Fair question! I’m not subject matter expert on the issue nevertheless, as shrewd observer looking events from a distant, I will give it a try. In my humble opinion there are three major obstacles that are preventing the transition to post-conflict Somalia. 1. Unresolved disputes between major stakeholders (diverse interest groups) in the southern Somalia that once existed -- unaddressed past grievances, displaced landowners (urbanites) and former rulers competing against new settlers occupying valuable real estates, unjust institutionalized tribal power-sharing scheme vs. ad-hoc but powerful Islamic courts vying for political supremacy, fiefdom feudal-like federalism based on clannish construct without institutional backing of established central political institutions. 2. Too much foreign interferences in the internal Somali political process -- Ethiopia et al. 3. Weakened traditional institutions -- don't have institutional capacity, credibility, and loyalty to manage or mediate disputes anymore. Former civil servants, military personnel with name recognition coupled with greedy business elites with enough cash to mobilize both men and resources defying and most cases overruling traditional elders and hence weakening the institution without finding credible and practical replacement. Very complicated and extremely difficult set of problems that trascend social, religious, economical, and political spheres.

Last night's CNN debate was one of a kind! Hillary threw some powerful punches @ her rival. Edwards was articulate and to the point as always. And my man Obama swung back but he did it with civility not to mention he showed that he got sense of humor. Obama won the debate.

^Agreed. Not the best but pretty balanced and objective venue for partisan of all walks of Somalia's political persuasions. Big time heavy hitters lokc horns there. Next time folks need to add highly regarded nomad mouthpiece newspapers such as Waxa La Yirri and Waa Siday Tahay in the mix. When the two go double team tackle they cover the whole nine yard

Let us know what you make of the issue of privacy and the larger point of socializing with icons on the wild wide web.

No pregnant words there. Just another version of popular motto at Waa Siday Tahay media desk. Awoowe we call things by their right names. If its is spade WST doesn not shy away calling spade a spade.

Sherrif is a good man. He seems to understand how politics operate. He understands that in national politics leaders must seek the support of all constituents. He understands that good leaders are to look around the corners, take centrist position, educate public about issues, utilize media for good use, etc. This man, along with Adow, tried their best to hold onto their newly found position in Southern theatre, give TFG a conditional recognition, and cement Islamists political victory by accommodating other interest groups' interests without compromising their principles. I really like these two individuals.

^The politics is for heavy hitters. I suggest you to seek company with naago-shaneeye crowd down under -- ya know where Not that we don't mind having dhuubo in our midst It is just awoowe thinks that you do more good sticking to marwo you really are than shouting and shreaking in fadhi-ku-dirrir world. Bun intended Blue-Brown-Red-Pink Faarax what's it that got stuck in your throat ?

This PM walks and talks as a placeholder. No new strategy is forthcoming. Does not know or say when or under what condition would the invading Ethiopians tanks leave. He seems to be counting on the military muscle of Addis as the ultimate solution to the Somali crisis -- tame them policy approach. In short, the man is not independent enough to change the equation.

Tomorrow night @ PBS -- in the states that is. FRONTLINE Pretty informative.

Juje awoowe civil wars are won outright or ended through negotiation. In any rate, you are missing the point. Hang in there though. I wanna deal with the Kelligii-Muslim Green Beret -- again! Rationalizing the crimes committed by an invading army is one thing, making the case for reconciling the warring faction as a means to end the invasion, transition to the post conflict Somalia, and bring closure to the animosity between warring groups is another thing altogether. There is a clear distinction here between the two. Kelligii-Muslim cyber Green Beret seems to be doing his utmost to confuse the two. We’ve been through this before. I made it clear that the dirrin position does not entail supporting TFG, justifying civilian deaths at the hands of TFG militia, or rationalizing Ethiopian occupation. No. Nothing is further from the truth. Somalia is in a conflict with itself. Addis junta dominated by Tigre is exploiting the conflict. Unless and until Somalis find a just solution to their political differences the losing party (either in the battle ground or political front) will look for sponsorship in Addis in order to make a come back of sort. In fact that was one of the reasons this conflict lasted this long. At one point Aideed won the contest in the Southern theatre yet both Nairobi and Addis backed Morgan. RRA is another example. Half of the warlords that originated from Mogadishu went to Addis and pleaded for help. Insurgency, resistance, and what have you are all fine. More power to them. The problem is they are not effective. The tactic employed does more harm to the residents than to the targeted enemy. Above all if the insurgency has no grass root support from cross section of the community on whom behalf they wage the war the chances are they will lose. Now absent of strong and popular resistance that transcends clan and region, one would conclude that the best way forward is to negotiate -- in good faith. Looks like Kashafa is equating negotiation to surrender. He seems to oppose utilizing our faculty in weighing our options in order to make a rational choice. His approach seems to be limited to a war he has no way of winning.

Northerner is known commodity. He is not ready for muran on that topic. He opposes dirrin process and nomads who take that position but he can not articulate why.

The author has a point. His point is 1) Addis junta has a vested interest in weakening post-conflict Somalia’s position in the region. 2) Somali political warlords, admin leaders, and what have you, are in collusion with Addis’s plans as the junta there has unparalleled influence over the political discourse of the Somalia that once existed. 3) Secessionists up in the North practice rendition -- round their brethren up, religious men, and hand them over to their enemies -- for political reasons related to the recognition drive.

Stocks fluctuate. Big deal! Do you guys own stocks in Cuppertino or what?

I'm from Somalia and now call states my home. I'm not a registered Dem or Rep. I'm what they classify as an independant the swing voter if you will. I've voted for Dem candidates in the past. I agree Republicans on value/tax issues but find very difficult to put up with their hawkish rhetoric and their foreign policy toward Middle East.

On the menu: race, gender. Obama is expected to take a pass on the latest Clintons gaffe where they belittled the senator and used the race care against his candidacy. Clinton made the remark that despite Obama ascendacy in the polls, the blacks will fare far better if they support Clintons. For it takes white person in the white house to bring about real and meaningful change. The point is obvious. Balck man is unelectable in todays America. The South won't vote for him. Republicans are reluctant to take on Clintons and instead prefer to have Obama win the primary. Gl;oves are off...maybe!

Nop. Radical cheerleaders and their hardcore secessionists sidekicks keep rubbing this crap on our faces. We're merely wiping the crap off our faces Besides in SOL forums one hardly gets tired of the topics listed below: . . . . . .

Suldaan, Awoowe you support and promote secession. They don’t. They support and promote unity. You don’t. You understand how to short-circuit the process and seek the support of world powers in order to impose forced recognition on part of the constituencies (pro-unity) in the area. You seem to be making the secession case in the negative (Some parts of Somalia are unstable and hence the world oughta be showering us praises and granting us recognition in spite of the sacrosanct territorial integrity clause enshrined in the UN covenants). They seem to be opting to be part of Somalia that once existed at its worst hour. Food for thought for you and your likes! They understand that silence is equivalent to acceptance in the political domain and want to express their objection against the ways and methods employed by the lobby in realizing secession dream. Numbers matter. Turnout matter too! Yes. But don’t forget visibility too matters as much. Vocal minority can take the ball and score touchdown. Former British Protectorate now defunct and part of sovereign Somalia is indeed divided on the question of dismembering Somalia. This is a northern problem. Folks can support one side of the divide all they want but the fact remains that the community is divided on this issue. Here's where the demo comes in. Insignificant, waste of time, uncalled for? Not really. One does what one can under circumstance. Obviously the ones that are picketing outside have the fire in the belly and want to make a statement. Picketing! Suldaan, awoowe that’s what the folks in the picture you posted are doing. They are trying to draw state department’s attention to their cause.

Tomboy (hope u don't mind ), To put it mildly, the expo turned out to be underwhelming. But hey iPhone got a facelift. I'm happy about that. Diaspora boy, check the Macbook air out.

Originally posted by Northerner: We all know why they do what they do ya Baashi And that is?

Steve Jobs, the keynote speaker, is expected to reveal new stuff. Falsh based laptop (big leap in tech world), iPhone SDK, who knows! there are plenty of rumours circulating in the blogsphere. This is for the SOL nerds -- the geeks who keep taps on what's new in the tech world or watch G4 Tv channel Watch him pull rabbit out of his hat Predictions -- from TUAW

^Nop The point is I,awoowe Baashi, do understand why they do what they do How does it feel to be a hardcore secessionists ya North? Proud!

Hardball. That's waht it is. Pro-secessionists are organized and are pressuring their reps (MPs as they are called in UK) to give their cause a fair hearing. Likewise the opposing group, the pro-unity, are equally active and doing what they can to air their side of the issue. Hence the demo. The hardcore secessionists in this forum are expected to throw their usual tantrums. After all it is way too difficult for them to understand that every push will find a counter push from the opposing side. It is funny how these folks color this simple political game in the hate lingo -- a la we are making a great strides and the other side is doing whatever they do, or are doing, simply cuz of that fact. Nonesense. It is a hardball politicking.

Eebow sidii guun haween, giidu waa aniye, Eebow nin goba baan ahoo, guni rifaysaaye Eebow waxaa noo gurmaday, gaaya alifleeye Ma garaysni Eebow waxaa, guufanneyska ahe Eebow anaa kugu garlee, guusha ha seejin. B_Analyst awoowe the sig is up there. Maa shaa Allah. With that stanzes, my man Inna Abdille Hassan employs the power of lingo. What a lion he was.

Go GalMudug Go! Go sit down under that acacia tree just beside the highway through Dusomareb district and sort things out. Consensus reached on Dirrin under acacia tree is always good as far as the process is concerned. I hope you guys make sure that the quorum is complete and all the townships in the area are represented at the Dirrin. Do that and you folks have positively contributed to the reconciliation process. GalMudug are the home of many sub clans and organizing all these entities on the basis of political districts will greatly contribute to the building block approach. One more bridge to cross! One more recovery zone (with administrative organs) to establish!

You dodged! -- I see. And on that note I rest my case, Il Generale.