Great news on paper. Will have to see it happen, to believe it. There were so many false starts before.

^^That sums it up very much, Val. The only scenario where Ethiopia would encourage significant trade with Somaliland would be if she actually harbors ambition to absorb this region into the greater Ethiopia. 80 million land-locked people at the mouth of Red Sea, and the only thing in between is 3 million, weak, undefended Somalis who claim to be independent country. It sort of tempts Zenawi ... But it is not as easy as it sounds. And that leaves Ethiopia the option to keep the region within the sphere of her influence, while interring legally binding contracts with sovereign nations. And that is exactly what is happening today. No country, even Ethiopia, will stick its neck out to embrace a separatist state. Ramadan Kariim Jamacah

Courage!

First off jamaacatul SOL, Ramadan Karim, may Allah accept our little efforts to please him in this season of Khayr. Amidst the gloom of famine,with the horrendous pictures of malnourished children, and tired elderly women and men at the gates of refugees camps in Kenya and elsewhere, and the political dysfunction in TFG's failed leadership, amidst all of that comes the surprising news that Alshabaab has completely withdrawn from the capital city. It is hard to speculate what caused the movement to give up its hard earned, strategic positions in Mogadishu, but one thing is clear: Alshabaab is in a declining stage politically and militarily, and the reasons are many. Sharif gets lucky again, as he did before when he rose to the ranks of power. Ramadan presented him another momentous event. But it will all depend on what the TFG leadership do with this Allah sent victory. Here is what I think they should do. 1- Hold the city of Mogadishu and impose some semblance of order, 2- Fight the urge to chase Alshabaab, not out of mercy but for the obvious fact that you have no capacity 3- Reach out to other relevant Somali leaders that you sharply disagree with, including those presiding regional administrations

Good news.

Aamiin. Somalis in Minnesota, and I am sure other places, stepped up and raised money for this humanitarian disaster. Kudos to Camuud NGO based in Texas, they have done a great work in Minnesota, ilaahay ha barakeeyo.

^^Don't you think this company's project plan had the risk factors already identified, and contingencies devised? Oodweyne iyo aqoontiisa! The locals have every right to make noises around this, so their voices are heard. In Africa unfortunately taking up arms is the only way you can get your voice heard. The admin in Garoowe MUST consider local concerns in order for this project to succeed. In the big picture though every Somali must welcome the oil exploration project in Puntland. Somali oil is for Somalis where ever they are. If this materializes, it will make that much easier for other oil exploration and production anywhere in Somalia.

^^Ku daayey Azania man. Enough said, already on this topic. However, fact remains Azania is not on the ground where it matters the most. Alshabaab however one opposes them is real force on the ground fending off neighboring countries from multiple fronts, and still holding unto strategic cities such as Kismayo, Beledweyne, Baydhabo, Marka, Barawe and Mogadishu (Airport, Harbor, and Villa Somalia, and perhaps few districts excluded). Simply put, the two are not comparable. But time will tell where Prof. Gandi's academic paper on Latin names will lead.

^^Hadal fiican weeye kaasi, laakiin dadku dawlad waa leeyihiin oo haddan nithaam baa haystee, marka olalaha mucaawanadu dhamaaado, Soomaali xal halloo raadiyo oo dawlad halloo dhiso

OOdweyne , one welcomes the pledge of financial support from the old, queen's land as it meets our bottom line awoowe. As for the recognition and the hidden codes you seem to be ever cracking for us, we have yet to see any progress on that front. I wonder if you would ever accept the hard truth about your clan groupings failure to convince the world that theirs deserves to be recognized as a sovereign nation.

lol@Kenya bought his plan. Kenya DEVISED the plan. Odinga lobbied Farmajo to recognize Azania. Kenya's desires are clear, and I daresay understandable. But one finds the grade level analysis of mutual interest and the like on the board quite typical of us Somalis. As for the new PM endorsing the Azania crap, lets hear from his mouth first, and then we will comment on it insha Allah.

^^A reasonable analysis that is, except that it is unlikely that alshabaab will be chased away by mere clannish forces. It will take a legitimate national army to effectively defeat alshabaab, and HOLD the land for considerable time. So this Azania gimmick is nonstarter for the most people. People are finding hard to even pronounce it let alone understand what it stands for.

^^Haye I trust Alshabaab with Kismayo than a man who insults the proud Somali people with a Latin name.

Azania is nothing more than Kenyan desire to create a buffer zone for her Lamu project, and Prof. Gandi is transparent tool toward that Kenyan objective. Not only the name is alian to us, but so is the notion of creating a regional admin in a Kenyan hotel. I don't really know this Edson guy, but if his claim is true Abdiweli's government will have a very bad start. EDIT: Oodweyne, Kismayo's clan wars are effectively over. The era of warlords fighting over a city is also over. Alshabaab has shown that what people want is justice, not dominance.

Good progress if true. Somalis need money, not media propaganda.

Lets assume this Edson guy is there because of orders from his host country, and NOT because of instructions (as he claims) from the new PM or Sharif. Farmaajo stood his ground against this Kenyan extension, we expect Abdiweli to do the same.

N.O.R.F;736543 wrote: Xiin, You’ve used SL’s pirate prison as an excuse for the pirates when discussing the hijacked SL fuel. Two questions: 1. Are you serious? 2. Are you condoning the act or just saying you understand? Ps claiming Somalia (or PL) has the power on the piracy issue because of such acts only highlights the insecurity in Somalia/PL and how it is not likely to change anytime soon. In other words, you’re corroborating one of SL’s salient points with regards to breaking away. Pps Stop trying to make this incident seem like SL had it coming and worry about the ramifications it will have for ordinary people who will inivitably experience higher fuel and food prices as a result (in SL AND PL). The importers of fuel and food will now factor in an additional risk. Ppps do I detect a hint of acceptance towards piracy? North, reread what I wrote and you should be able to discern jokes from serious commentary. Unless you are pulling a NGONGE on me, my first post in this thread should make it clear where I stand on the reported incident. Allaha u gar-gaaro awoowe, nagama suurowdo dad xoolihi la dhacay inaan guul siyaasadeed u arko. Trade is the only thing left for Somalis to survive, thusly it should never be mixed with politics. My larger comment on Somaliland's anna waa ikan approach on piracy issue, is a half-joke. And this incident unfortunately smells a revenge from pirates to me. Perhaps that prison in Berbera is to blame

Waryaa NGOGNE, muxuu Farmaajo kuu dhimay ninyahow, waxaagu dagaal ka weyne?

Waryaa Ina Cumarow, maad ergada taageertid haddaan nolol rabto

...and today Mr. Xunfuf's recognition campaign clips includes a fake navy of would-be nation of Somaliland patrolling high seas to fight against Somalia's chronic piracy.

'Tolka in Garoowe' has a leverage when it comes to piracy issues, Oodweyne Marka usheeg raggaaga inay aayar u ganacsadaan, oo aysan Faroole ku dayan. Waa kaftan

Waraa ragga go'ayow sida isku dhaama . Kalgacal ka wariyaha cadi qoray ee aad u haysaan isticmaarkii tima cadde ka gabyey diida oo waa beenti dhaha

loooooooooooooool@retaining a special affection for Britain

Xiinfaniin uses solid reasoning and the logic is on his side on the piracy issue: piracy is a problem no doubt but it will only be resolved by a strong Somali government. Piracy is a big industry with Western insurance companies being one of the stakeholders, Somaliland region is an infant in this game, even Puntland which is much closer to the center of piracy activities can not do much either. As a friend of Somaliland people I would strongly suggest to the Siilaanyo admin to find another platform for region's recognition wishes. Building fake prisons is a hail marry pass, a desperate political attempt to be relevant in the piracy issue

I well come the new state. Xingalool is my friends how town