Originally posted by Aeronwen: I saw Joss Wheddon's SERENITY the other day. Loved it (possibly because I was already a fan of the TV series). I’m too fan of “Firefly†series, too bad it got cancelled by Fox so soon into the season. As mush as I loved the tv series, I really never been keen on the western bit of the show. Anyway how was the movie? Was it all you expected it to be? I better try to rally up my friend’s soon before the premiere to see this movie with me as they aren’t fan of sci movies.

War blamed for spread of desert in Somalia By Alex Kiprotich The current instability in Somalia has contributed to desertification. Environment minister Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday said the country could soon become a desert if no measures were taken. "Somalis have continued to cut down trees for charcoal thus affecting rain patterns," he said. "Deforestation has led to harsh climatic conditions in areas neighbouring Somalia occasioning drought and famine," said Kalonzo. The minister, who was addressing journalists at Gigiri during the opening of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) conference, said the problem was real. He said the Government was looking for ways to deal with land degradation, which affects food security. He said the war against poverty could not be won unless environmental issues were addressed. "The effort by the Government to combat poverty cannot be won without addressing land degradation," Musyoka said. More than 100 ministers worldwide are expected to attend the meeting which started yesterday. Kalonzo said the Government signed the treaty to combat desertification in 1994 and was ratified in 1997. He said the national action plan on the fight against desertification was complete. The minister said he would release the report during the two-week conference. The executive secretary of UNCCD Hama Diallo said 250 million people worldwide were affected by land degradation and more than a billion people faced starvation. Sustainable land management practices, he said, were needed to address drought and food insecurity. "Due to the fact that long term food productivity is threatened by soil degradation, sound management practices should be adopted," said Diallo. He said developed countries should aid the affected countries mostly in sub Sahara Africa. "Sustainable development can be achieved with the help of the international community," he said.

He surely does squander a lot of time discussing about “none existed†state.

belive me there’s no word for this kind of stup!dity! Watch

It would seem that these are common, worldwide dilemmas, and not necessarily exclusive to the port city of Bossaso. No one is denying that it’s a worldwide dilemma and not only limited to Bossasso. But that’s not the point here Wind, I was asking why Duke and for that matter Punlanders as a hole don’t post reports on these kind of activities on the forum instead of whining about a warlord who’s faraway from their respectively regions. trafficking still occurs on American soil, does that mean the U.S. gov't somehow condones it? PL has a long coastline and doesn't have the capability to gain complete control of its vast coast. But there is no way that the PL admin or the people of PL condone human trafficking. Wind, you and I know very well how well Somalis know each other and that there barely exist Somalis who don’t know their neighbours. Basically everyone knows what everyone does in their community, so if Punland’s gov wanted to catch these smugglers they would’ve done it long time ago. So yes to your Q Punland Admin does condones and it didn’t start with with Cade neither will end with him. I personally (not a fact) believe that a lot of Punland’s Administrations income comes from these types of activities. And Bossaso just happens to be the closest Somali port to Yemen. Who's fault is that - other than geography. There are three other countries in the region whom are closer to yemen than bossasso, belive me it’s not geography. P.S. The same people who are now being "trafficked" are the same ones who once forced others to flee their homes by ship and by land. Many innocent folks perished in the ocean those days. As they say, what goes around, comes around. So mush for Somaliweyn

Foolish as ever my brother. Nothing is worse than this. I’m not here to say which one is worse than the other unlike some bitter individual such as you. Let me just see if there are some differences or similarities between Marka and Bossasso. This is the day to day activities of Bossasso port, smuggling of small arms, narcotic drugs, charcoal, piracy and the worst of them of all “Human Traffickingâ€. You would think a place like this must be ruled by warlords if I didn’t tell you that it’s an actual state ruled by law and order. Sadly this brutal trading in human suffering has been going on with the full knowledge of Puntland’s administration and Mr Duke here who is very keen on not reporting this to us as he does with southern Somalia's dirty laundry. As for you, dont be bitter that there was no elections in SOOL, SANAG and CAYN. The funny thing about this statement is that Duke actually thinks that this statement annoys me somehow, but I’m happy to tell you that elections took place in very region in Somaliland but not in every district and please don’t say CAYN is a region when it is in fact a district.

If you demonstrated this mush compassion towards Puntlands dirty laundry as you do with the south, I might just think you care a bite. So until that day comes please stop with the fake concern for lower shabelle natives.

By Evelyn Leopold UNITED NATIONS, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Arms flowing into lawless Somalia have increased dramatically over the last eight months through smuggling and shipments from Yemen, Ethiopia and Eritrea in violation of a U.N. weapons embargo, a panel of experts reported on Friday. The four-member panel, appointed by the U.N. Security Council, proposed that the council slap an embargo on charcoal exports and foreign fishing vessels in Somalia's waters, the main source of revenue for warlords and pirates to buy arms. Both Somalia's transitional government, which includes dissident warlords, and those warlords opposed to them are gearing up for a military showdown, the 60-page report said. "The political process has apparently taken a back seat to these military preparations," the panel added. Somalia has been in a state of chaos for 14 years with clan rivalries fueled by guns left over from the Cold War and an arms market in Mogadishu to buy new ones. Some human rights groups estimate 500,000 Somalis have lost their lives. The United States and then a combined U.S.-U.N. force intervened in 1992-1993 but left several years later with the country in shambles. Neighboring nations have now helped form a Transitional Federal Government, known as the TFG. The report recorded some 175 transactions in weapons exchanges over the last eight months, which it said was a 378 percent increase over the previous year involving 10 ministers and the president of the TFG, Abdullahi Yusuf. Yemen's government admitted it had sent at least 5,000 "personal weapons" to what it called the legitimate government of Somalia so it could disarm bandits. But the report said Yusuf had negotiated a much larger deal for rocket launchers, anti-tank weapons, shoulder-fired missiles and other armaments. Neighboring Ethiopia was also supplying the TFG militia, although the government denied it. But the panel monitoring the embargo said TFG forces were "supplied with a steady flow of arms from Ethiopia," and photographed them, including heavy machine guns. The Ethiopian military had conducted military training for TFG militias and the warlords that ran them, the report said. In addition, another country in the region, which U.N. officials said was Eritrea, was sending arms to opposition warlords and groups "for the purpose of countering support provided to the TFG by Ethiopia." The panel did not name Eritrea because it had not completed its investigation but said monitors were "convinced that the information was of sufficient quality and credibility to merit its inclusion in the report." In general, the prospect of creating a viable government in Somalia was a threat to some factions in the TFG itself, warlords, businessmen, traders and religious fundamentalists, the report said. They were used to "operating in a lawless territory carved out their own kingdoms, replete with personal political power and ambitions, military-style muscle in the form of their own militia and, probably most importantly, the ongoing accumulation of personal wealth," the panel concluded.

Originally posted by Yoonis: Oh man, I still can't stop laughing. Caku third world reginal election. Couldn't they find something more suitable like a bucket. I'll suggest this ones: like those they very handsome The speaker of Puntland told as a lie when he said that he was combating Ballot Boxes, I didn't know that they were combating + They look like some tools used by suicide bombers. Or are they left overs by the cuban troops in the 1977 war that you collected. I didn't know that you region made an international appeal to the world to send you some old dusty rucksucks, so that you could use them as ballot boxes. Really funny. Three buckets, in which bucket will you hand fall inside.

Somaliland Parliamentary Elections: Sanaag-3 Somaliland Vice Minister of Justice, seasoned politician and former liberation fighter "Talabo" casts his vote. Erigavo Mayor Ismail Haji Nuur

Somaliland Parliamentary Elections: Sanaag- 2 Having witnessed the last presidential elections in Somaliland, I am not surprised to see women in qeue, eager to cast their votes. Taken minutes before the 6am opening of the polling station. Inside the polling station, officials prepare for a long day ahead. Party Agents, two each from UDUB, UCID and Kulmiye. Ballot bag The ballot with names of candidates and symbols. The polling booth. Indelible ink being applied as domestic observer looks on. What seems to be invisible can be seen under this light.

Somaliland Parliamentary Elections: Sanaag-1 The conduct of elections in Sanaag region is highly controversial, it has areas firmly within Somaliland and areas contested by Puntland. The question whether Sanaag will be able to take part in Somaliland’s electoral exercise is awaited by everyone interested in Somali issues. Our team was assigned to Erigavo, the region's capital, way before departing from Hargeisa we were well informed of the security risks involved in the mission. After all the security briefings and preparations like other observation teams, we were left on our own. As expected we were welcomed by our Special Protection Unit police officers who demonstrated exemplary discipline and rigor during our whole stay. Courtesy Call Electoral Monitoring Board member Saadia Muse, Vice Governor Abdiasis Hasaan Siid in a meeting upon our arrival. Distribution of Election Paraphernalia Electoral Commission office filled with polling station commissioners receive election paraphernalia to be used during election day. Election Paraphernalia Boxes ready for distribution Waiting for their turn... Trucks assigned to carry boxes to designated areas. Shukir Haji Ismail the lone woman in Somaliland's National Electoral Commission was assigned in Sanaag to oversee the conduct of elections.

Somaliland Parliamentary Elections: International Election Observers -1 Let me apologize for my remiss in informing you about what transpired the past few weeks. It was those moments when I wished days were longer and had the energy to write down and reflect on the challenges we had to deal with. Let me walk you through some of the events that took place in the past days. The International Cooperation for Development (ICD) was given the task by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to invite, arrange and deploy international election observers during Somaliland’s parliamentary elections. An initial list of 20 who expressed interest to observe grew to 74 foreigners from more than 16 countries (UK, Finland, Canada, Italy, USA, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand, Kenya and Zimbabwe to name a few). A total of 31 international election observers team were organized and dispersed to 13 areas, Borama and Baki (Awdal), Gabiley, Baligubadle, Salaxhaley and Hargeisa City (Galbeed), Berbera and Sheekh (Sahil) Burao and Odweyne (Togdheer) Aynabo (Sool), Garadag and Erigavo (Sanaag). Briefings were held by both foreign and local experts on the Somaliland context, orientation on Somaliland’s Electoral laws and procedures were conducted, meetings with the NEC, political parties, elders and civil society groups were arranged to get a glimpse of the local scene. On top of this, logistical and security arrangements were organized. It might be simple to most people in the outside world, but in a place where the security situation is fragile; where basic requirements such as communication and transportation are limited, where hospitals and medical care are almost close to none, ensuring the safety and access of 74 foreigners who were tasked to go to both rural and urban areas to observe the elections cannot in any way be classified as simple. It was a gargantuan task we ever faced. In a country with almost nothing, we had to rely on maximizing what is present and making the most of what we have. Organizers and observers alike had to rely on one another to contribute knowledge and expertise to help organize the observation mission better; it took a lot of guts from everyone involved. Sometimes, when things get rough, we try to remember that we are here to witness this country’s huge stride towards democratization. We are indebted to international organizations in Somaliland that shared their resources when we were faced with logistical nightmare. Kudos to individuals who tried their level best to contribute and make this international election observation happen, to the international election observers who despite the security risks and logistical limitations bravely confronted their task of witnessing and experiencing Somaliland as it put its foot forward in taking a historical leap. My personal thanks to friends who secretly expressed their solidarity in various forms even if it meant taking risks to give their share. Sept. 25 '05: NEC consultant Peder Pederson briefing the IEO's on the electoral process. Sept. 25 '05: Somaliland Media with IEO's Sept. 25 '05: CIIR's Steve Kibble introduces IEOs to Somaliland Press.

AFP - Thu Sep 29, 3:26 PM ET Somaliland police force arrest nine men for attempting to vote twice in a polling station in Hargeisa, Somaliland. In a statement a police officer said the 'the nine men violated the electoral law of our Country, and they will now be charged of their misdeed.' Voters in Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland cast ballots to elect lawmakers amid hopes the exercise will bring them international recognition as a sovereign state.(AFP/Ali Musa Abdi)

Amiin

A Deal Has Alreday been Made.

Iran's women police are no match for uncle sam

This is picture wars the idea is to post a picture that defeats the last one. And remember don’t post large pictures just small ones. Got the idea...now I'll start.

In Transition Somaliland is on alert once again as the government declared the capture of 8 alledged terrorists in a 2 hour gun fight last night at New Hargeisa. The captured group was said to be planning an attack on government officials and foreign aid workers to avenge the imprisonment of 10 terrorists responsible for the string of killings of foreign aid workers since 2003. The court decision was scheduled to be handed down tomorrow Sept. 25. Rumor mills are now filled with theories as to the motives and origin of the alledged terrorists. Whatever the case maybe, one consistent story is the vigilance of one man who alerted the police authorities about the suspicious movements of a group of people in a safe house located at New Hargeisa. Once again, the people's vigilance paid off. The knowledge that a group is planning an offensive to destabilize the country exists angered many Somalilanders who saw the incident as a direct attack to the country's democratization efforts. However, with the dynamic campaign afflicting Somaliland the past weeks, the incident did not dampen the determined spirit of a nation committed to hurdle the country's commitment to conduct the budget stricken electoral exercise. The government has tightened security measures, they've increased the number of Special Protection Unit officers assigned to foreign workers and gave strict instructions to do round the clock patrol of city streets and residences of foreign workers. A familiar scenario for people who have stayed and lived in this country in the past three years. When confronted with threatening thoughts, I remind myself of familiar faces of Somalilanders who have done so much effort in campaigning, providing voter education in remote villages, of elders campaigning for peace, of people spending endless hours of hard work to see to it that the parliamentary elections is conducted come September 29. I remind myself of the vigilance of a nation ready to hurdle any threat to preserve its commitment to walk the nation through its troubled road to a democracy in transition. Posted by Yvette Lopez at September 24, 2005 02:17 AM

^^ LOL Suldaaanka You shouldn’t load all of this on them at once, they’ve already enough load on them with the upcoming elections fresh on their minds. Take a short vacation and come back after the election, that’s usually about by the time they are soothing enough to debate with.

The fact that trade through Berbera hasn’t really commence as of yet is the main reason for this huge trade gap. It’s going to take some time before we even see a slice of trade surplus coming out of this trade deal with Ethiopia, so let us give this deal some time before we start to question the fairness of the deal.

Ethiopia to build dry port in Togochale * Ethiopian banks eye Hargeissa By Kaleyesus Bekele With a view to use Berbera Port in Somaliland, the Ethiopian government is planning to build a dry port in the small border town of Togochale, located 768 kms east of Addis Ababa. The government of Ethiopia some months ago ordered state-owned enterprises to start using Berbera Port. The letter dispatched by the state minister of Infrastructure, Haile Assegide, last February, instructed state-owned enterprises, particularly those with marine business, to study how they can facilitate imports through the Berbera Port. The Ministry of Infrastructure also ordered the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC), the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) and the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) to speed up the infrastructure development on the route to Togochale. Accordingly, ETC is installing telephone lines all the way to the border town. EPPCo is also erecting electric poles in the area and ERA is upgrading the gravel road from Jijiga town to Togochale. A senior government official told The Reporter recently that the ongoing infrastructure development project would be completed within sixty days. The officials said the state enterprises would soon start using Berbera Port. Following Ethiopia's interest over the past few years, the Port of Berbera developed significantly from the decrepit and abandoned place it was in the early 1990s. After the peaking of Ethiopian interest in Berbera, a group of experts from the Ethiopian Shipping Lines travelled to Hargeissa last February to examine the situation. The Ethiopian Customs Authority is contemplating to build warehouses and offices in Jigiga and Togochale. Abayneh Telela, Jigiga's customs office operation head, told The Reporter that exports to Somaliland were growing. Abayneh said businesspeople in Jigiga were exporting milk, cattle and "khat" to Hargessa. In the past two months the businesspeople exported 84,960 liters of milk worth 8455 USD, 3,294,285kg of khat worth 8,593,773 USD and 4,764 oxen worth 571,680 USD. Ethiopian Banks, which noted the increasing business transactions between the Ethiopia and Somaliland, are contemplating to open branch offices in Hargeissa. One private bank, Wegagen, recently undertook a feasibility study in Hargeissa. Experts of the banks, who described the market as being viable, are preparing themselves to open a branch office in that town. Recently a team experts of the National Bank of Ethiopia visited Hargeissa. The team conferred with officials of Somaliland on the possibilities of Ethiopian banks could open branches in Hargeissa. EthiopianReporter

By Kaleyesus Bekele All the state enterprises in Ethiopia are to start importing goods through the Somaliland port of Berbra as of November 2005. The head of the Ethiopia Customs Authority, Damtew Demis, told The Reporter that the authority was preparing itself to render service of the state enterprises, which he said, will start using the Berbera port early in November. Damtew said the authority will soon build a branch office, warehouse and residential houses for its employees in the border town of Togochale, about 770 km east of Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian Roads Authority is finalizing the construction of the Jijiga Togochale Road, which is about 68 km. The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation and the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation are installing telephone and electric powerlines all the way to Togochale. The Ministry of Infrastructure last February ordered the state enterprises to use the Berbera Port. Recently, officials of the Ministry of Revenue, Customs Authority, the Ethiopian Shipping Lines the Maritime and Transit service enterprise and the national Bank of Ethiopia vistid Somaliland at different times. Damtew said the Somaliland authorities were trying their best to improve the port facilities. Ethiopian banks are also interested in doing business in Somaliland. One of the private banks, Wegagen, has already undertaken a feasibility study in Togochale and Hargessa, the capital of Somaliland, that would enable it to open a branch office. Other banks are also anticipating to open branch offices in Somaliland. Officials of NBE confered with executives of the Bank of Somaliland on the possibilities that the Ethiopian banks could operate in that country. EthiopianReporter