Some of my friends from the region actually related to me that the deal between United Somali Western Liberation Front and the Ethiopian government rattled the ranks of ONLF leaders. Majority of the local inhabitants, the sentiment goes, have become weary of this endless war and want peace and development. The rationale for this shift of perception and political stance is that since Ethiopia's tentacles of indirect control stretch beyond the disputed borders, it's counter-productive to go on this strategy. "Doing the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome" says the famous Chinese proverb. Another reason for this shift of ONLF's decline of assumed popular support is that it has been accused of engaging subversive activities of the Islamist's influence and even direct onslaught to curry favor from the West, but this has worked to the advantage of [edit. Sheikh] Ibraahim and made him pretty populist as the leader of UWSLF, and, thus, he consolidated his power in the region. It's possible the soi-dissant agreement might force ONLF to change the face value of its struggle and become legal contestors under Ethiopia.

I came across this clearly concise illustration of the mystery of this concept and its widespread but dangerous misconception, from the new book of Ismail A. Ismail. Exchange similar & interesting encounters..

Originally posted by chocolate & honey: We dont kill ourselves over our opinion dee hadaan dumar nahay. We battle over it verbally until one of us goes home crying unlike men. I heard Somalis used to be a matriarchal society in pre-Islam/Arawello era? Alas the tribal division, I see unprecedented force of quality in our women and I believe they have kept us resilient and strong in all these years of turmoil.

The most we expected of his government was to promote reconciliation and peace. In the next cabinet reshuffling, he can request from his PM to at least appoint two women to important posts. Or the Sheikh knows not how to walk as usual.

A smart and honest woman would advise the following: taking for granted your spouse's decency and traditional generosity, not knowing an unexpressed, hidden distaste for an irresponsible behavior can slowly build up for some time, even years that, later on, the slightest mistake can trigger a chain reaction of an unexpected explosion that may lead to a final break-up. So ladies the time-honored rule of thumb is to conduct yourself in good faith and quit the insecurity stuff about what the future holds--overspending your spouse to measure his loyalty or run a routine credit check that he never fails the payment of his due passion is quite counterproductive. it's what they popularly refer to as "playing the modern-day relationship cards" in other words hiding the truth of your suspicions, fear and mistrust and then doing irrational things to compensate the deficit. One possible way to shield your family from the trials and tribulation of a materialist world is to return to Allah's teachings and following the path it set. The rest is consulting with your right judgement. Imagine donating a fraction of that spent on shopping.

^Che, I was in all straightforwardness trying to pump some sense into his head but it's to no avail as you can see. To the benefit of observers where his remarks might induce doubts I'm more than satisfied to pass it over. Here is an article I wrote with regards to the security situations PL & "SL" has created in the region and thus led to the indefinate delay of that humanitarian Las Qoray port and similar causes, thereof, like Ade's refusal to release some of the funds alloted to it by the TFG but that is a different project altogether the community refuses to give up on its implementation sooner or later..

^Mr. Cawke, think of this project as either the early establishment of the East African University or similar ones. It's a local effort and idea to fund and create a much-needed Marine Institute in Somalia. The UN's proposal, however, to aid these two entities (PL & SL) in the fight against piracy has nothing to do with it. The UN's proposal is an attempt to stop this problem through the use of force and the local media; it does not serve as the establishment of an educational institution by equiping people with skills and knowledge to better their lives with regards to Marine Science and Management and train new coast guards and fishermen. (Reread my last post)

Another GoodNews..PL's chamber of commerce!!

D/p...

Good News. What happened to the promise by the Italian government to reinstate an old contract that was to complete an unfinished project on a network of roads, one connecting Erigavo-Bosaso and another Bosaso-BanderBeila?

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: Why do i have the feeling that Cowke & Xaaji-xunjuf are the same ?? ,,,, Cawke is a young man with a lot of passion for his ancestral land so I'll rather discount his faux pass than hold him accountable. It's his own judged egalitarian, independent and honest views as every other member does. Btw, the report is not from a website but from the implementing agency itself.

^don't worry, an ignorant old man's vitriol has/had no weight other than exposing the sickness in his heart and the powerlessness of his narrow base to achieve a shady deal that would have probably given him a chance to enrich himself in so short a time. (It's all in past). The people he insulted (for I commented on his remarks at the time here in Sol) lived in a region whose per capita income was very high compared to any regions of PL and how they in fact dominate the thriving business communities of Bosaso, Erigavo, Las Qoray & Badhan. As to the news, this is by far the best public project to have been proposed and accepted (soon to be undertaken) ever since the collapse of the Somali state. It's a capacity building institute that will give professional training and skills to any prospective student from the coastal communities as to how to easily deploy a new technology and tap our marine resources and support small businesses or an established fishing industry like the Las Qoray fish canning plant and many others that may emerge. Skills in Marine Science is definately what our people need given the very long coast our country is blessed with. The problems of the criminal high-seas piracy in Puntland and Somalia are largely due to the effects of our recurring draught problems that continue to wipe out our livestock every year and the clan conflict over scarce water and green pasture thus the dismal socio-economic condition that characterizes Somalia. According to this report by Jamal, the communication coordinator of Sahan Relief and Development Organization, the institute (once built and start functioning with the funding they have now secured from donors and interested affiliations) aims to accomplish key objectives in two main technical colleges: The first one has three specific fields of study. 1. Marine Science. 2. Resource Management. 3. Vocational skills on repair maintenance and how to manufacture small boats. The second college sounds like a naval academy that is to give a direct professional training to would-be future coast guards or marine officers of Somalia. 1. Training for new armed Coast Guards. 2. Health and Emergency Response training. 3. And Seafaring and Fishing skills. Job well done..

Sacad, if that claim gives you a much-needed ego-boosting confidence, so be it. When the SNM conquered the Awdal region, it was mainly reer Damallahagare that put them into an irreversible retreat. A resident from Erigavo is greatly familiar with this past history and wouldn't in fact utter such words on their face. Thanks to Somalia's fluid politics, clan is not a major factor at this time in Erigavo as those same sub-clan of Erigavo/Carmale maintain and run the city's post-anarchic administration.

What's going on here. Friends of the seperatist camp have now ganged up on one young, informative and articulate fellow. And he singlehandedly came up with unassailable claim and supporting evidence as to what framework the ownership and administration of Erigavo is based on. If the recent skirmish in the city is any guide to the outside world, no entity is either uniform in its capacity nor has it any monopoly on the day to day affairs of the city. The so called district governor is just a clan figurehead confined to his sub-clan's domain of influence and he has no power to the same effect of the former mayors who had commanded popular support from every clan while, in his official capacity, was able to oversee the deliberations of the Council and the civil service of the administrative beauracracy when Somalia had a functioning, central government. Unless we like to lull the uninformed Diaspora into a false sense of security abt a state that does not exist, this is the reality on the ground. I would rather not enter in this redundant topic that always seems to delight and interest the secessionists time and again. Btw, DamallaHagare and environs are very strategic since that is a traditional stronghold of one of the major sub-clans of Erigavo and it had been, on a number of ocassions, where the SNM miltia got humiliating defeats (prior to the ceasefire and subsequent agreements.) So the Sultans' visit of the town, in addition to his prestige and peace-making role, is very important but only the uninformed folks from Haud and environs know less of that. Let them wallow in their wild dreams.

Great work and much appreciation to our sister Yasmeen and her dedication to build bridges of trust and understanding between communities of different backgrounds and culture. From left, Shelley Barski and Yasmeen Maxamuud who wrote her book, “Nomad Diaries,” at local coffee houses like It’s a Grind. Maxamuud, who is an American citizen, wants to demystify the Muslim garb and educate people about her Somali heritage. “Before we were known as the pirate community, we were known as the poetic community,” she said. Source: The Coast via Hiiraan

Originally posted by NGONGE: On the dogs thing I was just mocking the gaalo and how they would jump up to save animals in a war torn country without a hint of shame. On Riyaale, I was mocking him and praising him all at the same time. I think, on the whole, he did well to keep that place in one piece. P.S. Nassir & Showqi, pay no attention to my little scuffles with young B. He loves it (trust me, he does). Alright but I give u this title from now on. Caaqil Ngonge so then the young generation can get their note books ready and act on your wisdom.

An interesting old thread at the height of the Islamist control of Somalia. LINK There is an article written by Nuruddin Farah and published by the New York Times titled, "My Life as a Diplomat". The fact is that there are no central institutions in Somalia which can preserve and develop our culture while at the same time balancing and moderating the forces of dominant cultures like Somalia Academy of Science and Arts used to do before our state collapse

It looks very cool. It's like a small labtop. Played with its features a little bit. LST, you are into that category of early adopters. I understand though being a professional engineer, keeping in step and pace with the constantly changing technology is a must. This thing hasn't even reached Europe yet.

Ngonge and B, take it easy fellow sol nomads. Your contributions to our forum are of immense importance. Everyone is unique and has invisible gifts that he or she can tap it to the public for our own benefit. Other than that, it's all kaftan and words on screen. Respect and treat your fellow nomad by example of positive confrontation, avoid when it leans personal...

and you must denounce him....failure to do so will make you a sympathizer and soon, who knows, he might convince you to strap a bra full of explosive on you Lool. Lazie, are u on a mission.

No wonder the man who cares not always wins or keeps her guessing because the opposite has to bear the brunt of the tit for tat game. "A missed call equals to a missed one" it's like you either match the frequence of get-together interactions or pay the consequence. Lol. Also, who falls for "all the glitterings are gold" game? Good topic..

Indeed, another movie that's testimony to how our image is rendered in a manner that humiliates our psyche. Quality picture aided by the possession of a market power sells but the storyline, as usual, is devoid of respect for others, a repeated script and scenerio that is figuritively tantamount to an invading army that justifies its brutality of the locals as humanitarian and the spread of democracy through the channels of its own media. Even if we make our own movies, to build the leverage to challenge and sway the superior firepower of the western film industry and its economies of scale requires a huge capital to attract the expertise and an audience to build that ever lasting brand whose soft power your posterity can reap? You can also put it that it is all business and free markets with a large and diverse participants locked in an arbitrage, however, the distorted rendering of our true story, culture, physical appearance has a large ethnocentric audience quite steeped in their self-absorption of us vs them.

Originally posted by chocolate & honey: Ala lalabo badanaa! The lowest of low lives are dadka u dhinto dadka kale mabda'ooda, meaning they recyle every rubish uttered by red-necks and Islamic phobics, thinking that makes them sound smarter. well said C&H