Leave the saint alone. Ngonge, what if you are cynic and against any Somali leadership. In my line of work, I have seen too many Somalis (mostly teens with very little trust of anything Somali)... This man has taken over an extremely difficult job. Let him do his job. One last thing, most Somalis are peasants, so please spare us the uppity classifications and distinctions.

WE feel abandoned by the international community. Well, Some other nations have suffered worst. This new government, if it ever, gets its strings attached together should stand for the rights of African Nations ignored by the international community and other African Countries when they needed support the most. Somalia has been, as usually referred by news organizations, without a government for 14/15 years. well, several silly-land territories have been known to effective, peaceful administrations that secured thier respective territories. I do not need to give a lecture of political, economic and other support this Somali new government needs. I think it should make the rights of the oppressed a priority in its foreign policy support, namely-Western Sahara. http://www.womenwarpeace.org/western_s/docs/sgreptosc27jan05.pdf

institutions of shame: Tribe/clan are anthropological terms. To me they resonate Destructivism. That is a word to describe tribalism in Somalia. Of course, it hasn't been used in social theory except minor market economics. At least, I am not aware of any other. In one online dictionary, tribe is, by definition, large family, sociopolitical organization or unit. in other words, taxonomic category used to identify and divide ancient Romans, Isrealites-twelve of them. The Holy Quran describes the purpose of tribal identity as patriarcal lineage. To go back to earlier statement or renouncement of the term, one is ascribed to it as symbol of honor or disgrace. One gains respect and status simply because they are from certain tribe. At this point, I am touching a sensitive point in social norms in some societies. Good! Let me talk about how the system of division by Destructivism places humanity of one over others. comments are welcomed

I didn't even bother to read beyond the first two statements before I sensed arrogance in the title. Ignorance usually ensues arrogance. I read and understood clanish fighting in the region in the news. But I am astonished to hear authoritative language, one described by the TITLE. To be honest, It is silly for one to engage betty politics. People like you who do not rely on facts but emotion have destroyed Somalia as we knew it. I would suggest you ackowledge wrongs of clannish wars without disregarding the reality on the ground. Clans or subclans are fueding over land, and water rights. There is no authority to intervene. at least no legitimate authority capable to stop the fighting. The president have issued no strong indignation against so far. Both Somali intellectuals and Elders of the fighting groups have been void thus far. Please stop misleading inattentive people about Somali affairs.

AFRICA SPURNS FEMALE CIRCUMISION By Mike Crawley The Christian Science Monitor KER SIMBARA, SENEGAL — This tiny, sleepy village in Senegal's arid interior is part of a swelling movement against the long-held but controversial practice of female circumcision. Back in 1997, 13 Senegalese villages publicly declared that they would no longer permit female circumcision, or female genital mutilation (FGM) as it's called by critics. In the eight years since, the number has grown to 1,527, representing 30% of Senegalese communities where FGM has been practiced. Dozens more villages are preparing to make similar declarations in the coming months. Campaigners have tried for decades to bring an end to FGM. But their tactics of providing alternative employment to the circumcisers, introducing alternative rites of passage for girls, or demanding legislation to outlaw the practice have all failed to make a dent: an estimated 2 million girls in about 26 African countries are circumcised every year. The sea-change in Senegal is being credited to a slow but steady program of human rights education that allows villagers to make up their own minds about whether to abandon female circumcision. Spearheaded by a local rights agency called Tostan, the program's success is proving so eye-catching that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is endorsing it as a model. "The Tostan approach is working because it's a holistic approach, and it works with communities," says Lalla Toure, UNICEF's regional adviser for women's health. "The starting point is not female genital mutilation; it's about rights, it's about health, it's about development. We think that's the best approach." The program is being replicated with some success in Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Mali, and is currently being considered for one of the strongholds of FGM, Somalia, where nearly 100% of girls are circumcised. Excision of all or part of the female sexual organs before puberty has long been considered a prerequisite for marriage among many of the pastoral cultures immediately south of the Sahara and in the Horn of Africa. Despite growing awareness of the health risks, which can affect childbirth, parents continue carrying out the practice because they fear their daughters won't otherwise be able to find a husband. It's this same power of social conformity that is helping the campaign to end FGM in Senegal. As more villages publicly announce that they are abandoning the practice, Tostan says others begin realizing it may no longer be a marriage requirement, momentum builds, and the number of villages following suit snowballs. "People are realizing that the social convention is changing," says Molly Melching, the Texas-born director of Tostan who has lived in Senegal for more than two decades. According to Gerry Mackie, a professor at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., the groundswell of opposition to FGM in Senegal is approaching a "tipping point." No one is willing to predict a date by which the practice will cease, but Mr. Mackie suggests that there are parallels with the practice of foot-binding in China, which went from widespread at the turn of the 20th century to nil within a generation. Once Tostan commences its program of health, human rights education, and economic development in a village, it typically takes two to three years before citizens decide that they want to abandon FGM, says Ms. Melching. The public declarations the villages make, amid vibrant celebrations with music, dancing, and speeches from elders and prominent citizens, generally contain other statements about respect for women's rights and children's education. The declarations are also coming from places where Tostan staff have never set foot. Enthusiastic villagers are taking it upon themselves to talk to neighboring villages, causing the movement to spread even more quickly. Melching says that Tostan didn't set out trying to end FGM when it began its programs, nor is the eradication of FGM its only goal. Yet in some ways Tostan is becoming a victim of its own success. As the number of declarations swells, some Senegalese have come to see Tostan as simply an anti-FGM agency. Particularly in northern Senegal where resistance to ending the practice remains strong, some villages have protested and rioted to dissuade the organization from doing any sort of work. Here in Ker Simbara there was similar — albeit less heated — initial refusal to listen to visiting women from nearby Malicounda Bambara, the village where the first anti-FGM declaration was made, says Imam Demba Diawara. But the public declarations soon made the issue of excision "the talk of the town," he says. The debate that ensued was a big shift from the previously secretive approach to the practice, says Ramata Sow, who staffs the local clinic and nursery. "No one talked about the health troubles before — it's a difficult subject," she says. Ker Simbara eventually declared in 1999 that its citizens would no longer practice female circumcision. Ms. Sow's family illustrates the transformation. She circumcised her eldest daughter, but her two youngest, Sadio, 13, and Nabou, 7, and her granddaughter Duma, 2, are not circumcised. "I will never do it again," she declares. "Things have changed." The Christian Science Monitor.

Rudy, you miss my point bro. This lady acted! I don't mean to put you on the spot but what have you done of those killings you speak of? FGM is not exactly killing. I concede. It's wrong though! infact, it should be eradicated! so, as killings. She found her purpose. I suggest you do and act bro. Perhaps, teaching how to use the comp. and the internet is what you are good at. u offer basic comp. skills to your local community.

Hibo, We have a culture that is not ours. Our customs are foriegn, i.e food, clothes (preferred) is from East Asia. Somalis are and still remain to be nomadic. They may live in Europe, N. America or Asia;they always remain nomadic in search of a better pasture. the irony is no place is greener than home. For those of us that try to assimilate into our host societies, we are out of luck as we are outnumbered by the rest. By assimilation, I mean, participate and obsorb into basic institutions of the West. We retain Islam but choose other identities. I am an American first and Somali second. I am proud of that yes!

Activism makes a difference in Somali society just like any other. This lady acted and commands respect in her recognition. Btw, FGM-female Genital Mutilation is what she speaks about and works to eradicate. It may be a minor issue to most of you(silent ones) but I contend its central to the demise of our society. a beauty pageant in African country that was asked what FGM was about and what she thought it stands for, said it stands for Female Genital Vegetation. LOL! that is a joke! my point is most learned Somalis know what it is. And if we do act against it, we do not know what it does to women. In fact, its impact is dismissed by mere speculation of its either practical legitimacy in Islam.

here's a link http://women.amnestyusa.org/defenders/hawaaden.asp

This year's Amnesty International Award for activism goes to Hawa aden mohamed of Somalia. The annual general meeting (AGM) of Amnesty International USA was held Austin, TX this year. I attended the meeting representing my school chapter. It was an exciting and unexpected for me when her name was announced and she walked to the podium to give a speech. After her emotional speech about FGM, she met activists from all over the world as they lined up to chat with her and take pics. As one one of them, I waited for my turn patiently while my friend stood with her camera to take a picture of me and her together. When my time came, I spoke sofly saying "haye mama." Shocked to hear my greeting in Somali, She politely extended her hand saying, "see tahay." We chatted for a bit. Of course, people were still lined up to meet her. so, I asked her if I could have a picture with her. And as soon as the camera snapped the shot, I stepped aside. She told me she was looking forward to talk to me afterwards.

LANDER "Somaliland" is a fortunate entity, prosperous and self-governing. Member-states should recognize them on the basis of self-determination. Remember though, Kurds are looking for the elusive self-determination, so as the Brasque in Spain, Tibetans from China. An ideal/utopian world system would emerge hopefully someday. HADDAD I am glad u mentioned remittances. That is money estimated to be half-billion dollars conservatively is life-sustaining. I ask, what about the political support, or rather allegiance to tyranny of the so-called warlords? Somalis abroad, undeniably, either support with clan rhetoric. A proof of my point is not necessary as it is evident. The Infamous paragraph that often entails every news report about somalia declares "Somalia has not had a functioning central government for 14 years". I am sure you know I am dramatizing when I say mant Somalis living outside of the country created, still contribute to the ongoing civil war.

For some reasons, the word right, or term "a Right" is not discussed in public forums. And when mentioned often involves advocacy of one view over another. Petty politics is ferociously debated. My view of rights is nihilistic, that they don't exist. I expressed this view sarcastically after my prof. asked us to state one right we hold dear. I said "I have a right not to be offended." Of course, that didn't fly well with her. I did get a laugh. My point is we should know our human rights even if we believe they don't exist, denied.

Dark Ages: Somali Parliament, its members unelected by the people, stand to be the hope of the people. They consist of rich gangsters, unread generals, illiterate bunch and voiceless former intellectuals. Most of them were property owners in good old Somalia. Somalis in the diaspora are their backbone and starkiest critics. That is a description of the best institution my people have today. It is the exact reflection of Somali society at large. :confused: Posts in Politics Section in Somaliaonline is a glimpse of "Democracy in Action" mob-rule style.

Social Responsibility Video Series: "The Letter: An American Town and the Somali 'Invasion'" will be shown at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 31, Atwood Theatre at SCSU. Documents how a letter to Somali refugees leads to a crossfire of emotions and events. Video, 76 minutes, followed by panel discussion.

Why Do I keep hearing comments like "ninkaas waa dhintay" "Ilaahay iyo wuxuu sameeyay".. I am Sick And Tired of people shading atrocities of Siad Barre. My mother often used vulgar names before he died, but is now offended when someone talks about his actions because he is "Marxuum". He knew what he did and Allah knows too. You probably might not condone some of his actions, namely the genocide in the North. Why is it wrong for Somalis(Southerns-whatever qabiil) to collectively admit his mistakes? I personally think this is the remedy, perhaps over-optimistic, to curing our Northern brothers. His Actions, deliberate in nature, resulted expulsion and anniliation of an entire group of Somali society in the North. Somali Army, under his direct command, bombed civilians in urban cities. Insurgency or "illegal elements", I personally would have preferred non-violent alternatives. But counter-offense did not mandate genocide of civilians simply because they have sympahisized with Insurgency group-SNM. I am also well acquainted with the Ideas of Sovereignty and territorial integrity. To go re-state my point, silencing people about what the old Mzee did is to condone his actions. And only if Somalis come togetherin that proposition, no reconcialation is possible between different tribes in the South, let alone win the hearts of the people of the North.