Thanks Taleexi. Ismalura & Bilan, I think It's not about his own account of Barre's dictatorship & undeniable atrocities, but his outright denial of the legitimate grievances and struggle of some clans or the way he painted their struggle as nothing but defeated clans fighting for the restoration of their once-held political supremacy over the rest of Somalis, during the communist dictatorship + his distortion of Somalia's history (SYL, the initial 10 years of Somali governance after independence), that drew quite of an outrage from the public. That's totally wrong and it shows his ignorance of Somalia's history & governance! Read Prof. Samatar's review of his paper.

Good thread by xinfanin. Keep us updated with commentaries, opinion pieces, expert analysis, News..

Beautiful anniversary. Keep it coming guys. Saado Ali Warsame is the heroine of our people just like Asha A. Abdalla & Fatima Jibrell.

It's amazing "Somalilanders" give wholesome support to the continuation of the mayhem and destruction in the South. Where's NinaNC?

Prometheus & MMA, good points made.

Libaax, you are a true patriot of Somalia. Keep up the good work.

From Somalia's Premier Mohamed A. Mohamed's thesis, almost the same views hold by many leaders, including Yoweri Musaveni of Uganda. Somalia always has been a strategic location, but the U.S. effectively neglected it between Clinton's 1994 pullout and the advent of the War on Terrorism in 2001. Washington feared the impact of terrorism growing all around the world,33 particularly in failed states such as Somalia and Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda threatened more than once that they would bring their jihad against the U.S. and its regional ally, Ethiopia. In response, Washington committed another foreign policy blunder. As allies, it solicited none other than the Somali warlords who had effectively feudalized and starved the country. Thus, against its policy and ideals, the United States effectively legitimized their reign of terror. In the process of continued feuding for control of territories, warlords established two semi-autonomous governments: Somaliland in the northwest and Puntland in the northeast of Somalia. Southern Somalia, including Mogadishu and Kismayo, were still lawless - ravaged by clan warfare and mired in destruction and starvation.34 American's primary goal was to partner any allies in support of the War on Terrorism in the Horn region.

From Somalia's Premier Mohamed A. Mohamed's thesis Somalia always has been a strategic location, but the U.S. effectively neglected it between Clinton's 1994 pullout and the advent of the War on Terrorism in 2001. Washington feared the impact of terrorism growing all around the world,33 particularly in failed states such as Somalia and Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda threatened more than once that they would bring their jihad against the U.S. and its regional ally, Ethiopia. In response, Washington committed another foreign policy blunder. As allies, it solicited none other than the Somali warlords who had effectively feudalized and starved the country. Thus, against its policy and ideals, the United States effectively legitimized their reign of terror. In the process of continued feuding for control of territories, warlords established two semi-autonomous governments: Somaliland in the northwest and Puntland in the northeast of Somalia. Southern Somalia, including Mogadishu and Kismayo, were still lawless - ravaged by clan warfare and mired in destruction and starvation.34 American's primary goal was to partner any allies in support of the War on Terrorism in the Horn region.

Qandali, that's the factual record. N what's ur obsession with Attam. Duke and S@mali, If I may correct you guys, the SYL leaders had never been pro-Italian. It was during the British Military Administration of all Somali Territory that the League was formed with British support. The SYL leaders saw the British as their saviors. They later faught hard against the Italian AFIS for its fascist policies. The Italian settlers also created big obstacles on the road to political independence. However, Adan Abdulle and Abdullahi Isse later took a moderate stance against the Italian-administered trusteeship, creating a split within the SYL leadership. Haji Mohamed led the other SYL group.

Farmajo seems to hold the same biased views as Faisal Roble and their knowledge of Somali history and governance is quite very limited. Was it too much of Barre's political influence? Farmajo however demonstrates in his thesis nationalist sentiments and pride that the general public holds. It's important to note the first Government in Italian Somaliland' was formed on May 7, 1956 by the prime minister-designate Abdullahi Isse (RIP). The clan composition of his 6-member cabinet reveals the first application of nepotism and cronyism. The performance of the responsibilities tasked with his government was not that impressive even though the UN Trusteeship committee decided to accelerate the date of our independence. In the north, the Somalization of higher positions had started a little late . The distinction of the first high commissioner in "Somaliland" and then governor of Las Anod and Berbera went to Imaan Dhorre, (son in law of Sultan Mohamed Ali). The USP which was subsequently formed by Sultan Mohamud as chairman in Las Anod was also very intrumental for the merger of the two regions and the Somalization of higher positions, held previously by British Officers. After the merger, there were two major camps that fiercely contended for the premiership. And the selection of the PM was based on the same power-sharing formula we use today, albeit in different version, between the major clan-families. At one time, Egal and Abdullahi Isse camp lobbied for the selection of Qablan (A highly educated Southern ***** politican) for the president of National Assembly to forestall the chances of Abdirashid securing the premier post. The Adan-Abdirashid camp however prevailed over Qablan who declined to run for the post. Adan-Abdirashid outmanouvered the other camp by having Abdullahi Jama Ghalib (cousin of Egal) get elected for the Speaker. Neither Abdullahi Isse nor Egal could become the PM.

Voters from the oil-rich, largely Christian south are expected to vote to break away from the country's largely Muslim north. - wsj Nonsense, the Christians in the South constitute only 5% of the population, the rest are 25% animists. A Quick reference to the World Factbook could have helped the Wall Street journalist or does he have an ax to grind. Sudan is 70% Muslim overall including Darfur.

Good decision by NPR. It would have been an embarrassment for the public radio had they let him keep his job as President. It's pure bigotry. NPR has good reputation and I'm a big fan of its programs like The Morning Edition, All Things Considered.

Amazing pics..

It will be a huge disaster for our poor people. Critical questions of whether they have sinister intentions to de-populate Somalia and overtake it in the end gain currency with this type of policies?

Prof. Micheal Weinstein has made his expert writings exclusive to Garowe-Online. I've known him since 2006, but it's dishonest of him to hide his identity and pose as a fierce critic of the TFG. Duke, what close ties the Professor has with GaroweOnline chief editor, the son of Puntland President, Mr. Faroole?

Indeed bro. You know the exchange rate of 100 pound of Sudan is like $65 USD. That shows the strong growth rate of Sudan's GDP because of the oil revenue and other joint venture projects with China. Yet I see the country is on the brink of getting partitioned into two or three. The West is about to create another CONGO in Sudan because of how unprepared and vulnerable South Sudan is to outside intervention and exploitation.

Originally posted by NinaNC: Edit: LOL@Nassir. How many have you met so far? waa iga qosol siise runtii. not that many qofyahey. Waxaan rabey inaan Aqyaar Macruuf offside geliyo isagaa aad u amaano Koronto, laakin waa ka baxsadey odayga. Video-ga walaasheen Aaliyah keentey weli ma daawan. I sense that it's too hillarious.

The foreseeable future of Sudan.

SUDAN: Al-Sunut Project: The gateway to a world of opportunity Monday, October 17, 2010 By: Stephen Leng Akol, During my official visit to Mr. Mohamed Al-Shafei, one of DAL Group staff, I was astonished and amazed by what I saw in DAL reception hall in Khartoum North. The wonderful huge engineering structure of Al Sunut Project. It was designed and put on a table in the hall of the building, which they named Hithru. Al Sunut project or the Central Business District (CBD) will really be an addition to development movement for the capital and a high jump to modern technology in development in the Sudan. The project is considered as one of the peace blessing steps Sudan exposed to the world. Thanks and gratitude to the brilliant brains through whom the idea came to light to take the country to the age of technological development and information - as I gaze on the engineering structure of Al Sunut Project that will be implemented in Al Mogran area - the confluence of the Blue and White Nile Rivers. I immediately remembered and memorized south Sudan seen, full of astonishment and overwhelming natural views. How wonderful it will be to have such nice dreams for the South! Moreover south Sudan forests are not Al Sunut trees alone, much more it has many trees that each can be a proposal by itself. Therefore, it is for the South Sudan government in cooperation with the interim national unity government to study or at least have a look on such experiences even if it could not be implemented fully, but can be in I a similar way. So as not to fall in the same mistakes of the past after independence which has been confirmed as not true independence, to start a coping up, modernized, developed and structured way of sustainable development. Source: Sudan Vision Daily

Zack, Micheal Mariano was a Somali nationalist. This "Somaliland" delegation led by Micheal and Sultan Bihi appealed to the world for the unity of all Somali Territory. They argued the Anglo-Ethiopian treaty of 1890 and 1954 violated the seperate Treaties the British Empire had entered with Somali tribes from 1884-86. To their dismay, they were told that the tribes did not meet the definition of sovereign states unlike Ethiopia even though it was the same treaty the British Colonial office used to legitimize its stay and governance of northern Somalia. S@mali, I got it from biyokulule. Check the report there. Sultan Bihi was a giant man (RIP).

^Lol@Mzanzi.

^PeaceAction, don't come up with the paltalk claptrap. He was interviewed by VOA and said that he's not part of al-shabaab. You heard elected MPs and concerned citizens from this region many times unless you prefer to ignore their position and the complexity of the root cause of the Galgala conflict. Someone should break the logjam and call for a reconciliation or else let the war drag on until, God Forbid, it engulfs Boosaaso. The aggressiveness "Puntland" projects on Maakhir regions will gradually drive the locals to acquire significant support for retaliation & put the clan entity into the dust bin of history. Faroole is forewarned!

Gabbal & Allamagan, Jimcaala aka Jacfar has already been identified as the cyber cousin of xiin though he disguised himself as Maakhirian to take a cheap shot @ President Mohamed Siyaad Barre (RIP). I say, Octoober waa daruur hilaacdayo Soomaali u da'dee, ay ku doogsadeene Waagii baa dilaacoo, OKtoobar. Duli baynu tuurney, Oktoobar. Qabiil baynu duugney, Oktoobar Waagii baa dilaacoo Xukunka dalka haystee Dadkuna way isku riyaaqoo Hambalyo diiran, hooyoo Dadku wada jir weeye Daryeel aynu gaarno, Oktoobar. October 21 is also the day of Somali latin script.

Duke, You baypassed the question I asked, the Jarriban Elders' intervention and the power the Pirates in Gar'ad wield. Mr. Somalia, what good can be had from a dreaded and hated entity that is independent of Garowe unless it's dissolved as demanded by Attam and his followers. ------- Caqlibaa adduunyada nafluhu ku cirriqaayaaye Cajabayeey dadweynaha Buntlaan lagu caqqiibeeye Caaqa ina Farooliyo haddaan ciriqa baas joogin Ninna Carabta dhoof uma tageen ciirsi kale daayee Soomaaliya colaaddiyo dhibtii la isku cayntaarshey Carradanu ka nabad bay ahayd cuurarkii lumayee Iscasilay Farooloow codkaa waannu kaa filiye! Iscasilay Faroolow codkaa waannu kaa filiye Read the full poem

^maxaa reer Columbus malaga qatarsan yahey. Sheeko Soomali baad wadaa. Koronto dadka ka yimaada maxay qamriga u cabaan horta, excuse my generalization. How abt Faraxs going to Erigavo or Taleex?