I believe this entire Lascanood situation is a distraction from the more pressing issues for Somaliland. The focus should be on exploring and expanding economic opportunities and working to strenghten the functioning of government institutions among other priorities. I agree Red Sea, that getting involved in this quagmire of inter-clan battles in Lascanood where allegiances can shift a the drop of a hat, surely doesn't help in the short to long-term stability of our country. I think there should be other alternatives out there aside from war and they should be exploited to the fullest. However, that is dependent on having reasonable partners to work with. We know what happened in Lascanood in 03-04 when diplomats and various other Somaliland representatives were forced out. Second factor to keep in mind is that we are somalis at the end of the day and we are dealing with other somalis. Meaning, somalis often interpret diplomacy as a sign of weakness and furthermore there is no acknowledgement or understanding of Somaliland's goals in terms of achieving international recognition by all of its somali opponents be they in or outside of Lascanood and Puntland/Somalia. In other words, there is no common ground where the sides can meet and discuss matters in a brotherly fashion while taking into consideration each others needs, grievances and aspirations. If that common ground exist I have yet to see it from anybody. As somali folk it is baffling at times just how primitive we are, the only language we understand and respond to seems to be violence. P.S. Until there is clear and unequivocal acknowledgement of Somaliland's right to exist as a sovereign state, how could there ever be a negotiated settlement on the border issues?

Already 400k (likely the real figure is greater) are estimated to have left their homes in and around Xamar since the ethiopian invasion, Exactly how many it takes for something to be considered a 'humanitarian disaster' I'm not sure.

One more thing, I forget the exact date, I think it was in 2004 sometime when the Puntland militias took over the town and kicked out the representatives of Somaliland administration. At that time if I remember correctly there were no military forces of any side in Lascanood, however Somaliland and Puntland had their representatives in the town. Why didn't reer lascanood keep the status quo and even perhaps profit from it by making the two sides compete for contributions to their town. Let each side do their work and try to convince people that their best interest lies with their respective admins, I suppose this is a far too civilized way to handle these matters considering the fact we are talking about somalis here. Either way, it would have been a way to avoid this current fiasco which I must say doesn't seem will end anytime soon given the posture of both sides. Disapointing to me is the fact that I don't see a clear strategy on the part of Somaliland as far as Lascanood, nothing proactive really, rather there actions are reactive as to whatever is going on in the town. So these folks who some where former Puntland agents are now siding with Somaliland, how long before they decide to switch coats again?

^As I see it like all peoples including reer Lascanood are in charge of their own destinies. If one faction is vehemently opposed to Somaliland and another supports it, and those factions will not come to any agreement as to what is the best course of action for their town as a whole than ultimately they have themselves to blame for garnering the support of two opposing forces. Is the instability coming from the fact that one military force has replaced another? don't think so.

Fighting back against what exactly? From what I know the SL forces were never inside the city making there presence felt to begin with, secondly a sincere question. Are things really that different now than they were a few weeks ago in Lascanood? my instincts tell me no.

Originally posted by NGONGE: ^^ Never said it is not feasible, saaxib. Keep your macawis on Between me and you now (ignore all others), don't you have any doubts? Ok, if not doubts, don't you sometimes have any nightmares where the whole thing does not work? My infinite wisdom tells me that just in case things don't work out dadka wa en hada wax loo sheego oo la bisliyo! At least then it would not come as a shattering shock. Do you really have a problem with such an opinion? Originally posted by NGONGE: [qb] ^^ Was that a dig? I know it's a difficult one and don't expect to get a proper reply from you, but, have you ever asked yourself what will happen if the Somaliland dream does happen? You were absolutely right when you said 'I don't expect a proper reply from you', there was no serious question posed worth answering. Your talking about dad la bisliyo, runti sxb anu baris ayan bisliiya ee sheekada dadka la bisliinayo fahmimayo I have to say your somali spelling is nearly as bad as mine

Originally posted by NGONGE: ^^ Was that a dig? I know it's a difficult one and don't expect to get a proper reply from you, but, have you ever asked yourself what will happen if the Somaliland dream does happen? International recognition, You call it a 'dream' to the rest of us (countrymen) and an ever growing pool of international academics, it is perfectly feasible. So why don't you answer that question for us in your infinite wisdom?

Originally posted by NGONGE: A pointless and unnecessary article starting up a pointless and unnecessary argument! What worries me about all this is that if Somaliland never gets its recognition (and is forced to rejoin Somalia) people like the author above might commit suicide in droves! Still, that's patriotism for you I suppose. As long as we have some cupcake of Somalilanders around, I guess security will always be paramount.

utter non-sense, Riiyaale should not be mentioned in the same light as any past Mujahids. Seems the word is thrown around these days

Quit your hateration man, you gotta admit the man knows how to strike a pose lol

I'm not 'interfering and supporting any factions' matter a fact I live as far as you can be from Lascanood and so do you for that matter. I fail to see how I applauded any violence with my post and my only guess to your jumping to conclusions is you may have a personal stake in this conflict and hence the emotional outburst. What I did do is give my most objective effort into understanding the cause of these latest battles. It is my sincere belief that no population can ever remain oppressed against their will indefinitely*. If your view is correct about this conflict than Lascanood dwellers will rid themselves of Somaliland and anybody associated with it. However, if your turning a blind eye to those in Lascanood, willing to associate themselves with any side willing to give them power and influence, than you are setting yourself up for a lot of disappointing times ahead. *Lest we forget, Somaliland came to existence by deafeating an oppressor therefore it would not be in its interest to turn into an oppressor itself.

^ and you may be a blind opponent of Somaliland The latest conflict in Lascanood it seems most agree was initiated within that same city with various factions aligning themselves with Puntland/Somaliland. Whatever the motives of those individuals, one thing is clear and that is that they are more than willing to play both sides of the fence.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071001/wl_africa_afp/somaliaunrest_071001182434

Un vrai clown ce mec. 'qab-qablee' is a perfect way to describe this dictator-president of Djibouti. Than again he is just another African president so nothing too much out the ordinary. He speaks of socio-economic progress meanwhile the cost of living has risen in Djibouti and the middle class that developed shortly after independence has shrunk. The prosperity gap between the tiny and rich ruling elite and the great majority of the impoverished population seems to have increased in the last 15 yrs and yet here he is still feeding nonsense to these people. I do admire the sudden increase in religious symbolism in his political speeches though, rather brilliant move perhaps he will appease some of the opposition with it. Something tells me he might have watched the explosion in popularity of the ICU last year .

Originally posted by Xoogsade: I love when an Ethiopian has better sense of justice than so called somalis. Even ethiopians didn't and still don't buy Melle Zenawi's line of of "ICU" aggression. You probably also realize that Somalis are some of the most treacherous and dishonorable human beings on the face of the earth. Although most will argue to the contrary.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6588055.stm

my question is what will there be left to bomb? The ethio's and lackies are slowly starving the population to death amid the worst humanitarian crisis in Somalia in years by turning back shipments of food aid as per the latest news.

Originally posted by NGONGE: Dear reader, depending on the side you support, you’re likely to easily see the folly of the opposing side and just as easily ignore the foolishness of those on your side. I guess you’re forever the objective analyst blessed with Claire voyance

This is the joke of the year, fellows you can do better than this, this article is only worthy of General Duke.

Ain't it a beautiful thing? http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/3fe8f8c7f75646b72b21f90585a3dab4.htm http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=20275

^lool...Timacadeh you spoke too soon

Originally posted by Dhulqarnayn -alSumaale: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon © talks to an unidentified man as Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud (L) talks with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf during the opening ceremony of the Arab summit in Riyadh March 28, 2007 http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070328/ids_photos_wl/r3409911149.jpg lool..How dare they insult the great prime minister/ chief vetenary officer of the 6th Ethiopian region?

Originally posted by Djib-Somali: What does ruthlessness, greed and other Djiboutian "evil intentions" (whatever that may means) have to do with our endemic plagues mismanagement and corruption? who is 'we' when you say 'our endemic plagues'? Je pensais que t'etais un vrai djiboutien . Bon je vais pratiquer mon francais avec toi, mais il faut que tu corriges mes fautes, daccord? En premier lieu, la Somaliland comme tu le sais, n'a pas encore fixer certaines de ses frontieres alors la securite du pays et le but le plus important du gouvernement. En plus, j'avais bien dit que le gouvernement Djib avait pris une bonne decision du point de vu business, par contre quand meme il faut toujours metre leur decision en contexte vis-a-vis la Somaliland. Omar Guelleh a toujours engage au minage des efforts somalilandais dans l'arene international. Une de ses raison et du au fait que le port de Djib fairait face a une vrai competition contre le port de Berbera. Un etat somalilandais qui a recourt a de nombreuses ressources economiques/internationales comme le fait Djibouti en tant que pays souverain, serait plus en mesures de devenir une viable alternative au port de Djibouti. Finalement, il faut pas parler de la dictature Guelleh comme si elle etait un bon example de la privatization des capitaux nationaux. L'abus de puissance, la corruption et le nepotisme qui existe a Djibouti rendrait meme Mobutu Sese Seko jaloux. C'est vrai que le port est gere par un groupe des Emirates, mais en fin lieu les revenues reviennent toujours a la meme source.

Originally posted by Djib-Somali: From what I know, The Saudi authorities requested a livestock screening centre to be built in order to control any outbreak of epidemy. Then a Saudi company invested in Djibouti, helped with foreign aid and in concert with local authorities, to built that centre. Do you have any other choice than to comply with your client demands, if you want to expot that is? That may be true but what your leaving out is that it was Djib diplomats who convinced the Saudis to make everybody export from their port. Somaliland authorities don't have the greatest relationship with the Saudis and that was a very good tactical move on behalf of Djibouti. Ruthless, greedy and cunning maybe, but certainly in the best interest of their port. Furthermore, this exclusivity may be applicable for Saudi but what about the rest of the gulf countries. Where there's will there's a way, Somaliland can and must try to avoid having to use the Djib port exclusively for livestock export. In light of what has been said by Nabadshe though, is it really in a position to make such moves any time soon? I hope things change and very quickly. The presidential election next yr is the best chance for that.

Peace Now, I personally have black and white friends who are from Bermuda and yes on average the blacks there are wealthier than average blacks elsewhere nevertheless it's not in the terms you think. From what I know Bermuda's wealth is in large part due to tourism and off shore businesses. The great majority of these businesses are run by power brokers on the North American and European continents (i.e. major corporations who likely have a white leadership), secondly the tourism is driven by wealthy americans and celebs too who have bought large homes and property on that island which in turn has sky rocketed the price of real estate. This has led some of the black home owners to sell their properties in the face of rising prices and property tax. Also the government last I checked was black dominated but they are there in large part to facilitate and make Bermuda attractive to off shore operations in direct competition with leaders in that field (The Cayman Islands). Thirdly, many black people can't afford to buy the land they've been living on for decades as one friend told me, simply because it is too expensive. Lastly, the standard of living is high but so is the cost of living since many simple foods cannot be grown on that island and have to be shiped or flown in. So yes the black people are well off in relative terms in Bermuda and I did go to college with a number of them to know that much. But are they the creme of the crop when you look at the big picture? P.S. there is one interesting fact about bermuda, many of the blue collar jobs are performed by immigrants such as construction and carpentry. The largest of the immigrant groups from what I've been told are Portuguese folks from the Azores.