xiinfaniin;961320 wrote: NGONGE misses the point in Puntland's involvement in this Jubbaland initiative. The Jubbaland case has already been won. The Mogadishu meeting is nothing more than a face saving exit for Hassan Sheekh. Despite internet reports, there is an understanding between Madoobe, Faroole and Hassan when they met in Nairobi. Jubbaland will only go forward, and Faroole's involvement has been crucial with respect to pressuring federal government to step back. Not at all. PL's involvement is for PL interests. Madoobe happens to fit in with that, this week. The rest of what you wrote remains to be seen but that's neither here nor there in what I was talking about anyway. Wax fahan.

nuune;961494 wrote: Haku maqlo Caano-Geel iyo Blessed adoo Burco xamanaya, what is exactly that you don't like about Burco, ma qeylada iyo sawaxanka buuqa arbushaada iyo qorya-qoryeynta. Four hours not bad, ma Muzzdalifaa la joogaa hehe lol@Muzzdalifaa Anigu Blessed iyo Caano Geel waxay jecladaan ma khasab bay igu tahay inaan angia na jeclaado? Naga daa. I hated the children running around the streets at midnight. p.s. Norf, there really is not difference between Burco and South Sudan. Faanka naga daa.

^^ It was four hours. Spent in a hotel in a maqaaxi right in the middle of town (and also driving around town). I like my reer Burco but I couldn't stand that town. Naga daaya.

^^ I didn't like Burco. It is most certainly not a place I would want to go on holiday but I could easily deal with it if I had to.

^^ What's wrong with that? You reckon I can't hack it?

Marksman;961308 wrote: NGONGE, why think in extremes? You think this is better than actual choice of attire? I think Somali women can decide for themselves. Sometimes I wonder why there's such a high divorce rates among Somalis. What exteremes? This or naked is all the same to me, saaxib. Women can do whatever they like to do. It really is none of my business. (my joke about topless girls seems to have gone right over your head; check out FEMEN).

^^ Mine was a naughty dig. Work it out warya.

I'm now picturing a photo of a topless Somali girl with the words "naga daaya" written all over her chest.

^^ He's a Somali, Zack. Supporting Somaliland does not stop him from commenting on anything to do with anything in the world (never mind the fiasco next door), wax fahan. Horta waliga ma argtay Somali oo leh "maxa iga galay"? We could be talking about the linguistic merits of 17th century poetry of Catalonia and you are bound to get a SOL member (or any Somali for that matter) joining in with Gerard Pique being a proud Catalan and that his football is like poetry in motion. They said Mandella is in hospital, car cid halaga maqlo "maxa iga galay". It'll be more like "Nelson waa nin fiican lakin the South Africans waa dad xun oo Somalida dila". They said Egypt and Ethiopia are arguing over the Nile lakin car qof Somali halaga maqlo "maxa iga galay"; it'll be Carabs waa uuf and Xabashis are bigger uuf. They said the Turks are fighting over a shopping mall and some religious misunderstandings lakin car qof Somali halaga maqlo "maxa iga galay"; it'll be, Erdogan came to Somalia last year and Erdogan will build a similar shopping mall in Bosaaso. Naga daaya dee. Deal with Norf's digs directly and leave out the "maxa kaa galay" nonsense.

The Economist article is neither here nor there but the Hiiraan one is well written and deals with the issues head on (even if it leans towards one side).

I don't understand every part of the story (though I get the hint) lakin waxaan huba inuu Xiin god khalad iska galay.

:D (don't tempt fate warya).

A&T, I get you saaxib. I just think you’re poring too closely to the issue to see it for what it is. The Federal government, PL and all other Somali stakeholders (minus Somaliland) have signed up to this constitution and to the roadmap. They all agreed to adhere to it and were even warned off about “spoiling”. They were all pushed, cajoled and almost forced to toe the line and work towards bringing Somalia back. Still, the process was never straight forward; the constitution, parliament and federal framework were never clarified or set in stone for a reason. The reason was to allow all sides room for manoeuvre and to make the disputes political rather than clannish (even though the clan issue towers above everything else). Hassan Sheikh is being obstinate and refusing to compromise on his interpretation of the constitution or the setting up of federal states. But even that is not a problem had he had something else up his sleeve with which he could pummel his opposition (politically speaking). Alas, as far as we can see, he doesn’t have much other than Barre & Baasto (which is nothing short of a declaration of war and, should it continue in the same vein, would actually break all the rules). The Imam is really not much different to Hassan (well, except in that the Imam shouts his opposition openly whilst Hassan loves to slither about). The Imam’s politics has always been that of confrontation and open defiance (see his “they tampered with the constitution” argument). His politics, outwardly at least, is all about winners and losers. He does not leave any room for compromise nor does he (seem to) care for compromise. As things stand today, he would be the worst alley for Madoobe to have (unless he and his MPs are needed for parliamentary votes). The main player and the key to all this dispute is Madoobe. Mr Islaan wants to keep the seat of power for himself. But, in order for him to keep the seat in a Somali federal government, he needs to outmanoeuvre and outplay everyone else (up to and including the Kenyans themselves). Yet, in order to do that, he also needs to be in full control of Kismaayo! How could he do such a thing when he’s being attacked from all sides by all kinds of opponents (even food items)? Madoobe can’t afford to “take his ball home”, he has to reach out to his opponents within Kismaayo and win them to his side. If he does not, he will lose. Not because Hassan Sheikh is a greater politician than he is, not because the Imam gave him bad advice but because, like Hassan, he was too stubborn to play the politics game. The Hargeisa analogy would make sense if Somaliland has signed up to this constitution.

Abtigiis;960937 wrote: Irrespective of which interpretation is correct, the constitutional dictates on the formation of regional states was predicated on the attainment of a national leadership, accepted and trusted by all clans, which will implement it. It is now clear that one clan in Somalia has no trust on President Hassan. That clan therefore is suspicious of the national government, mainly because the national government is dominated by one man. Any person, or think-tank who loos for answers to the current stalemate from the pages of the constitution is either a certifiable id.io.t or simply does not want to accept the ugly reality on the ground. The problem we face needs a radical solution. The Constitution is just a plain paper. It is the consent that its followers place on it, that makes it a useful paper which helps society to govern itself. In the absence of that consent, the paper remains a paper. This is true for the constitutions of the USA, Jamaica, Brunei, Barbados and Lesotho, countries where the government is capable of enforcing the constitution. In Somalia, where the Government has no power whatsoever to enforce the constitution, the constitution becomes not only a paper, but a trash paper. That is why President Hassan and the leadership must re-engineer the whole politics and find a solution that addresses the trust factor, rather than mindlessly talk about what the constitution says and what it does not say. Hadii sidaa la yeeli waayo, dee markaa dawladu constitution keeda ha iska wadato, anaguna heestii Kacanka ayaan la qaadaynaa: Kacaanku gaabin maayo Gadal u laaban maayo Geesna u leexan maayo Geed kaana gaadhi maayo.... Offside baad ku jirta warya. If it is as you say, then that "one clan" is in the wrong and does not understand what politics is. The whole point of politics is about ensuring that your interpretation of events prevails over the interpretation of others. In the case of Somalia, all sides agreed on the roadmap and the deals of Garowe I & II. The rules were put in place even when ALL sides fully knew that sooner or later someone was going to throw a spanner in the works (that someone being the smiling Hassan, today). Still, to sulk and choose to take your ball home just because Hassan's stubbornness seems to have halted the Jubbaland process is shameless conduct and is against the rules you signed up to (i.e. OFFSIDE). Of course, Jubbaland & PL can choose to "take their ball home" but that would still leave us with the twenty-two year old question of, what should be done with Somalia? Another roadmap? Another TNG/TFG? What? War play the game and stop this nihilist nonesense.

^^ War it wasn't Norf that asked for the update dee. You drove us crazy and got us addicted to this Kismaayo issue for the past few months and then suddenly stopped. I have withdrawl symptoms now and want an update ninyaho. Haye, maxa soo khorday? Baastada ma la cunay mise wali way karaysaa?

This one is for Taleexi! A Chinese farmer went into an Italian barbers for a haircut. After it was done, he asked the barber “how much do I owe you?” The Italian said “nothing” Chinese farmer: “do you mean you just cut my hair for free?” Italian: “I do it for the good of humanity and to help people” Chinese farmer “your goodness embarrasses me” The following morning, as the Italian came to open his shop he found three roses and a thank you note from the Chinese farmer. That day, the Italian was cutting the hair of a French Gold Merchant. The same conversation took place and the Italian gave the same reply. The following morning and as the Italian came to open his shop he found a gold ring and a thank you note from the French man. That day, the Italian was cutting the hair of a Somali man. The same conversation took place and the Italian gave the same reply. The following morning and as the Italian came to open his shop, he found dozens of Somalis waiting for free haircuts.

^^ You have a go at Wenger for buying unkown French players (even though those days are long gone) yet welcome an unkown Spaniard to Anfield. Naga daa dee.

Taleexi;960793 wrote: Mysterious species indeed. I believe Allah fabricated/created them for a warning to the humanity! Don't give up just yet, Taleexi. We all roll up our newspapers and storm out of the maqaaxi every once in a while only to get back on the saddle again once our emotions have settled. Marka waxba ha niya jabin saaxib. Somalis are bashar like all the others Allah created (nothing unique about us, duqa). p.s. Oh look! Chimera is posting pointless photos again.

Settle down, guys. Any new updates worth talking about?

^^ Only if Barca have a fit manager. I still think Wenger is the man to fear next season. Unlike in previous summers, this year he is actually making the right noises and talking about buying some star names. So, mabye Arsenal are finally ready to spend (not to mention the advent of FFP rulesand what that means for a club like Arsenal). It's going to be a very exciting season of football for most teams (except for us and our clown).

It worked, Faheema. It worked! (hello Juxa).

Anything happening there this week? I want my Kismaayo fix you baskets!

Afternoon, Faheema. Sorry in advance. ** Slaps Faheema on both cheeks and has her in a headlock whilst shouting "soo bax Juxaay" ** (trouble is the only thing that brings her out you see).

Morning all.

Gah! A thread full of plastics. It really should be Arsenal's to lose but will Arsene have the guts to go out and buy the needed players?