Don't fall for the hype. African economies were growing at a rapid pace in the early 1970's as well, but we all know how that turned out. I don't see African states coalescing into major world powers anytime within the next few decades. Africa has deep divisions which will take generations to sort out. I mean, just look at Somalia, a homogeneous nation with the same language, culture, and religion and yet we're still incapable of governing ourselves. Look at Kenya; every election year the country is plagued with inter-tribal warfare. Even major African "powers" such as Nigeria are inherently unstable. All of the economic growth in the world can't solve the fact that the countries that form Africa aren't really "nations", but just artificial entities drawn up by colonial powers. As a result, you have different tribes--often opposed to each other--sharing the same country. The only real nation-states in Africa I can think of are Egypt and Botswana

I think he's referring to those Muslims you see at the Mosque, who pray 5 times a day and perform all the religious obligations yet at the same time have an aura of malice and anger towards them. They are the brothers who would raise their voices and get threatening towards you if you disagree with them on the most trivial issues. For example, once I was wearing a suit and tie, and a Brother approached me in a threatening manner, telling me how the suit and tie is imitating the Kaffirs. He was going on and on for almost half an hour, and the entire time he had a threatening posture, so if I dared say anything that would disagree with him, he might get violent. Or those Duksi Teachers who viciously beat their students if they get the slightest Ayah wrong when reciting the Quran. Or those Religious men who force their daughters to marry men who their daughters don't like. Or those religious men who don't treat Christians, Jews and Hindus with courtesy and respect....but instead rant on what terrible people Non-Muslims are. Or those religious men who are against trivial pursuits such as watching soccer games or going skiing. I've met Non-Muslims who were some of the most courteous and respectful human beings I know. And I've also met Muslims who were malicious and generally unpleasant people to be around. And I've noticed that some of the Somali brothers who used to be drug addicts and convicts---when they start to practice the Deen more---still haven't let go of their destructive mentality. They don't have Rahma in their hearts. They may be practicing the Deen but I can't say they are good people. I could go on and on for hours about these men. But I think this is sufficient

I'm sure you're capable of finding a spouse in any of the other 7 planets....

Xaaji Xunjuf;916041 wrote: Somalis lack nation identity they are collective tribes who speak the same language same culture same religion but those factors are not helping them to form a modern republic. Somalis need to transform as people mentally socially, i will give you an example Somali statehood symbol was maandeeq a female camel, it shows that Somalis can only agree on the way of the camel. But now they have a problem milking the camel every single community tribe is trying to milk maandeeq in his favor eventually they killed maandeeq. I dont think its bad leadership its the people. When you read this, I immediately thought about the thread I posted a few months ago, regarding Somalia's deep-rooted issues and an effective way to solve them. I think I'm gonna have to agree with you that our people are corrupt, and we need a major transformation if we ever want to succeed. http://www.somaliaonline.com/community/showthread.php/68147-The-deep-rooted-problems-within-Somali-society. My position hasn't changed in the last 6 months. I don't see a stable and prosperous Somalia on the horizon. We need some MAJOR work

Nice Parliament! This is a great building where Somalia's leaders can gather and discuss which Qabiil is better than the other, and where each Politician can compete for who can steal the most government money

Faroole should resign and self-deport himself back to Australia. He's too incompetent to be a part of Somalia's politics

Xaaji Xunjuf;916028 wrote: Tribal identity is much more stronger than National identity i said it before Somalis were never meant to be a nation. So perhaps you're suggesting that Somalis can function better as a society if we were a part of a larger Confederated Ethiopia, similar to the Oromos? Or perhaps Somalia is cursed with poor leadership, and that's what's holding us back as a people

How do you deport someone from one part of Somalia to another part of Somalia? This is a disgrace. Faroole is a disgusting individual and he HAS to go

We are far behind almost every country in Africa in almost every category imaginable. So no, we're not blessed. But do we have potential? Of course we do. But one has to look at the crime rates of the Somalis living in London, Toronto, Minnesota and Edmonton to realize that there is something seriously wrong with the Somali people. Our troubles are chasing us even into foreign countries. It's a disgrace

I'm sure the various provinces of China should also secede from China and declare "independence" after the atrocities committed by Chairman Mao Zedong and his regime in the 1970's. The people of Somaliland seem to forget that Siad Barre was a dictator. He killed and tortured thousands of members of Abdullahi Yusuf's clan but you don't see them renouncing their connection to the Somali Republic.

Xaaji Xunjuf;910094 wrote: Doctor but still Somalia will basically survive and wont lose a big territory its not desperate in need of Somaliland in order to continue as a strong state. I also do not agree with you're assessment that Puntland has secessionist tendencies they never did they are more concerned about their federalism and to gain seats in the govt in Mogadishu. Doctor Puntlanders are very ambitious by nature and want always to be the leaders, so PL secession is meaningless. What about the gains though Somalia will have less people to share resources with it will have less dissatisfied citizens because unity with Somalia is like a prison for Somalilanders. I think the vast majority of Somalia's resources are in the south basically Somalia will not lose oil fields and fertile land like Sudan did. I have always said the Somaliand and Somalia case is the easiest to solve in Africa if we ignore the emotions on both sides. Its been 22 years now its either come to a solution or well the statusquo we are independent and we will not rest till we have a homeland for our people. And Mogadishu will say no you cannot leave and you will have action reaction. And before you know it the people in both SL and Somalia will be exhausted and have ill feeling towards each other why go that route. No one has a real solution i suggest to dissolve the union officially and set up an agreement economic integration movement of people and in the year 2113 re negotiate a confederacy system i think that can bring a solution to both Somaliland and Somalia. The animosity Somalilanders have towards Somalia is alarming. I've spoken to dozens of people from "Somaliland" and I've heard countless rants from them about how "barbaric" Somalia is. And I understand that forcing Somaliland into a Union will cause further animosity between us as a people. They can't stand us, and it's sad to see that. But what would you do? Think about the repercussions if Somaliland was given independence. What's stopping the people of Awdal, or the people of Sanaag from "seceding" from Somaliland and re-joining Somalia proper? Wouldn't you think that creating a framework with a decentralized Federal government to be the best solution to this issue? This would at least create some sort of compromise where Somalia stays united but the people of each region can run their own affairs and establish their own regional government.

Xaaji Xunjuf;910084 wrote: Many countries made unions all over the world that doesn't mean they are attached for ever legally Somaliland has the best case in Africa politically we yet have to see. Somaliland is not a secessionist case. If the tables were turned and it was Somalia that refused the union and Somaliland was the one calling for union. Somalia would not be a secessionist entity because the two united equally voluntarily. By the way we cant say it became a little inconvenient its not the right term to use its a bit more difficult than that. Do you know there was a bloody war do you know there was a Coup d'état 1961 in Somaliland. The difference between texas and Somaliland is that Somaliland and Somalia united equally it didn't join Somalia it united on equal terms and signed an act of union.The name we agreed on was the Somali republic not Somalia in Afsomali Jamhuuriyada Somalida. My question to you is what will Somalia lose if Somaliland is recognized politically economically socially? What will Somalia lose? Well for one, we will lose 1/3rd of our population/resources/territory, as well as dividing Somalis even further, when we need unity more than ever. And it will open the way for further secessionist activities. It will set a dangerous precedent. If Somaliland is recognized, you don't think that one day, Puntland "citizens" might be upset with the government in Mogadishu,and then decide to entertain secessionists who would like nothing more than to see Somalia split up into multiple mini nation-states? Perhaps the people of Awdal might want to form their own independent state. Strength lies in unity. Somalis are already divided when colonial borders were set up between the NFD and the Somali Region of Western Ethiopia. Why would we want to create further division by promoting the secessionist agenda of the Hargeisa government? As I said before, this "secession" is nothing more than Somalis running away from their problems instead of facing them like men.

Xaaji Xunjuf;910075 wrote: But what is the territorial integrity of Somalia raskambooni to raas caseer as many of the Koonfurians proudly say when they describe their Somalia geographically.The people of Somaliland and Somalia created a union about 52 years ago both of these countries could have gone their separate ways. But they didn't, Nugaal is not the same as Somaliland. Somaliland made a union with Somalia an act of union was signed some say it was never ratified but lets not go into that there was a union and that union failed because one side said they are no longer part of the union now there were many factors that played a role why the union failed i dont wanna go into that. But the moment you acknowledge that Somaliland was not an entity of Somalia is the day we could come to a solution. Somaliland and Somalia united on first of July 1960 as equals not one dominating the other. And when both Somaliland and Somalia talk about their past and how it went wrong only than a tangible solution can be reached. In 1845, the Republic of Texas voluntarily relinquished their sovereignty and joined the United States of America. Using this logic, if the Texans wish to secede from the USA, should they be allowed to do so, especially considering that Texas was an independent Nation at one point in time? Once you join a nation, that can't be undone. You can't join the Somali Republic and then leave as soon as it becomes inconvenient for you. Think about how childish this sounds

Xaaji Xunjuf;910063 wrote: Well we can give an opinion on that if the people of gedo and Nugaal are calling for secession so far we haven't seen any. In Kenya the Mombasa case want secession we can than discuss if its legitimate or not. By the way i believe in the unity of the United states of America, ,Americas diversity is where its strength lies every one adds a cultural aspect to the American society which makes it beautiful. Unity justice and equality for all. Well obviously my question is hypothetical. One of the key aspects in creating policy is dealing with hypothetical situations. If the people of Gedo region wish to form their own independent mini-state, do you think it should happen? Do you realize the implications which could result if "Somaliland" is given independence? I think this whole secessionist logic is nothing more than Somalis running away from their problems and not coming together to figuring out common solutions. Within Somaliland itself, you have large groups of people openly opposing the secessionist agenda, so where should the line be drawn? When is it acceptable for a nation to be splintered just because some of the people don't want to be a part of the Union? And if you support the territorial integrity of the USA, then why wouldn't you support the territorial integrity of Somalia?

Xaaji Xunjuf;910011 wrote: Oodweyne whats the alternative though lets say we stop all these talks with Somalia than what we all know with the AU and IGAD Somaliland will not make any progress during the rayaale regime they did what they could. Somalilands destiny is in the hands of its people Mogadishu will not dictate or say what Somaliland will do or can do. I just think that the Somaliland elites as you put it work out some sort of exit strategy along with this lose union if it helps Somalia safe face along the line. Xaaji, would you support the "self-determination" of the people of Nugaal province or Gedo province or Mudug province to secede from the Federal Republic of Somalia? Would you support the "self-determination" of the people of Alabama or California or Illinois to secede from the United States of America? And if not, why not?

Jacpher;909288 wrote: I know this is off-topic, but allow me to point out how authoritative and commanding Barack Obama looks here. He looks like a serious Alpha-Male type Leader who is patiently listening to whatever the Somali President has to say. Obama is a boss

It would be a good idea in theory, but could you imagine Hassan Sheikh standing in front of the camera.....with absolutely nothing to say? Like think about it, what does this guy even accomplish in 3 months, forget 1 month.

I knew this girl that was exactly like that. She was like 6 years older than me and she wouldn't stop trying to contact me. Naturally, I ran away from her and I blocked her number If this woman is emotionally stable, then I say go for it.

What a creep. Sounds like she's desperate to get married to you

It doesn't have anything to do with DNA, since when did anyone infer that? It has to do with culture, especially with so many Black Chicagoans who have a violent gang-mentality. You have these 17 year old kids bragging about how many people they've killed. This seriously needs to be addressed A bad system will destroy a good person 100% of the time

^^But the question is, Chicago might have had more homicides had they not had Gun-Control. But the thing, we would never know for sure. It's all speculation But we do know that these kids are unimaginably corrupt

I think it has to do with the culture popular amongst Chicago Youth. Listen to the type of music these kids listen to; bragging about killing people and robbing people....So even if there's a gun-ban in Illinois, it'll still have a high murder-rate.

Chief Keef was flown out of Chicago because he has a multi-million dollar record deal and thus he's an asset to the Record Company. They don't wanna risk him being killed. But either way, this video was filmed in Chicago. This type of music is popular in Chicago, and these are the kids who are dying in Chicago. This is the violent culture these kids glorify. And I don't mind that Chicago is a segregated city. Would YOU wanna live beside these violent sociopaths? There's no LEGAL barriers for a well-off Black Man to move into a predominantly white neighborhood. If he has the money, he can buy the house.

And you see this type of violence glorified in the various Rap-Music videos posted by Chicago Youth. Just look at this music video. I know it's disturbing but it provides a detailed insight into the mentality of these youth: One of the most disturbing videos I've ever seen. These kids are all like 16 years old! THESE are the kids who are killing, and dying on Chicago streets in record numbers.

Baashi;899782 wrote: I don't know where to point my finger at -- mental illness or the right to own guns. I am inclined to lay the blame at the feet of mental illness. The event is very tragic and beyond comprehension. There are 312 million Americans saaxib. Of course some of them are gonna be unstable. The problem is why are American citizens given access to such potentially destructive weapons? There is no logical reason why assault rifles should be legalized. And when people mention the "Founding Fathers" (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson) giving Americans the right to bear arms, people conveniently ignore that assault rifles weren't even invented at that time, so their point is irrelevant.