If Liibaan was going to post some fraudulent photo's of Silanyo, he could at least put in the effort to make them somewhat believable. How sad.

In addition to this, between 2012-2016, the Somaliland annual budget will increase to $150 million USD . "Over the NDP period, the government projects to increase tax revenues from US$90 to US$150 million." pg.283 of the NDP (http://slministryofplanning.org/images/nationl_plan/ndp.pdf)

ElPunto;794535 wrote: Somaliland’s annual government budget is currently between 40 and 48 Million US$. Approximately 5 % goes to education, 3 % to health and 30 % to defence. Most of the revenue is created by the port of Berbera. (2010) ] In correct El Punto. When the new administration was elected in 2010, the finance ministry was tasked to become more stringent with tax collection and tax evasion. As a result the budget was increased from $50 million to $90 million for the year 2011. It is not the $40-48 million cited by you. The $90 million is cited on pg.282 of Somaliland's newly released National Development Plan that was jointly drafted by the Somaliland government and the UNDP. (http://slministryofplanning.org/images/nationl_plan/ndp.pdf) The revenue collection reforms are cited in this article where it states "Their forecast will see the annual budget almost double from last year’s $50 million to $90 million under the new government. The government says it will not increase taxes but instead will be more productive in collecting, at the moment there are too many holes in the current system." (http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-launches-public-financial-management-reforms-20712) And Dr. Osman, instead of writing baseless comments out of jealously like "So $90 million budget is hearsay online but in reality its no more then $15 million by judging on whats on the ground" how about you cite some facts and figures instead.

"Silanyo did not indicate what economic sectors he wished investors to target" I think its a smart move not to alienate any industries from investing in Somaliland. Instead of targeting just one like the energy sector, looks like Silanyo wants to attract a diverse portfolio of investments.

^^^ That's funny ElPunto, last time I checked the budget of the Somaliland government was more than 2 times larger than Puntland and 9 times larger than the TFG's. If anything PL and everyone else needs to catch up to Somaliland. -Somaliland: $90 million (http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-to-double-revenue-21357) -Puntland: $38.5 million (http://www.somaliaonline.com/community/showthread.php/60553-Puntland-Budget-2012.-38.5-Million) -TFG: $11 million (http://somalitalkradio.com/2010/aug/tfg_report_2009.pdf)

Aaliyyah;794447 wrote: our beautiful blue flag will be raised in all Somalia including your villages. You claim that the entity you support "does not transgress upon anyone" yet you make threats against the people of Somaliland? I didn't know the followers of "Khatumo" spoke in fluent doublespeak.

Of course the state wouldn't openly promote piracy, that would be political suicide. Instead several key figures in the PL admin have their hands in the pirate cookie jar, they both contribute to the problem but also claim to be part of the solution. Actually it reminds me of anti-virus software makers like Norton and McAfee engineering powerful viruses in order to continue profiting off their anti-virus software. The PL admin shamelessly exacerbates the problem to help profit from the solutions which includes support/aid from the international community.

Here you go: "Such concerns are fed by the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia, which suggests that Puntland officials are involved in the piracy business. In fact, piracy leaders are said to move around freely in Puntland’s capital Garowe" http://piracy-studies.org/2010/a-reliable-ally-in-the-fight-against-piracy-introducing-puntland/ http://piracy-studies.org/2010/gunmen-fish-and-puntland-the-professionalization-of-piracy/

Great stuff.

General Duke;793919 wrote: That argument holds no water. Djibouti, Ethiopia and other nations spoke, Somaliland did not speak like Puntland and Galmudug. Remember you were all claiming that this was an opportunity for Siilanyu to speak on behalf of secessionist agenda. Somaliland came to the conference to advance their interests and that's exactly what Silanyo did, • President Silanyo had the opportunity to place on record before world leaders the desire of the Somaliland people to be recognized as an independent state. He called for “an international discussion about the future of Somaliland, launching a process leading to recognition of our state”, adding that “we are convinced that an internationally recognized Somaliland will be even better placed to contribute to a stable and peaceful Somalia.” • The Somaliland President and Foreign Minister Omar had the opportunity to have bilateral meetings in the margins with the Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Denmark, Netherlands and Switzerland. Dr Omar also met US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Johnnie Carson. • At a ceremony on 22 February, President Silanyo launched the Somaliland Development Corporation which will help attract foreign direct investment to Somaliland. If that's putting forward an agenda than I don't know what is.

Carafaat;793803 wrote: Nonsense article. Siilanyo spoke in the closed part of the meeting. Only some leaders sproke during the public opening speech. He did speak in the closed meeting and I'm actually glad he didn't speak in the public portion of the conference. As a separate nation, Somaliland should always remain above the chaotic fray of Somalia. Somaliland was given hundreds of millions of dollars worth of additional and separate aid, circumvented the TFG by signing an international agreement with the Seychelles on piracy and was given a private audience with the David Cameron and the FM William Hague. Seems like it accomplished its goal of asserting it's sovereignty while also increasing its engagement with the international community, Well played.

Che -Guevara;793753 wrote: 6.The Conference recognised the need for the international community to support any dialogue that Somaliland and the TFG or its replacement may agree to establish in order to clarify their future relations. ^ So did 90% of the other attending delegates. What's your point?

I think the concluding statement covered everything we expected and the emphasis as Somaliland as a separate and distinct entity from Somalia will formalize the current political reality and provide an important foundation for future negations with whichever government is in power post-August or even make unilateral independence easier.

Libaax-Sankataabte;793900 wrote: Look at their shoes. Is that what you argument has resorted to? How sad. I know it pains many to see Somaliland given elevated status above the regional leaders but let's not try to make foolish points out of jealously and frustration. Somaliland was given hundreds of millions of dollars worth of additional and separate aid, circumvented the TFG by signing an international agreement with the Seychelles on piracy and was given a private audience with the David Cameron and the FM William Hague. And despite all this some people on this forum try to attempt to disparage Somaliland by making nonsensical points like where people's shoes are.

I got to hand it to the SL community in the UK, they sure are organized and always on message

General Duke;792749 wrote: Siilanyu came to him in London, while he went to meet Sharif in Mogadishu. That is the difference lads... So by your logic when President Abdullah Gul of Turkey visited Cameron in London last November that was a sign that the Brits don't respect him too? http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/nov/21/turkey-recep-tayyip-erdogan Please let's not grasp at straws. The fact that Cameron and Hague both called and sent formal letters to Silanyo trying to convince him to come to London definitely signifies the importance they hold for Somaliland...also the announcement of £105 million of aid to SL and the UK minister for Africa addressing Somaliland's parliament doesn't hurt too

So the Somaliland-haters jump out of the woodwork because the British government wants the AU to deal with the issue before he extends recognition? The fact that Somaliland is entering into the discourse of international diplomacy more often is definitely unsettling for many here. I also find it quite confusing that people like Duke claim that the former Somalia has made a full recovery when it's sovereignty is eroded on a daily basis by the presence of Kenyans, Ethiopians, Ugandans and Burundians. The fact that there is a conference about Somalia isn't something gloat about, it would be like gloating about needing to go into surgery because one is deathly ill, while its good that you are being treated it's nothing to be proud of. On the other hand Somaliland's resilience and prosperity is gaining notoriety with each passing day in the international community.

The problem with federalism is that it emphasizes existing divisions between regions by treating them as distinct entities which essentially lays the foundation for conflict in the future

Call me naive but I'm pretty optimistic about the conference. I think we will see: a) Increased humanitarian/development aid to all regions/governments b) Commitment to helping Somalis to build their capacity to fighting piracy (providing equipment, building more detention centers etc) c) The usual concluding written statement condemning Al Shabab and its benefactors (Afewerki)

I only support the increased presence of amisom troops on the condition that is a clear timetable for the transferal of the command to the TFG once it builds its own capacity. These foreign troops need to be held accountable to some authority and not free to rape or harass the locals

Check out at 0:55 when Sharif is asked by SKY News about Somaliland. I swear he looks so ticked off when he's answering the question even though he has to say positive things about the progress SL has made http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16173095

At the end of the day its about tangible facts on the ground and not pie in the sky proclamations made by people at parties thousands of miles away. Awdal and the vast majority of what is claimed by "Khatumites" is administered and controlled by Somaliland, and that is the cold hard truth. Awdal is is fully integrated into SL society at the political, social and economic levels and relies on the services provided by the state (education, health, infrastructure and police) and also had the highest voter turnout in the last election. The same goes for the majority of Sanag ans Sool.

So who actually controls Galkacyo? PL? Galmudug? or West Puntland state? Having trouble keeping track

Not really surprised. Why would it support the conference when it knows it's going to end with a statement by all attendees that condemns Eritrea's support for Al-Shabab. The North Korea of Africa has little sway outside it's borders.

Sad. So much potential but its squandered due to likes of Guelle. If proper governance and management were put in place I could see it becoming the Singapore of Africa