Somalia: Situation Report no. 7 – 22 Feb 2008

Main Developments

A major search for arms in the main market in Mogadishu, Bakara, triggered heavy fighting this week between Ethiopian/Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and anti-government elements. Following the fighting on 18 and early hours of 19 February, at least seven people died including three civilians and several others were wounded. Fresh fighting broke out again on 21 February with about five casualties reported. There was restricted movement in and out of the market during the week completely paralysing trading for thousands of civilians left in Mogadishu who solely depend on the market for their daily income. Despite the skirmishes, WFP supported 'wet feeding' programme is ongoing in 10 districts feeding an average of 53,000 people on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, on 20 February, the UN Security Council extended the African Union-led mission in Somalia for another six months. Currently, the mission, which has also been attacked several times by anti-government elements, consists of 1,700 Ugandans and 192 Burundian troops.
In order to eventually phase out water trucking along the Mogadishu/Afgooye road and establish more sustainable water supply, partners in the water cluster are rehabilitating and developing existing water supply systems including extension of water pipeline, and construction of water tanks, bladders and kiosks. Construction of 1,100 additional latrines and wash basins are also ongoing. UNICEF and partners commenced the second round of a health campaign to provide 56,000 children under five and 11,200 pregnant women in the Afgooye Corridor with basic immunization, Vitamin A and iron supplementation and de-worming. The first round took place in early December 2007.

Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) latest Weather Hazards Impact Assessment confirms that rainfall has been below-normal for the short rains season (October - December) in most parts of east Africa. In the central regions of Somalia, this has caused poor pasture conditions and limited water availability for the pastoral and agro-pastoral populations. Already, the central regions of Mudug and Galgaduud are experiencing severe drought. In southern Somalia, the assessment says crops suffered from the low rainfall totals, which could limit food availability until the next harvest season in March.

The priorities in the area are food and water and a number of UN agencies and Non Governmental Organisations are in the area responding to the crisis. In Galgaduud, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) completed a non-food items distribution to about 8,000 households and another to 4,000 households in Mudug region. Plans in the coming weeks to upscale operations in the area are at an advanced stage.

Puntland

The overall security situation in Puntland has been unsatisfactory following threats of kidnapping of aid workers and actual kidnappings. The current situation does not yet allow a return of NGO international staff and might also compromise smooth running of operations in the area.

Severely wounded people from the bomb blast on 5 February might be discharged as authorities claim that they are taking up much needed space in the hospital. The discharges could cause concerns as some of them have undergone amputations and may need further specialized care. Humanitarian workers in Bossaso are advocating for alternative places where the people can stay. Other victims have been supported with provision of 24 jerry cans, 34 insecticides treated bed nets and plastic sheets during the week.

In response to the fire that broke out in five Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP)' camps in Bossaso on 7 February; UNICEF has provided 140 family relief kits and 280 jerry cans.
For those displaced by the Sool conflict, UNICEF has so far provided 2,000 family relief kits and supplies to purify water, including over 6,000 jerry cans, eight bladder tanks and two drums of chlorine along with training on how to use it. Agencies continue to rehabilitate wells, truck in water and construct latrines (400 planned), as well sd raise awareness amongst IDPs about the importance of hygiene. In addition, eight health posts have been provided with supplies and essential drugs, and some 6,380 IDP families have received mosquito nets. Health and Nutrition mobile teams continue to reach locations where no health facilities are available with basic health services and immunisation.

Other

CARE International Somalia, with support from the Disaster Emergency Committee (UK), has prepared a Somali language version of 'The Sphere Project' manual to be shared with humanitarian workers (both UN and NGO) and Government officials in Somalia. The Sphere manual gives minimum standards in disaster response as well as a broad process for collaboration, and is an expression of commitment to quality and accountability in humanitarian work.

Further Information, contact:

Rita Maingi on +254 734 800 120 - maingir@un.org
Muna Mohamed on + 254 733 643 737 - mohamed26@un.org

Lughaya.com oo baroosinka si toos ah u aasatay

Dhamaan akhristayaasha shabakada wararka dalka ee lughaya.com waxaan idiinku bishaaraynaynaa in shaqo faro badan aan galinay sidii aan idiinku soo gudbin lahayn wararka dalka. anagoo wax ka badalayna aalada aan isticmaalno oo aan u heelanahay inaan la qabsano carsiga.

Nashqadan cusub oo noo saamixi doonta in aan kasii badino shaqadii aan u haynay shacab waynaha Awdal meel kasta oo ay joogaan ba iyo gobolada deriska ahba iyo guud dalka Somaliland. anagoo waliba isku taxalujin doona in aan wax ka taabano koonfurta Soomaliya oo marba marka ka danbaysa kasii daraysa hadii eebaha awooda lihi ogolaado.
Wax yar ayaa hadhay noo dul qaata insha allah war dhexdhexaad ah iyo wada shaqayn dhamaan shabakadaha gobolka ayaan ku boorinaynaa.

aad ayaad ugu mahadsan tihiin tageerayaasha Lughaya.com sida wanaagsan ee naloogu dul qaatay iyo hanbalyooyinka aad noosoo fidiseen.

Badheedhaha Lughaya.com

Rashid Bakaalow Malaha Qof kalaad Igu Qaldaysaa.

Waxaan akhriyey maqaal uu cinwaankiisu ahaa “Ducadii Axmed Sh.Faarax lama aqbalin” oo uu ku saxeexnaa Rashiid Bakaal.Maqaalkaasoo aad iidhibay rashiid wuxu ku sheegay inaan kasoo horjeedo gargaarka loo ururinayo dadkii ku caydhoobay masiibadii dhawaanta ka dhacday gobolka iyo gudigii isku xilqaamayba.Laakiin haddii uu rashiid akhriyi lahaa qoraaladayda aan kaga hadlayo dhibta dadkeennii ku dhacday iyo sida ay gurmad ugu baahanyihiin iyo waliba sida aan ugu hawlanahay arintaa lafteeda,malaha waxa loo sheegay ama uu akhriyeyba wuu iska hubin lahaa. Waa qalin iyo xeerkii oo mar marbuu ku xadaa.

Balse ceytami maayo,cadhoonmaayo,ku habaari maayo,kuuna hanjabi maayo si hilan uunbaan kuula hadli.Waxan kuleehay Walaal iska hubso malaha qofkalaad igu qaldaysaaye. Anigu ma qorin article waxaa ka hadlaya,kamana hadal arinta aad sheegayso.Waxan filayaa way ku khaldeen oo telefoonbay wax kuugu sheegeen.Waayo hadii aad akhriday article-ka aad ka hadlayso cidda ku saxeexanbaad arki lahayd,waa haddii uu jiro.Mise midbaa isu key ekeysiiyey toloow. Saban waliba waxbuu caan ku yahay sabankanna waxa fududaaday sida wax loo qoro iyo in waliba qofku fikirkiisa dadweynaha usoo bandhigo.Laakiin waxa fiican in qalinka si quruxbadan loo adeegsado oo waxa maskaxdaada kasoo maaxanayaa uu noqdo wax aan umadda dhibin oon fidmo dhexdhigin.

Waxan uga socdaa Waayadan danbe markii qoraalkii fududaaday maamulayaashii mareeguhuna xil iska saari waayeen inay qofka wax usoo qorey xaqiijiyaan,waxa soo baxay dad Aaladda internetka si xun u isticmaala oo intay magac bug ah qaataan bulshada kala dila.Rashiidow malaha midbaa Emailkeygii iyo isamkeygii koobiyeystay oo isu key ekeysiiyey sidii maskax geel kala baxda. Bulshada sharafta leh iyo akhristayaashaba waxan halkan ugu caddaynayaa article-ka uu Rashiid sheegayo hadduu jiro inaanan anigu qorin.(waan raadiyey laakiin waayey meel uu ku qoranyahay). Tafatirayaasha shabakadaha waxan kula talinlahaa laba arimood.

Tan koobaad:Marka hore qofka qoraalkiisa inaad tafatirtaan oo wixii umadda dhibaya aad ka reebtaan, haddii meel laqaato uunan lahayna aad iska tuurtaan. Tan labaad:Dadka wax idiin soo qora inaad iska hubisaan inay yihiin dad jira iyo inkale.waxa jira dad fidmo wadayaal ah oo kolba shaadh soo xidha oon isa soo caddayn karin.waa fule aan soo badheedhi karin oo magac beena wata.Waa virus.Laakiin si fudud baad ku ogaan kartaan,meesha uu joogo iyo qofka uu yahayba. Halkan ka akhri maqaalka uu qoray rashiid bakaal ee sida hubsiimo la’aanta ah uu dhiidhida iigu dhextuuray.
http://lughaya.com/lug/?p=377
Jawhar Cabdisamad Qalinle
korwaayeel@hotmail.com

“Ma garanayo goorta deeq Burco iyo Hargeysa la gaadhsiiyey reer Boorama dembi ka dhigeen” Cabdiraxman Saylici

Cabdirahan Zaylici oo difaacay sifihii Xisbiga uu Wareejiyey deeqdii qalabka caafimaad
Musharraxa xisbiga Kulmiye ee mansabka Madaxweyne kuxigeenka, C/raxmaan C/laahi Ismaaciil (Saylici), ayaa dafaacay sifihii xisbigiisu kula wareegeen iyo sidii ay qalabkii caafimaad oo deeqo ahaa ugu wareejiyeen wasaaradda Caafimaadka iyo xukuumadda Somaliland.

Sida uu ku soo waramay Maxamed Cumar Sheekh, Weriyaha Haatuf ee gobolka Awdal, C/raxmaan Saylici oo shalay shir-jaraa’id ku qabtay Boorama, ayaa dhinaca kale waxaa uu kaga hadlay ujeedooyinka laga leeyahay ama xukuumad iyo kuwa gobolkan Awdal ka taageera xisbiga udub ka leeyihiin hadalada beryahan dambe lagu durayo isaga iyo xisbiga Kulmiyeba, taas oo uu ku tilmaamay inay tahay dacaayad siyaasadeed oo xukuumaddu miciin moodday markii dadweynaha Reer Awdal ka soo jabeen xisbiga UDUB iyo Dawladda Rayaal,e danna ay u arkaeen Xisbiga Kulmiye.

C/raxmaan Saylici ayaa shalay shirkiisan kaga hadlay arrimo kale oo door ah oo ay ku jiraan sida isaga iyo taageeraayaasha xisbiguba uga go’antahay in aanay dhegaysan doonin aflagaado kasta iyo dacaayaad kasta oo ay xukuumaddu miciin mooddo.

Hadalakii uu halkaa ka yidhina waxa ka mid ahaa “Waxaad mooddaa in xukuumadda iyo kuwa taageera ay waayadan dambe hal-hays ka dhigteen Saylici baa Kulimiye siiyey deeq dadka gobolka Awdal loo soo ururiyey, hadaladaasi iyo kuwa kaleeba waxaad arkaysaa inay yihiin kuwa gobolkan Awdal ka dhigaya inuusan ku jirin Somaliland, deeqda reer Awdal loo soo ururiyo ama reer Somaaliland loo ururiyaanna tahay mid ku kooban gobolka Awdal, iyadoo siday hadalka u dhigayaanna ay dareemayso in deeqda reer Awdal ama xisbigaa qaranka ee Kulmiye uu gadhsiiyo goboladdaa kalena ay reer Boorama u tahay dembi gobolka laga galay, waana xaasidnimo iyo cunsurinnimo, maadaama gobolada kale ee ay Somaliland ka kooban tahayna xaq u leeyihiin in la gaadhsiiyo wixii dadkeedu soo ururiyaan.

Taageerayaasha xisbiga Kulmiye ee gobolka Awdal waxa qalabkaasi kaga baxday lacag dhan $15,000 oo Doolar, oo lagu soo gaadhsiiyey, dawladduna xaq uma lahayn inay cashuurto ama tidhaa cashuur baan ka dhaafnay, inaan qalabkaasi ka kulmiye ahaan u guddoonana xaq baan u lahayn, inaan dedaalkayaga sheeganana xaq baan u lahayn, waayo dawladu magacayaga horee ayey u sheegi weyday dedaallo aan muujinay oo taageerayashiisu ku geeyeen gobolada Sool.
Waxa wax lala yaabo ah oo daciifnimo ah in la yidhaa ha sheegina xisbigaasi kulmiye wixii uu dalka keenay, waxaanan u aragnaa laba arrimood.

Waa tan kowaade inay maamulayaasha dawlaadda ee daba ordayey qalabkan dhkhtarka weyn mooyee aan la dhigi karin tuulooyin aan lahayn cisbitaallo la doonayey in la lunsado oo agaasimayaasha daba ordayey doonayeen inaan Kulmiye la tusin.Iyo tan labaad oo ah in xukuumaddu Kulmiye u quudhi la’dahay sida daacdnimada leh ee ay dalka u soo gaadhsiiyeen, loona qaybiyo cisbitaalada dalka.

Tan sadexaad waxaan odhan karaa waa markii u horeysay ee deeq lagu wareejiyo xisbigaasi, isla markaana uu si daacadnimo ku jirto dawladda ugu wareejiyo, mana dhici jirin tan oo kale oo dawladda uun baa wixii shicibka debedda ee Somaliland iska soo ururiyaan meel dhigan jirtay, isla markaana aan la ogeyn meesha ay mareen.

Waxaan la yaabaa oo kale wasiiro iyo taagerayaasha xisbiga Dawladdu waxaan u sheegeynaa in qalabkaasi annaga oo xisbiga kulmiye iyo taageerayaashiisa gobolkan Awdal uu ku qornaa, magacoodana uu dalka ku yimi, iyagana loo soo wakiishay, wakhtigaasina uu ahaa wakhti ka horreeyey aafada ka dhacday gobolka Awdal, alaabtaasina ay dalka timi aafadaasi ka hor, ciddii ujeeddo ka lihina iyadaa og, waxanan leeyahay raggaa maanta leh goboblkii awdal baa Kulmiye ka qadiyey qalabkaasi, waa ragga maanta ka xun qalabkaasi inuu gaadho Somaliland cisbitaaladaeeda, sida deeqaha reer Awdalba loo geeyo Sanaag iyo gobolka Sool, mana fiicna in gobolkan laga dhigo mid u xidhan xisbi keliya iyo dad keliya, afkana laga sheegto Somaliland, deeqda reer Somaliland ay gaadhsiiyaan reer Awdal siyaasiyiinta Hargeysa fadhida iyo kuwa halkan jooga ee dawladda taageeraa ka dhigaan qalab dad shisheeye ah la siiyey oo aan Somaliland ahayn.

Sidee reer Awdal lagu dooran doonaa haddii halkaa la marayo. halaga waantoobo arrimaha keenaya kala qoqobnaanta Somaliland iyo cunsurinnimda. Ta nalagu haystaa waa taa, kana yeeli mayno inaan gobolaysi iyo qabyaalad wax ku bixinno ee qarannimo ayaan wax ku bixinaynaa”.

Xigasho: Haatuf

Laabi Laba Ula

salaamu calaykum dhamaantiinba marka hore waxaan arkay wax iga yaabiyaay anaan rabo inaan kadhiibto jawaabteeda walaalayaal saxaafadu sidaa maaha ee waasidaa?

saxaafadu waxay leedahay hanaan iyo sifo gaara oo loo dhigo xigashadeeda ama hanaankeeda qoraal ahaaneed ama akhris ahaaneedba hadaba in waxla qoraa way haboon tahay lakiin waxa fiican in lafahmo sidii wax loo qoraayaay iyo hanankeedii hadii ay qalinka iyo warqadu soo galo shaqsi iyo xumaan waxaa halaabaya habkii waxloo qoraayaay ama wax laysugu sheegaayaay

waxaan walaalayaal idika waaninaayaa inaad marka hore barataan sida wax loo qoro ama qorka loogu jawaabo lakiin waxaa yimiday nacab iyo ncaybsho baladhan oo dhinac walaba yeeshay iyo in cid walaba ay wa sooqorto iyada oo aan laga fiirsan wixii afkiinaskoo baxyay website yada dadka kale lee yihiin waxaad ku arkaysaa afsomali hufan oo wax laysugu sheego aanad akhriyi karto lakiin dad waxaa jira wax walba qoraaya oo moodaaya in waxan uu qorayaa meel ku eg yahay waayo waxa galaaya dadka oo dhan halkaasana waxaa ka imaanaysa burbur balaadhan

hadaba markaad wax sheegaysaan iska dhaafa shaqisyadka aad siigalaysaan naftiisa iyo beelahan aad sheeganaysaan somalida kale idinlama wadaagto waxaan rer borame ahayn ayaa lagu yaqaan shaqsi weerarka iyo beel wweerarka markaa website yada

qaarkood waxaad u samaysateen beel in lagu caayo ama dad gaara lagu aflagaadeeyo hadii aan ka hadlo maqaalkii uu qoray rashiid bakaal iyo ninka layiraahdo iyo ninka kale ee layiraahdo rashiid bakaal oo iyagu keenay aflaagado shaqsi waxaan leehay sidaa waxlaguma sheegee waa walaalayaal kdaaya oo u dhiga sida fiican ee qofka waxloogu sheego waayo tani waxay katurjumaysaa kaliya ducfiga aad qabtaan kalidiin lakiin inta kale idinlama wadaagto umaduna waa walaalo hana ku beerina dad wanaagsan xumaan ayna aqoon waxana diiin fiican inaad bahisaan oo aad sheegtaa tariikhda wanaagsan iyo horumarka fiican ee bulshada wax u tara lama huraana waa caws jiilaal.

Mohamed Cali
cwcarab@hotmail.com

Ducadaii Axmed Sh. Faarax Lama aqbalin

Waxaan idinku salaamayaa salaanta muslinka; salaamu calaykum waraxmatulaah wabarakaatu. walaalayaal anigu wax ma sooqoro laakiin waxaa igu kalifay inaan soo qoro articalkan waad wada garanaysaan.walalayaal baryahan danbe waxaa la ururinaayey lacago dadkeenii dhibaatadu ay ku dhacday loo ururinaayey waxaa baryahandanbe axmed sh.faarax uu wado qofkastoo caqlileh wuu garanayaa waayo walalayaal arinkan maanta jiraa maaha siyaasad ama lama dooranayo xisbi.

waxa lagu wareeray gudidan ama axmed sh.faarax uu ku wareeray ragan gudidaa iyaa soo doortay. axmadoow walaal adiga iyo reer menasota wixii idin dhexmaray habar samaroon oodhani way ogyihiin; laakiin walaalkayoow arinkani waa arin dad dhibaataysan wax loogu qonayo. Dadkan loosoo magacaabayna waan ku kalsoonahay oo waxaa ku jira sheekheenii Xasan Daheeye.

walaallayaal axmed sh.faarax ducadii aan u ducaynay waxaan u malaynayaa, inaan la aqbalin; waayo wali wuu ka soo horjeedaa lacagahaa dadka masaakiinta loo dirayo wakaa kolna mid difaacaayo JAWHARNA leh lacagihii halkee lageeyey.

JAWHAROOW AMA KORWAAYEELOW inaadeer lacagihii anaa kuu sheegaya halka lageeyey.
lacaguhu maaha $20,000.00 AAD SHEEGTAY lacaguhu waxay gaadhilahaayeen $100,000.00 uguyaraan MAGACA EEBAAN KU DHAARTAY WALAAHI AXMED SH.FAARAX HALWAYDIIYO.

Waayo waxaan sidaa uleehay wali adiguna waxaad ku hadlaysaa afkiisii gudidan iyaa doortay ama lacagahii halkee lageeyey. Qalinloow waxaasoo kale lama soo qoro waxaanad isku sheegaysaa inaad tahay nin saxaafadaa ka war haya ama suxufiya.

axmed sh.faarax waa ninka iska leh horawo.com isagaa dadkeenii lawada hadlay oo wax kale ka dhaadhiciyey sidaas awgeed ayey lacagihii awda (joojida) hayaan.

WAXA KALE OON U SHEEGILAHAA DADWAYNAHA REER AWDAL EE KU NOOL NORTH AMERICA WALALAYAAL WAA DADKIINII WAXAN DHIBAATADU KU DHACDAY USOODIRA LACAGA WALALAYAL WAA SADAQO WAXBA HA MAQLINA AXMED SH.FAARAX

Dadkeenii kale ee ku noolaa yurub waxa ku dhacay magaranayo ee ka soo qaybgala walaalayaal.
salaamu calaykum

Rashid Bakal
isakbakal@hotmail.com

Eng. Shimbirna, Ma Been Baad Ka Sheegteen?

Eng. Shimbirna, Ma Been Baad Ka Sheegteen?.
Waxaynu aad iyo aad uga xumaannay wareysi Shabakada SaylacNews la yeelatay Col Eng Cumar Cabdilaahi Hande, oo ku magac dheer Cumar Shimbir. Waxa aynu ka xumaanayna ma aha Shabakada Saylac.com laftaarkeeda oo waraysatay Eng Shibmir, oo taasi waa wax lagu farxee ma aha wax laga xumaado, Hambaylo iyo bogaadin ayayna nagu leeyihiin inay runta u dagaagaan.

Hase yeeshee Cumar Shimbir waa halyeey Soomaaliyeed iyo halyeey reer Awdala oo guud, sida aynu ku wada naqaanno. Waxanan aad uga xumahay inaan maanta uun kusoo baraarugay in meelo wax lagu qoray lagu eedaynayo Eng Shimbir. Nasiib darro meesha waxaasi ku qoran yahay wali ma galin ama mana akhrisan, oo wakhti badan ma haysan maalmahan.

Kuwa wajiyada badan ayaas kolleyba waxba ka xishoon oo ay ka suurtoowdaa inay iyagoo wajigoda qarinaya meelahaas dadka ku af-lagaadeeyaan. Kuwaasina sida Engineer Shimbir u saamixin IF iyo AAkhiraba, ilaa iyo ay isa soo caddeeyaan, ayay anagana naga yihiin, oo saamixi mayno.

Fadeexaddan ku lug leh daawooyinka ee lagu kala eedeeyay labada Engineer ee kala ah Shimbir iyo Saylici, waa fadeexad aad u fogaatay una baahan in si deg-deg ah loo soo af jaro. Beelaha Maxadcase ayay dul saaran tahay, beelaha kalana waajibkoodu waa inay beeshaas ka sugaan warbaxin rasmi ah, ee ma aha inay ka faa’iidaystaan, oo taasi waa foolxumo labaad, kuna wada fidi doonta Samarroon.

Dawooyinka waxa laga soo diray ayaa nagu maqaalo ah, dalka USA, waliba dadka qaarkoodna waxay tuhmayaan Canadana inay qayb ku leedahay. Hase yeeshee magac ku qornayd ma jirin oo taasi hadday dhici lahayd, fadeexadanu sidan imikana uma fogaateedn. Cumar Shimbir ayaa been laga sheegay, oo hadana Saylici ayaa been laga sheegay. Kuwa warxumo tashiilka wadina halkaas ku joogsan maayaan, malaha inkaarina ma qabato. Labo arrimmood ayaan idiin soo jeedinaynaa inaad yeeshiin:

(1) Beelaha Maxamad Case.
Midda koowaad waxay u taallaa beelaha Maxamad Case, inay iyagu shir dhexdooda ah qaataan, soona saaraan warxbixin lagu caddaynayo cidii ka danbeysay fadeexada dawooyinka. Ilaa iyo inta ay shirkaasi qaadanayaana, ee wakhtigu u saamaxayana aanay hadal danbe ka soo saarin arrintan iyada ah. Dadka fadeexadeeyay Shimbir iyo Saylicina, si wada jir ah loo baadho, badkana loo soo dhigo.

(2). Beelaha Kale ee Samarroon.
Tolnimada guud iyo gobnimadu ma aha in marka tolkaa iyagu dhexdooda wax yar oo dhibaato ah isku keenaan ama isku geystaan, in laga faa’iidaysto, oo kolba sidii la rabo loo jiido. Baaqan aynu usoo jeedinayno beelaha kale ee bulsho weynta Samarroon wuxu yahay. In ilaa iyo inta Maxamad case ad ka helaysiin warbixin danbe, ad sheekada halkaas ku dhaaftiin. Kuwa idinku jira ee an ka soo jeedin beelaha Maxamadcasana ee been abuurka wadana ad soo qabatiin ama ad naga aamusiisiin.

Wa-Bilaahi Tawfiiq.

HiilDan
hiildan@yahoo.com

Castro quits as Cuba’s president

The ailing 81-year-old Fidel Castro has resigned as Cuba’s president after foiling attempts to topple him for nearly half a century, leaving on his own terms by clearing the way for his brother Raul to take power.

The end of Castro’s rule, the longest in the world for a head of government, frees 76-year-old Raul to implement reforms he has hinted at since taking over as acting president when Castro fell ill in July 2006.

“My wishes have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath,” Castro wrote in a letter published today in the Communist Party daily Granma.

But, he wrote, “it would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able to offer.”

It wasn’t until several hours after Castro’s message was posted on the internet, that official radio began spreading the news across the island. Cubans seemed to go about their business as usual, having seen Castro’s resignation as inevitable, but with a certain sadness.

Cuban dissidents welcomed the news as a possible first step toward possible change.
Moderate opposition leader Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, a former commander who fought alongside Castro in the revolution, expressed hopes that whoever follows him “will have freedom to launch economic and political changes as well.”

Castro temporarily ceded his powers to his brother after undergoing intestinal surgery. Since then, the elder Castro has not been seen in public, appearing only sporadically in official photographs and videotapes and publishing dense essays about mostly international themes as his younger brother has consolidated his rule.

Castro remains a member of parliament and is likely to be elected to the 31-member Council of State on Sunday, though he will no longer be its president.

Castro also retains his powerful post as first secretary of Cuba’s Communist Party. The party leadership posts generally are renewed at party congresses, the last of which was held in 1997.

PA