^Apophis, you're on a Muslim majority forum, please respect our beliefs. We do not need your recognition, or approval, but at the same time we do not need you derailing topics with such statements.

Wiil Cusub;878877 wrote: Good development: Brother, are you looking at the same image? The most important ingredients to creating a vibrant and flourishing private-sector are 'ease of doing business'', ''getting credit'' and the ''protection of investment''. In all three cases it puts Hargeisa at the bottom, and I'm pretty sure this is the same for every other city in the peninsula. I'll bet there are thousands of young men and women with business ideas in Hargeisa but whose plans will never surface to light because there is nowhere they could get the necessary 'capital' to start their own business, and international investor would want their investment 'secured'. This should be a 'top priority' for the politicians in Hargeisa, because the blooming of new small to medium businesses would increase their own wages and budgets in the long run, which means better roads, better electrification rate, stronger banks and more new businesses.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced his country's preparedness to share experiences in different fields with African states, specially Somalia. "Iran is ready to transfer its experience in all fields, including the fields of healthcare, energy, road building and urbanization, to Somalia," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with Somalia's Ambassador to Iran Khalif Kadieh Musa in Tehran on Wednesday. He also underlined that despite the pressures by the arrogant powers, Iran supports progress of justice-seeking independent states. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration has striven hard to maximize relations with the African continent. Iran is also an observing member of the AU and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings. The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states. LINK

Adam, a wonderful name. I hope he reminds you of me every-time you get into an argument with him lol, get ready for more temper tantrums, and they'll be more than just words on a screen.

Bakara Market has to be slowly leveled to the ground, and a new Central Business District should take its place in stages, with large malls, convention centers, hotels and business headquarters. This informal economic nonsense has to end! Its vital tax-revenue the Federal government never gets its hands on and which could have been used for new infrastructure, and delivering services. Unacceptable if we want to prosper.

The nurse said I have a slow heart rate, below 60......I wanted to cry on the spot because I processed that in my mind as; YOU GONNA DIE SOON!! No wedding, no children, no grey hair. The shock was evident on my face, and she quickly added that is common with young healthy individuals. Its like when your dreaming your falling off a cliff and then wake up, that's the feeling I got. .

Liban Egal is the founder of First Somali Bank, which recently opened in Mogadishu and is the first commercial bank in the city since the government collapsed 21 years ago. He emigrated from Somalia in 1988 and spent the next 20 years in America, starting a string of businesses in Baltimore, Maryland. Liban visited his hometown last August and found a world of opportunity, but realized that a lack of proper banking infrastructure was limiting investment and rebuilding.

Dhismaha Safaaradii hore ee Masar kulahayd magaalada Muqdisho oo dayactir ballaaran lagu sameeyey Xarunta dhismaha Saafaradii hore ee Dalka Masar kulahayd magaalada muqdisho ayaa dib udayactir ballaaran lagu sameeyey iyadoo halkaasi si weyn usaameyeen dagaaladii ka dhacay Somalia 20-kii sano ee lasoo dhaafay. LINK

MOGADISHU, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Life is slowly but surely returning to the Somali capital Mogadishu a city had been not long ago synonymous with chaos and anarchy. Business activities are markedly booming as people reopen shops and local traders are importing goods as far as the Gulf State of United Arab Emirates and China after security improved in the capital since last year's withdrawal of Al-Shabaab. Hassan Ali is one of the local traders at Mogadishu's Bakara markets. He says economic activities are gradually returning traders are bringing various goods from different countries. "At Bakara market business is growing. We sell various goods we import from many different countries mainly in Asia such as United Arab Emirates, Oman, China and Indonesia. Trade is really booming here," Ali told Xinhua in a recent interview as he worked in his grocery shop in Bakara market. Somalis in the Diaspora have been pouring into the country as security improved and investment by Somalis from overseas have increased as many of the start-ups. Hundreds of people displaced by the fighting in Mogadishu have returned to their homes. Schools and other government buildings are under reconstruction while roads in the city have been repaired. Local crafts trade have also picked up with many wares on sale in a number of markets that have been reopened in the capital Mogadishu. Asli Abdulleh, a trader of house utensils, says work still needs to be done to restructure the main Bakara and that tax collection needs to be organized. "Trade is doing fairly ok but the market, although it was organized and many squatter structures were destroyed, a lot need to be done because it is not organized. Government needs to do something about this," Abdulleh told Xinhua outside his store in Mogadishu. Somali government has made it a priority to reopen markets in Mogadishu and several markets of various sizes were reopened after security improved in most of the districts in Mogadishu. Both imported goods and locally produced agricultural products are brought to the markets. The main Mogadishu sea and airport are operating and essential imports arrive at the markets on a daily bases. Hassan Mohamed, a trader of plastic wares is optimistic about the future of the economy of the country and that of Mogadishu in particular. He says the movement and betterment of people's situation has taken a life of its own and will self-perpetuate for good. "As a long-time trader at this market, I imported goods from many countries including U.A.E and China. I think we have come out of the dark days and Somali people have now come to realize that we need to improve ourselves by ourselves and not wait for outside world to come and do things for us. There is no turning back for us, we have to mark ahead," Mohamed said as he organized his sat in his shop in Bakara market. Somalia has been through two decades of civil conflict and most state and economic infrastructures were destroyed. But following the defeat of the radical group of Al-Shabaab and their subsequent withdrawal from Mogadishu last year social and economic life has been witnessing resurgence. The reopening of businesses and the start-ups of new ones in various streets and markets in Mogadishu and the construct boom all over the seaside city has become a familiar sight of the Somali capital instead of the daily shelling, suicide attacks and constant gunfire for which it was notoriously known as the most dangerous city in the world. LINK

The way I see it, the Federal government should divide the current assistance in four categories: Institutions -- This is where the West's assistance would be most vital, because there is no doubt that they have the best and most efficient institutions in the world that directly benefit the common civilians and are capable of withstanding a serious crisis. This could be in the form of training lawyers, judges and administrative clerks Infrastructure -- This is where attracting China comes into play, remember they were doing in Somalia decades ago what they are doing in other parts of Africa today. There was something that attracted the Chinese to Somalia above all other African countries, and we need to find out what that was and re-kindle that interest. However Turkey is currently building alot of important stuff as well. Security -- This should be entirely a Turkish program, not just to make sure there is a unity in military hardware, but also a unity in military mindset. We do not want conflicting military ideologies in the new armed forces that will result in a fragmented military. Only certain branches such as the special forces, paratroopers, border-force etc can be allowed to receive training from the best of the best, regardless of ideology. Economy -- Here we should welcome all investment and aid, but there has to be a deadline with regards to allowing 'food-aid', preferrably in 2016. Four years is enough to see bumper-harvests annually in the country. Somalia is not even at 10% of its potential, we should make ties with at least 180 countries, from Mongolia, to Chile, to Iceland, not just the usual suspects such as China, Europe or the Middle East. There are hundreds of potential products in Somalia that could be exported to all of those countries. There shouldn't be any cash deposits, in no shape or form, EVER. All funds have to be on record, remember that past administrations stole $300 million from the people in the form of multi-million dollar suitcases from the Gulf, and to put it in persepective; that could have build us a project like the Tangier City Center in each of the three major cities of Somalia, and still give us spare change for a new airport:

The Fund for the Reconstruction of the Somali Armed Forces has already been planned by the Turkish government, and they have the resources to foot the bill on their own if necessary. This recent closed doors meeting is very important, and shows the committment of Ankara in building the capacity of the Somali security sector, any so-called 'stakeholder' trying to keep Somalia weak and ineffective will be ignored, this is a permanent government, not a transitional one. That is what Turkey was waiting for, an equal partner, and now they have one.

Chief of the Turkish General Staff meets his Somali counterpart Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel met with Chief of the Somali General Staff Gen. Abdul Qadir Ali in Ankara, the Turkish capital. ANKARA (AA) - September 24, 2012 - Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel met on Monday with Chief of the Somali General Staff Gen. Abdul Qadir Ali in Ankara, the Turkish capital. Ozel welcomed his Somali counterpart Gen. Ali with full military honors at the General Staff headquarters. The Turkish and Somali top soldiers held a bilateral meeting, which was closed to the news media. LINK

Teachers at MP institute remember Somali president as a ‘good pupil’ This is one Somali connection any Indian city would love to flaunt . The African country’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud trained in Bhopal to complete a Masters degree in Technical Education during 1986-88. It’s his work in education reforms that seems to have helped the 56-year-old moderate leader to get elected to the top position in the violence-scarred nation. Twenty-four years is a long period and it took the National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research (then called Technical Teachers’ Training Institute) a while to clear the dust off the old files. The records are so old that NITTTR while appropriating the illustrious alumni on its website has used his current photograph, not sure how he looked then because all those who taught him have retired. “We can’t claim that our academic grooming helped him reach the political pinnacle. He was good at studies and was appreciated by teachers because he was regular in completing assignments,” recalls N S Kapruan (78), who was coordinator of the batch of dozen-odd students and held various top positions by the time he retired in 1994. He remembers how he missed out being part of the group photograph when the 1988 batch was graduating. “I was in the university collecting mark-sheets and other documents because their visas were to soon expire.” The septuagenarian says Somalia was in turmoil even then and remembers how difficult it was to send degrees because no one was sure if it would reach the correct address. Mohamud escaped an attempt on his life immediately after taking over the new responsibility when suicide bombers struck the Mogadishu hotel where he was meeting a foreign delegation. The Bhopal institute hasn't been able to get in touch with him because after the assassination bid he has been moved to a secure location. Mohamud did a project under Prof N K Banthiya, who is now associated with a Jaipur-based private institution after his retirement. “He was a good student and nice person, and my wife remembers hosting him over dinner,” says Banthiya. LINK

I'm waiting for the Red Dragon (China), then i'll be doing the macarena. A Turkish/Chinese block would be a healthy counterweight to a potential dependency on the west in the early years of this transformation period, see the dilemma of Malawi, we don't want that.

Islamic Cooperation pledges support to Somalia A high-powered delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu Monday The delegation was led by Prof Ekmeledin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of OIC, who briefed the media at Villa Somalia, the state house, after meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Caretaker Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. “We are pleased by the political transformation taking place in Somalia,” said Prof Ihsanoglu. He added that OIC trusted the new leadership spearheaded by President Mohamoud. “We see as a fruitful move the nomination of new Prime Minister (Mr Abdi Farah Shirdon appointed on Saturday),” remarked Prof Ihsanoglu. The OIC Secretary-General indicated that the organisation would offer Somalia assistance in water development and the rehabilitation of the dilapidated infrastructure. “We are determined to help with diverse improvement schemes,” stated Prof Ihsanoglu, without disclosing the details. He added that some of the projects were ongoing while others would start in the near future . “OIC will always be remembered for offering crucial humanitarian assistance in 2011 against the famine that hit Somalia, and many other parts of the Horn of Africa region,” said the caretaker PM. The OIC delegation included officials from the Islamic Bank. LINK

Congrats NGONGE, wonderful news!

Marksman, we will eventually, remember Somalia was the only country in Africa to kick out the British when they went against its interests. However the UK is a big power, and one that is extremely relevant on the world-stage, it can assist the new administration with capacity-building. Once the Federal government has a proper tax-system in place, then they will be able to deliver services on their own. Aid isn't bad for now, for as long as it comes from multiple sources, and considering the back-migration of embassies and delegations to Somalia, things are looking up. ps That's a new thing, and a product of the current situation, even non-muslim female reporters clad themselves in a Hijab, as if there in Saudi Arabia or Iran. Al-Shabaab really did a number on us regarding the international conscience - from a cultural perspective - towards the country.

I like the usage of Somali analysts, universities and think-tanks in that article. With the western media-outlets, that fat Vietnamese propagandist always finds his way in their articles about Somalia.

Tuesday, October 09, 2012 By Mahmoud Mohamed and Hassan Muse Hussein Somalis welcomed the decision of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to name Abdi Farah Shirdon the country's new prime minister, but many realise the daunting challenges he faces moving forward. A number of cities across Somalia, including Buuhoodle and Dhusamareb, the birthplace of the new prime minister, witnessed mass demonstrations in support of Shirdon on Saturday (October 6th). "Choosing someone who has an economics background and experience is a better choice that is in line with the current stage and the need for reconstruction of Somalia," said Abdullahi Osman, an economist at Indian Ocean University in Mogadishu. "Somalia is now going through a historical period that requires a competent leadership and a new vision, and the selection of Shirdon for prime minister is quite successful because he is an educated man and has adequate knowledge that makes him qualified for this post," Osman told Sabahi. "Somalia is now taking a new trajectory by electing a new generation of intellectuals as leaders," he said. "The prime minister is an untainted man that has not been involved in volatile tribal politics. He is a clean man and is open to dealing with all political persuasions." Political analyst Omar Dahir, who heads the Centre for Moderation and Dialogue in Mogadishu, said it is premature to judge the new prime minister and his new government. "Although the new prime minister is an educated man and an economist, he is new to politics and so he has to be given an opportunity and then we can pass judgment after seeing his performance, his political programme and how he will form his government," Dahir told Sabahi Mogadishu-based political analyst Hassan Mohamed said a difficult road awaits the new prime minister, including dealing with the challenges of leading the country's transition towards democracy, confronting security challenges, fighting terrorism, sustaining peace and rebuilding the state's institutions. "These tasks are not impossible if the prime minister manages to put together a competent ministerial team that will work with him to lift the country out of the crisis it has been going through for the past two decades," Mohamed told Sabahi. Prime minister vows to restore security and fight corruption During his first speech after he was selected, Shirdon said, "Establishing security, restoring the rule of law, reviving the economy and building effective state institutions are the top priorities of my government." "My upcoming government will not tolerate corruption and mismanagement," he added. "I will form a top notch government within the next couple of weeks after consulting with the president, members of parliament and various other parties," Shirdon said. Shirdon's appointment requires the approval of members of parliament. After that step, the prime minister will select his cabinet members who will have to receive a vote of confidence from parliament within 30 days. According to the new Somali constitution, the new government will include 18 ministers distributed in accordance with the tribal quota system. About the new prime minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, popularly known as Saaid, is a businessman and a newcomer to politics. He has no professional or political experience inside Somalia in the past twenty years. He has never been a minister nor has he filled any senior official position. Shirdon was born in 1958 in the city of Dhusamareb, capital of Galguduud region, in central Somalia to a middle class family. After completing his secondary education, Shirdon moved to Mogadishu to study at the Somali National University, from which he graduated with honours in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in economics. From 1983 to 1985, he worked as an economist with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and then moved on to working in the private sector. In 1986, he started a business called Shirdon International and was chief executive officer of the company until the collapse of the Somali state in 1991. After that, Shirdon moved to Nairobi and became a prominent businessman. From March 2012 until he was appointed as prime minister, Shirdon was the chairman of Rajo Forum, an organisation comprised of politicians, professionals, businessmen and intellectuals who are concerned with peace and reconciliation efforts among Somali parties. Shirdon is married to political activist and member of the current parliament, Aisha Haj Alami, with whom he has four children. He speaks Somali, Italian and English. Puntland welcomes Shirdon The Puntland administration welcomed the naming of Shirdon as prime minister and called for the implementation and completion of the federal system of governance. Puntland Minister of Information Mohamud Aideed Dirir said the regional administration is ready to partner with new government to strengthen Somalia's new federal system. "Puntland will work with the federal government to accomplish agreements reached previously by both parties, including safeguarding the federal constitution and supporting the establishment of [other] regional administrations that will be part of the federation," he told Sabahi. LINK

The EU is gearing up its presence in Somalia by nominating the new EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d'Urso, as the first EU Ambassador to Somalia. The top diplomat, who assumed his duties on the 21st of September 2012 and succeeds the former EU Representative to Somalia Georges-Marc André, has confirmed to the Somali authorities that he will hand over his credentials during his next visit to the country and that he will open a new chapter in the relations between Somalia and the EU, aiming at a true and balanced partnership. During his first visit to Somalia on 22nd and 23th of September, Michele Cervone d'Urso, has met the newly elected President and the Speaker of the new Federal Institutions as well as the leadership of the regional authorities in Hargeisa and Garowe. As former Head of the EU Delegation to Yemen, Michele Cervone d'Urso has assured his Somali partners he comes with a good knowledge of the regional challenges and that he agrees on the need to provide immediate support the soon to be formed Governement. He emphasised the need for more Somali ownership in the Somali relations with the EU, but also with the regional partners and the international community as a whole. The EU Special Envoy also met representatives of civil society in Somaliland and Puntland where he called for increased political space for women and respect of Human Rights, including the rights of refugees, as well as more support for interregional grassroots initiatives aiming at reconciliation. LINK

H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman received at his office Yesterday Abdul Kadir Sheikhey Mohamed Al Hatimy, Ambassador of Somalia to the UAE who called on him on the occasion of the beginning of his tenure in the UAE. Sheikh Humaid welcomed the Somali diplomat and wished him good luck and success in his new job. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways to bolstering them between the two sisterly countries in several arenas. The envoy conveyed greetings of the Somali president to Sheikh Humaid, lauding the existing cooperation between the two countries in different fields. He also commended the bonds between the leaderships and people of the two countries as well as the cultural renaissance that UAE witnesses in general and Ajman in particular in all domains. LINK

Britain will spend 38.3 million pounds ($61.8 million) over the next three years on development in Somalia, UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening and Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds announced after meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu on Wednesday (October 3rd). "[The aid] will allow 3,000 girls and women to access justice and help 20,000 Somalis access the schools, latrines, roads and health clinics to give them opportunities they need to pull themselves out of poverty," a press release from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) said. "It will also improve security, safety and public financial management and make districts more accountable and responsive to communities' needs." LINK

Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is traveling to the Somali capital of Mogadishu to affirm support for state-building efforts in the country. İhsanoğlu's trip to Somalia is the first ever by a secretary-general of the organization. Together with a group of senior OIC officials, İhsanoğlu will be holding bilateral talks with the Somali president, prime minister and speaker of parliament during his stay in the country. He is also expected to meet with local and international nongovernmental organizations at the OIC office in the capital. İhsanoğlu will assess the OIC's humanitarian efforts during periods of drought and famine in Somalia. The OIC, the world's largest intergovernmental body after the UN, has made significant contributions to the developing state in Somalia. The organization also has a role in the establishment of the interim administration in the country, and reached an agreement between the political movement represented by former President Sheik Sharif and the international community. İhsanoğlu's visit represents the OIC's support for Somalia's newly elected president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, the most recent figure in whom hope for stability and peace in Somalia have been placed. LINK

Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya Mudane Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud ayaa maanta xafiiskiisa ku qaabilay Safiirka Dowladda Hindiya ee Soomaaliya Ambasador Sibabrata Tripathia. LINK