January 12, 2010 Lamu Journal Future Kenya Port Could Mar Pristine Land By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN LAMU, Kenya — The evening call to prayer here is like a summons, for everyone on the island. As the sun dives toward the ocean, the Muslim residents stream into the mosques, little boys wearing impossibly bright white skullcaps, their mothers in diaphanous, black head-to-toe gowns. The last of the bikini-clad tourists pick themselves up from the beach, dust off the powdery sand and head back to the hotel for a drink. Lamu has been like this for decades, a historic seafaring place where modernity has been gracefully folded into traditional culture without completely spoiling it. The snaky alleyways of the island’s old town (which the United Nations recognizes as a World Heritage site), the omnipresent smells of donkey dung and sweetly rotting fruit and the crescent-sailed dhows plying the sea make the island feel like a glass museum case — one with a living culture inside. But all that may be about to change. To the dismay of many residents and tourists, the Kenyan government is planning to build the biggest port in East Africa here. It is an ambitious, multibillion-dollar project that could transform trade in this region and knit together Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern Congo and southern Sudan as never before. Pipelines, rail lines, highways, airports, an oil refinery and extra-deep berths for 21st-century supertankers are all in the blueprints, though it is hard to imagine such infrastructure rising up along this long-neglected stretch of the Kenyan coast, dotted by crumbling ruins and impenetrable mangrove swamps. The Chinese government, one of the most aggressive investors in Africa, is backing the project and has already begun feasibility studies. “This is real,” said Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Kenya’s transport minister. “We’ve made tremendous strides toward the realization of what you might call a dream.” Not a historian’s dream, however. Lamu is one the last outposts of pure Swahili culture, a throwback to the days of cannons, slaves, spices and sultans who were a mix of Arab and African blood and who ruled the East African coast for hundreds of years. Because it is a small island, reachable only by a short airstrip or a very bumpy road and a ferry, it has been spared the big hotels and development that have swept the port city of Mombasa, Zanzibar and other tourist hotspots in the region. People here say they are not especially well suited for the mechanized world. There was only one car on the island until recently (the district commissioner’s); now there are just 10. Most things are carried by donkeys, who plod through the alleyways or along the beach with heavy loads and blank, accommodating eyes. This is why many of Lamu’s elders say they think that the port will bring more trouble than good. “People in the street think they will get jobs,” said Mohamed Athman, who leads a small marine preservation group. “What jobs? We don’t have drivers or crane operators.” The biggest worry is the environment. Fishing is a lifeline for many of Lamu district’s 85,000 people, and the Kenyan government does not have the greatest record of preserving its natural resources, with raw sewage dumped into Lake Victoria and countless trees chopped down in the Rift Valley. Lamu fishermen fear that the planned dredging of the port will ruin fish breeding grounds. “They will break the rocks where the fish hide,” said one angler, Mohamed Shabwana. “They will destroy everything.” Omar Mzee, a former member of Parliament from Lamu, worries about pollution from the port and possible oil spills. “This is going to be a total mess,” Mr. Mzee said. “The government is thinking of the national G.D.P. This will not benefit Lamu. It never has.” Lamu has been marginalized for decades, Mr. Mzee said, kept down because the people here are Muslim and coastal, while Kenya, since its independence in 1963, has been ruled by Christian politicians from the highlands. There are few roads out here and few schools. The way residents describe it, Lamu was left to bake in tropical obscurity until tourists started flocking here in substantial numbers in the 1990s, precisely because the area was so underdeveloped and environmentally and culturally pristine. The villages around the island are studies in poverty. There is no electricity and no running water. The houses are built from mud, sticks and string. Malaria is rampant. Many of the children sitting idle in their homes or clutching saggy soccer balls on the beach have their feet chewed up by chigoes, the tiny fleas that lay eggs under people’s toenails. “The government doesn’t take us seriously,” Mr. Mzee said. The government says that in this case, it does not have much of a choice. Kenya’s growing economy desperately needs a bigger port, and Mombasa, the current one, cannot be expanded because of natural limitations on the harbor. Ever since a Swiss firm in the 1970s identified the Lamu area as the best spot in Kenya for a new port, because it is deep and sheltered by a string of islands, the Kenyan government has been trying to raise the money. Now the geopolitics of the region seem to be working in its favor. Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi are all landlocked, with growing economies, and interested in reinvigorating the East African Community. At the same time, southern Sudan is gearing up for independence from northern Sudan in 2011, and southern Sudan’s capital, Juba, is far closer to the Kenyan coast than it is to Sudan’s main port on the Red Sea. “The Kenya side has a lot of reasons,” said a Chinese diplomat in Kenya who asked to be identified simply as Mr. Liu. “The relevant Chinese companies are now looking into this.” The proposed site for the port is a few miles away from Lamu island on a desolate stretch of the mainland. But residents of Lamu town fear that the blast radius of the port — the crime, the pollution and the overall seediness — will reach them. Kenyan government officials admit, when pressed, that Lamu and its traditional Muslim culture will be affected. “Of course it will change,” said Mahmoud Hassan Ali, a port official. “Lifestyle will change and whatever. But if you have faith, you have faith, my friend.”

^^peacenow, stay away from the angry, voilant white folks. You see, it's not only arabs that get voilant

pray for peacenow.

I have been looking for the profile of current PDF leader. This is it; Abdullahi Isse aka Isaac i the man Togane describes

^^War heedhee, maanta sibaa wax kaa yihiin. Did you judge that the two statements I made are contradictory or mutually exclusive? If that is the case, I am battling with a comprehension issue now . KKL, give it a try awoowe, and tell me why it's not practical when the two groups already share a city. At some point before Faroole's admin took over, the revenues from the airport were shared with the other side. So why not try to politically unite them.

I have been very generous with you. I asked questions, you dodged. You asked questions, I gave responses. There lies the difference between a troll and a debate. But if you really think your beginner like questions are akin to a well thought objection, you're having a deeper problem than I initially thought. At this point, it seems you found yourself in the wrong thread and are eager to exit. I am not going to prolong your stay. So go ahead, and troll some other threads. But for the record, I have NOT said that there is no political maturity to undertake such a proposed merger. I said the level of the two communities’ maturity and interest remains to be seen, implying once the initiative is on the table we will see the level of their interest. I also said that the need for it is quite clear. Galkacyo housed these two communities for close to hundred years. And in the last twenty years, the city has been in a political limbo that dwarfed its progress, and drained its learned community. What we proposed is not the stuff of the faint hearted; it requires a political courage and vision that sees what unity could do for both communities. The status quo, ElPunto, has been to address Galkacyo as a city, and it failed quite miserably. If you are in favor of such formula, you should not have wasted ink on talking on proposition that drastically departs from the status quo.

ElPunto asked following questions [in bold]. Are the two regions indeed of the same political thinking before a merger is done? I think they are. Both groups want to be part of a future federal state, so politically the eng goals seem to be in sync. What indicates there is an interest in forming a union in both Puntland and Galmudug? The level of interest for a political merger remains to be seen. The need for it however is clear as it manifested in the situation of Galkacyo. Without some sort of merging, the situation of Galkacyo will worsen. Is Galmudug looking to itself to solve its problems and has it the apparatus and popular support of a state thus meeting the requirements for a 'merger'? I think you are having difficult understanding the basics of Somali politics. It’s not so much as adequacy in capacity, it’s rather the political will of the community that is in involved. From what I can tell this community has been very active in Somali politics, and seems to have decided to create its political identity around Galkacyo and the Galmudug admin. So the only requirement for this to happen is whether the parties see the need for it and are willing to make it happen. Additionally - What requirements are there for 2 regions to join? Do you have any minimums? The requirement for any two regions to join that I can think of is geographical contiguity and convergence of the interests of their community whom they derive their authority. Of course, the will to merge has to be firstly established.

^^Pardon me adeer for I have yet to see the well-thought objection you claim you have made against the merger proposal. What I have seen you do is make statements that could not stand for scrutiny. Now you realize the ineffectiveness of your approach, you resorted asking questions to answer my questions . And in the questions you asked one could see, that you either did not read the introductory remarks of this post, or you are looking for an opportunity of escape. To begin with I did not claim that both sides have reached political maturity for the type of political merger I proposed neither did I claim there is wide spread interest for it. All I did was describe the untenable status quo of Galkacyo, and the fact that what has been holding the city from making the security and political progress is perceived incompatibility of interests of the two communities that share it. I also noted if the interactions between the groups, and their general tendency of engaging with each other on many levels is anything to go by, then a political merger between may not be a farfetched proposition. In fact, I called for such eventuality, listing what I thought was the benefits and giants it could entail. On another level I listed the challenges and obstacles that could get in the way and need overcoming. The two admins are not the same size. They have different history and background, one has been functioning for close to a decade, and the other is just starting out. Both entities think of themselves as federal states. There is no doubt that PL is much advanced in making the political and structural realities for federalism on the ground. It may not be fair to describe it that way, but Galmudug is Galkacyo centered and derives its identity from Galkacyo, neglecting even other locales including historic Hobyo. Puntland also attaches great importance to the city of Galkacyo as it’s its second largest city and strategic commercial hub. The SSDF/USC treaty is outdated and can no longer be relied, as it was in practice a mere cease fire between the two communities. Today political realities on both grounds have drastically changed. Puntland is no longer organized on defense objectives is now engaged in shaping the nature of future federal Somalia while communities in South Galkacyo have taken steps to establish an admin of theirs that considers itself a federal state. It’s my opinion save from outright dominance of one group the only way to save the city and ensure its political and security stability is to align the interests of both groups. And the most effective way of doing so is to exact some sort of political unity that does away the zero sum game, which has been what has caused great pain and suffering for the residents of Galkacyo. I know it’s a change from reer hebel waa col , and I can understand other well meaning posters to resist it, but you, ElPunt, despite your effort to sound deep, missed the whole point of this proposal, and resorted making statements that were quite frankly rather silly, like Galmudug is small, it's no federal state, and other things that you could not substantiate when inquired. So what is wrong Puntland merging with Galmudug, other than they are two different clans ? In the absence of some sort of Political unity, what are the alternatives for the city? I don’t believe the status quo is sustainable. The city is risking an all out civil war if a lasting solution is not found.

^^No. At this point the motive is not clear. But the fact the killers have been apperhended is what the community considers real break

^^So now you are speculating my character, ElPunto? Adeer you are being childish. These are the questions I asked you: 1- how you do you know that both sides are not ready for a political merge, and there is no interest for it? 2- how do you arrive the conclusion that Galmudug is not interested in federalism or is not one? And finally what are the requirements for a political merger between the two that you are alluding to? Or you don’t favor such proposal simply because you want to preserve Puntland’s identity ? Sidii ninweyn u hadal waryee, and stop the capacity nonsense, we are not talking about merging two european countries.

Guddida joogtada ah ee Golaha Guurtida oo bakoorado Kula wareegay Gacan ku haynta Golaha Hargeysa, Jan. 11, 2010 (Jam) - Guddiga Joogtada ah ee Aqalka Guurtida, ayaa shalay bakoorado kula wareegay gacan-ku-haynta xarunta golaha ee magaalada Hargeysa, iyaga oo hoolka fadhiyada dibadda uga dareeriyey ku-simaha Guddoomiyaha, xoghaynta iyo xildhibaannada muxaafidka ah oo u soo diyaargaroobay fadhi goluhu u ballansanaa. Guddoomiye-ku-xigeenka 1aad ee Golaha Guurtida Shekh Axmed Sheekh Nuux Furre oo u soo diyaargaroobay inuu furo golaha, ayey mudanayaal gadoodsan oo uu hoggaaminayey Guddoomiyaha guddida joogtada ah ee Golaha Md. Cabdillaahi Ibraahim Xirsi (Dhugad) waxay kala hortageen erayo cadho badani ka muuqato, iyaga oo u sheegay sheegay in Goluhu xidhan yahay illaa iyo inta uu dalka ku soo noqonayo Guddoomiye Saleebaan Maxamuud Aadan (Saleebaang Gaal). Waxa halkaa ka dhashay buuq iyo saxawan xooggan oo sababay in Guddoomiyaha Guddida joogtada ee Golaha Guurtida Md. Cabdillaahi Ibraahim Xirsi (Dhugad) uu bakooradeeyo Md. Cabdillaahi Sheekh Xasan oo ka mid ah xildhibaanadda muxaafidka ah ee taageera Xukuumadda. Arrintaasi oo sababtay in ay golaha dibada uga dareeraan Shirguddoonka, xoghaya guud iyo mudanayaasha muxaafidka ah, sidaana ay golaha kula wareegaan albaabadana ugu xidhaan guddida joogtadu. Shir-jaraa'id oo guddiga jootada ah ee Sheekh Axmed Sheekh Nuux Furre beddelay ku qabteen gudaha xarunta Guurtida, waxa ay ku eedeeyeen Ku-simaha Guddoomiyaha inuu ka baxay ballan ay Sabtidii wadagaleen oo ahayd in wax laysla eego, xaaladda jirtana deganaansho lagu dhammeeyo, waxaanay ku doodeen kol haddii ballankii guddoomiyaha iyo xildhibaannada kale madasha ka baxayna aanay oggolaanayn in guluhu furmo. Guddoomiyaha Guddiga Jootada ah Cabdillaahi Maxamed Xirsi (Dhugad) oo ugu horreyn shirkaa jaraa'id ka hadlay, ayaa sheegay inuu goluhu u xidhanaanayo illaa inta uu ka imanayo Guddoomiye Golaha Guurtida oo hadda ku sugan dalka Ingiriiska. Ku-simaha guddoomiyuhu wuu nagu wacad-furay oo wuu ka baxay ballankii aannu shalay [sabtidii] isku ogayn oo xubnaha Komishanka Doorashooyinku goob-joogga ka ahaayeen ee warbaahintu goob-joog ka ahaayeen si cad ayuu uga baxay, dabkana meel kale ayaa laga shidayaa, dab meel kale laga soo shidayana taag uma hayo golahani, sidaa daraadeed aniguna haddaan ahay Guddoomiyihii Guddiga joogtada waan ka noqday furitaankii aan shalay [sabtidii] golaha furay, maantana [shalay] goluhu wuu xidhan yahay, waannu xidhnaanayaa ilaa inta uu imanayo Guddoomiyihii Golaha Guurtida Md. Saleebaan Maxamuud Aadan,h ayuu yidhi Md. Dhugad. Md. Cabdisalaan Maxamuud Siciid oo ka tirsan Mudaneyaasha Guurtida, ayaa ku eedeeyay ku Simaha Guddoomiyaha inuu fadhigii shalay ka dib ka noqday oo uu idaacadaha iyo BBC-da ka sheegay inaanu ka noqonaynin isku shaandheyntii uu ku sameeyey guddi-hoosaadyada Golaha. Sidoo kale, waxa isaguna shirkaasi jaraa'id ka hadlay Md. Cabdiraxmaan Qawdhan oo sheegay in labadii Guddoomiye-ku-xigeen ee Goluhu ay sharcigii iyo xeer-hoosaadkii ku tunteen, waxaanu yidhi; gWaxaan leeyahay Goluhu wuu xidhnaanayaa inta uu imanayo Guddoomiyihii, waxaanan leeyahay waxa wacadkii ka baxay Sheekh Axmed Sh.Nuux, Gudodomiye ku Xigeenka labaad iyo Xoghayaha Guud ee Golaha oo haddii aan Golaha laga qaban halis ku ah jiritaanka Golaha.h Guddoomiye-ku-xigeenka 1aad ee Guurtida Sheekh Axmed Sheekh Nuux Furre, ahna ku-simaha guddoomiyaha, Ku-xigeenka 2-aad Siciid Jaamac Cali iyo mudanayaasha inta badan iyaga taageersan oo u soo diyaargaroobay inay fadhiistaan shalay ayaanay u suurtogalin, kadib markii Guddoomiyaha guddiga joogtada ah ku amray inay ka noqdaan madasha fadhiga oo aan gole furani jirin, sidaasna mudanayaasha guddoomiye-ku-xigeenka taageersani ku kala dareereen. Haseyeeshee, illaa hadda ma jiro wax war ah oo ka bixiyeen aragtidooda khilaafka cakiran iyo mawqifka ay ka taagan yihiin xidhitaanka golaha ee guddiga joogtada. Xigasho: Jamhuuriya

^^Yes Abwan, this is was very tough case to crack but with the cooperation of somali community the police did a great job. It's very painful for a parent to turn in his loved one ...it takes a courage.

ElPunto, Adeer, I don’t have to prove anything to you. I called for a sensible proposal to solve the Galkacyo problem. Others and you jumped the gun declaring the whole thing unworkable. I asked why. You dodged. Others called a political merger with Cwaq, and sadly failed to see the possibility of one in Galkacyo. It’s clear the only obstacle standing in the way of creating a politically cohesive state that encompasses from Las Qoray to Hobyo is silly clannish perceptions. We predict it will be a matter of time when leaders in both political fences realize that these perceptions are false, and people share same aspirations. When Galkacyo is united politically it will usher a new political reality that transcends leanage, a federal state that is hard to compete for influence.

This is a great police work. The Somali community has clearly defied the stereotypical media depiction.

Cops credit Somali community with helping find suspects Minneapolis police said Sunday that cooperation from the Somali community helped lead to the arrests of two juveniles they believe are responsible for Wednesday's triple slaying. The second arrest came late Saturday when a 17-year-old boy from Minneapolis turned himself in to investigators with family members by his side, Capt. Amelia Huffman said at a news conference that included Police Chief Tim Dolan and Mayor R.T. Rybak. Earlier Saturday, a 17-year-old boy, also of Minneapolis, was taken into custody in connection with the shooting deaths of three East African men at Seward Market & Halal Meat in Minneapolis' Seward neighborhood. "I think that folks — broadly speaking — in Minneapolis were outraged by this incident and that was certainly true in the Seward neighborhood and the among the Somali families who live there," Huffman said. "We had great communication, and we had tips that were flooding in from all parts of the community. And, indeed, we were able to track down the first suspect with the aid of people in the community." The family of the second suspect brought the boy in to the Third Precinct police station, Huffman said, "because they want to do the responsible thing and participate in the criminal justice system so that he can be answerable for the allegations that he was involved in this crime. And I think that is incredibly significant." Dolan said investigators believe they have solved the shootings and that "we anticipate the suspects will be charged soon." "We are confident that we have identified all of the people responsible for the incident," Dolan said, adding as the investigation progresses, "further charges may be forthcoming." Because the suspects are juveniles, their names will not be released until charges are filed, Dolan said. Police said last week the shooters likely were Somali immigrants, but would not say as much Sunday. Police were also tight-lipped about a possible motive. They originally characterized the crime as a robbery that turned violent, but Dolan later said that might not have been what happened. "We will be discussing a motive of the crime after charging has been complete," Dolan said, "but we do feel that this is not part of a larger pattern of incidents." Police have said that two men walked into the store at 25th Avenue South and East Franklin Avenue about 7:40 p.m. Wednesday and shot and killed Mohamed Abdi Warfa, 30, of Savage; Osman Jama Elmi, 28, of St. Paul; and Anwar Salah Mohammed, 31, of Brooklyn Park. Warfa and Elmi were from Somalia, while Mohammed was from the Oromia region of Ethiopia, friends and family said. Mohammed's older brother, Fethi Mohammed, said the arrests are a "good start, but we need more. The family has to know how it happened and what happened to him. A robbery? Whatever it is, we want to know." Fethi Mohammed said he saw his brother's body at Friday's funeral and that he appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound to the back of his head. "Maybe he tried to run, but couldn't get away," he said. "We want to know." Seward Market is a Somali-owned store located in a neighborhood with a large Somali population. Although closed since the crime, it attracted several neighborhood residents Sunday afternoon. Peering through the front door, Fuad Abdulle said he grew up with Anwar Salah Mohammed in Ethiopia and stopped by for the first time since the shooting "just to see and feel. We have been praying for him." Dolan confirmed the crime was caught on video, but said, "I doubt it will be shown publicly for a very long time. It is very graphic, and will be held for prosecution and appeals." While the city has made progress in preventing youth violence, Rybak said, Saturday's arrests marked a "significant setback." "This tragic incident underscores that we also have some challenges and we're going to stay focused on that," he said. Meanwhile, the Seward Neighborhood Group, along with police and city officials, will host a community meeting at 7 tonight at Seward Towers West, a high-rise apartment complex across the street from the store. "The community is trying to be proactive," said Minneapolis City Council member Cam Gordon, who represents Ward 2, where the market is located. "I also think the fact the two people who have been arrested are so young just brings about a lot more anxiety ... and just makes the tragedy seem even greater."

ElPunto, You are making vague statements adeer. You are deliberately dodging questions I asked based on the assertions you made that the both communities are not on the same political thinking, that there is no interest in the proposed merge, and that Galmudug is looking for Mogadishu for directions, and is not a federal state. What is the criterion of recognizing an admin as a federal state, ElPunto? And who agreed to that criterion, if one exists? If Beledweyne declares tomorrow a federal state, who has the authority and the power to effectively deny that right to her, ElPunto? Further more, I have not claimed that this proposed merge enjoys support in all stakeholders in the regions concerned. All I did was propose what I thought and still think is better than the status quo. You on the other hand made assertions that warranted further propping because if those assertions are found to be true it could kill the whole notion of a political merge. One argument, which I respect and understand, is the scope problem of this proposal. You asked the question why not Galkacyo specific merge or agreement. I gave you my assessment of the political sensibilities and how it’s difficult to divorce Galmudug’s claim on the city from any eventual agreement with them. You failed to counter that assessment, ElPunto. If you think this thing is not feasible, tell me why without making assertions and broad statements you cannot substantiate. I granted the scope issue, but in the absence of an alternative a complete merger remains to be the only consideration.

ElPunto, 1- There is no grassroots basis for a political union - the people have to want it - the elders have to show interest and negotiate for it How do you know that the Galkacyo residents would object if both admins merge? Because of their clans, and the perceived clannish interest of both communities? 2- The 2 regions are not of the same political thinking - one is firmly federalist and wants to manage itself and the other is still trying to get off the ground but looks to Mogadishu for political direction And you know this how, adeer? Did Galmudug say so? Or do they truly think themselves another federal state? 3- One has little capacity and ability to project itself and indeed little grassroots backing while the other has advanced in those areas So you want Galmudug to be on par with Puntland before a merge can be entertained? I think you are missing the whole point of what we are proposing. You are focusing on a political image, while we are trying to solve a real problem that has been reoccurring, causing the lives of many residents in Galkacyo. Two admins cannot share a city adeer. And you cannot wish an entire community to go away and look for Xamar for political guidance while it’s clear that they live there and want to erect institutions however humble the beginning may seem to you. It’s true that the two states are not the same when it comes to most measurements of political power, but that is not the point awoowe. why do you need to merge regions if the problem is Gslkacyo security I have no preference on this aspect of the merge really. I am afraid though those who call themselves Galmudug would not be comfortable being called Baraxley admin. Find a creative way to overcome that, and I will be on board. Also the notion that a political merger between PL and GM will under mine Puntland’s federalist aspirations is another fallacy just like the perceived tribal interests between two communities are fallacies. If anything a merger will produce a more diverse, geographically vast state, with hard to rival political leverage on the shape of future federal state. It will be a win-win for both. Its feasibility is what needs to be discussed for its outcome, if it comes to fruition, will be truly a game changer.

Nur wrote: ...the KHAWARIJ which you frequently refer to those you disagree with. It appears you have resolved to cling on this term, and assign its usage to me. As I said many times I DO NOT use Khawaarij term against alshabaab. Alshabaab are armed takfeeri group, and that is the label that fits them the best. And I told you why, in another thread. So lets not add to this argument a new, an nacessary dimension. Aslo,Nur, sidaad adigu rabto inaad wax u sheegto yeel, laakiin aakhirka waxaan kaa rabaa inaad mawqif cad ka istaagto mas aladda ah in dadka Alshabaab kasoo horjeedaa including TFG Gaalo yihiin, oo dhiigooddu bannaanyahay.

In my absence, it appears, SOL scripts have been working overtime. No matter. The only objection thus far thrown against this proposal is iyagu waa reer hebel, anaguna reer hebel baan nahay, marka yaan wax layskugu kaayya darin . Sakhar, the SOL script, KKL, the little sidekick, and the rest of the clannish goons, made their wishes clear, and that is Puntland shall remain a one-clan entity in its political construct. They are afraid of the future, playing familiar clannish guitar nodes. To be sure, there is no shame in being one clan entity, and it has thus far worked for Puntland. Lascaanooed, however, showed that tribal allegiance does not always work. And in Galkacyo, the two admins have no choice it seems when it comes to the reality of Galkacyo being a shared city. We therefore call both communities to look beyond current clannish landscape. The size of Galmudug admin, and its capacity are matters that need to be discussed at one point before a union is agreed to. For both sides to arrive an equitable political merge, those issues must be dealt. But we first need to begin the initiative and massage the egos of both groups for the eventual merge. The only thing getting in the way of this eventual union is clannish perceptions that the interests of both communities are incompatible. And that, ya Jammacah, is a fallacy in the first order. In fact the only thing missing in terms of integration between the residents of Galkacyo is a political merge. They even use the same market, making it problematic for tax collection for PL admin whose jurisdiction the Galkacyo Bazaar falls. The city has one airport, whose control rests with Puntland admin. And these are clear manifestations of political barriers. We need to break them for the city will be better for it.

Erigavo is the wrong model for Galkacyo. In Erigavo one party dominated on the other. The conflict there has not been resolved. It has been temporarily settled. Note the difference awoowe. The reality on the ground includes one city that is unnecessarily divided. The root cause of Galkacyo insecurity is the lack of political unity as it’s practically impossible for parallel admins to function in one city. So unless you are in favor of the status quo, you need to entertain other ideas, this one included. What we are saying is Galkacyo does not need to be a frontline it has been for last twenty years. Got to go now...i will come insha Allah Monday.

ElPunto, I can understand the feasibility aspect of it, but why do you deem it to be ‘not a good idea’? Also capacity is an issue everywhere you look at Somalia’s various admins, and can not be basis in my opinion to reject a potentially viable merger. And on the unity point, you do know that every admin claims political spheres and lands it does not practically control. Puntland, Somaliland and TFG are examples of entities that habitually make such political claims, and I don’t think it warrants any consideration when talking examining strategies like this one. It will eventually come down to clan loyalties, and who resides what part of what land, not which admin has presence on which borders. Please elucidate practical ways two primitive admins can manage, collect revenues, and maintain security of a single town! I am willing to listen.

Jammacah, I appreciate your affirmative agreements with this grand proposal. It’s clear that Galkacyo has been in political limbo for many years. It’s also clear that, from a conflict resolution perspective, the factors fueling this conflict are political in nature. There is an element of history and clannish grudges, but it does not rise to any appreciable significance when put in context. Both clans intermarry, exchange trades, and interact on many other levels, not to mention they share a city. The divisions and insecurities Galkacyo faces today are manifestations of Somali civil war. It’s time for Puntland and Galmudug admins to think outside of the box as it were and engage in serious negotiations to change the status quo. There is no need to divide the city and erect virtual walls. Superficial colored lines would not provide security to that great city. Criminals have no clans thus apprehending them should be a security work, and should not result in political demagoguery that is bound to do more harm than good. It’s praiseworthy that the current mayor of Puntland’s Galkacyo included the merge option in his discussions with Galmadug counterparts. The only shortcomings his great gesture was that it was Galkacyo specific. It needs to be regional level, for only a complete merger can do away with the hostility that flares up every now and then. Perhaps sufficient procurement to present this idea so it becomes palatable for both sides has not been found. It’s time to rise above false pride, ditch artificial borders for practicality, and for the common good. Having said that, one needs to shake hand with the reality on the ground. And in that spirit, lets list the challenges confronting possible merge between the two admins. 1- Clannish pride 2- Not-so-pleasant-history 3- Political disposition of both admins toward the large Somali prize may not be aligned War bal soo qora…waa intaas oo Faroole aqristaayye

^^Shaykhul Azhar a-Sharifah aa haray, Maadeey. Asna haddaan soo xigto wuxuu arrintan ka yiri waa lagu kala tagaa meesha

^^ S & N. Refere to NGOGE for full explanation.