Outside Hargeisa modern facilities for visitors are scarce and basic, but there is plenty to see. At Laas Geel, an area just outside the capital, visitors can see the most significant Neolithic rock-painting site in Africa, a treasure of global significance where the strong, vibrant colours and stark outlines show ancient locals worshipping cattle and venerating a pregnant cow. Farther afield a stunning drive through a dusty landscape takes you to the medieval port town of Berbera, site of a runway once secured by NASA as an emergency space shuttle landing strip. Tracks run along the coast west from Berbera, past mangroves, gorgeous islands and coral reef, to the towering cliffs and beaches around the historic city of Zeila, once part of the Ottoman Empire and a major centre for trade during the 19th Century. History lovers are well catered for along the coast with ruined cities, thousands of years old, which had links with ancient Egypt and northern Ethiopia. Energetic visitors can hike up into the thick forests in the Cal Madow mountains, home to at least 200 endemic plants and rare and beautiful wildlife, including the golden-winged grosbeak and the beira antelope. But the main attraction of this unrecognized country, at least for me, are the locals. Somalilanders are an inspirational people who have built a functioning state in a dangerous part of the world. The country, whether internationally recognized or not, is a stark and beautiful land and, thanks to both the landscape and the locals, one of my favourite places on the entire planet. The adventurer and explorer Simon Reeve has visited more than 110 countries and been around the world three times for the BBC television series Equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn. His latest televised journey, that included Somaliland, was titled Indian Ocean.

Somaliland: Africa’s unofficial country Africa Adventure 14 May 2012 | By Simon Reeve Currency traders in Somaliland (Simon Reeve) In most countries you need a passport to exchange foreign money for local currency. In Somaliland, an unrecognised country in the Horn of Africa, you need a wheelbarrow. Related blog post: Forms of ID with Simon Reeve Most local banknotes in Somaliland are only worth pennies, so a brick of money is usually needed to buy a meal of camel hump or goat meat. The whole process of exchanging notes is gloriously exotic. In the dusty local market in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, rows of currency traders set up stalls on the side of the road with money they value by weight. Some traders have hundreds of kilos of notes ready to swap for pound sterling, US dollars or euros, with barrow-boy helpers moving the money around on two wheels or in the back of a car. I gave them $100, and was handed a sack of Somaliland shillings that made me feel like a millionaire. I was visiting Somaliland on a journey that took me from South Africa, up the east coast of the continent, around India and back down through Indonesia to finish in southwest Australia. Rarely visited by Westerners, Somaliland is fundamentally different from the other countries in the region -- and almost anywhere else on the planet. According to the rest of the world, Somaliland is, officially, just a part of Somalia, located in the northern area along the Gulf of Aden. Somalia has endured appalling suffering during recent decades and has become the classic example of a failed state. At least one million Somalis have died in the conflict that has raged there for decades, and when I visited the Somali capital Mogadishu recently, the country was undergoing a famine that started during summer 2011 and by unofficial estimates has killed tens of thousands and affected millions more. For foreigners it is an anarchic, chaotic and a frighteningly dangerous place. I wore a flak jacket, helmet and “blast boxers” (armoured underwear) as I witnessed active frontline combat in the ongoing battle to control the country. Somaliland, by contrast, is an unrecognised state larger than England and home to 3.5 million people, but it has an independent, democratically elected government and its own army, flag, media and border control, but must rely on an uneasy relationship with Somalia for matters like international diplomacy and large scale public works. Somaliland also fosters a small tourist industry offering a warm and welcoming alternative to Somalia for the occasional adventurous international traveller who makes it this far. Landing here after visiting Somalia is a profound culture shock. In Mogadishu visitors are greeted by chaos and bundled into the back of an armoured personnel carrier for their own safety. In Somaliland I was greeted at the airport with a huge smile and warm hug by a local guide and taken by taxi to change money and then for a meaty feast in a local restaurant. Britain was the former colonial power in Somaliland from 1888-1960. Locals, overwhelmingly Muslim, fought and died for Britain during World War II, and Somalilanders still feel a strong attachment to the country and what consider its benevolent rule. They now struggle to understand why the UK has not done more to help their country secure legitimate international recognition -- a complicated issue apparently caused by the British government’s desire for an African state to be the first to recognise Somaliland, and the fact that a Somaliland port competes for business with neighbouring Djibouti. After separating from the shrinking British empire, Somaliland voluntarily joined with Somalia for economic and security reasons. But when a dictator came to power in Somalia the relationship soured in the 1980s. Somalilanders fought a bitter war to reclaim their independence which was ultimately successful, by default, as Somalia collapsed in internal turmoil. Visiting the Somaliland today is a humbling lesson in survival and self-determination. In Hargeisa, where 50,000 died during the war of re-independence, a Somali MiG jet used to bomb the city sits atop a poignant memorial. But the city is being repaired and redeveloped. There is hustle and bustle, as new shops, internet cafes, hotels and other businesses open every week.

Mukulaalow;829978 wrote: hayeee, taariikh cusub. Are you telling me there was a country called Somalia before 1884 intaanu saan cadaluhu dalka iman waba taarikh cusub curiyow.

^^ Waryaa only Koonfurians can speak about unity because they have shown what unity really stands for.

Curi I don't remember the region being called Somalia the people were called Sumaal but there was no state or government berigaas waxan beri danbe bay timi adeer. Che its like markay reer Somalia ku leeyihin reer Somaliland ma go i kartaan no one ever said iyagay u taala:D Marka advise wa la isku leeyahay iyo talo ileen dadku wa Somali eh. Besides that Clan federalism is bad for Somaliland Somalia meelkasta.

Che -Guevara;829961 wrote: war xaaji....why does it matter to you what form of government your neighbors chose? Dabinka la qodaya baan ogahay

Mukulaalow;829958 wrote: and why divide Nugaal and sool, why divide Sanaag and Bari, bal taa ka jawaab xaaji. Mudug was one region i don't remember nugaal and sool being one region nor sanaag and bari being one region do you remember there were six regions in the south and 2 regions in the north at independence.

Nin ba beri igu yidhi Somali qabiil bay isku dishay wixi ay isku dileen bay ku heshiin kari wayeen balse hadana wax bay ku qeysbadeen wa ayno mar labaad isdilno.

General Duke;829950 wrote: What is clan federalism ? Also a unitary Somalia based on the 18 regions with NW Regiona part of the package is a great idea. No more nonsense about British Colonial borders. It's a step in the right direction. However all one is observing are the crocodile tears of the secessionists who seem even more confused lately. Clan federalism clan states based on clan qabil reer ama beel for the clan by the clan why divide mudug between galmudug and Puntland why divide Juba states between azana and jubaland why divide hiiraan state into 2 because of clan? i dont know you tell me??

Lets just see in the next 10 years if clan federalism works we will have this topic in the archives.

Abdul;829943 wrote: Xx,you should know that Sl is part of the package. if Somaliland is willing to be part of Somalia i welcome them to be part of a Unitary state instead of clan federalism.

With Clan federalism u will have little armies little regions various clan leaders fighting for power securing villages it will send Somalia back to the stone age , of Qabiilku ha wada loolaamo sidi laba qurumood eh.

Carafaat Unitary Somali State is the best way forward its the only thing Somalis know and its not confusing we should be careful though when it comes down to dictatorship Somalia needs to turn into a traditional democracy.

He went to the main market suuqa bacadlaha hargeysa sariflayasha suuqa hargeysa , and he visited jeelka weyn eeh hargeysa and berbera beach bataalaale along with that woman ina ibrahim.

Mukulaal maxa dhacay Simon muxu qalday.

By the way xamar Somali Portuqees Carab Persians Italians Dawlad Kacaan Dawladihi ka horeye mid walba wax bu ka dhisay.

Somalia;829918 wrote: Nin reer waqooyi oona tusiya magaalo kacaanka disay kacaanku ma wax reer koonfureed iska leeyihin bay ahayd mala caruur baad tahay kacaanku Somali oo dhan ba u dhama

Carafaat;829913 wrote: I am hearing from sources in Muqdisho that the secret draft constitution is based on a Unitary Somali State with strong unified regions based on 18 previous regions rather then Clan Federalism. If that is the case, then we have to support it. Because; Only a Unitary Somalia can stand up to foreign powers and international aid agencies. Only a Unitary Somalia can support and advocate (in future) for Somali in Western Somalia and NFD. Only a Unitary Somalia can end the conflicts throughout Somalia and reconciliate people. Only a Unitary Somalia can draw Somaliland back in to the Union. Only a Unitary Somalia can take part in global financial, economic and trade system. Only a Unitary Somalia can prevent prevent problems like food shortages, famine's, Only a Unitary Somalia can prevent Somali's from becoming a minority in their own country. Only a Unitary Somalia can stand up for the rights of Somali youth imprisoned everywhere in the world. Only a Unitary Somalia can guarantee the excistense and unity of the Somali people. Only a Unitary Somalia can fight extremist terrorist like Al Shabaab and Al Qaida. Only a Unitary Somalia can prevent that our (marine, oil, gas) resources are stolen by foreign powers. Only a Unitary Somalia can prevent piracy, illegal money printing, charcoal export. Only a Unitary Somalia can ensure all Somali's can live, travel and do business everywhere in Somalia. Only a Unitary Somalia can guarantee equality and justice of all Somali's irrelevent of their clan or where they li ve. Only a Unitary Somalia can prevent that we become in the first place citizens of/or Galmudugians, Ximan and Xeebs, Somalilanders, Puntlanders, Hiiraanians, Bakolians, Jubbians, Gedogian, Shabbelian, etc. Only a Unitary Somalia can guarantee wem all remain Somali's in the first place. This is the reason why I have opposed any form of a Federalist Somalia and have called upon everyone to renounce any consitution that would be based on anything else then a Unitary Somali State. All else in the constitution are minor details that can be changed and amended later. United we stand divided we fall its time to rebuild Somalia well said son

Ukraine Russia Nigeria south Africa Eritrea Ethiopia Israel as long as u have dollars no one cares about the embargo.

Nimankanki maraykanka laan laanti wa ku dawakheen But than again Americans are terrible at geography.

^^ Go where

Uchi we are talking about the well being of Somalia and its a future don't be all emotional on me now, Britain has nothing to do with this nor does the country belong to Europeans no to clan federalism.

Somaliland: Sheikh Sharif puts talks with SL back on Track Monday, 14 May 2012 18:14 Sheikh Sharif, The President, The Imaam & The WarlordBy: Yumoha Pasha NAIROBI (Somalilandsun) – President Sheikh Sharif of Somalia seems to have acceded to Somaliland demands pertaining to the composition of the TFG talks committee. The beleaguered TFG president is said to have removed the two Somaliland citizens who were the bone of contention from his ten man talk's technical committee. According to Somalilandsun and Hornnewspaper sources in Nairobi, the TFG revealed this decision to a group of Somalilanders whom he met in the Kenyan capital where he was on transit to Mogadishu. Although Sheikh Sharif is yet to make an official statement, our reliable sources informed that the TFG president has proposed a meeting between the chair's of the Somalia and Somaliland talks technical committees. Sh Sharif is reported to have categorically promised to sign agreements reached by the two committee leaders thus put the talks back in track as well as accede to the dictates of article six of the final communique of the February London conference on Somalia that imposed talks on the two countries. The Somaliland government which jump started the talks after president Silanyo appointed a five man technical committee later withdrew in protest against the inclusion of two Somalilanders in the 10 member TFG technical committee that was appointed by Sh Sharif. The decision to withdraw from the talks received wide acclaim from Somalilanders who were originally opposed to the talks with the Sh Sharif led TFG due to the perceived lack of popular support for the government whose mandate ends by August this year. The anti-talks campaign received support from a breakaway section of Somalia parliamentarians who cautioned against haste claiming that the corrupt TFG did not have the authority to sign any agreements reached or muscle to enforce the implementation of accords. Now that the president cum sheikh has made a reversal of his calculated inclusion of Somalilanders in his committee to talk to Somalilanders it is imperative that his calculated moves be discerned before we jump into his trap. The good sheikh and his TFG have of late been very pro-Somaliland, in their overt actions as can be surmised by the following reported acts; • The president of Somalia has revoked the TFG's recognition of the Khatuumo state as a regional administration within Somalia • The TFG has denied pro Khatuumo traditional elders participation in the Somalia constitutional process in Mogadishu. • President Sheikh Sharif of the TFG reveals his desire to address Somaliland grievances during a meeting with UCID opposition party leader Hon Feisal Ali Warabe in the UAE and finally • The TFG president has agreed to withdraw Somaliland citizens from his talks committee thus accede to Somaliland's demands. the president cum sheikh is a shrewd political player having turned from anti-American fighter while boss of the Islamic courts to a darling of the west as well having survived years of living in a bunker in a Mogadishu while president of a country under Al-shabaab. His further political genius is the purported bribery of some fake WAGOOYIZ to participate in the constitutional process as genuine traditional leaders from Somaliland thus authenticates his ulterior motive of pulling and pushing Somaliland to become part of the proposed Somalia road map. Hon TFG president Somalilanders tell you with one clear voice "ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY" For 21 years we scrapped, begged, slept hungry, but we persevered while YOU traversed the world in a jet, dinning with presidents, your own TFG pocketing millions, WITHOUT a thought for us who you now call WALAALHAYAGA WAGOOYI (our northern brothers) just because you have realized that with or without your talks or agreement the international community will ultimately and sooner rather than later recognize Somaliland Well we shall agree to disagree or disagree to agree so long as this agreeing and disagreeing has nothing to do with our sacrosanct sovereignty

Nice sanaag looks beautiful