We should give it a chance, I agree that in principle, but to silently allow a wrong-headed policy or unworkable resolution model to persist is tantamount to Guatanamo Bay prison getting continued endorsement and support. This is what we need to get it, in post-cold war world, direct political engagement in the quest for a long-term solution by the west has been relegated and supplanted with this policy of sub-regional conflict management. Ethiopia and Kenya receive over &2 billion of non-humanitarian aid package to work towards resolving their internal as well as the Somalia issue. But how can Ethiopia with its ulterior motives be the impartial arbiter of our own internal problems? Why not help Somalia just like Kosovo? Hard to answer! The Arab League have challenged it and proved to be quite successful in some areas-the forestalling of the partition of Somalia. As the West obviates, for the moment, the need to invest or seek active and direct political engagement in the continent, Ethiopia ruled by a minority Christian elite will still call the shots and be the arbiter of our created problems. Nigeria in the west and South Africa in the south are other examples, though SA promotes rather than suppress human rights due to its long-Apartheid history. Fortunately China's interest in Africa might reverse it but that's not going to happen in the near future as China is still a developing economy.

Duke, Indha-Ade is a spoiler in the grand scheme of things. In fact he is a proxy for the proponents of a secular form of Government. This in turn dilutes the relative social services and security bolstered under the Islamic administrations. We shouldn't however allow the likes of IndhaAde degrade and dilute their records and the better intentions of their vision for Somalia. The whole formation of the Islamic Party is to accentuate and speed up the break up and division of Al-Shabaab under the familiar divide and rule policy.

Lazie, I don't know if Sharrif occupies any lofty postion than his predecessor? Shariif's tenure is limited but think of the political consequences as to how his endorsement of the same top model Agreement, with Ethiopia being mandated to be the sub-regional conflict management of Somalia, would hastily bring different results. Just as Nigeria had a big role in the Liberia's political and social crisis, Ethiopia do and has pursued similar policies in Post-cold war world under the mandate of sub-regional conflict management. The names of tribal organizations/acronyms might sound different with a glee of excitement and attitude, but nothing has changed as Ethiopia views supporting political actors and groups it perceives will advance her own interest that prevents the emergence of a Government in Somalia that defies its present day division and mistrust.

What is wrong with Implementing Islamic form of rule in Somalia along with its attendant benefits that eliminates all the underlying causes of conflict perpetrated by the rump tribally conceived states, warlordism, nepotism and favoritism. Neither do the west nor the Ethiopians--under the mandate of sub-regional conflict management nor the double-edged AU have your best interest of your country at heart. Islam preserves us and shields our nation from perpetual war and conflict. We shall never let the media brainwash our view of Islam or brand Grassroots movement with labels they manufactured designed to demonize oppressed groups/society fighting for justice and self-governance.

Beautiful song. Is it new, Xidigo?

Conditions on the ground do worsen by the minute. Source: AP---- Feb 22, 2009 MOGADISHU, Somalia – Gunmen kidnapped a Pakistani man in a semiautonomous region of northern Somalia that is notorious for kidnappings and piracy, and insurgents attacked an African Union base in the capital Sunday, officials said. The man was kidnapped from his car about 20 miles (30 kilometers) south of the port of Bossaso, said Muse Gelle, governor of the Bari region in Puntland. He was traveling to a farming project where he was working, Gelle said. His name and employer were not immediately known. Separately, insurgents in Somalia's restive capital, Mogadishu, fired mortar shells at the African Union peacekeeping base there, officials said. There was no immediate word on casualties, said Maj. Gen. Francis Okello, the AU's peacekeeping force commander. The AU force in Mogadishu has a restricted mandate guarding key government installations and has not been involved in a lot of the violence in the capital during which thousands of civilians have been killed over the past two years. But hardline groups have viewed it as an occupying force. Al-Shabab, an extremist Islamic group, has threatened to focus its attacks on AU troops now that Ethiopian troops, who had been on a two-year deployment, have left Mogadishu. The U.S. State Department considers al-Shabab a terrorist organization linked to al-Qaida, something the group has denied. The departure of the Ethiopians has raised fears of a power vacuum at a time when Somalia is also facing rampant piracy off its coast. The country has not had a functioning government since 1991. ___ Associated Press writer Anita Powell contributed to this report from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Anbar, the decision to marginalize a major ethnic group was a very calculated and a narrow political and economic agenda. So far, two ministers have resigned and many will follow suit. We shall see if Puntland does indeed genuinely represent the political rights of a whole group. I am sure it's swayed by the selection of Cabdirashid for the Premier and thus far it has kept its golden silence. We shall see if this current arrangement would appease one group and restore the long-awaited law and order.

Another one resigned as it's in the news. The P.M seems to be a naïve puppet. I doubt that he had much of a thinking into the selection of the Cabinet appoitnments.

As I predicted, one sub-clan seems to dominate the Cabinet posts. It's a zero sum game as usual.

For a government to work effectively, it has to to be able to exact taxation and control key resource engines. It's hard to expect the flow of sufficient funds, from the backers of the TFG, the bulk of which would end up in the hands of our unaccountable system. LST is right.

If I to render unsolicited advice here, it's better to have critics than loyal friends who nod all the time unless you love to stand pat. But Marx, you need to soften and carefully balance your choice of words--politically-incorrect-holier-than-thou attitude. On Somali unity, rather than drawing a big picture out of a narrowly conceived political goal--and convey it--seperate and justified to exericise legitimate monopoly of violence , must you tend to interlocking concepts that appeal to your audiences--both observers and responders. Whatever happened to the SL Defense force soon to be deployed to seal the "borders?" lol

I laughed about it. LINK

Domestic violence is widespread and is not attributable to any relgion or race but what I fail to understand is the mean-spirited info that the self-styled human rights orgs and the media spew daily on Muslims and their faith in general. Why do they spread animosity and misconception about Islam? What is their parochial goal? They never get tire of it. Haneefah, do a personal research on domestic violence in Muslim and Christian nations? Or the Women issue. It's to defend your faith from these wolves. To the victim, may Allah take her to the Gardens of Naciima.

Let me quote a paragraph by Micheal Hamilton Morgan in his book Lost History European attraction to Muslim technology and intellect, and fear of Muslim power and religion, would mark the relationship between Europeans and Muslims all the way into the Renaissance and beyond. It would not change until Europe became the global imperial power in the 16th century, and the Muslim golden ages wound to a close. Then a Eurocentric rewriting of history would expunge the greatness of the Muslim golden ages and exclusively credit Europeans for creating modern mathematics, astronomy, medicine, science, technology, statecraft, and a humane pluralistic society"

Paragon, that is the Maakhirian call to all Somali regions, but emphasize the need to avoid committing vice in alliance with your perceived friends.

Restore law and order in the Capital and the rest will follow suit.

Impressive piece by A&T. The Great Somali religious scholars have finally spoken out in support of Shariif and Sharmaake's blueprint for the restoration of peace and security. Sharrif promises to pontentially consider ways to dismantle the contraversial 4.5 structure in that its application has been of expediency, but once peace is restored all over Somalia, there will be regional, municipal and general elections held and the transition to a permenant Government. Wise thinking citizens have reiterated how unreasonable it is to imagine the possibility of Somalia where it's cut off from the rest of the world because assumimg the responsibility of a a de jure state entails the normal consequence of diplomatoc intercourse. We can be an Islamic state, yet be conciliatory,trade-oriented, hospitable and look to long-term solutions to an outstanding issues.

Lots of the comments forwarded by Cynical-lady elicit Eurocentric attitude. Man, I never knew the ordinary British were so ignorant and arrogant like Americans on TV. At least, the Americans are said to be very much decent and generous. But you would be surprised that David Pollock from Washington Institute would sound much preposterious, stubborn and uninformed on this debate, Inside Iraq--US spies on Iraqi neighbors. He is humiliated and shredded in this debate, Feb 13.

Originally posted by Juje: If I had a choice I will beyond doubt give it to none else than Siciid ofcourse, a well cultured, educated and above all a 'reer-Xamar' guy - but come on P/land you already have the PM position you can certainly assume to also take a high calibre cabinet position. The butlers are saying there is a good possibility that Siciid could be in Omar's cabinet but not in foreign affairs portofolio. Juje, since you are an insider, who do you think this portfolio would be given? It was held by Jengeli of Sool the last time I recall. Hobyo, Guricel, Gedo?

Originally posted by Sophist: Is the convention of ciyaalkii madaxda? Sharmaake, Qoorsheel, .......! Lool. if this turns to be true, it would be as you and others like Abtigiis & Tolka's uptake.

Gigi, you should not have quoted a low self-esteemed and dim-witted bigot just to make a point however bad it sounds. Nothing is worse than the one who lose his or her moral restraint and surrender to their passions like Beasts. This is what Micheal Hamilton Morgan, a former diplomat and author of The Twilight War stated in his latest book "Lost History" "In what is considered his farewell sermon, he also sets out some visionary and progressive concepts with which men will struggle for a thousand years to come, such as the following on racial and ethnic quality" All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white---except by piety and good action. Prophet Mahammed(PBUH)

Amin Amir has demonstrated his political support for the forceful partition of Somalia after he endorsed "Somaliland" and her claim over Sool and Sanaag. And his depiction of Puntland has been extremely HARSH and mostly false.

^like how?

JB, Whoever is appointed provided he is qualified and has good public reputation, I will support him or her. My goal is to identify structural pitfalls and the foreign factor and to put forth ideas for a long-term solution to our problems. As long as Shariif calls for peace and reconciliation, not only will he win the hearts and minds of his people but of the International community. He is willing to sit down and talk with key figures of Al-shabab and has promised to implement the Shariah, as the federal Constitution prescribes. Iam sure once they key figures agree to compromise and work with the TFG and Shariif, peace will just be around the corner. No group shall hold the people and country hostage.

Lol@ Che. Reer Xamar are tired of this protracted violence and anarchy. They yearn for peace and it will come InshaAllah.