The truth is if the USA and a few other western countries wanted to sort out Somalia's problems, I’m convinced law and order could be restored relatively quickly. However most initiatives over the last two decades have been piecemeal in nature. Therefore one has to ask the question, who benefits from the current status quo? What’s in it for them? Pirates costing the world economy billions So called terrorist training camps and potential exportation of terrorist. Regional destabilisation So I ask again who is benefiting most from the current situation and why have the west been dragging their feet for the last two decades. Then again it could be no one really cares to be frank, and Somalia stands alone internationally. Additionally the British government won’t be recognising Somaliland anytime soon so forget about that one. Rhetoric and reality are two different things folks. If actual foreign policy was aligned with their rhetoric then this outstanding issue would have been addressed much sooner. However I have no shame in telling people I’m Somali and you shouldn’t too. Try to be the best person you can be and strive for success and excellence in whatever you do, show people the many wonderful and positive aspects of our culture.

I really don't know what the fuss is all about folks. Bad things happen and people move on. We can forgive but to forget is an injustice to the many thousands that were murdered by their government. This is the kind of history that brings people together and hopefully builds a stronger more united State as a result. These are the foundations of SL and the sacrifices made should never be forgotten. Try to understand the political motivations for posting this. It serves to reinforce and strengthen a collective identity through a shared history.

^^ Inside info, sources?

many thanks buddy.

whats the name of the airline JB and do they have a website?

I was wondering if i could get some help on the most efficient way of getiing to Hargeisa. A relative of mine is heading there in the next two weeks and he is not very keen on doing the LDN to DXB to HGA. Any suggestions welcome. Many thanks in advance.

Ha ha thats a classic. This one is a bit more serious but nevertheless riveting. Film: Network 1976 Actor: Peter Finch Award: Won an Oscar largely thanks to this one scene.

I remember reading this book a long time ago, enjoyable, but largely describes a bygone era.

Somalis evolved from a state of statelessness to statehood, and back to statelessness again. there has never been a history of a Somali state in the minds of ordinary Somalis before the colonial period. This is a historical fact folks. What have to gain from making this stuff up? Am i not Somali.

i think the poster is correct in stating that the idea of a Somali state was almost nonexistent prior to the onset of colonialism. So like it or lump it, the OP is correct.

uncertainty is exciting stuff, bring on 2011. Happy new year to all and make 2011 your year or at least try:-)

^^does that mean your overweight?

Why you waste your time on some folks is beyond me Ngonge. Read from afar, acknowledge and move on. It’s all you can do.

CNOOC is trying to win oil concessions directly from Somaliland after initially negotiating with Somalia’s central government, which has no say in Somaliland. Somaliland president Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo is due to fly to China early in the new year in the wake of a visit to the Somaliland last April by a Chinese delegation that included two officials from the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC). The Chinese company wants to pick up acreage in Somaliland where Conoco identified oil and gas reserves in the 1980s. CNOOC made an initial attempt to debut in the province in 2006 by negotiating a production sharing contract covering the Mudug area in Somaliland with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Mogadishu. However, the agreement remained a dead letter because Somaliland doesn’t recognize TFG’s authority. As a result, CNOOC switched its strategy early this year in favor of making direct contact with authorities in the province. If the company is awarded concessions it will find itself operating in both a legal minefield and an insecure environment. American companies active in the country until the late 1980s still believe themselves to be owners of their concessions and consider the acreage has simply been placed under force majeure (No. 562). In addition, the Somaliland government has no geological data on its subsoil. The results of drilling campaigns in the 1980s have been retained since the early 2000s by a small British concern, Fugro-Robertson, which has refused to turn them over to the Somaliland government. To make up for that lack of information, Somaliland retained TGS-Nopec in 2009 to acquire 5,300 km of seismic and magnetic data as well as 34,700 km of aeromagnetic data. Source: http://www.africaintelligence.com

if it ain broke why fix it.

^^LOL so bitter:-P

^^why do have so much hate in you man. in almost every thread your spewing hate. Sort it out dude.If you dont have anything positive to say then dont say anything at all. Anyway there has been alot of direct investment from Russia, hence the rosier picture.

wow over 5hrs, just downloaded it and hope to watch it when im on annual leave. can't wait:)

^^ yes he was raised as a christian. My old man knew him and his family very well and only had positive things to say about him. Apparently he was a gem of a man.

^^ or maybe not.

Psycho i'm seeing a specialist neurologist tomorrow. so i'll let you know what they say. Even though i was complaining about chest pains my GP saw fit to refer me to a neurologist as i failed some tests of hers. Had blood tests done and all came back normal, except for one which i'm supposed to go and see the GP about. I'm told is nothing major. Just have to go see her and see what it was.

^^LOL, what do you mean by dad waa wayn, im assuming your in your 20's like me. so your in good company. serious threads are good, down side is there are the usual suspects who reduce them to a tribal diatribe. why cant december just come and arrive already so i can leave this job. i'm the only person of colour, and their so terribly bourgeois it's nauseating

yeah in the not too distant past, it was alright. Create an interesting topic and i'm sure a few peeps will comment. bear in mind its sunday evening and most folks are chilling in front of the the telly. I'm currently depressed about thinking of work tomorrow :-(

SOL is not what it used to be.

I know for a fact that the Halo Trust in Somaliland carry out some very critical work. Demining is no joke and frankly they get it done. So lets not generalise here. There are those that do f~*k all and there are some that are hardworking, and frankly a godsend.