hornafrique, non mon ami, I wouldn't be so narrow minded as to base my opinion simply on somali political affairs. my opinions where the same before the fallout of the arableague and Somaliland. I can suggest to you some former arab leaders that I admired in the past for example Gamal Abdel Nasir the former Egyptian president and maybe even former King Faysal. My critique isn't directed towards the arabs themselves but more towards the current regimes that run the arab countries, for example "La vache qui rit" (Hosni Mubarak) as well as King Fahd and the prince of Kuwait.

As right wing as the article might be, it does have some merits. Most of all this author is speaking frankly and honestly from his point of view, unlike many others in the West who hide behind politically correct statements. For that alone he should be respected. He saids theArab countries are not exactly shining examples of civilisation, are they? and given the present state of most arab countries I have to agree with him and he often attacks the arab regimes who control the countries rather than the populations itself. Sure he makes some misguided and ignorant generalizations but remember that he is a westerner looking in. We havet housands of asylum seekers from Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Yemen,Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries living happily in this country onsocial security. This shows what their own people think of the Arab regimes, doesn't it? Some arabs would even relate to this last statement about their own government leaders. Let's not get too emotional here because a westerner has dared insult fellow muslims, instead look at some of the truths this man is speaking of and put yourself in his shoes. My personal opinion is that the US is not the greatest threat to the Islamic world today, it is a distant 2nd to the pathetic arab dictatorships who are in place today. We should start of by criticising these desert bedouins before we look to the west.

I could a swore some of these same members in here who are now debating all these diplomatic solutions where war mongoring just a few months ago. War has devastating effects, and it is often fruitless but I am not of those pacifist who will go so far as saying it is NEVER a solution. Sometimes in is the only solution. The problem of A/Yusuf will remain so long as he is in absolute control, he will do these little in and out guerilla tactics as he pleases if their isn't some concrete resolution to this conflict. Since he had the audacity to attack Lascanood, and since the SL army is outside lascanood, it would be honorable to come out of the city and fight since that is what the Puntland militia came for. It is cowardly to hide behind the cover of innocent lascanood citizens who will be caught in the crossfire. I seriously doubt though the Puntland militia would come out and fight in the open, that would be suicide. So my point being you don't back peddale when you have already taken the iniative, diplomacy is good, but it is useless as soon as one side starts firing. Either way what has to come of this whole situation is some clear cut understanding of S.Land borders by both sides in the form of a treaty, whether that be achieved diplomatically or militarly remains to be seen. I'd rather delay the military tactics for now, but I am not in the shoes of Riiyaale. This will clearly be a test for this president, remains to be seen how he handles this situation.

Miskiin macruuf, I slightly had to debate whether to reply to your posting or not. The reason being that you first start of by asking a reasonable question, but than you go on to answer that question yourself. So if you already have the answers to your question "is Somaliland based on qabiil?" than why even pose the question in the first place?. Saxiib I would be glad as a Somalilander to exchange my views with you but it seems to me your not really sincere in your attempt to understand the inter-workings of Somaliland. It seems you have already formulated answers in your mind with regards to that matter i.e. I can bet you and 99.9% of somaliland supporters orignate from one qabiil If this is the case than, it would suggest your are not open to other views regarding Somaliland other than the ones you already have concluded yourself. Meaning we would just be wasting each others time.

Hargeisa (SL Times) – The man responsible for the Somali desk in the Arab League Secretariat, Mr. Samir Husni, said Somaliland cannot be accepted as a sovereign state by his regional organization unless its independence is approved through a referendum held in the whole of former Somalia. “Somaliland’s proclamation of independence cannot be endorsed by the Arab League unless approved through a referendum held in the North as well as the South.” Mr. Husni said in an interview with the Somaliland Times shortly after his arrival in Hargeisa yesterday as the head of an Arab League fact-finding mission. The Egyptian-born diplomat pointed out that such a referendum should be held under the auspices of the United Nations, and universally recognized organizations. He ruled out the possibility of an Arab League’s endorsement of two Somali states before that. Mr. Husni added that the Arab League has been aware of the atrocities committed against people in Somaliland during Siyad Barre’s regime. “While we are aware of the military campaigns waged against the North by Siyad Barre, Morgan and others, however that is not a sufficient reason for the Arab League to recognize Somaliland.” Mr. Husni was accompanied in this visit by Mr. Abdulla Mubarak Al-Uraymi, Assistant to the Arab League’s special envoy to Somalia, Zayed Al-Sabar, from the Arab League Secretariat, and Shamsa Haji Mohmaoud Farah, a Somali woman who heads the Horn of Africa Department. The delegation will report back to the Secretary General of the Arab League, Mr. Amr Musa, on their findings in Somaliland. “We are going to examine the socio-economic situation in this region to compile an over-all report on the needs,” Mr. Samir Husni said. Mr. Husni asserted that the Arab League member states will be expected to act on the recommendations of the report to be submitted by this mission. He concluded by saying the Arab League will be keen to deliver more aid to Somaliland in the near future. We don't need the limited aid being handed out by these camel jockeys, I hope they are not welcomed in Somaliland again until they stop their greed and self-interest politics. They are the last people to be giving us advice Here's another article that touches on some of the reasoning behind their seemingly illogical hostility towards Somaliland. Arab or Egyptian league? EDITORIAL Somalilanders must have been wondering whether anything good would materialize from yesterday’s arrival in Hargeisa of two separate delegations from the Arab League and the Islamic Bank. Well, in so far as the Arab League delegation is concerned, nothing has changed. They are talking as if the now-defunct state of Somalia still exists. The man who heads the Somali desk in the League’s Secretariat, Mr. Samir Husni, even says that Somaliland’s independence can only be legitimized through a referendum to be held in Somaliland and Somalia. That shouldn’t have been surprising. Both the Arab League and the World Islamic Bank have in the past deliberately avoided meeting their obligations towards the people of Somaliland. In the eighties when Siyad Barre began his genocidal war against people here, causing the flight of hundreds of thousands of Somalilanders from their homes to Ethiopia, the Arab League failed to act to stop the atrocities. On the contrary, the organization had lent support to Barre’s dictatorial regime. Following Barre’s downfall in 1991 and Somaliland’s subsequent withdrawal the same year from its 1960 union with ex-Italian Somalia, the Arab League, as an organization, has been actively opposed to this country’s efforts in nation-building and gaining international recognition. Even Somaliland’s background as an Arab Muslim country, in addition to being the only part of the former Somalia that has been peaceful and with a functioning government for the last decade, has failed to qualify it for receiving humanitarian assistance from both the Arab League and the Islamic Bank. The question is: why the Arab League has remained hostile towards Somaliland and the Islamic Bank refrained from putting money into this country’s development programs? According to the Egyptian dominated and led Arab League, Somaliland has sinned for reinstating its independent status and abandoning the dream of “Greater Somalia”. Because 80% of the Nile waters originate from Ethiopia, Egyptian rulers since the 18th century, have been obsessed with the idea that the day might come when Egyptian water supplies will dwindle as a result of a dramatic rise in Ethiopia’s water consumption needs. A key element in the Egyptian Nile water strategy has been to acquire allies among Ethiopia's neighbors that can be used as leverage against Ethiopia should such a need arise. Sudan is one of those Egyptian allies. Somalia, before it fell apart, was another. Somalia's irredentist policies toward Ethiopia provided an excellent cover for Egyptian attempts to weaken Ethiopia. With the disintegration of Somalia, and Somaliland's refusal to take part in Egyptian schemes against Ethiopia, a severe blow was dealt to the Egyptian-Somali alliance. Therefore, the very existence of Somaliland as an independent state is a reminder to Egypt of the dismal failure of one of the main components of its policies in the Horn of Africa. What did Egypt do in the face of such a failure? Unfortunately, instead of reassessing and changing its unworkable policies, the Egyptian government continued on the same course by trying to resuscitate the defunct state of Somalia and putting a lot of pressure on Somaliland to rejoin Somalia with the aim of reviving the anti-Ethiopian alliance. But just as they had failed before, the same Egyptian policies are failing again. Abdiqasim Salad Hasan has failed to revive the state of Somalia despite the backing of Egypt, the Arab League, and substantial financial assistance from Saudi Arabia and Arab Gulf countries. Egypt's misguided policies have widened the rift with Ethiopia, a country in which is located the chief headstream of the Nile and with a population of about 67 million, close to 50% of which are Muslims. Egypt has also turned many Somalilanders against it because of its opposition to their self-determination. Mr. Husni, an Egyptian national, would do his country and the Arab League a great service if he points out to them the total failure and destructive consequences of their policies toward the region, and that a change in course is long overdue in order to protect legitimate Arab national interests. That change could start with a more constructive engagement with Somaliland, a country whose re-emergence, stability and progress is the major success story in the Horn of Africa.

This is truly pathetic, I have never seen or heard of such a cowardly act in history. How does one party attack another, than cry foul to the UN security council??? I don't remember Japan doing the same after attacking Pearl Harbour nor do I remeber a comparable act to this in history, this truly is a new low for the blood thirsty warlord. The Puntland so-called administration has really mastered the art of propaganda, facts remain Yusuf got to power by murdering his closes political allies who were asking for democratic reforms and Riiyaale was elected to power. You can spew your lies all over the internet if you like, but facts remain. This cocroach has been a thorn in the side of Somaliland for far too long, on top of that he has the audacity to attack first. Yusuf might have struck first, but I guarantee he won't strike last. When has this coward ever won a war anyway?? As I remember his resume, it is filled with crushing defeats and cowardly retreats both at the hands of the ethiopians and the former dictator Barre. Having never won a war does he honestly believe he can win this one? I seriously doubt it. As they say "Once a coward, always a coward". I know some of you on this forum have been calling for this war for a long time now, guess your wish might finally come true.

since when does the Somaliland police turn people over to the ethiopians? and for what reason? is their some news I don't know about?

Brainwashed and narrow minded people see the capture of Saddam Hussein as "a great victory for the Iraqi people and the muslim world". In the case of the US, can people say that they are the "lesser" of two evils? that is choosing between Saddam and american occupation. I would think not, since it is haraam in the first place for a foreign force to be occuppying a muslim country. Religious manifesto aside, it is a question of honor, dignity and national identity. All that aside its for anybody with the slightest intellect not to laugh at the american pretexts for war: first it was WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION that presented a clear and imminent threat, than it was a link to terrorist organizations, than the final pretext that "every regime from Stalin to Hitler to Mao as fallen back on, that is freedom-Nom Chomsky" democratizing Iraq has become the new pretext for a war that started out otherwise. But it's ok that the american army has pillaged and destroyed the infrastructure of a muslim country and killed countless amount of its citizens because they now have SADAAM!! sadaam the demon, dictator, murderer, father of all terrorist....the answer to all of Iraq's problems? Does the answer to all the ailing problems facing Iraq lay in the capture of one man? Put things in perspective people. Somebody also mention and compared the case of Siyad Barre to that of Hussein. The 2 are nothing alike in the sense that in Somalia Barre was overthrown by somalis and his own citizens, unlike saddam who was overthrown by a foreign occupying force. Their is obviously a clear difference and consequence from the two.

Mobb, walahi saxiib if I knew a simple solution to that question, I would have advertised it long ago. Truth is none of us really can say how things should EXACTLY be. All I am saying is that Somaliland has to draw the line somwhere and stand by its decisions by acting on them. Otherwise we are stuck in this state of uncertainty.

Has this article brought any new ideas? I seriously doubt it. Stating known historical facts and combining them with the classic manipulative argument of "good" vs. "evil" does very little to serve the perceivably noble intentions of this author. So seeks to unite the somali peoples by uniting us against a perceived common foe? I have heard this argument before, and coming from mediocre minds to say the least. I think just about any neo-nationalist can come up with these rather simplistic and naive "solutions", but the question is do they really understand the motivations and needs of all groups concerned? this author probably doesn't, and that is why I group him in the neo-nationalist category. They seem to think they understand the concerns and motivations of all somali groups (Somalilanders included) when they really don't. Therefore I think the author and the likes of him should try to understand what makes other somalis "tick" before they start hypothesizing about formulas for unity. From a somalilanders point of view I could put our views to them bluntly and shortly in the following sentence. The "enemy" to us in the short term, is anyone who strives for the demise of our state they be somalis, kenyans or habashi is of little concern. When peace, understanding, and unity (idealogically) is achieved among all somalis, only then will we worry about what territories are occupied by which imperial power in the region. But until that day, we will pursue our interests as the survival of our state depends on it.

Mobb, When I said "Sanaag not included", I ment Somalilanders will not be open to negociate on the province of Sanaag. That doesn't necessarilly mean the government always has direct control over all of eastern Sanaag region for the moment.

First of all, I was commenting on the proposition made by faraax to stick strictly to the june 1960 borders that is including the entire region of Sool. I am not directly suggesting that we make the borders at lascanood nor am I condeming it, if some of you weren't so eager to just rebuke any little fragment of my postings you would have realized that. What I was suggesting is that we draw the line somewhere (anywhere, Sanaag not included) and we start implementing border controls. For that to take place, the government would definitely have to start making some constructive negotiations with the people in Sool region and the tribal elders or community leaders in lascanood. Now some of you would like to take a constructive discussion to fruitless arguments about the SNM hey day and I can understand some of you have a SNM phobia, but lets stick to the matters at hand. It is times like this I am glad a significant amount of the countries GNP is spent on any military goods that can be obtained. It's clear some people don't like to compromise even though they are not in a position (militarly or otherwise) to make their ludicrous claims i.e. Puntland administration.

Guraad, do not tire your fingers over some of these featherweights, they can't see passed the tip of their noses. Rather I'd like to come back to a previous point you had made, that is to stick to the june 26 1960 borders. Right now regardless of where we draw the line, I think the most important matter is to draw the line itself. We must make border security among the nations top priorities. If we are to bring the region of Sool in line, than lets get to it if that is the choosen course of action. I think securing our borders is a much more efficient way of bringing about security than this deportation of suspected thugs and innocent assylum seekers alike. If we achieve security within the given borders, than some of these opponents of S-LAND can no longer claim land that doesn't belong to them i.e. Sanaag.

Ayoub sheikh you make some valide points, and in my view we cannnot allow people in the country simply for the fact that they are somalis, because among the innocent assylum seeking southerners could be hidden war criminals. But before any of this is made plausible, we come back to the question of border control. It is imperative that we control our own borders, even though it might be costly economicaly it is a significant step in demonstrating sovereignty. I am aware the government has already began a passport iniative, but what is a passport or a citizenship worth if we don't know who is coming in and out of our country? another question that arises when we talk about borders is where to draw the line and what to do with the furthest axis region of SOOL? It seems the people in that region not only feel geographically isolated from the rest of the country and government, but it's known that a majority of the people feel mentally or ideologically seperate. So where to draw the line? would it be at lascanood (including that city) ? or would it be just outside of lascanood (excluding that city, including the rest of the region)? would it be outside of the entire region of SOOL? if so what are the reprocutions? It seems each question leads to more exponentially increasing questions. The only thing I can guarantee is that these questions have to be answered before the state can start making significant pogress.

hmmm...the likes of SOPHIST are tourist to Hargeisa now? I thought the republic of Somaliland went against everything you stood for? Are you not contributing to our economy by visiting Hargeisa?

LOL@FARAAX..... you crack me up saxiib, how else can you simplify your point? we all needed that bit of humourous truth on this Eid. On a more serious note. Its unfortunate our government is taking the route of the incapable fools in Djibouti.

A truly remarkable legacy indeed, his achievements clearly outweighted his failures. It's unfortunate some members felt compeled to make political statements maybe in hopes of getting a rebutle. Ilahey ha u naxaaristo.

movie Black Hawk Down is a big hit these days in the pirate cinemas of Mogadishu, the world’s most anarchic city. The Somalis roar with delight every time their militias shoot a US soldier. One show recently had to be aborted when a member of the audience became over-enthusiastic, produced an AK-47 and opened fire on the big screen

What is all this non-sense about a centrist train? The idea of a central focal point in somali politics is damn near unfeasible, It's like John Walker Lindh serving the pentagon as well as Al-qaeda. Lets say that among us we have true pacifist who support anything that will bring peace among ALL somalis, and lets pretend these pacifist not only genuilely support "somalinimo" but they also recognize the independance of Somaliland understanding full well the problems that would arise otherwise. Now ask yourself how the views of these people would be perceived by other somalis? we all know that they would be categorized as pro-Somaliland or pro-secession and nothing less. Maybe somalis are narrow-minded by nature but that is the reality of our current situation so lets not fool ourselves into these fantasies about a centrist train that is due to arrive at "peace" station. Our current rule of law in somali politics is "No man can serve two masters" at least as far as Somalilanders are concerned, their is no middle ground when it comes to the independence of Somaliland.

"The European Union, which shows sensitivity on human rights issues, would do well to stop the rampant brainwashing against and demonizing of Israel before Europe deteriorates once again to dark sections of its past," " As usual the zionist bring out the victim card like an eternal sword over the head of europeans. As if they were the only victims in history.

looooool@Faraax you can't get anymore brutally honest than that.

This criticism coming from Al-jazeera.net which is the choosen medium of the arab world is rather hypocritical to say the least. I wonder how much political freedom exist in Qatar?

OG_girl once again thanks for the translation Liqaaye I had already made my point above, if you would just schrool to the begin of my previous posting. But I will get more to the point, the reer Djibouti diplomats are always trying to take credit for bringing together these so-called peace conferences in the hopes that if their is a peace that derives from them, they will take full credit for bringing it about, but when they fail, as they always have to the present, they always run and try to save face. I don't think they are really interested in making the valient efforts and diplomatic compromises it takes to bring about such a peace, they just want to be their and be recognized for it in case it happens.

I find it Ironic that these somali leaders from Djibouti very much like the leaders they are trying to help in the peace conference, always blame their failures on other people. The peace conference between somalis is dead and who's fault is it? could it be the somalis themselves? including the reer djibouti who had a hand in it? of course not, we shall blame the Kenyans!!!....quite humourous I find. But even worst is they have the audacity to call their retreat from the process a quote "brave move on the part of the republic of Djibouti" so now its brave to take the easy way out? http://www.lanation.dj/news/2003/ln88/national9.htm Processus de réconciliation inter-somalienne Conférence de M'Bagathi, c’est fini La République de Djibouti qui s'est battue au niveau diplomatique pour la survie de ces pourparlers, s'est vue dans l'obligation d'annoncer ce décès clinique que certains projetaient de dissimuler aux yeux du monde entier. Tant pis pour tous ces chefs de factions somaliennes qui se sentiront frustrés parce que l'herbe leur a été coupée sous les pieds. A maintes reprises, la République de Djibouti a tenté d'attirer l'attention de la communauté internationale sur les déviations de ce processus de ses principaux objectifs : réconcilier toutes les parties somaliennes et procéder à la formation d'un gouvernement largement représentatif. Loin d'aller vers le but qui lui a été assignée la conférence s'en est complètement détournée. Pire, elle a pris le chemin opposé au point de déboucher sur l'exclusion d'un grand nombre de groupes somaliens. Le comble, c'est la conduite adoptée par le président du Comité Technique des pays frontaliers de la Somalie, le kenyan Bethwel Kiplagat. Ce diplomate de carrière, loin d’être un virtuose, a tout fait pour semer la zizanie entre les somaliens participant à la conférence de Nairobi. Un adage populaire Somali affirme : si un groupe d'hommes ne parvient pas à tirer une vache de la vase, c'est que parmi eux, il y a sûrement quelqu'un qui pousse dans le sens inverse. Daniel Arap Moï, l'ex-président du Kenya et initiateur de la conférence de paix inter somalienne, a récemment confirmé cet adage en révelant à quel point la médiation entreprise était viciée. Autrement dit, le processus de paix inter-somalien avait peu de chance d'aboutir: il était déjà secrètement condamné à mort par ses propres promoteurs. Sabotage, torpillage, la conférence de M’Bagathi, portait en elle les germes, d’une grave discorde. Djibouti a dit non. En se retirant définitivement du Comité technique, la République de Djibouti a adopté une position courageuse.

Why do people feel like they have to come to the rescue of our religion? did the author attack Islam or did he attack wahabism and Saudi culture? Did he talk about the liberation of somali peoples from "the constraints" of islam? or did he discuss importing certain aspects of saudi culture and wahabism into Somaliland? ........ Did we all read different articles or the same?