Why is this good news?

Calm down guys this is just an update thread. Things are coming together nicely.

Alpha, waran saxib. Eid Mubarak bal. How are things in H Town? Didn't get a chance to get there this time laakin JB was in Burco

Marka la wada dhoofaayo to the motherland. You will see dadkeena at their best. Sida la isu caawiyo iyo general chit chat. Love it.

Brilliant

Cuqdadu xagaasay maraysa dheh. Cajiib.

Reminds me of some on here

I dont think the Scots will go it alone. Blair want Scotish saxib. He was from the north east of England I think.

These days architecture isn't just how a building looks but how it 'works'. Energy use, ventilation, natural light, rain water use etc (Green Codes) make a buildings architecture/engineering.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/58617/5-new-countries-that-might-exist-by-2025 Somaliland, tucked in between Ethiopia and the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, takes the expected secessionist paradigm and flips it on its head: a relatively stable, moderate democracy looking for independence from a country synonymous with failed governance, Somalia. And while Somaliland certainly has its reputation as an oasis of peace in the Horn of Africa going for it, little progress toward recognition as a sovereign state has been made since it declared independence during the Somali Civil War in 1991— so far, no states recognize the region of 3.5 million. But that may be changing. The state of Somalia is been cautiously improving in recent years, meaning a formal diplomatic solution could be more likely, while the EU and the African Union set precedent in 2007 by meeting with the breakaway government to discuss the region's future. There’s some debate as to the economic viability of an independent Somaliland — like much of Somalia, it's devastatingly poor — but foreign investment brought on by formal recognition could help reverse the pattern. But until someone's state department takes the plunge, independence may be a long ways off.

^You mean like the nobel prize?

Waa meeshan la yaabay. People are up all night and asleep all day. Eid mubarak.

Eid Mubarak beebal

^Good stuff.

Looks like the Brits have got in before anyone else. Soma Oil & Gas Exploration Limited announces that it has signed an agreement with the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia to assist in the development of the country’s hydrocarbons sector. This represents the first agreement in Somalia’s oil and gas industry since the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the appointment of an internationally recognized Government in 2012 following decades of civil war. Under the terms of the agreement, Soma Oil & Gas will conduct seismic surveying in Somalia’s territorial waters in areas agreed with the Government and in certain limited onshore areas. The Company will also collate and reprocess historic seismic data using modern techniques, and prepare an evaluation of Somalia’s petroleum potential. Soma Oil & Gas will create a data room for the Somali Government, into which all available data will be placed. The survey that Soma Oil & Gas conducts will give it the right to nominate and obtain exploration and drilling rights under Production Sharing Agreements for prospective areas. Prior to 1991 a number of International Oil Companies were granted licences in the country, which, according to oil industry experts has some of the largest prospective resources within East Africa, an area of already great industry interest. Soma Oil & Gas was founded earlier this year expressly with a view to exploring in Somalia. Chief Executive, Robert Sheppard, a former senior executive of BP, Amoco and Sidanco, with over 40 years’ experience in the industry, joined the Company in May. Lord Howard of Lympne, former British Home Secretary and Leader of the Conservative Party, is the Company’s Chairman. Robert Sheppard, CEO of Soma Oil & Gas, said: “We formed Soma Oil & Gas having identified an opportunity to conduct exploration in Somalia as it emerges from a lengthy period of civil conflict. Despite large recent discoveries in East Africa, Somalia remains a significantly underexplored region. We believe that this agreement to assist the Government and the work that is due to be carried out over the next 12-18 months will provide significant momentum for the oil and gas sector in Somalia.” Lord Howard of Lympne, Chairman of Soma Oil & Gas, said: “This agreement reflects the close collaboration between the UK and Somalia and it is our intention to assist Somalia to develop an active hydrocarbons sector that will attract significant foreign investment to the country. We intend that Soma Oil & Gas’ commitment in Somalia will boost the local economy and generate new opportunities for employment for Somali nationals.” http://www.somaoilandgas.com/

The 'disputed' regions are 'parts' of Sool and Sanaag. Not the whole regions. Let's just get that straight. Caynabo isn't 'disputed'. Hydrocarbon potential of Somaliland http://www.somalilandtimes.net/hydrocarbon_somaliland/somaliland_hydrocarbon_potential.htm

Yes XX. Not exactly Caynabo but close. Any updates from Oodweyne?

I'm not involved myself but I was there a few weeks and ago and saw the preparations that were going on. See below map from Genel website. http://www.genelenergy.com/operations/somaliland.aspx It doesn't look as though the block covers the disputed regions. Minimal if at all.

^No party. Just an update on the 'exploration'. Che, I think the Genel camp will be around 100km east of Burco. The exploration block is quite large so they will explore where they get good readings.

4 August 2013 * Preparations are being made by Genel's team to move out to camp approx 100km East of Burco. * The logistics for the first camp (accommodation, labour, supplies) will be completed after Eid.

Nin Yaaban saxib there is a programme in the UK called Crimewatch where wanted criminals are shown to the public and information on their whereabouts requested. I think you should present the Somali version On a serious note, information sharing on security issues is very important and needs to be discussed with agreements signed. The biggest obstacle to this is a) finances to set up the system(s), b) politicians willing enough to do something for their country and not just for themselves c) adequately trained people.

Zack do you think you have players at the same level as the last time Jose was in charge?

Just over two weeks to go, changes to managers at City, Utd and Chelsea, will he won't he ala Suarez, Bale and Rooney. Should be a very interesting season. Come on you Reds!

^Its a case of sorting out the details post constitution and post new government. The difficulty is in trying to appease every clan. To date, I haven't seen a definition of federalism in the Somalia context but clan states was always innevitable. There is nothing wrong with this per say and when the dust settles it will hopefully bring about a lasting peace. No one can complain about another clan imposing themselves in their region. Things like education, health and defence should be run at federal level but everything can be run by the local govnts (development, tax etc). Win win in theory. But can Somalis see and understand this?

Lool Alpha waxaan moodey in aad dhaqankii wax ka baratay in yr 2.3 years there but this revelation has sent your home coming rep back down to zero. Badownimadii kamaad tagin. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOÒÒOOOOOOOOOOOOL