He did, however, warn that Somaliland would defend its territory. "Somaliland is capable of defending its territorial integrity and we will do so if forced." He said the conflict had the potential to spread and destabilize the whole region - "something we don’t want to see but those who are behind these attacks must cease and desist". :D@ Somaliland's territorial integrity Geeljire is indeed a Geeljire

Somaliland achieved recognition in Somaliaonline pages. Thanks for Libaax-Sankatabte

Khatumo State was established on 12 January by clans from the area that want to remain part of the larger Somalia.

Thursday, February 09, 2012 HARGEISA/NAIROBI (IRIN) - More than 1,000 families (about 6,000 people) have been displaced from the town of Buuhoodle and nearby villages in eastern Somaliland after heavy fighting on 8 February between the Somaliland Army and clan militias loyal to the newly created Khatumo State, locals told IRIN. The area has been disputed, with both the self-declared republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia, and the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland in the northeast, claiming them. Khatumo State was established on 12 January by clans from the area that want to remain part of the larger Somalia. Abdi Farah Abdulle, an elder in Buuhoodle, told IRIN that people had been moving from the area for fear of being caught in the fighting since 26 January when the first clashes erupted. "But after yesterday's fighting, many families have left the town. This morning many more are leaving. I saw many families using whatever means they can to get out." Abdulle said most of the displaced fled the nearby villages of Sooljooto, Maygagle and Shangale. Most of the displaced were living in the open with no proper shelter, he said. He said the area had been suffering from severe water shortages before the clashes. "These families have gone to areas with few or no water points. One drum [200 litres] of water costs around 120,000 shillings [about US$4], an amount the vast majority cannot afford." Abdulle said the movement of people was still ongoing, since the armed groups were still facing each other. A local journalist told IRIN the fear in Buuhoodle and nearby villages was that fighting could resume any time. He said many of those displaced were in areas difficult to access. "So far no aid has reached them and some are living in the open." He said no fighting had taken place in Buuhoodle since 8 February but the frontlines were only 18km from the town. Exact casualty figures were not available. "We have seen 10 dead and 20 injured but those are the ones who reached the town. We don’t know how many have died on the frontlines,” the journalist said. Dialogue Abdillahi Jama Geeljire, Somaliland's Minister of Fisheries and Ports, told IRIN that Somaliland forces had not initiated the clashes. "Our forces were attacked by a clan militia and had to defend themselves." Geeljire said the Somaliland authorities would do whatever was necessary to end the conflict through dialogue. "We are offering them to discuss whatever grievances [they have] and cease their hostile activities." He said Somaliland would do whatever was necessary to make sure "no more blood of our people [buuhoodle residents] is spilled". He did, however, warn that Somaliland would defend its territory. "Somaliland is capable of defending its territorial integrity and we will do so if forced." He said the conflict had the potential to spread and destabilize the whole region - "something we don’t want to see but those who are behind these attacks must cease and desist".

This conference has the potential to make Siilaanyo statesman...

Jacayl, waan gartay awoowe Lets hope something good comes out of it

If Siilaanyo plays his cards well, and gathers some courage his participation could be a game changer. But I am afraid this secession nonsense and the delusion of being a different country will impede his potential gains

Jacaylow, hmmm ta wax ku dar boowe

wise decision. rejecting it would've been a great mistake. I expected no less.

Carafaat wants to change the subject. If recent Demos are anything to go by, women and children seem to be leading the cause of dismembering Somalia.

It is true that we love Prof Abtigiis these days Ilaahow daa. Carafaat is my witness, that the good Professor never hates. He considers Ethiopians fellow humans even when they are responsible of carrying out policies of displacement and starvation of his people . Somalis where ever they are , are his kin, and loves them to death. Professor Abtigis is doing what Oodweyne and NGONGE neglegted out of intellectual cowardice; challenge the status qua

NGONGE, It is clear you're bothered as all separatists brothers are these days. It is also clear that your knowledge of & Somali politics and tradition of kaftan , dacaayad is also limited. You bought Oodweyne's scant merchandise, only to find out in lagu bakhsay oo beec faasid ah laguu guntay You are a man of slogans with no substance , even your little online moto of 'it is only words on the screen' is no longer true. Khadar is not a liar, nor am I limited. Che and Prof Abtigiis are still good, & nice people. Even Hermet (whom you seem to have peculiar fascination with), is only here to channel views that are shared by many. Is giiji waryaa, Xaaji Xunjuf knew inaysan duulin, it is unfortunate you thought so

Prof Abtigiis rigth on. well written piece .

NGONGE markuu xanaaqo dabeecad xumaa Asbuuc dhan buu wuxuu ku hayyaa , 'xiin waa limited' Oodweyne, We understand each other. You live in a delusion . You think Haabsade is the real Khatumo leader

oodweyne , you were fond of talking about honest and frankness -- a heavenly quality you claimed you are blessed with. Here is a test: I acknowledged that current Defense Minister have no influence on the territory he claims to represent. Do you acknowledge that neither Haabsade nor Qaybe represent the region they are from?

ElPunt wrote: In the naked Somali context - political cohesiveness doesn't matter much. Territory does and Xaabsade has brought over rather valuable real estate indeed. Absolutely. And Khatumo needs to revise that net gain , and bring the city back into people's hands.

Oodweyne;783629 wrote: Xiiny ,... :D I see you have decided to play the fool or at any rate deaf in here. Well, I suppose, when from one's end there is no argument worthy of the tea others will be paying in-order to listen to your take of things, then, what better way to deflect things than to start using "sign language" (at least metaphorically) , so that one could indicate to others that one is not understanding what was been said in here, indeed... :D In other words, that you hide behind what Haabsade is, whilst, given a wide-berth to the argument that is inherent with other's assertion, which is, that, of why if things are as you say they are, then, we don't observed the phenomena of some hired-goon of TFG ruling a scintilla of a land in Somaliland; could well be understandable under the circumstances... After all, when all else, fails, then, there is always, that never disappointing straw man, that could be to hand in here. Isn't, my friend? You have a point when you say Somaliland politicians that assume cabinets posts in TFG have no influence on the territory they claim they represent. The thing is (and i know you like to ignore this), Qaybe was from Buuhoodle and he once assumed one of the highest post in your admin , becoming the speaker of Somaliland parliament at some point. Yet we know Buuhoodle has never been in Somaliland column. Just like our current Defense Minister, he was a politician who got hired by his friends . But the problem is you don't see or never saw him that way. You want us to believe simply because you employ a guy with a dozen armed militia, that your admin is legit in those lands. And the way to prove it in your collective separatist lot's mind is to send marauding militia high on Qat to some towns, harass the locals and disrupt the peace in their lands, and say we are in control, just like the story of Widhwidh few months back. You never realized similar approach would've easily worked against you. I guess you will find out soon, for I know something, Oodka

^^Two things, ElPunto. You are right, acknowledgment of the historic political divisions that caused the switch of Lasanod in the first place is needed from the proponents of Khatumo State. I also agree they need to devise practical strategy to sideline those sawing the division from within. But arguing, as some are doing here, that any disgruntled politician and his few dozen militia that crosses the political divide over to Somaliland is a reflection of Khatumo State's political cohesiveness is a bogus one. Although Haabsade was one of the major factors in the fall of Lasanod, today the militia muscle that abuses the city is not his. It is Somaliland militia that holds the city and defends it. Practically, Haabsade has a propaganda value---he does not has fighting force or militia that defends the separatist cause. Taleex, Buuhoodle, WidhWidh, Xudun and Boocame are in Khatumo hands, and the new admin has a solid support in each of those cities. Lasanod is in Somalialnd hands. If Haabsade defects today, there is nothing he can do about the status of the city. But Khatumo can do something, and it will, we are told

Oodweyne, I am afraid that you and I do not see eye to eye on Xaabsade's representation on the Khatumo region. To me he is political prostitute, to you he is a useful i-di0t that serves temporary purpose Nasir, I am not sure where your confusion is coming from, but this thread is about Khatumo, and not an imaginary state called Maakhir , or other web based admins such as Raascasary , and the so called Western Mudug

Political prostitutes exist in every region and clan. Since the fall of Somali government there was no government formed for Somalia that did not comprise politicians from Somaliland region. Yet we understand the political convictions of those politicians are not reflective of the prevalent political direction of the said region. Arguing the sheer existence of Xaabsade and his militia or any disgruntled politician for that matter is a reflection of a unique division with the Khatumo folks is transparently weak argument ---facts on the ground contradicts it.

No to exploitation, and no to shady deals. Yes to transparency , and accountability. But at this point both No's and Yes's are neither her nor there. We are at the exploration phase. Once the ninety-day drilling operation is complete and prospects are known/estimated, there will be production agreement that will be signed. Somalia's federal government will be involved. Possibly, companies doing the drilling now, may not be the ones entering production contract with Somalia. In short, we are putting the cart before the horse. Consider this: Somalia has been neglected for twenty plus years. War, famine and terrorism has become the hall mark of our national identity. When the world financial papers and mega media outlets are dedicating segments discussing the prospect of oil and how it can transform the region and its people, reasonable Somalis should welcome the respite of bad coverage , instead of commenting hypothetical scenario of environmental disaster and what have you.

^LOL

^^waryaa Abokor, noo waran "Ciidanka Qaranku' Buuhoodle makusoo noqonaya, mise galbeed baa laascaano laga sii aadayaa?

^^Thanks for posting it, Moon

^^^ :D anaa dhar u tolaya ee iidaa