Rudy, Abdullahi Yusuf doesn't portray himself as a westerner. He dresses sharply and looks neat, because it's his habit as a military man. In radiogalkayo.com you can watch a videoclip of a young Abdullahi Yusuf in his late 30s with military uniform.

Eebe Haa Uu Naxariisto...

I always thought Farah Ali Jama embaressed the Somaliland camp, but this time he showed decency and honesty. The Somaliland camp of SOL, whom brushed the Samsam Du'ale affair as a lying propaganda attack of the Puntland camp of SOL, can learn something about ethics and morals.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, STABILITY HANGS BY A THREAT Talking Points By M. M. Afrah© afrah95@hotmail.com Sunday, October 17 2004 The good news from Mogadishu is that the price of guns has halved for the first time in more than a decade. This, according to Reuters news dispatch from Mogadishu, is due to the election of Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf as president of the transitional federal government of Somalia. Not a bad deal under the circumstances. After more than a decade of lawlessness, bloodshed and anarchy the people needed an authoritarian career military-man. You see, I have healthy suspicion of military rule. It takes years for the pain and misery for the pain of military dictatorship to fade, and, as with most things in life, you’re living with the bad memories. No offense is intended. It’s too early to measure what his performances, as a president of a country in turmoil would look like. One man who knows the Colonel intimately (we were only nodding friends) says he runs his tight enclave, Puntland, with military style discipline. He dresses sharply, is thoroughly professional in all aspects, and maintains regular work schedule. He expects nothing less from his ministers and staff. No beards or moustaches in his milieu. Soon after General Barre was ousted the idea of electing another military officer would have been unthinkable, even laughable, and yet, here we have another soldier/politician at the helm again. The capital is buzzing over the Colonel’s election and he knows he would soon inherit a docket that’s begging for a quick action. His main problem is Mogadishu where an estimated 60,000 militia gunmen and freelance gang of robbers and kidnappers are waiting in the wings for a repeat performances after Abdiqassim was elected at Arte. Evidently, the same thugs will be after him. But his supporters compare notes about the Colonel’s no-nonsense performances in Puntland, and unlike Abdiqassim will prevail. But this is not Puntland, where everybody knows everybody. I hate to rehash what I wrote years ago on this website, but since it’s vital under the present circumstances, I’m recycling it for the benefit of those who had missed it. Suffice to say, some of the problems to tackle include: 1 food and clean drinking water and health care; 2 shelter for the displaced, dispossessed and disabled; 3 a workable design for national reconciliation and cessation of all hostilities, verbal, physical or otherwise; 4 rehabilitate the thousands of drug-addicted child soldiers in the capital, and 5.respect for human rights and press freedom. THE CHILD SOLDIER Apart from being drug-addicted, the huge arsenal in the hands of these youngsters is a recipe for stiff resistance and more bloodshed. If the new government does not come up with resettlement and employment program for these now-armed youngsters it will fail in its cleaning up program. The question that naturally comes up is: who is going to foot the bill? It is amusing to see these gun-boys and their masters cowering in fear en mass, and not only selling their guns at rock-bottom prices, but sit and wait for hours and days to see what would befall on them as well as their bleak future. Admittedly, it will be impossible for any new government to absorb the young militia boys, as the majority have no skills of their own and are numerically too many to accommodate in a new national army. Perhaps the newly elected President, who said he is a man of peace during the swearing-in ceremony, should put our begging bowl in front of the international community. I am sure no one will flinch or raise an eyebrow because we are among some of the world’s greatest panhandlers. We can no longer trust leaders whose only claim to the position they occupy is the ability to keep their respective clan elders grinning, well satisfied on national loot and flooding the country with trillions of counterfeit currencies. Since Colonel Abdullahi is the man of the hour these last few days (his photo appears almost every day in the Western media), I can predict precisely what’s about to happen to the clones with guns in the streets of the capital. It will be ugly. I won’t have much to say on this score at the moment. However, it is time to stop nitpicking and give the Colonel a break and see what happens. By M. M. Afrah©2004 Email: afrah95@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mr. Afrah is the author of three self-published books on the Somalia civil war and his TALKING POINTS are posted on this website Mr. Afrah is currently working on a new book with the title "LIFE IN THE DIASPORA"

Smith, I'm 100% certain Abdullahi Yusuf knows who he'll pick for the prime minister position. I definetily don't believe that he's still choosing, regarding Abdullahi Yusuf's personality.

HornAfrque, maybe also because most of them were not born in cities like Abdullahi Yusuf.

OG Girl, sorry I didn't reply back. I stopped browsing this topic after I casted my vote. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what so ever why Rahima filled my own mouth with garbage. I'm fasting right now so I'll be a good boy, but I'm really angry at her walahi. I can only say to you now to mind your own business. Thank you for the character assasination. Abaayo, I hate that man because he killed some of my relatives in Kismayo. He has ordered the killing and rape of 100s of people of my clan. Some of my relatives were among them. So the false story of that he sided with another warlord is aboslutely not true. Of course I don't like him for that. But I don't hate him for that, since I'm used to people who hate my clan's guts. Ramadan Karim by the way.

Rahima lol. My parents know the exact date that they were born, so speak for your own family allright! You're acting like Somalis started to become civilised people after 1960. What a shame.

He's born in december 1934, so he's 69 till next december. Anti-Abdullahi Yusuf make him older than he is, in the hope to see him as a lesser threat. Let me tell you, Siad Barre ruled Somalia with an iron fist till his 90s.

I'm positive that many folks in east Burao are pro-Somaliweyn.

I heard of this man, he used to live for 3 years in Puntland.

I was flabbergasted by that last remark of that Asian woman too, mate. If this case will not be settled down peacefully, I'm afraid we'll have a war on our hands. People are outraged and who knows some fool will do this to a girl from Hargaysa to settle scores. Things look very bad, unless these two thugs will be punished accordingly.

For the ones whom have trouble with Somali. Things you might know is that when he was a young boy in Galkayo, he was very shy and was very quiet. He was the type of boy who'll greet you, if you say hi first. He was very popular among the girls, because he had soft hair, dark skin and he was tall. Well, that was the juicy part, the rest is about his carreer history in the Somali military and the SSDF and sofort. Also what they don't say, but what I know is that Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed's mother died when he was just two years old. In Galkayo, he was known as the boy with no mother. In tough Mudug, it's hard to grow up without a mother to give you warm love. Click here PS: the man talking in the beginning sounds like a mexican speaking Somali loool

As a man, I feel ashamed to have people like Foolxun and Kiin calling themselves men.

NGONGE, I must admit, I can't argue with you there mate. I read it another time and now I can see why it's so amateurish. Believe me, as long as you don't call me journalist of the mafrish mansions, it's all good!

NGONGE, amateurish? how so mate? I wrote this in 15 minutes, you can't expect me to bring a brilliant piece of work like Fareed Zakaria of Newsweek. Anyway, I acknowledge the differences between the two. I was focusing on the similarities between the two for the good of a lot of people who'll read this and believe their country is in the deepest mess anyone has ever encountered. This was no propaganda by comparing him with Augustus, no surely not so mate! I was merely bringing the possibility to light that he could become Somalia's Augustus and bring Pax Somala. I never said he IS Augustus. So calm down mate, no need to get a little bit feisty. If my view on seccesionists disturbed you, just say so.

Mansha Allah, a very great achievement has been reached by the people of Las Anod, Puntland, Somalia.

I took the liberty to derive Pax Somala from the famous words Pax Romana. Pax Romana is latin for Roman Peace, but it's not just peace. It's peace that has followed after a warlord comes out of a civil war as the winner. That warlord than brings peace, for he is the victor of the civil war. So in other words it's peace that has been acquired after a bloody civil war. I'm interested if there's a Pax Somala possible for our nation. Will the president of Somalia bring us Pax Somala? The comparison between Emperor Augustus Octavianus and President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed is flabbergasting to say the least. Augustus is the victor I was talking about earlier on. He was one of the warlords vying for power and gradually defeated his rival warlords, till he reached Rome and was chosen by the Roman senate to become the new dictator of the Roman Empire strengthened with the holy position of Pontifex Maximus. The latter is now the official title of the Roman Catholic pope. Augustus also hailed from the same extended family of Julius Ceasar, the last dicator before the Roman empire plunged into devastating civil war. Many people mistake Julius of being an emperor, as in matter of fact he was only a dicator. Augustus, since his inception as ruler of Rome, has ruled the empire with an iron fist and much wisdom. The senate agreed to have a dicator, because of the dire need of a strong man. He always was very reserved of calling himself an emperor, wich he actually was in reality. The difference was that an emperor is believed to be a half-God by the Romans, while a dicator is not. Even though, he never was an emperor, he's seen as the father of all Roman emperors and the warlord who has revived the glory of Rome. I believe it's crystal clear, that the comparisons between Augustus and Abdullahi are many. Still, we don't live in the times Nebi Isse CS was born in a barn when Augustus was crowned dicator nor are we Somalis Romans. By that I mean, the political situation in Somalia is much more complex than the ancient Rome. Abdullahi Yusuf is now the president of Somalia and as Somalis, we are all hoping this man will bring peace and stability back to the wartorn nation. There are elements within the Somali people present whom believe Abdullahi Yusuf's government will be like Arta, a monster born in Djibouti and wich had only wrecked more havoc in Somalia. I would disagree with those elements for the simple fact that Abdullahi Yusuf unlike Abdiqasim Salad controls 1/3 of Somalia's landmass and approximately 1/4 of Somalia's population. Abdullahi Yusuf also has loyal allies whom control large areas in the South and the capital city; Mogadishu. Besides Puntland regions of Sool, Haylan, Bareda, Karkar, Ayn, Nugaal and Upper Mudug. Hiran, Upper Shabelle, Bay, Bakol and pocket areas in Mogadishu are also accepting Abdullahi Yusuf as president without any preconditions. The rest of Somalia is willing but careful and some are downright negative towards the new president. These elements have been betting on Addow to win. Think about Somaliland regions, Lower Shabelle, pocket areas of Mogadishu and Lower Jubba. As you might have guessed it, these regions will be a challenge for Abdullahi Yusuf if he doesn't resort to military solutions. But since he declared in his election campaign to disarm militias by force and Somaliland's seccesion is unacceptable, these groups have an ugly problem in their hands. Second, Abdullahi Yusuf will be enjoying the coming 5 years, if not more, the luxury of legitimacy. The international community has been witness to the fair and square elections that he'd won. Though recognition will not benefit him very much, he'll need funding and bilateral support to accomplish his difficult mission. These two aspects have allready been promised to him and were promised when the Mbagathi conference was still at it's infancy. If you'd like it more blunt, we're talking about billions of US Dollars. Of course the international community have learned from their mistakes not to give that huge amount of money, especially not if the country you're dealing with is Somalia. But either way even if Abdullahi Yusuf misbehaves in his first years as president, many countries will be forced to allocate vast amounts of money eventually. If you ask me the Somalis hoping for Abdullahi Yusuf to bring peace and unity in Somalia have more chance of their dream coming true than those whom thrive under absence of authority; thugs and less dangerous; seccesionists. Those two have a serious problem on their hands if they'll continue their charade. Hopefully our grandchildren or may I be less humble, in our lifetime, we'll be reaping the fruits of a Pax Somala. We all know how Rome flourished after Pax Romana, there situation looked as hopeless as ours. Who knows, we'll be in the position one day liberating our brothers occupied by our neighbours like the Romans expanded to world's ends. Guul iyo Jano to all! Nationalist * My post-election analysis is to be continued. "Yusuf's effect on Puntland" will follow some time within a week. It will be interesting to know how former president of Puntland fared in his own turf before he starts with the whole nation coming years.

lol@OGgirl Pland minister of religion Traditional clan leaders of Bosaso Pland police official Pland military official Deputy minister of Employment Deputy minister of Information Hasan Gulwade, a Rer Bosaso poet

Bosaso women These guys never heard of maximum capacity? Somali flag on a car The Mayor of Bosaso, Col. Abdi Yasin Hirsi.

Director General of DGPL ministry kids in school uniform paying hommage to the president The Stadium of Bosaso is packed Young men proudly watching the Somali flag and the women's chantings somebody parked his car in the wrong place Rer Bosasod in the streets showing their patriotism Bosaso has transformed since 1991 dramatically Somalis are working hard for a better life

My advice will be: Mr. President, make sure you protect the children and women.

Muhammed Qanyare Afrah is truly the man! That was a good interview and he controls a strategic area in Mogadishu called Dayniile. It's at the outskirts of Mogadishu and it is a quiet area with an airstrip. I'm still doubting between Muhammad Qanyare Afrah and Abdullahi Ahmed Addow. The president of Somalia has Hussein Muhammad Aidid's, who controls Wardhiigley, Hodan, Hawlwadaag and piece of the centre, support allready in his pocket and Muhammad Umar Habeeb, who controls Shabelle Dhexe province is a loyal ally of the president too.

OG Girl, don't worry. Unlike Abdiqasim, Abdullahi Yusuf allready controls a large part of Somalia's landmass and population. He'll certainly not be a president in history books only. Hopefully Inshalah Somalia will come back to normal: President Adan Abdulle Usman (1960-1967) President Abdirashir Ali Shermarke (1967-1969) President Muhammad Siyad Barre (1969-1991) President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (2004-?)