Oodweyne, Not to rub salt in old wounds, but our Taleexi, in the post I referenced above, made this prediction concerning which constituencies SL would represent... Taleexi;874194 wrote: Finally, let us be realistic in here. Most Somalis foes or friend alike welcome the talks between "SL" and Somalia. But remember "SL" will be forced to represent only the SNM-clan, no more, and no less therefore you don't have to entertain the idea that all communities in the north are in unison insofar their political association is concerned. However, I only saw Siilaanyo representing one side and Hassan Sheikh representing the other of the former Somali Republic at the Turkey meeting. Needless to say, this turned out to be another errant prediction made by the anti-SL brigade based upon 'what one wishes for' rather than the reality at hand...

NGONGE;940119 wrote: ^^ I can't speak for Siilaanyo or his greed (if any), saaxib. I simply comment on what makes sense to me. Changing his mind and agreeing to attend the conference when he knows that most of his population would disagree with such a decision is political suicide. Now Siilaanyo may have some shortcomings but suicide is not one of them. I couldn't agree more.... As I expressed 7 months ago: Mintid Farayar;873507 wrote: Whether this change in attitude in Villa Somalia is implemented in practice remains to be seen. However, one must keep in perspective the actualities on the ground in analyzing the potential outcomes of the Somaliland/Somalia talks. To measure the fortitude and negotiating power of each side, one must look at what's at stake. Politicians, universally, are primarily concerned with keeping 'the seat'/incumbency. Would a Somaliland administration that nullified Somaliland's sovereignty realistically stay in power in Hargeisa? Would a TFG administration that dissolved the territorial unity of the old Somali Republic survive in Mogadishu? Both would be unpleasant for either administration and would face resistance from regions each administration nominally represents. But which would be the more impossible for the respective administration to survive given its seat of power (in either Hargeisa or Mogadishu)? The answer to that question provides a quick glimpse into the future of these talks... http://www.somaliaonline.com/community/showthread.php/67720-The-Somaliland-Somalia-Talks-Myths-vs-Reality

Stoic, So was a clear statement made that 'we are not attending'?? I'm referring to exactly what you heard and saw on the clip. If so, then once again SL shows the beauty of democracy at work. Ngonge, For once, Siilaanyo's 'guddi' style seems to be paying dividends

Excellent news, if Somaliland holds to this position till the Conference is past. I have a feeling there will be lots of wailing&lamentations this weekend in certain corners of this Forum. "Damn Somaliland, its demise told by certain 'crystal balls' proves to be a children's tale! Damn that Somaliland!" Xaaji, thanks for keeping us updated...

Gentlemen, Please update those of us who could neither attend nor watch the online video. Much obliged...

Oodka, Good points. However, SL is happy with Faroole. He's been a responsible partner who quietly disentangled Puntland from the Sool issue (regardless of what our resident PLers here on SOL claim). Faroole possesses more realistic ambitions than his previous predecessors in Puntland. He realizes the only area he can effectively rule is the traditional clan-land of his subclan(referred to some as 'pirates') and has consolidated his ambitions away from the problematic area of Eastern SL. The security cooperation between SL and PL is reasonably effective and cordial due to this 'understanding'. Another point - what happened to Gen. Ilkajiir, the savior of Sanaag (as many had coronated him during his entry to Puntland politics). It seems the lion has turned into a lamb. I suspect Faroole reined in the 'General' in order to keep the SL relationship on a smooth trajectory. So on that note, please send a memo to Ngonge to leave my main man, Faroole, alone and desist from writing witty, mockumentaries about the man

^^ You're missing the larger point here (which MMA is referring to). This cable allows us to know what U.S. officials meeting with Faroole actually think of Faroole and his world viewpoint, referring to it as purely clannish in every sense of the word. I've beaten this same exact point to death in previous years - that both the U.K. and the U.S. have a somewhat negative viewpoint of current Puntland leadership, yet the threat of piracy makes it impossible to ignore. Hence, most of these two powers efforts in the last few years have concentrated on skipping dealings with the Puntland administration and dealing directly with Puntland civil society.

The May 15 local elections in Puntland were recently postponed indefinitely. This adversely affects the expected January 2014 selection of a new President for Puntland. Faroole's decision to extend his term, the lack of an electoral register(part of the original plan), and mistrust between the different sub-clans is contributing to a growing unease below the surface. This issue does not receive the attention it deserves among Puntland expatriate websites due to the attention paid to the Jubba project (in order to limit the growing power of Mogadishu). As for the internal media within Puntland,.... Faroole has long banned all unfriendly media outlets starting with the radio stations. When it comes to the emerging political organizations within this Puntland democratization experiment, Midnimo, with its Bari-constituency remains the only serious challenge thus far to Faroole's Horseed.

Xiin, Serious question, just for the sake of understanding the personalities involved: Is he a Sheikh? Lately I've been curious regarding how easily the title pops up in contrast to the 'Shafici' traditions of yesteryears.

Faafan;939634 wrote: Madoobe campaigning for upcoming election. I see the 'Sheikh' in front of the 'Ahmed' was conveniently dropped.... Obviously, it was only useful for the 'Al Shabaab/Xisbul Islam' days Now, it would only serve as an unnecessary irritant with the Kenyan 'security services'. Politics in Somalia ----- a clear absence of idealogy...

Your usual attempts to stir the pot and create 'personalized' strife are noted, Xiin. However, the argument was never about one particular individual but rather a 'perceived' strategy of an administration. To further expand for ones uninitiated in the greater SL sentiment(such as yourself), it's simply an examination/questioning of tactics rather than a divergence of ultimate goals.

The final decision on attending the London Conference will shed further light on the foundational strength of current SL Foreign Policy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M2iF62OkqFY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

An interesting development, to say the least. I have to agree with Ngonge on one point, though. Until a public decision is made by the SL gov't, it's difficult to pass final judgement from the sidelines. Unfortunately, SL finds itself in a difficult quandary given that it's foreign policy, as of late, has been singularly tied to a 'perceived' client-relationship with the UK. Given the high percentage of the current SL administration(as well as the incumbent parliament) holding UK citizenship/residency, it complicates SL's ability to maneuver independently. Further complicating the situation(unbeknownst to many on this Forum) is the fact that a 'SL-exclusive' investment conference is being chaired by the British on the same week as the London Somalia Conference. This is a further pressure point the British possess given the current SL administration's emphasis on promoting foreign direct investment far above the search for recognition. Nonetheless, I still maintain(from the time I joined this Forum) that it's not Mogadishu/Somalia that stands in the way of SL recognition but rather the interests of certain powerbrokers within the international community. Mogadishu/Somalia still remains in 'stealth trusteeship' when it comes to sovereignty issues. The recent international recognition only served to legally facilitate certain desired actions and strategies of certain international actors.

Oodweyne!!!!!!!! Leave Kismayo alone! Why are you bothering us??!!? Aren't you a Northerner, why are you discussing Kismayo???? Huff, Huff, Puff, Puff..... Don't even bring up Kismayo, do you hear?!? What's wrong with you, always bringing up the difference between reality and spin

Abdiqasim, but not Abdullahi Yusuf, huh? Waar nimanyahow, wax isula hadha. Soomaali oo dhan baa idiin jeeda ee cid walba hays ku dirina. Otherwise, Kenya will become a permanent 'second-class citizen' home

Waranle_Warrior;931125 wrote: Its a mess what the government has done so far. That's why it's called Soomaaliya Anything different from the last 22 yrs?

W_W, I'll comment on that when Xiin posts where the news article is from(what portal) Get my drift??

oba hiloowlow;931113 wrote: xiinfiniin calaacalka daa even if Xaaji was like the way you described him as what harm can he do to D-block? Ninku wax weyn ayaaba ka dhigtay! Wah Xiin, Even yaryarkii baa ku la yaabey, sxb Concentrate on the issue. Keep your eyes on the ball as Oodweyne advised.

xiinfaniin;931107 wrote: Dhaqaalaha, gaar ahaana dakhliga ka soo xarooda Dekedda iyo Garoonka, iyo qodobo kale [/u] [/b] Follow the money, I say If an agreement can be reached on that thorny issue, all else will fall into place..... But greed and rationale don't go together.

xiinfaniin;931100 wrote: ^^Teenage scripts , eh ? Had you shared that with me , this post wouldn't be necessary. it is your correspondence with the teenage that misled the gallery , Mintid Isku dirka waa lagu yaqiiney reerka You know who the 'referred' teenage scripts are, and it's not Xaaji

It was a cheap shot, Xiin. Just calling the foul, sxb. We're both old enough to know our two sides' disagreements have traditionally been political(as it is today), but hardly ever of the violent type. Xataa laba reerood meel iska ma soo gaadhaan. So enough with the theatrics to confuse the teenage scripts on the Board.

This of all things to post, Xiin? All because of one day's happenings in Kismayo and Bossaso? Cheer up, tomorrow is another day....

Oodweyne;931068 wrote: Mintid, He knows what your are asking and he knows that the speaker is dead set against it for obvious clannish reasons since his "D&M" folks will be adversely affected. Furthermore Xiinfaniin knows that there is no enough MPs in the parliament to support this highway constitutional thievery if matters gets to the federal parliament. Hence why he is hoping that things could be cobbled together outside of that legal means and within the "D-Block" clannish arrangements without troubling the proper parliamentary channels back at the national capital. Oodka, I'm well aware of that http://www.somaliaonline.com/community/showthread.php/70355-Kismayo-Update?p=931070#post931070

xiinfaniin;931057 wrote: LOL Jawaari is irrelevant to the Kismayo process. The constitution is the source of legitimacy , and it shall remain untouched till 2016. Irrelevant?? The man who controls the agenda and session schedule of the Parliament is irrelevant? Xiin logic at its best! Besides in an earlier thread with NORF, I thought you agreed that it/constitution stipulates the Parliament will ultimately have to ratify the new Federal States. Should I bring up the old thread to refresh all our memories? I figured the reason you do the 'runner' whenever this question is asked is b/c of the Speaker's position on this issue. Read below for further clarification.... _________________________________________________ Speaker of National Assembly Mr. Jawari On Bai Administration Building 27 March 2013 English © 2013 AllAfrica, All Rights Reserved Mar 27, 2013 (Shabelle Media Network/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Speaker of national assembly honorable Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari speaking at Baidoa the capital of Bai region today said that the Somali federal government will ensure forming a government from the grassroots in the region. He said that he will ensure the administration will be chosen by the people living in the region which will satisfy their needs. Jawari talking to the media also said that members of parliament from the region will have to move to the region so that the administration will be efficient He continued saying that members of the public must support members of parliament and work on security so that peace and stability to be achieved. On the other side, Mr. Jawari said that members of the public living in Bai needed to be informed that working with the government was an important thing so that peace can be achieved and transparent working administration was in place. The news comes at a time when Mr. jawari had a visit to the region to solve crisis in administration building in the region All Africa Global Media _______________________________________________ It seems, my friend, that Hassan Sheikh and co. are doing a full-court press on the issue.... even using the legal backstop of the Parliament to derail the 'project'. You see, I just gave you another freebie. Yet you show 'no love'.... Ahh, pirates...

I've asked our Xiin where the Speaker stands on this issue(several times over several days) but he seems to do a 'runner' whenever that question is asked. According to the current constitution/charter, the Fed Parliament has to approve the future regions ultimately. Paging Senor Xiin, paging Senor Xiin......