^^^ Nice. But I think it would look even better with the black and red middle part removed!

Originally posted by NGONGE: ^^ I am not an expert in Somali but I suspect the appropriate and only reply I could use here is a cheery: mac sonkor! Ngone, how many threads are currently in the midst of conversations relating to your child mongering depravities? Kulahaa, "mac sonkor!" And why, at age 50, haven't you yet learnt how to speak, read and write af Somaali???

Originally posted by Laba_Xiniinyood: ...Mr, Somalia, am I right in assuming that you are the author of this article? It is worthy of an applause, I must say, and your efforts are rather laudable - if I was a middle-aged, white lady living in Swindon that is! To someone aware of the everyday going-ons in Somalia'a capital, the article comes across as the work of a hare-brained author, without knowledge of Mogadishu or Somalia's history, past or present! If you are not the author, however, then do accept my apologies! ^^^***Waaahhhh...*** ^^^ Mar aad ii dhamaystirtay ayaad ii leedahay, accept my apologies! No-- I did not author that piece. And thank you for sharing you thoughts, I'll do the same later on... :cool:

Originally posted by NGONGE: Mr Charles, oo isaguna halkaasi hadal kooban ka jeediyay waxa uu sheegay in ujeedada socdaalka ay ku yimaadeen Somaliland ay daaran tahay in wax ka bedel lagu sameeyo habkii hore ee ay Qaramada Midoobay ula dhaqmi jirtay Somaliland, iyadoo si toos ah loo siin doono kaalmada iyo mucaawimooyinka Somaliland ay QM ku taakulayso. Waxa kale oo uu sheegay Mr Charles in ay xafiis cusub ka furan doonaan Qaramada Midoobay caasimada Somaliland ee Hargeysa, isagoo ka waramaya arrimaha ay QM danaynayso in ay ka caawiso Somaliland waxa ka mid ayuu sheegay Mr Charles dhibaatooyinka Budhcad-badeedka iyo sidii loo sugi lahaa amaanka xeebaha iyo dalka Somalilandba guud ahaan. Don't in turn be as ignorant as JB! The UN organization doesn't recognize your clan enclave as a tangible real nation....in fact, neither do the powers that be. The UN is only trying to avert the looming blood bath that might occur if Riyaale does not step down peacefully. So cheer-lead all you like for this defunct concept of wey duushay that you peddle in these here threads, but marfashland will always amount to nothing short of morbid embarrassment to real patriotic Somalis everywhere!

As you read this article or break your fasting, Mogadishu remains the focus of so much tension and hostilities. The few remaining brave residents are left anxious, confused and apprehensive. In the last 20 years or so they hardly had a good night’s sleep without being awakened by the roar of a mortar shelling or bomb explosions. Their ears perforated and deafened by unbearable and threatening noises. Their days filled with the sad news of the death of a relative, a neighbor, a friend or a stranger killed by strayed bullets or bombs. Since April, the city has witnessed one of the worst cycles of violence. Some 200,000 people fled the city, seeking refuge and shelter in places as far away as Kenya and Ethiopia. Understandably, most Somalis are perplexed by what is happening in this ghost but once beautiful city. They are desperately searching for answers to the question: Why is the city still burning when residents of other cities can enjoy a good night’s sleep without being disturbed by explosions? And what can be done to end the violence? Let us try to seek some answers from recent history by analyzing the different stages of the violence, its actors, the magnitude and scale of each stage in the city. Mogadishu: the pride of all Somalis It was in 1960 when the city finally came under the control of a Somali government and became the capital city of a modern Somali state. The city has been the country’s political, social and economic power-house for a very long time. Major political and economic decisions that affected people’s life, for example the decision to go war with neighbor countries; the decision to launch the national literacy campaign and many more important decisions were all taken in the city. Because of its status, Somalis from all the walks of life developed strong emotional attachment to the city. The few Somali elite and middle classes who were lucky enough to get education achieved their academic qualification in Mogadishu institutes and universities. As far remote as Zeylac and Ras Kamboni, Somalis congregated in the city, seeking employment, education or wealth. They heavily invested in it sometimes at the expense of the cities of their homelands. Anyone who lived in Mogadishu prior 1990s can still remember the land grabbing that existed; how one was considered wealthy if they owned a property in Mogadishu; how the city-sprawling with people-grew in size, and new names such as Huriwa, Xamar Jadiid were added to the names of the city’s old quarters of Xamar Jab-Jab and Xamar Wayne. In its booming business days, prominent wealthy people like the famous Jirde Hussein from the Northwest region and the Uunlaay brothers had their business headquarters in the capital; one only needs to remember the Jirde Hussein building, one of the city’s famous landmarks. Socially, during its harmonious days, the city was a home for all Somalis regardless of their regional backgrounds or clan affiliation. They lived side by side in peace and harmony. I invite those of you who lived there to join me in remembering how families from different parts of the country lived in and shared houses, how your neighbour was someone from as far away places as Hargeysa, Baydhabo, or Kismayo, and how children played and went school together happily, and education was available to them regardless of their background. In its amorous times, lovers kissed and held hands in Mogadishu’s gardens and streets. They got married regardless of their clan affiliation. In its festive and ceremonial mood, national festivals like the Prima Luglio - the Independence Day – were held there, and city residents celebrated. In its spiritual times, sheiks and their disciples would have said their prayers at the famous Arbaca Rukun mosque with its white minaret up in the sky as though competing with the spires of the Italian Roman Catholic Cathedral over the dominance of the city’s clear blue skies. A tolerant city it was. Simply put it, the city was a real metropolitan city, and Somalis were proud of heir beloved city. Mogadishu as a ghost city Unfortunately, the above beautiful memories started to come to an end in late 1980s when the military regime started to hunt down suspected sympathizers of the then armed opposition groups, namely SSDF SNM et al. Although Mogadishu’s residents sometimes felt the regime’s repressive measures and no one can deny that, it was not until the armed opposition group forces entered the city in 1991 in order to dislodge the military regime that the city became a place for every thing that is miserable, evil and hurtful. In the last days of its demise bombarded residential areas indiscriminately. First exodus It was early 1991s when the city witnessed the first massive exodus of people when militias, motivated by clan hatred, hunted down and chased away hundreds of thousands of its residents from other clans. Having lived there for centuries, those persecuted communities realized that Mogadishu was not their permanent home anymore and that they had to start a new life somewhere, probably as far away as Bosaaso, Hargeisa, Kismayo and Baydhabo. Certainly many of the people, who now are contributing to the construction and development of Bosaaso and Hargeisa, are people who were kicked out of Mogadishu. Simply put it, the first exodus was probably caused by a mixture of the chaos and anarchy that ensued the collapse of the regime and a deadly ethnic cleansing exercise by some militias.1 Maybe those lineage groups who were expelled from the city would nickname the first exodus as “Barakacii D****d (the D****d Exodus instigated by H****e). Also the expulsion of Benadirs and Xamar communities from the city is very important point to mention, hence Benadirs’ exodus by H****e. A divided city The misery of city’s residents did not end there but the bloodshed continued when communities from the same clan family that chased out other clans slaughtered each other and the word “dagaal-ooge” (warlord) was probably created in the Somalis political dictionary. During the warlord times, the most famous features that city’s residents had to endure were the Isbaarooyin (road blocks) erected by the infamous Mogadishu warlords in order to harass, kill, and extort money from the public. However, to be fair on history, there was no massive exodus from the city during the warlord era after the city had been cleansed of the other lineage groups. The city just remained divided with occasional outbreaks of brutal violence by warlords and their militias. In mid 1990s, international force led by American forces and militias loyal to the late General Aidiid and his militia caused mayhem in city. This conflict was probably caused by a super power determined to pacify Mogadishu and a warlord that was out to resist what he saw as an occupation forces. At this time there was no massive displacement of people although there were heavy casualties and civilian deaths. Second exodus In 2006, when Ethiopia invaded Somalia illegally, the TFG and Ethiopian forces on one side, and insurgents groups on the other side committed atrocities in the city. If one analysis that conflict one could see how it had all hallmarks of sectarian and vindictive clan conflict – in which some communities were targeted and chased out of Mogadishu. Some leaders of those communities who were expelled from Mogadishu in early 1990s were in power, and using foreign forces and the politics of “war on terror” as a disguise they executed their vindictive clan violence to avenge for their clansmen.2 This exodus was the second major displacement of people since 1990s. Hundreds of thousands of its residents fled the city, seeking refuge in remote places as Galgaduud and Mudug. Those few residents who lived and still live in Mogadishu would testify that the violence during this period was the worst that the city had ever seen since 1990s. If one compares it to the violence during the warlord era – in which the city was divided - it looks though the city was safer and less violent particularly in terms of displacement of its residents. Some Mogadishu residents have dubbed this exodus as “Barakacii H****e” (the displacement of H****e-H********r caused by Abdullahi Yusuf). That violence ended when Ethiopian forces withdrew from Somalia. Third exodus The third exodus was set off by the return of the leader of ARS-Djibouti wing to Mogadishu. Feeling left out of the power struggle and betrayed by his friends particularly the current president the leader used the presence of AMISON, which he sees as an occupation force, as a pretext to launch a massive attack on the TFG-II. It was because of this man’s inflammatory and seditious speeches that fueled the killings in Mogadishu since April.3 Again hundreds of thousands of people fled the city. If one analysis the latest violence it looks though that-although religious rhetoric was used as a cover up - vindictive sectarian clan politics were not absent from the scene. For example, some districts in the city that were safer in most of the violence (Kaaraan, Cabdul casiis) - were targeted. Those fled from the current violence are reportedly to come from current president’s close lineage groups (Mudulood). In other words those communities who were seen as associates of the previous TFG-I led by Abdullahi Yusuf were targeted in the current cycle of violence. And some of Mogadishu residents call the third exodus “Barakacii Mudulood” (the exodus of Mudulood instigated by Hassan Dahir Aweys). Perhaps one needs to put this in the context of vindictive clan politics in which the leader of the ARS-Asmara wing, using some members of the Mudulood community as a proxy and theology as a disguise – was possibly out to avenge for his clansmen who were targeted and chased out of Mogadishu during the TFG-I-Abdullahi Yusuf era.4 Displaced people from Mogadishu Besides the in-fighting of the dominant clan family in the city, leaders of other lineage groups may have been causing the violence to continue. In non-polite social circles and gatherings, members of some lineage groups don’t hide their anger over the loss of properties and loved ones and the humiliation they had suffered in the city in 1990s. And sadly because of that anger they see the bloodshed in the city as a punishment against their persecutors, the “other”. Or put it brutally Mogadishu residents “the other” deserve the death trap in which they find themselves for the crimes they had committed against other lineages. It is not hard to see or hear how some politicians, warlords and now clerics of “other” lineages are fueling the violence in Mogadishu, and how militias coming from Kismayo, Bosaaso, Gedo and Baydhabo, are siding up with one of the fighting groups in the city under the pretext of theology etc. Examples of that include: Hassan Turki’s militias that had recently joined other “Islamist” groups to fight the TFG; Abdullahi Yusuf’s militias from Puntland to exact revenge on behalf of their clansmen; Ahmed Godane, Shongole, and Mukhtar Roobow et al, the mad-dogs of Al-Shabab-Wahabiyah enthusiasts who are now executing their vigor and appetite for perpetual violence in Mogadishu in the name of religion. The other reason that might have been prolonging the violence is the sheer size of the city, which makes it very hard for any group to control it. Remember the city has been a home for millions of Somalis, and compared to other major cities e.g. Hargeysa, Boosaaso, it is probably the only city in Somalia where no single clan (within a clan family) has total control over it. Therefore all groups including the current TFG vs. “Islamists” groups, previous TFG-I, Ethiopian forces vs. the insurgency, warlords vs. warlords and even the UN-American led forces vs. warlord have failed to subjugate the city to a single authority except the six months that Islamic Courts Union forces were in power. Conclusion In the above scenarios one could see how sectarian and vindictive clan politics – be it within the same lineage or different lineage groups - have been fueling the non-ending violence in Mogadishu since the collapse of the central government. The violence reminds me of an article written by Dr Abdishakur Jowhar on the psychology of tribal wars and sectarian genocide. Let me share with you some quotation: “Tribal war is not about politics….. tribal warfare is about revenge. Tribes don’t fight for principles. They fight to get even.” “Tribal wars are therefore particularly and intentionally full of atrocities. Victims of tribal wars may be skinned or burned alive. Their dead bodies maybe mutilated and displayed. The aim of tribal revenge is not to achieve balance, but to attain vindication and total submission or extermination of the other. A tribe that fails the bloody test of revenge takes the risk of finding its resources, land and homes plundered, women carried off and men bullied.” Although the solution to the endemic violence in Mogadishu has to be part and parcel of any reconciliation initiatives there are things that could and should be done to reduce the violence in the city: Leaders of the dominant clan family in Mogadishu and “other” lineage groups that were expelled from Mogadishu in 1990s should refrain from fueling the violence through their religious rhetoric as a cover up for their sectarian agenda. Temporarily, relocate the seat of the government to other cities e.g. Garawe or Burco! In another words Mogadishu not as a capital city but just an ordinary city until such a time when Somalis are ready to decide on a capital city. This measure will ease the pressure on the city, in which fighting groups always perceive its control as an ultimate target to be achieved as though that would give them legitimacy, hence perpetual violence and bloodshed. The TFG should appoint a national commission to (i) investigate the atrocities that took place in Mogadishu; (ii) prepare a list of all properties that had been confiscated from “other “ lineage groups in 1990s and 2000s in view of returning them to their rightful owners. This task could be delegated to the current Mogadishu’s Mayoral Administration. The safe return of those residents that have been displaced in recent fighting should be given priority. Rather than using the same rhetoric and slogans of “Al-Qaacida, terrorism, extremism, Jihad” the TFG should reach out to those opposition groups in order to engage them in a political dialogue. Genuine reconciliation and dialogue is the only way out of the civil war. And finally, to all Somalis wherever you are, may I ask you to please respect Mogadishu residents’ right for a good night’s sleep just like their fellow residents of other cities are enjoying that inviolable human right. Muuse Yuusuf myuusuf3@hotmail.com

^^^ Ramadan or not, quit forever simplifying our national conundrum as some sort of reer Vs reer business! We need reconciliation and we need it now. The basics of which are as follows... 1. Acknowledgment -- When oppressors publicly acknowledge what they have done, knowledge becomes, in a sense, truth, and victims are (to some extent) assured that the past will not repeat itself. This in itself is contributes to victims' healing and, thereby, facilitates dialogue. However, for the act of acknowledgment to be effective must be complete and detailed. The victim cannot accept the omission of any painful episode of loss by the acknowledging side, otherwise the good faith of the acknowledgment will be suspect.” 2. Contrition -- The next step is to take responsibility for past actions, to express regret, and to directly request forgiveness. Again, sincerity, as judged by the victims, is the key to the success of this step. 3. Forgiveness -- The first two steps by the oppressor/aggressor prepares the ground for the final psychological step, which is the victim’s voluntary forgiveness of past injuries. It may take time for victims to express their forgiveness, but true acknowledgment and contrition by the other side will in themselves have a positive effect on relations between the parties. Source

Originally posted by Mr. Somalia, girlishly edited by Jalle Liqaye : *ABDULLAHI YUSUF was a murdering brute who will burn in hell for the evil committed in the *2000's against innocent Somalis. Anyone who can't see that is living in an alternate reality and is deluded. Saaxiib, you are mistaken. Unlike Aideed and his ghoulish minions, Allah(SWT) has bestowed his infinite mercy upon Mr Yey, and gave him the twilight of his life to repent. Last I recall, a bullet took out you wretched torchbearer, whilst he was in the midst of drinking the blood of Mogadishu. Liqaye, I wish life was as easy as a simple tit for tat, but it don't work like that. In fact, this ISN'T even about Sheikh Cabdullahi and the hell hound Aideed, but is about the goons who massacred their fellow country men and woman in the '90s. This thread is about the vile minions of Aideed, who maimed, raped and killed thousands of innocent civilians, and who to this day-- refuse genuine expiation for their crimes. All I got say to you is that,ALL the apes who served Aideed in his campaign of terror against fellow Somalis is... it is better to seek forgiveness NOW while you still have life in you, than face judgment on the day of reckoning for your villainies.

^^^ I lost you on point number 1. But on point number 2, am gonna have to call you out on it-- because, I acutely remember listening to an NPR interview with a guy from Wikipedia just last week. In that interview, he spoke of Wikipedia changing its Editing Policy. So go on and 'edumacate' yooorseelaafi!

Originally posted by Wing Wizard: Mr. Somalia, if you look --curiously-- at the most of the flags, they contain the same colors. May be you are not good flag inspector, but let me give you some examples: Countries with much more closer flags: A. Countries with the same flags - Ivory Coast & Ireland - Italy & Mexico - Germany & Belgium - USA & Malaysia - Iran & India - Lebanon & Canada B. Slighly different but still the same feel - England, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Norway... - Qatar & Bahrain - Pakistan, Tunisia & Turkey - Somalia & Morocco Google them if you want, you will impress. More than 80% of the flags in this world are the same. There is no unique flag, however, I can't judge if you are counting the Saudia flag. This is not yet another cookie-cutter, but, simply, its what experts call inspiration. The current flag of Somalia is not unique. It was inspired by the United Nations flag. Hope you will understand it. I do understand. However, I just want to point out-- that since we will always use the Somali National Flag in Puntland and across all Somali-Lands, we just gonna need something different for our State flag.

To Wing Wizard: I just found out that there is a whole branch of science dedicated to the art of Flag making! It's called Vexillology I also found this site-- give it a read.... HOW TO DESIGN A GREAT FLAG

^^^ Yours does not stand a chance, amigo! It's simply a plagiarized version of the Somali National Flag. A genuine effort MUST be original and unique. p.s You do realize that if Puntland ever comes up with a state flag, it will always fly side by side and underneath the Somali National Flag.

may i feel said he... by e.e. cummings may i feel said he (i'll squeal said she just once said he) it's fun said she (may i touch said he how much said she a lot said he) why not said she (let's go said he not too far said she what's too far said he where you are said she) may i stay said he (which way said she like this said he if you kiss said she may i move said he is it love said she) if you're willing said he (but you're killing said she but it's life said he but your wife said she now said he) ow said she (tiptop said he don't stop said she oh no said he) go slow said she (cccome? said he ummm said she) you're divine! said he (you are Mine said she)

Originally posted by General Duke: ^^^Two supporters of Aydeed, and the clueless warlords are giving lectures? Its ammusing indeed. Adeer the failed policies of the USC is evident today, Juje can see it outside his windows. Farah Aideed was a murdering brute who will burn in hell for the evil committed in the '90s against innocent Somalis. Anyone who can't see that is living in an alternate reality and is deluded.

Google should implement this great concept. No doubt, a ghalal or hgoogle would become an instant hit with halal conscious crowds of the world.

^^^ If he keeps on expanding like that, we will just have to start calling him Maroodi, instead of Garoodi.

Originally posted by MoonLight1: every somali have got blood on his hand by supporting his clan buddies, by the gun or by suporting them with money or at least enjoying their action while they're kicking some enemy's a55. I find it odd but not altogether surprising that you continually use and compound assumptions about innocent Somalis to construct false generalizations of a collective guilt. Every clan may have had evil members commit crimes against fellow Somalis-- but there is a great majority of innocent Somalis from every clan who did not condone nor partake in the mayhem taking place in Somalia. I know many evils have been committed by a few amongst us, but we are-- by and large-- are a good people who just happen to hit a rough patch in our history. This is why, it is paramount to reconcile our peoples, so as to work towards the unity of our country by forgiving one another. And forgiveness will only come with admittance of guilt. Now, who amongst you is willing to admit their guilt??? Abwaan? Meiji? Juje? Mansa Muse? Any response?

^^^ Atleast, meesha lama soo shir tagin, "Siyaad's troops ate our babies and raped our goats while they bombed our city". OH CRAP I GUESS THAT WAS GONNA BE HIS NEXT ALLEGATION AGAINST THE DICTATOR!!!

Originally posted by Abwaan: lol...USC and Abdullahi Yusuf. Whatever happened to SSDF!...Does this mean only this old man will take all the blame...I don't think that is fair when intaas dad ka daba ordayeen dhibka iyo dheefta uu geysteyna ay la qabaan. Juje...did SOL military police neither deny or confirm inay wax ka og yihiin qoraalkan...hadde ogow waxaa la dhahay aamusku waa khatare! AUN Sayid Muxammed Cabdille Xasan ayaa yiri "Musuqmaasuq Soomaali waa mehereddeediiye, Hadba midab horlay kuula iman maalin daa'inahe" Qofkii is dhaho wixii Soomaaliya ka dhacay qari oo dad gaar ah u saar isagaa og meesha uu aakhiro su'aasheeda ka aadayo. Kolleey meel ay noqoto ifka iyo aakhirana waa la is ciqaabi wixii dhib la geystey whether xilligii dowladuhu jireen iyo wakhtiyadii dagaallada sokeeyeba! To Abwaan: For starters; Cabdullahi Yuusuf is an amazing man and a great Somali. He has more sincerity under his fingernails than the whole USC combined, period. LMAO@ "did SOL military police neither deny or confirm inay wax ka og yihiin qoraalkan." The SOL admin will not come to your aid this time, because all we're doing is peddling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth-- however uncomfortable it might make you! But seriously, just one question: "What is the SSDF?" :cool:

LOL this is rich: "YOU BETTER PRAY I GET RECOGNITION, OR I WILL EXPAND" From the same guy who tirelessly calls the land of the vulturous Puntlanders a "pathetic little dessert waste". Praytell, exactly what good would achieve from expanding into a toxic wasteland? LMFAO.

^^^ Yes, yes... we bow to your wisdom juma-nne!

^^^ Watch it humble, you will be castigated ...and stuff.

Originally posted by humble.: ^Meiji and co. stop crying like kids now. If you intend to say something then say something that counters the argument of mr. somalia and co.. Ofcourse a crime was committed. Mr. Somalia and co., you have a defective memory, or rather, a selective memory. At least that much is clear. Have you two forgotten Ina Yey's carpet bombing of Mogadishu, and the carnage that ensued? Here too a crime was committed. If one crime would nullify another, then both sick-minded camps have nothing more to cite. Get over yourselves boys. You have no more right to allege crimes on each other. Telling you that is my favour. You don't have to thank me. Humble, thank you for your humble opinion. You're correct to direct some of the blame towards the old warrior, but remember when Said Barre was dealt his last blow, Cabdullahi was locked up and was not even in the political arena at the time. Now, the only question that baffles the mind is... Why did Aideed&Co, after having overthrown the former dictator, instead of pacifying the land and reconciling the people-- why did they embark upon the well orchestrated clan cleansing that took place in Somalia right after the regime collapsed??? Now the whole intent of this thread is reconciliation. And before that can occur, like I said earlier..."Every Somali that hurt another Somali must ask for forgiveness". This includes Cabdullahi Yuusuf, the USC, the SNM, the SPM, the RRA...and if possible now, the shabaab deviants, H.I and the clan courts. Anyone who harmed a fellow Somali must repent for our nation to be healed. Now is that too much to ask for without offending anyone??? :confused:

^^^ Mr Meiji, sir, paranoid rants don't equal truth. I believe, this thread having attracted you out of the shadows, deserves a more erudite response from you. However; I see you've chosen this sad path of deflection. I can only hope you do better next time.

^^^ oo hada waxaad na leydahay, qof u qalmo majiro. Cajiib! Dadka kale markey iyagu ay sheegtaan, waa ka hor imaanaysaa, adiguna mid ah noo ma sheegi kartid. This is called a surreal travesty of the imagination!

Aaaaaaaaamin Aaaaaaaamir: *QUACK*