Good read, this piece does a great job illustrating how foreign interest is the root cause to many of the problems facing poor Africa.

^It's becoming more obvious by the day.

By: Mohamud Ahmed maash68@gmail.com Ethiopian Army killed and injured civilians in Balanbal district, Central Somalia, an incident believed to have connections to gas and oil exploration pursued by Melez government in the ****** and extended to the border with Somalia. Similar incident took place in the town several months ago where the Ethiopian Army murdered and maimed more than dozen people including three prominent Maraehan clan chiefs. The action of the Ethiopian government is deeply rooted in their quest to exploit region’s mineral and oil reserves. As of now, Africa Oil and Cinmax (small mafia operandi organizations) are conducting Seismic tests in the ****** and the surrounding regions. In ******ia, in 2006, the rebel group ONLF in an ambush, attacked Chinese staffers who where drilling gas wells in the region. Nine Chinese and many Ethiopians where killed in the attack. However, unreported, the illegal mineral and oil exploitation undertaken by small unpopular corporations under the pretext of economic development, caused civilians in those regions to suffer. In the Balanbal situation, Ethiopian Army is engaged in an active war in the reserve area (Somalia-Ethiopia border) with the border inhabitants to displace thousands of people in order to reach its goal which is: to steal natural resources of the people of ****** and neighboring, unprotected reserve area. In the Africa Oil website, ongoing projects in the Ogeden and Puntland autonomous state are presented ready to view. The partners in the deal are the Melez administration in Ethiopia, Puntland Regional Government, African Oil and its subsidiaries. Often oil schemes involve cash handouts to the willing partners under the guise of operational costs. Masterminds like Africa Oil, market their schemes on their website openly, even go as far as demonstrating their strategy towards sharing operational costs with external companies just serving them promissory note to ascertain future revenue shares. It is a dangerous undertaking since the civilians in those regions are mere subjects who have no say whatsoever. For example, in Central Africa country of Congo, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been uprooted from their homelands under the curtain of development projects. Africa Oil and the like are out there to scavenge unprotected resources of smaller nations with no legitimate governments present. resource exploitation project has also sparked intensive war between Puntland government and the defenders of the Sanaag Natural Resources. In that confrontation alone, 90 people have been reported killed and hundreds wounded. Communities’ only food sources–farms and wells–have been set ablaze or poisoned. Africa oil in collaboration with President Abdirahman Farole of Puntland, has delivered its final verdict on these communities. President Farole ( Africa Oil Partner), first ordered people to leave their homes or face the impossible, then, a week later he gave the army ‘green light’ to invade Galgala some 60km from Bosaso. And though the military initially captured the town, operations have been seized temporarily after the Puntland Army lost many soldiers. No one knows what is to follow. Te end, in the light of the recent displacements of viable communities in Central Africa and the ongoing onslaught in Galgala and Balanbal, the international community has the obligation to step in: 1) Provide protection to the civilians in the cross fire. 2) Ban the stolen resources and Africa Oil’s trade activities. Indeed, Africa Oil’s self incriminating reports indicate for the foreseeable future, they will continue hunting for unprotected resources, whilst depriving the people of their God given rights to the resources. If the world does not do anything and continuous to watch unprovoked, Nigeria’s Delta region like resistance–unstoppable–will pop up in many places of Africa and Asia.

"Puntland is a very weak administration and if it loses the military initiative, there is a strong fear that it will have a southern-like scenario," said Rashid Abdi, a Somali expert with the International Crisis Group. "Its forces are better organized than those of the Transitional Federal Government in Mogadishu. But they can't withstand alone a determined insurgency for a long time." The warlord wants the administration to dismantle the U.S.-backed Puntland Intelligence Service and to apply Islamic law in the region. Abdi says Atom "is hijacking a long running local feeling of marginalization," a situation where some clans feel locked out of the running of the state's affairs. Atom's Warsengali clan cited that lack of consultation between government and clans when they took arms up against security forces in 2006 to object to a plan to conduct surveys in the mineral-rich area of Gal Gala. Much better coverage than earlier ones. It seems as if the SSDF agendas are being unmasked by the day.

Originally posted by Libaahe*: quote:Originally posted by Land_Soldier: "Puntland faced al Shabaab." Puntland soldier and it leader were kicked out of Muqdisho and have run for their lives for Al Shabaab years ago; Puntland cant even stop pirates; Puntland cant even stop human traficking; Puntland cant even get 1 city (Galkacyo) under its full control; Puntland lost a hole region (Sool) in a couple of weeks; Puntland is not even present in a region that it claims(Sanaag); Puntland cant even secure a village 30 KM from its largest city because of one man; Half of the cabinet and the VP is wearing a Tuute and are going to war to secure a village; Who are you trying to convince? That is deep.. Sadly all true, the SSDF enclave failed miserably.

Great news: Thanks for the update.

Originally posted by Xaji_Xunjuf: Duke we all know this is a war against the Maakhir people and their resources in western bari now you can hide it and say puntland is in danger and hide behind the terrorist card But the last 3 weeks we have heard allot form the maakhir diaspora as well as inhabitants of hadaaftimo badhan and dhahar and western bari. The mass demonstrations against farooles administration so you see you don’t have the support of the Maakhir people in your war against them this is a rewind of what occurred in 2005. This totally depicts the situation on the ground in a nutshell.

Sackar we know that you’re Duke and you’re certainly getting more desperate by the minute. The fact that you have to create other user names to rally support is deluding you even more. Adeer no need to spell out names on this forum. Gallad is certainly right, Ilka Jiir was deployed from the diaspora and was financially supported by his clan, and thus representing his clan interest was his immediate responsibility. I agree on it being a nonesense article that burdens Ilka Jirr with a responsibility he was not appointed for. The man is the interior minster for PL not his clan. To expect him to favour his clan and lookout for their interests cancels out the whole point of his role (and of PL). After the election, Makhiri’s held a meeting in Garowe and pronounced him to be the political leader of the clan, a responsibility that he accepted. Other leaders who held posts in the SSDF administration voluntarily stepped down as a direct order from clan elders who were hopeful of the Generals arrival. The fact that a large sum of cash was raised for the general, and he accepted the responsibility is what distinguishes the general from other Makhir leaders in the SSDF Enclave. Duke or Sackar (what ever username you would like to be called), JVA alliance resulted in a mutual benefit, whereas the single clan administration yielded a bargaining chip for your clan. don't pretend to care more than this leadership and more than the average Puntlander lol what is an average Puntlander? Adeer stop trying to hi-jack my identity; your hypocrisy is quite sickening. Puntland = your clan I’m a Makhiri under the Mogadishu umbrella.

Is Atam really giving the whole clan(SSDF) nightmares? Xuux, adeer hold yours and stop dropping unnecessary tears.

The revolution has begun

Click on the link below to listen to the interview: http://www.dhahar.com/article.php?articleid=9533

Gudoomiyaha ardeyda Maakhir ee dalka India oo cambaareeyey dagaalada ka socda deegaanka Galgala. India (SPR): Gudoomiyaha ardeyda Maakhir ee dalka India Siciid Cabdi Cabdalle ayaa waxaa uu cambaareeyey maamulka Faroole iyo dagaalada ka socda deegaanka galbeedka Bari, isla markaana ugu baaqey umada Soomaaliyeed in ay nabada xoojiyaan. Eng. Siciid ayaa sheegay in ay tahay wax laga xumaado dadka deegaanka ah oo la barakiciyey iyo beeraha la gubey. Isagoo dhaliisha dusha ka saarey maamulka Puntland. Hoos ka dhagayso

^lol "If wishes were horses, then beggers would ride."

Thanksful: lol I'm sure dhahar.com appreciates it's fans.

Thanksful: Did you even look up what an editorial is? As usual, fascist clan worshippers (SSDF) are the only radicals criticizing this well argued piece. The fact that a quantative error, which is insignificant as far as the overall message intended to convey, Is your strongest attack to this piece says a lot about its quality. Your geting migraines from the fact that Galgala is in Western Bari, don’t blame Xudedi, blame the former Somali national government. The intention was to teach the community, that they too are important and can hold their leaders accountable. It's funny the only editorials debated on SOL are Makhiri's. Write or is Faroole son's gibberish the best SSDF can present.

Western Bari region includes Galgala, Ceel Daahir, Balikhadar, Karin, Jingada, Afurur, Maraje, Madarshoon, Laag, etc. Galgala is fairly a large in contrast to some of the towns appointed as districts in the SSDF side of Bari, yet Ilka Jiir as the interior minister has failed to implement the demands of his constituency. Northern Mudug is not a region and the SSDF constituency accounts for only 1 ½ of the original 5 districts the region had. Thus, Western Bari exists so long as Mudug exists. To deny the existence of a community is a desperate man’s tactic.

Desperate Sakhar, or shall I say our good old Duke is spotted double dealing. Your arguments are very weak as usual. Western Bari is a region that shares affiliation with Sanaag and Haylaan, just like Northern Mudug, it’s a region that differentiates itself from the wider Bari region due to the clan make-up of it’s inhabitants. The same way u have north mudug you have western bari if you know what I mean Same men (SSDF), who labeled Galgala as part of Sanaag are very disappointed to acquire that Somali’s are informed.

Puntland and its cabal leadership are notorious for smearing terrorist allegations on their political foes in order to seek or grab funds from the international community and complete the unfinished prospecting task of mineral and oil exploration rights left by Brigadier Gen. Mohamed Muse Hirsi (Ade). President Faroole declared an unjust war on the people of western Bari under the guise of the war on terror. Obviously, he manipulated the world media and its cottage industry of Islamophobia--a disturbing trend that recklessly ignores human rights and renders the ethics of journalism meaningless. Just like the heydays of Communism in the 70s, Islam as a sacred religion of more than 2 billion people around the world is a hot commodity and the boogeyman of global media and politics. Many regional analysts do not understand the root cause of the Galgala conflict; it is quite a complex issue that requires prudent understanding about the policies of Puntland's incompetent administration, its corrupt leaders and their pervert aspirations to dream beyond their wildest imagination. The root cause of the Galgala and environs is about an outstanding land dispute, ancient clan feuds, controversial mineral and oil exploration deals that PL had signed with foreign companies (Range and Africa Oil), and the harsh policies and the imbalanced structure of Puntland Intelligence Services, a notorious, independent security organization backed by the West.

Very beutiful, maasha'alaah

No wonder they didn’t write their name! Do you even know what an editorial is? Junior Cadde M waa wareeray

Thanksful: As usual, your silly nonsense will be disregarded. I posted this on SOL for those who can intellectually comprehend the message of the editorial. Your complain yesterday was that Makhiri’s are not criticizing their leaders, here you go. Given, however, this sketchy description, Gen. Ilka-jir's is now hanging loosely from a steep rise whilst his hands are all stretched and burdened with unbearable weight. He is currently embroiled in dissensions within his own political community over the direction of their destiny against the plots and political intrigues of his intemperate boss, Farole--the fox in charge of the henhouse. The generals support for policies intended to suppress his community indeed damaged his reputation.

This editorial is nothing more than a healthy critique intended to guide Makhiri leaders and inform leaders of tomorrow that giving service to their constituency will indeed empower them. Ilka Jiir is a leader and leaders can make mistakes, nevertheless it’s the constituency’s job to hold its leaders accountable. This is a very well written editorial from an outlet with a reputation of promoting the General. As a politician, your value is determined by the feelings and thoughts of those you represent. Dhahar.com is an independent outlet that operates with respect to international media guidelines in relevance to the community it services. To those who bash the site for clan purposes, I challenge you to show a competing outlet that can match this profound editorial.

DhaharOnline Editorial August 17, 2010 Gen. Abdullah Jama Ilka-Jir's life, rank and oeuvres are marked by impressive and laudable achievements. His long military career as the head of the Directorate of Operations of the Somali National Army (SNA) adds another layer of sophistication to his important career, a feat to be had over aspiring political light-weights--or should I say the scavengers--of Somalia's current misery and destructive trajectory. He was seen as a perfect full moon that can lift up that curtain of darkness hanging over Somalia. As an Interior Minister of the State of Puntland, Gen. Abdullah has displayed both excellence in disputation and skills in conflict resolution methods. On one occasion, adorned with highly trained entourage, Gen. Abdullah had traversed steep, into inaccessible remote villages of Bari region of Puntland, to preside over, rather successfully, outstanding long clan feuds that had earlier cost many lives. The peace mission he delegated for the warring parties in Ufeyn district depicted him as a man of peace. Given, however, this sketchy description, Gen. Ilka-jir's is now hanging loosely from a steep rise whilst his hands are all stretched and burdened with unbearable weight. He is currently embroiled in dissensions within his own political community over the direction of their destiny against the plots and political intrigues of his intemperate boss, Farole--the fox in charge of the henhouse. Official Somalia Map pointing to Ethnic/Clan majority political entities [source: The Rand Corporation] It is not easy to forget the eventful days when thousands of Somali nationalists who hail from Sanaag, Haylan, and Western Bari regions across north America and Europe had cheered for him, assuming that the veteran statesman will be able to mobilize and organize his vast constituency behind one political banner for self-governance whilst preserving the concept of Somali unity. For the first time ever since the departure of the Great Sultan, there was a clear and widely acknowledged consensus among the people of Makhir that they have at last chosen a single, charismatic and decisive leader. The generals’ both kin and kith and the educated class in the Diaspora had expressed their hope and deep concerns to the new leader. They reiterated the importance of peace with our neighbors, internal stability, coordination of economic and public health initiatives, lasting unity, and securing our fair share of aid and development from the international organizations such as the World Bank, UN-HABITAT and UNDP. The latter had allotted program developments for the Sanaag Region in their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for SOMALIA, for instance projects for building roads and ports. The fact that these important global institutions recognize that no society, community or nation can alone deal with development issues of growing urbanization, income disparity, and global healthy issues in isolation should have alarmed Gen. Abdullah, his aide and close associates of the need for an immediate test-drive or set-up of an administration program in Maakhir Territory that can fill in service gaps while at the same time serving the important role as a reliable partner for the international community and its purveyors of world democracy, trade and stability. The precipitous decline of the general in the eyes of his community was no co-incident but a calculated political action from his historic rivals. In retrospect, Gen. Abdullah's bid to dice Brigadier Gen. Mohamed Muse Hirsi was prevented by forces beyond his means to manage despite an impressive electoral platform and a huge financial sacrifice. It was also interesting move for Gen. Abdullah to block Sanaag politicians from contesting the House Speaker post. Not only was it a good game of political strategy in the likelihood of defeating his rival candidate in the run-up to the presidential election of Puntland, it also paved the way for the first time a politician from Goldogob district of Mudug region to win the second most powerful post, the President of the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, Gen. Abdullah was too naïve to realize that the electoral system of Puntland was structurally formed in a way that excludes the people of Sool and Sanaag from ever contesting the presidential seat. The people of Sool had actually settled with that notion of Puntland's uneven political structure, but Gen. Abdullah (Sanaag and Haylan) having born with the pride and the prejudice of the long line of Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire's royal dynasty decided to challenge that ossified power-sharing system of Puntland head-on and break it through. It was to no avail and the surprise outcome of Mr. Farole prevailing over the reputed Gen. Ilka-jir rudely shocked, and rather deservingly, those who had been deluded by the ***** solidarity and brotherhood. Following that unceremonious electoral defeat, Makhir elders held a closed session in Garowe and unanimously came up with a final verdict that crowned the general as the supreme political leader of the entire Makhir community. It was the right decision and the perfect time for the general to create a vision, a long-term goal and a governing model which will help his people track the progress of their regions, not to mention the uplifting spirit that would result from such a dream. Nevertheless, he was oblivious to the responsibilities and leadership requirements that came with such great power. After three years in his tenure as the interior minister of Puntland, he has yet to create a viable administration in Sanaag, Haylan (Highland), and Western Bari. Based on reliable sources, the general arrived in SHWB on a number of few occasions including and during Somaliland's much-taunted democratic "one man, one vote" presidential election. This rare and irregular visit for politicians to their homeland only when the need arises is an art perfected by Ilka-jir's predecessors. That he would follow the same path is disheartening phenomenon and a dark stain on his clean shirt. The rare and irregular visits of his home state also prove his inability to lead a community that is dreadfully in need of self-governing regional entity. Of course, he needs all the help he can get, but without the political drive, will and dedication on his part, Diaspora assistance in terms of material and expert knowledge would be woefully inadequate or totally absent. As for the dismal political environment of Galgala and environs portray to us, Gen. Abdullah became a biddable tool that spearheaded an ethnic cleansing campaign under the pretext of the war on terror against the same people who had campaigned for him during his presidential campaign. Puntland and its cabal leadership are notorious for smearing terrorist allegations on their political foes in order to seek or grab funds from the international community and complete the unfinished prospecting task of mineral and oil exploration rights left by Brigadier Gen. Mohamed Muse Hirsi (Ade). President Faroole declared an unjust war on the people of western Bari under the guise of the war on terror. Obviously, he manipulated the world media and its cottage industry of Islamophobia--a disturbing trend that recklessly ignores human rights and renders the ethics of journalism meaningless. Just like the heydays of Communism in the 70s, Islam as a sacred religion of more than 2 billion people around the world is a hot commodity and the boogeyman of global media and politics. Many regional analysts do not understand the root cause of the Galgala conflict; it is quite a complex issue that requires prudent understanding about the policies of Puntland's incompetent administration, its corrupt leaders and their pervert aspirations to dream beyond their wildest imagination. The root cause of the Galgala and environs is about an outstanding land dispute, ancient clan feuds, controversial mineral and oil exploration deals that PL had signed with foreign companies (Range and Africa Oil), and the harsh policies and the imbalanced structure of Puntland Intelligence Services, a notorious, independent security organization backed by the West. General Ilkajiir has failed as a national leader due to his desire, perhaps, to sacrifice long-term goals over a short-term personal interest. This is a conflict of interest between him and his larger stakeholders. He should have been an exemplary leader whose determination to either challenge the status quo and reform a system in which the culture of impunity, of crude political paternalism, is rampant or initiate a new self-administering goal that puts the last nail in the coffin of the false claims of "disputed regions". Source: DhaharOnline

^adeer your confused. An independent Makhir administration is the only solution in those regions coined as "disputed." Repeated offenses from both clan enclaves will in the long term birth the said administration.

^ Good point