I wonder if they took the time to have the blue flag made in their home city or did they have them stored away. They say a picture tells a thousand words. Can't you see the joy when they are running and holding the flag? Their smiles, with their arms raised? This is a powerful image, open defiance! The people of Borama (my home city) are allowed to be vocal in raising their grievousness. Why grieve this way? Out of all the ways they could have protested, why go this route? It's clear they are fed up with the lies.

Again the facts are on the ground. These are the facts on the ground!! Young and Old, Women and Children! comprehensible if in 1995, Southerners were trying to claiming Somaliland as part of Somalia but its 2009 It is very comprehensible in 2009, if these are the images coming out of Boorama a few weeks ago!

Insha'Allah things will get better, drought is a serious concerning all over Somalia (and many other part of Africa), the admins in Garowe and Hargeysa must work hard to fight it.

There's a pride sweeping the Diaspora like never before. I believe it was after the timely and peaceful transfer of power. People realize in Puntland there is something special. Where people in control are willing to step down. No complaints or trouble. It's a model for so many other African nations!

It's a smart move that President Faroole did, it's sending a message to those in Mogadishu to get their act together. Puntland has made it this far with no help and demands the respect of the Federal Government. The name change was definitely a move to wake people up! Puntland however has no legal basis to become independent, Somaliland can wait 10-15-20 years regardless, it will get it because it has a sound legal basis seeing that it was already a country in 1960 which 32 countries recognised including the U.N. It is absolutely no closer now then it was in 1991, for one simple reason. It has nothing to offer, in the worlds eyes it's just another poor African region begging for held with droughts, and aide. If it was a country back in 1960, who was its president, vice president and ministers? What was their flag? What was their currency..etc etc?

Duke or any other Puntlander, do you know where Islan Isse was during the ceremonies? Maybe he was there and out of the picture, but I doubt that. Where was he?

Duke you claim Puntland is a democracy right? can you name me one official political party in puntland and whats the oppision party named? The definition of democracy from Merriam-Webster dictionary : government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections Merriam-Webster Dictionary In Puntland the democracy is administered through the people indirectly, there are 66 parliament members who evenly represent every region in the state. Those parliament members place their votes supporting the person that the people in their region want as the next President. We have had two free elections that were held on time and free of violence Alhamdulilah. Those parliament members will have to answer to the people that live in their region if they place a vote with someone without consulting their constituency. For instance if they were paid off to vote for someone that no one wanted, they'd have to answer to their constituency. When the Parliament member is placing their vote, they are representing the people that live in their area. This is form of democracy is temporary and multi-party systems will be brought forward insha'Allah, eventually resulting every citizen casting a vote. The elections are held on time and are free. This hasn't been hasn't been seen anywhere else in the horn of Africa. However, I truly believe that the reason why Puntland is so successful in this system is for the simple fact that no one can dispute the outcome of an election. They can't say there was voter fraud, or that someone casted more then one vote. In Puntland everyone knows who a parliament member casted his vote for. The loser can't come back and say that I don't believe that this region didn't vote for me. Everyone witnesses him put his ballot in the box. After seeing the election problems in Kenya and Iran, we need to think if we have the resources to hold one man, one vote. The NW Somali admin in Hargeysa tried this and have continually cancelled theirs.

Nice pics

With the NW Somalis, they must desperately show that no other region in Somalia has any progress. So with the successful celebrations yesterday, they had to post this to try and project Puntland in a bad light. Even though just last week NW Somalia's admin was asking for interational help to fight a drought, this resulted tribal fighting over land. Everyone knows there will never be any elections because they are incapable of transfering power over peacefully, YOU WILL SEE, NO ELECTIONS. But anyways the lack of water is hurting all of Africa, especially in the horn. Eng.Abdi, told Horseed Media that they were doing what they could, to supply water to the thousands of cattle and pastoral people coming from other drought effected regions. But he says there is simply no enough water for everyone. I'm proud that reer Qardho have opened their doors to other pastoral farmers and are sharing what little they have. Other places would have sent armed men to chase them away. Put the spirit of Puntland has always been that of a welcoming people.

I've been to Puntland multiple times, for more then 6 months. My experiences there were absolutely amazing. I want to finish school and do something there! Bosaso has grown hugely in the last few years, if you don't believe me. I hope someone that hasn't been there for years goes back and your jaw will drop! I never felt any danger their Alhamdulilah and enjoyed every minute.

Its the samething to every other country in the world.

I thought the former Presidents were going to be there?

The blasts in the northern territory, which has been relatively stable since declaring itself independent in 1991, showed the militants could operate beyond their southern strongholds and were one of Somalia's worst suicide attacks. Officials at the Regional Court of Hargeisa , capital of the enclave, said the five convicted Somalis were on the run in other parts of the Horn of Africa nation. , Lol, even after 18 years Reuters know's it's only NW Somalia.

NW Somalia's admin has never had a peaceful exchange of power, after the former President passed away, his vice president assumed power and later won a controversial election. Now that he is up for re-election their is problems with voter registration, resulting in it being postponed 3 times in a row. There was no trouble over 5 years ago when he got the job but now there is. The dominant family in NW Somalia knows that if they piss off the current Presidents family they will threaten to leave this ridiculous fake nation. Keep us in power, or we will leave is their moto.

Things aren't as rosy and many make it out to be! Horseednet Puntland leaders still in secret negotiations with Oil companies July 29, 2009 · Comments (0) Puntland leaders still in secret negotiations with Oil companies | read this item By: Rukia Abdi ruqiyaabdi@gmail.com On 20th of July, the President of Puntland Abdirahman Farole met with executives from oil companies in Dubai, UAE. The talks were held behind closed doors, at Millennium Hotel in Dubai, where the Puntland delegation were staying. The delegation was headed by President Farole himself and the Interior Minister Gen. Abdullahi Jama Ilkajiir. The Director of Puntland’s Petroleum and Minerals agency, Isse Mohamud Dholowa was also part of Farole’s delegation in Dubai. After two days of talks, Puntland President’s office released a short statement, saying that President Farole and members of his delegation met with executives from Range Resources Ltd and Africa Oil Corp. The statement added that the new Puntland administration will re-examine, past oil exploration agreements signed by the former Puntland government. The statement from Farole’s office, was an attempt to show the people, the new administration’s willingness to share important information with the public. However it failed miserably to deliver the right message. Even though the meeting was publicized days later when it was concluded. But the statement, did not give any information about the respective agreements. It did not also, mention the current deadlock between President Farole and oil companies, on how to carry on with the oil production phase, in Dharor and Nugal valley in Puntland. The secrecy surrounding oil explorations in Puntland, is not new to the public. The previous government of Gen.Adde Muse, was similarly secretive about the dealings with enigmatic foreign oil companies. In 2006, President Abdirahman Farole, then a minister, became an opposition leader, when a political dispute related with the Oil explorations, erupted between him and then-President Adde Muse. Farole, who was at the time Puntland’s minister of Planning and international relations, was against any dealings with foreign companies including, Range Resources Ltd, which currently sold half of it’s mineral and oil explorations rights in Puntland, to the Canadian owned, Africa Oil Corp. Gen.Adde Muse, former Puntland leader, was invited in to the Dubai talks. Some consider him as the backbone of the oil exploration program in Puntland. The top secrecy surrounding the talks in Dubai, is a testament to the hidden agendas of Puntland rulers, when it comes to the oil and mineral explorations in Puntland. Without a doubt, Farole’s and Adde’s administrations, are evermore looking identical in many ways, when we talk about hidden personal gains, combined in lucrative agreements with foreign oil companies. To come back to my point; actually, the only things that I have for President Farole are questions and more questions: Why was the meeting so secretive, if the current government is not genuine about their promises of transparency and good governance? Why is such an important meeting was held in behind closed doors, at luxurious hotels in Dubai, thousands of miles away from Garowe? Perhaps President Farole, was not so sure about the security in Puntland, so they had to meet some where else? If that is the case, how would they start with oil production in Puntland, if they can’t even meet in Garowe? Or was there something else, that we don’t know about? Why are the cabinet and Parliament, so clueless about the oil agreements? It is strange, yesterday, President Farole used to call Range Resources a sham company, and today he is meet with executives from the same company, in a secret meeting far away from Puntland. The President’s office keeps reminding us, that they will re-examine previous agreements, yet none of these documents are public, not even to the cabinet and Puntland Parliament! Before they could re-examine anything, they should publicize all agreements, so the public could take a glance on, what the whole fuss is all about. One thing that all Somalis could agree on, is that nothing stays secret forever, because in a Somali society, the word gets around pretty quickly. Even before the president is back in Puntland, the people are already debating, in cafes in Bosaso and Garowe, about the alleged stalemate between President Farole and Oil comapanies, they say the Presidents is persistent on starting oil productions only in Nugal valley, while the oil Companies want to start their oil production in Dharor valley, in Bari region. Others openly debate about, new Chinese oil companies, that are lining up for new oil exploration agreements with Farole’s government, with the help of the son of Puntland’s President. The President should act on his word, and conduct these delicate matters with utmost transparency, that is if he is not involved with, the old back door dealing, that is so typical of the shady African leaders. Lets hope, that President Farole will take his own advice of good governance into account and be transparent to his own people.

war, starvation, Child mortality, maternal mortality, poverty, diseases, food shortages etc severely limit population growth. Somalia ranks high amongst all these indicators. IRIN So true!!! The problem is happeneing all over the nation. Insha'Allah the local admins will work together to try and help the poor. SOMALIA: Livelihoods at risk as drought worsens in western Somaliland Photo: Mohamed Amin Jibril/IRIN Indha-Deeq Mohumed Ahmed, a resident of Galolay area, southeast of Gabiley, collects grass from a ploughed field. A prolonged drought in the region has caused livestock deaths, increasing the people's vulnerability IJARA, 29 July 2009 (IRIN) - A prolonged drought is causing large-scale livestock deaths, increasing the vulnerability of residents living in the mid-western Gabiley region of Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland, local officials say. "We have not experienced such drought before," Mohamed Ahmed Abdi, Gabiley governor, said. "Before, the drought affected either the people on the farms, or the animals, but now it is affecting [both]." Abdi said agro-pastoralists living south of the main road connecting Gabiley to Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, and neighbouring Kalabait area, may have lost up to 70 percent of their sheep to the drought. Dahir Abdillahi, a resident of Ijara village in Gabiley, told IRIN: "I had 50 sheep two months ago but they started dying off one by one; when it rained a week ago, another 10 died, leaving me with only 10 sheep." Abdi said carcasses of dead cows littered most of Ijara; camels are better adapted to drought. According to the Food Security and Nutritional Analysis Unit (FSNAU Somalia) of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an acute food and livelihood crisis was emerging in parts of Somaliland due to recent rain failure, compounded by three previous seasons of poor rainfall. In its June quarterly food security and nutrition brief, FNAU said pasture resources in areas that experience moderate rains had been quickly depleted due to large livestock in-migration from neighbouring rain-deficit areas. "There is a high level of livestock off-take, as well as high abortion rates, culling of kids/lambs, and drought-induced livestock diseases," FSNAU stated. Food availability According to Ijara resident Mohamoud Mousa Warsame, the village has lost some 1,500 sheep and more than 600 cattle. "I am in my 60s [yet] this is the first time we [have] experienced such drought," Warsame said. "I had more than 50 sheep, but 20 died in the drought; two of my cows have also died." Warsame said sheep were the most affected due to a lack of pasture and the start of the cold weather had escalated the deaths. Photo: Mohamed Amin Jibril/IRIN Carcasses of dead cows litter most of Ijara, where prolonged drought has led to high number of livestock deaths The region has suffered two consecutive failed Gu [long] rains seasons. According to Warsame, about half of Ijara residents have run out of food reserves and were surviving on one meal a day or skipping meals altogether. Sharing food among neighbours has increased as has the sharing of reserve food with the animals. "Villages such as Taysa, Bodhley and Boqor have also been affected by the drought," said Mohamed Da'ud Ahmed, chairman of the Ijara village elders, adding that there was a need for food aid to help cope with the drought, which has lasted about 10 months. According to Amina Mohamoud, a mother of six from Ged-abeera village near the border with Ethiopia, the drought was increasing food hoarding. "I came from Ged-abeera to Ijara looking for food to buy but because of the drought, people who have some sorghum or maize are refusing to sell," Mohamoud said. Food prices have soared. "Before, we used to buy 1kg of sorghum and maize for 2,000 Somaliland shillings each [uS$0.28] but now this has doubled to 4,000 shillings [$0.57] - if you can find a place to buy it from," Mohamoud said. "We used to sell our animals to buy food, but nowadays all our animals are dead." Desperate to feed their surviving livestock, residents are collecting grass loosened during ploughing in the fields for their animals. "I have come to look for food for my animals," an elderly Indha-Deeq Mohumed Ahmed, told IRIN in the Galolay area, southeast of Gabiley. She has been left with three cows out of a herd of 30. Ahmed, who was collecting grass, said: "My son went to town to work... and you can see me working at this age." More people are moving to the towns. "We do not have the exact statistics, but we know that several hundred agro-pastoralists have moved to the urban centres where they are living with relatives," said Aden Muhumed Badde, mayor of Gabiley. He said the region's residents had been living in difficult conditions for almost two years with little support. "We do not have the facilities to support these people. We are calling on the government and the international community to send food and medicine for the people and the animals affected by the drought," Badde said.

Yeah lots of cows, the port has even more that are waiting to be shipped off. I noticed though that the people back home never eat beef though, maybe some do, but I never saw it.

Rudy, Who will you support as leader? Someone that can be Somalia's representitive to the world? Who?

So President Sharif meeting the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is hopeless as you say. But this garbage thread isn't? I am pretty sure that this is the only picture produced because NO OTHER meeting took place. Of course a picture says a thousands words, lets see these other functions and dinners. The Somaliland delegation was received first by the President Obama’s advisor on Africa in the Executive building of the White House. The executive building of the white house right? A COMPLETE AND UTTER LIE. How can someone actually write this and post it. Let's be real, THE WHITE HOUSE?

This is very good news. Further proves that this is the only recognized government in Somalia(from the borders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti). That other regional admins, will not be given the same treatment as the Federal Government. I wish President Sharif the best and I am proud of this accomplishment! The man refuses to surrender! This meeting means a lot to all that think the government or Somalia is hopeless.

Reer Sool will wake up. Both Opposition leaders are from the dominant tribe, the current vice president is to! They (reer sool) are excluded from the top job! Second class citizens.

AMAZING PICTURES I've made numerous trips back home and I still think and how enormous bosasso got, from when I first got there. I dont know if it is many people coming from the diaspora or if it's people from the areas who are seeking peace. But the city is now a real city, the buildings, the population I can't describe it. Being abroad and you just hear about the violence, the fighting, that everything is bad. Then you go there and it's completely different, if anyone has the oppurtunity to go, I suggest you take it. It might take a little bit to get use to, but it will be well worth it. The people there started with nothing, and are making something out of it. They've also opened their doors to everyone who have come and found peace and oppurtunity. If haven't been back to Bosasso in 5 years or more, you will be shocked. I was able to see the Maxjar back in 2008 and it was so professional and clean. It has employeed many people and opened up trade with arab nations that had stop taking our live stock. A little off topic, I find out of all the Puntland sites Horseednet is the most up to date and informative. They also post many new pics and announce breaking news. I don't know any other Puntland site with more pics. They have reporters throughout the state and they seem to be very neutral. From what they were back in late 2002 (when they started) to now, they've made big strides. Good job to them!

How do u compare this to the former president, Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke who was assasinated in Lasanod as well ??? ,,,, U mean the place was against Somalia ??? , President Abdirashid Ali Shamarke was assasinated by one of his OWN bodyguards. He was betrayed by someone that was there to protect him and that he employed! A coup by Siad soon followed! In Present day, if NW Somalia's Riyaale was attacked by his own bodyguards, it would have been a different story. However he arrived with a significant amount of bodyguards who came under such heavy attack from numerous positions and many local militias that they could no longer stay in the city. Within hours of arriving he ran away! This was not one gunman, who got close like President Abdirashid, in Riyaales case it was from the whole city and he could't' find one area that was safe.The many militia men were armed with technicals and other weapons. That city of Las-Anod and her "political destiny" is a done thing, indeed, dear lad You Mr. JB can try and change the subject all you want, but this issue is dealing with the above Quote from Mr. Oodweyne who continuously makes outrageous comments, that seems to have very little logical backing. If the city of Lascaanod has changed hands several times, and your leader was attacked and forced out never to return, it would make little sense to say that the political destiny is a done thing! History has shown that it is not a done thing and that the situation is shaky at best! I'm pretty sure Riyaale though the issue was a "done thing" when he decided to make a trip there.

I believe Lascaanod is a place that has yet to stamp where it wishes to choose it's future. Whether it be with NE or NW Somalia or on it's own. In this decade alone the NW Somali President Dahir Riyaale made a trip to city, and was nearly assasinated and had to flee within in the same day he arrived. The President has never returned since that day in 2001! It seemed the people in the city felt that the admin was trying to rule over them and they wanted to send a message by forcing Riyaale back to safety of Hargeysa. The major player in Lascaanod is Habsaade, who ever he aligns himself with determines where the city will "tentatively" work with.He was not welcome in Hargeysa and by the next time Riyaale came to Lascaanod he was chased out. Then within weeks of being fired from the Ministers post in Puntland, Lascaanod switched sides. I highly doubt their will be elections in September but if they have them, we will see if Riyaale campaigns there. Regardless, Reer Sool knows that the one major tribe in NW Somalia will win the next elections. They will either be the President, or if Riyaale wins they will be vice (both opposition parties are lead by the same family). NO reer Sool or Sanaag are running for president.

As long as these Garowe boys are not crying over Somaliland independence is all good. Lol, the delusions! There no independence and none coming! 19 years any nothing to show on the international stage.