Xassan Nasra Allah, You are right that there was a protection treaties between Majerteen Sultanates and Italy between 7 April 1889/December 1888 and renewed in April 1895. But facist Italy wanted to turn NE Somalia into a colony--not just a protectorate. So from 1925-1927 Italy and the Majerteen sultanates fought numerous bloody battles. Not to mention a blockade of NE Somalia by Italian ships and bombardement of coastal cities and heavy loss of civilian life. Finally incorporating them into the Italian Somalia in 1927. For more info search online under "Majerteen Sultanate" or "Hobyo Sultanate". Excerpt from an online source: http://www.somaliawatch.org/archivefeb01/010411601.htm "After two years of devastating war in which thousands of civilians died and the entire economy of the sultanate was ruined, razing all coastal towns and villages, the Italian colonial administration could boast that it had broken the Majeerteen resistance and put an end to an era in Somaliland. Boqor Osman fled to the British Somaliland, but was handed back to the Italians. In November the formal act of surrender took place in Hurdia, and Boqor Osman dramatically consigned his sword to Governor De Vecchi. Later Boqor Osman was exiled to Muqdisho. With the elimination of the north-eastern sultanates and the breaking of the Benaadir resistance, from this period henceforth, Italian Somaliland was to become a reality. The partition of Somaliland was already shaping during this period and the fate of the Somalis was at the mercy of the colonial powers." As for slavery--this is just what I have read, and not what I think. Here is an excerpt from one source: http://www.unsomalia.org/presscenter/pressreleases/20021002_1.htm "The Somali Bantu are living reminders of the once widespread and lucrative Indian Ocean slave trade. Their history as a distinct group began around the turn of the 18th century when the sultan of Zanzibar and other slave lords captured their forefathers in Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique and sold them into slavery in Somalia." For more information search online. This is a another link: http://www.refugees.org/world/articles/bantu_rr99_12.htm 1LUV

Galkayo Telephone Company (GALCOM) STG(Somali Telecom Group) Al-Barakaat Telecommunications Barakaat Communications Barakaat-Red Sea-Puntland Barakaat-GlobalTel-Somaliland Telecoms Somalia Pre 1990-Public Switch Transmission Network Most offer internet service as well in most cities/towns. 1luv

Galkayo Telephone Company (GALCOM) STG(Somali Telecom Group) Al-Barakaat Telecommunications Barakaat Communications Barakaat-Red Sea-Puntland Barakaat-GlobalTel-Somaliland Telecoms Somalia Pre 1990-Public Switch Transmission Network Most offer internet service as well in most cities/towns. 1luv

Waaq,Annunaki, First of all we tried centralist government for 30 years.It didnt work as you can see... :cool: We have never tried federalism/confederation, so lets give it a chance. And dont make excuses like it costs too much etc. :mad: Federalism has worked all over the world, and it will work in Somalia. By the way, many regions dont want to reunite with out federalism(NW,NE,SW,Central) So anyone who longs for the "good old days" of a one city state, in which most of the people's local concerns are not met-can keep dreaming. In a federal state, local governments have obligations to their people. And they will have the authority&money to deal with those issues. 1Luv

As a nationalist I think that we should use our own customary law or xeer. We should not be using western or arabic laws. I dont think that someone should be stoned to death for adultry like Nigera. That is for God to judge. Or have their hands chopped off for stealing. That is bad for the person and bad for the economy because they can not work/or pay taxes. It is bad for society because now they have to care for that person. We should settle matters the our own way. PS I stole some gum when I was 12, they called my mom :eek: and That was the last time I did THAT. Much more affective way to discourage that kind of behavior. 1 Luv

Why is Xamar Sacrosant? Is it better then any other city? Why does it deserve to be the capital? :confused: Not to mention the hundreds of millions in foreign aid it will take to rebuild it. Sound familiar? Well thats whats been happening from 1960-91 at the xpense of the rest of Somalia. :mad: What about the different warlords and faction leaders? It doesnt look like they want to give up power and bring peace to Mogadishu. There are many other cities who deserve a chance to shine. 1Luv

Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar, I wrote what I had read. It is not something I am proud of, or felt like writing. And I was not trying to "imply" anything. :mad: You could just as easily have searched for facts online or in historical books instead of giving me your thoughts as "facts". "I don't think any 'bilis' Soomaali were ever slave to another Soomaali. That is a fact." :confused: Somehow if you dont think something is true, then that means it isnt true? I also dont believe in a "pure" somali. Somalis are mixed of many groups, so how can any one claim to be "pure"? A somali is someone who lives in somalia or speaks somali. Period. Look at the USA, do they distinguish themselves as "pure" and non pure americans? Kisima, Very interesting article on somali history. But you forgot to mention the Majerteen Sultanates. Circa 1600-1927. It was destroyed fighting off the Italian fascists. I actually read Richard Burtons book, very interesting. You should read margaret laurence's book The Prophet’s Camel Bell, written in the 1950's Somaliland protectorate. Includes pictures 2:D ILuv 2 All Somalis.

Actually I read that not only did somalis trade in slaves with the arabs but they also kept slaves. These were mostly in the southern agricultural regions between the two rivers. It was the Italians that abolished slavery in Somalia in the early 1900's. *************************** I think we should make a formal apology to these groups, make full reparations and intergrate them socially, politically, and economically. ****************. We all recall what happened in Baidoa when no food was allowed in to feed the drought sticken ppl. 1Luv

Where do you guys think the new capital city should be? Or maybe you guys think the capital should stay in Mogadishu. Either way, vote now!

HornAfrique, I think the next president should be a WOMAN. They are the only people who care about somalis. All others care about POWER and Money. Indonesia.200 million muslims. Woman President. Pakistan. 150 million muslims. Former Woman President Any good candidates? I'm sure that there are alot of well educated female somalis willing to lead. 1Luv

Northerner, Isaaq want self determination? Fine. Give that same respect to Dulbahante, Gadabursi, issa, warsengeli clans. What I always fine hypocritical is that everytime non-isaaq clans in "Somali land" say we dont want dreamland republic. The Isaaq say the "territorial intergrity of Somaliland must be upheld...". :confused: Does this sound familiar? Well that is because that is what SomaliWeyn supporters say: Ina Salaad boy, Abdullahi, Aidiid, Tuur, Morgan, Shatiguduud etc. What hypocrits. :mad: I would just like to remind all the dreamlanders that the people of Sool and Sanaag have signed the Puntland charter in 1998. The are in the regional parliament and are in the cabinet as well. Not to mention that riyaal has absolutely no control/influence in sool or sanaag. This was proven: 1.When Riyaal travelled to LasCanod and was almost killed. 2.Forces of Jama Ali Jama were being chased out of Puntland by President Abdullahi Yusuf and were fighting last week in Sanaag province. Where was the 20,000 or 50,000 strong army you guys keep telling us about??? I guess they're all chewing qaat in hargeysa.. 1Luv

Saanjo I agree. Somalis were always decentralized before the Europeans came. Look what happened when we created a One city State(Xamar). :mad: All major schools, hospitals, infrustructure, development etc. was concentrated in Muqdishu. This while most of the country was a No Mans Land(ie Bari) . Now that we are once again decentralized these regions are developing again. That is why I am opposed to centralized city state again. The only people in favour of that are xamraawiye or Hawiye people who want MQ to gain it's former beauty. Anyone who thinks decentralized wont be successful look at all the other confederations like Switzerland, UAE, Canada USA,etc. All rich developed powerful states. I also agree about weak president idea 2. 1LUV Liban