*ahem* Cheers

independance day to commemorate those that have died in the process of securing our soverignty from the warlords of Somalia Republic[/QB] Independence from Somali warlords or from the then-Somali dictatorship? You seem to be another confused, SNM-enthused chap raised on stories of the gallantry of the SNM mujahids who liberated 'Somaliland' from the tyranny of the 'South.' However, congratulations for attaining your freedom through the SNM's hard-fought struggle. God bless Somali-land! P.S. Welcome to SomaliaOnline Forum - a place where you will undoubtedly make friends and enemies. The hard part is telling them apart. Good luck, mate.

Nice pics indeed! So, are you the guy in the computer lab?

Originally posted by Jumatatu: I say without hesitation in doing this Geedi has shown to be a man of compromise Finally, something we can agree on. You know that the American Republic was built on the powerful concept of compromise - PM Ghedi is an educated invidivual who knows the value of such a concept. Raga madaxa adag - namely Security Minister Qanyare - are showing their 'true colors' everyday because, at the end of the day, they don't want to be the employees of a man (Ghedi) who wasn't involved in their 15-year halgan to economically and politically dominate Somalia's capital. Like I said, PM Ghedi mad an excellent move towards compromise - even Yalaxow made a move. But Caato and Qanyare are suspiciously immobile - which will continue this deadlock until all the MPs, other ministers, etc. realize that these men are ultimately up to no good and gradually isolate them. I pray, for the sake of Somalinimo and peace, that these officials follow the path of truth for once so that our once-mighty Republic can once again stand up and walk towards national recovery. Amin!

The case with the editor and reporter from Shacab newspaper (out of Garoowe) has already been resolved when a Puntland judge dismissed the government's case. However, this is an interesting letter addressed to Puntland pres Adde Muuse and opens the door to debate about press freedom under Pres. Adde. Has anything really changed - especially with the 'recycled ministers' behaving the same way they did under Col Yeey & M. Abdi Hashi? Remains to be seen. Read on... CPJ Seeks End to Harassment in Puntland Committee to Protect Journalists (New York) DOCUMENT May 3, 2005 Posted to the web May 3, 2005 By Ann Cooper New York Gen. Adde Muse Hirsi President, Puntland Via E-mail Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about attacks on press freedom in the autonomous Puntland region of northeast Somalia, of which you were elected president by the region’s parliament in January. They include the arrests of two journalists from the weekly newspaper Shacab (Voice of the People) in the town of Garowe; threats to close that newspaper; plans to introduce identity cards for all journalists; and attempts to censor radio coverage of sensitive political issues. On April 20, security forces attacked the premises of Shacab, breaking the front gate and damaging the editor’s car and other property, according to the newspaper’s editor and local press freedom groups. The same day, security forces arrested Shacab reporter Abdirashid Qoransey in connection with articles criticizing the Puntland authorities. Qoransey was held at a police station for about four hours, but was released after his editor, Abdi Farah Nur, negotiated on his behalf. The following day, police came looking for Farah, who was not at Shacab’s office at the time. Farah told CPJ that he went later that day to the police station, where he was arrested and detained for three days. He said police told him that his arrest was in connection with two items published in Shacab: an article suggesting that citizens with complaints about the Puntland government contact their representatives in parliament; and a reader’s letter criticizing the authorities, including Your Excellency. On the night of April 23, police returned to Shacab offices and rearrested Qoransey, according to Farah. The following day both men were brought to court in Garowe and charged with inciting the public and insulting Your Excellency. The charges were dismissed and they were released the same day. However, local journalists and press freedom organizations say official harassment of Shacab has continued. Farah said Information Ministry officials visited the newspaper on April 28 and questioned staff about the newspaper’s license. He said he received a letter from the Information Ministry, dated that day, that warned him against publishing the newspaper without permission and without paying certain taxes. Shacab managers say the newspaper is licensed and that they will pay legally required taxes. Local journalists are also worried by government plans to introduce identity cards for all journalists, according to the Somali Journalists Network (SOJON). Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdi Weli confirmed to CPJ by phone that the Information Ministry had proposed the ID cards, but he said that they would not restrict press freedom. Another cabinet member, Sports Minister Said Korshel, told CPJ that the cards would be issued by the Puntland Media Association Network (PUMANET). Independent Somali journalists and press freedom activists point out that PUMANET, a nominally independent journalists organization, is close to the government nonetheless. SOJON and others say that ID cards could be used to control who works as a journalist in Puntland. Puntland officials have also exerted pressure on radio stations in the region to avoid coverage of controversial political issues such as whether neighboring states should be allowed to send peacekeeping troops to Somalia, according to SOJON and other local sources. They said members of the public had criticized your government’s stance on such issues during radio talk shows. At a press conference in Bosasso last month, Deputy Information Minister Ibrahim Artan Ismail threatened to ban call-in talk shows, according to CPJ sources. Minister of International Cooperation Abdi Weli denied any ban is in effect, and said that radio talk shows were continuing. CPJ sources said that talk shows were indeed continuing, but they now focus on social rather than political issues. CPJ calls on Your Excellency to ensure that harassment of Shacab newsapaper ceases immediately, and that journalists can work in Puntland without fear of reprisal. We urge your government to abandon plans for journalist ID cards and refrain from any threats to censor the media. We remind you that censorship of the news is anathema to democracy, and that Somalia’s transitional federal constitution, to which Puntland has subscribed, contains a guarantee of press freedom. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, Ann Cooper Executive Director CC: Col. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, President of the Somali Republic Prof. Ali Mohammed Ghedi, Prime Minister of the Somali Republic American Society of Newspaper Editors Amnesty International Article 19 (United Kingdom) Artikel 19 (The Netherlands) Canadian Journalists for Free Expression Freedom Forum Freedom House Human Rights Watch Index on Censorship International Center for Journalists International Federation of Journalists International PEN International Press Institute Michael G. Kozak, United States Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor The Newspaper Guild The North American Broadcasters Association Overseas Press Club Reporters Sans Frontières The Society of Professional Journalists World Association of Newspapers World Press Freedom Committee

^^ Correction: Jama Ali Jama has never held the title of 'Puntland President.' Perhaps, 'moryan sympathizer' is a befitting title for him. PSS is a way to put all the security services under one branch, which will make security more effective because police, intelligence, frontier forces and prison police will all work together. Cadde is only making the security apparatus in Puntland more effective so that failures (like Galkayo) don't happen again. I'm all for it because I know the integrity of such men as Nuur Salaad (Puntland police commissioner) - a career police official who's held various posts under different leaders with respect to the organization and the people. FOR CONTEXT (via PuntlandPost.com): Waxaa horay uga jirtay Puntland Hay’ad lagu magacaabi jiray PIS, oo hoos imaan jirtay Madaxtooyada, taasoo la sheegi jiray in ay gacan ka heli jirtay dawlado shisheeye gaar ahaan kuwa la dagaalama waxa ay ugu yeeraan dhaq-dhaqaaqa argagixisa geeska Africa, waxa ayna haatan u muuqataa in hay’adaani badali doonto PSS, waxaana xusid mudan in deegaamada Puntland Hay’adda PIS looga yaqaanay Ashahaado la dirir .

Salaad Xiis (of Hiiraan Online) did an excellent, eye-opening report on Marka, Lower Shabelle region. EXCERPTS: "Magaalada Marka waxaan deganahay muddo 14 sano ah, si qaxootinimo ah ayaan ku imid, hayeeshee waxaan u qeybiyay magaalada Marka xaafadaheeda seddex qeybood (a) qeyb waa shidan tahay cawo iyo maalin, dadkoodana waa isku dhex jiraan, haba soo dhexgalo mid cuqdo qaba, aniga aragtideyda cudurka Aidska waxaa ka daran qabiilka, aidska waa ku dilaa, laakin qabiilka waa wax xun oo uf ah. (b) xaafad maalintii indhaha ayay isku heysaa habeenkii ayay shidan tahay, © Xaafadna habeen iyo maalin indhaha ayay isku heysaa geb waaye, intooda dhanna dad ayaa ka buuxa, tusaale aniga waxaan deganahay xaafadda Horseed habeen iyo maalin indhaha ayay isku heysaa, dhulkeeda waa raqiis, ka gudub xaafadda Ruusiya la yiraahdo maalintii waa densan tahay dadkeedu habeenkii ay shaqeystaan," "Magaalada Marka Ammaankeeda 100% waa sugan yahay, dadkuna waxay socdaan ama ganacsadaan xiligii ay doonaan, ma arkeysid wax hub ah oo magaalada lagula dhex socda, kaliya waxaad rag hubeysan ku arkeysan iridka Saldhiga Degmada Marka, kuwaasina ma ahan kuwo dhibaato u joogee waa Ciidamo qaba labis u gaar ah oo nabadgelyada magaalada sugaya. "Muran kama taagna in maamulka Shabeelaha Hoose uu xoog ku qabsaday gobolkaas, inkastoo Sanjabiil uu ku doodayo in ay meesha geysay Dowladdii Carta ee uu Hoggaaminayay C/qaasim Salaad Xasan, hayeeshee waxaa u suurtageliyay in uu sidan u xoogeysto isla markaana uu ammaanka soo celiyo dadka gobolka oo ah dad nabadeed, kuwaasi oo uu ka dhex saaray maamulka koox yar oo dhibaato ku heysay." "Maamulka Shabeelaha Hoose ee xaruntiisu tahay magaalada Marka waa mid ay Guddigiisa fulinta ku jiraan inta badan beelaha ku dhaqan gobolka Shabeelaha Hoose, inkastoo Qowmiyadda Banaadiriga aysan wax awood ah ku lahayn, sida uu ku doodayo Shariif C/raxmaan Maxamuud Dhega weyne oo sheegaya in aan laga talo gelin maamulka gobolka, walow uu hadana leeyahay "nabad buuxda ayaan ku heysanaa gobolka, maamulkana raali ayaan ka nahay." "Gobolka Shabeelaha Hoose waxaa uu leeyahay 3 Isbitaal oo midka ugu weyn uu ku yaalo degmada Marka, halka labada kalena ay ku yaaliin degmooyinka Qoryooley iyo Baraawe, waxayna dhamaantood daboolaan adeegyada caafimaad ee dadka gobolka u baahan yihiin" "Dhinaca Waxbarashada degmada Marka waxaa ku yaala dugsiyo isugu jira Hoose, Dhexe iyo Sare, kuwaasi oo ay maalgeliyaan Hay’ado Carbeed iyo Mid Local ahaan u shaqeysa oo lagu magacaabo Cosv, dhamaantoodna waxay dabooleen baahidii waxbarasho ee gobolka, inkastoo ay Jaamacadaha dadka gobolku u doontaan Magaalada Muqdisho." MORE (with pictures) @: http://www.hiiraan.org/2005/may/Magaalada_Marka.htm How does this effect the widespread notion of how, since Marka and Shabellaha Hoose region is "occupied," it must be a terrible place to live and work?

Uganda halts troop deployment in Somalia KAMPALA, May 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The Ugandan government has suspended the deployment of its troops, Uganda People' Defense Force (UPDF), in the war-torn Somalia. State owned newspaper, The New Vision, reported on Tuesday quoting Minister of State for International Affairs Okello Oryem as saying that the Somali warlords are opposed to deployment of Ugandan troops, adding that the situation is still being studied. "The deployment of Ugandan and Sudanese soldiers was to preparethe ground for the Somali president to return home. But now the situation is tricky," a senior security official was quoted as saying. The UPDF spokesman on the Somali mission, Paddy Ankunda, told Xinhua by telephone on Tuesday that the peacekeeping force to be deployed to Somalia is finalizing its training but was not sure ofwhen they will leave. Local reports said that Yoweri Museveni, the chairman of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), also the president of Uganda, would this week meet a delegation of Somali warlords over the deployment of Ugandan troops. The African Union authorized IGAD countries: Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti to send an peacekeeping force to Mogadishu to help Somalia's transitional government now in Nairobi, Kenya relocate to Somalia. The peacekeeping troops were supposed to start their mission in Somalia starting April 30 and thereafter will be replaced by an AU peacekeeping force after nine months. Somalia has been without a central government since 1991, when clan-based warlords overthrew Mohamed Siad Barre and then involved in a domestic conflict. The transitional government was formed in 2004 in Kenya, under the auspices of the regional bloc IGAD and the European Union. It has not been able to return to Mogadishu because of security fears.Enditem Source: Xinhuanet, May 03, 2005

^^ Plenty of hot air and useless steam, to be honest. But, have you ever asked yourself of the possible pitfalls of digging oil in Somalia/land? For example, in Nigeria, oil-rich states have been engaged in a virtual rebellion against the Nigerian federal government for mismanaging funds. I believe that the same will be true for Somalia/land if Somali politicians of today don't devise a clear policy of oil fund management and distribution. (i.e. If the oil comes from the Berbera area, a certain amount of the funds should be invested directly into the area of the source (Berbera, in this case). We all know how these politicians don't have these policies, sxb. Without policies in effect, oil will undoubtedly become another source of conflict in our conflict-ridden region of the world. 2008 (insha Allah) seems like an unrealistic goal. P.S. What is the Riyaale admin saying about this?

Fill the pockets of government officials with cash, exploit the poor ol' niggers for all their worth, and return to their extravagant mansions in Paris and L.A. When White people are involved, its always a scam. :mad:

^^ Because Ghedi has: 1. Attracted the most number (#) of international politicians to Muqdisho at the same time 2. Because Ghedi got a bigger welcome than Mr. Qanyare, Caato and Calasow combined I think those are two big accomplishments for a man who, before Nov. 2004, was UNKNOWN in Somali politics. JUMA - Points well taken. However, the fact that Ghedi is willing to bend for the sake of 'Soomaalinimo' just builds upon his character. Ghedi has now accepted the work these MPs & ministers are doing in Mogadishu - which means that he's a man willing to COMPROMISE. Great nations are built on the concept of compromise. Will Qanyare compromise something for the greater good? I haven't seen him do that yet sxb.

Originally posted by 21123181565225699337: The Prime Minister and President want troops in Somalia because they are scared. They both should be impeached because why are they scared to go to Somalia when Shariff Hassan Sheikhaden went there with other PM’s. the two cowards are either scared or know that they did wrong in the past. Wasn't it English poet Robert Browning, Jr., who penned the words: Ignorance is not innocence, but sin? You're so ignorant of what you're talking about that you're committing a sin simply by thinking. If you haven't gotten the wind of my words, may I remind you that the coward you speak of, namely Somali Prime Minister Ali Ghedi, is in 'Xamar' as I type these words. Oh, oh, I know, the PM 'did wrong' in the past so he's 'scared' to go to Muqdisho. Dadkiina wali geesinimo iyo fulaynimo baad wadaan. Waxaas waa hore baa laga ilbaxay. Somalis are debating ideolgoy - you're debating who's a coward and who's a hero.

Originally posted by Sky: this old man refused cuz the arabs wanted to manage the port and airport. wich would benefit puntland greatly, i dont trust the management to the puntland gov. becuz of c/yussef many years are wasted damn! Hmm. Interesting but I doubt it. These Arabs are well aware of the madax-adeeg of Somalis (our natural tendency to live free). Even if they wanted to 'control' the air/seaport, they know that it'll get em more problems in the long run. The way I heard the story, Col Yeey simply wanted aid to be shared across Puntland (which isn't a bad idea, but Boosaaso is the center of the economy). Now that Reer Bari have their 'man' in power, they're busy returning their wealth to Boosaaso, buying land etc. to rejuvanate the city. Also, this airport project is under the direct supervision of Puntland State with help from the Puntland business community (for they all benefit), the Islamic leaders, and now some foreign investment. You're right: I wouldn't trust Col Yeey's "yes men" to make progress in Boosaaso. But Cadde is keeping an eye on these folks. Wasn't it recently that a Boosaaso security official busted one of the management folks for corruption? That official was promoted to the rank of 'captain' for the incident. Things are changing slowly for the better, alaxamdulilah. Cadde is introducing 'accountability' in Puntland. If the money from Boosaaso was used in the right way, schools could be built or renovated, hospitals, roads, etc. The fact he's paying teachers' salary is an indication that the port money is being managed better than it was in pre-Cadde days. Alls I can say about this guy is kudos. So far, my biggest dissappointment with him is the Cabinet. I hope, at the 6-month mark, he gets rid of the old regime and replaces them with the folks who campaigned to see him in office (and who deserve it).

Funny - you conveniently forget the fact that the PM and his delegation were escorted from the airport and around the city by more than 100 'technicals.' By comparison, how many 'technicals' escorted the Pres/PM's delegation upon their arrival in Jowhar? Reer Muqdisho are ripe for government so they will welcome the PM. The question is: are Caato, Yalaxow, Qanyare and the 100s of minor militia leaders ready for government? Cali Mahdi made the comment that the President would be welcomed by more people than even the PM. That might be true - but in the long run, how can the government sustain itself in Muqdisho where they'll be 'welcomed' for a few days. After the jubilation is over, the differences come out. Qanyare, Caato, Yalaxow, clan courts, etc. - so-called anti-TFG movement, are more powerful in Muqdisho than the Pres/PM. So, how can they function in their capacity as such? P.S. What did you think of Qanyare's excuse for not welcoming the PM? With the power of technology today, I think eskimos in Alaska knew that the Somali PM was visiting Mogadishu for the first time ever. But Qanyare - who was in Mogadishu at the time - wasn't informed or didn't know? If I saw Qanyare, I'd sing this to him: Maseeraa ku haayo, waad muuq-muuqataa PM Cali Ghedi gets major points for attracting the most number of int'l politicians to Muqdisho all at once. The crowd that welcomed Qanyare, Caato and Yalaxow combined were easily outdone by the PM - arguably the most popular politician in Somalia today. Too bad he's a "baby" residing in the tomb of Col Yeey. Do you think he asked for permission from this 'mother', i.e. Col Yeey, to go to Muqdisho?

Big! My Unc was telling me about this Sheik Suldan bin Muhammad al-Khasimi. This is the same Sheik who wanted to expand the port of Boosaaso and build the Boosaaso airport during Col Yeey's tenure as Puntland Pres. However, Col Yeey had wanted something like dividing up the aid so that some of the aid went elsewhere around Puntland (was he forgetting the fact that Puntland's economy is based on Boosaaso?). Anyways, now that Col Yeey is out of the picture, Pres Cadde has re-started the relationship with the Sheik. Also, read the Sheik's name: al-Khasimi. His ancestor was the guy Boosaaso was named after (original name Bender Qassim - which the airport is named). Cadde has done in a little over a 100 days what Col Yeey couldn't do in 6 years. My predictions about this guy are becoming more and more of a reality as each day passes by. Reer Boqor iyo dowlad xagee awal loo kala waday?

Originally posted by Jumatatu: Sxb you have many faces and nicks and I think that is down to be insecure of yourself, Dang! I'm busted. Okay, okay. I'll share my insecurity: I have a small penis! There, I said it. Like SOO MAAL said, I support the TFG in 'principle' - just as I supported Abdiqasim's TNG before he took sides in the Kismaayo war between Gen Morgan & Col Hiiraale. And I've criticized this illegal 4.5-based TFG many times - but I suppose its easier for you to wholly dismiss my points by saying I'm pro-TFG because me and Col Yeey are of the same clan, and therefore of the same mindset. May I remind you that I'm more anti-Col Yeey than YOU could ever dream of. What has Col Yeey PERSONALLY done to you? You talking politics but this chump (Col Yeey) - I got personal beef with him regarding family matters. Name a single post where I'm pro-Col Yeey. Do you even know the diff between Col Yeey and the TFG? Let me educate you: Col Yeey is a shaqsi , or a person. TFG is a Somali-wide institution designed to return a government to Somalia. I support a government for Somalia - I'm not gonna hide behind the blanket of drug/warlords like you. You consider Yalaxow to be a "MUJAHID" - remember, I can quote saying such things. Which jihad was Yalaxow involved in? Bosnia, Chechnya, Afghanistan, or Iraq? Please share. Also, Indhacade was your hero when he arrogantly invaded Baydhabo - now that he's welcoming Col Yeey's "baby" (PM Ghedi) how does he figure into your equation of destroying this TFG because its led by a man who doesn't belong to the USC clan-family? Coz for you, its all about that. TFG led by a non-USC person. Period. No if or buts about it, huh. P.S. Which other nicks do I use? HORN pay attention here waraa.

You still managed to miss the nuxur of my post: that ANOTHER disagreement between the Mogadishu drug/warlords was, is and will never be genuine. They talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? For the other MPs - such Cumar Xaashi - who are not drug/warlords, I feel sorry for them because they're walking a path that leads to a dead end. History has shown this, sxb, yet you continue to entrust the future of Mogadishu to the same men who destroyed it (and continue to do so with impunity, thanks to residents who think like you). I believe that an agreement signed and led by the same men of destruction will lead nowhere - but will surely be entertainment and, in Somali, caga juglayn to make fellow Somalis - and esp. Mogadishu residents - think that the drug/warlords are actually doing something POSITIVE. Not welcoming the PM is a wonderful start. BTW, Indhocade is not a member of the TFG, yet he had the mind to welcome the PM and his delegation - while Caato, Yalaxow, Qanyare the "peace builders" of Mogadishu & members of the TFG - didn't even show up. Like I said, another wonderful move on the checkered career of liars, betrayers and overt murderers. Reer Muqdisho aren't dumb - they see these drug/warlords saying they're "helping" them yet they don't wanna welcome their own PM, while the residents of Mogadishu welcomed him by the thousands. Isn't that funny to you or would you rather believe an excuse Qanyare is sure to come up with soon?

LOL Is that a serious question? Presidents and/or Prime Ministers usually have a 'council of advisors' - economic, political, religious, etc. I guess in this context, 'political advisor' means its a person who assists the PM in political issues, showing him the different sides of the story, advicing on an action plan, etc. For instance, in the U.S. you know that the post of 'national security advisor' is BIG, i.e. Henry Kissinger, Sandy Burger, Condi Rice, etc. - all became famous because they held that very important advisor post.

Originally posted by Cuchullin: Meanwhile, the Somali community had crowded around Farax Jamax. "What happened?", they asked. "Well," said Farax, "First he said to me that the Somalis had three days to get out of here. I told him to f *@ k off and not one of us was leaving. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL Das some of the funniest $hit I ever heard.

quote: What good is freedom of expression if it isn't allowed ? It's not allowed, because it will cause to change something. [/QB]Isn't that the whole purpose? The idea isn't whether or not a protest changes something; rather, that a protest is an important part of human freedom and self-expression. If a people are denied a free form of self-expression, it will undoubtedly lead them to find another way of self-expression (namely, armed resistance - the Saudi case is a prime example). Seems like you're defeating your own argument here, buddy.

WTF is a 'fat tax?' Only an idiotic politician would come up with such a preposterous notion. If obese Americans (some say around 55% of the total pop.) were taxed due to their obesity, I think the U.S. gov't would re-emerge from its trillion-dollar deficit in no time! P.S. How do you 'promote' obesity? Are McDonald's, Wendy's etc. commercials part of this so-called promotion of obesity?

^^ What work? These folks can't even agree on opening the air/seaports or even lifting a SINGLE roadblock, yet. What work are they doing other than staying in well-guarded hotels (much like the Arta folks) and meeting with degenerate militia leaders to no avail? Please, share with us the important 'national service' these distinguished MPs are doing in Mogadishu. Provide examples of roadblocks they've removed, alliances they've made between important political and militia leaders, etc. Has Mogadishu changed since their arrival? Will it change - given that everyone concerned seems to be doing plenty of lip service but little in the way of action?

The government will fail crew - vocally led by JUMATATU & XOOGSADE - aka 'we support Mogadishu drug/warlords' crew, have been quiet the past few days. Their 'hero' - the politically uncertain self-styled 'sheik' of Lower Shabelle - is busy welcoming the soon-to-fail TFG delegation, while their other heroes - Mogadishu's infamous murderers, drug traffickers (Yalaxow, Caato, Qanyare) - are nowhere to be found. Are we witnessing the first crack in Somalia's own 'Axis of Evil' alliance? Why is warlord Indhocade - who just a few weeks ago didn't recognize neither the Pres nor the PM - welcoming them now? What has changed? Why is the man who arrogantly invaded Baydhabo recently now softening his tone? More importantly, how do you support men with absolutely no political objective? Indhocade is living proof that he has no political agenda - just wants to wield autocratic rule in Marka and continue to harrass the local civilians. He's neither pro-TFG nor against it. So, what is he? A lone ranger bent on angering anyone at any time for any reason. His future seems bleak and dark - while the TFG is gaining momentum on both the internal and foreign level. Originally posted by Sky: tho there is still a lot of corruption. it will be the question if general cadde is tuff enuff to combat those freeriders that are gettin paid but aint doin shit. I think Cadde is simplying playing the cards he was dealt. He's given members of his admin 6 months to impress him with their work. In those 6 months, he's making sure that he's politically and militarily the single most powerful man in Northeastern Somalia. When Cadde was busy campaigning, a lot of folks helped him - mostly intellectuals and politicians who are much more qualified than the goons from the pre-Jan. 2005 era. He's just consolidating his grip on power - then he can get rid of these useless ministers, directors, etc. who have done nothing but fill their pockets during the corruption years. Mark my words: their days are numbered.

The leader of a people will be the worst of them (at-Tirmidhi) Leaders of people will be oppressors (Al-Haythami) People will treat a man with respect out of fear for some evil he might do (at-Tirmidhi) Ain't that a fact! Leaders become dictators and dictators rule through fear.

Protests are allowed in the U.S. In Seattle, for example, every time President Bush shows up, thousands flock to the streets with banners and slogans against his foreign, energy and social security policies. And you're wrong, buddy: protests are an effective form of public expression. It doesn't mean the powers-that-be (i.e. the gov't) will succumb to the ideology of the protesters. However, protests are a way of showing national leaders that the people are against or for something. The real freedom of expression exist in countries like Saudi Arabia, but isn't allowed, What good is freedom of expression if it isn't allowed ? That's a contradictory and meaningless statement. The fact remains that in Saudi Arabia - the heart and soul of Islam - true Muslim leadership is sidelined by the ruling royal family. Where does royalty and kinghood factor into Islam? The problem with the Saudi system starts at the very basic level where a man - Fahd - claims the title of 'King.' This, of course, goes against the teachings of Islam, where Allah SWT only is reserved the right to be called King: 114:2 The King (or Ruler) of Mankind, I still don't understand how you can be so supportive of a government that fails to stand for the tenets of Islam, only using Islam as a reason whenever they find it necessary to get across their political points.