Somalis are odd. Does anyone in other African capitals say the capital belongs to us? Do the Oromos say Addis belongs to us or the Kikuyu say Nairobi is ours? By saying this - are these folks getting something tangible - ie money, land, status? What is their motivation? Pointless. Khadafi - there is nothing wierd about federalism for Somalia. Many other countries have it - and it works perfectly reasonably. Bosaso belongs to all Somalis, particularly those who live there - if however people are concerned with identifying who's the majority or who was there first - that's a different discussion but one that serves no real purpose apart from ego stroking.

Good interview.

Aaliyyah - I asked a question and expressed an opinion - you need to relax. Not sure what Axlaam has to do with the language of the Quran but whatever floats your boat.

^Why Arabic names? Is there something noteworthy about adopting this cultures' naming practices as opposed to other cultures? - Axlaam, Najaax, and other BS baa nacay And the thing is we don't even live in Arab countries. Go for Joshua or Seth or whatever makes you happy.

My how you've grown. From the Marcus shades to a pseudo-Somali glossary. I like it inaar.

^Whoa - are you sure you want to leave that up? Unwarranted assault and aflgaado.

I'm sick and tired of the Sun and their retarded and racist commentators. If that author had his home invaded by a Swat team and his whole family humiliated, man handled and detained for hours - he'd be singing a different tune. That said - so called community leaders don't do a good job of articulating very real objections and criticisms. But I don't read much into that - every 2nd Somali sees himself as Community leader and purports to speak for others - it's the jago-doon syndrome - it doesn't matter how insignificant it is.

Rahima;962880 wrote: It has nothing to do with that. Folks should just be honest and upfront about their motivations. That's the difference between SL and people like you. At least they don't pretend- what you see is what you get. I actually prefer that than a housemate who is continuously wishing your destruction and working actively against you. That housemate should move out i say then waxaa isku soo haraya those who want to make it work. I'm not sure I understand. If someone is for federalism - that equates to being a closet separatist/secessionist? In countries with federal models(Australia, Canada etc) - does anyone talk about a 'lack of unity' simply because they choose a decentralized form of government? In the absence of national/regional reconciliation conferences led by the SFG(one of its primary mandates to heal a 20 year civil war) should anyone be surprised that old prejudices and stereotypes resurface in times of political tension?. I am surprised by the insistence on 'leaving Jubbaland to the President' (Hassan, the Great and Powerful?) and the apparent thin skin shown by some of his supporters when confronted by genuine criticism. Hassan Sheekh is my President but he is deeply mistaken on the Jubbaland issue and I have doubts as to his commitment to federalism - the only viable governance method for Somalia IMO. I'm not going to plaster these boards with threads attacking him or Xamar but I don't apologize for my criticism of his policies. And I certainly can't be bothered with cries about separatism and lack of unity from people with a clan agenda.

Presumably - the word 'library' will be in Somali - but the words after or before that can be in any language - heck he can call it Alpha Blondy or Haatu. Why should it matter if he established it? Inaar - you don't need to prove your nationalism by demanding everything to be in Somali. Chill out. PS - if you really wanted to wage that kind of war - better start with Islii/NFD and the countless Al-huda, Al-fadl, Al- [insert 'FICIIS'] wa kida wa kida. That's a way bigger problem than English.

Is that the grounds of Villa Somalia? Looks nice.

Good work Alpha - personally - I think you should call it - the Marc-a$$ Library. And to hell with the language nazis. Ee sida ula soco inaar.

Nice - looking forward to see that. Hopefully it's not all doom and gloom.

xiinfaniin;960667 wrote: 1 4- Hassan Sheekh and his bad advisors has begun to scramble a way out (they have now changed the venue of the so called reconciliation from Mogadishu to Kismayo ...soon they will change the agenda as well as reality on the ground will dictate the terms) Is there any official press release to that effect?

I think there would be a compromise if each felt the alternative was catastrophic. I don't see a return to civil war in Jubbaland - just more skirmishing and Madoobe is firmly in control. And Hassan is here to stay for another 3 years plus no matter any pressure brought on him by the IC regarding this issue. If this stalemate continues - I think Hassan may come to his senses in the end - his nickname is Gurgurte after all. On a side note - where is Parliament in this whole fracas apart from a few ridiculous 'mooshin'? What happened to Jawaari - I had high hopes for him but what a complete and utter failure.

What's the real problem being in the west? Kids in jail, lost kids, kids who are leading other kids astray. And by kids it's the males. In my travels in the middle east I didn't see large numbers of males incarcerated or in trouble with the law. There may not be many opportunities to better yourself in those societies but the overall outcomes are better than here.

Disappointing Alpha.Aren't u from the UK - thought u guys had a better green thumb than that? Looking for more like this:

Nice pictures.

It will be interesting to see how SFG responds - it may just totally ignore this news.

Some Somali identity existed prior to Islam arriving. But Islam solidified and broadened the Somali identity. Islam helped Somalis to interact with and spread their influence in the Horn and the wider area There are numerous people in South Somalia who were absorbed into Somali identity through Islam. I don't see anything wrong with her larger point - Islam is a vital component of Somali identity just as Christianity is to Ethiopia.

Not sure it's good longterm for Somalis. Next they may damn the Juba and Shabelle - they already have a small dam on the latter. And unlike Egypt/Sudan - there is no agreement with Somalia.

Chimera - I think your 12 points are a good suggestion. Regarding point 1 - I don't see the President recognizing Madoobe - the crux of the disagreement lies there. Hassan Shiikh will not recognize Madoobe or the process that elected him as legitimate- he wants to start anew. And now he feels the IGAD wind in his sails - I don't see any desire to compromise. In short - in this episode - the President is not acting as a national leader. The other key ingredient is that there is a clear process and criteria regarding state formation - it can't depend on the SFG offering or withdrawing a blessing simply on whim.

Ngonge - he's not gambling his state - if JL 'fails' PL will still be around etc. He is gambling his personal political capital - but so is Culusow and Madoobe. Everyone is all in. At the end of the day - there will be a state formed there one way or another and Faroole will be on the right side of the debate.

Two things will not change. Kenya will not leave. And the people in the region will demand self-governance as allowed by the constitution with a limited role for the SFG. There is limited room to manuover for the President to achieve his objectives without causing further antagonism and loss of confidence in his leadership.

Che -Guevara;955677 wrote: Warsamaale. Some of the most hateful people I know come from these two communities and their views of other Somalis the south in particular pushes the limits of decency.It is not the politics of other Somalis that they pick on but it's the people themselves. So to portray these people as victims is to absolve of them of the role in this debacle that's of Somalis. They dish out as much as others do. Others pick more on their politics, these people mostly pick on others not for their politics but for tribal backgrounds or aspect of supposed behaviors. Just look comments on the Somali President, more often than not, it's not his actions that are being condemned or discussed, it's his tribal background that's automatically interjected into the discussion, this is followed by insults against his tribe which the admins seem to be tolerate these days, and this Hag and that Hag. And by the way, examine any Somali discussion forum including SOL, who is fanning the hatred, just look here, most of them individuals who preach hate claim to be from Somaliland and Puntland, I don't wanna name names but just look who posts most topics insulting others and promoting hate, and there are like in every forum. Jeez - you're condemning others for generalizations and here you are making them. Why don't accept each person's 'generalizations' as valid and leave it at that.

^Doesn't their coming forward to claim the money create a whole lot of interest from the police - re the drugs issues? I wonder how much the tape is worth to the Ford family - may have been better to shop it around to them.