^We are humans, now wipe those bloody tears, and let's plot ways to rebuild all that you saw in the video and much more.

How will this 1.2 million be spend? Roads? Offices for local representatives? Villas? They need none of that! These are fishermen's towns, they need trawlers and cooling-ships for export. With 1.2 million you could buy several of those, and by the end of the year their catch would bring in between 10 to 20 million dollars worth of fish, the next year 50 to 100 million, and etc. That's how you develop maritime nations, see Japan, see Australia, see South Korea.

Beautiful footage MMA, really gives me a feel of the way of life and civilization back then. I was running out of videos, but this is a fantastic addition. I finally know what Al-Uruba looked like from the inside. I'm going shift a scene to that specific bar in the video to make it more authentic (right now the interior in the story is imaginary). The newspaper-boy also gave me another minor character idea. btw would you know where the Soviet Embassy was located, was it in Tokyo street?

Sayyid Muhammed Abdullah Hassan Ahmed the Conqueror, Guray Aden Abdulle Osman Hawo Taako K'naan

Samjamaa, we are what my Bladland brother Polanyi would define as; the Cushitic and Islamic tribes of ancient Opone. Get with the program sister.

Somalia;776428 wrote: Also this is the place he is talking about 70 km from Addis Ababa, Mojo. Siad Barre made several blunders: - After securing the Ethiopia-Djibouti rail-line the airport of Dire Dawa was ignored. - Not allowing independent communication lines to be set up, instead generals and commanders had to wait for orders from all the way in Mogadishu. - Not sending a sizable force all the way into Addis Ababa and dislodging Derg from power. - Keeping the Soviet-Somali friendship agreement intact. Had he done these four things the correct way, East Africa would look very different today.

Depends, if the sister is an award winning Phd Professor Scientist Space Engineer, then yeah a part of me will feel uncomfortable, but if she doesn't flash those degrees across my face every two seconds, then we'll be fine. I don't think you should ever allow yourself to be dependable on your spouse, I think that's a bad thing in a relationship, especially for a male, but also for women. A male is genetically engineered to have a mindset to be the breadwinner, its deeply rooted and goes back to pre-historic times, therefore you shouldn't feel surprised when a male finds it difficult to live in a house purchased with the wealth of his wife only. I think I could live there, but there will always be that knowledge in the back of my mind that she could kick me out whenever she wants. Atleast when a guy owns the house he is relegated to the couch during trials and tribulations.

What happened to that 1 BILLION investment in the energy sector by the newly created Somali conglemerate Trans-National Industrial Electricity and Gas Company? You could establish hundreds of wind-farms all along the Somali coast with that budget, from Kismayo to Zeila. Since we enjoy one of the strongest wind-currents in the world, we could produce surplus electricity and export it to other countries. I do hope NEC has purchased that technology, its very progressive!

I'm not sure what to think of this. On the one hand he is putting an obstacle in the future of his children, by not teaching them fluent Somali. The son or daughter will resent that when the latter chooses to learn more about their own roots, or feel the need to do something in the birth-country of their parents when they are adults. Heck, by the time they graduate from Ivy-League Somalia could be a completely different place from today, see Angola or Lebanon, lots of opportunities lie ahead in Somalia. On the other hand while these kids will not absorb all of the beautiful aspects of Somali culture, in the same vein the negative aspects like clannism will not reach them, and that's a positive!

Axmed-InaJaad;775782 wrote: waarom bel je me een troll? ik wil seks hebben met een ezel en je kijken Direct translation of the above post: Why do you call me a troll? I want to have sex with a Donkey and you watching it. LOL.

^Hey Somalische kaaskop please niet trollen in mijn topic, die persoon Ahmed is niet 100%, negeer hem. Anders bell ik Geert en dan ben je op de eerste vlucht terug naar Somalie!

Abaayo you're preparing future cardiac arrests and strokes, please add some vegetables to your food. That first dish alone has approximately 700 to 1000 calories.

I was never part of mine.

Mintid Farayar;773982 wrote: OK, a commendable proposal in any other scenario besides the current Somali one... Question: Who does the Somaliland leadership sign this pact with? Who's the appropriate, responsible stakeholder on the Somalia side that can enforce this agreement? Sign one with the TFG, as incompetent as they are, they are recognised as the government of Somalia by the international community, and such an agreement will blip on their radar without a doubt, for future reference. My original "stake-holders" however were actually of the non-political kind. Somalia proper is a land of surrogate militias remotely piloted by outside powers that are changed as soon as they outlive their usefulness to the patron country. Somalia is a land of mothers, fathers, children, teachers, students, doctors, nurses, entrepreneurs, farmers, nomads - the heart of Somalia - that in several regions are held hostage by confused militia men, however the people will outlast them as they have done so with the dictator or the warlords, the other negative ilk will have similar short life-spans, but the people will remain. If someone of a high caliber - like Hadraawi for example - could mobilise representatives of those peace-loving Somalis to sign an agreement that stipulates the question of Somaliland will always be one of "dialogue" and not war or sabotage, any future government elected by the heart of Somalia must adhere to this agreement or face opposition to their agenda.

Oodweyne, The political landscape of Somalia might be fluid, but that is no different from the fluidness of weekly weather. Your dismissal of my well researched arguments is tantamount to dismissing the predictions of a weatherman because, he too, is relying on "linear suppositions" that have not happened yet. Nobody here has a crystal ball, so examining and analysing the past and the present and then superimposing it on the future is the common technique employed by political and economic analysts. My arguments: - There will come a Mogadishu government - within the next five years - that will re-establish stability across the South, one that is more politically savvy than the erstwhile Islamic Courts, and hence, it will consolidate stability and international good-faith to its advantage. The Somalis of Somaliland and the Somalis of the South are genetically identical, there is a clear universal Somali cultural world be it; language, customs, traditions, morals and faith that cross all cities, towns and villages in the peninsula dominated by the Somali people. I absolutely refuse to believe that what our people managed to erect in the Northwest, or the Northeast can't be achieved in the South. The likes of Hawa Abdi and Farmaajo are evidence that there are plenty of Somalis willing to fight for a good cause, even after all the mess the South went through, most people would have given up, yet the people are more motivated than ever, be it on the ground or in the diaspora. - Economically, Somalia is well set to be a regional & continental player, it has everything it needs to succeed, and one of the liveliest private-sectors in the region that will be carefully nurtured and protected. Their links with the regional economies will be strengthened as the entrepreneurs currently active there return to Somalia to invest there. Today, multiple initiatives are being undertaken to revive a strong Somali agricultural industry. Exports to the middle-east are already set to rise, the return of "big money" crops like Bananas will add to that boom. The reconstruction period will also spur the economy into double digit growth. It's not mere wishful thinking that Somalia will be a major economic player in the region, its children are already laying the foundation. - Militarily, the Mogadishu government will be in control of a 20 000 man army with a relatively small airforce and proportionate navy that is currently being trained and constructed. This I conceed for the influence of the donor powers will still be to strong for that government to stage Neo-Somali Militarism, much the same way Japan and Germany remain castrated, but in Somalia's case this will only last for as long as their aid and assistance is relevant. The moment the Mogadishu government is expanding its budget to billion plus figures in the form of airport and seaport revenues, farm and livestock revenues, and businesses' revenues, not to mention the donations of wealthy Arab countries, the influence of the western donor powers becomes less, and hence the Mogadishu government has room to employ an independent policy, and do its "dastardly deed" against Somaliland much the same way the current Bashir regime of Sudan cares little about the western cries regarding Darfur. May I remind you that at independence, the western donor powers sought to restrict Somali Militarism by only agreeing to a minuscule hardware package, which the Somali government at the time rejected, despite the state still being in its infancy, and having ties with their economies. Yet we both know at the eve of Kenya's independence the Somali Republic cut all ties with Britain for its refusal to acknowledge the NFD referendum. To think a Mogadishu government that is standing on its own two feet(not an "if" but a "when") will be deterred by the protestations of "friends" of Somaliland in its bid to establish its jurisdiction over all its territories is fantasy. I already showed multiple historical precedents where this didn't happen. You doubt the monetary pots that are ready for the future Mogadishu government, but several episodes in the past and present where the Mogadishu government opened multiple pots and put both hands in them, contradict your doubts, be it the Somali military re-arming completely with American hardware worth half a billion dollars through Iran and Saudi Arabia, the loans that build the extensive network of roads and highways still existent across the country,( including Somaliland) or even the recent episode when corrupt individuals stole more than 300 million dollars in the 2008-2009 period. That was six times Somaliland's budget at the time. Let's be honest the kind of money in circulation in Mogadishu, and the potential money that is still accessible through various international development banks are of a kind that Somaliland can never access nor will ever enjoy in its unrecognised status. The corrupt PM Gedi is said to have stolen 30 million under his term, and none of the donor powers really gave a damn, what makes you think that they will care when a future Mogadishu government makes 30 million disappear only for it to return in the form of 50 tanks in the hands of whatever disgruntled movement that is in opposition of Somaliland's quest to secede? Could Somaliland take 30 million of its budget to arm in kind? I doubt it, and if so, for how long? You're looking at the current useless crop of failed politicians and believe that is what you will have contend with for the coming decades, but that is a very myopic look at the situation. The landscape has changed, new players have entered the scene, and the corrupt ones are devising and inventing one new loophole after another to extend their corruption, but they are running sprints while the people and the good politicians are running a marathon, and will outlast them in the end. That's when you will witness the Somali political character that could entice a distant superpower to sign the only friendship agreement with a country on the African continent. You will witness the Somali political character that rallied sympathy on the political arena for the likes of ANC-South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Djibouti, Eritrea and Palestine, and generated massive support for their independence, security and struggles. You will witness the Somali political character that played one superpower off against the other for national interests. You will witness the Somali political character that could convince an exclusive organisation based on a non-Somali ethnicity to invite it as a member. You will witness the Somali political character of stepping down after defeat in a democratic election. This Somali political would mobilise all of its resources to secure its legitimacy, and one of the marks of a legitimate country is one that controls all its borders. While Somaliland might enjoy the same political characteristics, it lacks one thing, and that is recognised status, a massive disadventage. Oodweyne, you believe its unfair that I'm giving the future Mogadishu government more resources and allies than Somaliland, but that is because I think you're in denial of history, and believe the international community will look at a recognised government the same way they look at an administration of a unilateral breakaway state that is unrecognised, and whose territory is claimed by the recognised administration. I can't add more to this specific post, for I have said what I originally wanted to say in the previous post, this one was just for clarification. I do not see a reason to continue - as is traditional in the politics section - because I can't force someone to agree with my points, nor do I have an interest to employ the usual name calling and ad hominems that are galore in this section of SOL based on emotions such as pride, or wanting the "last word" so its best to agree to disagree, and hope the future turns out a lot better for the Somali world than the current situation, or my predictions.

Oodweyne, rain-check, brb.

Mintid Farayar, I really doubt that Somalis are eachother's biggest enemies, in-fact I refuse to believe that, especially with regards to the common man in Mogadishu, Hargeisa or Garowe. An entire people can't be judged on the actions of a few opportunistic men. Be that as it may, one can take any country in the world and see similar episodes that have unfolded in the Somali peninsula. Indeed China's greatest period of war was not against a foreign enemy like Japan or Britain, but one of Chinese versus Chinese during the Taiping Rebellion, similarly America's greatest threat to its existence as a country post-independence did not come from the British or any power in the world, it came from within, again a situation of Americans versus Americans. Only 65 years ago, the Europeans engage in the greatest slaughter in human history when savagely attacked one another, yet look at them today part of Union bailing eachother out. A political landscape is never static but very fluid, what might seem impossible today, doesn't necessarily have to be so in ten to twenty years time. I still propose a non-aggression pact between Somali stake-holders, and this would only serve Somaliland's interest for any entity not adhering to this pact would be highlighted by the elites of Somaliland, and if like Oodweyne claims of Somaliland having special friends looking for her interests are indeed true rather than wishful thinking, then such pact can only be considered a positive initiative no matter what way you look at it.

Credit Carafaat, for he's reaching the highest plateau of true "Somalinimo" transcending symbols, borders and worldy possessions. I must stretch out a brotherly hand.

Mintid Farayar;773833 wrote: Chimera, Your outline of a proposal is well intentioned as others pointed out. I, however, wish to point out a few errors in your argument. I've listed a few excerpts from one of your previous pieces which aren't based on previous and current facts. 1- Most Sudan watchers and analysts don't believe it was a willingness on the part of the warring parties(North and South Sudan) that led to the historic agreement and referendum but rather renewed Western interest based on the recent oil finds in South Sudan (not to mention the Chinese exploitation of those resources). The critical importance of South Sudan to Western(and in particular U.S.) interests in the region cannot be overstated. Besides the petrochemical resources, South Sudan borders critical anchor states of the Western/U.S. power structure in Africa such as Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. All threats to these countries' stability are issues of serious concern to U.S. geopolitics in Africa. 2- The level of international aid to Southwest Somalia (TFG mandate), Puntland, and Somaliland are not similar nor equal. First, the TFG receives security assistance which comes through aid to AMISOM. The humanitarian aid is filtered through international NGOs. This is the situation you find TFG leaders continuously protesting against in speech after speech. That leaves Puntland and Somaliland which qualify for developmental assistance due to the level of peace present in those regions. A simple search through the UNDP or World Bank website will show you the difference in scale between the aid given to those regions. It's argued that Puntland doesn't yet have the administrative capacity (working ministries with a functioning civil service) to receive anywhere the number of projects that Somaliland receives. Another reason is - the Western community decided that Somaliland had to be rewarded (on a far greater scale) for its democratization process as an example to other Somali-inhabited regions to follow that example. 3- Neither 'Operation Restore Hope' nor its successor 'UNISOM' came to Somaliland (which I assume you meant when you said "the Northwest"). The Somaliland president at the time, M.I. Egal, stated in no uncertain terms that there was no need for their presence since there was neither famine nor insecurity in Somaliland. A simple web-based news search from that time will clarify that error for you. 4- You hold Farmaajo as an example of good governance. But the facts disprove that assumption. What Farmaajo had during his tenure was excellent 'public relations' within the Somali media. This might have been due to other Somali stakeholders weariness with the constant tussle within the highest Mogadishu power institutions between those who hail from Mogadishu and those who hail from Puntland. Farmaajo was seen as a welcome respite from that continuous struggle which led nowhere for the last two decades. However, it was under Farmaajo's reign that the most 'damning' joint TFG financial auditor/international community auditor report was released highlighting the rampant corruption and misappropriation of financial resources by the TFG and its cabinet. Many would argue that this wouldn't qualify as a blueprint for success for a govenment in Mogadishu. Mintid Farayar, 1) Truth be told, Bashir did not expect a seperation. If you look carefully at the agreement, and those that signed it, namely Garang and Bashir, the former never wanted a seperate state, instead he wanted autonomy and a greater say for the South in the larger Sudanese state, however he was "assassinated" and those that took power had a different plan, by that time yes the west shipped in military-hardware(one shipment was even hi-jacked by Somali pirates), which shifted the military balance between the North and South to a more equal level, deterring Bashir from going back on the agreement. However in the end their seperation came in the form of a international observed referendum, and that's how it should be done in our situation when things settle down, rather than unilateralism or gun-boat politics. 2) The TFG receives aid in the form of salaries for its civil-servants and its own soldiers, and thousands of troops are being trained in foreign countries by international military experts, so their aid is multi-dimensional and are actually conspiring for a "stable Somalia". Secondly I have looked through several links, and do not see a disproportionate difference in aid-projects between Somaliland and the rest. Indeed, if one looks at the biggest contributor of aid; the EU, one will notice a spread out development policy rather than one specific region. Yes, there are countries like the UK that are doing a stellar job of rewarding Somaliland's grip on stability and democracy, but its not a sign that they are conspiring with Somaliland's bid for recognition. They are a sovereign country, there is nobody that could stop them from recognising the functioning Hargeisa adminstration. Compare this to the amount of multi-dimensional aid a different country like Turkey is now investing in the South, while at the same time pushing Somali interests at every major international convention, be it the G-20 or the UN, this is a good example of a major country promoting the national interests of Somalia. 3) That wasn't my point, here is my point: UNOSOM II inherited a series of difficulties from UNITAF and from US policies . The view that 'Somaliland' should be considered part of Somalia complicated UNOSOM's dealings with the north, while failure to disarm the militias and the factions meant that violent confrontation was difficult to prevent. - Africa South of the Sahara - Page 993 Secondly UNOSOM had representatives in Hargeisa. 4) That's a disingeneous attempt to smear a good politician with the dirt of his predecessors. It was his cabinet that put a stop to corruption, and it was under his tenure that an actual anti-corruption committee was set up. It's through this committee's findings that a major discovery was made of the missing of more $300 million. The man is credited for all of this, even by the most cynical of political analysts following the situation in Somalia.

LANDER;773786 wrote: Chimera, Your ideas are well intentioned and it's perfectly reasonable to assume economic development for all somalis can only come from peace and living peacefully with each other (even if it means 2 or 3 states). There aren't any countries or people that prosper as a result of engaging in perpetual conflict. But be that as it may, you should stay away from what I like to call the somali hubris often found in our community. This idea that if only we had 'peace', we would be so much more prosperous, influential and militarily superior to other people. I think somalis have so much misplaced pride that it is often very counter productive and leaves them in a state of paralysis. Oodweyne maybe undiplomatic in his replies but he's spot on when he talks about Xiins delusional comments about restoring a Somali state that will somehow rival or restore 'balance' against larger, more peaceful, developed and influential countries in the horn. " And, I am afraid, that is what is not likely to happen. For the wind of international reality is flowing a direction that so decisive against that old "irredentatism" . And, unless, you have been a hermit living in the outback of down under in the last thirty years or so, you would of known, that, if Somalia reemerges from her agony, the first principle she would have to satisfy is the peace and tranquility of the neighboring states, with no silly talk of missing Somali land getting to be heard from anybody lips (even if it's a sotte voce one, indeed). " Reality is that Somalis all over the world have a total population of probably 20 million or less and the number that will settle in any somali nation-state will likely be less than this number. Other states are not gonna sit idly by while Somalis get there act together, Somalia remains a failed state at the moment and Somaliland an unrecognized self-governing entity which derives most of its business from trade with Ethiopia. Ethiopia's economy is among the fastest growing in Africa and it has recently started investing in infrastructure, so much so that they now provide electricity supply to neighboring countries like Djibouti. Ethiopia with its 80 million people is on track to become one of the top 10 most populous countries in the entire planet according to the UN and other sources by 2050 with over 200 million people. So you see when I hear somalis talk about how a 'united somali state' will rise and reclaim lost territory and be an economic and military force to be reckoned with in the horn of africa, I wonder if there always delusional or simply high of qaat for that night and will start to think clearly by the next morning. Even if against all odds a united Somali state were to be established, its peace and economic well being would be tied to its ability to forge business ties and maintain peace and good neighborly relations with countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia. LANDER, I base my estimation of what Somalis are capable of in peace-time on historic episodes, not wishful thinking. Is it not a historic fact that in peace, Somalia was hailed as one of the few democratic countries in Africa in the 1960s?( a legacy continued in Somaliland). Is it not an historic fact that in peace Somalia made the greatest advance in literacy in human history? Is it not an historic fact that Somalia in peace had a military considered in the top five militaries of Africa? Is it not an historic fact that in peace Somalia was one of the few self-sufficient countries in Africa, and the breadbasket of the Middle East? Is it not an historic fact that in peace Somalia was the first muslim country to grant equal rights to women through 1975 Family Law? Is it not an historic fact that Somalia in peace was building more deepsea ports than any country in East Africa? Is it not an historic fact that in peace Somalia was building more highways and roads than its larger neighbour Ethiopia, including the largest runway in East Africa? My idea of prosperity is not based on air, but on actual historic reputation, and this goes way back. Is it not a fact that Somalia has more historic cities than any country in East Africa? Is it not a fact that these same cities enjoyed bustling trade uncomparable to any of our neighbours, including Ethiopia despite their population sizes? Is it not a fact Somalis have one of the longest and most interesting military histories in Africa, despite having a small population. I absolutely am not impressed by Ethiopia's so-called growing economy. If you peel away the layers of deceit that the TPLF is putting up as front, you will quickly notice the mind-boggling inflation rate. Most of the development is in Addis Ababa, the rest of the country is largely rural and undeveloped. They have lowest tele-density rate in the world, everything is owned by the state, and native farmers are being displaced in deals that gives away millions of acres of arable land to foreign countries like India and China. All the ingredients for a collapse is in the making, from the city-state development to the dictatorial control of the economy. There is nothing for us to be worried about, Ethiopia is a land-locked country, hence its at the mercy of Somalis, be it in Djibouti, Somaliland/Puntland or the South. Somalis are a population of 20 million, but this put us in the top 10 of ethnic groups in Africa. It means as a people we could easily compete with any of our neighbours, who are basically ruled by ethnic groups numbering less than 10 million people, the rest of the population has little to no say in the economy or politics, so Ethiopia might be a country of 80 million people, and Kenya might a country of 50 million people, neither one are utilizing their population the correct way, and nothing suggests that they are going to do so in the future. Secondly population means little, as tiny Singapore is wealthier, and military more powerful than any country in East Africa. We have everything in our territories to create the equivalent of a Malaysia or Chile within two generations, Ethiopia doesn't, neither does Kenya. I tell you why; Somalia is more urbanised than any of its neighbours outside of the city-state that is Djibouti. It has more deepsea ports than any of its neighbours, its the most strategic located country in Africa. Its no longer a city-state country like Nairobi-Kenya or Addis-Ethiopia, but instead multiple regional centers have emerged that with a bit of urban planning put us in a comfortable situation of spread-out and universal development. Its more attractive to rising powers like China and Turkey. Ethiopia and Kenya are major disasters waiting to happen with their estimated populations of 100+ million people, which means more mouths to feed, and more people to keep in check. Somalis by that time will be around the 30 million people, a very healthy size one can easier uplift to a middle income country status, and eventually upper-income. An Ethiopia with an economy of 100 billion translates into Ethiopians having a GDP per capita of $1250, compare this to Somalia having an economy of 100 billion = roughly $10000 per capita for every Somali, it therefore puts things into persepective for none of our neighbours are industrial countries that put their population size to good use, majority are rural farmers, while Somalis are mix of everything. For example, Somalis have a significant foothold in all of the economies of East Africa that no other ethnic group can boast, we are the owners of major real-estate companies, major malls, major banks, major construction companies, major truck companies, major factories, and this we achieved in a age of division and war, imagine if this economic dominance was actually carefully nurtured and patronised through the establishment of a global Somali Stock Exchange where a businessman in Dubai, a company in Hargeisa, and a trader in Mogadishu all could buy up and sell stocks? Therefore my estimation of Somali prosperity, and potential to be a dominant military and economic powerhouse is firmly rooted in reality, and historic episodes.

Oodweyne, It's not a bluff but instead the process of logical thinking, and your verbal acrobatics are red-herrings covering up a clear "denial". I'm not in the business of gaining something through deceit, nor was the intention of any of my previous posts; attempts to mislead or intimidate, which is the definition of "bluffing". The opening poster processed correctly what I tried to convey: Carafaat;773620 wrote: Chimera, I understood from your post as you are actually saying we need to break the cycle of Somali 'conflicts' by taking eachother's vieuw points in to account and respecting eachothers wishes to some extend. So we can start a positive cycle focussed on a constructive future. Otherwise the cycle of conflict continues which wont benefit anyone neither Somaliland nor Somalia and history might repeat itself in another form and sort of conflict? Is this correct? Exactly!

Oodweyne, I would classify your replies to me as "amusing and eloquent displays of verbal acrobatics" with a pinch of a comical psyscho-analysis for good measure, but not a single counter-argument therein, which is a pity.

Caano_Geel;773575 wrote: Haye are these also Photoshop?... Wali inaad xaasid tahay ayaan ku tusayaa ee kuwana wax ka sheeg. Your original question was "guess this city", which I did correctly and commented on the photoshop effects evident in the pictures. You refused to believe so, called me xaasid, and in the process provided me with a link where the photographer himself stated he used photoshop. Tell me, how are these other pictures you're posting relevant to my repeatedly correct answers? If one takes your posts and hold them to closer scrutiny, one would almost think you're looking for a fight, and wish to defend Nairobi against a non-existent enemy. Continue Don Quixote, I'm not a windmill but a fire-breathing dragon intent on devouring Nairobi:

Oodweyne, I'm going to ignore the verbal acrobatics, There is no "test of plausibility" only "what what will happen" and "when it will happen", and all signs to point to what I have shared in the previous post. You believe my argument is; that a strong Mogadishu government that has eradicated piracy and extremism will just offer a wish-list to the international community and they will deliver. This is where my replies have been misinterpreted by you, for such a Mogadishu government in no way has to reveal its intention as to what it will do with its funds, be it taxation or foreign aid. This is already happening amongst a myriad of tin-pot dictators propped up by the US and the UK that are aware of the missappropriation but have stayed conveniently mute. (the two powers you believe will defend Somaliland from a recognised government seeking to establish its internationally recognised jurisdiction over all its territories) You invoked the example of Sudan, but here too you are wrong, considering for five decades both the UK and the US stood by as the North oppressed the South, this continued all the way into the last decade, until the stakeholders from the North and the South came together and determined there should be a referendum, which resulted in seperation. What exactly makes Somaliland a more special case than South Sudan for the international community to actually intervene, when in the latter they were spectators for five bloody decades, and remain so with regards to Darfur? Is anyone here ready for decades of warfare? A self-proclaimed patriot will claim; yeah if that's what it takes to earn our self-determination/regain our territories, but I absolutely have no interest in seeing the whole of "Somalia" becoming mirror images of the NFD or the O.gaden where little development is evident. The international community wants a single Somalia, this much we know, otherwise they would have recognised Somaliland, a well-functioning entity whose elections put most of Africa to shame. However, for more than twenty years now they haven't, despite other countries such as Eritrea and South Sudan popping up, and receiving UN membership. Somaliland's quest to dismember Somalia has been ignored, and whatever development projects the US, EU or other entities have invested in the region, one can find similar projects in Puntland, so I do not consider that evidence of them conspiring with Hargeisa and its quest for recognition. Now that we have that out of the way, we can discuss the type of Somalia the international community wants in the region; a peaceful stable Somalia allied with their global policies, and at peace with its neighbours, nothing more nothing less. In the last two decades, the multiple failed governments and movements were either to incompetent or did not earn their trust. When the US initiated "operation restore hope", it was to re-establish a central government, and UN troops arrived in the Northwest as well. The US/UN never consulted with Somalia's neighbours on the country's future, their advice wasn't even needed nor did they care about their wishes for a Somalia that is militarily inferior to them. The US had an independent plan, but it failed due to their cowboy-istic policies and clannist leaders on our part. Today there is no Mogadishu based government elected by the people, nor has the current TFG earned their full trust for a lift in the arms embargo. This will not forever remain so, and a more savvy group will succeed where the others failed, and earn both their trust and support. It wouldn't take long for such a group to stand on its own two feet and eventually dismiss countries like the US, for they aren't all-powerful. In-fact recently I have come to the conclusion that their influence is only because of our current weakness, and lack of politically savvy leaders. A guy like Farmaajo almost singlehandely transformed a corrupt entity, with few strong institutions, yet slowly they're being re-established. If this were to be combined with a partnership involving a rising power like China, no amount of protestations by our neighbours could reverse Somalia's militarization process. They could not reverse it when they had charismatic and globally known leaders such as Haile Sellasie backed by the US, or Jomo Kenyatti backed by Britain. However I do not think a competent Mogadishu government will burn any bridges when it stands on its own two feet but instead will use one power off against the other. You're also ignoring Somalia's other cash-cow which is the OIC countries, remember that post O,gaden War Somalia re-armed itself completely in American fashion through Saudi Arabia and Iran, none of which give the slighest damn about the wishes of our neighbours. Your quick dismissal of my analogy with the "Republic of Biafra" is surely a sign that you do not wish to discuss the issue, and again that's fine with me. That will not change the fact that the seccesionist country of Biafra which maintained its own airforce(which Somaliland doesn't) and enjoyed a population similar to Somalia is another good example of how the international community stands by when a recognised government seeks to establish its jurisdiction over all its recognised territories. I absolutely hope post-war Somalia does not employ any of the Nigerian government's tactics, but again that example shows you how your hope - resting on powers like the US and the UK - is delusional, because they watched how the Nigerian government starved its own population through blockades, and did nothing resulting in the death of a million Biafrans. The only situation where there will be no civilian deaths, decades of conflict, or blockades is through dialogue.