An article articulating why the Sharif should resign and the TFG should sign it self out of existence. Good Bye to Proxy TFG President Ahmedou Ould Abdallah’s Discordant Contract (UN - trusteeship): The hour of reckoning has just arrived By Abdikarim H. Abdi Buh May 18, 2009 Since the overthrow of the strongman, General Bare, Mogadishu residents have seen peace only for the last six months of 2006, which was wiped out by a cheerless Christmas present from the US delivered by Mr. Zenawi of Ethiopia-a naked massive ground invasion ushering a new chapter in Somalia. The Mogadishu residents and the Somalis in general refer that very brief but peaceful period as a golden period. The high esteem held by the Somalis for the non-political Islam was uplifted further by the gallantry shown by the cadres during the war of liberation of Somalia from the invading forces of Ethiopia. Through their guidance, Somalis managed to topple off the hated TFG that invited the enemy of the nation to tear down Somalia and annihilate its people at will and without mercy. Once more, another heartbreaking new year’s (2009) gift from America in the form of someone the West touted as a moderate Muslim, Sh. Sharif and his lifeless TFG, was dumped among the Somalis with the sole aim of engendering a civil war among the Islamists without exposing their soldiers to danger – precisely which is what started this week. This week’s rumble of the renowned guns, with a bit of twist this time - Islamists pursuing each other in the heart of Mogadishu - signals the predestined nose diving of president Sharif’s over marketed rosy era and the inauguration of a vague and uncertain outlook for the capital city and by extrapolation Somalia in general . The human and material casualties caused by the current running battles between the TFG and the Islamists-Al- Shabab and Hisbi Islam- is just the opening chapter for more disasters to follow and an exasperation of the existing humanitarian disasters, as this war is about the righting of the wrongs and the political mistakes committed by the UN at Djibouti Summit in January this year – reinstalling the same TFG but this time with a president haunted by his past betrayals and misadventures which makes him a liability and a rallying point for the Islamists resentment. “I need urgent deployment of massive foreign forces lead by Ethiopia as Aweys and Al-Shabab are carrying out an attempted coup d'état to topple my legitimate government using force,” President of TFG - Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah This negative propaganda war – extremists toppling a legitimate government - unleashed by the international community is extremely misleading, unwise and biased. The Islamists parties come across more legitimate and native political forces to many Somalis given their record of liberating the country from the predatory Imbagati TFG and their allies that committed the worst state- sponsored genocide in the history of Somalia – 19,000 civilians killed, creation of 1.5 million IDPS and the flattening of the capital city. This war, which started in December 2006, came in to being as a reaction against foreign dictates and intervention and has yet to reach its one objective - total liberation of Somalia from foreign agents meddling in the politics of Somalia with the view of giving the Somali people the right to choose their own genuine leadership after nearly two decades of failure after failure of imported puppet governments. The point of contention is not about religion per se as there is no shortage of this commodity, but it is about the leadership of the country which has been traditionally changing hands through violence based on tribe and interested groups, although devoid of meaning full political agenda at all times except most certainly this time – Al - Shabab and Hisbi- Islam are on a national and non – tribal platform - despite their fiery brand of Islam they stand for a good chance to win the race as their opposition, TFG, is powered by the failed crude tribal and clan system of 4.5 which is seen as a plot to make Somalia ungovernable. International solution to the power struggle: - Deployment of credible force to contain Islamists is the consensus The three AMISOM garrisons are the only places in Mogadishu where the so called TFG government can sleep in relative peace since its inception, as opposed to the opposition Islamists who control with ease virtually the bulk of the Southern and central Somalia including the capital city. When one closely gazes the scenery and the trend of the recent confrontation between the opposing forces, one easily find out that the TFG lost the most strategic positions of the city to the Islamists. It took the Islamists no time to show who is in control of Mogadishu and who the rightful group to run the country are – Al-Shabab and allied Islamists. The confrontation was purely between the organized Islamist opposition fighters and tribal Militia allied conveniently to the TFG as the TFG has no robust security forces. When a situation, looking certain death in the face, develops the tribal rug tag militia will always look for the quickest and safest exit – run away or turn coats. The proxy president of Somalia, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, is obsessed in misinterpreting the situation on the ground as he usually does by accusing the opposition forces of toppling a legitimate government. Nonetheless, the opposition forces are nationalists who are fighting for what is their inalienable right – to run the affairs of their own country in their own way and to flesh out the foreign sponsored TFG and its AMISOM mercenaries. The Islamist cadres are aware of the appalling intention of the international community and are committed to capture or disable the three remaining foreign fortresses- Airport, Sea port and the presidential palace - before the UN campaign of organising a deplorable peace spoiler force leaves the drawing room. Mr. Ahmedou, the proxy Somalia president, is out of touch with reality and most probably lives in a bubble of his own or may be driven to insanity by his extreme view of keeping Somalia under UN trusteeship in perpetuity. "These extremists know that they do not have the support of the Somali people and that is why they have to bring in foreign fighters who are not connected to the situation in Somalia in any way," Ould-Abdallah said in a statement. How on earth can he justify that the 5,000 strong foreign force of AMISOM troops equipped to the teeth are considered to have connection to the situation in Somalia? Despite his obviously expatriate assertions, the Islamists are enjoying the grass root support of their masses including a large segment of the Somali Diaspora who are labeled as foreigner fighters by the colonial officer as quoted above. His defense Minister , TFG security commissioner, is no better than his president as he is spreading lies all over the place and only one quote is enough to expose how irrelevant he is too. "The Shebab's attack was defeated. The situation is under control," the African Union peace and security commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said at the same meeting in Addis Ababa. Conclusion: The Sharif days numbered It is apparent that the war which has just started is the making of President Sharif who foolishly betrayed his comrades in arms in the misplaced assumption that the international community’s blessing could be translated into automatic local recognition - the guy lacks political experience and maturity and is not even aware of the old adage “that a political mistake committed can only be paid in blood.” The hastily concocted Djibouti Summit was meant to be power-sharing between the TFG and the Islamists and as we know the Islamists choose to stay away because the TFG was defeated and was in no fit state to partake any meaning full talks. The Sharif was the only person from the Islamists who attended the so called meeting and thus the summit was a one man show that is seen as sell out by his own constituents. To safe Mogadishu from further destruction, the Sharif and his TFG should leave the political scene for the Islamists. The Islamists will definitely bring sustainable peace and stability at an affordable price as they demonstrated in the large areas they control. Somalia needs peace and security and its people are willing to temporarily trade off some of their liberties for the taste of this after sought product(peace) which the Islamists have the monopoly to deliver. In contrast to Sharif, the Islamists are committed to earn the local recognition and relegated international recognition from the west at the bottom of their priorities. International recognition, the kiss of death in contemporary Somalia, comes with a lot of strings that are untenable and detrimental to the political independence, sovereignty and self rule of Somalia. Mr. Abdikarim Haji Abdi Buh Email:abdikarimbuh@y ahoo.com WardheerNews Contributor

Northern Somali Unionist Movement (NSUM) Unholy Alliance between Somaliland and Puntland NSUM Executive Committee May 14, 2009 Desperate times can make sworn enemies bedfellows. This could be the case with Puntland and Somaliland, two northern self-administered regions in Somalia, until now at loggerheads over many issues, including the control of Sool region. Now all that bad blood may soon become something of the past as they bow to the dictates of the hard times they live in. New initiatives are in the works to forge an unholy alliance between these two regional administrations against their common enemies or to further their common interest. Its aim is to shield their fragile regimes from the gathering storms blowing from southern Somalia and make a last stand against the inexorable advance of the Islamists to the north or suppress those within their regions. To meet the security challenges they face, Somaliland and Puntland are turning to the Western countries and the United Nations for support, counting on their antipathy towards the Jihadists. As they woo each other, their marriage of conveyance could only be consummated if they clear the deck and reach a deal over unfinished businesses such as the control of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC). That should be no problem since Puntland, taking its cue from Meles Zenewi, has handed the area to Somaliland on a plate without a fight. All that remains now is for Puntland to formally renounce any claim on these regions and for Somaliland to provide as a quid pro quo joint defence to Puntland against the Islamists. Where do the SSC people fit into this entire scenario, you may ask? Sadly, they only count as pawns in deals made over their heads. The tentative collaboration between Somaliland and Puntland outlined above, and the support they require from the international community are the subject of a letter from six underemployed parliamentarians in the TFG, some hailing from Somaliland and the rest from Puntland, one of whom is a maverick from the SSC. The letter has been sent to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (SRSG) for Somalia, His Excellency Ahmedou Ould Abdallah and has been published in some of the Somali Internet websites. The signatories’ message to the SRSG are two fold: first, Somaliland and Puntland regions are the only two bright spots in an otherwise dooms-ridden Somalia and for this reason their security, development and humanitarian needs deserve unqualified support; secondly, they counsel that the “dispute” over the control of the SSC regions be left aside as an internal matter for the two neighbouring regional administrations who could strike a deal to their mutual satisfaction – most likely over the heads of its inhabitants. Unmistakably, the parliamentarians’ action is merely a timely ploy to nip in the bud recent initiatives by Garaad Jama Graad Ali and the Northern Somalia Unionist Movement (NSUM), to take the bull by its horns and seek an SSC-driven and owned solution to the problems imposed upon them by their neighbours. Their mission to Nairobi in April, in which they met, among others, the SRSG, the Special Representative of African Union (AU) and other heads of UN agencies dealing with Somalia, had provided a golden opportunity to get their message across to the international community. In particular, the mission took advantage of its presence in Nairobi in order to express its total rejection of the secession imposed upon them by use of force and to present a damning indictment against the war crimes and human rights violations committed by Somaliland’s militia following their invasion and occupation of Sool. Above all, the mission availed itself of this auspicious occasion to put on record its strong objections to the outrageous dubbing of the SSC regions as “disputed” ones, as if they were no man’s land, or its people had no right to have a say in their affairs and destiny. All this had fallen on receptive ears, much to the chagrin of both regional administrations. Hence, this desperate rear-guard action mounted by their agents in the TFG. Far from being beacons of hope outshining the rest of Somalia, the establishment of Somaliland and Puntland represent on the contrary the worst epitaph on what followed the ouster of Siyad Barre in 1991. Both regional administrations are unashamedly clan-based chauvinists. The first, Somaliland, went as far as to declare secession from Somalia, while the other professes to be still part of it but otherwise acts, for all practical purposes, as a separate country like Somaliland. In their desire to distance themselves from Mogadishu, they ardently turned to Meles Zenewi, letting their enclaves to be vassals under Ethiopian hegemony, and stopping at nothing in doing his bidding. One only has to look with disgust the slavish regular “pilgrimages” they make to Addis Ababa at the behest of Meles Zenewi, in order to report on their performances or to receive new orders. Or witness how low they openly kidnap innocent Somalis from the Somali Eastern region of Ethiopia -technically protected under international law -and hand them over to the fascist Ethiopian security forces, fully aware of the destiny awaiting them. There is a limit how much people under these regions could take, and sooner or later, they are likely to revolt against these egregious crimes in their name as happened to the warlords in the south. It is not al Shabaab they should fear but their own outraged people. What Somaliland and Puntland need is not so much to be saved from improbable al Shabaab assault, but from their own follies. Either they redeem themselves or else face the inevitable consequences of their actions and the ultimate demise of their regimes. That should be the advice which the SRSG should give them for their own sake and for that of Somalia. Unfortunately, neither Riyale nor Faroole are susceptible to persuation. For their own part, the SSC mission representatives have conveyed to the international community that they are not a “disputed” people or territory but are a free people who are part and parcel of Somalia like other regions, and who have no truck with secessionists or with those who engage in heinous crimes against Somalis in neighbouring countries. Rather than aligning themselves with these two anti Somalia pariahs, the interest of the SSC people lies in being part of Somalia, coming directly under the Transitional Federal Government now recognised by the entire international community. The Nairobi mission has served as a trailblazer, setting in motion the renaissance of the Darwiish values and sentiments among the SSC people and their readiness to struggle for their own rights and those of Somalia, both at the regional and national levels. Nothing could more fitting to ending this brief article than a quotation from the Nairobi mission report and what Garaad Jama Garaad Ali has told the SRSG in their recent meeting in Nairobi:The SSC people had the unique history in Somalia of waging a liberation struggle for over 21 years against the British colonialists in the early 20th Century in which almost two-thirds of his people perished. It would be unthinkable, he said, for people who made such incalculable human sacrifices for the Somali cause, and who since then played a leading role in defending the independence and unity of Somalia, to throw all that record and shamefully embrace secession and the break-up of Somalia as others did. Rather, they will oppose the new enemies within that threaten Somali unity as defiantly and resolutely as they confronted the British invaders a century ago. People with that history have little or nothing in common with the regimes running Somaliland and Puntland. The SSC regions are the bridge that binds northern and southern Somalia and serves as the artery that keeps Somali unity alive. Better then that they are not bonded to regimes whose raison d’etre is the antithesis of Somali national aspirations. Yours sincerely, NSUM Executive Committee May 14, 2009 -------------------- ------------ Northern Somali Unionist Movement (NSUM) is a grass roots Somali organization whose members and supporters hail from Sool, Sanaag and Cayn regions in the Northern regions of Somalia(formerly British Somaliland) and whose clan in these regions do not identify with the one -clan-driven secession calling themselves” Somaliland”. NSUM stands for the promotion of peace and unity among the long-suffering people of Somalia. NSUM_infoDesk Web: www.n-sum.org Email:admin@n-sum.or g

^^^ Apparently the brave and nationalistic people do not include you as your not fighting.

By Owen Bennett-Jones BBC News, Peshawar IDP's queue for food Support for the Taliban is fading as the conflict increasingly affects civilians In Pakistan there has been a real change in the past few months - the public has had enough of the Taliban and the army has gone to war. As a result well over one million people have been forced to flee their homes. I have come to a place about an hour's drive from Peshawar, 50 miles (80km) from where there has been intense fighting. There are many people on the move here who have run away from that fighting and they have brought with them eyewitness accounts of the brutal things they have seen under the Taliban's control of the Swat valley over the past few months. "They were beheading people, they were shooting innocent people without any warning, they were terrifying us," one woman tells me. "They were stopping our kids from going to school, they were kidnapping young boys." A man standing nearby is also eager to talk. "With my own hands I have buried 18 people who were beheaded, even children," he tells me grimly. "They are not friends, they are not our allies, they're our enemies, they are criminals, they are gangsters." New mood Such strong public criticism of the Taliban is new - the mood has changed in Pakistan. They say, 'eliminate them, clear up our area, for God's sake', that is the message that is coming from the local people Tariq Hyatt Khan, senior government official Tariq Hyatt Khan is the most senior government official in one of the tribal areas in North West Frontier Province and he tells me that the people of Pakistan have simply had enough of jihadis. "I know people from Swat, I've served in Malakand as a political agent," he explains. "The people hate them and if you see the letters to the editors of all the major newspapers, the people of Swat are writing and they are thanking the army for intervening in a decisive manner. "They say 'eliminate them, clear up our area, for God's sake', that is the message that is coming from the local people." In the garrison city of Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province, the Taliban have been launching attacks. Their main target has been the police and hundreds have been killed. Malik Naveed Khan runs the police force in the province - his own brother was killed in a suicide attack. "They're being beheaded, they're being kidnapped, their families are being kidnapped. One of our superintendents of police, his brother has been kidnapped and he has been told to resign from the force. "We are facing this war, but for every victory there have to be sacrifices," he says with little emotion. If the sixth biggest military cannot take care of 15 or 16 individuals, then I'm sorry, we're not good at it Khalid Aziz, ex-chief secretary, North West Frontier Province He shows me a Taliban propaganda DVD - it contains the most disgusting images I have ever seen, including the beheading of a policeman, standing head-hooded, decapitated with a single blow of the sword. But who are the Taliban? It is one word for a complicated and disparate movement. Khalid Aziz, former chief secretary of North West Frontier Province, says the answer is to start at the top. "We must separate it, we must identify the leadership," he says. "If you look at it, how many people would be involved in the top leadership - 15 or 20. If the sixth biggest military cannot take care of 15 or 16 individuals, then I'm sorry, we're not good at it. "If we have not contained it and it goes to Lahore and the rest of the area, we will lose the country," he warns. In the balance His fears are real - the jihadis have already killed in Lahore and suicide bombers have launched three attacks from the city so far this year. And then there was the brazen attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. Police officer helps a wounded colleague Police officers are increasingly being targeted by the Taliban But is it possible, in return, to directly target the Taliban leadership? Gen Tarik Khan has led the military's fight against the Taliban for the past three or four years in Pakistan. He has a ferocious reputation, but says there are limits to what he can do. "Any kind of military operation that seeks to take out individuals is an intelligence-driven operation that requires a lot of technology, a lot of surveillance capacity, which we don't have. "I have boots on the ground and troops that I can organise to go against organised resistance and cohesive militancy, but I can't really go after individuals," he says. When American politicians hear statements like that they begin to get rather irritated. Washington, they point out, has spent a very large amount of money in Pakistan since the 9/11 attacks. Sen Bob Menendez, like many others have been asking questions. In a recent congressional hearing he demanded to know where the military aid America had already given Pakistan had gone. "How come the general spearheading the fight still doesn't have the equipment that he needs? We don't even know where significant amounts of this money went to. That's $12bn later." Pakistan is a very different place compared to three months ago. People now say they have simply had enough. Nevertheless, the army has left it late to confront its enemy, too late maybe to think that victory can be won by just targeting the top leadership. The militants are well equipped and well trained. This is a conflict that could go on for years. Owen Bennett-Jones will be broadcasting from Pakistan for the BBC World Service's Newshour programme from 25 to 27 May at 1300BST and 1400BST.

Then if you do not fight, why are you calling others to do so?

Guddoomiyihii maamulka Maxkamadaha Islaamka ee magaalada B/weyne ee gobolka Hiiraan ayaa ku dhawaaqay inuu xilkaasi iska casilay xilli maamulka gobolkaasi ay xiisado colaadeed kaga furan yihiin labo dhinac oo kala ah ciidamo Itoobiyaan ah oo maalmo ka hor soo galay isgoyska Kala beyrka iyo dhinaca kale ah oo xoogaga ka horjeeda DF oo iyana la hadal hayey iney ku soo jeedaan gobolkaasi ka dib markii ay soo qabsadeen qeybo ka mid ah gobolka Sh/dhexe. Gudoomiyaha ayaa intaa ku daray in sababta uu isku casilay ay ka dambeysay ka gadaal markii sida uu sheegay ay cadaadis ku saareen arintaasi beesha uu ka soo jeedo oo markii horeba iila timid ayuu yiri inaan xilkaasi qabto wuxuuna intaasi ku daray in markii horeba uu ahaa nin ganacade ah haatana uu ganacsigiisii dib ugu laabanayo, wuxuuna meesha ka saaray inuu isku casilay cabsida maamulkiisa kasoo wajahaday in talada gobolka ay kala wareegaan xoogaga DF ka horjeeda ee sida la leeyahay damacsan weerar ay ku qabsadaan magaaladaasi. Ma jiro illaa hadda hadda war ku saabsan is casilaada masuulkaasi oo ka soo baxay maamulka gobolka Hiiraan ee Midowga maxkamadaha Islamaiga ah oo isagu ku guda jiray abaabul ciidamo iyo gadiid dagaal difaac kaga jira hareeraha magaaladaasi si ay isaga caabiyaan weeraro la sheegay iney kaga soo wajahan yihiin dhinaca xoogaga xoogaga Al- shabaab iyo xisbul Islaam ee dhowaan la wareegay magaalada Jowhar iyo degmooyin kale oo ka tirsan gobolka Sh/dhexe halkaasoo ay horey gacanta ugu hayeen Midowga Maxkamadaha Islaamka. Cabdiraxmaan Macalin Xuseen Mamaan82@hotmail.com Tafatiraha Wabka Dayniile.com

Shabelle: BALADWEYNE Gudoomiyihii maxkamadaha Islaamiga degmada Baladweyne ee gobolka Hiiraan ayaa xalay waxaa uu iska casilay xilkiisa. Sheekh Aadan Jilibay oo ah gudoomiyihii Maxkamadaha Islaamiga ee Magaalada Baladweyne ee xarunta gobolka Hiiraan oo xalay la soo xariiray Idaacada Shabelle ayaa waxaa uu sheegay in uu iska casilay xilkii uu ka hayay Magaalada Baladweyne ee xarunta gobolka Hiiraan. Mar Shabelle ay weydiisay Shekh Aadan sababaha ku kalifay in uu is casilo in ay qeyb ka tahay marxaladaha haatan jira aawadeed ayuu sheegay in ay taasi meesha ka marnayn hase ahaatee waxaa uu carabka ku dhiftay in beeshiisu ay kula talisay in uu iska casilo xilkaasi. Sheikh Aadan Jilibay waxaa uu sheegay in markii horaba uu ahaa nin ganacsade ah haatana uu ku noqonayo ganacsigiisa,haatan wixii ka dambeeyana uu iska casilay xilkii gudoomiyihii degmada Baladweyne ee xarunta gobolka Hiiraan. Iska casilaadad gudoomiyihii maxkamadaha Islaamiga degmada Baladweyne ee xarunta gobolka Hiiraan ayaa imaanaysa xili mudooyinkii ugu dambeeyay gudaha gobolka Hiiraan ay ka jireen xiisado colaadeed oo u dhaxeeya ciidamada Al Shabaab iyo Maxkamadaha islaamiga oo xili isku saf ahaa. Aqriso oo la soco Shabelle.net Saacad Walba si aad u hesho wararkii ugu dambeeyay ee Soomaaliya.

Even the P.M recognizes this: Ra’iisul wasaare Cumar C/rashiid oo sheegay in aysan rajjo ka qabin wadahadal ay la galaan kooxaha mucaaradka. Shabelle: MUQDISHO Ra’iiusl wasaaraha dowladda KMG Soomaaliya Cumar C/rashiid Cali Sharma’arke ayaa waxaa uu sheegay in uusan rajjo ka qabin wadahadalo ay xiligaani la galaan Mucaaradka hubaysan ee ka soo horjeeda xili maalmihii dambe xukuumadiisa ay wajahaysay weerarao kaga imaanaya xoogaga Hubaysan. Cumar C/rashiid Cali Ra’iisul wasaraha dowladda KMG Soomaaliya oo horay isagu u sheegay markii la soo magacaabay in uu ku wajihi doono kooxaha ka soo horjeeda wadahadal ayaa markii ugu horeeysay isagoo u waramayay Wakaaladda Wararka ee Reuters waxaa uu sheegay in aysan jirin rajjo laga qabo in ay la hadlaan kooxaha ka soo horjeeda. “U Malayn Maayo in ay wataan ajande siyaasadeed waxaana rumaysanahay in ay ka buuxaan dagaaliyahaniin dibadda ka yimid kuwaasi oo qalalaase ka wada gudaha wadanka Soomaaliya”ayuu yiri Cumar C/Rashid Cali. Sharma’arke waxaa uu yiri majirto fursad lagula fariisan karo kooxahaasi oo wahadal lagula gali karo isagoo intaasi ku daray in aysan aheeyn dad lala hadli karo sida uu sheegay. “Habka kaliya ee lagula dhaqmi karo waxaa ay tahay in lala dagaalamo taasoo ah waxa ay fahmayaan waxaana u diyaarsanayahay in aan cirib tirno”ayuu intaasi raaciyay Ra’iisul wasaare Sharma’arke. Cumar C/rashiid Cali Ra’iisul wasaraha dowladda KMG Soomaaliya waxaa uu intaasi ku daray in ciidamada dowladiisu ay sii daba joogaan sida uu hadalka u dhigay 3-boqol oo shisheeye ah kuwaasi oo Ururka Al Shabaab ka garab dagaalamaya waxaana uu tilmamay wali in ay jiraan qaar ku sugan banaanka Magaalada Muqdisho. Waxaa uu yiri Ururka Al Shabaab iyo dagaaliyahanadooda la socda marna hab dowladeed mafahmi karaan,waxaana dhici karta in magaalo ay tagaan oo ay qabsadaan hadana ay ka tagaan marka ay bur buriyaan kadibna dadk ay argagixiyaan sida u hadalka u dhigay laakiin dadkaani malahan ayuu yiri awood ay ku maalulaan iyo wax ay ku fahmi karaan muuqaal dowladeed. Waxaan is weydiinayaa buu yiri sida dagaalka ay u sii wadi karaan dad aan laheeyn u jeedo siyaasadeed kuwaasi oo ku guuldaraystay sheegashadodii aheeyd in ay diin u dagaalamayaan sida uu sheegay. “kooxahaasi waxaa ay ku tunteen dhinac kasta oo diinta Islaamka hadana waxaa ay sheeganayaan in ay yihiin Islaamiyiin”ayuu yiri Cumar C/rashiid. Ra’iisul wasaare Sharma’arke waxaa uu ku eedeeyay Madaxweynaha dalka Eritrea in uu hub u qeybinayo kooxaha muqaawamada waxaana uu sheegay in arintaasi ay tahay arinta ugu weyn ee dhibaatada ku keeni karta Soomaaliya. Dowladda Eritrea ayaa iyada arintaasi horay isaga fogaysay,waxaana arimahaani ay ku soo beegmayaan iyadoo Urur goboleedka IGAD kulan ay ku yeesheen magaalada Addis Ababa ay ugu baaqeen beesha caalamka in cuna qabateyn deg deg ah la saaro dowladda wadanka Eritrea. Xigasho:Reuters Aqriso oo la soco Shabelle.net Saacad Walba si aad u hesho wararkii ugu dambeeyay ee Soomaaliya.

^^^ Are you fighting?

Norf let me attempt a take on this one. I believe it is impossible for the government to bring about a peaceful resolution to the current situation. Some of the reasons for that belief are based on the weaknesses of the government and the declared aims of the Al-shabaab. The government has No to minuscule legitimacy, in the sense that it fails in all the following criteria to meet the accepted definitions of a legitimate government. German sociologist Max Weber proposed three sources of political legitimacy and authority: charismatic, traditional, and rational/legal. Weber argues that charismatic is based and dependent on the charisma of the leader, he uses the example of tribes and religious leaders. Sheikh Sharif although considered a religious leader, does not have and has never been accused of possessing the Charisma required of Charismatic legitimacy, No one has been swayed to his side on the basis of his arguments, nor has any one been dissuaded in taking up arms due to the personal/public impact of this man [Even Siyad Indha cadde]. Traditional legitimacy and authority is based on the fact that certain political structures have existed for so long that its authority is accepted by the populace. This would be within the Somali context the Guurti or Elders of the Somali Clans, unfortunately in the TFG constitution envisaged in the mbagathi process there was no place in it for the Guurti or any other conflict resolution mechanism involving the esteemed elder statesmen of each clan. Indeed even there had been such a mechanism there would not be much use for it at the present time, this conflict seeks legitimacy beyond the strictures of clan elders especially on the side of the Al-shabaab. Rational/Legal is based on the idea that legitimacy and authority derives itself from standard operating procedures that are based on principles and laws expressed via a constitution or collection of documents. Where there is indeed a constitution or collection of documents that are present within the context of the TFG, the malleability of the operating procedures as well as the trashing of constitutional principles several times over the course of the last few years, the poverty as well as dearth of experience or morality of the human capital [parliament members, government functionaries, technocrats] involved in the application of the constitution and the standard operating procedures, means that no authority can be claimed by the TFG on this points Indeed the present TFG from the tenure of Abdullahi Yusuf to the current situation of Sheikh Sharif has been characterized by the following: • loss of physical control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force therein, • erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions, • an inability to provide reasonable public services, and • An inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community. The platform on which the Sheikh Sharif was elected in Djibouti can be boiled down to two main points, that Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia proper and that he would negotiate an end to violence with moderates with in the Somali Islamic movement and isolate the rump of the hardliners and dead enders. This has failed to materialize; Sheikh Sharif has failed to keep his distance from the Ethiopians, and has played into their hands in two fronts, by needing their support as well as by being further de-legitimized by the actions of Ethiopia in Hiiraan. [Which came as a huge shock, to the entourage of Sheikh Sharif as to other TFG supporters]. Although having gained the support of the majority of the Ulema in his requests for negotiations and cease fires he has not had any leeway within the armed movement. In the end they believe he is a collaborationist and left them in their time of need, fundamentally that he is one or not is besides the point that he appears so is all that matters. Consequently for the TFG whose entreaties for peace and negotiation has fallen on deaf ears, armed destruction of the Al-shabaab is the only rational and logical decision to take, the other which is self legislation out of existence is an option I cannot perceive them taking. The al-shabaab on the other hand have stated clearly, and repeatedly that they will not negotiate a peaceful resolution to this conflict, for let us be frank here all there self proclaimed demands and aims have been fulfilled by the votes with in parliament, it would be foolish to ascribe to them goals other than those they have set for themselves. Al-shabaab beyond their Islamic based beliefs have a belief in the fundamental sociology of the state that is in direct opposition to what Somalis expect from the TFG. Franz Oppenheimer who was a German sociologist who published on the sociology of the state described it apply: Unlike Locke and others, Oppenheimer rejected the idea of the "social contract" and contributed to the "conquest theory" of the State: " The State, completely in its genesis, essentially and almost completely during the first stages of its existence, is a social institution, forced by a victorious group of men on a defeated group, with the sole purpose of regulating the dominion of the victorious group over the vanquished, and securing itself against revolt from within and attacks from abroad. Teleological, this dominion had no other purpose than the establishment of dominion of the vanquished by the victors. " This is why Kashafa produces maps and timelines to legitimize his arguments, which he then over reaches to ascribe to Islamic notions. [but their others who are better qualified to make those arguments] For the Shabaab the physical extermination of the TFG and their allies is the only way its own existence can be maintained and its vision can be implemented. One with out the other would be a failure in their eyes. Legitimacy for them comes from the edicts of others in the Muslim world and the above scenario coming to fruition. A case of the rock against an unstoppable force, with Somalis caught right dab in the middle. There is no peaceful solution except the ending of the existence in reality of one or the other .

Somalia's neighbours have called for the UN to impose a "no-fly zone" and a port blockade to prevent Islamist forces obtaining weapons. The emergency meeting of the Igad grouping also called for sanctions to be imposed on Eritrea, which denies charges it arms Islamist forces. A BBC correspondent says officials hope the naval task force off the Somali coast could enforce the blockade. Islamists have gained ground recently and control much of the south. The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) said the Islamist-controlled ports of Kismayo and Merca should be subject to a blockade "to prevent the further in-flow of arms and foreign fighters". Humanitarian flights would be allowed to continue despite the proposed no-fly zone, the Igad statement said after a meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Several countries have sent warships to the Indian Ocean after a spate of attacks by Somali pirates. SOMALI CRISIS map 3m need food aid - a third of the population 1m fled their homes No government since 1991 Somali justice - Islamist-style Somalia has been subject to a UN arms embargo for many years but weapons are still freely available in the Mogadishu weapons market. In addition to Eritrea, analysts say that weapons also reach Somalia from Yemen. Islamist forces attacked an African Union peacekeeping base overnight, leading to two hours of fierce fighting in the capital, Mogadishu. The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the city says many shells fell in residential areas and at least three civilians were killed, including a six-year-old child. The Western-backed government only controls parts of the capital and a few pockets of territory elsewhere. Some 4,000 AU peacekeepers are in the city, backing up the administration of moderate Islamist President Sheikh Sherif Sheikh Ahmed. A recent upsurge in fighting has forced some 43,000 people to flee their homes in less than two weeks, the UN says. Islamist fighters on Sunday seized the strategic town of Jowhar. On Tuesday, eyewitnesses told the BBC that Ethiopian troops had returned to Somalia, four months after leaving. They had helped government forces oust Islamists from Mogadishu in 2006 but withdrew in January under a UN-brokered peace deal. Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991 and years of fighting have left some three million people - a third of the population - needing food aid. bbc.com

The question still stands.

^^^ Do you have twins with two different baby daddy's? Last I checked the United states was a democracy.

Please do me the pleasure of not lecturing me. I have already spent the better part of the past three years in volunteering my knowledge and expertise in my homeland, and I will continue to do so regardless of the flavor of the government of the day. In the event that the Islamic state of Somalia is announced my support will encompass the whole gamut including constructive criticism and all the prerequisites of somalinimo. Now can you please tell me WHAT the difference between Al-shabaab and Xisbul Islam?

Ahem who said I was desperate all I did was post a news article that I thought would be read by SOL members. I am not on the board everyday and sometimes [The overwhelming most of the times] I miss nuggets such as these. Is every one who does not believe in your views desperate?

Kashafa I had not realised what a slippery customer you are, I have not asked you WHEN the amir will be choosen but how, this does not require any psychic ability but the ability to extrapolate from evidence that I thought you had more of than I did. I support the winner.

Garowe Online (Garowe) Somalia: Al Shabaab Leader 'Wounded in Blast' - Sources 20 May 2009 The leader of Somalia's Al Shabaab guerrilla group was wounded during a recent accidental explosion, inside sources tell Garowe Online. Sheikh Muktar Abdirahman "Godane," one of the founders of Al Shabaab and the group's current leader, was wounded when an explosive device "went off accidentally," the sources said. "The explosive device was being used for training [purpose] but it went off accidentally," said a source close the secretive guerrilla group, adding that Godane was being treated at a private hospital in the northern outskirts of the capital Mogadishu. On Sunday, an accidental explosion at a house where Al Shabaab fighters were lacing vehicles with explosives killed 17 people. Godane recently issued an audio tape where he spoke about the anti-government insurgency being spearheaded by Al Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu and other parts of south-central Somalia. Al Shabaab, which is considered at a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, has been attempting to overthrow the Somali interim government led by President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, former leader of the country's Islamist movement. President Sheikh Sharif's interim government is the 15th attempt by the international community to restore national order in Somalia.

Originally posted by Kashafa: quote:In the event that Somalia falls to al-shabaab/Xisbul Islam how will the Amir be choosen? - Consultation - Vote - Council of Leaders - Divination [i kid I kid [/indent] Personally, I would prefer a system of elected representatives. But again, that's my personal preference, which we will reach gradually. But for the short-term(next 5-10 years), the country needs centralized leadership that will provide a no-nonsense approach to governing. The Islamist can, will, and have provided that leadership, and that's the model Somalia will be run by for the short-term. You have not even answered the question, first you stated your personal preference, then you say for the short term somalia's leadership should be centralised and no-nonsense what ever that means. The first half of the question was a query into HOW the leadership will be appointed rather than what sort of leadership will be had. You did a better job with the second part of the question limiting yourself unfortunately to a compare and contrast that I would think would be naive when applied to the whole of Somalia rather than a town in the south. But I appreciate your sincere efforts at enlightening me. Another question WHAT is the difference between Al-shabaab and Xisbul Islam?

Okay then. In the event that Somalia falls to al-shabaab/Xisbul Islam how will the Amir be choosen? - Consultation - Vote - Council of Leaders - Divination [i kid I kid] And in the event that the choice does not have the support of a certain Islamic faction how will opposition be expressed. - Organized political movement - Taking up of arms since that is legitimate. - Wait calmly for death or incapacitation of current Amir.

Were my questions Indirect? Ngonge it seems history will merely repeat it self.

Now kashafa this is precisely where I did not want to go, for the moment you could have restricted your self to answering some of the questions posed, all the other issues between you and Meiji could have been addressed in all the other topics. Is this the depth and breadth of the Islamic vision in Somalia, cutting taxes? So many other questions have been left un addressed. We wait with bated breath.

^^^ We really want to know, I doubt that such a caricature would express any ones opinion.

I am also very interested to know what the future looks like for Al-shabaab and Xisbul Islam, apart from the implementation of Sharia law, what is the agenda for Somalia. If you are sincere in answering the questions please attempt to give reference to your statements, either written or in the form of quotes attributed to the head honchos of the Al-shabaab/Xisbul Islam. - A major shortcoming of Islamic movements is that while they are often organized and able to identify and mobilize opposition against a common enemy or threat, once successful, internal power struggles and problems quickly emerge in defining and implementing an Islamic system of government. Consequently what immediate measures are being taken to avoid such a fallout in the event of the TFG's implosion and no foreign interference. - How will the leadership of the Islamic state of Somalia be gotten. - What will be the influence of Democratic principles in the islamic republic be if any. - What sort of constitutional checks and balances will there be to stop or redress any abuses of power. - What safe guards will there be that the ideological factionalism and polarization of politics within the government as well as interpretations of proper Islam will not lead to violence in the future. - In the event of peaceful opposition to government edicts, will that be considered anti-government or anti-Islam. - Is it acceptable to use repression to maintain the status quo. These are only preliminary questions, and are being asked in good faith, keep the conversation civil and supported with references that can be followed up.

"I think you are worried for your adeer Aweys. You are scared shitless on his behalf because you fear that he wont have an exit strategy and this time axmaaro army will get hold of him and do the throat cutting, shabaab style.(GOWRAC IYO NUS)" Who's throats will be cut? Aweys or somalia's?

"Liqiye, is looking for originality and is against copying and pasting, yet copies and pastes the Dukes comments on the same thread they were made in and then rehashes the same stale personal attacks, Loool. Why are you so captivated by this thread and its poster, if its all so unoriginal?" That was inane, I see you are starting to malfunction, what is remaining a "I know you are but what am I sort of a post?" "Confused you are, as master Yoda would say." Has it come down to copy and pasting star wars or was that your attempt at brevity, perhaps you pictured yourself as a swashbuckling pirate as you throw away that line while leaping over the ship? Anyway it was fun fun fun, but the real world calls and duties that run deeper than, playing with you call.