In June 30, 2007, I attended a meeting convened by Somaliland Community in Minnesota where Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse, shadow Foreign Minister of Kulmiye Party, was the speaker of the eve. As anticipated, he bashed and censured mercilessly, for the most part, the current government’s modus operandi; that is, the ways in which the ruling party—Udub—has failed to generate efficient and thriving government. To spare a time for the reader, Dr. Isse concluded his speech, vehemently, that in order for Somaliland to attain its full political, economical and social potential, a modification should be made. Unequivocally, he goes on to proclaim that in order to realize our full potential, people should vote for Kulmiye because, he proceeded, it is the best suited party to govern Somaliland. “Kulmiye,” he announced, “is better than Udub as well as Ucid.” At the question time, however, I had the opportunity to ask him; Are there any differences, ideologically, between your party and other two parties? In other words, why should I vote for Kulmiye? “There are no differences between the parties,” he stated. “But you ought to observe,” he added, “and compare the parties’ leaders. Since Kulmiye is the one kaadidiisa usoo cabay (struggled for liberation) Somaliland, we are the best.” I, personally, doubt whether Dr. Isse is well-versed the purpose of political parties. Either he lacks the basic comprehension of the framework of political parties or he was attempting to delude his audience. In either case, however, based on Dr. Isse’s assertion, one might raise the question; should we measure and discern the differences between political parties by observing their leaders and, thus, elect who kaadida usoo cabay Somaliland? Or should we measure them by examining their ideological differences, if any; that is to say, their political, economical, and social approaches? Before I offer an answer, let me scrutinize the purpose of, or why do we need, political parties. As a side note, I am not attempting to assail neither Dr. Isse nor Kulmiye Party for I do not belong to any party. In general, it is the nature of men to posses a profound opposing interest and opinions and, most importantly, to dispute the way in which a government ought to function. As a result of this, it is inevitable for men to organize and adhere to their likeminded in order to influence, promote, protect, and attain their economical and political interests, collectively. Individually, it is almost impossible for one to thrive efficiently or to survive without integrating with his/her likeminded. Therefore, it is imperative for one to join a party or organization which promotes his/her interests. This is where political parties become handy. A political party, therefore, is “a body of men,” Edmund Burke—a British politician and political philosopher—contends, “united for promoting by their joint endeavors the national interest, upon some particular principle in which they are all agreed.” Based on this elucidation, in order for one to join a political party, one ought to recognize and appreciate the party’s principles and what do they stand for. If any given party fails to provide a recurrent schema for the people, there won’t be any incentive for one to join and, as a result, the party is doomed to fail. To demonstrate further, in America, for instance, the two major parties, Democrats and Republicans, differ tremendously with their economical, social, political and religious philosophy. Both parties provide for the voter two distinct alternatives for a single issue. Therefore, the alternative, in part, attracts or negates the voter. For instance, Democrats are in favor of big government and endorse government programs convinced that government can solve social problems whereas the Republicans are in favor for small government and discard government programs considering that the market would take care of social problems. Therefore, anyone who benefits from government programs would most likely vote for democrats and vise versa. The person is not concerning, for the most part, the leaders of the party, as Dr. Isse erroneously attempted to convey. Rather, the individual is convinced that s/he shares with same ideology with that particular party and if elected s/he would be the beneficiary. As a result, the person realizes its imperative for him/her to vote his/her favorite party’s candidate. Behold, a voter desires a way to discern between candidates and party labels (their ideologies) present a functional shorthand cue that keeps voting decisions simple and efficient. Nevertheless, disarray, incompetence, and confusion emerge when parties are parallel with regard to their philosophy. Since Udub, Ucid, and Kulmiye hold identical ideologies and, thus, exercise equivalent approaches, the single means through which a voter casts his vote is to “observe their leaders,” which is a euphemism of, “observe their tribal identities.” This is not only confuses the voter but also challenges the parties to attract prospective voters and set their political agendas which discerns between them. Furthermore, it is the very dilemma that our political parties as well as our citizens are suffering. It is palpable to the reader, as Dr. Isse proclaimed, that Udub, Ucid and Kulmiye have failed, miserably, to provide for the voter at least three distinct alternatives for a single issue. Some argue, however, that it is not the right time to assess our embryonic political parties because our parties, they contend, require time to gradually cultivate and prosper. Though this argument has its own merits, it fails to account that constant and constructed criticism itself nurtures our political parties as well as our government. Abdi A Jama University Of Minnesota

KANOO, NIGERIA, 27 April 2007 (BBC)--A Nigerian lesbian who "married" four women last weekend in Kano State has gone into hiding from the Islamic police, with her partners. Under Sharia law, adopted in the state seven years ago, homosexuality and same-sex marriages are outlawed and considered very serious offences. The theatre where the elaborate wedding celebration was held on Sunday has been demolished by Kano city's authorities. Lesbianism is also illegal under Nigeria's national penal code. Nigeria's parliament is considering tightening its laws on homosexuality. 'Unhealthy' Kano's Hisbah board, which uses volunteers to enforce Islamic law, told the BBC that the women's marriage was "unacceptable". The BBC's Bala Ibrahim in Kano says Aunty Maiduguri and her four "wives" are thought to have gone into hiding the day after they married. All five women were born Muslims, otherwise they would not be covered by Sharia law. Islam says a man can take up to four wives if he is able to support them. "As defenders of the Sharia laws, we shall not allow this unhealthy development to take root in the state," the Hisbah's Malam Rabo Abdulkarim told Nigeria's This Day newspaper. Our correspondent says the theatre where the colourful wedding ceremony was held was flattened earlier this week. Several reasons were given for the demolition, including the discovery that it was built on wrongly allocated land. A Kano police spokesman told the BBC that his officers were not actively looking for the women, but would arrest them if need be. The Hisbah group, which is run seperately from the police, receives state government support. Two years ago, a Sharia court sentenced a man to six months in prison and fined him $38 for living as a woman for seven years in Kano. Eleven other states in mostly Muslim northern Nigeria have adopted Sharia law.

RIYADH, 29 Aug 2006 (Reuters)-- Saudi clerics want to impose restrictions on women praying at Islam’s holiest shrine in Mecca, one of the few places where male and female worshippers can intermingle. But women activists in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the religion where a strict version of Islam is state orthodoxy, say the idea is discriminatory and have vowed to oppose it. At present, women can pray in the immediate vicinity of the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure inside the mosque which pilgrims walk around seven times during the haj pilgrimage according to ancient rites established by Prophet Mohammad. Plans by the all-male committee overseeing the holy sites would place women in a distant section of the mosque while men would still be able to pray in the key space. “The area is very small and so crowded. So we decided to get women out of the ’sahn’ (Kaaba area) to a better place where they can see the Kaaba and have more space,” said Osama Al Bar, head of the Institute for Haj Research. ”Some women thought it wasn’t good, but from our point of view it will be better for them ... We can sit with them and explain to them what the decision is (about),” he said. The decision is not final and could be reversed, he added. Pushing and shoving is common in the tight space around the Kaaba where thousands of pilgrims crowd during the haj season. The plans are likely to provoke a furore among Muslim women in countries whose Islamic traditions are more liberal than Saudi Arabia. Ordinary Muslims say it as a basic right to be able to pray as close as possible to the Kaaba which Islam regards as the place where God’s presence is most felt on Earth. It is towards the Kaaba that Muslims around the world turn when praying. “Both men and women have the right to pray in the ’House of God’. Men have no right to take it away,” said Suhaila Hammad, Saudi woman member of a body of world Muslim scholars. “Men and women mix when they circumambulate the Kaaba, so do they want to make us do that somewhere else too?” she asked. ”This is discrimination against women.” The Grand Mosque is one of the few places where men and women can pray together in Islam although technically there are separate spaces for each gender throughout the vast complex. Religious police charged with imposing order according to Saudi Arabia’s austere Wahhabi brand of Islam often harass women who decide to pray outside the prescribed areas. Historian Hatoun Al Fassi said the move to restrict women’s prayer in the mosque would be a first in Islamic history. “Perhaps they want women to disappear from any public prayer area and when it comes to the holy mosques that’s their ultimate aim,” she said, adding the religious authorities recently restricted women’s access at the Prophet’s tomb in Medina. Source: Khaleej Times

I wonder waxa wada seexiyay ,,,,,, Heey ,, did you discuss with our friend about the thing i told you to check ??

Communiqué on the Visit to Ghana of the Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Occasion of the African Union Summit, 23 June- 3 July 2007, Accra 1. On the instructions of His Excellency President Dahir Rayale Kahin, President of the Republic of Somaliland, the Foreign Minister of Somaliland Minister Abdillahi Duale paid a Visit to Ghana from 23 June to 3 July 2007. 2. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland was accompanied by the Ghanaian & Western African Special Envoy on Somaliland, Mr. Steve Mawuenyega and other senior African advisors. 3. The Ghanaian Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo welcomed the Foreign Minister of Somaliland and his delegation to Ghana, and reiterated Ghana’s commitment to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa as a pre-requisite to continental union. 4. The two countries acknowledged the need to advance and consolidate Somaliland’s stability, its emerging democracy and peace in the Horn of Africa. 5. The Parties reaffirmed the need to identify key areas such as education, economic investments as a vehicle to drive forward areas of co-operation between the two countries. Ghanaian business institutions expressed willingness to share their expertise for Somaliland’s up-coming Presidential election identification process and investment opportunities. 6. Both Parties noted that since the establishment of Somaliland’s presidential and parliamentary democracy in 2003 and 2005 respectively, a number of bilateral agreements including on Development and Security Co-operation have been signed with Ethiopia and the UK. 7. During the Visit, the Foreign Minister of Somaliland, met with key Ghanaian institutions such as the chair of Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, the Commandant of Koffi Anan International Training Centre, the Head of Ghanaian Investment Development Centre. The Minister also met with his counterparts the Foreign Ministers of Kenya and Ethiopia and the representatives of a number of countries such as South Africa, Cape Verde, Canada, Portugal, Turkey and USA, on the sidelines of the AU Summit. 8. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland congratulated HE President John Kufoor for his tenure as Chairman of the African Union and for successfully hosting the AU Heads of States and Government Summit during his visit to Ghana where issues of continental integration were discussed and ratified, including the key protocol on the African Union Non-Aggression and Common Defense pact, which is critical for the integration and success of the African Union. 9. The two Parties also exchanged views on the latest regional, continental and international developments. Both Parties recalled Nepad’s strategic goal of advancing stability and good governance in Africa as the official development policy of Africa. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland briefed the Foreign Minister of Ghana on the growing bi-lateral relations with Somaliland’s key neighbour Ethiopia and the on-going exchange of visits between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa including the recent meeting of the Ethiopian Foreign Minister of State in Hargeisa with H.E. the Somaliland President and the recent meeting of H.E. the Ethiopian Prime Minister with H.E. the Somaliland President in Addis Ababa. Also discussed was the recent successful meeting held between the President of Somaliland and the Italian Minister for African Affairs as well as the briefings on the visit to Sweden and Norway. 10. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland commended and thanked the Foreign Minister of Ghana for raising the matter of Somaliland at the Executive Council Meeting of the African Union on 29 June 2007. Both Parties, recalled that Professor Alpha Konare, Chairman of the African Union Commission, while presenting his annual report at this Executive Council meeting emphasised that the African continent had to deal with the reality of Somaliland’s existence and to engage with the unsettled international legal status. This follows through on the African Union’s Executive Council Meeting in Addis Ababa of 26 January 2007, where the then Chairman of the Executive Council from the Republic of Congo, concluded: “…there is a reality in Somaliland that cannot be ignored. …. We cannot afford to close our eyes or shy away from that reality. It is in the interest of Africa to pay attention to these issues. There were positive developments in Somaliland, including the restoration of stability and peace, the establishment of democratic institutions and processes and the efforts deployed internally towards reconstruction. Some of these achievements in Somaliland should inspire the rest of Somalia. This is an issue that is now known to the African Union policy organs and it should be discussed at an appropriate time”. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland briefed his counterparts that Somaliland has taken the principled policy decision to allow diplomacy to take its path, since its engagement with the African Union since 2003. Its now 16 years since the establishment of Somaliland and its people have patiently endured the pain of the difficulties of non-recognition, notably the pain of meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals, especially in health, education and housing. It clear that the international community, via the regional body IGAD, is holding Somaliland’s people and its children prisoner to events in Mogadishu, by suggesting that Somaliland await the outcome of the up-coming Mogadishu National Reconciliation Conference. IGAD countries are intensely divided, more concerned about Mogadishu and are unable to engage Somaliland’s case for self-determination and to advance this emerging democracy as a reliable partner of the family of nations. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland expressed with regret that that the delay of advancing the case of Somaliland will sadly lead the Government of Somaliland and its people to review its existing foreign and defense policy and to seriously consider other options. The clear neglect of Somaliland’s urgent humanitarian and development needs by the international community has led the masses and many senior Somaliland elders to question the credibility and legitimacy of promoting the diplomatic approach to Somaliland’s quest for international recognition. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland further re-iterated that Somaliland wishes good relations with Somalia and to see Somalia a stable and peaceful neighbour. We are ready to share our experience of national reconciliation, state building and the creation of a successful democracy and to assist in stabilising the south in any way we can. The Minister urged the Transitional Federal Institutions to focus on stabilising the still difficult situation in Mogadishu rather than opposing the reality that is Somaliland’s independent status. The TFI’s obstructionist and uncreative approach to Somaliland’s quest for international recognition and further developing its nascent democracy adds unnecessary tension in the Horn of Africa and undermines its own efforts to stabilise Mogadishu. 11. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland commended the Ghanaian Parliamentary delegation for its fact-finding visit to Somaliland in March 2007. Both Parties reiterated that peace, democracy and stability are a prerequisite for socio-economic development in the region and the continent. 12. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland commended Ghana as a non-permanent member for its role at the United Nations Security Council and for advancing the African agenda. 13. Discussions were conducted in a friendly and frank manner reminiscent of the re-emerging sisterly links between the countries. 14. The Foreign Minister of Somaliland on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Somaliland and its people expressed his gratitude to HE President John Kufoor, the Government and the people of Ghana for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation throughout their stay in Ghana. The Minister, once again, expressed Somaliland’s appreciation for hosting H.E. President Kahin’s on the historic occasion of Ghana’s 50 Years Celebration on 3 March 2007. ISSUED IN ACCRA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Somaliland, 3 July 2007 Inquiries: + 233 24 941 41 87 or +233 24 344 47 19 Mr. Steve Mawuenyega Notes for Editors: 1. Somaliland was a British Protectorate. It gained independence on 26 June 1960, was recognised as an independent state and then voluntarily joined on 1 July 1960 the ‘Somali Democratic Republic’. 2. The union went disastrously wrong for Somaliland. Somalilanders were excluded from decision-making and discriminated against. The Somali Republic descended into a civil war in which Somaliland was invaded and destroyed by the military regime of Siyad Barre. 3. The Republic of Somaliland, as re-constituted on 18 May 1991, is a reversion to the independent state of Somaliland of 1960 within the same agreed borders of the 1960 state. It did not secede from the Somali Democratic Republic, but reverted to the status quo ante. 4. Somaliland is a functioning democracy with an elected President and Assembly. Its independence was emphatically endorsed by Somalilanders in a referendum in 2001. Its one of the only countries in Africa where the opposition parties have a majority in its Parliament. 5. An African Union fact-finding mission in 2005 acknowledged that Somaliland’s independence does not set a precedent for the redrawing of colonial boundaries in Africa because Somaliland has simply re-declared itself an independent state within its former British colonial boundaries. 6. On 26 January 2007, the Rwandan Foreign Minister proposed to the AU Executive Council that the matter of Somaliland be discussed. The proposal was opposed by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and as a consequence was not agreed. The Government of Somaliland believes nonetheless that this discussion was an initial first step towards getting the AU member states seized with the Somaliland issue. 7. Abdillahi Mohamed Duale was appointed Foreign Minister of the Republic of Somaliland in August 2006 and HE President Dahir Rayale Kahin was elected President of Somaliland in 2003. tatata

Yes, it has been 16 long, arduous and lonely years since we reclaimed our sovereignty on May 18, 1991. Yes, the recognition that we have aspired to achieve may seem as distant as ever. Yes, detractors have called us and still call us all kinds of names. Yes, enemies who are hell bent on breaking our will and sowing discord among our people have used all kinds of deceptive tactics and hired spin-doctors to discredit our cause. Yes, the world refuses to look at our achievements, our democracy and the oasis of peace we have created. Yes, weasel-hearted African leaders have been warned that recognizing Somaliland would open the gates of hell and monsters would emerge in scores from their scandal ridden closets. Yes, our people suffer due to the absence of diplomatic relations, international credit lines and regular trade agreements. Yes, some of our politicians, some of our opportunists, some of the greedy among us, some of our weaklings and some of the wishy-washy individuals have been trying to weaken our morale. But, against all these odds, as people of Somaliland, we have only one thing in mind; that all roads lead to recognition. From day one, we have decided that there is no rollback, no reverse gears and most importantly no free ride to our coveted goal of gaining our sovereignty, building our country and gaining recognition. We have been watching other countries with less democracy, less peace and less ethnic cohesion gaining sovereignty and recognition. We have seen Bosnia, Montenegro, East Timor; all former Soviet Republics embraced and accepted by the international community. We now watch Kosovo and Western Sahara inching towards independence. Somalilanders know that we neither have the political clout nor the alliance of the willing to support our cause. We neither have oil to satiate Western hunger for fuel nor the correct creed to claim evangelical brotherhood. However, like the hedgehog we know one big thing; that our determination, our strong will, our resilience and our enormous belief in the righteousness of our cause will bear fruit no matter how long we wait for it and no matter how much we suffer on the way. We have proven it in the past and we can continue to prove that we have the resolve and the persistence it needs to stay the course. No one can detract us, no one can pigeonhole us, and no one can sway us from our goal. Despite the world’s indifference, our people have worked hard over the last 16 years. We held democratic local, parliamentary and presidential elections, we created a fabulous free press, we held terrorism at bay, we built our ruined homes, we established universities and erected some factories with our meager resources and remittances from our sons and daughters scattered all over the world. And with or without recognition we intend to continue our march. Our future plan is to develop our roads, our ports and airports, and our health and education systems. Let the Africans whine and whimper over opening Pandora boxes, let the Americans and Europeans indulge in their double standard business of lobbying independence for places like Kosovo and denying the same to Somaliland, let the Arabs wallow in their monkey business and Orwellian newspeak of confusion and self pity, Somaliland has no time to waste. Yes, we may be traveling alone but “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, And we have promises to keep, And miles to go before we reap” with full apology to Robert Frost. And reaping we did. As have gained friends along the way. We owe ample gratitude to a few courageous countries that judged us by our achievements and extended a hand of friendship to us. They shook our hands when all have deserted us; they opened representative offices for us when all have avoided us. We owe enormous gratitude to South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Belgium and the UK. Their legacy will be written in gold in the annals of our history. Now Tell Me he is Paid

that is usual ,,,,, it is too freakin' windy today ,,,,

not that many ,,,,,, waad ka raysan i'm sure

i wish i had my camera ,,, mid baa iga qaatay inkaar qaba So, you ready to fly out of UAE ?? ,,, i'm sure you can't wait ,,

maba fahmo waxaas anigu ,,,,,, i like the Hindi accent ,,, I'M DEDY AND MY WIFE IS DEDY DOO

Mabrook caleek ,,,,,,,,,,,

warkaas baa saaka igu soo kallahay ,,,, it happened in da road when heading to the office today IT IS TRUE HADDA ,,,,,

looooool

Why this topic is in this section ??

War ka soo baxey wakaalada warwarka ee dameer ximaarada qaada biyaha Saaka markey aheyd 7dii subaxnimo oo dhiman 5 daqiiqo waxaa foodka wadad maansoor ka timaada isku galey lama dameer ximaar oo ay wadaan lama dameer riixe, mid ka mida riixayaasha ayaa isku dayey in uu daafo ka kale ka dib markii gaaadhi wayni kaga yimi xagii uu is lahaa u dhaaf ayaa waxaa is galey labadii shaag ee labada dameer, waxa halkaa igayuna is tubey dalcada hoosteedii dadka salaada hore kalaha ee aan la garaneyn waxay qabtaan daqiiqado ka dib ayaa kolonyo baabuur ahi iskugu timi dalcada hoosteedii nasiib wanaag markii danbe ayey riixayaashii kala furfureen dameeradii wadadiina ay furan tey. Dameer ximaarada waxa lagu yiqiin iney mareen luuq luuqyada laakiin beryahan waxey is bedeen sida basaska oo xitaa way is eryadaan, arrintaasna waxey khatar ku tahey iyaga iyo gaadiidka kaleba.

It is not i think and i didn't see issue ,,, ppl here go and travel with Somaliland passport to all over the world. It was only last week when a friend of mine travelled to France with SL passport, ppl go everyday to UK, South Africa, Uganda, etc. YES, You never seen coz you don't work in the Immigration.

It is not i think and i didn't see issue ,,, ppl here go and travel with Somaliland passport to all over the world. It was only last week when a friend of mine travelled to France with SL passport, ppl go everyday to UK, South Africa, Uganda, etc. YES, You never seen coz you don't work in the Immigration.

It is not i think and i didn't see issue ,,, ppl here go and travel with Somaliland passport to all over the world. It was only last week when a friend of mine travelled to France with SL passport, ppl go everyday to UK, South Africa, Uganda, etc. YES, You never seen coz you don't work in the Immigration.

Ninkan khaled bin waleed magaca ha laga bedelo sidani si maahee

loooooooool ,,,, english iskuma fiicnin ,,, but i think it is HORROR ...

LOOOOOOL@KII WAAWEYNAA fardo la isu hayo maxaa la isaga faanshaa baa hore loo yidhi ,,,,

Don't try to convert the eyes currently on you to Lily ,,,,,,,, you failed to translate that lil word i asked and kaba sii darane you said there is no somali for it ,,,,,,,,,,

VERNACULAR = SUUQDI, LAHJAD,

don't accuse af soomaali ,,,,, simply say ma garanayo then someone will say the right translation.

what is wrong if someone is saying wuu ka soo noqday qudhunkaas ,,,,,,,,