Abu S, I ask the same question, tell us why do you think Goonjeex and Abdikarin are fit for the job. At least SAID served Puntland as a minister from 2002-07, besides his administrative experience, he is regarded as honest, decisive and egalitarian.

^^Ngonge, u didn't see the qualifier term, "probably" I used. So it must be verified with other sources, and Maaddeey didn't do it. You right that both leaders failed to preside over a country in ruin.

Sophist, I would recommend Siciid Qoorsheel. We shall wait and see.

Abdiwahab, a fellow UCLA researcher, seems to give concise description of what went wrong between the heads of government and state. It can be deduced from his premises and a list of constitutional violations, Shariif deserves the blame in here. Sharma'arke is also blameworthy for his political drive to secure enough votes and pass, under the current circumstance, the draft constitution before the parliament. The draft constitution enshrines more powers into both the Premier, his cabinet and into the current and potential federal states. The president, will also, should TFG transition into a permanent government, turn into a symbolic head of state. Sharma'arke is also culpable for his consignment of planeloads of weapons into the Galgala front. The simple answer is the predictable happened. Inexperience, lack of vision, and shared strategy led the chosen and chooser to become embroiled in a meaningless disputes while remaining ineffective in achieving any of the mandates they were expected to fulfill. As outlined above, the IFCC was approved by the TFP, as per the dictates of the TFC, prior to the presidency of Sheikh Sharif. After the Djibouti conference, the Commission was expanded to 30 members to include representative of the ARS. In March 2010 (four years after its initial appointment), the IFCC started its technical work and produced a draft constitution on July 30, 2009. In a reaction to the draft constitution, President Ahmed was reported to have said, “drafting a constitution for a new Somalia is a solemn national undertaking which must be transparent and beyond reproach to ensure that the constitution is vested with legitimacy.” Here, the President is insinuating, as he has done in other press statements without such ambiguity, the process that led to the drafting of the constitution was flawed and not transparent. To keep him honest, let’s scrutinize his actions or lack thereof prior to the draft constitution. For starter, the President knew about the existence of the IFCC and its mandate. Since he took office, he had an amble opportunity to voice his distaste or dislike of the original members of the IFCC, the subsequent inclusion of the members of the ARS, and for that the matter the terms of references the IFCC has operated within. The truth of the matter is, even though the work of the IFCC was known to all, no one, prior to the release of the draft constitution, had mounted any opposition to either the make up of the IFCC or the terms of references they were operating under. This makes the claims/objections from the President’s office and members of the parliament one that is politically motivated and a smoke screen for their collective failures. In this unfortunate dispute, the President slept on the job and is now slowly reacting to the real issues at hand. He is right “drafting a constitution for a new Somalia is a solemn national undertaking which must be transparent and beyond reproach to ensure that the constitution is vested with legitimacy.” In fact, the compilation by the IFCC of this draft constitution is the single most important achievement of his presidency. Rather than mounting meaningless fight over it the President should have employed calm tactics. On Sharmarke’s side, the IFCC’s draft constitution appears as Achilles’ heels. This is an issue/document that he wishes to utilize in his search for removing Somalia’s government from the current “transitional” status. That his government never achieved a condition in which such an important document can be discussed/approved by the public is something he emphatically stated as non-issue. To him, the ratification of the draft constitution by selected members of parliament and handful of members of communities across the country is sufficient substitute means of implementing the constitution. That there is no legal basis for such process under the current TFC is irrelevant and all that matters to him is the lifting of the “transitional” status from the government so he can have direct access to “money”. This makes him a man less interested in the future of Somalia and more about “money”. In fact, Sharmarke and Sharif have proven ineffective in addressing everything they were sworn for. Moreover, they have equally given credence to the premises of Al-Shabab’s ideology due to their lack of cohesive strategy and stated vision for the country the public could rally behind. If we must hold someone accountable for his/her failures, then Sharif and Sharmarke must both resign from their posts for the sake of our tired masses. Recommendations • The document released by the IFCC is a draft document and must be viewed as such. • This draft constitution is a good starting point that must be further scrutinized by knowledgeable authorities and the public at large. • As highlighted by the current and past disputes between the President and Prime Minister, the draft constitution must be scrutinized with regards to powers it enshrines over the holders of these key positions, their relations, and how each of them discharges his/her duties. We must also consider if this type of governing arrangement is adequate for our people. • The draft constitution is short in detail as to what should be the make up of the federated states that will constitute as the Somali Republic and how and on what basis these states should be formed. This is a matter that requires national dialogue that can be deferred for future amendments to the constitution by an elected federal parliament. However, there must be clearer/better guidelines. • There is also a need for a debate about the status of Mogadishu in the context of the federal governing system. • With regards to implementation or the ratification of the drafted constitution, no amount of back room deals or the actions by a special committee will ever enshrine the drafted constitution the legitimacy it requires. If Somalia is to be peacefully resuscitated, there must be a political consensus amongst the people of the South, Central, North East, and North West on such a document. The approval of the drafted constitution must, therefore, wait for an appropriate atmosphere were every Somali could have their say through free and fair public referendum. • We, the people, must demand from and express to the international community these simple wishes. It’s the international community and not by us that the war-profiteers of the TFG are accountable to or are acting on their behalf. • We must, without regard to clan or place of origin, demand from the international community that the current federal institutions be preserved until August 2011. • We must demand that transparent and thorough process be undertaken, prior to August 2011, involving both Somali stakeholders (let by academics, community leaders, and traditional elders) and the international community, to envisage “what-to-do-next for Somalia” and how best to resuscitate its state. This is not another reconciliation conference, but policy and strategy development process participated by both Somalis of good standing and the international community. • In the interim, it is paramount that the international community makes a priority for the training, maintenance, and the timely salary dispenses of the current Somali police and arm forces, all of whom are now at risk for desertion. • We, the people, must once and for all own our problems and stop standing on the sidelines while wolves (warlords, war-profiteers, and defunct politicians without integrity) determine our destiny. Abdiwahab Tarey, PhD E-Mail:mussea@gmail.com The author is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Health Research working as a Researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Irvine (UCI).

Fake News, probably.

^that was great interview saxib. Like Salah Donyale, he can actually avail his trove of poetry to the emerging singers or producers so as to reach out to the wider audience and the Somali youth in particular. His poems touch on many issues Somalis face abroad due to probably the inevitable clash of cultures or how best can we fit in a new world with challenging demands without losing your values and identity. I've seen so many college-educated, pious Somali women disappointed by the dearth of forward-looking brothers - held back either by the peer pressure of the use Khat or niyad la'aan aqoon kororsi ah, and he highlights that issue very well.

Originally posted by Cawaale: quote:Originally posted by chocolate & honey: [qb]Actually the 70 year old is my eldest uncle so no ku tiri ku teen there. You are not the only one here. it was last year when a fellow Soler's uncle was assassinated, his death was celebrated here. Lol@celebrated here. Sad but funny as well.

Originally posted by xiinfaniin: Duke, you are very clannish man: when listing the presidents of Puntland, you should include Mohamed Abdi Hashi who was the second president Xiin, what does becoming a president of a regional state (given it's an ethnic state) bring to the table? Is it not a direct insult to the people of SSC to underline one of them holding an interim position as something to be written down as the history of Puntland or to hold its cyber warriors accountable for failing to include in the list of the "Great Presidents of a legitimate state"? It seems our perception of political reality is going at a high speed. Second, I don't think the criteria set by TFC for the devolution of power into the regions is that sufficient to meet the political aspirations of diverse communities who call home the 18 regions of Somalia. For all we know, PL has turned into a pariah admin, its people expendable, and it thrives in the anarchy and chaos. Somalia being a failed state for so long is clear to the international community regardless of however we intend to portray it as the bullet part vs. ballot section. For us to overcome our seemingly petty differences and to have the chance to see Highways and ports built, we need to teach our children that he or she is at liberty of residing anywhere in Somalia, that means a government of national union with Mogadishu its capital.

Taleexi, slowly, we are seeing old timers return to their homeland. Our motherland is what really defines us and we must learn to sacrifice time and resources for the planting of its tree "under whose shade you don't expect to rest"

Booxaaro, soo dhowow marka hore. Marka xiga nagala soo qayb gal dooda quseysa Somalia oo idil oo aan Hargeisa ka maqneyn. We get much to learn from you. When was the last time you've been to Badhan?

Badhan is growing up big time. New Buildings Calmadow

^Amiin to that. Thanks Xudeedi for the update.

Xaaji, Ceerigaabo liberated from who? The people of Ceerigabo faught once and they overcame their political differences back in 93. Their peaceful coexistance is worthy to emulate. Don't you agree? Good job by the people of Galmudug in building this important institution.

Miles, war xagee ku maqneed. Wlc back.

Originally posted by NinaNC: Hubka dawlada laga soo xadey maa lagu faanaa. Gubta ilaa cimaamadiina muuqanin. :mad: :mad: Lol. Nina cadeey, Ayaamahan waa ku kacsan tahey kooxdaan.

Xaaji, that's a beautiful song. The prime time of Beautiful female singers. Good thread by Nina.

JB, Af-kan ama lahjada reer Xamarka aad baa loo fahmaa. Sayidka wuxuu ka wadey Af-Maay-ga oo runtii aan wax baddan laga fahmin. Isagaa xataa kala lahjad duwan. Af-maayga Jamaame iyo kan Xudur aad bay u kala duwan yihiin. Sheikh Awees waxaa lagu diley tuulada Biyooley oo ah meesha lagu siyaarto. Waana run isaga oo ah Qaadiriyada iyo Sayidka oo ah Saalixiyada iney siyaasad ahaan iska soo horjeedeen. Firqada Qaadiriyadaana at the end had won the battle of influence through its message of tolerance and peace. It certainly had more followers across Somali regions. Reer-Xamar-ka waa urban-Somali lingo mostly. Aad baana loo fahmaa. Famous singers and actors Iikar Jeesto, Shimaali Ahmed Shimaale, Luul Jaylaani, Marisa Carbone, Awees Qamiis, Faadumo Qaasim, Axmed Naaji Sacad, ma yara. Ururka Leegada ama SYL waxaa ka mid ahaa Sakhaawadiin iyo Dheere Xaaji Dheere Perhaps, MMA can explain more to us.

Lol@MMA. Waan ilaawey. Mar hore ayaa igu danbeysey majaajalidiisa Jayte, Allaha u naxariiste. Xaaji, qaldaanka cayaar maahan. Naw, Jaw, Jow.

Cynical lady, Shirwac means assemblyman or the presider of an important meaning. It's an indigenous Somali name as well as Hirsi, Wacays, Warfaa, Sharma'arke, etc. Have you listened to his poems? Very talented brother!

"Shirwa Hersi, a student at the University of Minnesota with deep passion for poetry visited Somali Public Radio in its Minnesota Studio. Shirwa has shared some of his poems with us and elaborated on how he views poetry as an avenue to convey his stories and concerns to the American Public. Shirwa discussed some of the themes he attempts to integrate in his work and insisted that poetry would bridge the gap between Somalis and the wider American community. He also orated some of his poems that attend to the question of identity, negative media portrayal and his experience as a first generation Somali American. This program has been produced by your very own Abdulqudus Nuur Salah Donyale. Please share with us your thoughts on this program by reaching us at spr@spr.fm" INTERVIEW

Congratz to the graduates. Zack, Ismaamulka Soomalida ee Itoobiya waxaan maqley in ilaa dugsiga sare laga dhigo Af-Soomaali. Ka dibna Ingiriisi lagu dhigto maadooyinka kale. Amxaariga qasabka leysku bari jirey waagii Mingiste ayaa u danbeysey soo maahan? Mida kale dhulkii Hor'umar weyn baa ka socda laygu yiri oo jidad (Highways) baa hada la wadaa, dhismo baddan iyo kobcinta tayada maamulka federaaliga.

Very funny. Keep it coming. Maadeey, Ereyada bold-ka aad ka dhigtey noo macneey saaxibow ama sheekada ka danbeysa noo sheeg.

If u know of any, do share with us some of the Somali songs you think might induce big laughter. Aw-kuku and Jeenyo (both RIP) had a couple of comic songs. This It sounds good too. Odayga meesha ku jira xataa ma yareeysanaayo.

Nice pics indeed. Thanks Xudeedi