Like we've warned here on these boards, Hassan Sheikh is playing a slick game at the moment and the Azania/Jubba project is the first casualty of the new approach by the new TFG/SFG president.

Somali government terms Kismaayo conference as "unconstitutional" 16 March 2013 13:13 BBC Monitoring Africa © 2013 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved. No material may be reproduced except with the express permission of The British Broadcasting Corporation. The Somali government has termed the ongoing Kismaayo conference on formation of a regional administration of Jubba regions as unconstitutional. This was declared by the deputy minister for interior and national security, Hasan Ibrahim Muhammad aka Hasan Jabaan. Speaking to the media, the minister said that the conference was not in line with the country's constitution. He said the conference was not inclusive. Source: Shabeelle Media Network website, Mogadishu, in Somali 16 Mar 13

No need to get bent out of shape. Just a little muscle-flexing by the Siilaanyo administration. To avoid these kind of inconveniences, just avoid travelling through Somaliland cities while flying to and from Mogadishu. Oh, I forgot... That's quite difficult to do the majority of the time... Damn those Somalilanders!

Carafaat;927367 wrote: Xiin, waxba ma fahansana. War dadku wee ku faraxsan yihiin go'aankan. Carafaat, after all this time you haven't understood Dotorre Xiin. Everyone has their role on SOL. Xiin is the 'Director of Spin' for the pirates. Remember Saddam Hussein's Information Minister dubbed 'Comical Ali' who to the last minute used to say the Americans are not in Iraq when they were a 1000 yards away Previously General Duke used to have this lofty position in this Forum for the 'pirate agenda' but due to depression from recent political happenings, Duke has temporarily retired(relegating himself to reading from the sidelines). So the position has been filled by Xiin. Historical fact: Xiin used to pass himself off as a deep Somali nationalist when I first joined this Forum. But gradually, he was unmasked by group after group till he had no choice but a full public embrace of the 'pirate' agenda on every issue. Overall, an amusing personality once you understand what's really eating him inside

Waranle_Warrior;927336 wrote: Sidaa ayuu yiri Suldaan Maxamed Suldaan Cabdiqaadir oo u warramay mid ka mid ah Wargeysyada Hargeysa ka soo baxa caddadkiisii maanta oo Sabti ah soo baxay. Sourced from a 'phantom' Hargeisa newspaper Pirate Technique: Pick a prominent Somalilander with past Somaliweyn leanings, create a fake news story around a call for 'union', and watch as the finger pointing starts within the internal group. Classic pirate strategy! But the trick is getting a bit old these days....

He's definitely a pirate. Go back to his posts when Abdiweli was running against Sharif Ahmed for the Presidency. He couldn't hold the emotions in check ala 'Mooge' style Besides, who else besides 'pirates' spends that much bandwidth on how Somaliland will be humiliated, brought back on their knees, blah, blah.... Neither the Mogadishu nor Gedo community are that concerned. They have far bigger priorities at the current time. Only the pirates have the 'Somaliland' fetish 24/7. Somaliland represents to them all their failures to definitively grab power in Somalia for the past 40 plus years. It's a psychological wound that will take at least 2 more generations to heal. You have to classify it as a psychological issue due to the schizophrenia involved in their positions towards Somaliland. One second from the top leaders on down, they appeal for a union between Somaliland and Puntland, the next second it's an all out attack to undermine Somaliland and its institutions, etc.

XX and Saalax, Don't fall for the smoke screens. Odey is another pirate in hiding attempting to pass himself off as the Mogadishu community. All in order to create enmity between Hargeisa and Mogadishu. Like Oodweyne used to say: 'Always attempting to score a win on the backs of others' muscles!'

Xaaji let them vent. It's a painful time for many! The Azania/Jubba project is dead in the water after Hassan Sheikh played a clever game with the support of key international backers. We tried to warn those vested in the project about the forces arrayed against the plan but they wouldn't listen. Like the old saying, 'Wanka Wayn Ishiisu Cirka Ma’aragto Ilaa la Gawraco!'. We just have to make sure Somaliland doesn't fall for the same techniques/tricks when it comes to dealing with Hassan Sheikh and co.

Interesting! Siilaanyo and co. are learning to play the game. 'Why should we attend when nothing is being put on the table to satisfy our priorities? Only the priorities of the other side. Either put something tangible on the table or we won't attend!' It's about time

The slow increase of the diplomatic pressure..... Current trends are moving in support of Hassan Sheikh's camp..... Below is the statement from the U.S. Mission to the UN (American Embassy to the UN). __________________________________________________ U.S. Mission to United Nations On Resolution to Support Somalia Mar 07, 2013 (United States Department of State) -- U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York, New York March 6, 2013 Today, the UN Security Council sent a clear signal of support to the new Somali Government. Resolution 2093 answers President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed's call for "one door to knock on," by unifying UN development and humanitarian work under the UN Special Representative's direction. It also aligns UN support to assist the Somali Government in delivering services to its citizens. Importantly, in recognition of the Somali government's progress, the Security Council has agreed to suspend the arms embargo on the government of Somalia while providing safeguards to ensure responsible development of the security sector and leaving the ban on Al Shabaab and other terrorist and extremist groups in place. We will continue to work to support the Government of Somalia as they endeavor to turn the page on two decades of civil war by maintaining recent progress and working closely with regional and international partners to improve the lives of all Somalis.

Ngonge , You have a gift for succinct summaries, sxb. I just got a chance to check the SOL boards in the last 10 min. I'm shocked, after all the protestations and refutations above, at the about face acceptance of the leverage Hassan Sheikh and his gov't are bringing on certain corners. I guess the lamb/goat has finally seen the blue sky! It seems in the current game in the South, one side has brought its A-game while the other side is impotently lashing out while digging a further hole of setbacks. Hopefully the same attention and deconstruction is being applied among Hargeisa policy elites... but that's a discussion for a different time and thread

xiinfaniin;924697 wrote: ^^President Hassan is a national leader who has an intention (perhaps a good one) to define the political terms of post transition Somalia. He is not a warlord. Thus far his attempts to influence Jubba politics has been carried out in acceptable politicking that is clearly in line of how politics ought to be conducted in post transition Somalia. Our disagreements with the president does not go beyond the interpretation of what federalism means. We believe Jubba leadership has the political high ground with respect to this argument. Consequently our national leaders will come around, accept and endorse it. They are not however wrong from political perspective in their attempt to shape, influence and water down the significance of state that is about to emerge at the mouth of Mogadishu for obvious political reasons. Now you take that simple, internal political argument and want to buttress with Security Council resolutions. That my friend I find it insulting to the intelligence of the readership of this fora. And when you got caught peddling such a nonsense, you play victim :D, and complain about xiinfaniin... Today the Security Council has issued significant resolutions concerning Somalia. The long arms embargo has been lifted partially. It is a victory for the Somali government, and they should be given credit for procuring their request in a way western countries can understand i.e. fight against alshaaab to strengthen Somalia's security forces. Charcoal export has been a source of alshabaab financing...and Kismayo port was the port that sustained them. Jubbaland is a grass root initiative that cannot be stopped regardless of what anyone else wishes against it. It has a security ramification that goes beyond Somalia...get that waryaa. That i s lesson 1 today yaa Macno Yare. Waar ma anagaa waalan mise Cadan baa laga heesayaa?? I don't think you ever review what your positions where yesterday before uttering today's statements. It makes it difficult to take your arguments seriously. Weren't you proclaiming all kinds of 'doomsday' scenarios just a few days ago if the Arms Embargo was lifted for the FG(it's a one-clan militia, blah, blah, etc.)? Yet one would almost think you're cheerleading the resolution currently from your above post. Typical behaviour - oppose something vehemently and if you lose, attempt to convince others you were with the winning side all along. One SOL poster coined it as 'attempting to snatch victory on the back of others' muscles'. Anyway, that's another topic and I digress... Moving to the main topic, if you think the charcoal trade has ended in Kismayo, you're more clueless than you've appeared thus far. Regardless of the morality etc., of the trade, it will continue b/c it brings significant sums of profit for the businessmen, the local people, and whatever administration rules Kismayo at the time. With the Ras Kambone group, it has thus far provided a much needed source of financing. With the legal wording of the resolution (in reference to the charcoal trade) and who in Somalia is ultimately judge and jury, the advantage has been given to Hassan Sheikh (not even his PM or Parliament, but specifically the President, and the President only). This gives Hassan Sheikh considerable leverage with Ahmed Madoobe and company. (Let me make it simple for you, since comprehension seems to be an issue here: it would be the equivalent for Somaliland/or Puntland of Hassan Sheikh getting the same legal power over the livestock trade for all of the former Somalia. Capisce?) As for other Somali actors, well, they're not dependent on charcoal exports for financing so the issue is pretty irrelevant. If you're confused as usual, consult with Baashi above. He seems more in tune with the financial role charcoal has played thus far in Ras Kamboni's purse ----(even with the financing of the current 'shir' in Kismayo).

xiinfaniin;924680 wrote: ^^Awoowe, I am not sure what this 'bruised ego' you keep repeating means. Perhaps you are the one with a bruised ego . Be that as it may, if your conclusion is that Security Council has effectively, by this resolution, killed or halted Jubbaland initiative, then as we said before your over excitement with Kismayo topic is clouding your judgement. If you are however implying today's Council resolutions with respect to lifting the embargo (however weakened its effect may be) represents political victory for the government in Mogadishu, then that is agreeable. Perhaps you are conveniently forgetting this perceived political victory applies to all of Somalia's political players are concern in equal measure, including of course that of your neck of the wood as was apparent in today loud press release in Hargeysa. So once again, what are you trying to say here ya Macno Yare? Maskiin! You see Mintid and SL behind every door Ninyahow, are you this slow or are you pretending? Ku lahaa: "if your conclusion is that Security Council has effectively, by this resolution, killed or halted Jubbaland initiative, then as we said before your over excitement with Kismayo topic is clouding your judgement Just where did you read me write that? To extremely 'exaggerate' my points in order to score a cheap point with the 'uninitiated' is an expired tactic. Most of SOL has seen you pull that one once too many for it to work much longer Are you having trouble understanding what the 'jist' of the contention is(the above argument you stumbled into)? Is that the challenge/trouble you're having here? If so, just say so, and more discerning minds will be sure to lend a hand with the comprehension issue. In the meantime, Iska jir Xassan iyo Seeftuu kuu soo wado!...... Just don't say I didn't warn you

What was that saying about the lamb never seeing the sky till the moment of its beheading? Xiinow, waar iska illow Mintid and your little bruised ego and look at the issue involved. 1- There's a reason two explicit passages on the charcoal issue are included in an Arms Embargo Security Council Resolution. 2- There's a reason that Somalia is the only place in the world where there's a Security Council Decree outlawing the charcoal trade. Wax kastaba ma inaan FAR WAAWEYN kuugu qoro miyaa??? Cajiib

Baashi, You missed the point, sxb! Regardless of whether the Developing World problem of desertification is the main reason for including the charcoal issue in the UN Resolution, the key point I was highlighting was: this Security Council resolution gives Hassan Sheikh overwhelming control over a resource/financial pipeline that's been a major export of Kismayo port for decades now. Listed below again, is the second passage: Underlines its support for the President of Somalia’s task-force charged with providing solutions on the issue of charcoal in Somalia, demands that all appropriate actors cooperate in full with the task-force, and looks forward to receiving recommendations and options from the Federal Government of Somalia in this regard Now this would be irrelevant as you allude if charcoal exports in the future(after the current inventory at the port is depleted) would cease and no more trees would ever be cut down again. But that's neither realistic nor informed given the poverty of the region and the insatiable demand for the product in the nearby(and very wealthy) Gulf Kingdoms. Not to mention the Ras Kamboni faction's need to self-finance... So in essence, at least politically, this resolution gives Hassan Sheikh diplomatic leverage he didn't have before (i.e. you're breaking a Security Council resolution if you don't accept 'my solutions' on this issue) That was my point, in its simplest form.....

Jacpher;924656 wrote: ^As if charcoal was financing the formation of Jubooyinka admin. Charcoal is a problem for the all the South, not only Kismaayo. Secessionists so much interest these days in the country they so claim they departed two decades ago, or did they? But it is a significant source of funds for the Ras Kamboni group. Where were you when the war over the airwaves was conducted between Mog. and Ras Kamboni - "You cannot export charcoal! .... Yes, I can and will!.... etc.,". Wasn't that the first political battle between Ras Kamboni and Mogadishu after the expulsion of AS from Kismayo??? Why bother making it an issue if it wasn't such a significant economic prize to the parties involved? Aah, some people argue just for the sake of arguing...... Baashi below further underlines my point re:the financial significance of the trade for the Ras Kamboni group: Baashi;924658 wrote: ^ @ Mintid What happen to your noodles boowe. I mean! common man:). Question: can you turn charcoal back into trees? Well, what to do with charcoal (already in sacks) worth of millions sitting at the open fields near the port? This issue has been discussed into death. At issue is not about Kismayo or the formation of federal state in Gannaane valley. At issue is who gets AS's assets. Government in Mogadishu or the so called "liberators" militia commanders. Mogadishu admin says the alone should make the decision of what to do with the $40 million worth loot. IGAD pressured by Kenya says the money should be used funding the on-going fight against AS in Gedo. Madobe et al and his Kenyan's businessmen laugh at the Mogadishu's excursions in the local affairs of their city. For your information awoowe half of the loot has already been shipped to Gulf States and some of the proceeds are used to fund Kismayo gathering What the UN resolution is talking about is desertification issues which is a huge problem in that area.

Maantoo dhan gilgisha The question is did he get it right or not? He said: "UK, will quietly be making sure that no government in Mogadishu will be armed in a manner that could even come close to what late Gen. Afweyne have had in his day."

Slipped into the UN Arms Embargo resolution of today are these two passages: Expressing concern at reports of continuous violations of the Somali and United Nations ban on charcoal exports, welcoming the President of Somalia’s task-force on this issue, and recognizing the need to assess urgently, and provide recommendations on, resolving the charcoal issue, and then later in the resolution, you have this: Underlines its support for the President of Somalia’s task-force charged with providing solutions on the issue of charcoal in Somalia, demands that all appropriate actors cooperate in full with the task-force, and looks forward to receiving recommendations and options from the Federal Government of Somalia in this regard

This has interesting implications given the partial lifting of the Arms Embargo. Now the 'donated' weapons can be passed on to ASWJ legally(under full light).

Somali gov't agrees to integrate militia into army SongChen 6 March 2013 Xinhua News Agency English Copyright 2013. Xinhua News Agency. All rights reserved. MOGADISHU, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Somali government has reached an agreement with a faction of militia in the central part of the Horn of Africa country on their integration into the army, Radio Mogadishu reported on Wednesday. Citing the government, the state radio said the agreement involved the Sufi group of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama in central provinces. Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon is currently visiting the central province of Galgadud, where the Sufi group of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama (ASWJ) has maintained control for the past couple of years after Al-Qaida linked Al-Shabaab fighters were ousted. "After hours long meeting between Somali government delegation led by Prime Minister Shirdon who is on a tour to the region and leaders of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama in central Somalia have resulted in an agreement that the forces of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama be fully integrated into the armed forces," the radio said. The ASWJ, which is allied with the Somali government, has been fighting Al-Shabaab fighters in Galgadud for three years and has managed to retake a number of key towns in the region. The Somali government is moving to resume administrations in the southern and central provinces of Hiran , Bay and Bakool under a federal system of governance. The government wants to do the same in Kismayo, capital of the Lower Juba region in southern Somalia. The region was retaken from Al-Shabaab fighters by allied government forces and African Union peacekeeping forces from Kenya last year. The agreement with the ASWJ is seen as a major step for the Somali government to spread its authority outside the capital Mogadishu.

Abwaan;924286 wrote: I found some interesting threads about what SOLers said regarding foreign intervention and lifting the arms embargo against Somalia in 2012 and all the way back to 2006....check what xiin, Oodweyne and Naxar Nugaaleed said. 02/14/2012 Originally Posted by Oodweyne Abwaan, Don't bet the house on it, my friend. For this "Arms embargo" will stay in it's place (if the Brits have anything to do with it) till, Somalis political destiny is finally settled. Which means, so long as the issue of Somalia and Somaliland is in the air, then, UK, will quietly be making sure that no government in Mogadishu will be armed in a manner that could even come close to what late Gen. Afweyne have had in his day. Consequently, if Somalis of Somalia, want to see their country armed, like their neighbors, such as Kenya and Ethiopia, then, I fear, they will have settle the political argument with Somaliand. Particularly, as to where to go from here onward. Or else, let just say the Ethiopians and Kenyans and their western-equipped armies will be the closest that Somalia will have for a proper well-equipped army of it's own, indeed... I hope you get the picture in here, my friend... ] Well events seem to be buttressing Oodweyne's argument thus far: __________________________________________________ UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Wednesday eased the arms embargo on Somalia, agreeing on a one year partial lifting of the oldest international weapons blockade to help the new government. The 15-member council unanimously passed to a resolution allowing light arms to be sold to the Somali armed forces as they seek to rebuild and spread government authority into territory recently held by Islamist militants. The embargo was imposed in 1992, a year after the fall of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre as rival warlords battled for control of the East African nation. A transitional government, backed by an African force, is just starting to establish itself after major victories against the Al Qaeda-linked Shebab group. With US support, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who took office in September, has been pressing for an end to the embargo. Britain, France and other countries on the council had been more reluctant to fully lift the blockade because of the risk of heightening insecurity in a country already awash with arms. Resolution 2093 allows for a one year suspension of the embargo when arms will be allowed. The Security Council pointedly listed surface-to-air missiles, guns, howitzers and cannons and related ammunition and components as items that cannot be sold to Somalia. The government will have to give at least five days notice of deliveries and purchases will be monitored by UN experts. "The council has struck the right balance. It sends a positive signal to President Hassan Sheikh but it continues to give the council oversight of weapons flows into Somalia," said Britain's UN ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, whose country drafted the resolution.

Yusuf Haji is a smart old man!!! He set up 2 NFD radio stations in the last 18 months in preparation for this contest. It paid off! That's politics....

N.O.R.F;924479 wrote: ^The govnt needs to have a plan in place. I doubt they do or will. How can they?? Ingriiskii iyo 'his Conferences' baa na wareeriyey.....

Ngonge, Sxb, lugooyadu ma wanaagsana ee jooji, xaasidyahow African Oil does't even mention the Puntland acreage in its recent press releases. As Ahmed Madobe proclaimed (while he was still in Af Madow, before the Kenyans parachuted him into Kismayo): "the future is in LOBSTER!!!"

NGONGE;924450 wrote: ^^ Dee I did. An Oil analyst at a world renowned fund strongly advised me to buy shares in Range/Africa Oil because he believes it's a real deal (unlike those stories Somalis post on here about them). His firm does not do short term investments, they always go with the long term view and, of course, they wouldn't go for something like this unless they believed it will eventually work. Sxb, naga daa, dee! Hunguriga ha ka soo ridin 'our Puntlander brothers' That's classified as 'cruel and unusual punishment'. As they say in your neck of the woods: 'Are you having a laugh?'