I agree, what they could do is what they did to the VOA and suspend them for the air. (well I am not sure if it is possible or not). The thing is that Atam is a man with little to no support, he is on the run and is so desperate he needs to question people on why they are not joining his cause, the BBC has given him a forum to recruit. This is about peoples lives and further violence at the hands of this man and his small amount of followers.

If I was fighting the admin it would not be through violence. As we have seen with other Puntland governments there are ways to change things without inciting war. However, Atam chooses not to use dialogue! He is a violent man, who is claiming that he is being persecuted because of religion. If I wanted to go on the air in any western country and start calling for what he does i.e. violent revolt..They would never allow me to do so. The BBC should be more responsible! Now if the government will not do anything to the BBC for interviewing Atam, yet arrest Abdifatah Jama from Horseednet for doing it; then he must be released. There cannot be a double standard.

The media will never release a Bin Laden tape until they have been cleared to do so. Only after the government has analyzed it to ensure it is safe. Africa is different just like we saw in Rwanda and how extremists were able to use the radio to incite murder; the BBC and other news agencies should be aware that these kinds of interviews can cause bloodshed. Interviewing men who openly call to overthrow a government should not be allowed. That in my opinion can’t be justified as doing their job or not making judgment.

You know what upsets me about the BBC, they claim they are just doing their job by reporting the news. However, what they really did was give this terrorist leader an audience so he can try and recruit more young and uneducated people. Atam took advantage of this interview to recruit by asking people why they are not defending their destroyed belongings (which we all know never occurred). He was than able to accuse Ethiopia and the U.S of involvement of this affair and how it is some kind of religious war. The man is fully aware that the BBC is heard by so many. The BBC should be ashamed of itself, it should not give these kinds of people an oppurtunity to propagate their murderous agenda, the man is basically trying to rally supporters to over-throw the government so he can place his own leadership. I also completely agree with Puntlands ban on refusing to allow any news agency to interview him. This BBC interview is proof of why such a ban should be in place.

Originally posted by NASSIR: At least, BBC and other reputed News media is covering up the story unlike PL's complete ban of the freedom of the Press. Though the policy itself is a tyrinical from a universal perspective, it's actually a desperation on PL's side, intimidation, and belated exericise of a modicum control. And the organized killings in Bosaso goes on unabated. But in reality, the chief reason PL's cabal leadership banned all PL radios for interviewing the head of the opposition is a palpable fear that they will lose their grip on the piece of Somalia's land they tribally claim to control. Thus far, it has been counterproductive. Again complete garbage! When the Sri Lankan Government was in the process of defeating the Tamil Tigers (a banned terrorist group) the government banned all media from entering the area's they were conducting military battles. Their local media was also banned from interviewing the terrorists. You look at any country that is engaged in military operations and they almost always have a media ban during the battle. Not only banning media from entering the areas but from also interviewing the terrorist leaders. You know why? It is because these leaders are capable of sending hidden message to their supporters. Whether it is fair to ban media or not is another debate, but Israel did it in Gaza, the U.S did it, Sri Lanka, even back in the 1980s the British Gov't announced that “any organizations in Northern Ireland believed to support terrorism would be banned from directly broadcasting on the airwaves, so instead of hearing the leaders voice an actor would read it.” The ban was lifted in the mid-90s after a peace deal was signed. Anyways, you get the point and the list of countries that do this is long! The locals have real and tangible grievances against Puntland. Otherwise, they wouldn't have armed their kith and kin to defend their land from outside exploitation. I mean, how can the locals with such huge land and territory almost 15 settlements in the Western Bari region be so deprived of their economic share of the Bosaaso's revenue, not to mention a fair allocation of the administrative power? Can a prolonged injustice perpetuated mainly by clan superiority and arrogance continue to hold and remain unchallenged? The local population has stayed out of the conflict and has not helped him; he even questions this in the interview. Why does he need to question them if as you say they have armed themselves? I think it is quite obvious that the locals are on the government side! So it’s about exploitation and clan superiority? Is that what you want people to believe? Well, Atam himself never even mentions clan or any kind of exploitation other than his radical religious goals. He repeatedly makes it clear that he is fighting against "ashahaado ladirir" or those who are fighting against the Shahaada, and that they are being back by the United States and Ethiopia. He doesn't mention he is fighting over perceived clan superiority, or because he is people are being denied their share of Bosasso revenue as you allege. The man makes it clear that he perceives his battle as a religious one, that can be resolved through changing to government to what he interprets as the proper religious one. It’s not about clan or resource exploitation….but religious exploitation. When it comes to Atam he makes his agenda very clear, but than the radical Diaspora wants to add in their parts to paint his cause in a better light. Let’s stick to the reasons he says he is fighting, because even Atam knows it would be ridiculous to say this was about clan when the government official leading the attack against him is a man who himself is from the same clan.

Bro, The Puntland Forces were able to take away his base in one day. Even Atam admits right now that he did leave, but his justification was for the people. That is something everyone says when they lose. If he cared so much for the people then why did he set a base up there in the first place knowing they would be threatened? Did you hear him asking why the people haven't joined him? You know why they haven't?? Because, he said that "Wuxuu xusay in ay doonayaan in ay xukunka qabtaan si ay diinta ugu xukumaan Puntland." So the question is what is his goal? Is it to bring justice to certain places from exploration - Like the radical diaspora wants people to believe or is it to bring his form of Government to Puntland?

Now that's the voice of a desperate man. He asks where are the people that had there stuff burned; well maybe you made it up and that's why they are not coming. It definitely shows though that the people are so against him that no matter what he tries to say to convince them, they aren't coming to his aid. The battle is approaching its second month and he is still trying to get the local community to join him. If his cause was just, he wouldn't need to convince them with fake news about property being burned. If it was true they would have done something. Why does he keep mentioning the U.S and Ethiopia's involvement in Puntland? Isn't that the same enemies that Al Shabaab says they are fighting? What is the U.S doing to him that he has to mention them? They are in Djibouti and have not done anything to him. He continuously mentions he is fighting against those that are against Islam. Finally, I like how he said that we weren't forced out from Gagala, but we left for the sake of the people. That's what all defeated forces say! This interview further proves his agenda, link to Al Shabaab and that the people are not with him.

Originally posted by Captain_Mike20: JOIN SOMALILAND AND LIVE IN PEACE WITH THE SAME PEOPLE YOU HAVE LIVED WITH FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, OR RETURN TO SOMALIA AND BACK TO A CULTURE OF DEATH AND TIT FOR TAT, OF WHICH HISTORY SHOWS WE ALWAYS WIN. THATS THE CLEAR CHOICE...NOW RETURN TO THE FAIRYTALE DEBATE. No taxation without representation!

Gagalanews right JB??

Zack, again you’re making up quotes that were never said! General Duke already explained Abdullahi Yusuf's role and his ultimate change in belief about taking on Siad Barre's regime. I think everyone knows that Siad had to go, but the way it was done was wrong and things are worse off. The end result of Abdullahi Yusuf inviting Ethiopians to Somalia in 2006 is nothing compared to the SSDF, SNM, USC and all other rebels groups decision to take training and weapons from Ethiopia in the 80s and early 90s. For the simple fact that after the Ethiopians came in 2006, they left relatively soon after they beat the ICU, where as the rebel groups of the 1980s decisions led to devastating consequences. Ethiopians aiding Somalis to fight their own government and destroy themselves can't be minimized! Whether you asked them for help to fight against the government like in the 80s or you ask them to come in to fight an armed group like in 06. The difference is that many will admit that taking on Siad Barre’s regime back then was wrong, when you look at the end result, however if you ask people in Puntland was it wise to bring Ethiopia in to defeat the ICU, I am certain the majority would say yes. So for you it might have seemed bad the Ethiopians were called in back in 2006 to fight the foreign backed ICU, but not for the people who felt they were being protected against them i.e. Puntland. However like I just said, I am certain that most would admit that taking out Siad Barre in that fashion was wrong. H.E Abdullahi Yusuf is politically wise enough and honest to admit it was a mistake to have taken on Siad in such a manner. How many politicians would do that?

Waiting for the mans death is not constructive criticism. Anyone who looks forward to that has a deep seated hatred that goes beyond his policies. You are against him because of many reasons from fighting the dictator to bringing Ethiopians? Well fine, but remember others see it differently and that his actions were necessary for peace. Puntland being the example! Every single rebel group was backed and trained by Ethiopia, not a single one wasn't. The leaders of these groups went to Ethiopia to help them fight Siad Barre and destroy their nation. So now you turn around and only blame Abdullahi Yusuf for seeking Ethiopian help? I don't see much difference between receiving aid to destroy your nation or inviting them in.

Thierry By saying the support AY receives is because of clan reason, can be reversed and we can say that the reason you dislike the man is for clan reason. Sure you may support other people from his clan, but Abdullahi Yusuf is the most well known leader and receives the most admiration in Puntland. He is considered to be a man that stood up to numerous threats towards Puntland; whether it was the Siad, USC, NW Somalia and later the ICU. Because of this he has become despised by many of his enemies like you! For the simple fact that the groups they supported all crumbled against his military and political leadership. So give the whole you support him for clan reason up, when the same could be said about why you are against him. Puntland is one of the most stable regions in Somalia, where tens of thousands come to seek a peaceful place to live. One of the main reasons of this is H.E Abdullahi Yusuf.

Originally posted by Thierry Henry: Like many Somalis around the world and in Somalia except his clansmen, I await his death patiently So basically his non-clansmen are the ones that await his death. Isn't this the tragedy of Somalia?...Some await the death of a leader from the "other side."

Great speech, it is nice to hear a living legend speak. I hope we hear more speeches from H.E Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf!

Here are the leaders of the Gagala offensive celebrating Eid celebrations in Bosasso!

Originally posted by Che -Guevara: ^JB is dharcad iska jir :eek: Okay maybe I'll reconsider, because even teachers from Puntland are being arrested!

Excellent, I'll hold you to it!

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: Good ,,, then stay in your nowhere land adeer. You are beyond our time and comprehension. I would insha'Allah love to go to Hargeysa one day, i've only been to the airport. If I do, I hope you show me around. I am not sure what will be more interesting, you or the city.

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: So in other words ,, Bugland have no borders ?? Sorry but I am not familiar with Bugland.

The same that exist in Canadian North.....NONE. That's why you are hearing about Al Shabaab being arrested in Burco and never at the border like other countries sometimes arrest terrorists .....because no border exist between Bosasso and the Djibouti border! (now that I said that...you can make up a news article in the coming days about how your police arrested them at you imaginary borders.)

Originally posted by NASSIR: Thankful, adeer you said it yourself that Atam had been pushed into the NorthWestern, which in technicality means "Somaliland". Why are you just mentioning that I said North Western? Why aren't you adding the part where I ended with SOMALIA? Just like you refer to the Southern Somalia, there is also North East Somalia and North West Somalia. Just like how they differentiate in the U.S the region known as "The South." You have joined the Secessionists after your frustrating defeat by Puntland, who was able to use diverse backing of soldiers from all regions. We both know everywhere is Somali Land. There is no such thing as SL only in the North West of Somalia! Somali Land can be found from the borders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti (where the borders start is up for debate)! So no, Atam being pushed into the NW of Somalia does not mean he is being technically pushed into Somali Land as you say, because he is already in Somali Land. Just because Al Shabaab controls a large part of the South doesn't mean there is a border that automatically exist, just like how the enclaves with governments in the NW and NE of Somalia doesn't mean there is a border as well.

Prometheus good point! Personally, I understand why some speak of him favorable and why some like Ace do not. I am against forgetting about our historical leaders as that would bring no benefit. Some (mostly secessionists) want us to forget. I believe however that much can be learned from our former leader. He was able to control Somalia for close to two decades which in itself is a incredible feat.

Originally posted by Ace of Spadez: quote:Originally posted by Thankful: Ace, why forget? I agree that people's opinion on Siad vary, but many countries continuously refer back to their past leaders...in the U.S look at Lincoln, Kennedy and others. Other countries don't forget about their past leaders, I don’t see why we have to. LOL You're comparing what Barre did for Somalia and What Lincoln & Kennedy did for USA? LOL Are you serious? My point is, there's no need to beat a dead horse. Barre was last century. Lets get with the times. I don't see any one in Germany discussing how efficient the german riech was LOL in the present day. Most Germans would love to move on from that dark chapter in their history. I'd assume free thinking Somalis would want to move on and look forward instead of the ugly past and try to find some solace. Unless of course we want to be like GOLAHA SACABKA. Basically my point is, Barre is dead. Let him rest. He's at the mercy of his Creator ALLAH SWT. [/QB]Look, you are surprised that I compared Siad Barre to Lincoln and Kennedy, and then you turn around and compare him to German Reich? If you see what Nassir is writing and what you are saying about him you will see that you both have two polar opposite opinions of the man. To Nassir, Siad is a hero and he wants people to remember his legacy! Just like many other countries have past hero's that have been dead for centuries, for instance we still learn about Julius Caesar and other European leaders. For some like you it was an ugly past and for others Siad reign was our most prosperous era. So, don't those who see Siad in a positive light have every right to mention him? Look at Hargeysa Airport; did they not name it Egal Airport after a former leader that passed away? Why’d they do it? To honor and remember him right?

You're so desperate Nassir you are now siding with the secessionists? I guess the people of Dhahar, Gagala and other area's refused to accept your claim it was over minerals; so you are looking for support anywhere? You were hoping the communities of this area would pick up arms and side against the Puntland government. Remember though the people know what Atam's voice sounds like and they heard him calling Al Shabaab his brothers. It's a fact, Atam had to leave these area's and is in hiding and Puntland Interior Minister Ilka Jiir led the mission to expel him.

North West of SOMALIA there are no borders! .....Do you have the giggles? I have no idea what you are talking about, did you start Eid celebrations a bit early?