Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been elected the Catholic Church's Pope, taking the name Francis. Appearing on a balcony over St Peter's Square in Rome, he asked the faithful to pray for him, with cheers erupting as he gave a blessing. The 76-year-old from Buenos Aires is the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to be pontiff. Messages of goodwill have poured in from around the world. The Pope's inaugural Mass will be next Tuesday. Pope Francis replaces Benedict XVI, who resigned last month at the age of 85, saying he was not strong enough to lead the Church. Francis has telephoned Benedict and is planning to meet him, a Vatican spokesman said. The new Pope takes the helm at a difficult time for the Catholic Church, facing an array of challenges which include the role of women, interfaith tensions and dwindling congregations in some parts of the world. 'Fruitful mission' The election of a new Pope was signalled by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday evening. Continue reading the main story At the scene Michael Hirst BBC News, Rome There was elation on a rain-strewn St Peter's Square as the white smoke billowed from the rusty chimney. Brollies bounced and flags swayed as the basilica bells rang out. The crowd swelled as Rome converged on the square, priests and pilgrims running to catch a glimpse of their new leader. "Viva il papa!" they chanted, as they waited to learn his name. Once the crowd had been told, the chants quickly turned to: "Fran-ces-co! Fran-ces-co!" And then, to trumpet fanfare, the balcony curtains parted and the new Pope appeared above them, to bless them - but only after he had asked them to pray with him, and for him. The people were touched, and roared their approval. Electric atmosphere Change and continuity About an hour later, the name of the new Pope was read out. The BBC's James Robbins, in St Peter's Square, says that at first the crowd was unsure who this man was, but they seemed to warm to his humour. He began his address to the crowds by offering a prayer for his predecessor. In a light-hearted moment, he said his fellow cardinals had gone to the "ends of the Earth" to find a bishop of Rome. He went on to ask the crowd to "pray to God so that he can bless me", before calling on the world to set off on a path of love and fraternity. "Habemus Papam Franciscum," was the first tweet by the papal account @pontifex since Benedict stood down last month. The election was met with thunderous applause at the cathedral in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis' home city. Throughout Latin America - home to 40% of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics - people reacted with delight and surprise. "It's a huge gift for all of Latin America. We waited 20 centuries. It was worth the wait," said Jose Antonio Cruz, a Franciscan friar in the Puerto Rican capital San Juan, quoted by the Associated Press. "Everyone from Canada down to Patagonia is going to feel blessed. This is an event." US President Barack Obama sent "warm wishes" on behalf of the American people to the newly elected pontiff, hailing the Argentine as "the first pope from the Americas". Continue reading the main story Pope Francis Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 (age 76) in Buenos Aires, of Italian descent Ordained as a Jesuit in 1969 Studied in Argentina and Germany Became Cardinal of Buenos Aires in 1998 Seen as orthodox on sexual matters but strong on social justice Argentines divided Wry Brazilian welcome Profile: Pope Francis World reaction Argentina's President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner wished him a "fruitful pastoral mission". She is expected to attend the Pope's inauguration Mass on Tuesday, as is US Vice President Joe Biden, himself a Catholic. UK Prime Minister David Cameron said it was a "momentous day" for Catholics, while Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, leader of the world's Anglicans, offered him "every blessing". "I look forward to meeting Pope Francis, and to walking and working together to build on the consistent legacy of our predecessors," he said in a statement. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he looked forward to cooperation under Pope Francis's "wise leadership". Correspondents say Cardinal Bergoglio was a surprise choice and not among a small group of frontrunners before the election. Many observers were also expecting a younger pope to be elected. He is regarded as a doctrinal conservative but seen as a potential force for reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, which may have won the support of reforming cardinals. However, he is known more than anything for his humility. He has spent almost his entire career in Argentina and often travels to work by bus. Continue reading the main story Pope's next steps Thursday: Pope celebrates Mass with cardinals in Sistine Chapel - closed to public but televised Friday: Pope meets all cardinals, including those over 80 who did not take part in conclave Saturday: Papal audience with media Sunday: Pope recites Angelus with faithful in St Peter's Square Tuesday: Pope formally installed at Mass in St Peter's Square The BBC's Marcia Carmo in Buenos Aires says Cardinal Bergoglio's sermons always had an impact in Argentina: he often stressed social inclusion and indirectly criticised governments that did not pay attention to those on the margins of society. "He is a very serious figure, with moral clout... but very down to earth," said Monsignor Eduardo Garcia of the Cathedral of Buenos Aires. The name the new Pope has taken is reminiscent of St Francis of Assisi, the 13th Century Italian reformer and patron saint of animals, who lived in poverty. The saint was said to have been summoned by God to repair a Church in ruins. Cardinal Bergoglio, whose family roots are Italian, is generally thought to have come second in the last conclave in 2005, which elected Benedict XVI as Pope. The 115 cardinals involved in the 2013 election were in isolation since Tuesday afternoon, and held four inconclusive votes. At least 77 of them, or two-thirds, would have had to vote for a single candidate for him to be elected Pope. Before the conclave began, there appeared to be no clear choice to replace Benedict.

I think prime minister Netanyahu was visiting a barmitswa and President Obama was visting the kotel wailing wall in Jerusalem.

Ciidamada Amaanka Somaliland Oo Garoonka Diyaaradaha Berbera Ka Qabtay Afhayeenka Raysal-wasaaraha Somaliya Berbera (Ramaas) Mar 16,2013 – Ciidamada booliska ee ka hawlgalla Madaarka diyaaradaha ee Berbera, ayaa shalay galinkii dambe madaarka ku qabtay afhayeenka raysal-wasaaraha Somaliya, kaasi oo diyaarad Muqdisho u siday kula hakatay Madaarkaasi. Afhayeenka raysal-wasaaraha Somaliya oo lagu Magacaabo Cabdishakuur, ayaa sida wararku sheegayaan ay ciidamadu qabteen ka dib markii uu si nasasho ahaana uu uga soo deggay diyaarada, balse markii ay aqoonsadeen maamulka Madaarku ay amreen in la qabto, iyagga oo amar ka helaya dhanka laanta socdaalka ee Somaliland. Warka ayaa intaa ku daraya in ninkaasi ay ciidamada amaanku u kaxeeyeen dhanka gudaha Magaalada Berbera, waxaana la sheegay in ciidamadu ku xidheen saldhigyada booliska ee Magaalada Berbera mid ka mid ah. Raysal-wasaaraha Somaliya ee uu ninkani afhayeenka u yahay Cabdi Faarax Shirdoon (Saacid), ayaa ah masuul aad ugu faro dheer shacabka Somaliland iyo dawladooda.

Somaliland oo xabsiga dhigtay Af-hayeenka Raysal Wasaaraha Somaliya oo Transit ku ahaa Madaarka Berbera Ilaa hada lama oga Xukuumadda Somaliland sharciga ay u adeegsatay qabashada masuulkan iyadoo xeerarka caalamiga ah ee diyaaraduhu dhigayaan qofka Transit ka ah in aan diyaaradda u saran yahay lagala degi Karin Hargeysa(Waaheen) Xukuumadda Somaliland ayaa xabsiga u taxaabtay Af-hayeenka Raysal Wasaaraha Somaliya C/shakuur Cali oo Tarnsit ku ahaa Madaarka Berbera, kaasoo ay booliiska Madaarka ka hawlgalaa u dhaadhiciyeen xabsiga Berbera. Sarkaal ka tirsan laanta socdaalka Somaliland ayaa xalay Waaheen u xaqiijiyay inay sarkaalkaas ka qabteen madaarka Berbera, kadib markii ay amar ka heleen madaxda sare ee qaranka kuwaas oo uu ka gaabsaday inuu faahfaahin ka bixiyo. C/shakuur Cali waxa qorshaha diyaaradda siday ahayd in uu saaka ka duulo magaaladda berbera, hase yeeshee markii la fadhiisiiyay Qolka VIP-da ayay madaxda Maamulka Gobolku amreen in loo dhaadhiciyo dhinaca magaaladda, halkaas oo lagu hayo saldhig Booliis. Xukuumadda Somaliland ayaa dhawaan xidhay Xildhibaan ka tirsan Baarlamaanka Somaliya oo Gabilay u yimi Hooyadii uu xanuunsanysa, hase yeeshee Maxkamadda Gobolka Hargeysa ayaa ku riday Xukun ah in Dalka laga mastaafuriyo, isla markaana uu bixiyo ganaax dhan Hal Milyan.

Alpha i think the talks will continue which is a separate process and road map its not tight to this conference. Its just that Somaliland and Somalia will not talk in a conference in London on Somalia. But the Somaliland goverment is open for talks, its just that Somalia is still not ready yet.

According to some people this is good But this is very bad

I know whats hurting oday a british israeli american turkish ethiopian kenyan officials are all welcome in somaliland. But officials from somalia are not welcome in somaliland and get send back or arrested:D Yet he wants to represent somaliland people he cannot even visit nor even agree with them on anything

Oba are they not to political groups

He didnt even mention somaliland, By the way nothing wrong with israel

Lol@ to their goverment , by the way people are saying Somaliland does not want to talk to Somalia at the London conference. let somalia come and lets talk in a foreign country. But Somalia it seems is not ready for one on one talks with Somaliland. So we give them time to come and hold talks with Somaliland.

i have observed you and your way of thinking.

I dont think he is an atheist he might be agnostic nevertheless funny statement coming from Apophis:D

Thats what they all say:D

The sage i dont think he is a proper Koonfurian , he is from Ethiopia but was born in Somalia in the years the Somali republic was promoting Pan Somalism, he doesn't have roots in Somalia. So you can understand where the dislike comes from. As for Somalia it will take years till we have proper good relations with Somalia its self. i used to think that Somalia and Somaliland can peacefully coexist but its unlikely countries that go their separate ways Kosovo serbia, have bad relations Eritrea Ethiopia have bad relations south sudan sudan have bad relations. i think Somaliland and Somalia will not be an exception but in 3 generations there could be good relations between Somaliland and Somalia.

This project will be very good for Djibouti and very beneficial this project will make sure that Djibouti gets a share of all that is exported from its ports lots of revenue there., and that Djibouti will have the largest and most busiest port in the horn of Africa. It is for sure a major triumph for Djibouti also for Ethiopia and south sudan.Ismaciil cumar geele is doing a fantastic job for the people of Djibouti God bless

Apophis;927158 wrote: I was born in the republic, it's my priority. Born in the republic but not from there just like mr macow who said they called me a refugee when i was in Somalia , and now that i am an adult man i know Somalia was never my country. Either way if you are reer waamo , Somaliland still has no effect on you negatively nor positively. So dont see the problem there, as for pirates well yeah we are in dispute for a long time. But you from where was it afmadow will not be effected if Somaliland stays where it is and prosperous or not. Just like Somaliland has great relations with you're other kin in NFD.

^^ Should you not worry about fighting the TPLF instead of bad mouthing the Somalilanders, Somalilanders are winners they take what belongs to them. Talk about misplaced priorities from our friend Apophis:D

Borama awdal Sanaag ceerigaabo Saahil Berbera Sool Tallow dadkan maxay ahayeen maxay xusayaan tallow:D

You did it again , your the man you made us proud

South Sudan to Truck Oil Through Ethiopia, Djibouti for Export By William Lloyd George - Mar 14, 2013 12:59 PM GMT+0100 South Sudan’s government said it signed an agreement with Ethiopia and Djibouti that may enable the East African nation to export oil by truck from July, while a study on a pipeline linking the three countries is completed. An accord signed on March 12 in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, envisages crude being exported via Djibouti’s Red Sea port of Douraleh, South Sudan Deputy Petroleum Minister Elizabeth James Bol said in an interview today. Douraleh is 1,469 kilometers (913 miles) northeast of Juba, the South Sudanese capital. “We need to wait for a technical assessment to be done first, but Ethiopia and Djibouti agreed for the oil to be exported by trucks through their countries,” Bol said. South Sudan is considering building two pipelines, one via Ethiopia and another across Kenya to the port of Lamu, as an alternative to the conduit that runs through neighboring Sudan. South Sudan halted oil production in January 2012 after accusing Sudan’s government of stealing $815 million worth of its crude, a charge the Khartoum administration denied. The two nations agreed on March 12 to resume production and exports. ILF Consulting Engineers of Germany has been asked by South Sudan, Djibouti and Ethiopia to carry out a feasibility study on the plan to export oil by truck, Bol said. The study will examine issues including the suitability of the countries’ roads and is expected to be completed in four months, she said. ILF’s main focus will be to assess the feasibility and engineering plan for the pipeline to Douraleh, Bol said. “The long-term goal is the pipeline,” she said. “Sending the oil by truck is only a short-term measure till the pipeline is finished.” South Sudan seceded from Sudan in July 2011, taking control of about three-quarters of the formerly united country’s output of 490,000 barrels of oil a day. Oil in South Sudan is pumped mainly by China National Petroleum Corp., Petroliam Nasional Bhd of Malaysia and India’s Oil & Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Richardson in Nairobi at

South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti Agree On Oil Route for Export 13 MARCH 2013 MORE ON THIS The Ngamia 1 oil rig in Turkana where Tullow Oil is prospecting for oil with initial signs of huge deposits. A tripartite agreement was reached late afternoon on Tuesday that will enable South Sudan to start exporting crude oil through ports in Djibouti, crossing inland Ethiopia, sources disclosed to Fortune. Representatives from the three countries have signed a memorandum of understanding at the Addis Abeba Hilton on March 12, 2013. Abrahame Tekeste (PhD), state minister for Finance & Economic Development; Elizabeth James Bol, deputy minister of Petroleum & Mining for South Sudan; and Aboubaker Omar Hadi, chairman of Ports & Free Zones Authority of Djibouti, have negotiated the deal that lets South Sudan export crude oil, transporting it with trucks all the way to the Red Sea Port of Douraleh. If carried out accordingly, South Sudan will start supplying crude oil to the world market beginning July 2013, sources familiar with the deal disclosed. South Sudan had stopped exporting oil for over a year after its fallout with North Sudan over disagreements on border issues and fees the North used to charge for letting the South use its oil pipelines and facilities. Although leaders of both countries signed an agreement in Addis Abeba late last year, experts foresaw the reopening of pipelines taking more time than originally anticipated. Exporting crude oil by trucks through Djibouti is designed as a temporary response until the pipelines are reopened for service, a senior official from South Sudan told Fortune.

The new Mayor will also be Unuka just from a different sub clan:D

Haatu;927038 wrote: Every sub-sub-sub clan wants a state, a president and naturally an airport. :D and you haatu you said Somalis are one nation:D

Why do koonfurians have this idea that Somaliland leaders brainwash its citizens remember SNM was not calling for an independent Somaliland but because it was a homegrown Somaliland movement, funded by Somalilanders. they went along with the independence of Somaliland. Because the people of Somaliland were sick and tired of Koonfurians and do not wish to share a (state goverment) with them never again. These people really think Siilaanyo and his likes wanted an independent Somaliland in 1991. They wanted some sort of a union a shared union with USC. But the people said we must have our own country and they sang this song 1991 Somaliland. And nothing has changed so its not President siilaanyos fault for not wanting to be associated with you.