Piracy and Al-shabab indeed forced the great powers to rethink their old policies of aiding Ethiopians who are extremely inferior to Somalis' drive, adventure, individualism, and strong faith in their capacity to do better and excell. What if the same ill-conceived policy were reversed in favor of Somalia? We would have overtaken East and Horn of Africa.

^at least you should exhaust all other avenues towards peace. Likewise, the Sherrif must reassure the Al-shabab's concern that he is not the Trojan horse to get rid of them before they start a rearguard action to fight and to prevent the attempt to absorbing them from happening. If Shariif, however proves to be imposing his own narrow political agenda, let him beware that he won't be able to perform better than his predecessors.

Thanks TheWayfarer for the post. The Golden Question supposes that all of his contenders aren't popular and credible enough to replace him except that they are seen as symbolic representatives of their respective sub-clans and are sending the signal of strong clan orientation to demand approval of their turn to rule by any means though Riyale does have the "legality" to run for a second term. Calling him a dictator or stooge won't change a bit. The structural foundation of "Somaliland" centers around the concept of Qabiil, but what is not deeply thought or discussed, along with other items on the table, is that the same principle is divisible to the lowest denominator. Therefore, It's manipulative, dirty and fraught with risk. Those elite clan from Berbera and "Sahil region" who have invested much into Riyale's ascendancy over the control of key resources won't simply give up to others as a gesture of good will and brotherhood. The clans in "Somaliland" and the Triangle are much more complicated in depth than the ones in Puntland. And they may not compromise this time ,which is quite worrisome enough for the fragile peace in the North.

We still support Maakhir State regardless of the Elders' stance. And it's still strives for a leader who set the stage for a complete change in the future, one who takes the dismal state with which the neighboring entities caused into its state of political affairs under serious consideration. A leader who is selfless and uses justice as the only device that measures morality and ethics, such that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Yeah he's still part of Maxkamadaha. Perhaps you can highlight for us the contradictions saxib?

The difference btw the two is that Yey was perceived to be divisive and contraversial in his past and the style of his communication; his request for a multinational troops deployment and his close ties with Ethiopia raised alarms among his political rivals that they embarked a rather effective war of words on him. Prior to the rise of Islamists, the warlords promised to collaborate and work with him but repeatedly wavered in their commitment. "Somaliland" was as well a major impediment to the progress of TFG because there was the sense of urgency that if his government miraculously restores a government of national union, it will definately derail their potential chances of constitutive recognition from enough countries hostile to Somalia's political independence. As a president of Puntland, Yusuf braught Las Anod and the rest of Sool by extension under his control. It wasn't until the Americans grudgingly decided and developed a concrete plan to support the TFG under the War on Terror doctrine and the rest led to the grim consequences we all wish it never had happened. Though I am no longer a big fan of the Top-down model of resolving Somalia's catastrophe, I hope his Excellency Shariif avoids taking the same risk of business as usual. Rather, he should be pragmatic and embody real change from the general perception that afflicts this nation.

Hope and Dreams are part of what sustains and drives our values to work together, learn, think, innovate, achieve and progress at a fair level. Puntlanders have the self-esteem definately. Keep it up.

Ibtisam, ciyaalka adi ma tababare u ah?

Thnx. Keep it coming.

Why disband the group this time?

Whilst it's remarkable that Sherrif is creating an amicable environment and calming down inter-state hostilities spawned by a long-standing grievances, I hope more of his next plan of action would be directed in building confidence measures among those opposed to his moderate platform derived from the principles of Islamic governance. Pragmatism thereof would sort of aid him wade through the muddy waters in Somalia and make his position solid and known because there's a growing public distrust that he's a closet puppet and many of his old allies voiced their concern and gave credit to the former president. I think it's Sheikh Aweis who said that Yusuf is more trustworthy than him. What you make of that, Dalmar?

Suldaan, I know you decided to compromise but if you don't turn to be a loyal opposition to your country's ills, remember you are not doing any good. Give it healthy criticism and be blunt about the administration's blunder. Upon knowing the illegal one year presidential extension, you have once vowed to give up "Somaliland" politics until Mr. Riyale resigns . I wonder if you still adhere to that declaration.

I like his PM to be either Prof. Gandhi or Ali A. Hersi. Esp Gandhi. The rest is hard to speculate

Ngonge and Me, peace is all that matters but I am afraid for that eventuality unless President Sheriff thinks hard to balance the conflicting demands both home and abroad. He must publicly announce that he will definately reform the 4.5 electoral system and promise everyone the laws of the land would not contravene the Supreme laws of Allah Ta'ala.

His Excellency Sheikh Shariif would be fine. Interim President, Mr. Sherif.

They were never taught about Islam as a socio-economic system of government or as legal principles that include a just economic system, codes of civil and criminal law, and a well balanced social order. With respect to the colonial legacy, a sudden revolution will result in an opposition with the populous and enormous criticism from the Diaspora. Your Excellency, you must implement the TFG constitution that you took the oath for, and increase your effort of Islamic law awareness through the educational system with respect to time Nicely Put but without a major amendment to the Constitution and declaratory Recognition of civil society and grass roots movement in every region, his administration would still fail short and might imitate the same bad policies of the grubby past.

Farole must recognize the President and help him "pacify" or work with Al-shabab provided he accepts Kitaabka in wax lagu maamulo & to have a future plan to abolish the 4.5 system. When asked if he retired from politics, Yusuf said: "If Al Shabaab attempts to attack Puntland, I will return to the country and I promise to eradicate them. Lol. I laughed hard. He' s still too resolute, too Machiavellian.

Originally posted by me: Asamara crew's position 5. We will not allow other countries to tell us how we should organize our society and government. . This is the only credible statement out of all and I must agree with it since it perfectly anchors my position towards the discredited top-down approach with total disregard of the need to seek the consent of the people. It also reminds me of the recent World Economic Forum when a senior funds manager and ecomomic advisor from Ghana (I reckon) was asked his views on the dismal status of the financial system and its systemic crisis and how any CEOs, finance ministers of developed countries or even executives of IMF and World Bank or major Corporations like AIG can't seem to spot the problem areas and what went wrong in lieu of imputing it to unverifiable causes and lack of sound regulation, he said this and he had a big round of applause by the way, that "Thank God, no one will lecture us again how to run our economy.

Originally posted by rudy-Diiriye: western folks have no clue who is got the african folks heart.. they think that they can force there choice on us! didnt work before and it will never work. we are 2 smart to know whats happening and whos there dawg of war! . well said rudy.

I heard a rumor that when Sheriff, Aweis and their circles were fleeing in the swamped mangroves and jungles of Jubooyinka, somehow they were precisely air striked for a number of times. Then one of the armed men known for his bravery and honesty got suspicious and ordered the men to drop all their cell phones on a white rectangular piece of cloth. Upon hearing the roar and urgency, sheriff retreated with his cell and disappeared all of a sudden. So he hitched a small pick-up truck headed to Afmadow district and asked the strange driver to transport him to Wajeer, Kenya promising him driver a huge amount of rent money. He made it to the place and surrendered himself to the Kenyan law enforcement and was soon transfered to a secret area in Nairobi where he met CIA officers. His opponents allege that was the time that exposed Sheriff's deal with the secret agents. Credible story there but I refuse to believe its veracity or truthfullness; there's definately something fishy about the new selected President.

Originally posted The sentiment of D-clan's lesser impact in monopolizing the violence in the South was echoed by a Ugandese General on Reuters. So there's a widespread consensus that Shabaabs are made up entirely of the H-block and that empowering it would indeed strangle the raging spread of the so called extremists. This is basically to strip Shabaabs of its social base, the pipeline of the resistance's lifeblood. And that has been the overriding case. And the fact that a series of reports from influential think-tanks have leaked the rumor that the TFG were predominantly structured around the D-clan and its leadership helped expedite the next course of action in accordance with America's shift of foreign policy from hard to soft power or a combination of both. However will the new experiment at the expense of unity and reconciliation work to deprive Shabaabs of its popular support or it will prove again there's no match for the Great Revolution. Check this Press release posted on AllPuntland. Basically it's what I said in the above quotation. AllPuntland Jan 30, 2008

U wlc Blessed

U wlc. I just had this great admiration for our past and we must remember it.

My choice is Bur'o or Hargeisa man

THe most interesting time of Maxamed Cabdalle Naalleeye(Afdhaal), a valor and gifted poet whom many believed to be a nonpariel in many aspects of the good character traditionally known to Somali people was when he fall in love with the daughter of King Nur Isman Hawadane who at the time was the regent and care taker of the monarchy of the deceased Mohamuud Yusuf. Late Yusuf had a son but was still too young to qualify for the position of his father . Therefore, Afdhal rode his Horse known as BARA-ROOB to Baargaal, the seat of the Kingdom to court the women he loved and to betroth her eventually. He was accompanied by a number of horse riders from his sub-clan. Upon arrival, the warrior was greeted with wrenching news; Nur's daughter he traveled the long distance has been married to a wealthy man in Bander Ziada (Qow), 15 k.m west of Bander Qasim (Bosaso), unfortunately. The girl whose real name was Caasha Dhuux ina Boqor was a top-notch in all the dimensions of Quruxda Haweenka , had lush and longer silky hair that used to sparkle like a diamond and that with serene and wavelength motion fall , according to the convention, down to her waist. And when she snaps her glistening smile, it's like your heart is plucked from its sheeth. Very attractive woman. This is what Afdhaal said on his back to Qaw angry with the news. * Nin waliba hal buu leeyahoo hebed u maalaaye * Halabtii guduudneyd ninkeer gaawe u hogeystay * Haddaan hoogayey kugu danbayn hoorri baan ahaye The lucky man, Ali Hassan had heard of Afdhal's coming and was prepared to have him as a honourable guest firstly to propotiate him lest he decide to contrive a plot to kill him and to show him a great display of his wealth. Therefore he had a large banquet with Afdhal and his men. Indeed their bleak eyes, uncomly appearance from the long and testing times of the expedition, libs parched by thirsty and definately hunger like a lion, Ali hence assumed by welcoming Afdhaal to his town was enough to strike the beginning of a long friendship or at least dampen whatever that was simmering beneath the surface . But he underestimated Afdhaal's intentions who was as determined as to avenge the tragic loss of Caasho Dhuux to what he probably felt was a weak Urbanite. During feasting, Afdhaal turned down to drink a can of camel milk given to him. Asking himself what was the need of drinking milk from the camel you are about to plunder very soon. He bid farewell to one of his friends in Qaw and commenced a long ride to the Plateau of Carmaale. He planned to map out the strike and the route on which the booty would be conveyed. In few weeks, the town was besieged and Afdhaal marched in but avoided to inflict any damage to those who resisted his advance. He captured Ali Hassan and held him as a prisoner. After the brief clash, Colkii Afdhaal began their journey back to Xadeed with their booty. However, on the way, he set Ali free and told him to get back to his wife. Someone asked sarcastically if the camels were some sort of traditional gift or blood compensation(perhaps for his loss --the girl that happened not to be his wife). He smirked and composed this abridged poem. * Mar haddaan habkii gobanimiyo waayey hilinkeeda * Hanbadiyo ma aan sugo maryaha loo horreyn jireye * Sida haniye bay iga tihiyo hilibka quudheede * Iyaduna haween bay aheyd iyo heybta dumareede * Hangal iyo lamaan rabo iney hibisho ooydaaye * Kol haddaanu haasaawi karin waa hagoog baraye * Heeryada iney saarataan hebel u sii daayey And on his way to the final destination, he composed this one giving information and to celebrate his victory and commit to memory 7 coastal towns he passed on his way settled by reerkiisa. * Ma todoba magaalaan maroo laygu taban taabshey * Nin tollaa badhaadhee maxaa toogo lay qumiyey * Tabcadaan aqoon jirey miyaan niman taraarsiiyey * Ma tagoogadaan kala heloo biixi kala tuurey * Ma tumaatidii baan wax badan tudhay awoodayda * Ma Calaan taxaabaha geshoo gawrac kala tiiday * Ma taraarihii faraska baan tooyo ku xabbaadhey * Togoxroor miyaa loogu qalay qaalin talalaysa * Intaan qaybsigii tegin miyaa lay tusmo hagaajey * Ma labaatan baa lay tirshoon hore u taataantay * Ma tigaadii gebi bay cuntoo gaawe laga tuujey * Ma turraa ku qooqoo hadduu goojo wada tiicey * Ma ahaatey taan doonayiyo tabalahaygiiye * Geel maalin baa lagu tabcaa tiginkii maw dhaabay * Nin tollaa badhaadhee maxaa toogo lay qumiyey -Cell