Why would these businessmen move to another African country when the SAME problems can occur in those countries as well? You can't predict the future. Uganda isn't exactly a Paradise, so wouldn't it be better to invest in at least the peaceful areas of Somalia? Such as Puntland, Somaliland, etc. A land where you know you won't be deported

Lool why doesn't this guy just take the hint, and retire? If there's ever a reason why this man should step down from politics, this is the reason. Iska seexo, buy a home near the beach, and drink some fruity drinks ....Why involve yourself in politics if you're clearly not wanted or needed?

Mooge, destroying the livelihood of millions of Somalis through inflation is something I'd expect from some of these criminals in Somalia's Federal Government. In fact, every government in the world is guilty of this. The American dollar lost 98% of it's value since 1913 because of the Federal Reserve Bank and it's criminal policies. So I don't think Qoslaye and his crew would be any different. Mooge, I would prefer that the Somali currency be backed by gold, but I'm not sure how realistic that would be. And every single country in the world uses paper currency, including the US Dollar and the Euro and the British Pound. So I'm not sure why the Somali Shilling would be an exception here. I don't know why these politicians don't just overhaul the entire system and start from scratch?? Create a new currency in Somalia. Make the exchange rate, 1 US Dollar= 50 Somali shillings. And then start paying Somali civil servants with that cash. We need to get rid of the old useless Somali shilling. If this government is doing that, then I support it. But if this is just another money-making scheme, then may Allah give these criminals what they deserve.

The way I understand this article: Somalia's Federal Government is going to replace the old currency with new currency notes? With new denominations? Instead of the useless 1000 shilling notes, will Somalia finally have currency denominations like 1 shillings, 10 shillings, 50 shillings, etc. I totally welcome such a development

CidanSultan, you can go on and on about how you dislike the Alawites. It doesn't change anything since we agree with you anyways. The Alawites are not Muslims, they worship Ali and consider Ali to be God....and are thus clearly committing Shirk. We all know that And no one is disputing that Assad's forces and Shia Militias are responsible for unspeakable crimes in Syria. We all know that. But two wrongs don't make a right. The Al Nusra front in Syria has outright condemned ISIS, and so have numerous Islamic scholars and teachers. Just because they SAY they're for Islamic Justice doesn't mean it's true. Al Shabab and Boko Haram say the same thing, but we all know what they're truly like. And ISIS is worse than even Al Shabab, and that's saying a lot. Extremists exist on both sides, so I'd expect you to adopt the middle path and approach this issue with a moderate stance. We all welcome Islamic Justice and Shariah, but we shouldn't trust a group like ISIS to deliver this to us. They've already shown their true colors

Homunculus I agree. Just because they SAY they're for Islamic Shariah and for universal justice for ALL people....doesn't make it true. Actions speak louder than words Their actions in Syria and Iraq speak for themselves. They've tortured, beheaded and oppressed innocent people and this is from the personal testimony of people who've dealt with ISIS first-hand. These people are no-good. They are thugs wearing imamahs and toting AK-47 rifles. Even Al Qaeda cut links with ISIS. Doesn't that say alot? They're too extreme even for Al Qaeda

It looks like Iraq and Syria will fall apart, and this chaos can even spread to Lebanon and Jordan. None of these countries are genuine nation-states. So all of the political fault-lines are coming to play here, and it's an ugly sight to see. Egypt, Turkey and Iran will avoid this chaos because these 3 countries are all genuine nation-states and are largely stable. Even Egypt, at the height of it's chaos last year, was nowhere NEAR as bad as Iraq is right now.

The PM of Iraq, Nouri Al Maliki is to blame for this. He is a complete fool who alienated the Sunnis in his country, and he gave all the government posts and power to the Shias. He suppressed the Sunnis, and now this is coming back to bite him in the ass. Many of those SAME Sunnis he suppressed have allied with ISIS and are now fighting against the Iraqi Government UNBELIEVABLE incompetence. This is disgraceful.

That's definitely true Dr Osman. We Somalis are attempting to rebuild our nation using European-style modes of governance...which would NOT work for us at all. Siad-Barre style Russian Communism has proven to be a failure, while American-style Secular Democracy has also proven to be a failure. We need our own systems of governance, one that reflects our own culture, and I strongly agree with you that a loose system of Federal States is the best way to reach this objective. Notice what Friedman wrote here: What will happen, in due course, is that Africa will sort itself out into a small number of major powers and a large number of lesser ones. These will provide the framework for economic development and, over generations, create nations that might become global powers, but not at a pace that affects the next decade. T he emergence of one nation-state that could introduce a native imperialism to Africa could speed up the process, but all the candidates for imperial power are so internally divided that it is hard to imagine a rapid evolution. Somalia has an advantage over Congo, Nigeria, Uganda and other African countries. We share a language, a common ethnicity, and a similar culture. If we could get all clans to cooperate (however far-fetched this might sound right now), then Somalia could be a strong, stable AFRICAN nation-state....and then Somalia could lead the charge to introduce a native Somali-style imperialism to Africa and could help assist in sorting out the internal problems of all these other African States. We could be a role model for the rest of the continent. But these petty troublemakers who are in power right now don't have the vision or the will to help make this happen Somalia could be the gateway into Africa, and Somalia can also play a huge role in spreading Islam throughout the continent and helping to stabilize these African countries. In a couple of generations, Africa could see a major shift in the way it does things, and Somalia could lead the way here. We have an ENORMOUS advantage, and it's frustrating as to why we don't use it The only way out of chaos is power, and effective power must be located in a state that derives from and controls a coherent nation.

The Somali Nation hasn't grown organically yet. The concept of nationhood doesn't exist, and sure there might be some Somalis who wave the Blue Flag, but actual Nationalists are in short-supply in our community Remember, Germany used to be a land of disparate kingdoms and cities, all of them hostile to each other, but they spoke 1 common language. Over time, and with the help of Bismark, Germany was unified into 1 country in 1871 and the rest was history. They became a powerful nation overnight. And it's due to a lack of political maturity. We've developed slower than the Europeans did, but after some time and after enduring some growing pains, I could be optimistic that Africa will be stabilized within several generations, but it'll be slow, painful process.

<cite> @CidanSultan said:</cite> Salax let's not get petty Saxib. I know the truth hurts but it has to be said. Somaliland and clan bull doesn't mix I'm giving you a taste I your own medicine. For soar losers salax my clansmen have achieved more then your entire people put together Saxib. Historically like I said to you before we are te sultans of duriyada unchallenged. It is we who signed every treaty that brought somaliland into existence, the British gave us te letters for independence. We are the only people unjustly in my view to have had an exclusive political party. The two richest somali men alive Ina Aideed estimated at 1.3 billion by the economist and Ina afdinle the second richest man to boast. Hargaisa is our town remember that it was sultan Dirie the duriyada sultan who welcome your people into the city and all others. What can you boast about ? You breed and take on 6 wives in your lifetime give me a break Saxib . Only your brother will be honost with you. Take my critism and stop moaning. You would rather see somaliland burn then have east burco that's how mentally retar!& your people are Look at what I bolded Cidan and yet you want to share a country with him. Yet you spew this blatant clan-hatred on this forum, and you call them your country-men Wallahi you are a Troll to the worst degree, I've never seen anyone with the amount of hatred and clan supremacy that you have. Why don't you just admit it? And tell everyone on this forum that you don't really believe in the Somaliland Project. You'd just rather have your clansmen form their own exclusive nation, free from the so-called "undesirables".

This author is basically saying, that the reason why there's so much instability and chaos in parts of Africa, is due to the existence of artificial states that should never have existed. European colonial boundaries have resulted in multiple hostile tribes sharing the same nation, and this is obviously going to result in civil war and instability. Somalia, ironically, is in a unique position because we share a common language, religion and culture. But we haven't been able to grow past our tribe identities and form a genuine nation. Another irony is that while Africans have an intense sense of community—which the West often denigrates as merely tribal or clan-based—their sense of a shared fate has never extended to larger aggregations of fellow citizens. This is because the state has not grown organically out of the nation. Instead, the arrangements instituted by Arab and European imperialism have left the continent in chaos.

This is a very interesting excerpt from a book by a US Policymaker, who describes Africa's deep-rooted issues and makes a prediction as to what will happen in Africa over the next century. His name is George Friedman, and he's the founder of Stratfor, a private intelligence group: A similar irony surrounds what is probably the least meaningful way of trying to make sense of Africa, which is in terms of contemporary borders. Many of these are also holdovers representing the divisions among European empires that have retreated, leaving behind their administrative boundaries. The real African dynamic begins to emerge when we consider that these boundaries not only define states that try to preside over multiple and hostile nations contained within, but often divide nations between two contemporary countries. Thus, while there may be African states, there are—North Africa aside—few nation-states. Nigeria, for instance, ought to be the major regional power, since it is also a major oil exporter and therefore has the revenues to build power. But for Nigeria the very existence of oil has generated constant internal conflict; The wealth does not go to a central infrastructure of state and businesses but is diverted and dissipated by parochial rivalries. Rather than serving as the foundation of national unity, oil wealth has merely financed chaos based on the cultural, religious, and ethnic differences among Nigeria’s people. This makes Nigeria a state without a nation. To be more precise, it is a state presiding over multiple hostile nations, some of which are divided by state borders. In the same way, the population groupings within Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya are divided, rather than united, by the national identities assigned to them. At times wars have created uneasy states, as in Angola, but long-term stability is hard to find throughout. Only in Egypt do the nation and the state coincide, which is why from time to time Egypt becomes a major power. But the dynamic of North Africa, which is predominantly a part of the Mediterranean basin, is very different from that of the rest of the continent. Thus when I use the term Africa from now on, I exclude North Africa, which has been dealt with in an earlier chapter. Another irony is that while Africans have an intense sense of community—which the West often denigrates as merely tribal or clan-based—their sense of a shared fate has never extended to larger aggregations of fellow citizens. This is because the state has not grown organically out of the nation. Instead, the arrangements instituted by Arab and European imperialism have left the continent in chaos. The only way out of chaos is power, and effective power must be located in a state that derives from and controls a coherent nation. This does not mean that there can’t be multinational states, such as Russia, or even states representing only part of a nation, such as the two Koreas. But it does mean that the state has to preside over people with a genuine sense of shared identity and mutual interest. There are three possible outcomes worth considering for Africa. The first is the current path of global charity, but the system of international aid that now dominates so much of African public life cannot possibly have any lasting impact, because it does not address the fundamental problem of the irrationality of African borders. At best it can ameliorate some local problems. At worst it can become a system that enhances corruption among both recipients and donors. The latter is more frequently the case, and truth be known, few donors really believe that the aid they provide solves the problems. The second path is the reappearance of a foreign imperialism that will create some foundation for stable life, but this is not likely. The reason that both the Arab and the European imperial phases ended as readily as they did was that even though there were profits to be made in Africa, the cost was high. Africa’s economic output is primarily in raw materials, and there are simpler ways to obtain these commodities than by sending in military forces and colonial administrators. Corporations making deals with existing governments or warlords can get the job done much more cheaply without taking on the responsibility of governing. Today’s corporate imperialism allows foreign powers to go in, take what they want at the lowest possible cost, and leave when they are done. The third and most likely path is several generations of warfare, out of which will grow a continent where nations are forged into states with legitimacy. As harsh as it may sound, nations are born in conflict, and it is through the experience of war that people gain a sense of shared fate. This is true not only in the founding of a nation but over the course of a nation’s history. The United States, Germany, or Saudi Arabia are all nations that were forged in the battles that gave rise to them. War is not sufficient, but the tragedy of the human condition is that the thing that makes us most human—community—originates in the inhumanity of war. Africa’s wars cannot be prevented, and they would happen even if there had never been foreign imperialism. Indeed, they were being fought when imperialism interrupted them. Nation-building does not take place at World Bank meetings or during the building of schools by foreign military engineers, because actual nations are built in blood. The map of Africa must be redrawn, but not by a committee of thoughtful and helpful people sitting in a conference room. What will happen, in due course, is that Africa will sort itself out into a small number of major powers and a large number of lesser ones. These will provide the framework for economic development and, over generations, create nations that might become global powers, but not at a pace that affects the next decade. The emergence of one nation-state that could introduce a native imperialism to Africa could speed up the process, but all the candidates for imperial power are so internally divided that it is hard to imagine a rapid evolution. Of all of them, South Africa is most interesting, as it combines European expertise with an African political structure. It is the most capable of Africa’s countries. But that very fact leaves it with divisions that make its emergence as a regional power harder to imagine with each passing year.

Face it Xaaji, if your SNM Militia really was a sovereign country as you claim, then Faroole's incursion into Taleex in 2013 would have been an open declaration of war. You don't control Taleex, and parts of eastern "Somaliland" at all. And you're struggling to maintain social cohesion in the areas you DO control. Just look at how certain sub-clans are vying to place "their boy" in power in Hargeisa. Somaliland suffers from many of the same problems that Somalia does. But I'll give credit where credit is due, and say that their problems aren't as magnified as Somalia's problems. Congratulations on maintaining some semblance of peace in your land. But that doesn't mean you're a real nation.

They're at the gates of Taleex again? That would imply that the Somaliland forces withdrew from Taleex and didn't have effective control over that town Face it Xaaji, your Somaliland militia doesn't fully control it's own "borders". They lay claim to it, but they have no effective control over it. But sure, they might have control over Berbera and Hargeisa and a few tuulos in Waqooyi. What kind of government doesn't have control over it's own territory? And you want to lecture the Koonfurians of being unable to control their land. Get over yourself saaxib.

Dr Osman, but if Hassan Sheikh is forced to resign, wouldn't he just be replaced by one of his DamulJadid cronies or someone who thinks like them? Wouldn't this poisonous cycle just continue? Remember how 2 years ago, all of us on this forum had a low opinion of Sheikh Shariif? Don't you think it'll be repeated again under a new President? I think the new President of Somalia should come from a different region, to be honest with you. Maybe someone from Jubbaland or SSC or Puntland

The Gulf Arabs (who ironically supported him in 2012) and the Turks already know what a disaster this man is. The International Community right now is just biding their time, waiting until 2016 when this man is forced to step down from office. He's just not a very intelligent man, and his constant blunders prove that. I would say at least half of the SOL Members here have greater clarity and insight on Somalia and it's deep-rooted issues than Qoslaaye ever would. He's a fatal combination of being insincere and incompetent at the same time. If he was simply incompetent, then that's one thing. But the fact that he's also insincere ADDS to the problem

LOL Very few men are built to handle 2 wives or 3 wives The vast majority of men aren't suited to handle this situation, and they shouldn't approach polygamy at all. Because they'll only do injustice to their wives if they marry a 2nd or 3rd woman just for the sake of it

Galbeedi, well I'm dragging my feet due to financial constraints. As soon as I'm able to afford it, then I'll definitely be looking forward to tying the knot inshaAllah. But there are plenty of young men who aren't going to be marrying anyone until they're at least 30 years old. They want the free life, the stress-free life, the no-children life. And there are plenty of Somali girls, who have started to show interest towards Ajnaabis, especially White Reverts. And I initially thought it was a London-only phenomenon, but it's grown MORE common in the last 5 years. Maybe it's a response to the lack of eligible bachelors in the Somali community. Maybe the girls simply have different preferences. But it exists, and it's growing

Why does Somaliland need such a vast building housing a Ministry of Aviation and Air Transport? Seems like such a waste! Somaliland doesn't need Big Government Bureaucracy. They need private sector investment and jobs with a small-sized Government. Big Government chokes economic growth, it results in all this red tape and it leaves the country worse off. Somaliland can't afford to walk such a path. They should look at what the terrible effects of Big Government in countries around the world.

LOL I'm technically single, but I already know who I want to marry. I've been talking to her for a few years now. But I'm in my early 20's, she's the same age as me. And this young lady is 100% interested in marrying me, and she's said so on a number of occasions. And I feel the exact same way Both of our parents know about this "relationship", but we haven't yet set a date on a future engagement

Dr Osman, if you're going to promote Unity amongst Somalis, then maybe you shouldn't talk like that. I don't see Texans bragging about how much oil-wealth and how much prosperity exists in their State, compared to Arkansas or Mississippi. It sounds ridiculous If we're countrymen, we have to behave like countrymen towards one another and stop with this patronizing attitude.

Miyir, if you want to avoid Kenya due to their human rights abuses against Somalis, wouldn't you prefer to avoid Ethiopia even more than avoiding Kenya? We don't even need to get into how Ethiopia abuses, kills, deports, imprisons and maims Somalis. Not to mention the destabilizing effect they have on Somalia. If you're not appreciated in Kenya, then believe me you're even worse off in Ethiopia. I'm not a fan of the Kenyans either, but Ethiopians take it to a whole new level

Smartlander I missed you How come you're so smart? I mean, look at you....dictating Somaliland's public policy and sitting in the Presidential Office in Hargeisa. How much do you get paid to be the spokesman for Siilanyo's regime?? Hahaha

<cite> @galbeedi said:</cite> Ciidansuldaan, you raised some valid points on the issue of Awdal and her progress. I may raise hell for Awdal share of the pie and so on, but I have never ever hated or wished the demise of my neighbors. I know we have a same destiny. If Hargeisa blows up, it will effect us immediately. I disagree with you on the issue of the Center Community, I really do not fear their power. I may even say that Somaliland may not be even possible without us Awdalite. We belong together and we share a destiny of peace and progress. Another valid point is Awdal, and what did it gain from Koonfur?, Nothing. Every thing that is their is built by the people or through Somali land system. The police station, the hospital, the amoud secondary and all public offices are those left by the British. I could not find one single functioning building built by the Somali state. The people are larger than the politician as you said. I respect your love and care you have for Somaliland and it's people. Your principle is admired by many. As our friend Xaaji said, I am those who dream that greatness which slipped away from us. That blue flag and the concept of a free independent Somalia in the horn is ingrained in my blood. I tried many times, just like Prof. Samater and others to forget Somalia and pack my bags. It is an age old idea can't erased by war, dictatorship or the dysfunction of the southern politician. It was the taxes fro the lady selling fruit in Arabsiyo , Hiiraan and afgooye that made me a productive citizen. I want to give back both to Somaliland which is my roots and the larger Somali in the horn. I asked once a well respected author, nationalist and philosopher Dr Omar Raabe , May Allah have mercy in his soul, why the world especially the neighboring countries do not recognize Somaliland ?. He said, they won't. I said why?, he said " Soomaalidu fadhiid ma ahan, Soomaaliland taa hadii la aqoonsado, beri waxaad arki iyada lafteeda ayaa libaax weyn noqon ooo toban jeer ka awood badnaan Djibouti iyo kuwan deriska ah". He said, Somaliland may even help and lift other Somalis and build greater Somalia. That is why they will not allow a stable Somali territory. So while we nurture what we have we must no for get what we could be if we are united and strong. I live in continental country with three time zones. I share the country with jews, christens , Hindus, black , white and yellow, and others, yet I am doing okay. I can't abandon that great Somalia which includes Somaliland , which is in my mind. The Awdal and local tribal issue are almost nothing in my mind. yet I want to contribute positively and encourage the peace and the progress of Somaliland. Some times I even think " Soomaalida la sheegayoba in ay Somaliland thay ". Look at the traditional songs, history and culture. I can't leave the nation and the identity t of the Somali people to corrupt southerners politicians, . I will take the country back from them. We will take the power and restore that great dream of powerful Somalia, feared by it's enemies and admired by it's friends. It is tough call, but they " geesigu wuu raacda dheer yahay, marka uu baaduda luntay doono, ama neefkii oo dhintay ayuu keenaa oo raqda ayuu soo kor joogsadaa ama ma soo noqdo. In order to reach that goal maybe i Should comment less these " isjiid jiid issue of the local politics and concentrate the big picture. Thanks for your concern. That was great. That was amazing. Good call, too many people are focused on small petty issues and forget about the big picture. People are thinking in terms of mere weeks/months. While you are thinking in terms of decades. These developments will continue long after we're dead, so we Somalis have to plant the seeds today so that our future grandchildren could benefit from it. If Somaliland is recognized as an independent country today, I would hope that this has a positive effect on all Somalis in the Horn of Africa, and could be the first step towards a healthy Greater Somalia