Gen Ahmed taajir, is it the same taajir that was on that british documentary?

Good for him, his story may not be unique but it's still a good story. That being said, I couldn't help but notice how much the guy was selling 'somaliland', he was like one of those persistent Jehovah's witnesses.

Originally posted by dhulQarnayn: ^^^One of my best fantasies is to be that "1"...lord knows the fun I'd have with dem 50 wenches. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California lol@50 wenches. I hear you man.

Interesting read. "He would like see countries set up their own generics factories, and he has offered to show them how produce Aids drugs for free. The Global Fund should put up the money, he says. None of this happening" I'm guessing it's the african governments(pressured by western corporations) stopping these generic factories from being built. If only africa had a competent leaders.. I'm sure there is some money to be made from selling generic drug, somalia seems like an ideal place to set up a generic factories, with minimal government interference.

"Al shabab to storm hadheere and hobyo" Maybe these guys are financed by saudi's. How else do they get weapon supplies? The Ship owners are just better off paying the ransom, a fire fight for the tanker could prove disastrous.

Congratulations to the General, indeed general duke posses a first-class temperament. A rare trait among the somali.

Originally posted by ThePoint: ^I assume you would have the same reaction if all the ships that were plundered belonged to Somalis? If yes - then at least you're consistent though your moral compass is dysfunctional. If no - then you've gotta explain yourself. That's beside the point, and it would depend on the situation. Why is it africans are always the ones to talk about morals, when other countries have no problem exploiting our resources or in somalia's case dumping toxic waste and engaging in illegal fishing? You don't hear any news about that? You wanted to know if these 'pirates' were benefiting their local communities, and they clearly are, that to me is enough to support them. The only time I would not support these pirates is when they hijack aid ships and or cruise ships, but when it comest to them hijacking saudi super tankers or ukranian ships carrying weapons then they have my support. Morals are overrated if you ask me.

Layzie G Well said, I echo your sentiments.

Layzie G You seem like a constant critic, what do you have to offer as a solution for somalia? You are against the TFG, al shabab and everybody.

There was a comic book called, 'Y-the last man on earth' about a dystopia society(or utopia if you ask feminists) where all the males are killed by a plaque except one. Good comic, lucky dude. I believe a film adaptation is in the works. Btw, isn't one of the signs of judgement day that women will outnumber men 50:1?

Thepoint- Even if the communities are not directly benefiting from the pirates, they are at least indirectly benefiting from them. I see nothing wrong with the pirates, not only are they protecting somali waters, but they are also transforming little villages into boomtowns. read this: Somali pirates transform villages into boomtowns By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN and ELIZABETH KENNEDY – 1 day ago MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia's increasingly brazen pirates are building sprawling stone houses, cruising in luxury cars, marrying beautiful women — even hiring caterers to prepare Western-style food for their hostages. And in an impoverished country where every public institution has crumbled, they have become heroes in the steamy coastal dens they operate from because they are the only real business in town. "The pirates depend on us, and we benefit from them," said Sahra Sheik Dahir, a shop owner in Harardhere, the nearest village to where a hijacked Saudi Arabian supertanker carrying $100 million in crude was anchored Wednesday. These boomtowns are all the more shocking in light of Somalia's violence and poverty: Radical Islamists control most of the country's south, meting out lashings and stonings for accused criminals. There has been no effective central government in nearly 20 years, plunging this arid African country into chaos. Life expectancy is just 46 years; a quarter of children die before they reach 5. But in northern coastal towns like Harardhere, Eyl and Bossaso, the pirate economy is thriving thanks to the money pouring in from pirate ransoms that have reached $30 million this year alone. "There are more shops and business is booming because of the piracy," said Sugule Dahir, who runs a clothing shop in Eyl. "Internet cafes and telephone shops have opened, and people are just happier than before." In Harardhere, residents came out in droves to celebrate as the looming oil ship came into focus this week off the country's lawless coast. Businessmen gathered cigarettes, food and cold bottles of orange soda, setting up kiosks for the pirates who come to shore to resupply almost daily. Dahir said she even started a layaway plan for them. "They always take things without paying and we put them into the book of debts," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "Later, when they get the ransom money, they pay us a lot." Residents make sure the pirates are well-stocked in khat, a popular narcotic leaf, and aren't afraid to gouge a bit when it comes to the pirates' deep pockets. "I can buy a packet of cigarettes for about $1 but I will charge the pirate $1.30," said Abdulqadir Omar, an Eyl resident. While pirate villages used to have houses made of corrugated iron sheets, now, there are stately looking homes made of sturdy, white stones. "Regardless of how the money is coming in, legally or illegally, I can say it has started a life in our town," said Shamso Moalim, a 36-year-old mother of five in Harardhere. "Our children are not worrying about food now, and they go to Islamic schools in the morning and play soccer in the afternoon. They are happy." The attackers generally treat their hostages well in anticipation of a big payday, hiring caterers on shore to cook spaghetti, grilled fish and roasted meat that will appeal to Western palates. And when the payday comes, the money sometimes literally falls from the sky. Pirates say the ransom arrives in burlap sacks, sometimes dropped from buzzing helicopters, or in waterproof suitcases loaded onto skiffs in the roiling, shark-infested sea. "The oldest man on the ship always takes the responsibility of collecting the money, because we see it as very risky, and he gets some extra payment for his service later," Aden Yusuf, a pirate in Eyl, told AP over VHF radio. The pirates use money-counting machines — the same technology seen at foreign exchange bureaus worldwide — to ensure the cash is real. All payments are done in cash because Somalia has no functioning banking system. "Getting this equipment is easy for us, we have business connections with people in Dubai, Nairobi, Djibouti and other areas," Yusuf said. "So we send them money and they send us what we want." Despite a beefed-up international presence, the pirates continue to seize ships, moving further out to sea and demanding ever-larger ransoms. The pirates operate mostly from the semiautonomous Puntland region, where local lawmakers have been accused of helping them and taking a cut of the ransoms. For the most part, however, the regional officials say they have no power to stop piracy. Meanwhile, towns that once were eroded by years of poverty and chaos are now bustling with restaurants, Land Cruisers and Internet cafes. Residents also use their gains to buy generators — allowing full days of electricity, once an unimaginable luxury in Somalia. There are no reliable estimates of the number of pirates operating in Somalia, but they number in the thousands. And though the bandits do sometimes get nabbed, piracy is generally considered a sure bet to a better life. NATO and the U.S. Navy say they can't be everywhere, and American officials are urging ships to hire private security. Warships patrolling off Somalia have succeeded in stopping some pirate attacks. But military assaults to wrest back a ship are highly risky and, up to now, uncommon.

Geeljire That's impressive, good for her. I've always wanted to study archeology, but there is no money in it, and not that many schools. Thanks. Adam -Zayla Thanks for the information saxiib. Well, somali culture today is what I'm referring to as, it does seem like we've burrowed a lot from other cultures. But pre-islamic somalia was interesting. Did you know that Xaafun is the ancient trade center of opone, apparently there was excavation done in the 70's by british archeologists, and they found broken pottery thought to be dated around greek times. I will PM you the work done by the professor if your interested.

Are there any somali archaeologists? It's a fascinating field, and somalia is largely unexplored territory with a lot of history. But it doesn't seem like there are many archeologists.

aaliyah we live in the west, it's not easy to stay away from what's prohibited. It doesn't make people bad, just human with human weaknesses.

* BOB I'm calm sxb. If my facts are wrong, then correct them. Who were the first inhabitants of kismaayo then? I have a general curiosity about all somali history.

Originally posted by *BOB: quote:Originally posted by Protocol: *BOB You're misinformed, cities like qardho, bossaso etc are very diverse and not just one clan lives there. In fact there are Oromo people, and people of all clans living in puntland. Most somali's have actually moved north, so it would not be surprising if the north is more diverse now. Hold your donkey there my dear Saaxiib Protocol...I know Bari more than you think I do and the diverseka aa ka hadleeso waa after the civil war...I TOTALLY AGREE with you on that but then again so is Xamar contrary to what many believe laakiin aniga waxaan ka hadlaayey long before the civil war even Hargeisa waxaa ku nool kumanaan qabiilada dago aan aheyn yet we say waa magaalo ay leeyihiin so and so qabiil...Why? I was referring to in the days you were in diapers...long long time ago...I mean once upon a time when we (reer Kismaayo) used to sing 'Boowe Bari Laga Reysay Bariis Caano leh i forgot it now' you can't say a city is truly diverse until the so-called Minority ay cod ku yeeshaan magaaladaas and in Boosaaso waxee ahaan jirtay hadaa eheen Caliga Cade ahem Cusmaan Dooy ama Daashka you're almost invinsible mise been waaye? Those three BIG BALLERS aa monopoly ku heestay ganacsiga and they still do to some extent...remember when Cusmaan and Cali ee is dagaaleen...they even tried inee dabkooda Kismaayo nagusoo gaarsiiyaan laakiin maxaa nagu taqaanaahe cirka aan ufiirinay nooh reer bari ka dabaasha aan dhahnay anaga Reer Kismaayo aa nala dhahaa Bari centuries aa noogu dambeeysay laakiin there's no tribe oo monopoly ku heestay Kismaayo in any time pre-dagaalka qabiil walba oo magaalada dagan wuxuu u arkay inee magaaladiisa tahay be may Baajuun or Baraawe. PS. Bro the overwhelming majority of people from Kismayo have at least one parent or family member from either Bari or OG'enia me included which is why we know so well where these two players hail from...marka boowe yaa mar dambe lagaa maqlin BOB waa misinformed markaan ka hadlo Bari. Peace, Love & Unity. I was talking about after the civil war, myself, what else? Of course, during the sixties with the SYL government, somali's started moving to the south en masse, and with military regime completely ignoring bari in terms of development, it's no surprise there was no diversity there pre-civil war. But during colonial times, bari was the heart of the somali northeastern kingdom. As for the history of bossaso(bender khassim), it was original founded by dashisile from what i've read, although they are a minority there now. yea, the cali and cusmaan do have a rivalry, I believe the cusmaan killed the cali sultan and the cali still hold a grudge to this day. As for ganacsiga bossaso, from what i've been told the wabeneye are also big players but truth be told ganicsiga qabil ma leh, so all businessmen in bossaso are allowed to make money irrespective of tribe. Bossaso and puntland is more diver than the south right now if I had to hazard a guess. As for kismaayo, runtii hadi la sheego like every city there is a tribe or group of tribes that has more influence than others either because they have the numbers or weapons or money, so it's no different than any other somali city. The bajuun were the original inhabitants of kismaayo, then later came the ha.rti and OG, yet today the bajuun have no real power in the city and it's the other nomadic galti tribes that have the most power. How is that fair? Do not paint kismaayo as some kind of paradise where minorities are treated fairly. Just a few weeks ago, there was a somali bantu young girl that was stoned to death in kismaayo, no justice whatsoever.

Abtigis and Tolka It's good you are being frank, I like honesty. Now, will you stop using 'puntites' to refer to one single tribe, puntland has a diverse number of clans who've made puntland the burgeoning state it is today. Second of all, I do not believe the people of puntland sanctioned the killing of innocents in mogadisho and the south as you suggest, and if you truly do believe that, then you are confused and high on caano bore. In fact, a lot of the somali displaced people from the south( and they are displaced people and not refugee's which is what reer hargeisa call them) were given refuge in bossaso and are making a living there. Do not confuse the support for a somali government even if it's weak and useless with wishing malice on a fellow somali. Intentions are important, and i guarantee you the vast majority of puntlanders sympathize with innocents being killed by both al shabab and TFG. It's criminal elements calling themselves muqawama that we do not sympathize with. Remember, one can support the concept of a transitional government without necessarily supporting the negative actions of the said TFG. Final note, my views are my own and do not represent a general mindset of puntlanders, so please refrain from generalizing.

I had to share this funny picture, and I figured this place is as good as any.

Originally posted by B_G: You make it seem like all PLrs support this ideology? Not all. But a large majority. I think what people forget is that Abdullahi Yusuf was actually good for puntland and was a fair leader, hence why he has the support of puntlanders. He's a leader and not like other warlords like Hiraale, Aweys etc who only have the support of a segment of their people. BTW, I don't consider myself a yusufite but I understand why people are. I think Blind loyalty to any individual can be detrimental.

She was deceptive, she deserves whatever she got. Originally posted by Abtigiis &Tolka: No blood, no original! The man is right to refuse to buy used clothes. If they discussed about it before, it shouldn't be a problem. Imagine, you go to a shop and ask for a new shirt. you are given a packed one, only to see later at home that it has marks of pen prints near the top pocket. Apparently, it belonged to an executive manager who gave it to charity and it ended up on the shelves of the shop via the hands of cheats. If she was thinking of fooling her man, she should have married a novince Xeroow, not a seasoned rider. lol.

"And in you and in Colin Powell, Rice and your likes, the words of Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy on him) concerning "House Negroes" are confirmed." hmm, it seems he was just quoting malcolm X, I don't think that makes him a racist. This is being blow out of proportion.

We've had steady development and growth for the past ten years sxb despite the anarchy in the south. Remember before this TFG adventure, puntland was progressing on the right track. I don't think somali unity and a central somali government supported by all is viable option at this point in time. I believe a three state solution is the way forward.

lol. Which group do you put yourself under?

Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya -- Islamic insurgents already controlling most of southern Somalia now stand on the outskirts of the nation's capital, Mogadishu. Despite the presence of 20,000 Ethiopian troops for security, President Abdullahi Yusuf has stated that the government could collapse. And suspected Somali pirates repeatedly draw international attention for hijacking ships off the East African coast. Amid the chaos, Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein, part of the United Nations-recognized transitional government formed in 2004, sat down Tuesday with The Times to discuss the troubled Horn of Africa nation. President Yusuf says, "There is no government." How bad is it? We are very sorry to hear from the president that there is no government. Definitely there is. The parliament is there. The president is there. The federal institutions are still alive. Our top priority is the reconciliation process [implementation of a peace deal signed in August in Djibouti with a leading opposition faction]. We believe it is the key for peace in Somalia. Without this, chaos and lawlessness will continue. Why has the government allowed insurgents in recent weeks to recapture so much territory withoutsoldiers putting up a fight? We are trying to provide a secure environment, but there are difficulties. It's happening in an atmosphere of many problems. The internal crisis among top leaders is contributing. Once the crisis is solved, this will not be a big issue. The government, together with foreign troops -- the Ethiopian [support] troops and the [u.N.] troops -- will be able to stabilize the country. Are you worried that insurgents might attack Mogadishu? Absolutely not. Mogadishu is well protected. Insurgents appear divided into two groups: those joining the Djibouti reconciliation deal, led by former Islamic Courts chairman Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, and those rejecting it, including the Shabab militia responsible for recent attacks. Will these divisions hurt the peace process? Definitely the opposition has divided. As a result, today insurgents are coming from here and from there, trying to announce their existence by saying, "We are here. You cannot ignore us. Either make your process more inclusive or we will act." So I think this can be a manageable situation if the internal crisis of the government can be resolved. Are you prepared to sit down with Shabab leaders or Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, an influential Islamist who has rejected peace talks and whom the U.S. has accused of supporting terrorism? Our doors are open for peace and reconciliation. We are not excluding anyone to join us. What about those people the U.S. considersterrorists or who have pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda? Well, terrorists will not join us. The people linked to terrorists are using innocent young people, by offering them money. We have to do our best to attract these young people and create for them a secure environment with jobs and training. Some would like to see Sharif, who was often called a moderate inside the Islamic alliance that briefly controlled southern Somalia in 2006, become prime minister. Are you prepared to step down? I've repeated many times that my position as prime minister is not important. I'm ready to step down when it is in the interest of the country. Do you think Yusuf should step down? Yes, I agree that the president remains the problem of this country. If the transitional institutions are not delivering, it is because of the obstacles our president is creating. Instead of leading us to peace and stability, he wants to keep the country a hostage of the current situation. Is that why the government has failed to accomplish any of the key benchmarks established under its charter, such as a new constitution, an election commission, election laws and a census? The election is scheduled for next year. The constitution draft is almost ready. The process is continuing, but slow because of the crisis. What role will Islamic law or Sharia play in the new constitution? Sharia is very important in Somalia. The Somali people are 100% Muslim and believe normal life is based on Sharia. So our constitution will be based on Sharia law. Any article in the constitution not in line with Sharia law will be null and void. How strict an interpretation do you envision and how will you balance that with human rights? For example,will a woman accused of adulterybe stoned? I think there would not be any problem because the constitution respects human rights and Sharia respects human rights. So would a woman be stoned? No, no. I don't want to anticipate any points on that. This I leave for the constitutional experts engaged in the draft. It will be submitted to the population and they will be the ones deciding.

Layzie G I don't care for yey, what gave you the idea that I would care if he dies or not? That being said, let's tell the truth. Personally think his death might be a blessing in disguise for puntland. That being said, Abdullahi Yusuf has been a remarkable leader perhaps too ambitious,he was decorated for bravery in 1977 war, was part of the first somali rebel movement that was responsible for ousting the dictatorship of barre. And clearly was willing to govern somalia and be a fair leader if given the chance. As the somali proverb goes Gaal dil, gartiisana sii.