The ARS has more resources and support than the TFG did when it was formed in 2004.

I think Mr. Jibril started writing this rather ironic propaganda piece about Asmara's "failure" before it had even convened. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Since when can the TFG accuse other people of betraying trust and shady associations?

More news, apparently Somaliland is fighting Puntland forces in support of Sool residents. Somaliland has stationed troops in support of Sool residents in south Las Anod, and have attacked and taken control of Abeesalay.

With more reliable news sources becoming available, it appears that the fighting is not between Somaliland and Puntland but rather Sool residents and Puntland, with Somaliland building up their forces along their border, but for now not involved. http://www.laasqoray.net/view_article.php?articleid=1342 I know Sool has for some time now desired to form their own autonomous state, either partnering with Maakhir state or going their own way as Darwiishland. Perhaps this is their attempt to do so.

The Eritrean and foreigner threat was ridiculously overstated. Far from the 2000 Eritrean soldiers and thousands of OLF and ONLF fighters, the Ethiopian/TFG force found no foreign fighters and a single Eritrean officer. Ethiopia's invasion was correspondingly massively understated. Even as late as December the claim was still being made that there were less than a hundred Ethiopian "advisors" in Somalia. None of the other claims made in the famous report were ever substantiated, and some are patently ridiculous like the ICU sending soldiers to Lebanon.

It is a blessing that the ARS has spoken out in support of diplomatic solutions. The TFG and ARS should enter into power sharing talks immediately, in the spirit of Ramadan.

Somaliland has a headstart on the other autonomous states like Maakhir and Puntland, which in turn have a headstart on the rest of Somalia. The Somaliland leadership chose early on to focus their efforts on building their region rather than fighting to rule Somalia, so they have a 17 year headstart. Puntland abandoned the idea only in 1998, so they only have a 9 year headstart. Maakhir and Galmudug are just starting their journey. Eventually all the regions will learn the same lesson, declare themselves autonomous, and the slow rebuilding will begin. The regions that fight to rule Somalia will continue to be the worst areas of Somalia. For instance Southwestern State between 1998 and 2004 was rebuilding and kept pace with Puntland, but once they became involved in fighting to rule Somalia they have backslid.