Faytuun Xaaji nice pictures... Was this your first time?

^^ Welcome on board my friend Your first post and you are already firing some bullets in the air. Is Somaliland a secessionist state or is it a country restoring its sovereignty? That's the very first question for one to tackle when it comes to addressing Somaliland's bid for independence independence. Considering the historic aspects of being a formerly independent state which was recognised by a number of prominent countries before it "willingly" (borrowed that term again) united with Somalia(proper) on 01/07/1960. And after the failure of the "union" and the total collapse of the nation that once existed between the years 1960-1991, Somaliland declared to "restore" its lost sovereignty again "willingly". Within that backdrop, Somaliland and its supporters (Somali or otherwise) believe Somaliland is not a region seceding from its mother country, rather its a country restoring its independence over its old internationally recognised border.

^^Dadka qaar ayaa intaa Brush xaarleh Somaliland la dabo socda. It is cajiib!

Ciid Mubarak

^^Corrections sxb I think you meant to say Jean Daudelin & Lee Seymour the academics who authored the piece that these little nobodies are seeking to reply to. Only a fool would try and block the sun with his own barehands and would think the rest of the world also do not see the light too. Likewise, these little nobodies would do anything, yes anything (check that link out). But as the saying goes, If wishes were like horses...

I think Mr. Ahmednaj would rather look across the Atlantic if he was true to his words. Here is a good article from a Confused Christian. ------- Dear Abby: Do Israelis have Christians in their Government? By Terry Thurber Al-Jazeerah, October 26, 2005 Dear Abby: With all the focus on the outing of [at least one] CIA agents in the news pointing to Libby and Ledeen, our Vice President’s advisors, and the NYT reporter, Judith Miller, I have noticed many stories that [anecdotally] indicated these persons are [also] Jewish. Now don’t get me wrong, many close to me are Jewish, but few of them would fabricate stories that would attempt to bring harm to someone or draw the nation into a war that has killed thousands of Americans and Iraqis. But, this story perked my interest as to the make up of our government based on religious affiliations. I have read that the Clinton White House staff enjoyed a 55% Jewish ratio, while our current White House only enjoys a 35% Jewish staff. I also learned than many private employment agencies in DC specialize in the placement of Jewish prospects. I have not learned of any agencies that specialize in placing Christians in our government. Of course, that does not mean there are none. It is disturbing, however, to think that most of the 98% of Americans that do not practice the teachings of Judaism, are too incompetent or simple minded to participate in the decisions of our government at a ratio that more honestly expresses the demographics of our great country I [also] learned that John Negroponte, our previous ambassador to the UN when Iraq was invaded, is Jewish. I have learned that the Honduran Commission on Human Rights has a complaint against Mr. Negroponte. It is strange that our nation would have an alleged human rights violator as a UN Ambassador. It is [equally] strange that Negroponte, as well as Paul Bremer (both Jewish) would be placed in positions of authority in Iraq, especially given the sensitivities of Arabs to the Zionist State when it seems their trust for what our government is doing is so critical. I also note that under Bremer and Negroponte, almost 10 Billion dollars, belonging to US taxpayers, seems ‘lost’ to embezzlement; and that Israel, of all countries, is now in the oil business inside the borders of Iraq. If we look at other cabinet positions in the US government we see that Jews have served us proudly, many times in the past, in positions as critical as the Secretary of Defense. But, there is also concern, as many have described, regarding the heavy weighting of Jewish participation in the so-called neo-con group at the Pentagon’s Office of Special Plans. The OSP gave America the PNAC treatise, the invasion of Iraq, and a beating of the drums to invade Iran. And now we learn that a government official in the OSP, Larry Franklin, and two executives of the Israeli lobby, AIPAC, have been indicted for espionage, against the US, on behalf of Israel. However, is has been difficult to get a read on Christian participation in the government of Israel. I cannot find information that breaks down high level advisors to Israel’s government or cabinet positions or ambassadorships, based on religious affiliations. It would be very easy to accept that Israel, a nation with the highest regard for American interests, a nation that [also] enjoys a very special fiduciary relation with the US taxpayer, would [also] place Christians (the de facto state religion of the US) in high and important positions (in the Israeli government) at least at a ratio that is par with the Jewish representation America enjoys in the US government. But alas, that information is difficult to locate. So, Abby, are Christians in high level positions in the government of Israel? Regards, Confused

^^I remember you once had a signature which went like "buquuq baqaaq" --------- SOMALIA: UN envoy commends Somaliland's stability HARGEYSA, 1 November (IRIN) - The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, on Monday praised efforts by the self-declared republic of Somaliland to nurture democracy and enhance stability in the territory. "The people of Somaliland are to be commended for the progress they have made towards security and true democracy," Fall, who visited Somaliland for talks with senior officials, political party leaders and civil society representatives, said. Residents of Somaliland, he said, had "succeeded in rising above the conflicts that have stifled social progress and the peaceful aspiration of the vast majority of the Somali people for the past 14 years". The visit was Fall's first trip to Somaliland, the northwestern Somali region that unilaterally seceded from the rest of Somalia after the collapse of regime of the late Muhammad Siyad Barre, in 1991. The Somaliland president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, in a statement issued after meeting Fall expressed his dismay over what he alleged was a deliberate stand by both the UN and the international community not to recognise Somaliland's achievements. He said the people of Somaliland believed they had been held hostage for 15 years, despite their desire to be separated from the rest of Somalia. "In May 2001 the people of Somaliland reaffirmed their independence in a referendum in which more than 97 percent voted to maintain Somaliland as a separate state but still they are being kept hostage by the desire and designs of warlords....they view the UN ignorance as injustice," said Kahin. Fall promised to report his observations to the UN Secretary-General. "I am pleased to get this opportunity to see Hargeysa, listen, learn and discuss with leaders from diverse sectors. I will definitely report what I saw, heard and learnt here back to the UN Secretary-General and also to the UN Security Council session on Somalia on 9 November in New York ," he said.

Somaliland (PANA) - Registration of small arms by civilians in Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland is underway in Burao, headquarters of Togdheer region, after a workshop jointly organised by local authorities and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative was discussed at the three-day workshop in Burao, which was attended by representative from the government, clans, civil society organisations and women groups. Togdheer governor, Abdi Hussein Dheere said some 300 people who registered their weapons in the past few days, had been issued with firearms certificates. According to Kayse Adan Ismail, a director at the Interior Ministry the idea of registering arms received an overwhelming support from the workshop participants. UNDP officials, supervising the exercise said the campaign had produced a positive impact, although much work was required to rid the regions of illicit arms. "We are encouraged with what we have seen, this is small portion of the whole (process) we are embarking on awareness creation in the other remaining regions," said Sidi Zohabi of the UN agency. According to Zohabi, with the demobilisation of former combatants of the Somalia National Movement (SNM) and clan militiamen, coupled with the surrender of heavy weapons, a favourable environment now exists in Somaliland for dealing with the issue of small arms. A former British protectorate, Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from mainland Somalia following the 1991 overthrow of President Mohamed Siad Barre, who died in exile in Nigeria in 1995. While Somalia has been battling to restore order, the international community has yet to recognise the independence of Somaliland.

Hargeysa (Halganews) Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland ayaa caawa ku qaabilay Madaxtooyada JSL Wakiilka Xoghayaha guud ee Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan arrimaha Somaliland iyo Soomaaliya Mr. Farcois Lonsensy Fall, wada hadalkaa ka dib warsaxaafadeed ka soo baxay Madaxtooyadda Somaliland kuna seexan yahay afhayeenka Madaxtooyada Cabdi Idiris Ducaale ayaa isaga oo dhamaystiran u qornaa sidan "Waxaanu ka xunnahay in Jimicyadda Quruumaha ka dhaxaysaa ay xaqiiqada ka jirta Somaliland ay indhaha uga qarsatay, Qaran aan jirin daraadii muddo 15 sanno ah, annagoo ahayn hooyadii Sabab Somaliweyn ugu biirtay Somaliyada nalagu cadaadinayo. Sidaasi waxa uu Madaxweynaha Jahuuriyadda Somaliland Mudane Daahir Rayaale Kaahin uu ku yidhi Mudane, Farcois L. Fall oo ah ergayga gaarka ah ee Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan Somaliland iyo Somalia oo uu kulan la yeeshay casho sharaf uu u sameeyay ka hor caawa. Madaxweynaha oo weftiga uga mahad celiyey imaatinkooda,waxa uu ugu horreyntii ka codsaday in imaatinkoodu aanu noqon sidii kuwii hore, xaqiiqo raadin ayaan u imid haddana Golaha Ammaanka oo aan waxba la gaadhsiin. Madaxweynuhu, waxa uu ergayga si faahfaahsan ugaga warramay taariikhda Somaliland, sida: 1. In ay markii hore ahayd maxmiyad Ingiriisku uu dusha ka ilaaliyo oo xuduudaheeda caalamiga ah leh oo guumaysigu uga tagay oo ahaa Somali kuwii ugu horreeyay ee xor noqda, riyaddii Shanta Somaliweyna inay midoobaana doonista shacbigan ugu biiray Somalia oo talyaanigu uu xornimadooda siiyay dabadayo, taas oo caddeynaysa annagu inaanu ahayn hooyada in la helo Somali weyn ee aanay ujeedadu ahayn ku biiris Muqdisho iyo Midnimada muqadaska lagu sheegayo ee uu Butras Qaali Xog-hayihii hore ee Qaramada Midoobay kaga tagay Xafiiska Qaramada Midoobay kaas oo aanu codsanayno in meesha laga saaro. Madaxweynuhu waxa uu sheegay, in Somaliland ay iskeed iyadoo ayna cidina taageerin u hirgelisay, Dib-u heshiisiin illaa iyo heer hoose lagaga soo bilaabay, taas oo aasaaskiisu ahaa shirweynihii Jabhadda SNM ay beelaha Somaliland qaybahooda kala gedisan ku kulmisay Burco 1991, halkaas oo lagu go;aamiyey nabad la wada qaatay iyo in dib looga soo noqdo la midawgii Somalia, oo lagu dhawaaqo sidii aanu ahayn 1960 kuna eekaano xuduudahayagii caalamiga ahaa. Waxa noo dhismay buu yidhi, qaran hay’adihiisii kala duwan ay u dhan yihiin, waxana noo suurta gashay hub ka dhigista iyo qaramaynta illaa 50’000 oo maleeshiyo ah, waxaanu axdi qarameed 1993 shirweynihii labaad ee lagu qabtay Boorame lagu sameeyay kadib markii Jabhadii SNM labadii sanadood ee loogu tallo galay oo ahayd mid taariikhiya ay ku wareejiyeen Beelaha Somaliland, laguna dhisay Hay’adihii hoggaaminta Dalka. Intaa ka dib waxa noo suurto gashay, hubka dhigis, taas ooo keentay raga maanta sugaya nabadgelyada Somaliland inay yihiin kuwii hore isaga soo horjeestay oo ku walaaloobay Somaliland oo waliba hubkii ay iyaku lahaayeen ku ilaalinaya Nabadgelyada iyo Qaranimadooda, waxana noogu xigtay haykalkii Dawladnimo oo dhidibada loo taagay iyo shirweynihii 1997 lagu qabtay Hargeysa oo aanu ku ansixinay Dastoor, qaabkii beelaha loogaga gudbayo oo shacbigani ay ugu coddeeyeen 2001, 97% gooni isu taagga Somaliland waa lagama noqdaan. Waxaanu ku dhaqannay dastoorkaasi oo noo suurto galiyey, markii Madaxweynihii hore uu geeriyooday alla ha u naxariistee sida uu qorayo Dastuurkaasi inaan ku qabto Jagada Madaxweynaha anigoo Madaxweyne ku xigeen ahaa, kadibna dib la iigu doorto 2003, waxa noo suurto gashay Doorashooyinkii Dawladdaha Hoose , tii Madaxtooyada iyo ta Baarlamanka oo ugu dambaysay, taasi oo aan ka dhicin Africa iyo wadamada soo koraya intooda badan. Madaxweynuhu, waxa uu intaasi ku daray Jimciyadda Quruumaha ka dhaxaysa maaha Hay’ad wax aqoonsata, waxase aanu ka rabnaa Caddaalad ku salaysan, xaqiiqada ka jirta Somaliland inaanay ku daboolin Qaran aan jirin, anakoo waliba ka xun kursigii aanu wada lahayn in la fadhiisiiyey Xukuumad meel ay xukuntaa aanay jirin, anakoo jirnana lanaga hortaagan yahay. Ta labaad, waxaanu ku dulmannahay qiimeynta heerka nabadgelyadayada oo ka wanaagsan heerka wadamo badan oo xor ah, in haddana lagu qiimeeyo heerka afraad oo iska kaqyo hortaagaya horumarintii dalkani uu caalamka kaga qayb qaadan lahaa, taas oo aanu codsanayno in deg deg wax looga qabto. Madaxweynuhu wuxuu yidhi, waxaan kaa codsanayaa in Golaha Ammaanka ee aad tagi doonto iyo Xog-hayaha Guud in la is waydiiyo mar uun, ma jirtaa qayb ka mid ahaan jirtay Jamhuuriyaddii Soomaaliyeed ayaa wanaagsan oo shaqeynaysa oo aan ahayn meesha dib u heshiiya lagu kari waayay. Waxaanu rajaynaynaa in aanan noqon qaran la duudsiyay ee Xaqiiqada ka jirta Somaliland la hor dhigo wadamada Caalamka ee iyagu aqoonsiga bixiya. Ergayga Xog-hayaha Guud oo ka mahad celiyey soo dhaweyntii, waxa uu sheegay in uu aad ugu faraxsan yahay imaatinkiisa halkan iyo waxa wanaagsan ee uu ku arkay, anigoo horena u soo arkay, waxa ka jira Somaliya, waxay ii tahay fursad fiican inaan indhahayga ku arko xaqiiqada ka jirta Somaliland, waxaanan ku hambalyeynayaa guulaha aad gaadheen shacbiga Somaliland, Madaxweynihii hore ee geeriyooday iyo adiga Madaxweynaha Maanta ka ah. Waxaanan kaa ballan qaadayaa Madaxweynoow, oo aan kuu xaqiijinayaa 09/11/05 kulanka ay golaha ammaanku ka yeelanayaan arrinta Somalia, inaan farriintaadu siday tahay aan ugu gudbiyo xaqiiqada ka jirta Somaliland-na ay siday tahay halkaa ugu bandhigo anigoo dhambaalkan xog-hayaha guudna gaadhsiin doona. Ergaygu, wuxuu intaa ku daray, wax badan baanu dadku ka ogeyn in Somaliyana Talyaanigu xukumi jirey idinkuna aad ahaydeen Maxmiyad ingiriis guumaysan jirey, farriintaasna waxaan kaa ballan qaadayaa in aan golaha ammaanka gaadhsiiyo. Wuxuu ergaygu ku nuuxnuuxsaday, warka laguu keenayo inay ka qiimo badan tahay arargtidu, haddii aan soo arkay Jawhar, Muqdisho iyo meelaha kale ee Somaliya, halkan Somaliland xaqiiqada aan ku arkay nabadgelyada ka jirta iyo wixii idiin qabsoomay, siday tahay ayaan u gudbin doonaa. Waxa ugu dambayntii uu Madaxweynuhu ergayga u dhiibay dhambaal qoraal ah oo Xog-hayaha Guud ugaga waramayo qaddiyada Somaliland, waxa u qabsoomay iyo waxayunu ka tirsanayno Qaramada midoobay iyo waxaynu ka doonaynaba. Intaasi ka dib waxa loo fadhiistay casho sharaf ay kala qayb galeen koo Wasiiro ah iyo xubnihii kale ee weftiga halkaasi oo ay ka mid ahaayeen, la taliyayaashiisa arrimaha siyaasadda iyo Militariga, is xogwaraysigii ku saabsanaa xaqiiqda ka jirta Somaliland. Casho sharaftaasi waxay ku dhammatay jawi wanaagsan". reporter@halganews.com Abdifatah Hassan Hargeisa Somaliland

^^interesting So are you saying we will no longer be part of mainland Africa? Sky Haa walle waan ku qoslay. I laughed hard. The guy was being honest by the way. I don't know if its coincidence or not but there could be some truth in the old man's assertion.

^^LOL Sxb, lets just hope you'll not abandon Col. Yey's like you had for Gen. Morgan. Kol hadii abaari timaado Dhimatay gees dheere (Morgan et al) Ragga laxaha sii dhawrayow (Col. Yey) dhaqasho waa geel

This article below made me laugh. ---- Borama town experiences increased seismic movements in the month of Ramadan Hashim Goth, ANN= Borama, 30 Oct. 2005—People living in the town of Borama and its surroundings have experienced an increase of seismic tremors during the month of Ramdan. The tremors which have rocked the town almost daily did not cause any material damage but have caused a lot fear and panic. People who spoke to Awdalnews Network said that they were scared that the daily tremors might develop into something more deadly. However, in the absence of seismological centers in the country, the people said that they could only pray to God to save them. Some people accused the government of not doing anything to inform the world about such impending earthquake. “May be they are waiting until a disaster takes place,†said one of the people. Some of Borama residents believe their town to be the center of global seismogical movements. Mohammed Abdi, an elderly who have seen many tremors in Borama, said whenever a tremor jolts Borama we know that an earthquake would wreck havoc in some other place of the world . “ All the earthquakes that took place in Iran, Indonesia, Turkey and recently Pakistan had all followed after the people of Borama had felt a tremor ,†he added.

Building International Trade Links For traders, pastoralists and farmers in the Horn of Africa, the port of Berbera is one of the main gates to foreign markets and a key to future development. The port currently serves both land-locked Ethiopia and Somaliland and has the potential to become a regional trade hub. This could, in turn, make the Addis Ababa-Hargeisa-Berbera transport corridor a major catalyst for trade and economic development. To support these objectives, the EU selected Louis Berger SAS and Afro-Consult to assess the feasibility of upgrading the port and transportation links supporting it, including the Berbera Corridor Highway, the Berbera and Hargeisa Airports and the Ethiopia-Somaliland border crossing facilities. The Team assessed the condition of the road links between Berbera and Addis Ababa, the Berbera port facilities, the Hargeisa and Berbera Airports and established current and future demand. Although current demand along the corridor is relatively low, the consultants anticipated that reconstruction of the area and the growing export of livestock will encourage increased traffic. The Team also compared the costs and advantages of Ethiopia using the port of Berbera with those of competing ports, including Djibouti, Assab, Massawa, Mombassa and Port Sudan. Berger team members established that the development of the port of Berbera is the key to improved regional trade links. Port specialists analyzed the current depth and capacity for each of the existing quays and considered a number of proposals for improving the port, including the expansion of existing quays and yards to provide increased capacity, the development of the "American Quay" to accommodate large ships and the rehabilitation of the oil jetty. In addition, the Team recommended the preparation of a port master plan to ensure that all future developments are carefully integrated. Once the demand studies were completed, specialists prepared recommendations for the improvement of the corridor transportation networks, including upgrading the Harar-Jijiga and Jijiga-Togochale roadways in Ethiopia and bridging several wadis, or flood channels. To improve air travel and cargo shipment, the Team evaluated the two principal airports in Somaliland-Hargeisa and Berbera. Increasingly, air freight carriers in the Middle East and Africa are switching from propeller aircraft to jets. This requires the modernization of the runways, aprons and taxiways at both airports. To reduce costs, the Team recommended that the improvements be included with a proposed €32 million contract to resurface the roads in the corridor. The improvement of this international trade route provides significant potential for increased revenues in both Somaliland and Ethiopia. To foster and monitor this trade, Berger also evaluated the current capacity of the customs system and prepared recommendations to reduce smuggling between Ethiopia and Somaliland and streamline customs procedures. Among the recommendations, Team members suggested the revision of tariffs to meet recent changes in the market value of goods and the use of pre-shipment inspections for higher valued items. The Team then assisted customs officials in establishing separate procedures for goods in transit and drafted improved enforcement regulations. The Berger Group also worked in Ethiopia to improve rail connections with Djibouti. Along with Hifab International and Swederail, Berger evaluated the current demand and revenues of the Chemin de Fer Djibouti-Ethiopien railroad which connects Addis Ababa and Djibouti and identified programs to increase use of the railroad through a private concession and an improved operations and marketing plan.

United Nations Special Representative to Visit Hargeisa, Somaliland Nairobi - 28 October 2005: The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG), Francois Lonseny Fall, will travel to Hargeisa at the weekend to meet with H.E. Dahir Riyale Kahin and other leaders (30-31 October). It will be Ambassador Fall’s first visit to Somaliland which has just concluded its first parliamentary election. “The people and their leaders are to be commended for the progress they have made towards security and true democracy,†he said. “They have succeeded in rising above the conflicts that have stifled social progress and the peaceful aspirations of the vast majority of the Somali people for the past 14 years.†“I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit Hargeisa and to listen and learn from Somali leaders there,†Ambassador Fall said.

Somalia: Interview with Maxwell Gaylard, UN Humanitarian Coordinator[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations] HARGEYSA, 27 October (IRIN) - The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Maxwell Gaylard, visited the country including Somaliland and Puntland on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the UN. In an interview with IRIN on 23 October in Hargeysa, the Somaliland capital, he talked about the UN's work there. Below are excerpts of the interview: QUESTION: How have the UN agencies contributed to the management of conflict in Somalia? ANSWER: It was a very difficult situation. Following the collapse of the Somali state in early 90's, conflict was waged across several parts particularly in the center [and] south. We have tried to focus where we can, first of all on providing humanitarian support for people affected by the conflict - IDPs [internally displaced people], refugees and so on. Even in the areas of conflict you will find UN agencies providing water, health and social services [and] carrying out development projects, for example, the re-opening of the Chinese canal in the middle Shabelle area of the Shabelle river. The UN has promoted land surveys for farmers. We are told that has led to a reduction in conflict among clans and sub-clans. We are operating on a lot of fronts - humanitarian, recovery and development across a wide range of sectors. Q: What have your efforts in restoring the rule of law and security achieved? A: The principle achievement of the UN in re-establishing the rule of law has been in areas where Somalis themselves have achieved or re-established a measure of peace. The best example is Somaliland, which has been peaceful for some time now. You had a process in Somaliland led by locals. They talked for many months under the trees in Burao and Borama, so that has given us something to build upon. It is really up to the Somalis to take the lead in re-establishing peace and reconciliation. In Somaliland they have a very good police force [and] in Puntland we are beginning with the authorities to assist in establishing a police force and reform the judiciary. We have been more successful in the northern areas, in Somaliland and northeast Somalia. In the center [and] south, we are just beginning since the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been there for only one year. It is striving to put itself in place - making some progress but the whole thing will take sometime. I think we have to think in terms of years rather than months or weeks to re-establish the rule of law. But the UN got a lot of experience from Somaliland and the northeast of Somalia and I think we are in a position to help in the center [and] south. As we speak, about 60 senior police officers have returned from training in Uganda and those will help to establish the new Somalia police force. Q: Until a blanket ban was imposed by the Gulf countries, livestock trade used to be the mainstay of the Somali economy. Do you have any plans to resuscitate the industry? A: We have been working on the livestock sector for some years. There are many aspects of the Somali livestock industry. For example, since the collapse of the Somali state in the early 1990s trade began in southern Somalia of cattle into Kenya, which was not there before. In the north, you find a lot of sheep, goats and camels going to the Gulf countries. They have lifted the ban with the exception of Saudi Arabia. It's not for me to speak for Saudi Arabia, but what they want as importers of livestock is to be assured of the health of the animals that are being purchased and brought into the kingdom. As UN, there are various agencies trying to help the Somalis, Somalia administration and the Somaliland government. We are trying to help re-establish structures to ensure the health of the animals that are going oversees Q: The majority of Somalis continue to rely on remittances for survival and development. However some of the remittance companies are required to obtain license or meet certain criteria to operate globally. Has the UN embarked on measures to bring them at par with international financial institutions? A: We have tried to address the challenges in countries where remittances are coming from - for example the US, Canada and Europe. We have tried to help banks in those countries understand the remittance industry. With the Somalis remittance companies we have tried to guide them towards being transparent, accountable and that they are registered in the countries of origin. There is suspicion between the companies and banks overseas. The UN is trying to lessen that suspicion and deal with banks and regulatory authorities overseas. It is thought Somalis in the Diaspora remit probably US $750million to $1billion a year of which a quarter goes to household incomes. Q: What challenges are UN Agencies facing while undertaking their activities in Somalia? A: There are plenty of challenges. The first and most critical being that of security. Where areas are secure, we can work to help local or regional authorities. If we have secure conditions then the safety and welfare of staff are assured. We work in those places that are insecure but it becomes very expensive working there. Another is the scale of the destruction - which is enormous. When you look at what needs to be done in Somalia, sometimes you wonder where you are going to start. Q: What's your view on the 29 September legislative polls in Somaliland? A: I understand from my brief visit here that every one including leaders of political parties, National Electoral Commission, civil society groups and international observers have put their approval on these election. It is a significant step in the democratic process, which Somaliland has been building for years. I think building a democracy is not something you can do overnight, it takes time and Somaliland has done well. [ENDS] IRIN-CEA Tel: +254 2 622147 Fax: +254 2 622129 Email: IRIN@ocha.unon.org

video (huge file) where is hergaisa located at?? don't take me wrong cause i have been almost all of my life in canada. the only place in Somalia that i know is Garbaheray and that is where my dad was born Too bad, you only know Garbaharey. ps HornAfrik, keep BooliQaran a secret would ya.

Nayruus I have 3 words for you: Dhareerka iska du Hadii habaar Somaliland wax ka taraayo, waxaad tusbaxa rogeysay for the pass 15 years. It is having the opposite effects on Somaliland sxb. Perhaps you should try the otherway round too - for a change.

Samir iyo Iiman to our nomad isagana danbi dhaaf iyo naxariis ilaahay ha waafajiyo. Amin.

The Surud Mountain Forests in Somaliland There was something strange about the fire that our guide made while preparing tea in our camp 5 km north of Ceerigabo. While sipping our sweetened tea, the smell kept lingering in the air, it was sweet, as sweet as innocence. It was on a slightly chilly evening last November while we were waiting to enter the Surud Mountains in Somaliland, one of the last seemingly untouched places on this planet. We had actually left behind all fears in Cairo as we set off to Somaliland, following the footsteps of early explorers. We had decided to make the visit in search of a few elusive stapeliad species and also to view the majestic Aloe eminens in its habitat. The Surud Mountains are in the northern part of Somaliland, in the Saanag region. The highest peak is Mount Shimbiris, at 2416 m the highest mountain in all of Somalia. Early the next morning, after a sleepless night in anticipation of all the wonders we would eventually see at daybreak, we headed towards the mountain range, but strangely did not see it. We were actually on top of a plateau that plunges downwards towards the coast. We passed fields of Aloe scobinifolia and Euphorbia ballyi before entering an area of very lush vegetation at the mouth of the famous Tabah Gorge. We could see the gorge plunge deep into the forest to our right. Had we the choice, we would have left the car behind and gone deep down exploring that fabulous gorge, where huge Dracaena schizantha trees hang on the cliffs. These mountains are part of the Somali Montane Xeric Woodland eco-region that stretches along the northern coast of the Horn of Africa from the Shimbiris to Raas Caseyr, continuing some 300 km south along the Somali coastal plain. Although part of the Somali-Masai regional centre of endemism, this area also contains remnant plant species linking it to Mediterranean, Macaronesian and Afromontane regions. A special environment is created by the mountain chain facing north, accumulating plenty of mist from the sea. The Daloh-Shimbiris area receives the highest rainfall in Somaliland, over 700 mm each year, favouring the evolution of a unique and extremely diverse flora. Entering the Tabah gorge was like reaching paradise on earth. We stopped the engine and both jumped out of the vehicle, each into a different direction. As we disappeared into the vegetation, we started to see and hear things we were not aware of when the engine was running. Colours, smells, sounds: it was truly alive. Huge Juniperus procera trees more than 20 m high tower among a lush mixed woodland, whose fresh green is heavily spotted with the grey crowns of Dracaena schizantha and the striking red flowers of Aloe eminens. We saw scattered populations of flowering Aloe albovestita and patches of A. hildebrandtii. Plants seemed to sprout from under every rock and inside every crack. Bushes of Buxus hildebrandtii, several species of Commiphora, and succulents – Kalanchoe spp., Senecio spp. and probably a new species of Huernia. It was a botanical heaven. Unfortunately, since a rumour spread as wildfire in the area that we were diamond hunters, we could not risk getting off the main track that would eventually snake itself through the mountain range. In only 10 km as the crow flies, we passed from the juniper forests of the misty high altitudes crossing very distinct zones of vegetation, down to the extremely arid plains, Guban (burnet in Somalia), ending up in Maydh on the coast. The track, however, winds down the mountain range for about 40–50 km. The landscape and vegetation are amazing – spectacular woodlands of frankincense (Boswellia frereana), often growing on huge boulders or in vertical cliffs, occasional Pyrenacantha malvifolia with fat caudices that can reach over one metre in diameter, Commiphora spp. with their strong smell and blue, white or grey bark, Aloes, Euphorbias and several other strange xerophytic species. Looking for small stapeliads entails bending and looking under shrubs, rocks and in cracks for these shy plants – this was the origin of the rumour. We had tried to explain to the surprised locals that we were looking for Ubah (flower, in the Somali language), but no one believed us. For the first few days in the range, one is taken by the beauty and variety of flora, a natural botanical garden. It was on the fourth day, as we were sitting on a ledge overlooking the great cliffs that surround the Tabah Gorge, that it hit us … thud ... thud … thud. Yes, it was an axe chopping a tree. We turned our ears and eyes to locate the source of this logging. Far away in a distance we saw a plume of smoke rising from the thick canopy. From then on and for the next four days, we saw only destruction, juniper trees felled like matchsticks, huge 100-year old Commiphoras cut for charcoal and building material, areas cleared for Qat plantations, total destruction of a pristine and extremely exotic forest. It was sad to discover that the origin of the sweet smell we enjoyed a few days before in our camp fire was not so innocent: aromatic Commiphoras turned into charcoal. Somaliland is short of cash, particularly after the Gulf States set a ban on livestock exports. Somali authorities have recently given licensing permits to a few greedy companies to burn the forests for export-oriented charcoal production. According to recent reports, the areas most affected are those east of Hargeisa (the capital), most probably around the Golis Mountain range which is closer to Berbera, the main seaport. The destruction in the Surud Mountains is of a more local scale, and can be avoided through careful education of the local tribes that live there and increasing their awareness regarding their natural wealth. However, if the charcoal production companies eventually reach the Surud Mountains, an area of immense beauty and extreme natural diversity will be lost for ever. Daloh forest is the best preserved Juniperus procera-Dracaena schizantha mixed woodland in the Horn of Africa and it well deserves to be declared a World Heritage Natural Site. This article is a cry for help for anyone interested in saving such a unique and exotic place rich in plant and animal endemics from disappearing before having the opportunity to be even studied. We are planning to arrange for a scientific expedition in the near future, in cooperation with local authorities, as most of the mountain range remains yet to be explored. In May 1991 the north-west region of Somalia declared its independence as the ‘Republic of Somaliland’, within the borders of the former British Protectorate of Somaliland. A government was elected for an initial 2-year period at a conference of elders; and in May 1993 former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Egal was elected President. Following Parliamentary elections (for which members were nominated by their clans), a new government was formed and a constitution approved. In a referendum in May 2001, 97% of voters supported the new constitution, confirming and supporting the region’s unilateral secession from the rest of Somalia. Somaliland has been widely acknowledged, though not recognized, by the international community. (From the website of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London)

As haruun said the link is broken. Here are some picture galleries about Hargeisa. One Two Three Four Five

Thanks Yoonis for the link. Excellent.

President Mudane Daahir Rayaale Kaahin slams at the opposition specialy Kulmiye leadership accusing them of acting like " Dibiga Doollood" when it comes to UDUB and its achievements since it came to power few years ago. --- Hargeysa (Halganews) Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland Md.Daahir Rayaale Kaahin ayaa maanta shir jaraa'id ku qabtay qasriga madaxtooyada, waxa uu kaga hadlay arrimo dhowr ah oo ay ka mid yihiin hambalyo uu u soo jeediyay shacbiga Somaliland sidii nabadgelyada ahayd ee ay ugu codeeyeen doorashadii baarlamaanka ee ka dhacday dalka 29, bishii September. Sidoo kale shirkiisa jaraa''id ayuu aad ugu weeraray labada guddoomiye ee xisbiyada Mucaaridka ah Axmed Siilaanyo iyo Faysal Cali Waraabe, isla markaana uu sheegay in ay soo faro gelinayaan arrimaha maamulkiisa. Madaxweyne Rayaale waxa kale oo shirkiisa jaraa'id kaga hadlay arrimaha baarlamaanka cusub ee ku guulaystay doorashadii golaha wakiilada, isagoo sheegay in baarlamaankan cusub ay wada shaqayni ka dhaxayn doonto Madaxweynaha laakiin uu suxay in aanay ahayn sida ay u dhigayana labada guddoomiye ee xisbiyada mucaaridka ahi. Waxaana uu sheegay in uu la shaqayn doona cidii ay Baarlamaanku u soo doortaan shir gudoonka cusub. Hadalkii Madaxweynaha oo dhamaystirani waxa uu u dhignaa sidan:- "Inkasta oo xukuumadda aanay dhaqan u ahayn mar walba u jawaabidda ashkhaasta iyo u adeegayaashooda hinaasaha iyo damacooda gaar ahaaneed ku qanciyey inay ujeedadooda ku gaadhayaan guul kasta oo dalkan u soo hoyataba inay shacbiga been iyo xumaan uga sheegaan hoggaankooda, si ay u qariyaan waajibaadka uu hogaanku ku guulaysto. Sidaa darteed, waa lagama maarmaan in la ilaaliyo dhaawacyada loo geysanayo jiritaanka Somaliland shacbigana lagu shirqoolayo. Labadii toddobaad ee ugu dambeeyay qalabka warbaahinta Caalamku, waxa uu si baaxad leh uga hadlay oo qiray in Somaliland yahay dal aan waxba la tarin oo hadana dib-u-heshiisiin, dhisme qaran buuxa iyo hanaan dimuqraadiyadeed u hirgalay, taas oo horena loogu tilmaamay mucjiso ka soo if baxay wadamada soo koraya , waxaanu dalkani mutaystay in tusaale loo soo qaato. Labadaa toddobaad shacbiga Somaliland Dibad iyo Gudaba, waxay u ahayd farxad iyo guul u soo hoyatay garawshaha qadiyadooda oo caalamku u soo jeedsaday, iftiinkii aqoonsiguna uu dunida ka muuqdo. Hadaba, waxa la yaab leh, in Guddoomiyayaasha Axsaabta Kulmiye iyo UCID ay todobaadkii hore soo saareen Warsaxaafadeedyo ay kaga masuugayaan shacbiga iyo hogaankiisu libinta u soo hoyatay, kagana been sheegayaan, iyadoo Goob-joogayaasha Caalamku ay qireen in Doorashada Baarlamaanku ay u dhacday si xor, xalaal iyo nabadgelyo ah, balse Guddoomiyayaasha labada xisbi ay sheegeen khaladaad aan jirin. Waxay caadeysteen Masabidid Xukuumadeed iyo ku hadaaqid bedelaad Xukuumadeed oo aanay sharci u lahayn iyo inay Golaha Cusub u sawiraan sidii Askar Xukuumad inqilaabaysa. Axsaabtu waa marin loo raaco talada dalka, sidaasi awgeed ma jirto awood dastuurku siinayo ninka xisbi mucaarad madax ka ahi inuu la maamulo cidda markaa xilka shacbigu u igmaday fulinta. Waxa nasiib darro ah, weliba inaanay fahmin hanaanka dawladnimo ee aynu qaadanay oo ay weli maskaxda ku hayaan habkii lixdankii ee Baarlamaaniga ahaa. Awooda Fulineed sida Dastoorku dhigayo waxa iska leh Madaxweynaha iyo Golihiisa Fulinta oo aad tartankii Madaxtinimada aad u wada tartanteen April 2003 la idinkaga guulaystay, waxa maanta inoo soo baxay Baarlamaankii la doortay ee ay wada shaqeyn lahaayeen Madaxweynaha la soo doortay iyo Xukuumaddiisa. Xukuumadda bedelkeeda waxa iska leh anigoo ah Madaxweynaha loo igmaday hogaaminta dalka, wax saameyn ah oo Doorashada Baarlamanku ku leedahayna ma jirto, sida Dastoorku dhigayo, haddii aad akhrisateen, waxaan qabaa Baarlamaankan cidda ay wada shaqeyn doonaan waa aniga iyo Xukuumaddayda. Guud ahaan, Baarlamaanka cusub ee la doortay xisbi kasta ha ka soo baxeene, waa Baarlamaanka aan wada daadihin doono Guusha Somaliland dhammaystirkeeda, hadduu eebe idmo. Waxaanan ballan qaadayaa in aan si wanaagsan u wada shaqeyn doono. Dastuurka Qarankuna inaynu wada shaqeyno ayuu dhigayaa ee ma dhigayo in aynu noqono koox is khilaafsan, sababtoo ah dan qaran oo kaliya ayaan wada fulinaynaa, Dastuurku wuxuu si cad oo aan mugdi ku jirin u qeexayaa xilka aynu wada leenahay iyo ka aan kala leenahay. Xukuumaddu, dhalliisha macquula ee dan qaran lagu saxayo muwaadinka caadiga ah ayey ka qaadanaysaa, hase ahaatee, labadiina Masuul ee labada Xisbi, wali idinkama hayo tallo nasteexa oo dhaba oo dhalliila oo aan saxo, balse waxa kaliya ee aad ku caan baxdeen wuxuu noqday Cay, Namaamad, waxaan jirin oo aad sheegtaan iyo iyadoo Caalamku ina ammaanayo aad caydaan, guulaheenana aad daboolka saartaan. Shacbiga Somaliland, wuu idin ogyahay, ilaahayna wuu idin ogyahay, waxaan idinkula talin lahaa in aad maalin uun kala xishootaan Shacbiga buhtaanta aad maalin walba fidinaysaan. Xukuumadda Maanta jirta ee aan dhisay, waa tan ku shaqeynaysa ballanqaadkii koobaad ee ahaa ambaqaadka iyo dhammaystirka hannaankii dimoqraadiyadeed ee uu jideeyay Madaxweynaheenii hore alla ha u naxariistee Marxuun, Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal, taas oo aan suuragaliyey in aan saddex doorasho oo isku xiga aan dalka ka qabtay, iyadoo duruufo adag oo dhaqaalena ina hayeen. Waxa Xusid mudan tii Baarlamaanka ee ugu dambaysay, iyagoo labada gole ku ansixiyeen saddex dalloolow laba (2/3), Sharcigii Doorashada ee Golaha Wakiilada, Sharcigaasi oo aan Suurta galiyeen inay doorashada Golaha Wakiilada ku qabsoonto wakhtigii loogu tallo galay, hase ahaatee markii aan ka soo guryo noqday socdaalkaygii Koonfur Africa (South Africa), ummadda oo dhami way ogeyd dagaalkii aan ka galay ee suuro galiyey inay doorashadani dhacdo sannadkani intuuna dhammaan. Iyadoo waliba caraaqilkii hortaagnaa Doorashada Baarlamaanka aad ka mid ahayd adoo hogaamiyaha Xisbiga Kulmiye ah. Balse Faysal arrintaa wuu kaaga duwanaa oo taageero buuxda ayuu arrintaa ka bixiyey. Maalin dhaweyd, waxaad sheeganaysay in kalsoonidii ummaddu u dhiibatay Mucaaridka, adigoo Axmed Siilaanyo ah, taas oo ah waxaan raad lahayan, waxaanad qirtay in Guulo badan inoo qabsoomeen, maxaad uga masuugaysaa inaad qirto cidda guulahaasi soo hoysay ee hogaanka dalka taladiisa haysay. Horta ta Baarlamanka saddexda Xisbi Tirada ugu badan Xisbiga UDUB baa helay, ta labaad Xisbigaaga helay, ta Saddexaadna Xisbiga UCID baa helay, taasi waa tartankii Golaha wakiilada. Aprill 2003, baan u tartannay cidda ammaanada iyo kalsoonida ummadani u dhiibanayso, aniga ayey ummaddani ii dhiibatay, iina igmatay muddo shan sanno ah, laga soo bilaabo Maalintaas. Kalsoonida Maanta aad sheeganaysaana waa waxba kama jiraan, ummaduna way ogtahay, ceeb bayna kugu tahay in aad sheegato wax aanay ummadani kuu dhiiban kuuna igman oo ah hogaaminta talada Dalka. Waxaanan qabaa haduu faham siyaasadeed jiro in aad adiga iyo Faysalba Baarlamaanka soo gali lahaydeen oo aan talada dalka ka wada shaqeyno oo miiska talada dalka ee Golaha Wakiilada aad soo fadhiisataan, waxaanse hadda tallada wada wadi doonaa Xildhibaanada ka soo baxay Axsaabta Qaranka oo Dastuurku siinayo in aan talada dalka ka wada shaqeyno, insha allaah. Waxa Kaloon idiin sheegayaa in 82-kaa xildhibaan ee la soo doortay ay iska dhex dooran doonaan cidda Shir-guddoon u noqon doonta, maahin wax Xisbiyaddu dibadda uga keenayaan, waxaanan ballan qaadaynaa in ciddii Golaha Baarlamaanku doortaan aan mar walba la shaqeyn doono. Waxa Maanta qof kasti oo Somaliland gudaheeda, dibadeeda iyo dhamman shucuubta Caalamka inta xogogaalka u noqotay hayaanka Dimuqraadiyadda Somaliland, daldhiska iyo suggida Amniga ay ku tilmaameen mucjisad ka soo if baxday Geeska Africa. Inta Somaliland necebna waxay ka masuugaysaa guulaha ay ummadani ku tallaabsatay. Dadweynoow, Somaliland waanu soo joognay mudaba, Guulahan ay Somaliland gaadhey ma Faysal baa hogaaminayey, Mise Axmed Sillaanyo, Mise Madaxweynaha aad doorateen baa daadihinayey oo hogaaminayey? Waxaan qabaa inaad ogtihiin cidda hogaaminaysey ee meesha caalamka aynu ka taaganahay soo gaadhsiisay, anigoo qaba Kalsoonidiina iyo taageeradiinaba. Waxaan kula tallinayaa Guddoomiyayaasha Labada Xisbi, inay iska dhaafaan hadalada deelqaafka ah ee naxli mooyee waxba aan u tarayn ummadda, waxaanan leeyahay xil-doonista haloo maro marinka sharciga, hana la iska daayo warxumo tashiilka dadka aan idin aqoonin gaar ahaan shisheeyuhu run u qaadan karaan, taas oo dhaawacaysa geedi socodka qaranimadeena. Golaha Wakiilada ee la soo doortay guud ahaan waan wada hambalyeynayaa , waxaanan u rajeynayaa inay noqdaan Gole Qaran oo aan wada daadihino guusha Somaliland inta ka hadhay oo qarka soo saaran. Sidoo kale, waxaan hambelyaynayaa Komiishanka Doorashooyinka Qaranka JSL. Mar labaad, waxaan hambalyeynayaa Shacbiga Somaliland ee sida wadaninimada ah ee fiican uga qayb galay Doorashadii Golaha Wakiilada, gutayna xaqoodii Dastuuriga ahaa, iyagoo ajiibay baaqyadaydii aan u soo jeediyay Saddexdii doorasho ee isku xigay, kaas oo ahaa “Nabad Ku coddeeya†waanaydun ku coddeyseen. Waxaan kaloon Hambalyeynayaa 82-ka Xildhibaan ee la soo doortay, iyo intii nasiib u heli wayday inay ku soo baxaan tartanka Golaha Wakiilada ee ku qancay Natiijada Doorashada". Abdifatah Hassan, Hargeisa Somaliland. reporter@halganews.com

This article was a Special to Globe and Mail in Canada. ---- Memo To Paul Martin: Jean Daudelin & Lee Seymour On Oct. 10, 1970, Canada officially recognized mainland China's Communist government. This bold step ended the fiction that an aging group of anti-communists in Taiwan spoke for a billion Chinese. Canada's move ended the diplomatic logjam on the issue, and facilitated a flood of successive recognitions by Western governments. The stakes were high for the government of Pierre Trudeau. U.S. president Richard Nixon, champion of American anti-communism, opposed this China initiative. But he relented and with a visit in 1972, Mr. Nixon initiated negotiations to recognize China's government. The move ended years of schizophrenic denial on the part of the U.S. political establishment and altered the subsequent course of the Cold War. Canada now has a similar opportunity to be a catalyst for change, not by recognizing a great power, but by giving recognition to humble Somaliland. The inauguration of the country's government that will emerge from today's elections could become an important date for Canadian foreign policy - and perhaps for the international system as a whole - if Prime Minister Paul Martin were to travel to the capital city of Hargeisa for the inauguration of Somaliland's newly-elected government. Somaliland is a small outpost of order in the chaotic Horn of Africa. It was a British protectorate during the colonial period, but hastily entered into federation with the former Italian Somaliland just days after independence in 1960. It was an unhappy union. Ultimately, Somaliland's struggle for independence from the warlord government of Mohamed Siad Barre in Mogadishu culminated in a series of massacres in 1989 that killed 50,000 Somalilanders. When Somalia's government collapsed in 1991, Somaliland declared its independence. In just over a decade of de facto autonomy, Somaliland's accomplishments are impressive - especially when compared to the fate of the rest of Somalia. While factions there have accomplished little aside from endless internecine fighting through their respective militia, Somalilanders have built a state. Somaliland's government has worked to rehabilitate roads and ports. A central bank manages an official currency with relatively stable exchange rates. Police and courts maintain order. These functions are carried out despite an official budget of just $30-million (U.S.) supplemented by remittances from a scattered diaspora. Somaliland has also constructed the political foundations of a functioning democracy. In a 2001 referendum widely perceived by Somalilanders as an endorsement of their independence, 97 per cent of voters endorsed a constitution reaffirming the country's independence. Since then, local and presidential elections have been held. Outside observers have deemed these elections to have been largely free and fair. Indeed, in the 2003 presidential election, the incumbent candidate won by just 80 votes out of 500,000. The opposition party, based around prominent fighters in the independence struggle, accepted the results. So why does the rest of the world insist that Somaliland is ruled by the fictional state of Somalia? Part of the problem rests in a political and legal compact among African leaders not to alter post-colonial boundaries, irrespective of realities on the ground, which resonates with a broader international commitment not to alter borders. But Somaliland has a strong legal case for recognition, even under these restrictive criteria. It is not international law that blocks recognition of Somaliland, but politics. Member states of the African Union and Arab League are reluctant to deviate from an insistence on the sanctity of borders. To do so, they argue, would be to open the lid on a Pandora's box of interminable territorial revision. More cynically, internationally guaranteed borders relieve them from the responsibilities and the inconvenience of actually governing the territory they claim and of earning the support of the population that lives in it. All is not perfect is Somaliland: Journalists have recently been arrested and the autonomy of the judiciary is sometimes questioned. But little leverage is gained by excluding the possibility of formal recognition. Outsiders have deferred to African leaders on the issue for too long. By initiating negotiations to recognize Somaliland, Canada would signal that respect for a state's sovereignty depends on democratic legitimacy, developmental performance, human rights, and basic issues of governance. It flows from a demonstrated ability by political authorities to fulfill the "responsibility to protect" their population, not from their capacity to control the capital and its outskirts. Such a move would not destabilize the continent. Indeed, South Africa looks favourably upon Somaliland's independence and just last year recognized the independence of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (formerly Western Sahara), in a break with long-standing African practices. Moreover, it would challenge a crippling regional consensus on the sanctity of borders that in recent decades has contributed very little to peace, order or good government in Africa. The Martin government should take the lead on diplomatic recognition and follow up with a generous aid package. Somaliland is precisely the kind of problem in which bold diplomacy by Canada can make a real difference. Jean Daudelin teaches international affairs at Carleton University. Lee Seymour is a PhD candidate in political science at Northwestern University and at the Institut d'études politiques in Paris. Source: Special to Globe and Mail Update

Somaliland challenges the world By M.A. Egge, THT, 16 Oct. 2005= A senior intellectual Somalilander perceives the just concluded parliamentary elections would do well in empowering the country in its quest for recognition. Dr. Mohammed Rashid Sh. Hassan told the THT in an exclusive interview that despite its success, the elections were indeed quite remarkable in the country's history. "It is for Somaliland a historical moment", he told Editor M.A Gaas, and added; "Every body ought to be really happy of the results". The" not so tall and grey haired bespectacled anthropologist cum political scientist is the founder and head of Arecsmed. He was quite categorical that, "This great success is only the manifestation of Somaliland's further journey to greater heights". He was of the opinion that the impact would reach the world and force them to focus on SL. A frequent traveler to Europe, Dr. Rashid was emphatic that this time round "... it was a challenge to the US, European Union, African Union and the whole world at large". In a momentary emotional surge, he declared, "It is our natural right; we demand recognition; we are no longer begging". He revisited the past presidential and local elections hence said that they were all pointers of how far SL has come. When asked about the impact of the results, Dr. Rashid said ttiat it only underscored the unique characteristics of democratic electioneering processes. Said he, "The interesting picture (results), all the more, showed the high levels of maturity, fairness and transparency". He explained that the participants in the exercise on the part of voters and election officials, co-ordinations, general responsibilities, security and • stability levels were a testimony to good administrative structure in place. Dr. Rashid said that real credit goes to the leadership of H.E. Rayaale. He reminded the interviewer how the President was imperative that the election take place. He said "Inspire of all the pessimism the president ordered for the elections to proceed as scheduled". The pessimists, he explained, were of the view that the socio-economical problems'that prevailed was not conducive to hold elections. H.E. Rayaale ruled them off, and indeed, against all odds, all the three national elections have been successfully wrapped up. The media giving limelight to aspirants hence their biographies becoming known to the public were aspects that were a milestone to the country's history, according to the anthropologist. At one point in the interview, Dr. Rashid was overcautious when asked to comment on the trends of tribal voting. He gleamly said. "Here we should be very careful, and I repeat, very careful, the modern democratic governance and traditional clan systems are interrelated". Though the correlation veered off the question, he however attested to the fact that the basic SL traditional means and systems of socio-political crisis management, is in it own entirety, have democratic attributes. Indeed, past participation of traditional leaders in pacification processes of SL, gave rise to the prevalent liberal democracy cherished. Asked to compare and contrast between our democracy and those ot the western world, the political scientist was quick to point and that,. "Ours is a new, young and poor state (hence remarkable) whereas theirs are industrialized ones with hundreds of years of history." In effect he meant that SL was doing this for the first time and it is doing wonders, (on 'third world' basis); SL was also achieving this wonders without sound financial means.