Originally posted by Mansa Munsa: [QB] Be mind under these aforementioned circumstances Maakhir State surfaced after the local people agreed in greater numbers that inaction was not an option. In a nutshell they reclaimed their inalienable right of exercising their economic development, managing their own affairs and governing themselves since the state (PL) in which they fall under neglected big time and could neither guaranteed nor wanted to accommodate their desires. Mansa, saxib, currently, the TFG has allotted $.5Million to the redevelopment of Lasqorey port, but the money is part of the aid allotted to Puntland including Sool and Sanaag. It has been reported that Muuse is withholding the money on a pre-set, unspecified condition. Some delegates from the organization of Horn Relief met him and asked dearly that the money be transferred to the president of the organization, Fatima Jibril.(the most trustworthy and altruistic person we know in recent history) Unfortunately, Muse declined the request, so it seems that he would get away with the money for all intent and purpose. The negotiation is still going although it is very unfortunate that we should negotiate for our money. This is the pattern history of Sool and Sanaag and its corollary effect on the abject condition of these two regions. I hope that we would overcome all of these problems of misrepresentation as people continue to become self-conscious of their surroundings and the politics of misrepresentation, mischaracterization, embezzlement of their allotted aid funds and all other facts that happen to be a reversible anomaly on our side.

I am sure when this thing happened, someone secretly snapped a picture on the crowd, who run to see the incident and the dead, to politicize. I ask the moderator to immediately remove this heineous image.

As known, the islamist Turkey has long sought their country's economic integration with Europe EU chief welcomes election of Gul BRUSSELS, Belgium: The European Union welcomed Abdullah Gul's election as Turkey's new president Tuesday, hoping it will lead to further economic and political reforms needed for the country to move closer to the bloc. Recent parliamentary elections and Tuesday's parliamentary vote electing Gul as Turkey's new head of state "represents a considerable achievement for Turkey and the Turkish people," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said. In a statement, Barroso hoped the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "will be able to resume work ... to give fresh, immediate and positive impetus" to EU entry talks Turkey started with the 27-nation bloc. EU officials had been privately concerned over warnings by Turkish generals, which voiced their opposition to Gul's bid to become president of Turkey. The EU, however, took no position on the internal debate in Turkey over Gul's Islamic views or concerns voiced by opposition groups that Gul's presidency would put Turkey's secular state at risk. Gul's election took place a day after the military, which has ousted four governments since 1960, issued a stern warning about the threat to secularism. Gul's initial bid for president was blocked over fears that he planned to dilute secular traditions. In his former role as foreign minister, Gul worked closely with EU officials in recent years to spur on Turkey's bid to join the EU, which Gul strongly backs. Gul opened membership negotiations with EU foreign ministers in October 2005, but those talks have made little progress, with talks only opened in two out of the 35 policy areas, where Turkey must implement EU legislation. Progress came to a virtual standstill late last year when EU leaders decided to partially suspend negotiations in protest at Ankara's refusal to open its ports to trade with EU member Cyprus. Turkey does not recognize the government of Cyprus, which has led to a standoff between Brussels and Ankara over the membership bid. Rene van der Linden, president of the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly in Strasbourg, France, also welcomed Gul's election calling him a "modern reformer"

HornAfrique, I admire Bare's early adminstration, but it is undeniable that he resorted to the use of force in finding a solution to his country. It is not a strange move to resort to the use of force as a solution. In fact, it is one of the principles of International Law, esp when the sovereignty of a country is on the verge of collapse. Read the last Par, by Peter D. Little

Samurai Warrior, you are wrong there to accuse Col. Salad of backsliding. His past mistakes of joining the secessionist camp is pardonable as are many officials who had done the same thing as Col. Salaad, and who learned in the process the ramification of their actions on their land and people. Projecting back into the past also, the current governor of Puntland joined the secessionist in a more sinister campaign to wreck havoc on his people. Who was more sinister in motive and in pecuniary gains? President Salad is supported by his people inside and outside Maakhir, and he is alive with hope and vibrant with a dedication to address the pressing needs of the community whose destiny and developmental projects have been hijacked. As long as Jibril and his parliamentarians handle the "deputed claims" and build consensus and a stronger sense of community, Maakhir will thrive into one of the principal, economically stronghold, regions of Somalia. And It will bridge the gap across dividing political lines and between opposing interest groups such as Somaliland and Puntland.

Protestors in Somalia demand release of imprisoned district officials BAIDOA, Somalia Aug 26 (Garowe Online) - Hundreds of people demonstrated in southwestern Somalia Sunday to demand the immediate release of three district commissioners who were jailed last week. Demonstrators in Diinsoor, in Bay region northwest of Mogadishu, demanded that the district's commissioner Abdihafid Sheikh Hussein be released after spending the past five days in a Baidoa jail. Mr. Hussein, along with the district commissioners of Qansah Dheere and Buurhakaba, were jailed by police on August 20 on corruption allegations. All three district commissioners have not been brought in front of a court, a development that has angered residents and even the deputy Speaker of parliament. Demonstrators called on the Somali president and Speaker of parliament to intervene in the case. Yesterday, Deputy Speaker Mohamed Omar Dalha told lawmakers that the detention of the three district officials is a "violation" and demanded their release. Unconfirmed reports said Bay regional officials are behind the arrest of the district commissioners. Baidoa, capital of Bay region, has been the temporary home for the interim Somali federal parliament since early 2006. Source: Garowe Online

This is an absurd thread. Here is the Map of Maakhir Here is a little info for you and those you intend to misguide. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maakhir_state

Mansa, I don't need to indulge with this kid Khalaf. Let his old mentors respond to my earlier post since I defined in explicit terms the viablity of Maakhir State and its legitimacy as one of the successor entities of Federal Somalia. MMA, thanks for the info. I wish the best of luck for Reer Bay and Bakool.

Originally posted by Mansa Munsa: The rectangular shaped State, its borders, are overlaping and/or in conflict with its neighbors be it south, east and west therefore in regards to the borders I urge to the leaders of Maakhir State to be very carefull and vigilant of pushing the envelope as that has the potential of shattering the dreams of citizens of Maakhir State, concentrate on the more urgent issues, like providing health services, improving education system, strengthening the law enforcement, building military. All in all, I anticipate that your language to your neighbors be peace, peace, and ONLY peace. Consider also the alterations of Somali political calculus meaning a possible handshake may take place between Hargeisa and Garowe, be minded this is a real politik...and nothing is gaurenteed that is why I disclaim not to be responsible any of its effects. Thanks Mansa Munsa for your Input. I am inspired by your candid suggestion that rests on the statecraft of any Somali state that aspires to becoming a viable adminstration federal-wise . MMA, I was inspired by the evolutionary development in Bay region. I read that they have institutionalized a political process that might become a model for the rest of the southern Somalia. The region has enjoyed a relative stability ever since the TFG secured Moadisho from the Islamists. They are reported to have elected a governor Mohamed Abdi Mahad. Tell us more of this.

Again, if you disagree with the content of his article, I would expect you to do us a much-needed favor and present us something that corraborates that SMN is a nonpartisan Somali press, aside from what is mainly accused of.(Do not character-assasinate the author but his message) Don't bring here your false nationalistic fervor under the smokescreen of religion. Shebelle media supported the Islamic courts in big bias terms. It is one among several media heavily financed by the Islamists to promote its motto of setting up an Islamic state of Taliban style. It hardly wrote articles on the illegal occupation of lower Shabelle region, long ruled with martial law by the warlord IndhaAde. It even called him a Saint or Sheikh blessed to rule above Allah's law. His ruling claimed unverified thousands of civilians, oppressed and maimed them so that he could continue milking the cow. Below is the U.N report of IndhaADe. It is now his scattered clan militiamen who are causing the mayhem in the city. ------------------------------- 82. Indohaadde collects revenue from NGOs that want to operate in the area under his control; they must obtain Indohaadde's permission and must pay him a sum of money to conduct their activities. He receives at least 15 per cent of any NGO benefits that are offered to the local population. The fees paid by an NGO for the buildings they use are split between the owner and Indohaadde. He has a say in the question of which Somalis work for NGOs” members of his own clan” and gets part of an employee's salary. He also has a network of people that monitor the activities of NGOs to ensure their compliance with his financial interests. If an NGO does not comply with his requirements, he forces it to leave his area. 83. Indohaadde also owns drug farms in the area under his control, including at Janaale, Shalambood, Qoryooley, Buulamarer and Kurtun Waarey; the exact number of farms is unknown, but Monitoring Group sources estimated that as many as 10 may be spread throughout his area. He is alleged to be dealing in marijuana (probably in the form of hashish). 84. Indohaadde's drug farms are a sophisticated operation involving irrigation systems, fertilizers and herbicides. The workers on the farms are experienced in the drug-growing business and receive a good salary to maintain the high quality of the drugs. The drugs undergo a drying process and are packaged and concealed to avoid attracting attention. The product is graded: poorer-quality product is sent to Mogadishu and neighbouring countries for local consumption, while the higher quality product is put into trucks and transported to airstrips or the Marka seaport for further transport to the international market. _________________________________ Tell me if you want that old status quo of anarchy and fiedoms to return and remain forever. These episodes ring in our own ears the same way when the megalomanic Aideed fought against the U.N peacekeeping force. He used to get his main support from narrow-minded persons with strangling chain dangling on their necks.

I will give the author the benefit of the doubt for enlisting a number of injustices and favoratism the defeated ICU did for the Shabelle Media Network as well its consistent false report on downplaying the adminstrative gains of the TFG and AU Troops, including Ethiopia. ---------------------- Is Shabelle Media Network losing its independence like Horn Afrik? Source: African path August 19, 2007 Along with a couple of other Somali media outlets, Shabelle Media Network (SMN) often prides itself as a rare independent media organization. But if it wasn’t already a partisan entity in the eyes of critics, recently, SMN appears to have transformed itself away from its already negligible independent attributes. Under the 1969-91 Siad Barre government, there was just one daily newspaper called Xiddigta Oktobaar in Somalia. There was a strict government control and the news was mainly supplied by the Somali National News Agency (SONNA) or the government’s information Ministry press service. After the fall of Siad Barre, it was the period of warlord radios, with each group keeping its supporters and clan/sub-clan aware of current events, often twisted for propaganda purposes. But with the launching of HornAfrik and SMN a few years ago, Somalia started to have an occasionally independent and a more organized media similar to what BBC Somalia was originally trying to be. No one knew if these new media outlets had their own agenda or if their rise corresponded to the rise of the Islamic Courts Union. Since and After the Islamic Courts Union The coming of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) to Mogadeshu meant that media censorship was not only about political and clan views but also based on “morality” measurements. A good example was the closing of Radio Jowhar, which was accused by the ICU for playing “love songs” and “immoral music.” Especially since the people of Somalia, which include millions living in neighboring secular nations and around 200,000 living in western secular nations, saw ICU’s Wahabism and radical views as being foreign, the censorship became a sign of more dangerous problems to come under the ICU. Various restrictions were detected by western media watch dogs. Still foreign or western media watchdogs were & are not always correct since they often referee media status from a thousand miles away and don’t incorporate the responsibility of media outlets to avoid inciting violence – as was the case with most media outlets the last two decades – into their assessments. No matter, what made the censorship by the ICU (a mainly Habr Gidir ****** clan organization) very unique was that it would repress views represented even by ****** clan journalists who dared to question its authority. The Arab Wahabism nature of the ICU might relate with the immorality filtering of the media but, in regards to ideology, the foreign nature of the ICU might also have a lot to do with such unique developments of ICU’s censorship prerequisites. Additional media closures under the ICU included the imprisonment of National Union of Somali Journalist figures as well as the closure of East Africa Radio in Mogadishu. However, the relationship between the ICU and Shabelle Media Network was different. Both the lack of reports on these ICU censorships by the Shabelle Media Network journalists and also the tendency of the ICU to give Shabelle Media Network more space than other media outlets appeared to reflect their ideological harmony rather than ICU’s love for selective free press. All of this harmony between Shabelle Media Network and the ICU happened even when the NUSOJ declared that the year 2006, under ICU rule, was the “worst year for press freedom for more than a decade.” After the ICU was defeated by the Somalia government, this transitional government has been accusing Shabelle Media Network (SMN) for misquoting, for overstating violence, for understating progress, for using one or bias sources as well as for making up stories. Early in 2007, relating TFG’s rule with an arrival of disaster and relating ICU’s exit with an exit of total peace & freedom appeared like the general aim of Shabelle Media Network. Also demonizing the Somali troops and their Ethiopian allies was normal as the often hard to disprove cases of women raping and robbing were frequently told and re-told by Shabelle Media Network. Thus, just like the Somali government, the Reporters sans frontiers (RSF) also started to blame some of the media outlets for inciting violence and concluded that “disinformation and lies were a major weapon” in the fighting between the Islamic Courts Union and the transitional government. Shabelle Media Network continued to exaggerate news by blaming only the Somali government for the death of civilians. Sometimes it would claim that Ethiopian troops are targeting civilians and “spraying” bullets on civilians. It also seemed to have the most contact with the ICU leadership as its interviews and quotes from direct conversation with ICU continued. Recently, even though the Eritrean government claims that it is not involved in Somalia, the Eritrean information minister appeared like an expert on Somalia’s current affairs. He was quoted by Shabelle Media Network of accusing Ethiopian and Somalia government for allegedly stealing millions of U.S. dollars in Mogadishu. This is of course propaganda but according to Shabelle Media Network August 18 report, the stolen money even went to the wife of Ethiopian prime minister who is named as "Alya Kola." Ironically the name of the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s wife is Azeb Mesfin, not Alya Kola. So, was all of this reporting fabricated by Shabelle Media Network in the first place? It is very unlikely that the Eritrean government would forget the name of Prime Minister Zenawi’s wife. In addition, Shabelle Media Network seems to mirror the deep anger of the ICU after the international media reported that the United States is planning to sanction and label Eritrea (the financer & home of ICU) as “State Sponsor of Terrorism.” No one knows fully why the Shabelle Media Network, just like Horn Afrik, is becoming overtly partisan, losing its independence or trying to oppose the Somalia transitional government. Yet there is a widespread belief that its relationship with the ICU might be one of the reasons for this problem. Shabelle Media Network is also owned by Somalis from the Habr Gidir *** sub clan. Just like Horn Afrik, Shabelle Media Network was started and financed by entrepreneurs from the *** sub clan. This sub clan is part of the general ****** clan. And as reported by many sources, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) is controlled and run by politicians from the Habr Gidir *** sub clan. Bahailu Damte African Path

On the topic I agree with those who say what is needed is better goverance and accountablity of leaders, then further fragmentation of somalia's lands. [/QB] Who do you expect better governance and accountability from? The two regional states of Somaliland and Puntland have already fragmented Somalia, a fragmentation which appeals to clan differences to exploit political support. Saxib, these two states SL and PL are used as instruments to discredit communities and abort other people's noble pursuit of peace and development.

Breaking News:- local sources of Maakhir are reporting a surge of troop build-up in the Jaanka village near Ceelaayo, 25km west of Bosaaso, in an attempt to counter, as it allegedly says, terrorist hideouts, but it is obvious from the recent creation of Maakhir, Puntland is intent on creating a situation where it can divert international attention to its parochial, clan-based interest. Given that fierce battles, if it ever begins, Puntland, a now self-styled administration of counter-terrorism, and Maakhir--one of the building blocs of Somalia, the effect is that Maakhir won't suffer reverses, but it would be greatly hampered by its political relationship with the world or United States and its allies. As a result, international aid projects will be aborted if (I wish it never occurs) for example, sanction is imposed on this region, which will cause international aid agencies to unfairly abandon the region due to the misleading motives of Puntland. War Deg Deg ah Guuta Ciidamo ah oo ka tirsan Maamulka Puntland ayaa Caaw Fiid kii gaadhay meesha lagu magcaabo Jaanka ee dhinaca Bari ka soo xigta Magaalada Ceelaayo Bosaaso: Guuta ciidamo ah ayaa gaadhay meesha lagu magcaabo Jaanka, taas oo dhinaca Bari ka soo xigta magaalada Ceelaayo ee Xeebta u saacxib ah, warku waxa uu intaas ku darayaa inay Ciidamadaasi Maqribkii ay ka boqooleen magaaalada Bosaaso iyagoo ku hubaysan Gawaadhida Dagaalka kuwaas oo si deg deg ah Amar loogu siiyay inay gaadhaan goobta lagu magcaabo Jaanka oo ay Puntland ku tilmaantay inay soo gaadheen Koox wadaado ah. Maamulka Puntland ayaa amar maanta ka soo saaray inay si deg deg ah ay ciidamo u gaadhaan halkaas iyadoo ay puntland ku andacoonayso inay goobtaas ku sugan yihiin Koox mayal adag oo oo ka soo baxsatay koonfurta Dalka Somaaliya kuwaas ay sheegeen inay khal khala galinayaa Puntland isu haysata inay goob Amaana Tahay. Gawaadhida Dagaalka ayaa maqribkii lagu arkayay wadoonyinka magaalada Bosaaso iyadoo heegankii ugu sareeyay lagaliyay dhamaan Ciidanka Garoonka Diyaaradaha ee magaalada Bosaaso iyadoo uu Garoonku yahay halka ugu dhaw ee Puntlan shakiga wayn ka qabto in looga soo talaabo iyadoo garoonka ay baxaan wadoonyin farababadan oo aan kaanta roolayn. War si Duur xula u soo gaadhay Shabakada LaasqorayNet ayaa tibaaxaya in ay Puntland ku ahwlo jirto inay Ciidamo Far badan soo dhoobto wadoonyinka isku xidha Magaalada Laasqoray iyo Magaalada Bosaaso taas oo ku doonayso inay kal goosyo labadaas Magaalo iyadoo shaki aad u wayn ka qabta magaalada Xeebta dheer lagu manaystay ee Laasqoray. Arinkaa ayaa lagu tilaami karaa inay Puntland isku dayayso inay ku maja xaabiso Dismaha Deketa Laasqoray oo dhawaan la bilaabi doono iyadoo ay dhawr jeer Masuuliyiinta Puntland ku han jabeen inay aad uga xun yihiin Dekeda loo dhisayo magaalada Laasqoray taas oo ay ku tilmaameen dhabar jab ku yimi Puntland idilkeed. LaasqorayNet/ Bosaaso

Xiinfaniin, the inevitable conflict you alluded will only reinforce the declaration of independence of Maakhir state. I view that as a positive aspect that would reinforce and unite Maakhirites. One thing that is for sure is that Maakhirites will unite behind their own leaders if war is believed to be a last resort. However, I know that war is not the last resort and Puntland authority will reconsider their uncalled threats and disrespect for the people's right to self-govern and help the TFG and its allies achieve their desired goal of Somalia. I also know from informal sources that Maakhir state would like to engage in bilateral talks with the neighbouring countries of Somalia to ensure that its ports are not used as a conduit for shiploads of weapons by homegrown insurgents of our Neighbours.

I agree with several Nomads, instead of deepening the animosity we should reconcile our differences and promote communication. The more you cultivate censure and curse on a certain group the more that group distances itself from that false association. We can all unite under the banner of TFG like our past leaders did under the SYL in an evolutionary process of reconstituting our statehood.

Maakhir State of Somalia increases its Parliament members Badhan:-The newly formed state of Maakhir in Sanaag and western Bari regions of Somalia announced yesterday that it was increasing its parliament members and its adding five more parliamentarians from South of Somalia’s [Maakhirites]. The parliament member is now 38 members who will represent the various sub clans of the Maakhirians. The newly formed state did receive national welcome and still talks are going on amongst the elders of Maakhir in order to complete the cabinet and other governmental agencies. The Diaspora of Maakhir State did issue statements in support of the newly formed state of Maakhir and advised for those who are in Maakhir to support the new government. Maakhir State was created in response to overlapping claims of both Somaliland and Puntland over western Sanaag, which has led to several conflicts over control of the territory between Somaliland and Puntland. There have been conferences and consultation between the inhabitants of Sanaag and western Bari region before the establishment of the new state. Source: Laasqoray.net

Jacaylbaro, has this news been verified by Puntland websites?

Tahliil, as long as Muuse ensures the safety of the people and pay the salary of Puntland troops, Bosaaso and by extension the whole of Puntland is safe and can somehow make sound economic progress. I argued before that inflation can be controlled through the use of hard-currency reserves, but this simple administration has yet reached the sophisticated technique level of controling the spectre of inflation. Has it been proven that the adminstration was behind the counter-feit money. Has the Puntland authority denied such accusations?

Jacayl, I like the rescue team effort. well done!

Jacayl, I like the rescue team effort. well done!

Oodwayne, Serving intellectual justice to you and Baashi’s position, Maakhir state follows the idea of creating political units as an alternative to single national reconciliation. It is believed that creations of political units are for a decentralized, federal approach to restoring Somalia. Termed as “building blocks”, the system aims to highlight political differences (unity vs secession, self-reliant vs amalgamation, etc) Patrick Galkes in his article “Briefing Somalia” argues, “The basis for the concept of 'building blocks' is essentially the clan family.” Such basis are indeed endorsed by the International Community for rebuilding and restoring the collapsed state of Somalia. Standing Committee such as Ethiopia , Kenya and Djibouti also endorse such approach to take seed and flourish in Somalia. Therefore, I don’t understand why we have people opposed to the formation of Maakhir state whilst if truth be told the people whom it is supposed to serve suffered the most in terms of International neglect, unnecessary territorial dispute and conflict, the perpetration of division within the community and using their people as proxy by Somaliland and Puntland to influence each other’s policies. Critics of this state contend that Maakhir diminishes the regional power of Puntland as a political faction, but realistically, Maakhir has never been linked to Puntland by both Somali JNA and the United Nations’ unfair and old policy that lumped Sool and Sanaag with Somaliland. The only legitimacy Puntland seeks from this region is its persistent pursuit of political monstrosity since Abdilahi Yusuf had his eyes on Mogadisho, thus using Sool and Sanaag in the wider political context of Somalia. In this case, I would argue that Maakhir State of Somalia meets all the qualifications of “building blocs” and to form its own regional state that is independent of both Somaliland and Puntland as an alternative to the conflict between SL and PL over these hapless regions as well as the trickling effect of economic deterioration and international neglect. Baashi, If even “controlling and staffing” is met, the region will continue to suffer since individual representatives who work outside their respective regions are prone to misplacing the priorities of the community, not to mention corruption and incompetence. Let me quote Patrick for his summary of the theoretical concept of the ‘building blocs”. The theoretical appeal of 'building blocks' lies in a realization and acceptance of the fact that a simple restoration of the former unitary Somali state is improbable for the indefinite future.

Dekeda Magaalada Bosaaso oo meel wanaagsan kala socod keedu Marayo iyadoo ay samaysay isbedel wayn. Bosaaso:- Dhaq dhaqaaqa Dekeda Magaalada Bosaso ayaa ka soo raynaya ka gadaal markii Dhawaan ay ku dhufteen shacabka Puntland Suuqxumo iyo sicirbarar baahsan oo si wayn looga Dareemay Gobolada Puntland taas oo keentay Cabashooyin badan oo ay soo jeediyeen ganacsatada yar yar iyo kuwa waa weyn iyadoo dhamaan arinkaasi saameeyay Bulshada reer Puntland. Dekeda wayn ee Magaalada Bosaso ayaa maanta waxaa Booqasho ku tegay Wariyaasha warsiyaasha somaliyeed ee Dhahar.com iyo laasqorayNet Iyagoo u kuur gelinay ama doonaya Inay wax ka Ogaadaan xaaladaha Dhaq dhaqaaq ee Magaalada Bosaso ee Xarunta Gobolka Bari, Waxaana intii aan ku sugnayan Gudaha Dekeda Bosaso aan la kulanay, Masuuliyiin ka tirsan Maamulka Dekeda Bosaso oo iyagu markaas watay Howlo hooda shaqo and More Source

Ngonge, You raised great questions whose answers would even help those outside and inside with keen interest on understanding the gist of this Maakhir state. I understand , in your early discussions with Baashi, you were quite confused of the content of the alleged changing shirts striped on different colors and later convinced that the people of Maakhir state chose to sail with the Kinship boat to an uncharted circumference because of the prevailing clan consciousness. I would think those ideas exchanged between the two of you and many others have been proven wrong many times. However, they are surprisingly accentuated so many times in the backwater of strategic interest that is believed to safeguard the stated mission of the secessionists and hoodwink the international community that the locals or clan representatives in the so called “disputed areas” are too fractured, disorganized, disloyal, and pathologically opportunists. I would honestly pronounce that these false political characterizations are misguided and have contributed to community’s underdevelopment and international isolation. Second, given the lack of central government, it becomes normal for self-appointed individuals to break ranks with their former allies out of discontent. It has been the phenomenal aspect of the personality features of the Somali clan leaders or warlords in a power struggle. It happens to “Somaliland” itself whose leaders visit Mogadisho back and forth. Consequently, when Abdirahman Tur, the founder of Somaliland, upon his conversion to the unionist camp, was denounced by Igaal and condemned to death in absentia on grounds of “seditious” activities. However, and to Igaal’s disbelief, Tuur returned to Burco and challenged him, in an overweening opinion of his power derived from the support of his clan, to capture and arrest him. You have also witnessed the famous Buubaa, the former foreign affairs minister of the TFG and his conversion from a die-hard secessionist to a zealous advocator of Somali union, a lofty evolution indeed. The community hadn’t waited that long for the creation of Puntland to which they were part of its foundation, but they had explored prior to it other mechanisms to establish civic structures and institutions for self-governance like the Hadaftimo Conference in 1994. They relinquished that Hamiltonian plan after a decisive deliberation of its viability, which they thought will be counter productive to the creation of Puntland(at the time was contemplated in periodic meetings) You won’t believe this, but it occurred to one brilliant member of the community that Puntland be established as a countervailing balance to “Somaliland” and act as deterrence to spontaneous attacks of Aideed’s clan towards Galkacyo. Another important element that made the creation of Puntland absolutely necessary was the humiliation Abdillahi and the late Gen. Gabyo faced at the Cairo Reconciliation conference in which they were given few unimportant positions to the clan D they represented. Of course, they could not claim to be from the two main cities of Somalia: Hargeisa and Mogadisho as a source of political legitimacy to deserve better and key positions in that interim government, and so they were reported to have walked out of the conference in protest. (this is a little background). You also alluded to Borame meeting. Before I answer this question, you have wondered why they have never revolted against the creation of Somaliland. But what is there to revolt. If revolt is armed rebellion, then it is silly to contemplate or undertake such risky measures because there is nothing to revolt in the first place. Somaliland is still lobbying hard and seeking recognition from the international community. Coming back to the chase, The elders of the Borame meeting from Maakhir and Sool disavow that treaty because they allege they signed under duress. It was in the early civil war when inter-clan hostilities and revenge were so fresh that the “signatories”’ objection to the terms of the self-declaration of independence of Somaliland would have resulted in immediate massacre. The elders claim that they went to the Borame meeting to resolve tribal problems and prevent the northern civil war from escalating contrary to Somaliland's unverified claims. Moreover, it was in 1994 that the UNISOM SPONSORED PEACE CONFERENCES recognized the old U.S.P party as the rightful representative of Sool and Sanaag regions under the chairmanship of Awad Ahmed Asharo (a TFG MP now). The positive side has been talked about, thus I won’t parrot them. You also talked about the negative side of this state. What if the international community refused to alter its unfair policy of neutrality as before and let these territories remain underdeveloped, resulting sometimes sluggish response of humanitarian crisis? I think these potential challenges can be overcome if the community supports financially Maakhir in its embryonic stage and promotes the establishment of more civil society organizations, for instance, Jibril has appealed to the Diaspora recently for this endeavor. Read www.laasqoray.net/view_article.php?articleid=997

Wait! Wait! Neyruus does not have a point and is wrongly wallowing in a preconceived judgment. As a matter of fact, he should have asked more info as to how the new industry is clearly separate from the old industry in its physical investments such as plants, properties, and equipments as well as its monetary investments such as its former shareholders' equity. To build the new industry, it cost over $2.5 million. To say that they stole the old machinery to jumpstart is an affront to these honest business men and women who invested in this project. Around Maydh and Laasqoray sharks are especially targeted, but with only the valuable fins being landed for export. In Laasqoray where the first tuna canning factories were built in the mid-1960s, entrepreneurs have established a new fish-canning factory with all its subsidiaries, which began its production on 19th November 2001. http://www.somali-jna.org/downloads/APD_Livestock_Economy_16July023.pdf

No Neyruus, the Muslim brotherhood forces that had occupied the Laas Qorey in 1992-93 had dismantled some sections of the machinery with the intent of commercial cannibalization. The old factory is located close to this new one. This other one was built out of private investment, but it stopped functioning after some political wrangling over the Industry's production and profit-sharing agreement. Now its operaton is soon to be resumed by Hodman Trading