Originally posted by Thierry: AP nice one Camiir no Hypocrisy from the good sheikh mate he is speaking the truth. Shabbaab are a problem in Somalia and their agenda is different from that of the UIC What is their agenda? AP sees things form a different perspective. I don't think he understands the complexity of these groups and their refashioned names.

Do you see now why Eritrea is fighting a proxy war in Somalia? Is Eritrea helping Somalia or utlizing our country to its own national security interest?

Kampala, Nov 30, 2007 (The Monitor) -- BURUNDI peace keepers are deploying in Somalia in two weeks time to bolster the pacification efforts by the Ugandan contingent, the UPDF Chief of Training and Operations, Brig. Silver Kayemba has said. "In a fortnight's time, Burundi's peace keepers will be deploying in Somalia," Brig. Kayemba said at the award of French language diplomas to 24 UPDF officers yesterday. The ceremony took place at Mr Rene Forceville, the French ambassador's Residence in Kampala. For six years several UPDF officers have been attending French classes organised for them every year by the French Embassy. Within the sphere of bilateral co-operation, Ugandan officers are regularly sponsored and sent to international military schools for peace keeping such as Koulikoro (Mali) and Thies (Senegal), a statement from the embassy said. It added other officers attend courses for specialised army officers in Paris, Montpellier, Strasbourg, and Montlouis (France). Brig. Kayemba said some of yesterday's graduands in French may be deployed to help the UPDF interact with the Burundi contingents. Burundi, a French speaking country has promised to provide over 1700 troops but they have been delayed for logistical purposes. French Defence attache, Lt. Col. Pascal Bayle, said UPDF officers need to study French because the eastern neighbours are French speakers and the forces will be more involved in multinational operations. Having been in Mauritius, which is a bilingual country, it was a "real opportunity" especially in Africa to master French and English. Ambassador Forceville said it was an opportunity for troops especially in Africa in the curriculum of cadet officers. A training session of French lessons is currently going on at Gaddaffi Barracks in Jinja for the UPDF officers. The lectures are given by a French teacher who will be in Uganda for nine months. The levels taught range from the 1st level to the third level (B1 - becoming an independent user) which enables the officer to attend and interact in a French speaking military course. The diplomas delivered are official qualifications awarded by the French Ministry of Education. Source: The monitor

The author has understandably failed to exercise restraint for his emotions, but overall the writer has a point. It takes the support of every Somali clan in the region to decide for the future and destiny of the Somali Region in Ethiopia. If you put yourself in the opponents’ shoes, you will see that the armed struggle for freedom and independence in the name of one dominant group has no substantive goal. Yet for the opponent, it is like different means of achieving the same end, so their position is realistically clear as the struggle has achieved little. I would think that all the Somali people in the region to convene all of their elders, politicians, and scholars, in a major reconciliation conference supported by the U.N. and the Diaspora, resolve their own internal problems, and then decide what is best for their future. I understand how hard it is to achieve that goal of solidarity and unity under the dictates of an imposing administration, but to cement the relationship of the Somalis in the region is the best alternative to the resort of violence by one group.

Farxaan, the old man has been rational and reasonable in his approach of the dire situation. He was giving out historical perspective as to the conflict in Somalia as well as the hypocritical stance of those in Asmara However, I don't know if you have paid attention to their exchanges of views and questions. Asked why would he lend support to Hussein Aideed the man who profited from the sale of water from the river through coercive method and systematic killings, the so called Prof. justified in his answer that it was the cumulative product of the 21 Years rule of Siyaad Barre that led many like Hussein Aideed and himself to see the power struggle in different light, in clannish grievances, and that whatever he or his colleagues did or has done is justifiable. Before this above analysis, he was praising Barre's Government prior to the 'civil' war, saying that it was a good Somali government that was irretrievably lost by our people. I don't understand the proponents for the anti-peace objectives vs. the TFg; anti-government squad has been very irrational in their approach of the Somali Dispute, not to mention exploiting the fake nationalist fervor as a means of consolidating moral support and impunity to their reckless adventures.

Debate by MP Asharo and Prof. A.rahman SomaliTV http://www.somalitvinternet.com/ Later, it gets out of control. Mineapolis:-Dood xiisa leh oo dhex martay xildhibaan Mudane Cawad Ahmed Cashare iyo Prof. A/rahman Ibbi. Wafuud ka kala socota dowladda federalka soomaaliyeed iyo kooxaha isbahaysiga Asmara .ayaa dhowaanahan safaro ku kala bixinaya dalkan maraykanka, iyadda oo waftiga dowladda uu hogaaminayey. Xldhibaan Cawad Axmed Cashare Oo ka qayb galay shirkii barlaamanadda adduunka oo ka dhacay Magaaladda New york, ka dibna safaro ugu kala baxay gobaladda kale ee Dalka maraykanka, Mudane Cawad casharo waxa uu hadda ku sugan yahay gobolka minnesota.Oo uu ka qayb galayo shir lagu qaban doono Minnesota asbuuca dambe, siddo kale waxaa iyaguna shirar noocan oo kale ah ka wadda minnesota kooxda asmara ee la baxay Dib u xoraynta soomaaliyeed. Haddaba doodii dhex martay waxay u dhacdey Source: Dhahar

NSPU Welcomes the New Prime Minister of Somalia Nov 29. 2007 For Immediate Release The Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity (NSPU) welcomes the appointment of Nur Hassan Hussein as Prime Minister of Somalia. We are encouraged by the commitment of the Prime Minister to work towards the restoration of peace, stability, and good governance in Somalia. We call for the new Prime Minister to urgently tend to the humanitarian needs of the refugees who have fled the fighting and destruction in Mogadishu and to alert the world community about the massive humanitarian need in Somalia. In addition, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) should pay attention to the suffering of thousands internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were ousted from Las Anod, the capital of Sool Region, by militia loyal to the secessionists enclave (Somaliland) in the North West of our country. The appointment of the new Prime Minister is an opportunity for the TFG to initiate a dialogue with opposition leaders, who are prepared to renounce violence as a means of achieving their political agenda. We also call on the Prime Minister to constantly remain vigilant in the face of conspiracies, both internal and external, aimed at dividing our country into satellite fiefdoms which if realized will hail the beginning of the end of Somalia as a united independent State. Towards that goal we call on the Prime Minister to appoint a Foreign Minister with the qualifications, dedication and commitment to the protection and defense of the Sovereignty and the Territorial Integrity of our country; at a time our country is vulnerable to acts of sabotage and discord. The Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity in consistency with its core mission of promoting and preserving peace and unity among all segments of the Somali people, calls upon the Transitional Federal Institutions, Somali traditional and religious leaders and civic society groups to cooperate with the new Prime Minister in moving Somalia forward and building a stable and prosperous Somali nation. For further information, please contact Gamal Hassan, Director, Communication & Public Relations info@somaliunity.org Northern Somalis for Peace & Unity (NSPU) 5470 Merivale Rd. Ottawa, Ontario. K2C 3M1 Canada Tel. 613-686-5466 E-mail: info@somaliunity.org Website: www.somaliunity.org NORTHERN SOMALIS FOR PEACE & UNITY (NSPU) is a grass-roots Somali advocacy organization with Branches in Somalia, United Arab Emirates, Canada, USA, UK, Sweden, and South Africa. We are dedicated to the promotion of peace and unity among the long suffering people of Somalia. We believe the ‘Somalia problem’ can only be dealt with within the framework of a holistic strategic approach aimed at the empowerment of a central government to rebuild national democratic governance institutions and restore law and order throughout the country. NSPU believes the balkanization of Somalia is a recipe for future conflicts and a bleak future for the Somali people, who are bonded by ethnicity, language, religion, and shared centuries-old culture and traditions. ONE PEOPLE ONE COUNTRY Source

Egypt Welcomes New PM, Invites Islamists for Talks Garowe, Nov 29, 2007 (Garowe) -- The government of Egypt has welcomed Somalia's newly appointed Prime Minister, Nur "Adde" Hassan, in a statement issued by the country's foreign ministry. The official statement, which was released to the press, said the Egyptian government is hopeful that Prime Minister Nur Adde is successful at the heavy tasks that come with the position, including tackling an insurgency, widespread poverty and instituting governance structures nationwide. The statement comes a time representatives of a Somali opposition group dominated by Islamic Courts figures, the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), are expected to arrive for talks in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Unconfirmed reports said the Egyptian government is planning to mediate between the Islamists, believed to form the backbone of the insurgency, and Somali government officials backed by the Ethiopian army. The exiled ARS leaders, who include former Somali government members, have been based in Eritrea in recent months. The alliance opposes the presence of Ethiopian troops inside Somalia. Observers say Cairo is one of several countries opposed to Ethiopia's military intervention in Somalia, which began late last year and was initially aimed at dismantling Islamist militias and establishing the transitional federal government in the capital, Mogadishu. Eleven months later, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has admitted that the Somalia operation did not go as planned. But he has dismissed any suggestion of a quick Ethiopian pullout. Source: Garoweonline

We might deny the root causes of our conflict as it is normally expected from Somalis but Somali experts have this to say. Or what is causing the main resistance to the TFG. FACTBOX-Clan structure key to understanding Somalia Nov 29 (Reuters) - Somalia's new prime minister, Nur Hassan Hussein, is meeting Somalia's clan leaders while he prepares to name his new cabinet. Here are some facts about clans, the key to understanding Somalia's history, society and above all, politics: WHY ARE CLANS IMPORTANT? * The clans control districts and businesses and are the arbiters of most aspects of Somali life. Decisions are made collectively within the clans and their complex sub-divisions. Here is the full View of the article Sources: Reuters, Somali experts. (Writing by Andrew Cawthorne, Bryson Hull and Guled Mohamed)

Burundi Army Advance Team in Mogadishu by Geresom Musamali and Jean Pierre Nkunzimana Kampala, Nov 29, 2007 (New Vision/All Africa ) -- A team of the Burundi armed forces has been to Somalia to assess the situation on the ground ahead of the army's deployment under the African Union peace-keeping force. UPDF spokesperson Maj. Felix Kulayigye yesterday said the team went to Somalia about two weeks ago to make logistical preparations for their 1,700 troops. Military sources in Bujumbura, Burundi's capital, yesterday said nine officers had flown to Mogadishu, the Somali capital. The sources added that some officers had already returned to Bujumbura to present their reports. In a related development, the UPDF chief of operations and training, Brig. Silver Kayemba, said the army will send French-speaking soldiers to Somalia to ease communication with the Burundian troops. "The Burundi forces will join us in the Somalia peace-keeping mission by the end of this week. "Some of you (graduands) are going to help us interact with them. You cannot survive in the modern world without being bilingual." Kayemba was speaking during the graduation of UPDF officers who had completed a French course. The government of France sponsored the course, conducted by Marie-Rose Berocan of Alliance Francaise, a French-language institute in Kampala. Rene Forceville, the new French ambassador to Uganda, assured the soldiers that they would not regret learning French. Burundi defence minister Gen. Germain Niyoyankana, during his visit to Uganda two months ago, promised that the troops would be in Somalia at the beginning of this month. Source: New Vision/AllAfrica

The bays and inlets of Somalia are being used by gangs to escape retribution. Damien McElroy reports November 29, 2007 By Damien McElroy BRITAIN has launched a drive for an international accord granting the Royal Navy and Western warships rights to enter Somali territorial waters in pursuit of pirate gangs linked to al-Qa'eda. Pirate activity has soared off the Horn of Africa this year with the emergence of highly sophisticated gangs that use fast patrol boats, launched from "mother ships'', to board cargo vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. The lucrative multi-million-dollar kidnap and ransom trade, which is dominated by al-Qa'eda, according to terrorism experts, threatens to disrupt international shipping lanes used to carry cargo from the Far East to Europe. A meeting in London of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the United Nations' watchdog of the seas, is to consider a resolution today instructing Somalia's interim government to drop its legal right to block foreign navies from entering its waters. A declaration would pave the way for Royal Navy vessels to rescue ships held for ransom in Somali coves or pursue pirates involved in attacks on ships in international waters. A spokesman for the regional naval command in Bahrain said that passage of the IMO resolution would be an important step to "help deter piracy off the coast of Somalia''. There have been 26 attacks or attempted boardings by pirates so far this year, up from a handful in 2006. Somalia has been plagued by civil war. It has seen a succession of weak, temporary administrations run by warlords or hard-line Islamic factions sympathetic to al-Qa'eda, unrecognised by the international community and with little remit on the coastline. Pirates used the haven provided by Somalia's lack of leadership to defy 46 warships from 20 countries in the international coalition centred around America's Bahrain-based 5th fleet. "Piracy has become a lucrative business based on ransom demands and cargo theft inside Somali territory,'' said Cdre Keith Winstanley, the deputy commander of the coalition. "It has not been possible to suppress it because vessels pirated, sometimes a long way off the coast, are held somewhere in the vicinity of the Somali coast.'' It is a murky situation and even the figure of 26 reported incidents is thought to vastly underestimate the extent of the problem. While vast sums of money are involved - ransoms can exceed pounds 500,000 - Cdre Winstanley said that official concern had been expressed over intelligence reports that little of the money filtered down to the Somali regions. "Piracy and terrorism is a difficult picture to build,'' he said. "The extent of money diverted to terrorism is not known, but I don't see evidence that the money is going into houses, schools and jobs onshore.'' Complicating the picture for the navies involved is a human wave of refugees on the move out of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that 200,000 have fled fighting in the last month, many of whom are ready to pay $150 ( pounds 75) to be smuggled across the Gulf of Aden. "It's very seasonal, depending on the trade winds, but right now conditions are very favourable,'' said Peter Kessler, a spokesman for UNHCR. "These vessels loaded with people cross the trade route but don't even dock in the harbours. They unload the passengers at sea.'' The crowded waters are an ideal haven for al-Qa'eda operatives crossing between training camps on both sides of the Gulf. "The scale of the threat has changed since the physical penetration of the region by al-Qa'eda,'' said Rohan Gunaratna, a terrorism expert at Nanyang Technology University in Singapore. "With large Somali communities in Europe, it is critically important that those on the move through this area are visible to Western intelligence.'' David Nordell, the chief executive of New Global Markets, a specialist consultancy on terrorist financing, said: "Terror in piracy is ultimately aimed at building up to offences like the next USS Cole [a suicide attack off Yemen in 2000] or hitting an oil tanker.'' Source: Daily Telegraph

Originally posted by Nephthys: Ha Ha prize on his head, kulahaa. I am now offering a box of cookies to anyone who can bring me the head of this man. Like the Bati del Wambara, the daughter of Mahfuz who put a prize on Lebna Dengel's head in the sentimental history of Ahmed Gurey.

Originally posted by GJ: Caamir, he said "religous" men not any particular group. He claimed "religous men" ie wadaads in general control everything....If he had said Islamic Courts or even Alitixaad GJ, he implied symbolically Xerta or Timawayn as those whose faith is clean from tricks and the art of deception. He said, We told them ..the mosques that we worship as the real Muslims, real Somalis , who hold on to the real religion, who are the majority, the mosques we pray, GJ, Abdilahi Yusuf is hostile to these militant(Seef La Bood in Somali) group whose aim is to install a theocratic regime in Somalia. Prof. Said captures a glimpse of Yusuf's engagement with these guys. To return to the subject of political Islam in Somalia, segmentation has forbidden the emergence of a creditable Islamic fundamentalist force to make a bid for political power. There was one notable exception: in the early 1990s, the shadowy, toothless entity known as al-Itihaad attempted to seize power in Puntland, with a view to establishing a theocratic regime in that region. Warlord Abdullahi Yuusuf (today's putative president of Somalia), a leathery survivor of innumerable gun fights and therefore not particularly noted for mildness of character, unleashed his militia on the holy warriors in a fearful massacre, driving the mullahs out into the wilderness and mercilessly hunting them down in their mountain hideouts. Inexplicably, the desperate pleas of God's soldiers for divine intervention in the face of Abdullahi's fury was completely ignored by the Almighty who indifferently looked the other way as the self-styled holy men were systematically obliterated.

Me, are you staying it is a viable goal to reclaim and incoporate the Somali regions in Kenya and Ethiopia into the present day Somali republic? Do you think Kenya and Ethiopia will relinquish this part of their "lands" to the detriment of peace and security and violation of the the widely endorsed internatinoal norms that is the territorial integrity of the member states of U.N.? (Eritrea is a different case) I think the issue of the Ethiopian troops whose aim is to protect the TFG from a coalition of groups who have refashioned themselves in different names should not be a diversion from the real issues. Ethiopia is willing to withraw if the AU takes over its position. This is what Zenawi said in a recent speech. Having done the main work, we had the belief and expectations that a situation would be created for us to be able to withdraw. However, this belief and expectations could not be met according to our plan. First, the Somalis could not re-organize themselves and reach a stage where they could carry out their own security operations as we thought and hoped for. There are also protracted clan conflicts, and dealing with them has taken longer time than we had expected. Secondly, the international community could not send a peacekeeping force to Somalia with the required speed and capacity to eradicate terrorism in Somalia. Thus, we have been forced to continue carrying out intensified policing in the area because the Somali peace forces did not strengthen themselves and the international community failed to deploy a peacekeeping force according to our expectations."

Originally posted by Seekknowledge: Yeah I second that! At least he is not double tongue like the ones who hide behind jihad A lot of people are getting the impression of how honesty and determined Yusuf is? I concur with both of you.

Can any of you give us a detailed explanation of this statement by Sharif? Are Al-Qaida criminals? Is the imposition of Sharia slanderous? SPIEGEL ONLINE: But it was clear which way things were heading in Somalia. Alcohol and music were outlawed and women had to wear veils. Some of your coalition partners declared open sympathy with the mujahedeen in Afghanistan. And didn't the terror network al-Qaida gain a foothold in Somalia? Sheik Sharif: That was an evil slander. Even if a few of our comrades favored a strict interpretation of Islamic law, it was up to the citizens to orient themselves toward Islamic custom according to their own discretion. I was, and still am today, strictly against giving asylum in Somalia to al-Qaida criminals and their kind.

I am only highlighting how contradictory and dishonesty Sharif sounds. Waxbaa idinka si ah. Wax walba ma cadaan iyo madow baad u aragtaan? Is it me or anyone else who has realized that Abdilahi Yusuf is more honesty and practical than any of his politially rival upstarts?

Interesting Interview, gives lots of personal information. INTERVIEW WITH CHAIRMAN OF SOMALIA'S COUNCIL OF ISLAMIC COURTS November 28, 2007 Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed is the chairman of the Council of Islamic Courts and is considered a moderate. He talked to SPIEGEL ONLINE about the "popular uprising" against the Ethiopian troops, his opposition to al-Qaida and the future of Somalia. SPIEGEL ONLINE: Sheik Sharif, why don't you give your rebels the order for an immediate ceasefire? Sheik Sharif: I'm powerless to do that. The popular uprising against the hated Ethiopian occupation troops -- which every Somali patriot must see as his enemies -- can't be stopped. SPIEGEL ONLINE: But this isn't just about the Ethiopians. You're also fighting against the army of the legitimate Somali government. Sheik Sharif: The so-called legal government is a farce. There were no free elections worth speaking off. They're keeping us out of a true national dialogue -- which we've always called for -- with the slimmest of arguments. Critics of the government find themselves in jail without trial or simply disappear without a trace, just because they condemn military collaboration with that very part of Ethiopia which has been oppressing millions of Somalis for decades. SPIEGEL ONLINE: ... You're referring to the eastern Ethiopian province of ******, which is populated by Somalis and which the last Somali president, Mohamed Siad Barre, wanted to "liberate" ... Sheik Sharif: ... but how can we question the internationally recognized borders of Ethiopia when our own country of Somalia is breaking up into several regions, where local interest groups have grabbed power for themselves and can operate without any kind of control? You don't need an intelligence service to figure out that Ethiopia and Kenya, along with other countries in the region, interfere pretty openly in Somalia's affairs. But the Somali people, which right now is held together only by a common language and by Islam, is no longer going along with them. The resistance against the Ethiopians and their stooges in Somalia keeps spreading and will sooner or later topple the regime. SPIEGEL ONLINE: The Ethiopians marched in to keep Somalia from turning into an Islamist state. Sheik Sharif: That was a weak pretense which only complicated the situation even further. We never intended to declare an Islamic republic. SPIEGEL ONLINE: But it was clear which way things were heading in Somalia. Alcohol and music were outlawed and women had to wear veils. Some of your coalition partners declared open sympathy with the mujahedeen in Afghanistan. And didn't the terror network al-Qaida gain a foothold in Somalia? Sheik Sharif: That was an evil slander. Even if a few of our comrades favored a strict interpretation of Islamic law, it was up to the citizens to orient themselves toward Islamic custom according to their own discretion. I was, and still am today, strictly against giving asylum in Somalia to al-Qaida criminals and their kind. SPIEGEL ONLINE: But that couldn't happen right now anyway, because government troops still hold the reins of power. Sheik Sharif: The government troops are fighting with their backs to the wall. They control only 5 percent of the country's territory. The Ethiopians, whose army composes the real backbone of the current Somali government, are not very motivated. They are moving through an occupied country, haphazardly murdering and pillaging, fully aware that sooner or later they will have to leave. When the last Ethiopian armored car leaves Somalia, the regime will collapse like a house of cards. We are gaining territory every day -- it's only a matter of time. SPIEGEL ONLINE: That means the bloodshed will not end any time soon. Is it true that Eritrea is providing you with weapons and money? Sheik Sharif: Although Eritrea has experienced the expansionist and racist regime in Addis Ababa at first hand, it is neither providing us with weapons nor any other logistical support. We are surviving because the Somali people are on our side. At first it was students and shopkeepers who supported us, but now we are backed by every social class. Our influence is growing inexorably. SPIEGEL ONLINE: That sounds like wishful thinking. If you truly wanted peace and democracy, wouldn't you ask the United Nations to actively intervene? Sheik Sharif: If the international community simply opened its eyes to the continuing violation of human rights in Somalia, and if it were ready to make a fresh start here, we would of course welcome a UN intervention. But that doesn't seem likely, unfortunately. Nevertheless, I stick to my position that if, instead of trigger-happy Ethiopian occupiers, we had neutral blue helmets here in our oppressed country, who could make free elections possible and secure a transition to a future of peace and reconstruction, we would welcome them. The European Parliament in Strasbourg has already taken the first step. It has imposed an arms embargo against the current Somali government in protest against the violation of human rights. Interview conducted by Volkhard Windfuhr Source

Mr. Bilaal, I am so tired for now but do reflect on the history of the Islamic courts in reviving the Greater Somalia ideaology. Aside from Ethiopia, we have another good neighbor that is concerned of the danger of this ideaology: Kenya.

Somalia: Puntland Oil and Mineral Development Benefits and Risks from Socio-economic and Environmental Perspectives by Ahmed Dirie, Ph.D. November 28, 2007 The autonomous region of Puntland (North East of Somalia) has relatively succeeded in strengthening and protecting its young and fragile democracy from both internal and external threats (though currently shaken by Las Anod case) by establishing functioning public institutions and providing peace and stability to its people since its founding of 1998. After this modest achievement, Puntland leaders are aggressively engaged in setting off economic development programs, especially the extraction of natural resources (oil and hardrock mineral deposits) to generate “the much needed capital for development”. For that reason, the Puntland authorities signed a 50-year binding agreement in early 2005 with an Australian company (Range Resources Limited) for oil and mineral explorations, Range then subcontracted to a Canadian company (Canmex) for actual operations. The contract was criticized by several observers because of the length of the commitment (50 years), jurisdictional disputes (Puntland Vs. Federal/Somaliland), and the lack of concrete project details. Range Inc. has released only a “two-page summary” of the contract for public reviewing ( www.range.com ) than a full project document. And the Puntland authority has released very few details.” In part the outcry stems from a lack of public outreach by both Puntland and Range Company officials to clarify concerns. In fact, there are some legitimate concerns that need to be addressed through in-depth studies, fair negotiations, dialogues with all stakeholders, and aggressive public relations efforts. The criticisms on Puntland-Range project published in Somali and international newspapers mainly focused on the legitimacy of the contract and politicking rather than addressing some of the crucial socio-economic and environmental risks associated with oil and mineral exploration and production projects. Therefore, this feature will address and put on view the social, economic, and environmental concerns including bio-ecological impacts and ways to maximize benefits from the Puntland-Range project while minimizing the negative impacts associated with oil and mining industries. We will try to raise certain crucial questions and concerns to be considered in developing a comprehensive project document for win-win deal. In addition, this feature is intended for public education endeavor—educating policymakers, non-governmental and community leaders, general public, and all stakeholders about the benefits of environmental impact assessment (EIA) for extracting industries. In definition, EIA means the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.” The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision-makers consider environmental impacts before deciding whether to proceed with new projects ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /Environmental_impact_assessmen t ) To minimize the negative impacts of development projects, it is indispensable to institutionalize EIA plans as integral part of all development programs or projects. On top of that a detailed environmental impact assessment will serve as benchmark information for project monitoring and evaluations and also it will serve as a yardstick to measure what changes took place during project operations. Thus, environmental impact assessment process must be incorporated into all project phases as monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools—conceptualization, planning, implementation, and termination phases. Though, some projects are exempted in conducting EIA but natural resource extraction industries (oil and mineral extractions) are the worst environmental polluters and EIA must to be conducted. Early on, it is necessary to incorporate environmental impact assessment into the project planning phase of all extractive industries to mitigate social as well as environmental problems. Before the Somali public can fairly evaluate the Puntland-Range contract, there are some questions need to be raised: was there a fair bidding and negotiations? Did the regional authorities make use of experienced consultants and negotiators to get a better deal for their people? And if not, is there a room for further negotiations? What are the corporate social responsibility and environmental records of the contracted companies? Was there an EIA conducted or planned before project implementation? Who is in charge in conducting EIA, environmental clean-ups, and restoration programs? Is there environmental insurance earmarked for environmental accidents? If the companies file bankruptcy, do we have an alternative measures for any social and environmental accidents? Are environmental regulatory policies and capable public institutions in place? And if not what are the options? These concerns could be answered through availability of detailed project document. Achieving a Win-Win Deal for the Common Good The main objective of developing Puntland’s natural resources is to improve the quality of life of Puntlanders and eventually that of Somalis in general. Any progress made to achieve that main goal would depend on methodical planning and genuine contract negotiations between the Puntland authorities and project proponents—in this case Range and Canadian Companies. Despite the lack of accessible detailed project document or actual non-existence of such document, we strongly believe that we could learn from the historical and current experiences of other African countries in order to avoid settling with undue contracts and social and environmental catastrophes associated with oil and mining industries. To start with profit sharing issues, there are African countries that negotiated better deals through experienced consultants and negotiators. For example, Nigeria and Angola had benefit sharing deals with oil companies of 80% and 60%, respectively. Whereas, Chad has only negotiated a 12.5% of oil profits than 28% (14.5% loss) if experienced negotiators were involved. Although, lucrative stream of oil revenues are not automatically translated into tangible economic gains for all citizens. Nigeria is an excellent example of where misuse of public resources has led to environmental devastations and brutal social conflicts ( www.nationalgeog.com ). Socio-economic Benefits and Risks The goal is not only getting the highest share of the oil profits but the wiser use of those profits for nation building. Nigeria has 80% profit deal with Shell Company for Niger Delta oil productions. Unfortunately, the Niger Delta is marred by deteriorating economic and environmental conditions, loss of precious human lives through conflicts over resources, kidnappings of project employees by armed local groups, and sabotaging of oil production facilities. Though, some of the armed conflicts are sponsored by local leaders, companies exploiting the natural resources, and individuals with vested interests—the brutal civil wars in Nigeria, Angola, Congo, and Sera Leon are partly fueled by profits from oil and mining projects as well as power struggle among locals. Aside from misuse of resources, social problems or conflicts could arise from influx of job seekers from other regions and countries, proliferation of illegal businesses including human and drug trafficking (prostitution & alcohol-drug abuses), marginalization of local communities by urbanization of project site and its surroundings, if social safety-nets are not in place. In balancing development and existing social structures, the best remedy is to organize community consultations, public hearings, and also to respect treaties signed with local communities—not abandoning all treaties when the project is in full swing. To avoid probable social conflicts and environmental disasters, we strongly feel that there is an ample room for negotiations with communities and excellent window of opportunity for through planning since the Puntland-Range project is not operational yet. A well-thought planning would lead to wiser use of resources and oil profits for social wellbeing such as improvement of public education, health, economic diversifications, good governance, peace and stability, and establishment of social safety-nets including environmental protection fund or insurance for probable environmental accidents and pollutions. Environmental Risks and their Mitigating Measures Environmental accidents and pollutions could result from use of outdated and highly polluting technologies, misuse of oil and mining profits, and preach of treaties with communities. The probable environmental impacts from oil and mining industries are: dust and noise pollutions from project operations, air pollutions from continuous flaming of natural gas, leakage and damping of toxic wastes into water resources, displacement of local population and their livelihoods, and destruction of livestock grazing and wildlife habitats. For Puntland oil exploration-production, these are the probable environmental concerns: disturbance of fragile wildlife and livestock grazing lands through clearance of access and transportation roads and urbanizations; rock debris or cuttings from oil-well drillings; unwanted natural gas through oil extractions; oil spills from pipelines and oil transportations; and illegal hunting and exploitation of wildlife by company employees and new immigrants. For mining activities: disturbance of land surface by blasting mountains and digging up minerals; pollution of water resources by heavy metals (tailings); processing chemicals; and acid drainages and sediments from mining site. However, there are some clean technologies for oil & mineral explorations and productions. But, knowledge and deeper understanding of available options in clean technologies is very important. In terms of oil drilling, disruptive multiple vertical drillings of wells could be replaced with single horizontal and diagonal drilling for several wells. The rock debris or cuttings could be properly stored or exported suitable handling facilities. At any cost, waste should not be damped into water ways or the ocean because it will cause human health risks and also affect fishing and nomadic communities. In the case of burning natural gas (flaming) through high towers, the natural gas could be re-injected into the well or extracted as separate product for use, instead of flaming it for years and polluting the air. The same rules should apply in using less polluting technologies in mining and disposing wastes from processing chemicals and tailings, especially to avoid draining mineral processing chemicals into water resources. Conclusion Social, economic, and environmental concerns could be addressed by instituting environmental impact assessment (EIA) as an essential component of development programs. A detailed EIA document or report conducted by capable regional or federal agency should become a blueprint to follow in order to maximize benefits while minimizing risks associated with economic development programs. It is also advisable to engage neutral consultants or agencies to conduct EIA if there are no local professionals. But, it is indispensable to establish a governmental agency in charge of EIA processes through legislations and trainings of local capacity. For instance, adopting preventive measures is wiser business policy since environmental accidents and clean-ups are very expensive in nature. Most of the big oil and mining companies have become environmentally conscious due to sky rocking clean-ups and compensations, public image concerns. Nowadays, it is a common practice for companies to allocate some resources (social and environmental fund) for environmental protection and working with local communities. Then one may ask; would the small companies contracted be responsible and able to deliver excellent services than big and experienced oil and mining companies? Would the Puntland and future Somali government authorities wisely use the profits from oil and mineral for tangible socio-economic developments and not for their personal and political ends? To sum up, the jury is out there for Puntland-Range oil and mineral project. To the Somali professionals and intellectuals, it is our responsibility to protect the interests of our people by sharing our skills and knowledge with our policymakers for better governance—to constantly put up constructive criticisms and enlightening views. Source: Development Narrator Magazine www.dn-sottedi.org

Originally posted by GJ: They can't colonize Somalia because they don't have a superior culture. I mean how many people adorne themselves with Abysnian culture in the Ocaden region? How many even kill themselves Ethiopians? So please let us stop this Ethiopia is colonizing Somalia farce...they have no ability to do such a thing...... Great point by GJ.

Mr. Bilaal, don't be ludicrously sad but look things from historical, social and political perspective.

LLPP, He is recognized as the president of Somalia. If you dispute that, it is up to you. We don't have to discuss in subjective matters. GJ, what you expect of him when the very Islamist call him the enemy of the state and put a prize on his head? It is either that they engage in a constructive dialogue with his government or stick to their determination to fight and drive out the TFG from Somalia. Don't expect good terms from someone you marked as your enemy. As Bashi says, the zero sum game won't take us anywhere. We have to compromise for the sake of our country and the safety of innocent people who are caught in the crossfire.

It is hard to explain and understand. I think Somalis are not racist toward one section of their people but some mysterious ancient belief system holds us backward and disoriented. Just like we resist the evolution of time, we resist also many other dimensions that affect our lives and the world we live in. Thanks for openly asking this question. It is an important social issue and must be seriously debated.

Originally posted by Kool_Kat: ^You got jokes...Ever considered becoming a comedian? You got my vote... WANTED signature, that is his best.