writes Suleiman Saleh, editor of the website information Galgalanews.com = dead link.

Thanks Thankful. I dont give alot of weight to the UN Report, I dont think many here do either, it lends to alot of generalities. But I have been looking for something more substantial as that is a heavy accusation to claim someone is an Arms Dealer for a terror organization without substantial evidence against him. What Im saying is, if it can be proven through some evidence of what he is doing it would give some credibility he is supporting terrorist if not one himself. The dog wags the tail, not the other way around.

so when you guys finish insulting each other could you reflect a little on my previous question? Really I was wondering is this done overland or by Dhow?

Legal issues mean nada, zip & zero without an enforcement arm, via functioning government. The enforcement arm in Hobyo ARE the pirates! So why cant this international warship flotilla be tasked for arresting poachers & hazmat dumpers?

So how does Mr Atom smuggle all these weapons, supposedly donated by Eritrea, down to southern Somalia into Shababs hands?

So Xudeedi by way of your theory Mr Garfanji here is in direct cahoots with PIS and Puntlands Top Govt officials.

“You can’t ignore the pirates anymore,” said Mohamed Aden, a clan leader in central Somalia. “They’re getting more and more muscle. They used to invest their money in just boats and going out to sea but now they’re building up their military side.” Take the elusive and powerful pirate boss Mohamed Garfanji, who surfaced briefly two weeks ago wearing a belt of bullets strapped across his chest in an X and a purple rain jacket to guide a group of foreign journalists to Hobyo, his base of operations. The journalists had been invited by the Galmudug State administration, a clan-based local government trying to gain a foothold in the region. But Hobyo is a fully engulfed piracy community, where 10-year-old boys with Kalashnikovs hang out in the sandy streets and glare at outsiders, and the visit could happen only with Mr. Garfanji’s blessing. During a meeting with Hobyo elders, Mr. Garfanji stuck his head through the door and grunted: “It’s O.K. for you guys to speak to the journalists. And for them to take pictures.” After that, he vanished. Mr. Garfanji is believed to have hijacked a half-dozen ships and used millions of dollars in ransom money to build a small infantry division of several hundred men, 80 heavy machine guns and a fleet (a half dozen) of large trucks with antiaircraft guns — not exactly typical pirate gear of skiffs and grappling hooks. While some of his troops wear jeans with “Play Boy” stitched on the seat, others sport crisp new camouflage uniforms, seemingly more organized than just about any other militia in Somalia. Mr. Garfanji’s original motivation was probably profit, pure and simple — by mustering a formidable force on land, nobody could squeeze him to pay protection fees. But now his associates claim that their pirate army was created to stop Hizbul Islam and the Shabab. “Sometimes,” explained Fathi Osman Kahir, a pirate middle manager, “you commit crimes to defend your freedom.”

http://www.africaoilcorp.com/i/pdf/Annual_Information_Form_2010.pdf seems as though they dont recognize Somaliland borders Africa Oil RISK FACTORS The Company’s operations are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those listed below. POLITICAL AND COUNTRY RELATED RISKS INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS Africa Oil participates in oil and gas projects located in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, all emerging markets. Oil and gas exploration, development and production activities in emerging markets, are subject to significant political and economic uncertainties which may adversely affect the Company's operations. Uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk of war, terrorism, expropriation, nationalization, renegotiation or nullification of existing or future concessions and contracts, the imposition of international sanctions, a change in crude oil or natural gas pricing policies, a change in taxation policies, and the imposition of currency controls. These uncertainties, all of which are beyond Africa Oil’s control, could have a material adverse effect on Africa Oil’s business, prospects and results of operations. In addition, if legal disputes arise related to oil and gas concessions acquired by the Company, Africa Oil could be subject to the jurisdiction of courts other than those of Canada. Africa Oil’s recourse may be very limited in the event of a breach by a government or government authority of an agreement governing a concession in which Africa Oil acquires an interest. Africa Oil may require licenses or permits from various governmental authorities to carry out future exploration, development and production activities. There can be no assurance that Africa Oil will be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits when required. INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY DISPUTES As a result of ongoing political disputes, the legal international boundaries between Somalia (which includes Puntland, a semi-autonomous region within Somalia) and its neighboring countries are in dispute. In September 2007 the Company was advised that the Ministry of Water and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Somaliland was claiming ownership of the Nugaal and AhlMedo Valley basins, including some or all of the area that comprises the blocks in which the Company has the right to acquire an 80% interest, granted by the Government of Puntland. The Republic of Somaliland and Somalia have disputed their respective borders since May 1991 when the Republic of Somaliland was established. The Company disputes the claims of the Republic of Somaliland, however, the outcome of this dispute cannot be predicted with any certainty. POLITICAL INSTABILITY Africa Oil is highly exposed to significant political risk in Somalia. The political climate in Somalia is characterized by strong internal political tension, turmoil and factional fighting. The political tensions sometimes escalate into violence or the threat of violence. Throughout much of 2008 and 2009 Somalia experienced heightened instability. The Transitional Federal Government (“TFG”), which was the primary ruling party in Somalia, was dissolved in favor of a coalition government which includes representation of both the TFG and the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia (“ARS”). On January 31, 2009, Somalia elected its new President who has vowed to unify all factions of Somalia and bring peace to neighboring countries. The Company continues to work and cooperate with government leaders in Somalia, however, there can be no certainty as to if, or when, the current political instability will be resolved.

If Tullow is involved with this, as they saying they are this quote is direct from their own website, it seems very legit. 02 Sep 2010 Tullow acquires a 50% interest of the East African Rift Basins of Kenya and Ethiopia. Tullow Oil plc (“Tullow”) announces the acquisition of a 50% operated interest in six adjacent licences covering the East African Rift Basins of Kenya and Ethiopia, an area of 97,000 sq km.

In Somali Civil War, Both Sides Embrace Pirates Jehad Nga for The New York Times The government in Hobyo has asked pirates to ring off coastal villages and block out the Shabab. More Photos » By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN Published: September 1, 2010 FACEBOOK TWITTER RECOMMEND SIGN IN TO E-MAIL PRINT REPRINTS SHARE HOBYO, Somalia — Ismail Haji Noor, a local government official, recently arrived in this notorious pirate den with a simple message: we need your help. Multimedia Slide Show Soldiers of Convenience Related In Mogadishu, a Reprieve in Fighting (September 2, 2010) With the Shabab militant group sweeping across Somalia and the American-backed central government teetering on life support, Mr. Noor stood on a beach flanked by dozens of pirate gunmen, two hijacked ships over his shoulder, and announced, “From now on we’ll be working together.” He hugged several well-known pirate bosses and called them “brother” and later explained that while he saw thepirates as criminals and eventually wanted to rehabilitate them, right now the Shabab was a much graver threat. “Squished between the two, we have to become friends with the pirates,” Mr. Noor said. “Actually, this is a great opportunity.” For years, Somalia’s heavily armed pirate gangs seemed content to rob and hijack on the high seas and not get sucked into the messy civil war on land. Now, that may be changing, and the pirates are taking sides — both sides. While local government officials in Hobyo have deputized pirate gangs to ring off coastal villages and block out the Shabab, down the beach in Xarardheere, another pirate lair, elders said that other pirates recently agreed to split their ransoms with the Shabab and Hizbul Islam, another Islamist insurgent group. The militant Islamists had originally vowed to shut down piracy in Xarardheere, claiming it was unholy, but apparently the money was too good. This seems to be beginning of the West’s worst Somali nightmare, with two of the country’s biggest growth industries — piracy and Islamist radicalism — joining hands. Somalia’s pirates are famous opportunists — “we just want the money” is their mantra — so it is not clear how long these new alliances of convenience will last. But clan leaders along Somalia’s coast say that something different is in the salty air and that the pirates are getting more ambitious, shrewdly reinvesting their booty in heavy weapons and land-based militias, and now it may be impossible for such a large armed force — the pirates number thousands of men — to stay on the sidelines. “You can’t ignore the pirates anymore,” said Mohamed Aden, a clan leader in central Somalia. “They’re getting more and more muscle. They used to invest their money in just boats and going out to sea but now they’re building up their military side.” Take the elusive and powerful pirate boss Mohamed Garfanji, who surfaced briefly two weeks ago wearing a belt of bullets strapped across his chest in an X and a purple rain jacket to guide a group of foreign journalists to Hobyo, his base of operations. The journalists had been invited by the Galmudug State administration, a clan-based local government trying to gain a foothold in the region. But Hobyo is a fully engulfed piracy community, where 10-year-old boys with Kalashnikovs hang out in the sandy streets and glare at outsiders, and the visit could happen only with Mr. Garfanji’s blessing. During a meeting with Hobyo elders, Mr. Garfanji stuck his head through the door and grunted: “It’s O.K. for you guys to speak to the journalists. And for them to take pictures.” After that, he vanished. Mr. Garfanji is believed to have hijacked a half-dozen ships and used millions of dollars in ransom money to build a small infantry division of several hundred men, 80 heavy machine guns and a fleet (a half dozen) of large trucks with antiaircraft guns — not exactly typical pirate gear of skiffs and grappling hooks. While some of his troops wear jeans with “Play Boy” stitched on the seat, others sport crisp new camouflage uniforms, seemingly more organized than just about any other militia in Somalia. Mr. Garfanji’s original motivation was probably profit, pure and simple — by mustering a formidable force on land, nobody could squeeze him to pay protection fees. But now his associates claim that their pirate army was created to stop Hizbul Islam and the Shabab. “Sometimes,” explained Fathi Osman Kahir, a pirate middle manager, “you commit crimes to defend your freedom.” Somalia’s violence has been grinding on since 1991, when the central government collapsed, but it keeps morphing in subtle but potentially significant ways. Just last year, elders in several coastal areas were turning against pirates because of their un-Islamic ways. Now, with the security situation deteriorating so rapidly, elders today seem to ask fewer questions, especially about where their young men get their guns. In Hobyo, a poor, isolated village on a crescent of white sand, the big fear is the Shabab. The Shabab are the most fearsome insurgents in Somalia — they have pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda — and last month they showed how effective — and brutal — they can be by infiltrating a hotel in the government zone of Mogadishu, the capital, and methodicallygunning down more than 30 people, including four lawmakers. Once the Shabab take over an area, they impose a harsh form of Islamic law, banning music, soccer, even bras. Offenders can get their hands chopped off or their heads bashed in with rocks. Many areas of Somalia have given up on the central government’s saving them from the Shabab, which is why local administrations are beginning to gain traction. The local governments are often run by Somalis who have lived abroad, like Mr. Noor, a former Somali Army officer who resided in London for years and still seems to enjoy playing war. (Night vision scope: Check. Body armor: Check. 9 mm pistol tucked into the small of his back: Check.) One of Mr. Noor’s favorite expressions, which he continually barked out to the journalists with him, was “be my skin,” meaning something like “stay close to me” because even though he was working with the pirates, there were still some serious questions about trust. Still, Mr. Noor said, he needed the pirate muscle to protect his area because “we just don’t have the forces.” Many pirates seem happy to help. Though 2010 is shaping up as another banner year — more than 30 ships have been hijacked, which means tens of millions of dollars in ransom — the increased naval presence off Somalia’s coast has taken its toll, with hundreds of pirates now in jail and even more lost at sea and presumably drowned. Ahmed Elmi Osoble, 27, said his family was so upset at him for being a pirate that they basically staged an intervention to get him to quit. “As soon as I got back from the Seychelles,” he said, where he had been jailed for six months on piracy charges, “my mom locked me in the house.” “She wouldn’t let me out until I got another job.” He is now driving a truck for the government/pirate militia — it is hard to separate the two — working side by side with policemen in grubby Galmudug administration uniforms and his pirate friends wearing the Play Boy jeans.

Fishy ? ? I know you Bug-Landers have bigger fish to fry right now, but come on, you can do better than that ? Seriously that little skirmish on the border cant be taking all of your time?

yeah, well they do not normally sink all that money into taking a ship, then suddenly release it without reason. Something going on behind the scenes there. Did someone from Syria say we could care less about the crew and are coming to liberate the ship, we dont care if everybody dies...or.... Syria agents have been providing valuable Intel or material support on ships and crews to Afweyne and son or some other ilk, and they aren't supposed to take Syrian ships? Just guessing here ?

I can speculate a few ideas but was wondering if anyone here has any insight on this? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10904506 7 August 2010 Pirates abandon sugar ship Syria Star seized off Horn The ship is crewed by Syrians and Egyptians Pirates have abandoned a sugar cargo ship a day after seizing it in the Gulf of Aden, the EU naval task force operating off Somalia says. Two members of the 18,838-tonne Syria Star's crew of 22 Syrians and two Egyptians were injured during the hijacking. EU Navfor said it was giving medical assistance to the two members. The pirates, who abandoned their own skiff during the hijacking, apparently left on a lifeboat.

Originally posted by Dhagax-Tuur: Abuse of the word 'hero' here, isn't it? The man does his job, and it happens to be in a very dangereous place at that. Nothing more. This does not make him, in this case, a hero. A hero, as the word was use to be used, was someone whose actions were of benefit to others or beneficial to one's or people's safety. But, I can not see how he can be called a 'hero'. Before, anyone jumps the gun, it is not a case on my part being envious of the fellow been honoured as such. Maraq you all. well I guess that makes the board or consortium of journalistic folks giving him this award, by your definition not a hero, obsolete then. Wow, lets see... your opinion or theirs.

I would call them "Coast Guard" with an attitude....

Originally posted by Land_Soldier: Subject: Regarding our commong SL stategy on SOL. Landers, Listen up, I have been here 3 days on SOL and I dont like what I see. We are not using the right tactics. We are not on the loosing side of the argument but neither on the winning side. Some of you oldies(Oodweyneh, Jacalybaro, Xaaji, Ngonge)who have some principles are using the old defensive tactics of 'Fortification', you guys digg yourselves deep in exhausting arguments, climb on the higher moral ground, build walls of facts,repeat the same points till the opponent gets tired and show weaknesses. This is so defensive. This is so passe, its 20th century tactics. This wont win you any wars of words nowadays. You need to put your princibles aside. And use any tactic which can win you the battle of arguments. Its time for a new common strategy. I say we go on the offensive side. Its time for a preemptive strike of debating and argument. No more disrupting communications by Smillies. Here is the strategy: We lay ambush for the smaller easier prays( SSC ). An catch them unaware. In the hope the shock will make them say things which divides them and they go debating against eachother and we take the lead. We do some peaceful penetration of the Maakhir supporters. We socialise, use greamlins or smillies towards them, make compliments and agree with most of their points. And when they put down their defenses, we penetrate with facts, figures, declarations, words and arguments. Against Puntland. We need bigger arms, arms of shiny new project and buildings. We use the newest facts and development through a blitzkrieg against Puntland debaters utilizing speed, manoeuvre, and the shock of showing suddenly new shiny pictures of new projects, 'mashruuc' and building in SL. This will create an psychological shock and they will surrender. And for the die hard ONLF supporter nothing will help except a shock and awe tactic of arguments. As for A&T , we need to desive a seperate strategy for him. The above tactic wont work on him. He is knows all these tactics(wuu naga horeeyaa). We need to attrackt or distract him with something which he is passionate about. Any idea's? For the other Koonfuri's you use the sectret password(SB=Siad Barre, or AS=Al Shabaab) and they will put down their guns and that should neutralize any thread/t. These offensive attacks have to be planned, coordinated, we need to use supporting fire or arguments and a siege of facts. Potential counterattacks have to be penetrated. And what is left in terms of countermeasures will be raided by a small teams behind the opponents lines. Do we agree? would not working all together for a common end goal, such as "peace and prosperity" be time better spent ?

Originally posted by Nassir: The Patriot Act also treats representing the claim of any designated group before an international tribunal court as a material support and thus a federal crime. Civil rights advocates and concerned citizens rightly claim that the law violates their rights to First Amendment guarantees of free speech and association; it also hinders humanitarian efforts to mediate conflicts, promote democracy and human rights. Ralph Fertig, president of a non-profit Humanitarian Law Project argued that he was unjustly sent to jail for his organization’s advocacy for peace because of its track record of helping armed organizations like PKK of Iraq renounce violence and make negotiated settlement with its government. It was a position backed by former U.S president Jimmy Carter. very interesting and scary that.... thats a really fine line to walk if you are in the mediation business.

Originally posted by Nassir: quote: "A number of journalists and media professionals have been killed in recent months in Somalia. However, Mohamed has chosen to stay in Mogadishu because of a desire to inform the world, to tell the truth, and help bring peace and democracy in his country." His heroic work is well noted and appreciated by every world citizen. Amistad, they should have given him the Visa but u never know the grounds for their denial or other extenuating circumstaces that prevented him from accepting the prestigious award in person. Yes, but when you do heros work such as he does almost daily, it is nice to receive recognition for that, even if its just ONE DAY ! I hope the Beeb is paying him well for risking his life on a daily basis.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/soldier-of-misfortune-how-journalist-mohamed-olad-hass an-is-battling-to-tell-the-world-the-truth-about-somalia-2043385.html Nunne... the source was from the Independents Page itself in the comments section/blog, what appears to be a UK/Somali National had written in and stated that. I of course cant verify the truthfulness of those comments. See below: Mr Hassan is a Somalian hero who chose to remain in Somalia to tell the World how Somalia is being terrorized by foreigners. It has saddened me that the great journalist cannot even collect his award because the Home Office in London refused him a visa. If he was a Kenyan journalist, I am sure he would have been allowed to come to Britain. What a discrimination. It only illustrates how unjust the Home Office is.

Originally posted by UZTAAD: According to some reliable sources, a new Somali reconciliation conference will be held in Hegeisa, Somaliland after the end of Sharif hotel mandate This will be the first reconciliation conference held in Somali soil Unlike the other former 15 failed attempts. This conference is expected to be fruitful due to various factors which it defers from other conferences 1. Firstly it will be held in Somali soil where there is little interference from foreign countries that have their own agenda and interest. So it expected Somalis will agree some thing which is workable when left to their own xeer dhaqan. 2. The new government will be based in hergeisa which is peaceful because the government needs a peaceful place to function normally. Mogadishu which has become the grave yard of many government will be reduced to a merry troubled region in Somalia which will be solved in time it. 3. Since the government has a stable base it will not worry much about its safety but instead it will focus on how it could develop the already peaceful regions in Somalia and it will gradually expand it rule to lawless regions in south and central Somalia. it is very unwise to the government to be based in most troubled regions in Somalia and that is the reason why all those past efforts went in vain 4. This time both Puntland and Somaliland will be taken on board and their combined energies and sources will be utilized in best way possible Hopefully this will be the last peace conference for Somalia and it will finally find the elusive peace for Somalia. Reer aqoonsidoon as A&T used to call them will not be able to resist the temtation of the benefits which the capital will bring and this time it is expected that they will not cry we secede from Somali. exactly what I have been saying all along....

What this article doesnt say is he could not even attend the award ceremony because the British Home Office refused him a Visa.

Originally posted by Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar: A poor and crap piece with no factual facts. But any perceived threat that pisses off Xabashis, I am all for it. Who the heck is GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs Station, Hargeisa ?

so is there any chance this Galgala Militia will or could align themselves with Atoms group if they havent already?

Thank Allah you are here to tell me of the peaceful and loving ways of AS RedSea. Somebody should study you, your Elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor, does it. Are you currently in treatment, or an escaped Mental Patient? Please list your phone number here so we may call in some help for you.

dont me wrong JB, I think SL is great, I have been there and traveled throughout and love the people and the concept. But without at least ONE STATES recognition, there is a problem.