The force behind the ICU is not weapons Such nonsense!!!

Although this is a common practice in ever corner of Somalia, I find it interesting how quickly they with lifted their ban on coal, aren't they suppose be more religiously moral? I guess their Arab masters forced them to. I wonder how long it will take before other bans are lifted? These imposters are slowly being revealed. Coal MOGADISHU, 6 Nov 2006 (IRIN) - When the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) first came to power in June, it was applauded for issuing an official ban on the export of charcoal. But within two months, exports of charcoal resumed. Now, the huge volume of trade in charcoal is clearly visible on the streets of Mogadishu, with long convoys of up to 20 or more heavily-loaded charcoal trucks moving along the roads or lined up on the outskirts of the city. Towers of grimy sacks are piled along the streets. The trade in ‘black gold’ is booming. Black gold The period since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991 has coincided with a voracious demand for charcoal in the Arab States, particularly Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Restricted by their own laws on charcoal production and deforestation, countries in the Arab States have taken full advantage of lawless Somalia. Exports of charcoal were temporarily slowed in the mid-1990s when the faction leader in charge of Mogadishu and its port, General Mohamed Farah Aydid, imposed some restrictions on exports. However, following his death, competing factional leaders have openly exploited and encouraged the trade. As the UIC began to take control of security in various areas of southern Somalia from 2000, some local leaders made attempts to contain the devastation. As early as July 2000, a circular signed by Tahlil Mahmud Ibrahim, representative of the Islamic courts of Shabelaha Hoose Region, southern Somalia, banned the cutting of trees, threatening strict punishment under Shari’a law. But charcoal remained available and profitable, throughout the factional conflicts. It has become a critical component of the Somali economy – and is difficult to halt. Moving stocks In Mogadishu, the continuation of charcoal exports is said to be due to traders pressuring the UIC to allow them to finish exporting existing stocks, already committed to export. But there is concern that this is being used as a loophole. "If the UIC were genuinely committed to the ban and not under pressure from the business community, then they would have issued another official statement to end the confusion," said one Mogadishu resident. In Kismayo – the epicentre of the charcoal trade – the official message is more mixed. Just after Kismayo was taken, the local media ran a statement from a UIC representative which said that charcoal exports had not been stopped. According to Abdulkadir Shirwa, a civil society activist in Mogadishu, the charcoal trade in Somalia is 'a dangerous game'. It has attracted a lot of attention over the last few years. In the absence of unified authority, Somalia has become one of the few countries in the world without restrictions on mass deforestation and environmental devastation. Hundreds of kilometres of brush and forest have been turned into desert, particularly around Kismayo and in the Juba area. "This is not a few men with axes making charcoal for local consumption, but large-scale mechanised machine-cutting, which targets an area over a couple of days to lay to waste, and burn," says Shirwa. Local traders, using small, labour intensive methods with axes and machetes, are more likely to operate in the Bay, Hiraan and Galgadud region. Survival economics Small-scale traders, like the exporters, know that the charcoal trade is riddled with controversy. Charcoal trader, Miriam Mohamed Ali, agreed to talk to IRIN while safely hidden among her sacks of charcoal in downtown Mogadishu. She is the sole provider for five children and her husband, and has been trading charcoal for 17 years. "We get the charcoal from the countryside. Some people bring it here and we buy it and we resell to get some profit – but it is just for survival." Because of the improved security since the takeover in June, Miriam says business is better and women feel safer. She says gunmen used to steal or extort money at road blocks, and women were vulnerable to rape. Now, profits have increased because public transport is cheaper without the road blocks. Miriam told IRIN that as long as security was maintained in Mogadishu, she would be willing to find other ways to make money. "If they say stop, we will stop because what we want more than anything else is security. I would do any business to support my family."

The clan courts are trying to say it was Puntland that launched the attack. Some are trying to mention Ethiopia. The truth is coming out though. People are getting ready to defend against tribalism.

Okay, we got Hargeysa & Mogadishu giving their two cents. Lets see how many other cities we can get in here, that have nothing to do with Puntland. Then again, I'd never ever expect a positive comment directed towards anything to do with Puntland or the TFG coming from people representing those two cities. Go to Somali Talk, listen to President Cade speech. Straight and to the point.

Here we go again, when debate is too intellectual, they must revert to name calling.

When did all these non-puntlands become experts in our internal politics? If the Puntland Gov't didn't have it's people support it wouldn't have lasted a day. It is your so called courts that used violence to gain power. Right now, i'm hearing no battle took place involving Puntland soldiers. They are denying it. Plus, Lol, we will see if Gaalkayo is like Kismayo and no bullets are fired.

Big mistake? Oh please! This is someones land, their is no negotiating over it, regardless how tough you think they enemy is. These so-called courts have never seen a battle they are about to.

That's the way politicians should be, straightforward and to the point. Everyone knows it; we have always said look at the so-called court leadership and decision-makers. I don't see any diversity among it. They've had time to appoint other Somalis from different regions to their top posts, but nope they still haven't. The endless attempts to take other peoples land has to stop. They should try and use diplomacy for once.

I sense a lot of hypocrisy here fellas! You are accusing General Duke for having blind loyalty because of tribe. When it is actually YOU, who is showing tribal ignorance. The only reason you are against Abdulahi Yusuf or anything to do with Puntland is tribe. It is you that won't even accept anyone hailing from Puntland as president of Somalia; or any other positive news coming out of the TFG or Puntland. Look at yourself first before you accuse people showing blind loyalty to a tribe.

So this is national army that rape women and killed children during the civil war and now they are all of a sudden wadaads? They are not defending Somalia, they are the ones that destroyed the gov't and put us where we are now. I guess your have use for them again when you need death and destruction. They might be your heroes but not ours. We will not allow you to suck us into your wars again. We will defend against these imposters, who are pretending to be wadaads. I hope they know there limits.

Well put General Duke, I stop responding to this particular person a long time ago. It's just not worth it. Anyway we saw the pictures with all the ministers, who are representing a wide variety of regions. There is peace in Puntland and stability, when I went to Puntland I realized that people know the price of war. They understand how precious peace is and will never allow an outside force to jeopardize that. They've been through a lot and are slowly working towards a productive society. So let the exact same people with different nicks make the exact same arguments, I guess the more they are negative the more we are succeeding. I've said it before, all this Clan court stuff from the south is making everyone put their differences aside and forcing them to unite and defend their lands.

It's nice to see such a positive development, considering everything lately has been about war. The gov't is in Gaalkayo, the picture was taking in the Madaxtooya there.

Horseednet Hopefully this is the start of us breaking away if the TFG is not successful.

Official Gov't Website

Disregard

They definitely do, like I’ve been saying for a long time. The people living there don't have the luxuries that we living abroad do. They need to start generating jobs and exploring their resources. Extracting the oil is another story, but they can't just keep waiting and waiting. Of course there are many who are all living abroad that continuously try and start problems. They try and find every excuse in the book, but anyone that's been there recently, like I have, knows there is no debate in Nugal. The people there including the Islaan and other leaders support the deal and have not said any words objecting to it. So those living aboad can complain all they want, but the deal is going through.

The leadership is made up of one single tribe. Those that make the decision and are in every photo are one single tribe. Sure they have access to money and can buy many fighters who are from other tribes. This still doesn't mean they are made up of many tribes, they'll never allow their number 2 or 1 to be of a another tribe. It's ironic that the TFG which is said to be a puppet of the Ethiopians, is more diverse then the so called Islamic courts, who have declared Jihad. At least the TFG includes all tribes amoung their decision makers.

Puntland Parliament opens Interesting, something Farooleonline...excuse me garoweonline won't let you see. It's interesting the website uses the name Garowe in it, but doesn't even have pics of Parliament being opened in that city. Maybe they are in Australia and that's why?? :confused: Look at Gagaab in the pic and all the other members of parliament. It's good to see people can talk things out in Puntland. EVERYTHING IS FINE, STOP BEING DRAMA QUEENS

I absolutely agree; constructive criticism is good. Let's look at what’s going on in Somaliland and the tension there; we are not seeing the same things happening in Puntland. I think our admin is doing a fine job keeping the people happy, and when I mean the admin, I mean the entire government is taking responsibility.

Wow, we got so many arm chair politicians here, giving their 2 cents. Well that's the nature of politics I guess. My question is, don't you think it is really tough to build an airport when you know a major war is inevitable? Sooner or later there will be a fight for Gaalkayo. Bigger then the one before! So where do you spend your money? Defense or on infrastructure? I agree an airport should have been one of the first things built when Puntland was formed, but unfortunately it was put off time and time again. That's why it was one of the first things this admin pledged to build. The new website the gov't is building should prove how much has been accomplished.

Impressive!!!! Unlike the other cities in Somalia, Puntland had to build everything from scratch and without the help of Siad's Gov't. There was nothing there when the war broke out, but now driving into Bosassoo from Garowe it was amazing to see the difference in growth on a month to month basis; all the restaurants with colourful lights. The city is just exploding with business. I love going there!!!!!! We just need more educated people from abroad to come back and help.

I think people are taking SOL too serious and need to calm down. Plus, a woman wearing a niqab holding a gun doesn’t mean they are religious. Even when Sharif did the same thing holding the AK, declaring Jihad in front of the cameras, (knowing full well he would never use it to fight and should stick to what he does best and talk). We still do not know what's in their hearts and how sincere their deen is. I'd like to add though; I have never seen anyone in Somali politics that loves the camera more then those in Xamar. It seems they go for every photo opportunity then can get, whether Sharif is kneeling on the runway of the airport, or Aweys wearing outfits trying to emulate Arab sheiks; I don't see much humility at all.

As you can see there is a new Puntland Government Website coming out real soon. Puntland Dinner at Panorama Hotel.

Well Puntland has been blessed with considerable peace (Alhamdulilah) since the civil war tore the country apart. Our Southern neighbors, who seem to only be interested in war and death, are threatening that peace. Also from what Mr. Turki said about capturing Puntland, it's seems that they still have that same violent warlord mentality. Anyway, what I’m trying to get at, is that it’s normal for a people to rally around their leader when their homes and lives are being threatened.