and to strengthen the institution's research capacity in the midst of transition.

Ms Fozia and Ahmed sandoon during the press conferenceBy: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – President Silanyo has been asked to intervene and solve ongoing political standoff.

The chairperson of the Consortium of parties MS Fozia Haji Aden has termed the denial of political participation as an illegal act meted upon the five political groups that make up the consortium. The political made the remarks during a press conference held by her consortium in Hargeisa.

Ex president Dahir Rayale (L), President Silanyo & guests at the presidency on the eve of 18 May 2012By: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – Somalilanders have been congratulated for attaining 21 years of self-rule without international recognition.

The congratulations were extended by the president H.E. Ahmed Mahmoud Silanyo during evening festivities at a dinner party hosted by the president at his official residence in Hargeisa where he also said Somaliland no longer needs to prove itself as all are aware of its existence and achievements.

Ms Hayat during the interviewThe pursuit of constitutional rights does not make one anti-Somaliland-Ms. Hayat

By: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The branding of Opposition politicians as anti-Somaliland elements has been termed abhorrent.

A political activist Ms. Hayat Abu Khalil has requested the dissociation of holding different political views and beliefs from propagating anti-Somaliland nationhood. Ms. Hayat said that opposing views are healthy for the country's democratization process while those holding opposite doctrines are also dedicated nationalists.

Dr Mohamed A OmarBy: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – Proposed talks with Somalia will be held in London as soon as the TFG shows readiness.

This was informed by the Somaliland foreign minister Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar during a debate broadcast live by the BBC Somali service. The foreign minster said that the fate of the talks rested with the Transitional Federal Government-TFG in Mogadishu which had complicated arrangements by appointing Somalilanders in its technical committee.

Dr Mohamed Abdilahi said that Somaliland is fully prepared to start discussions with the Somalia government once the TFG has rescinded the appointment of the two Somalilanders that caused president Silanyo to withdraw from the talks.

Youths celebrating 18th MayBy: Abdirahman Meead –actvisit

In a wonderful day like this day, our talk should have significance from a different angle; it is an attempt to outside the scope of theorizing to a future perspective to Somaliland

In the first place the world witnesses changes in its political systems and its economic laws and social systems and this can be a worrisome matter but the good news is that what is begin witnessed by the world today , Somaliland has passed a remarkable strides without experiencing such events which have been experienced by other countries .

Spouses, Sisters and Mothers of SentencedBy: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The president has been asked to intervene and save the lives of 17 people convicted to death and life imprisonment sentences.

The appeal was made by the wives of the sentenced civilians during a press conference they held at Hadwanag Hotel in Hargeisa. The wives also extended condolences to the families of military officers who lost their lives during the skirmishes which resulted in the sentences.

Toghdeer commemorates 18th May in StyleBy: Yusuf M Hasan

SOMALILAND (Somalilandsun) – The 21st anniversary of Somaliland's independence was commemorated in style in major cities of the country especially Burao, Borame, Las anod, Berbera and Erigavo.

During The lively festivities which were participated by various dignitaries that included ministers, several members of both houses of parliament from the regions, local governments, traditional and religious leaders as well as ordinary citizens from all walks of life witnessed the governor of each region read the presidential speech simultaneously with the President in Hargeisa.