JB, The VP is from Aden. He has no power base in San'a. Yemen is at the cross roads. The most important people in Saleh's government have been taken out, including the Prime Minister, the head of Parliament, the army chief, the governor of San'aa region... and a host of important and influential family members.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/05/yemen-saleh With the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, Yemenis now have a chance to resolve the political crisis that has bedevilled the country since February. Contrary to the official story that he merely suffered scratches and/or a slight head wound in the explosion on Friday, latest reports say he has second-degree burns to his face and chest, plus a piece of shrapnel lodged near his heart which is affecting his breathing – though Saleh, who is 69, is said to have been able to walk from the plane when he landed in Riyadh. A second plane followed him, reportedly carrying 24 members of his family. This is one indication that to all intents and purposes the Saleh era is finished. He is unlikely ever to return to Yemen as president – and the Saudis and Americans will be working behind the scenes to ensure that he doesn't. It's also worth mentioning that others injured by the explosion include the prime minister, deputy prime minister, the heads of both houses of parliament and the governor of Sana'a, the capital. Some of them have also been flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment. One of Saleh's nephews, the commander of the special forces, is said to have been killed. So, even discounting Saleh himself, what's left of his regime is in serious disarray. Given the desperate plight that Yemen is in, this offers the best prospect of a way forward for the country (as I suggested in an article on Friday). There is now a fair chance that the armed conflict will subside. It's by no means certain – and Yemen is never totally conflict-free – but the prospects for relative calm are a lot better now than they would have been if Saleh remained in Sana'a battling to cling on to power. Secondly, work can begin on the political transition, drawing on some elements from the plan negotiated earlier by the Gulf Cooperation Council – the one that Saleh, after agreeing to it verbally, refused at the last minute to sign. Apart from the lack of a signature from Saleh, there were two major problems with the plan which made it look unworkable at the time, though both of them are now somewhat academic. One was that parliament had to grant Saleh immunity from prosecution before he would budge. This condition had been grudgingly accepted by Yemen's official opposition parties, though the protesters on the streets, together with international human rights organisations, found it abhorrent. With Saleh now out of the country, it need no longer be a bone of contention. The second major hurdle in the GCC's plan was that it envisaged a prolonged resignation/transition period. After being granted immunity, Saleh would tender his resignation to parliament – though the parliament, where Saleh's party has an overwhelming majority, had the power to reject it unless he submitted his resignation for a second time. Meanwhile, the plan envisaged that Saleh would continue in office, working with a new transitional government that included opposition parties. Anyone familiar with Saleh's usual modus operandi could see that this would not work. He would use every means at his disposal to sabotage its implementation, and the plan itself allowed plenty of scope for him to do so. Despite that, the broad aim of the GCC plan – to form a government of national unity and prepare for elections – was (and is) the only practicable way forward in the circumstances, especially in the light on international concerns about Yemen's instability. It is far from ideal, because even the recognised opposition politicians have been around for years, some of them are as corrupt as Saleh's chums, and they are mostly devoid of new ideas for tackling the country's multifarious problems. The hope then, is that this will indeed be a short-term transition and that elections will eventually bring in some new blood that reflects the aspirations of the millions of Yemenis who have risked their lives for so long protesting on the streets. So far, constitutional procedures seem to be taking their course, and it is to be hoped that Saleh's kinsman, Ali Muhsen al-Ahmar, and the powerful tribal leaders will allow that to happen by staying on the sidelines. Vice-president Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi, a Saleh appointee and a former military man from the south who is something of a nonentity, has temporarily taken charge as required by the constitution. As a next step, he should form a new government from across the political spectrum. Obviously Hadi's position is precarious in the light of the recent turmoil but for the time being at least he can count on international support – most importantly, from the US and Saudi Arabia. The constitution specifies that presidential elections must be held within 60 days after Saleh resigns. Yemen is probably not ready for elections just yet but, since he is already out of the way, there is no immediate need for Saleh to formally resign. It's certainly not going to be an easy ride and there's an awful lot that could still go wrong. But Saleh's departure for Riyadh does create an opportunity for a solution and Yemenis, together with their friends abroad, must seize the moment.

Nice.

Beeldaaje Baashi... welcome back awoowe.

GD What is Puntland's obligations towards Laascaanood folks? and Has Puntland failed Laascaanood and Buuhoodle folks? that is the question that Taleexi and others want answered. What is your take on that?

Ninku ma qoowm Luud baa? Waa maxay ninka nin kale u heesaya.

Gabbal;724511 wrote: That "shrewd British diplomat" was representing the consensus of the UN Security Council as its rotating president. I think the test will be whether Somaliland participates in the Mogadishu summit. If such a thing happens, then obviously Faroole will have to be taken at his word but if such a situation does not transpire then obviously we will have to take these statements with a pinch of salt. There is no questions about whether the British diplomat is representing the UN Security Council or not.. the challenge is whether he said what the Pirate leader has eluded him to have said or not. As for the test you mentioned above... it will be like a cold day in hell. If you know what I mean. you might as well start taking the pinch of salt now.

"division of Somalia will never be accepted "... ...so typical of how a Somali thinks and reasons...they jump to the conclusion in haste. It doesn't fit of what one would expect from a shrewd British diplomat. Besides, who has the power to stop Somaliland from going on its own path?

I am sure Cabdilahi Yusuf is thinking of another place to call home now. Too bad, Libya is not an option either.

Great pictures. Strong support. Well Done. Happy May 18th.

Thank God. Bahashii urta badnayd ma laga badalay Burco?

Thanks JB. Those are very historic pictures indeed.

Good development.

RedSea;717572 wrote: Masha Allah! That should get the unemployment down to 95%(: LOL @ 95%... that is so pessimistic Mr Red. I think the unemployment rate is somewhere around the 50% mark.

Waa maalin weyn ha la ciido oo ha loo ciyaaro May 18.

A case of "meel u aar ka kacay, atoor fadhfadhiisay..."

Waxay joogta goorti afka danbiga laga ilaalinjiray ee tusbaxa iyo ducada alle la badsanjiray.. Siyaasadii ayaa madax martaye, ilaahay inu khaatumoda waafajiyo aamin umara.

The occasion is Somaliland’s National Day and Somaliland youth are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Somaliland's declaration of independence (as yet not recognised by the international community) in style – by plastering the worldwide web with the Somaliland flag! The Somaliland flag campaign encourages all Somalilanders on Facebook* to replace their profile picture with the Somaliland flag. The response has been overwhelming! A Somalilander colleague proudly shows me a long list of his friends on Facebook who have since changed their profiles. The entire page is covered with the Somaliland flag. I asked Abdibasid Ibrahim Adam, HYDA’s Program Officer, to explain. Me: Tell me, why all these flags on Facebook? A.A: Somaliland Facebook users are being encouraged to change their profile pictures by replacing them with the Somaliland flag. We want to commemorate the 18 May this way. Me: Who was or is the brains behind this idea? A.A: I do not know but all I can say is that this idea is great. Young people know more about this and this year the campaign is stronger compared to previous years – ICT has empowered the young people. Young people are encouraging their friends who have not yet changed their profiles to do so. I would also like to encourage you to do so as our development worker (chuckles). Me: But, I’m not a Somalilander. A.A: That’s just the thing. We want foreigners in this country to join us, the Somalilanders in the Diaspora, and the entire world to come and help us celebrate. Me: What is your idea of celebrating this day? A.A: I want to see the UN flag ‘flying’ together with the Somaliland flag on Facebook. To me that symbolises the alliance of the UN with Somaliland. It says, “the UN is behind Somaliland”. This is like a big celebration by people in the Diaspora and in the country. Non-Somalilanders are also commemorating with us. They are posting comments encouraging the international community to recognise Somaliland and not to marginalise it. Me: Tell me more about these comments that you are getting? A.A: People are posting both old and new songs with lyrics that praise Somaliland using YouTube. Some are discussing Somaliland‘s recognition by the international community on Facebook, the importance and relevance of this day and the previous flag of Somaliland, among other issues. The great thing about this whole commemoration issue is that young people are actually gaining some knowledge from this platform. For example, there are young people who do not know the story behind the Somaliland SNM (Somali National Movement - 1991-93) administration flag. Those in the know are explaining the history pertaining to this flag. Posting this information on Facebook means it can be used as a resource tool for people who need to research on the history of Somaliland - so much information is being uploaded on a daily basis for the benefit of such people. Some people have designed new ideas – such as a mug painted with a Somaliland flag. I personally posted a picture adapted from the UN website of people sitting in a circular position watching the UN wall. I replaced the UN wall with a Somaliland flag. If you see the new picture that I have created, it gives the impression that the people in the picture are discussing the future of Somaliland. Not so long ago not many people were so interested in this day but Facebook has revolutionised the way young people look at the celebrations, helping them come up with innovative ideas of commemorating our National Day. ...... And as the countdown towards the celebration of this important day in every Somalilander’s calendar continues, one cannot help but feel the excitement that is in the air, in anticipation of much more great things to come in this part of the Horn of Africa. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Facebook is a social networking service and website. Users may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, exchange messages, and join common interest user groups. Photo: Girls wearing the colours of the Somaliland flag (© F.Omer/Flickr

Xaaji, Hadalkaa waxaan ula dan lahaa, my good old Dukey... I wonder where he is today. I know he is never far away from the computer.

Che -Guevara;715874 wrote: That you are in good company. hmm... in the good company of who I wonder?

^ back again....

^and what does that confirm?

There has aalways been a strong Somaliland community in Kuwait even in the SNM days. Well done.

AfricaOwn, Take it easy on Faroole. Odeyga marka hore seedi ayaa loo yahay. Marka xiga, he is the unofficial security cheif for Somaliland in the Pirate state. Have you heard about Garaado ku shirayaa Garoowe since he came to the helm?? He cracks down anti Somaliland elements from Puntland. Faroole is no friend of those who want to harm Somaliland, namely the anti-peace group SSC. Odeyga marmar waxaan idhaa speech uu ku hadlo ma Hargeisa looga draft gareeya.

There are a couple of websites who publish content that only makes sense to an insane person. 1. Waagacusub 2. Allsanaag.com 3. Idimaale.com 4. Dayniile.com The following Websites adher to Siyad Barre's Xidigta October Newspaper code of practice: 1. Jidbaale.com 2. Allpuntland.com If you read anything on these websites, you will need to find a third-party website to confirm the facts. Like Xidigta October, they are more scewed to cheap propaganda than reality.