The Speaker Of Somali Interim Parliament Accuses TNG President Of Planning To Sack Him. August 05, 2003. HornAfrik, Mogadishu, Somalia. The speaker of the transitional parliament for Somali Abdalla Derow Isak, has accused his deputy and the president of the transitional national government of Somalia of planning to remove TNG delegates currently staying at the peace conference in Nairobi from their posts. The speaker said that the only 40 Mp’s were in Mogadishu and have not the capacity to dismiss the TNG delegates in Nairobi. The speaker admitted that he built a close relationship with neighboring Ethiopia, a country constantly accused of destabilizing Somalia by the TNG president Abdikasim Salat Hassan. Earlier, members of the TNG accused the speaker and the TNG prime minister of helping hostile elements. The exchange of accusations between the transitional authority’s top officials would complicate the efforts aimed at resolving their differences. http://www.hornafrik.com/Newspage/newsid3167.htm

Govt committed to Somali peace initiatives Monday, August 04, 2003 By KBC Reporter The government is committed to the on-going peace initiatives in Somali and Sudan. Foreign affairs Minister Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka says all efforts will be made to ensure peace is attained in the region for the sake of development. The minister particularly expressed optimism over the on-going Somalia National reconciliation process in Nairobi saying a new Parliament might soon be in place. Mr Kalonzo said this at the diplomatic Guest house in Pretoria South Africa during a meeting with South African Foreign affairs minister Dlamini Zuma. He congratulated South African government for the vital role it has played in peace initiatives in the Democratic republic Congo and Burundi. Mr Kalonzo appealed to South Africa to import more coffee, tea and other commodities from Kenya in a bid to close the existing trade imbalance between the two countries. In response her counterpart Dlamini Zuma hailed the role played by Kenya in Sudan and Somalia peace initiatives. She expressed optimism that the trade committee between the two countries already in place would address the Trade issues. http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?id=18013&categoryID=1

Profile: Somalia's isolated leader Leader of little The president running out of people to rule over Mr Hassan likes to keep to himself Somali President Abdulkassim Salat Hassan came into power three years ago with the promise of accommodating all the warring militia factions in the capital, Mogadishu. But as his tenure comes to an end on 11 August, Mogadishu is as divided as ever, with Mr Hassan's government controlling only 25% of the capital. His transitional national government is also divided over the future of the on-going Somalia peace talks in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Mr Hassan has pulled out of the talks, while his prime minister and a large number of ministers have opted to continue participating at the Nairobi talks. Recognition Mr Hassan is, however, credited with one major achievement: All of Somalia's main clans are represented in his government. He has also ensured the beginnings of recognition for Somalia at the African Union and the Arab League. Mr Hassan was born in central Somalia some 61 years ago, the son of an intellectual former clan chieftain, Salat Hassan Boy. Mr Hassan is accused of failing to secure Mogadishu He took his degree in biology and science in Moscow, returning home in 1968. He contested a parliamentary seat in 1969 before the last civilian government was overthrown in a bloodless military coup led by Major-General Mohamed Siad Barre. His father, Salat Boy, was killed by President Barre's Marrehan clan, and in order to bury the hatchet, the former president appointed Mr Hassan into the cabinet in which he held nine different positions during President Barre's 21-year-rule. Witty Unlike his father who believed in polygamy, Mr Hassan has been married to only one wife with whom he still lives. But there is one quality Mr Hassan is believed to have inherited from his father - a hot temper. He is also well known for a good sense of humour and a way with words. He often uses verses from the Koran to emphasise what he says. Mr Hassan was elected as president of the Somali transitional government three years ago in Djibouti. But he has failed to win round warlords opposed to his government. Recluse Before becoming president, he was a peace activist - his grouping known as Walalaha 'brothers' is believed to have propelled him to the presidency. Those close to him say Mr Hassan likes to keep to himself, often remaining in a closed room either reading or watching television. He also enjoys swimming and playing table tennis. He has seven children - three sons and four daughters. He lost his two eldest sons in 1980 and 1990. He neither smokes nor takes alcohol - he is said to have given up the habits while serving in the late President Barre's government. Other than his native Somali language, he also speaks English, Arabic, Russian and Italian. His ambition and presidency will be tested in the coming days as his term of office expires By Hassan Barise BBC, Mogadishu http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3123813.stm

SOMALIA: Plenary to debate draft charter NAIROBI, 5 Aug 2003 (IRIN) - The plenary session of the Somali peace talks in Kenya was due to reconvene on Tuesday to debate the country's draft charter. James Kiboi of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) technical committee, which is steering the talks, told IRIN the draft was first read out to delegates on Saturday, when Kenyan deputy foreign minister Joab Omino opened the plenary. The session was then adjourned so that delegates could "read and reflect" before reconvening on Tuesday, said Kiboi who is the committee's political and diplomatic liaison officer. "Today [Tuesday] will see substantive discussions, debate and intervention. Chances are that the document will be adopted today," he added. The draft charter, which has generated a great deal of controversy, has been dismissed by an independent assessment commissioned by the Dutch NGO, NOVIB. The report described the draft charter as a "mongrel" and recommended discarding it completely. Some of the participants, including members of Somalia's Transitional National Government (TNG) have also rejected the charter. But others, including the opposition Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC) and other TNG members, have hailed it as a "compromise of opposing views". Kiboi told IRIN the adoption of the charter "will mark the successful conclusion of the second phase of the conference and the ushering in of the third and final phase shortly after". The third phase of the conference would be devoted to the issue of power-sharing, after which an interim government would have been formed, Kiboi said. The IGAD-sponsored talks on Somalia began in October 2002 in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret, but were moved to the capital, Nairobi, in February this year. [ENDS]

Swearing of Traditional leaders undertaken in Mbagathi, Kenya The Somali traditional leaders swore at the venue of the peace talks on 4 August in a ceremony attended by IGAD Technical committee, Kenyan Assistant Minister for Foreigners Affairs, Hon. Joab Omino, Somali delegates, observers and a pool of journalists from both local and international media houses. The Somali traditional leaders were invited by IGAD in July to participate in the remaining part of the peace process and to play a key role in the selection of members of parliament. The role of the leaders in the reconciliation process was defined as vital and key to bring legitimacy to any agreement. Today's ceremony also aimed at limiting the number of traditional leaders participating in the conference, since too many have arrived to the venue of the peace talks. The swearing ceremony was presided by the two Imams of Nairobi's main Mosque. Before the ceremony began, the Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia and Assistant Foreign Minister delivered short speeches reminding the leaders of the wisdom required for the task ahead. In their statement, the Kenyan officials informed the leaders that they will not be selected for parliamentary seat but undertake their role of nominating, consulting and advising the politicians on the selection process to encourage an all-inclusive legislative Assembly. They referred to the Interim Charter which has been developed within the process and which, according to him, has the support of most of the delegates and Somalis. The two Kenyan religious leaders who conducted the ceremony explained the religious perspective of the oath and its implications. They asked the Somali leaders to be cautious of the exercise and act with honesty and truth. The ingredient of oath dwelt on representation, genuineness of the role, impartial execution of their task and to be mindful of the peace process. Between 50 and 60 traditional leaders read the oath's statement and some leaders are still expected to arrive from Somalia. Those who swore in included Ugas Abdullahi, Ugas Farah of Habar Gedir-Saleeban, Sultan Haji Muse Bare of Sheqaal-Looboge, Ugas Ahmed Duale "Heef" of Sa`ad, Habargedir, Ugas Adan Ugas Mohamed of Lelkase, Sultan Muuse Mohamed Yussuf of Ayr-Habargedir, Ugas Bare Ugas Gedi of Afgab- Awliyahan, Ugas Abdullahi Ugas Harun of Horarsame-Marehan, Sultan Osman Sh. Ahmed of Geledi, Malaq Mukhtar Malaq Hassan of Leysan Beri, Ugas Adan Mallim of Tuuf-Garre and Islan Mahamed Abdullahi of Nuuh Mahamud- ********* among others. However, some of the invited leaders have decided not to take part in the process, this include nine traditional leaders led by the Imam of Hirab, Imam Mohamud Imam Omar, arguing that their oath has been done vis-à-vis their communities and needs not to be repeated for un unclear cause. Others with him are, among others, Ugas Abdirahman Ugas Khalif, Ugas Muhidin Ugas Fodey, Ugas Abdiqadir Ugas Hashi and Sultan Ahmed Rashid. In concluding the function, Hon. Affey said that the remaining traditional leaders will be sworn in another function and asked the traditional leaders to start meeting the political leaders in order to pave the way for understanding and easy passage to the selection process. He said that differences among traditional leaders would be solved within the group. The reaction to the ceremony among the delegates was mixed. Some (including Hirsi Hure "Alanside", Presidential aspirants Asha Abdalla and Amalow) understood the ceremony as an important opportunity but left out some important leaders. Others felt this as the beginning of an effort to redirect Somalis to the common interest and suggested for the exercise to be extended to the political leaders and then to IGAD Technical committee while the third group saw this a breakthrough. Those who swore were requested to collect their access badges on Tuesday 5 August. According to some delegates this move might legitimize "non-recognized" leaders creating confusion and tensions within the traditional structures. Source:Khalif Hassan Ahmed Information and Documentation Officer Novib Somalia/Mbagathi

Guraad, We know that all the cities and towns of Puntland are doing very well. Especially LaasCanod since it is the gateway to NW Somalia and the Ogaden for trade. SnW, Puntland is the future. The Somali version of America "Land of opportunities"!! M.B., Your right, Somalia(especially Puntland) need help from us Somalis living in the west to reinvest and help rebuild our nation. btw, I never sweat the small "somalialanders" stuff! MarQaan, Puntland people don't descriminate, we true Somalis and help out our brothers. P.S. I guess this was what Angeldust was refering to when she said "as far as we(Her Tribe) are concerened it(Puntland) is part of god-for-saken Somalia" It's all worth it if it shut them up for a minute

Angel, Where are those powerful old men of snm hiding? Where were they when their dear leader riyaale was almost killed in Sool? Pathetic. If you have ever been to hargeisa you would know that they are the crazy old men in the streets and mental hospitals. They can barely think let alone fight.

Disclaimer: Warning reading the article below may have the affect of making NW Somalis EXTREMELY jelous, envious, hateful and very angry. ____________________________________________________________________________ Take a punt on Puntland, urge Somali returnees GALKAYO, Somalia (UNHCR) - Carpenter Mohammad Gas Dunkal received a gift when he returned to his homeland of Somalia in 1995, after four years as a refugee in Kenya: the UN refugee agency gave him one radial saw. From that humble beginning, he has built a booming carpentry and metal-working workshop, now employing five master carpenters and 10 assistants. "Puntland is a land of great opportunity," he says with satisfaction. "I would advise all refugees to come back to their country and work to make their fortune." Mohammad, 47, the father of 10 children, is representative of the many former refugees who have sparked an economic revival in north-eastern Somalia, also known as Puntland. Returnees - some came directly from Kenyan refugee camps, while others have achieved professional success in Canada, the United States or Sweden - are contributing their money and know-how to Puntland's development. They have opened everything from small tailor shops to private hospitals and telecommunications companies. A drive through the streets of Puntland's two main cities, Bossaso and Galkayo, quickly reveals there is a construction boom going on. Bossaso, Puntland's economic capital on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, is home to a busy port that forms the gateway to lucrative trade with Arab countries. "Often people think of returnees as a burden to the societies and economies they come back to," says Simone Wolken, UNHCR Representative for Somalia. While it is true that some returnees are vulnerable and need the community's support to build a new life, Wolken adds, "UNHCR finds that returnees from exile quickly and successfully take advantage of the opportunities on offer in the peaceful areas of Somalia." Through their own initiative, many successful business people are creating jobs and reintegration, recovery and peaceful co-existence in Puntland. "The UN therefore liaises closely with the business community and counts on the constructive role it can play in Somalia," says Wolken. Twelve years after the outbreak of Somalia's civil war, Puntland and Somaliland, the self-declared independent state in the north-west of the country, are peaceful, while the Somali capital, Mogadishu, remains wracked by violence. Many Somalis have abandoned hopes of ever going back to Mogadishu, and have chosen instead to settle in Puntland, whether they have ancestral ties here or not. "I did not have any hope to go back to Mogadishu," says Osman Salat Fogase, a 34-year-old pharmacist in Galkayo, explaining his decision to leave Kenya after eight years in a refugee camp there. "No one would try to go back to Mogadishu. Here I am helping to build my country." While in Kenya, he says, UNHCR paid for the medical training that enabled him to open his pharmacy, where he now dispenses basic medical care as well as selling medicines. He had never even been to Galkayo before he settled here, but now he has built a house for his father, his wife and his five children. Entrepreneur Mohamed Jama Mohamed, 45, also had no ties to Bossaso before he decided to settle there in 1994 - after losing his $450,000 investment in a chain of photo shops in Mogadishu to the civil war. Friends and relatives who had known him as a successful businessman in the capital backed his new business ventures in Bossaso. Today he is deputy director of Dalsan remittance bank, which he says handles millions of dollars a month in personal and business transfers. "Any refugee who has any skill or any experience in any business, I urge them: It's easy to start over here," says Mohamed. "Don't be afraid. You will get support here. It all depends on you. Stand up and forget the refugee camp and start a good, hopeful life." For engineer Issa Omar Mohamed, who now runs a poverty reduction and economic recovery programme for the UN Development Programme in Bossaso, coming home was much easier than sitting idle and watching his professional engineering skills go rusty in a refugee camp. "Nothing is guaranteed [for returnees to Puntland], but at least here they have opportunities," he says in an interview at his office just steps from the bustling port, where fish and livestock are exported to the Gulf, and where ships from as far away as Sri Lanka and Norway come to fish. Further south in Galkayo, as one of the founders of Galcom telephone company, returnee Ahmed Ibrahim Osman has had a ringside seat to Puntland's economic development over the past few years. When his company started in 1997, Galkayo - a town with an estimated population of 170,000 - had just 150 telephone lines, and most people lit their homes with kerosene lamps. Today the town boasts 4,300 land lines, 1,500 mobile phone subscribers and 15 Internet cafes. Galcom itself also supplies electricity to the town, and employs about 200 people. "Telecoms can play a role of peace," Ahmed says. "People used to spread rumours, but when there is a telephone, they pick it up and get the truth." Many Somalis abroad are waiting for a national government to be formed before they will have confidence to come home, Ahmed says. A father of five children, aged three to 12, he himself vacillates in his assessment of Somalia's future. "Sometimes I say, my children will have the best future anyone in Somalia has ever had," he says. "Other times I say, it's 12 years [since the civil war started] and there is still no government. I say to myself, I have sisters in the USA and Canada, maybe I'll send my children there." But his counterpart in Bossaso has no such doubts. Returnee Abdulaziz Ahmed Hersi, chief engineer for Netco telephone company, advises all Somalis abroad: "Move back to Somalia, or at least send your money and let it work for you. There are good opportunities here." By Kitty McKinsey In Galkayo, Gardo and Bossaso, Somalia http://wwww.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/6686f45896f15dbc852567ae00530132/66f161c6f7fca862c1256d78005501ce?OpenDocument

A Kenyan man who was held for five weeks in three different countries wrongly suspected of belonging to the al-Qaeda terror network has been telling the BBC of his ordeal. Mr Hussein says the suspects were well treated in Khartoum Khalif Abdi Hussein, a 40-year-old Muslim teacher of Somali origin was arrested in June in Malawi with four others before being whisked out of the country. Their deportation prompted violent demonstrations in Malawi. They told us, 'We don't see any evidence to link you with Al-Qaeda network' Khalif Abdi Hussein Speaking after arriving in Nairobi from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, Mr Hussein told BBC's Network Africa programme that his nightmare began when he heard a knock at the door at about 0200 on 22 June. "Someone shouted, "Open the door!" I asked them who they were and the told me that they were from immigration. "They came in and searched my house. They took all my documents, the books, papers, and my cellphone (mobile phone)," he said. 'Immigration problem' Mr Hussein said he was then arrested and put under police custody but he said that the police did not explain why he was arrested. "They said I had an immigration problem. But I did not understand what they meant by immigration problem. Then they took me to the police station, where I met my friends - the other four people who were arrested with me," he said. For five weeks, family members were unable to trace the whereabouts of the five men, with reports suggesting they may have even been flown to the US base at Guantanamo Bay, where many al-Qaeda suspects have been taken. President Muluzi reportedly apologised to the families Human rights groups and lawyers protested against the government's decision to fly them out of the country and demanded to know where the detainees had been taken. A fortnight ago, the plight of Mr Hussein was raised in the Kenyan parliament, and the government finally announced it had traced his whereabouts to Harare, Zimbabwe. "From there - Blantyre, (Malawi) they took us to Lilongwe (Malawi). When we arrived in Lilongwe they covered our eyes (blindfolded) us and they covered our heads with head cloths. Then they took us to Zimbabwe." Mr Hussein said that the five suspects were not given any reason as to why they were moved to Zimbabwe. "They did not tell us anything. When they took us on the aeroplane, we thought they were taking us back to Malawi. We were in Zimbabwe for one month," he said. 'No Americans' But Mr Hussein denied reports that they had been sent to a US base in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. "Myself, I did not see any American people. "They (Malawian security) handed us over to Zimbabwe authority, who separated us - everyone was put in a cell," Mr Hussein said. After four weeks all five suspects were moved from Harare and found themselves at Khartoum Airport in Sudan. "They were trying to get something from us to link us with the al-Qaeda network. But they failed, because we did not have any connections with al-Qaeda. 'Not Al Qaeda' "Then they took us to a nice place and gave us whatever we needed - so it was very nice - for us. They took us to a guest house," said Mr Hussein. Then the Sudanese government announced that the five men were being held in Khartoum and that they would be released soon. Malawian President Bakili Muluzi reportedly apologised on Tuesday to the families of the five al-Qaeda suspects for the embarrassment caused to them. On Wednesday, Mr Hussein and his co-suspects were released and told that they were free to go home. "They told us, 'We don't see any evidence to link you with al-Qaeda network'," Mr Hussein said. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3116753.stm

Originally posted by Gediid: Walaalo I hate to burst your bubble but for me to even contemplate comparision of 2 entities that are very different and at different stages of live is just outright ridiculous. The only difference is that "Somaliland" spent the first 6 years fighting one another and is more then twice as old as Puntland. Markaas please get off the high horse Good advice for you and your AntiSomalia camp. we have no beef with Puntland never has and never will As long as you claim the Puntland provinces of SS&H there will always be beef. lol instead concentrate your words and action somewhere where you know you have problems So we don't "know" that there are problems in hargeisa? This is when your "high horse" advice comes in handy.

Ardayda waxbarashadu u dhamaatay Prof. Cabduweli Geyre, Hormuud kuliyada Jamacada Bariga Afrika Dr. Micheal Brophy Wakiilka Afrika ee Hay'ada Africa Educational Trust Dr. Ahmed Abdirahman, Gudoomiye xigaha jaamacada Bariga Afrika ee Boosaaso Wasiirka Ganacsiga iyo Warshadahe ee DGPL Eng. Faarax Maxamud Dooxajoog oo ardaydii waxbarashada dhamaysatay gudoonsiinaya shahaadooyinkoodii

Odayaal dhaqameedyo ka soo jeeda gobolka Sool oo ku sii jeeda shirka dib u heshiisiinta Isniin, 04 August, 2003 In ka badan 10 oday dhaqameed oo ka tirsan kuwa ka soo jeeda magaalada Laas caanood ee gobolka Sool qeybta laga taageersan yahay maamulka Puntland ayaa maanta soo gaaray xarunta maamul goboleedka Puntland ee Garowe. Odayaashan oo ku sii jeeda madasha shirka dib u heshiisiinta ee Mbagathi ayaysan maanta u suurtagelin in ay u dhoofaan magaalada Nairobi, kadib markii ay imaan weysay diyaaraddii qaadi lahayd. berri ayaa lagu wadaa in ay odayaashaasi ka qaado magaalada Garowe diyaarad khaas ah oo uu u soo dirayo guddiga farsamada IGAD oo dhawaanahaanba ku mashquulsanaa sidii uu shirka ku geyn lahaa odayaal dhaqameedyada soomaalida oo loo arkay in aanan looga maarmin wejiga seddexaad ee shirka dib u heshiisiinta oo ah mid awoodda dowladda mustaqbalka soomaaliya lagu qeybsanayo. Odayaashan ayaa waxaa hoggaaminaya Garaad Suleymaan Garaad Maxamed Maxamuud, iyadoo ay xubno ka yihiin Garaad Abshir Saalax, Garaad C/llaahi Daba-gooye iyo kuwo kale, waxayna marka ay gaaraan madasha shirka dib u heshiisiinta ay ku biiri doonaan hoggaamiye dhaqameedyada lagu casuumay in ay wax ka soo dhisaan dowladda la filayo in ay ka soo baxdo shirka dib u heshiisiinta. Salaad Iidow Xasan (Xiis) Hiiraan Online saladxiis@yahoo.com Mogadishu, Somalia

Boosaaso, (AllPuntland)- Waxaa 1-dii bishaan lagu qabtay xaflad balaaran xarunta Jaamacadda Bariga Afrika ee Boosaaso, halkaasi oo shahadooyin lagu gudoonsiinayay arday ka qalin jabisay waxbarasho u socotay labo sanno. Ardayda ayaa waxbarashadooda ka qaadanaysay jaamacad lagu magacaabo Fort Hare University, iyagoo duruusta ku qaadanayay Jaamacada Boosaaso loona soo marsiinayay ayna socodsiinaysay hay'ada Africa Educational Trust xafiiskeeda Boosaaso. Ardaydaan oo ah kuwii ugu horeeyey ee qalin jabisey waxay tiradoodu dhan tahay 7 arday, iyadoo tiro 22 arday ah oo kale ay hadda dhexda kaga jiraan waxbarsho tani la mid ah. Xaflada qalinjabinta oo lagu furay aayado qur'aan ah ayaa waxaa ugu horayn ka hadlay Prof. Cabduweli Geyre oo ku hadlaayey magaca jaamacdda Bariga Afrika, wuxuu u mahadceliyay kasoo qaybgalayaasha xaflada, wuxuuna ka waramay heerarkii ay soo martay waxbarashada ardayda qalin jibasay, isagoo ku dheeraday qiimaha waxbarashada iyo sida ardayda tani ay uga faa'iidaysteen fursada ay heleen, Prof. Gayre wuxuu kula dardaarmay ardayda waxbarashada dhamaysatay inay aqoontooda gaarsiiyaan bulshada. Dr. Micheal Brophy oo ah wakiilka Afrika ee Hay'ada Africa Educational Trust ayaa ka hadlay sida ay ku bilaabtay wax barashadda noocaan ah oo uu tilmaamay in ayan ahayn markii ugu horaysay ee ay hay'adiisu fuliso, balse dalal kaloo Afrika ah ay ka fuliyaan, wuxuuna ku amaanay ardayda reer Puntland oo uu ku tilmaayay kuwo dadaal badan la yimid sidii ay fursadaan uga faa'iidaysan lahaayeen, tani oo uu sheegay inay dhiiri galinayso in hay'adu sii wado mashruuca waxbarasho ee noocaan ah. Dr. Micheal mar uu ka hadlayay Jaamacada Koonfur Afrika ee ardaydu duruusteeda qadanayeen, wuxuu sheegay inay tahay Jamacad caan ah oo ay wax ku barteen madax badan oo qarada Afrika laga yaqaan sida Madaxweynihii hore ee K/Afrika iyo Boqorka Iswasiland iyo madax badan oo afrika ah. Dr. Axmed Cabdiraxmaan oo ah Gudoomiye xigaha Jaamacada Bariga Afrika ee Boosaso ayaa u mahadceliyay hay'ada Africa Educational Trust ee hirgalisay in ardayda joogta Jaamacada Boosaso ay duruus maalmeedkooda iyagoo Boosaaso jooga ay la qaybsadaan ardayda Jaamacada Koonfur Afrika joogta. Wsiirka Ganacsiga iyo Warshadaha ahna xilhayaha dawlada Puntland ee gobolka Bari Eng. Faarax Maxamuud (Dooxa-joog) ayaa ka hadlay doorka horumarinta waxbarashada iyo sida loogu baahan yahay in la isu kaashado, wuxuu u mahadceliyay Africa Educational Trust iyo Labada Jaamacadood ee hirgaliyay waxbarashadan, wuxuuna gudoonsiiyey ardaydii waxbarashada dhamaysatay shahaadooyinkii iyo abaal marin kale. Sawirqaade Cabdifataax Jaamac Mire AllPuntland, Boosaaso

Xalimo, LOL. Maybe that would be better. But I'd hate to get those LOOOONG posts of his flooding my small SomaliOnline MAILBOX!!!

Mystery, It's funny how you posted and discussed 6 months ago an article, Somalia: Shadows of the past as human rights deteriorate, which was only written AFTER the "elections" in NW Somalia and posted online 26 May 2003! You "Somalilanders" must be psychic wallahi! This report documents human rights abuses in Hargeisa during and after the "elections" including beatings, detention[including pregnant and children], verbal abuse[swearing by police at women/childern], abuse of power and office, propaganda of Radio hargeysa, intimidation of reporters and other acts reminicent of the Siyaad dictatorship. Could Riyaale be a new Siyaad? I hope your not confusing this[above] report with one about Col. Riyaale NSS days, Justice for the Atrocities of the 1980s: The Responsibility of Politicians and Political Parties . If you were please go back to the articles and read them if you don't want to post a reply.

Xalimo, I recently posted a couple of articles about "Somaliland" because Mr. Oodweyn has been going crazy posted 100+ articles about Puntland. This while ignoring the situation back in his region(NW SOmalia). It's ironic that the regime the SNM fought in the late 1980's has now reincarnated itself as the new UDUB government in hargeisa....

Samurai, As far as I know there is only one radio station on NW somalia-Radio hargeysa. Which is not free or independent. It is the radio of the mafia of Riyaale. Very sad. At least the people can get their news from BBC Somali instead of the propaganda machine of RH.

Oodweyn[et al], One question. Why in the world do you think that the peoples in SS&H would would join Waqoyi Galbeed instead of with their brother in the East?

Gediid, "Somaliand"(Hargeisa, Berbera) government is proped up by the Ethiopian government. Without their support the hargeisa warlords would not survive one day. By the way if you think Puntland is so weak, why not forcibly take SS&H of Puntland? Because you know that they can't. All they can do for the last 5+ years is cry to the world and hope that maybe Britain will come back and help take SS&H. It aint gonna happen!! Just today, more crying: _______________________________________________________________________________ Puntland denies interfering in Somaliland's[External] affairs NAIROBI, 4 Aug 2003 (IRIN) - The authorities in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, have dismissed accusations[Read: Crying] by the neighbouring self-declared republic of Somaliland[Hargeisaland] that they are interfering in Somaliland's internal[sS&H] affairs. A statement issued by the Somaliland[Mafia] authorities on Monday warned Puntland's leader Col Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad to stay away from the disputed[Puntland] regions of Sool and Sanaag. "We will not tolerate his threats against parts of Sool and Sanaag regions," it said, adding that Abdullahi Yusuf "will bear full responsibility for the consequences" of his actions.[5+ of the same whining and crying...] But Dahir Mire Jibril, a spokesman for Abdullahi Yusuf, told IRIN that Puntland "does not consider Sool and Sanaag as part of Somaliland". "Sool and Sanaag are part and parcel of Puntland, and the people there do not consider themselves part of Somaliland[Hargeisaland]," he stressed. Dahir added that the recent[Corrupt&Bogus] elections in Somaliland "during which no voting took place in either region[sS&H], are proof of that". He warned the Somaliland authorities "not to foment instability in these stable regions". Both Somaliland and Puntland claim the two regions, which geographically fall within the borders of the former British Somaliland, but where most of the resident clans are associated with Puntland. Source: IRIN, Aug 04, 03

Admiral cast out for terror bet plan Poindexter forced to resign from Pentagon after backing scheme for futures market in world chaos Julian Borger in Washington Saturday August 2, 2003 The Guardian One of the most politically accident-prone officials in recent American history has been forced to resign over his scheme to establish a futures market to allow speculators to bet on assassinations, coups and acts of terrorism, it emerged yesterday. Admiral John Poindexter was already controversial when he was hired by the Bush administration. He had been Ronald Reagan's national security adviser, and played a central role in illegally channelling funds from Iranian arms sales to rightwing Contra guerrillas in Nicaragua. He was convicted of lying to Congress and obstruction of justice after he admitted destroying incriminating documents, but the conviction was later overturned on technical grounds, in an appeal court dominated by Reagan-appointed judges. Admiral Poindexter caused uproar almost immediately in his new Pentagon job as the head of an ambitious electronic surveillance scheme aimed at monitoring the personal records of ordinary Americans in the search for signs of terrorist activity. The scheme was known as the Total Information Awareness system, with an all-seeing eye as a symbol, and Knowledge is Power as its motto. In the face of a congressional and public outcry, the name of the office was changed to Terrorist Information Awareness, the motto removed, and the eye replaced by a more anodyne logo involving a circle and a crescent. But the makeover was not good enough for Congress, which cut the scheme's funds and banned it from focusing on American citizens without congressional permission. The administration was still arguing with Congress over the programme when the row erupted over the admiral's latest project at the Pentagon's "outside-the-box" thinktank, the defence advanced research projects agency. The futures market, thought up by one of the agency's computer programmers and backed by Admiral Poindexter, would allow punters to lay anonymous bets on future events in the Middle East, such as the assassination of Yasser Arafat or the overthrow of the Jordanian monarchy. The theory was that, just as bookies' odds were often a better predictor of political events than professional pundits, so this "policy analysis market" would tap into a hidden reservoir of inside information about the Middle East, and help the Pentagon foresee threats. The plan was dropped by the Pentagon as soon as it came to light this week, and neither the defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, nor his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz, came to Admiral Poindexter's defence. Instead, an unnamed defence official briefed Pentagon reporters, praising Admiral Poindexter's "very creative intellect", but announcing his imminent departure and wishing him luck as a private consultant. According to the New York Times, the official made it clear that the Pentagon would not be seeking his advice in the near future. The same official made it clear that the Pentagon realised Admiral Poindexter was politically tainted and that "it has become difficult for projects he's involved in to get a dispassionate hearing". Admiral Poindexter is expected to leave his post within weeks. Even as he prepares to go, some are arguing that the policy analysis market could have been a useful predictive tool. David Ignatius, a liberal commentator at the Washington Post, argued: "For all its defects, the political futures market was an interesting, unconventional idea for capturing information that's "on the street" - the subtle tips and clues thatordinary people know, but that are often lost to our intelligence agencies."

Horn, Your right. I have edited some of my comments. I hate when people ignore their own leaders past crimes(Riyale) while talking about others(Yusuf). I don't support Yusuf, Jama, Cadde Muse etc. 99% of Somali 'leaders' have blood on their hands. Don't be hypocritical(AntiSomalia camp). To me they are all the same--no matter what region they are from. Insha'allah, Once their is peace in Somalia we should set up a court to try them all. In the end Allah will judge us all. AntiSomali Camp, When the floods(1997?) uncovered the mass graves in hargeisa--why didn't the government setup a tribunal(court) to investigate and try those responsible? Is it because leaders from the NW were party to it and implicated in those war crimes?

Mr. Hitler? Is that my new nick name? Is that suppose to be an insult? Do you love jews that much? I guess we should be trusting the murderer and war criminal NSS commander and coward Col. Riyaale?!?!He oversaw the murdering of your tribe and now you love and trust him?!?! Look what he is doing now in hargeisa!!! "Fool me once shame on you, Fool me twice shame on me."

Odwwayne, First, Somaliland is one tribe and Puntland is mainly one tribe. Second, If you don't know the current situation Hargeisa, please read the articles I posted Mafia leader Col. Kahiin and current human rights situation in "somali-land". Or do you hope they will just go away Please stop hiding behind long, useless posts with nothing relevent to add. [ August 03, 2003, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Admin ]

Xalimo, You are very brave. Good luck on your trip and try to keep a low profile. Hopefully nothing will happen. Ma'salaam

Guraad, Thanks for the article. One tribeland will never be recognized. Mystery, So you believe that the Hargeisa mafia control SS&H? Please tell that to Col. Riyaale. Because when he actually went to Sool he nearly got killed and was allowed to flee with his tail between his legs. In fact the people of Lasanod remember how he pissed his pants as he ran back to hargeisaland The hargeisa mafia's militia was easily beaten by the people of Sool and guess what....he has never gone back! Incompetant Riyaale embarrased himself and his hargeisaland. Ran away like the coward he is....and it was reported all over the world. "Self declared president escapes death..." Please remember that Sool, Sanag, Hawd, Bari, Nugal, and Mudug people are from the same sub- sub-sub-sub-clan, and there is noway they would join the hargeisa government aka mafia. Period. No amount of bribing will change that. BTW, say thanks to Hargeisa government for all that tax money they are giving to SS&H Your telling us we don't represent them?!?! Lol. Learn the lessons of your leader col. kahiin...and stick to hargeisaland.