Benadir-Watch  (Southern Somalia)                                    Email: webmaster@benadir-watch.com                   

• About Benadir-Watch
   
• The Benadiri Question in Southern Somalia
   
• Plunders of the Somali Reconciliation Conference in Kenya - Read the historic Benadir-Watch letters to IGAD
   
• The dismembering of Somalia in chronological order
   
• Massacre of Somali refugees crossing the Red Sea - vestiges of 19th century slave trade in the region
   
• Cases on crimes against humanity
   
• The oil question in Somalia

• History of the Benadir                  (in preparation)

About Benadir-Watch

Benadir-Watch defines itself as the voice of the indigenous people of the Benadir of Southern Somalia, from Mogadishu, Merka, Brawa, to Kisimayo and their immediate hinterland.  Benadir-Watch seeks the recognition of the identity and rights of these silent communities who bear the scars of a century of colonialism, injustice, and alienation.  Benadir-Watch seeks the recognition of the original boundaries of the Benadir in accordance with the legitimate claim and historic desire of the Benadiri people to remain under one regional indigenous administration.

Benadir-Watch is an independent non-governmental organization,  conceptually founded in Atlanta in 1995 on the initiative of volunteers.  It aims to bring together all those who are committed to defending the universal principles of human rights, including the political, social, and economic rights of the indigenous people of the Benadir. 

Benadir-Watch focuses on the following five activities:

• Study and Research - Understanding the specific characteristics of the history of the indigenous people of the Benadir through a threefold approach: ethno-sociological, socio-economic, important events and personalities
• Human Rights - To promote the human rights of the indigenous people of the Benadir, and disseminate information on the existing international human rights laws that would be of help to the indigenous people, internally displaced communities, and refugees, as well as political prisoners and their families.
• Cultural Heritage and Territorial Rights - Disseminate information on the fundamental milestones in the arts, crafts and culture of the Benadiri people.  The protection of cultural rights must go hand in hand with a recognition of the land rights, including the right of the indigenous people of the Benadir to manage their own affairs.
• Education and Health - Offer sustained help to action programs organized by indigenous communities in the fields of education & health. 
• Peaceful Coexistence - To work in favor of peaceful coexistence with all the communities in the country, in the edification of a united and prosperous Somalia.  Benadir-Watch pledges to bring its own contribution to peace, democracy, and justice for all. 
• News and Information - Distribute essential news and information to the Somali people with the intention to build national awareness and provide the historic context for the events that continue to shape the future of the Somali people.  

Giama Mosque, 1238, originally built as a school, is the first University in the country.

SYL
May 15, 1943
Their vision of a united, prosperous, & just Somalia remains the firm aspiration of millions of Somalis