Fighting off Al-shabaab isn't the main concern for Farmaajo, its winning back Kismaayo/Jubaland for his displaced clan that is the prized goal especially since he has less then 2 years left now of his term.

After four years that will be the barometer Somalis will judge on this government. C/weli has done more projects than any other leader in Puntland, yet he didn't make major reforms in terms of institutions and government. He had over fifty minister just like the 70 in Mogadishu in order to satisfy the special interest groups. We said it was better to reform the system and allow people and especial interest groups to hate you , but achieve something and become one term president. despite what me may thing the locals, they are clever. They will eventually push you to the sewage and once you enter, " Waxay ku dhihi ka dabaalo" Nothing will matter unless you leave the fortified compound guarded by Amisom and travel to Balcad and Marka freely. I do not for see any changes at the moment. On the other hand, I do not believe that Ahmed Madoobe is the same case as others. In Puntland and South West there was elections by the people and those leaders were elected by the people without the barrel of the gun. This Madoobe guy came in with the Kenyan tank and personally forced everyone to say, Yes. He picked himself the fake parliament of Jubbaland. If there is any chance of fairness he must allow to seat a new parliament that is picked by the elders without gun in their head. Che, Why are you saying just like Puntland and S.West another Madoobe clan group should be the leader. Remind you that they are not the only one that could lead. A Gedo man , A Water maal man or anyone from other clans can become a president. Waxay rabaan in ay nagu sharciyeeyaan Reer hebel ayuunbaa halkaa hogaamin. Guys this not Puntland, it is as diverse as you can get. I do believe that Madoobe will leave when the Kenyans leave.

Somaliland seeks recognition by hosting naval bases Self-declared republic sees military presence by world powers as way to affirm its status as independent state home > world, africa 11.01.2019 By Addis Getachew ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia The self-declared republic of Somaliland has expressed an interest in hosting British and Russian naval bases, which would add to an already active military presence along the coast of the Red Sea – one of the world’s busiest and most strategically important maritime passages. Last weekend, British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson paid an unannounced visit to Somaliland and met with President Muse Bihi Abdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Yasin Hagi Mohamoud, and Defense Minister Essa Ahmed as well as Nuh Ismail Tani, top army general. In 1991, the Horn of Africa territory of Somaliland seceded from Somalia, which had itself gained independence from Britain in 1960. But for the past 28 years, Somaliland has remained officially unrecognized as a country – a status it resents. Ahmed Hassan Egal, head of the Somaliland mission to Ethiopia, confirmed to Anadolu Agency that military cooperation, and more specifically the establishment of a U.K. naval base in Somaliland at the port of Berbera, was among the points of discussion. The neighboring coastal state of Djibouti, which gained independence from France in 1977, houses more foreign military bases than any country in the world. In addition to a longstanding French naval base, there are U.S., Japanese, and Italian bases established since 2000, an EU military quarter, and a Chinese naval base established in 2017. “If the much smaller country Djibouti hosts so many naval bases by so many countries, why not Somaliland?” said Egal. Asked to confirm the U.K.’s intention to establish a naval base in Somaliland, he said, “There is a strategic importance in Somaliland. Part of the world would like to come to it, and Britain’s defense secretary was in Somaliland. We know that Britain has long historical relations with Somaliland … Because of the security situation, they [Britain] are very interested.” The U.K.’s interest also involves forging bilateral relations in economic and other sectors, according to the ambassador. He said the Russians might also come with the same intention. “We want to invite whoever is willing to come to Somaliland,” he said, indicating that a process has been going on with the United Arab Emirates, a Gulf country that agreed to set up a military base in Somaliland. “It helps the region,” he said. “It is a matter of interest … and of course, it would be in the best interest of the region as a whole. There’s nothing negative in that.” According to Egal, the world powers coming to the region and establishing military bases along the Red Sea coast are also investing in the region, and “we should welcome it.” Call for recognition “Somaliland gained independence from Britain before Somalia did,” Egal said in justification of the right it claimed to remain independent. Egal said the union with Somalia that lasted between 1961 and 1991 was “a dream” and an “emotional” project that did not work out. “The international community knows that Somaliland is a separate country that gained its independence separately,” he said. “Somaliland is peaceful and Somaliland is developing.” “Ethiopia has its mission in Somaliland, and Djibouti has its mission in Somaliland, and there are a number of other countries opening sorts of consular offices,” he said. Contradiction To date, no country has recognized Somaliland as an independent nation, although it has been acting as one for nearly three decades. And the government of Somalia is vehemently opposed to the idea of an independent Somaliland, seeing it as a breakaway state. While Somaliland is vocal in its determination to stay independent, Somalia’s semiautonomous state of Puntland next door has been working for a united Somalia with a federal arrangement, according to documents. All things considered, it seems that as it welcomes nations to set up military bases on its shores, Somaliland is soliciting formal recognition as an independent state. Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of t