^^ Okay, White boy. You win. But please sir, don't colonize me, again. Seriously, there is no question about my racist attitude towards White people. Could I be less racist? Sure...but only after White people quit interfering in intra-African affairs, bombing innocent Iraqis and Afghanis, and continuing the illegal imprisonment of African American youth in the U.S. But, since none of that will ever happen, I'd much rather remain racist and rant out at attention-seeking adventure boys, such as yourself, who want to make a name for themselves by being "wanna-be" anthropologists - like hey, I got me a few Negroes to study! Okay, Charlie, take care, pal!

Absolutely not! Why should puntland always be hostage to the yalaxows, the Caatos and The Qanyares. Correction...the people of Xamar are hostages to the Yalaxows and the Caatos and the Qanyares, not PL. However, PL is hostage to the Caddes and the Gaagaabs. Any differences? Probably not. All are men of different shades with the aim of filling their bottomless stomachs.

I don't understand the surprise here at all! This government - this TFG - was wrong from the beginning. It was wrong for classifying a whole group of Somalis as "Others" - like, "we're Somali, and you're Others." What kinda crap is that? Its un-Islamic and far from the "democracy" some of us here would love us to believe. Secondly, this top-down approach to governance hasn't worked for Somalia in the past - why should it now? Until all of Somalia's fiefdoms hold regional conventions (i.e. the SL precedent) and form their own regional governments, we'll always remain in this quandary. For example, how do we know that the people and the leaders of South Mudug, Galgadud and Hiiraan will agree to, let's say, have Beledweyne as the Capital? Some might argue for Dhuusamareeb as the Capital. etc. All kinds of new problems could arise as a direct result of the TFG interfering in regional affairs. Wixii is rabo oo isku dan ah ha israacaan. Wixii aan israbinna ya isku qasbin. That's my take.

I've met lots of people in many countries who consider themselves experts on my country and culture (and those of others as well) without ever having been there. Their pomposity and arrogance equally stands out in their writings, regardless of the colour of their skin. Oh, I see. So, you should feel better about yourself because you simply did what others have done for a long time. You're not guilty - you're just following the traditions of anthropology. Regardless of how "others" refer to the "ma'awis", you should know better than to call it a skirt. In Somali, a skirt is called "goono" - which is wholly different word from "ma'awis." I know, I know - its not you're fault that English is such a xenophobic and limited language. But do try to be spontaneous. I encourage you!

Originally posted by somalipride: Regardless, the exploration will start soon. Of course it will! It'll start and stay in and around Qardho district, so that the land who's inhabitants sold out Somali national territory will be exploited first - and the rest of PL (and Somalia) can take notes in the mean time. Good luck being a guinnea pig, dude.

Allaha u naxaristo Janadana ka waraabiyo. Aamin!

^^ Thank you for that! Originally posted by Yoonis: Mr Hassan Farah Abshir...First of all we need a road that connects Eyl City to the Capital of Garoowe. Don't get me started on Xasan Abshir - he's a traitor of the highest caliber. Thus, why he's still involved in Somalia's dirty politics (because no man with a conscience can be part of today's Somali politics). Anywho, there's always been plenty of talk about finally connecting Nugaal's two major districts, namely Garoowe and Eyl. Awoowe Mire Awaare (Allaha u naxaristo) used to work hard to try and raise money and encourage foreign investment to build the Garoowe-Eyl road. But his efforts didn't work because, back then (mid-90s), political stability in NE Somalia hadn't been reached yet. But his original spirit has yet to rest. Sooner or later, we'll connect Eyl to Garoowe (insha Allah).

Really long, semi one-sided piece posted on Wardheer News about the TFG and its current state of affairs. I liked one part towards the end whereby the author divides the problem into two fronts: diplomatic and propaganda, with Jowhar leading the former and Muqdisho leading the latter. How true is that? THE RATIONAL AND THE IRRATIONAL IN THE SOMALI NATIONAL RECONCILIATION Ismail Ali Ismail September 23, 2005 The ICG has also tried, with some success, to paint a gloomy picture of every opportunity of promise and in so doing distorted the facts. There was general agreement – almost unanimous – among Somali legislators on the deployment of African forces. The point of disagreement was only the participation of Ethiopia . The ICG, however, reported that there was strong opposition by ‘powerful war-lords' and it contended that there would be a renewal of the civil war if the troops were deployed in Somalia . The ICG in fact has no credibility among Somalis and it is commonplace knowledge that at least one of their leading ‘experts' is committed to the dismemberment of Somalia and would not want to see a functioning national government in it. But, IGAD took the ICG to task on the matter of false reporting. I sometimes really wonder whether the ICG is meant to create crises where there are none; they are, as prophets of doom and gloom, the negative force that discourages the international community from coming to the aid of Somalia . Conclusion The World agrees that no one in his right mind would go into Mogadishu thinking that he would be safe. Both EU and UN missions trying to talk to the war-lords were recently instructed not to go beyond the airport and to return to Nairobi well before nightfall . Those wreaking havoc in Mogadishu have said in no uncertain terms that they would target the government should it come to the city. The war-lords have taken some militias out of the city but they did not demobilize them and are within call. All efforts by the Mogadishu group to pacify the city and restore peace in it have failed for two reasons: first, the war-lords themselves have not been sincere as evidenced by the fact that they returned to and maintained their own road blocks in their previous sites; secondly, they are merely zonal war lords and much of the city is controlled by the so-called Islamists, merchants who have their own private militias, and other war profiteers and criminal elements. All this must, logically, have the effect of settling the question of immediate relocation to Mogadishu . The deployment of African forces has now become a dead issue and no one talks about it any more. That being the case the Mogadishu group has only one leg to stand on and, unfortunately for them, this last leg of theirs happens to be an artificial one. It is their use of Ethiopian military involvement as a red herring. These latter-day ‘nationalists' want us to believe that Ethiopians violate and occupy Somali territories at will and that President Abdullahi Yusuf is a quisling: they even said they would bring charges of treason against him. But, if Ethiopia has proved to be an enemy violating Somali territory there is all the more reason to support the reconstitution of the Somali Army and close ranks with the group in Jowhar; for this should be the time when internal differences should be shelved away. The war between the two camps is being fought, unabated, on two fronts: the diplomatic and the propaganda fronts . Certainly, the Mogadishu camp is winning the latter thanks to the BBC (note for instance how the BBC completely ignored the visit of the President to New York as compared with the complete coverage it gave to the visit of the Speaker), and the many radio stations owned and manned by their supporters. The government does not, as yet, have any propaganda machine of its own. But it is leading on the diplomatic front and is likely to succeed – and succeed it must. In my view there is only one solution available, and that is not a military one . The two camps are so diametrically opposed that they cannot be both right. Nor, in my view, are they both wrong. SOURCE: http://www.wardheernews.com/articles/september/23_the_rational.htm

I hate these little snippets whereby folks change the topic simply to avoid the real argument. So Siad Barre or not, those roads would have been built in Somalia either way. And ironically it was Siad Barre who has reduced the Somali people into butchering each other on basis of clan membership. WTF are you talking about?! Somalis have been butchering each other because of clan membership for centuries - before, during and after the Colonial Era! How is that Siyad's fault? Its human nature to blame one man (i.e. Siyad Barre) for all our problems and misery. And who knows whether those roads would be built or not? My point is - which you're trying to avoid - the now ever-important north-south artery through Somalia was built under Siyad's leadership. Hell, Garoowe was a dusty little village before that road was built through it and Reer Nugaal began to move en masse from the coast (degmada Eyl). Similar situations ocurred because of that highway. Like I said, let's stick to the topic - and let Gen. Siyad Barre RIP. hopefully Geedi will concentration on his people in the south and get their act together. Iga raali noqo, Adeer. Anaaba kaa daran oo la murmaaya xoolaha daaqa. Both you and your corrupt morals can RIP!

D/P

Secondly, it's also refreshing to notice, that you have finally accepted the consequences of Somalia's political settlement , in which the civil-war, that had happen inaugurated it; for I see, you quite content to label your vanquished ilk, as that of Defeated Lot ; if we go by the merit of your answers that you have contributed it, to another thread. Let me share with you a short story, my friend. 1940skii waxaa jiri jiray nin la dhihi jiray Olol Diinle (Allaha u naxaristo) oo ahaa Reer Qalalaafe (oo u dhexaysa degaanada Godey iyo Mustaxiil ee Kilinka Shanaad). Siday sheekadu ii soo gaartay, waxaa uu ahaa ninkii ugu horeeye oo isticmaalkii Talyaaniga u dhiibaan jagada "Korneyl" xilliyadii gumeysiga. Asagoo ka taliya degaanka Qalalaafe ayaa rag kale oo ay isku jifo yihiin u imaadeen oo waxay ku dheheen "Waxaan rabnaa inaan dhabargoyno [Defeated Lot] adna waad u gargaareysaa." Korneyl Olol Diinle ragii buu u jawaabay oo wuxuu ku yiri hadal taariikhi ah: [Defeated Lot] "libin waa laga helaa laakin lagama haayo." So, my friend, you can refer to me as the Defeated Lot for all of eternity, but the question is: Guushaad heshay maxaad maanta ka haysaa? Sidaad adba aragtid, ragii laga guuleyste waa kuwaan oo maanta Soomaaliya wax ka ah oo waad u jeeda cidiinana siday dekedda Boosaaso uga ganacsadaan. Now ask yourself: How is it that the same people you supposedly defeated are charging your ilk tariff to import goods through the port of Boosaaso? Ask yourself how the same people you supposedly defeated are the #1 obstacle to your dream of gaining international recognition? Indeed, the wise words of Col. Olol Diinle (Allaha u naxariisto) have reverbrated through history as the words of truth. Just ask a Burco businessman!

GEDI HAS OKAY´D THE DEAL...He knew he could never stop it, Gedi when he goes to Mogadishu there are bombings and attacks, and he needs an army to protect him and must leave the same day, AND THOSE ARE HIS OWN TRIBAL PEOPLE, he cant even lead them. Obviously, you don't understand the intricate politics of Muqdisho and southern Somalia in general. "His own tribal people" - are you a freaken caveman? You seem stuck in a past life where everything revolved around tribes. The issues in Somalia have largely surpassed that of the primitive tribal talk - its now about strategy: political and economic. The PL admin wasn't built in a day - so why would you expect PM Ghedi to build a federal Somalia in such a short time? Secondly, if PM Ghedi is such an insignificant figure, why did the PL admin send a ministerial delegation just negociate for his OK? Thirdly, you seem to miss the bigger picture, read my words carefully. No one is against PL developing (believe me, not even Ghedi). But everyone wants to avoid any chance of more bloodshed amongst Somali folk - these people have fought and killed each other in the name of dead men, what do you think they'll do for millions of dollars? :confused: I think Cadde's admin is trekking over dangerous waters by going through with a deal not supported by all of PL and the federal gov't. But to you, its all about how Ghedi and "his people" don't want to see PL develop. President Cade Muse is building a multi-million dollar airport and paying teachers saleries....lets look at what gedi has accomplished for Somalis Once again, your level of ignorance on the subject is highlighted. Cadde Muuse inherited an already-established government from a previous admin. PM Ghedi has to start from scratch. How can you compare the two? And we know Cadde is building an airport and paying for salaries. Good for him. But that's not the subject at hand here. I'm criticizing one of his policies - not him. Look regardless of what you may believe Siad isnt coming back and his place in history is secure and where he ended up. Trust me, Siyad Barre's (allaha u naxaristo) place in history is printed in books and in blood. Just look at Somalia without strongman Siyad - we've been reduced to our animal insticts! Ask the Ethiopians why they fear us. Ask the average Somali citizen how important the north-south highway in Somalia is (built by strongman Siyad). No other man has done for the Somali people what Siyad did. He's human and he made regretable mistakes - but in the long run, there's only one question: What has Somalia become without Siyad? I rest my case. P.S. Stick to the topic, fadlan.

Indeed, a good development. However, arrin wanaagsan oo kor u qaadasa saxaafada somalia Not according to journalist freedom agencies across the globe. This PL admin has a knack for detaining journalists who tell the truth (i.e. the STN editor who was jailed because he depicted the harrowing situation in Boosaaso jails). Unless they change this approach, I'm afraid that journalists will flee PL because of its North Korean-like restrictions on press freedom. READ: "Police brutality, arbitrary decrees and filthy prisons make Puntland a high-risk region for the press" http://www.hiiraan.org/2005/oct/somali_news19.html

Originally posted by Ducaqabe: It must be glad that A/Y is out of the picture. Aamin to that! Good honest work thusfar by the PL admin into the Bender Qasim Int'l Airport project. I can't wait to see the day this airport becomes operational insha Allah.

by somalipride: Geedi and his people do not want to see Puntland Succeed...I mean what can Geedi do, send forces to Bosasso port to prevent it? What are you talking about? PM Ghedi is absolutely correct in going against some shady deal signed OUTSIDE of Somalia. The Somali people deserve better than to be left in the dark when their future is on the line. To date, Gen. Cadde Muuse hasn't spoken publicly about the deal he's signed. The "deal" hasn't been brought into the PL Parliament so that it can be debated and everyone can see it tenets. Everything about this "deal" is shady - it goes far and beyond the powers of the PL Presidency for Cadde to sign an international agreement. Period. You can disrespect PM Ghedi for all of eternity, but I'll trust the judgment of an apt academic than that of an aging and ill military man any day. As uchi says, no matter how many fancy signitures Cadde gives out, PL isn't for sale. And you (and the White boys who wanna risk their life and come to PL for illegal business) will see the determination of PL citizens in protecting the gifts Allah SWT has endowned upon their land (their Somalia)! Never question their perseverance - opposition to this "deal" is not just from PM Ghedi, its from within PL. And what can PM Ghedi do? As the Somali Prime Minister, I imagine he can do a lot. Or are you one of those demented souls who believe Ghedi is just the PM of Shabellaha Dhexe? I guess Ghedi is no longer Col Yeey's "child," is he? So far, he's done a wonderful job stopping hungry PL ministers from selling our land to careless Gaalo.

Originally posted by haruun: Next time i hope they catch the heavywheights not the little ones . Little ones...? When Baydhabo earned the moniker "City of Death", who was in charge (representing Gen Aideed's USC)? None other than Md. Cabdi Qeybdiid. If you consider Baydhabo's tragic history in the '90s as a "little crime" then there's no reason to prosecute any of Somalia's war criminals. Let's remember that Sweden is a respectable nation that wouldn't detain someone without a very good reason. And as XOOGSADE said, Col Yeey himself would've suffered the same fate had he gone to Sweden and had some citizens protested and provided evidence of his war crimes.

Oh yeah, by the way, if Riyaale was part of the generals and colonels bulldozing the city of Hargesia back in the day Nah, but Riyaale was the snitch that was informing Barre's Army of SNM hideouts and pointing out potential target areas for the military to bomb. So, really, what's the difference? The snitch is also guilty. Lastly, but not least, while you're bondering this saging thought, find out, as to why South-Africa, decided to established a truth and reconciliation committee in South Africa, Firstly, why do you always compare SL to other countries' history? Live your own life, man. SL ain't South Africa nor is it Chile. You got my point and it irks the living daylights outta you cause, at the end of the day, the truth hurts: Riyaale is a snitch who, in a past life, betrayed your much-idolized "war of liberation" movement in Northern Somalia. How does one award the highest price in the land to the enemy of the liberation? :confused: A philosophical question to you which neither you nor your long, run-on sentences will ever find a respectable answer to. similarly, Somaliland, will be within her vlegal right to ask for the extradition of Gen. Ali Samatar and Gen. Morgan , from whereever they are around the world to Hargeisa in Somasliland SL's legal right, SL's legal international borders, blah blah. Like I told you before, all of life in Somalia is decided at the barrel of a gun. Marka waxaan ku leeyahay Gen. Ali Samatar iyo Gen. Morgan rag bay ka dhex dasheen. Su'aasha waxaa waaye: ragnimadaada ma kuu quurtaa inaad afka-hadalkaas dhaqan-galisid?

Does anyone know what King Leopold II did to the people of the Congo during colonial Belgium's time? Does anyone know what the Khmer Rouge killing machine did to the people of Cambodia in the '70s? Does anyone know what the Pinochet regime did to the citizens of Chile during his dictatorship? Does anyone know what Milosevic's supremacist Serb foces did to Bosnian Muslims and the Croats? Does anyone know...I can go on forever. But, it seems everyone knows what Hitler did to the Jews - because they did such a superb job announcing it and repeating it to the world over and over again. An effective use of example, I'd say. Nursing Wounds, Somali Enclave Dreams Of Nationhood Reuters — London, UK — 16 October, 2005 HARGEISA, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Abdi Ibrahim lost most of his loved ones in 1988 when government bombers attacked Hargeisa, at the time just another city flattened by Somalia's civil war. Memories of that attack remain raw, not just because tens of thousands were killed but because the massacre deepened a fierce desire for separate nationhood among the people of Somaliland, the northeast region of Somalia. Somaliland -- a former British protectorate -- unilaterally declared independence in 1991, a decade after rebels took up arms against Somali military ruler Mohamed Siad Barre. The anger that fed that breakaway drive more than a decade ago still smoulders in the semi-desert territory, which is pushing to become the next African country to win nationhood after Eritrea, which split from Ethiopia in 1993. "I lost three of my children and 162 ... family members during the massacre," Ibrahim, 52, said, in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. "Almost everybody was affected. Dead bodies littered the city. Thousands were killed by the blasts as well as by trigger-happy soldiers." Many who survived the onslaught were crippled by hundreds of thousands of landmines placed by soldiers targeting civilians trying to flee to nearby Ethiopia. Although it has not been recognised internationally, Somaliland is flourishing compared to the rest of chaotic Somalia, buoyed by the economic stimulus provided by the arrival of thousands of former refugees attracted by its stability. Last month, the Horn of Africa territory held peaceful parliamentary elections, its third polls since declaring independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991. Somaliland officials say the polls, the enclave's stability, the disarmament of 50,000 gunmen and efforts at good governance show the territory should be a nation in its own right. BITTER MEMORIES Somaliland's bid for recognition is widely resisted around Africa because of a longstanding preference for leaving old colonial borders intact to discourage secessionist movements. The charter of the pan-continental African Union requires that colonial-era borders be left untouched unless all parties involved negotiate all changes. But in Somaliland, there can be no going back. Barre ordered mercenary pilots to bomb Hargeisa in 1988 to snuff out opposition. Many locals who fled vowed never again to be part of greater Somalia when they returned to their city. Abdiwahab Shamaheye was 11 during the killings. He helplessly watched as soldiers loyal to Barre murdered his uncle and guardian Abdullahi Askar, a soldier himself who had disobeyed orders to slay his own people. "My uncle Abdullahi was shot dead in front of our house, Shamaheye said. "The government gave orders for the killing of senior civil servants and police officers from the north because it feared they would rally citizens to fight it." Thousands have been buried in shallow mass graves south of Hargeisa near a military base. A MiG-19 bomber jet sits atop a dais in the capital's Freedom Garden to remind people of the bloodshed. Omar Duale, a Somaliland diplomat who fights for its recognition, said relics of the massacre were preserved to remind people of the pain of union with Somalia. "We will never go back to the union because the same plane with a blue star you see in our Freedom Garden bombed our city," Duale said. "It's a reminder to our future generations." EAGER TO DO BUSINESS Once ruled by Britain, Somaliland joined the rest of Somalia, a former Italian colony, in 1960. The union took place during a wave of Somali nationalism after the British and then the Italians gave independence to their colonies. That nationalist euphoria has long since faded. Somaliland made the final break from Somalia after warlords ousted Barre and plunged the rest of the country into the anarchy that still grips it today. Africa's reluctance to sanction that break has not stopped Somaliland developing. One of its successful businessmen is Abdulkadir Hashi Elmi, owner of Maan-Soor hotel. A retired petroleum engineer with six children, Elmi worked in Kuwait for 36 years before coming home. Locals said he was mad to sink his savings into the hotel's construction on the outskirts of Hargeisa in 1992. But Elmi trusted his instincts. "I knew the city and people well, I knew one day everything will calm down," he said. "I invested $1.5 million to build Maan-Soor hotel to accommodate (non-governmental organisation) staff who were commuting to and from Djibouti." Elmi might be looking to the future, but the past still casts a long shadow in this enclave of 3.5 million people. Opposition leader Feisal Ali Warabe says Somaliland's people still wanted those behind the 1988 massacre to be punished. While Barre and many of his officers are now dead, some survive and wield influence in the south as warlords. Ali is inspired by the hunt for Nazi war criminals. "We will track them down and bring them to justice like the Jews did," he said. Source: Reuters While Barre and many of his officers are now dead, some survive and wield influence in the south as warlords . And in the North as Presidents, no? Funny how Reuters (named after and established by a Jew), forgets to mention how Somaliland president Dahir Riyale is one of Barre's officers. But no - in SL, Barre's officers from the South are guilty, while Barre's officers from the North are raised to the highest status in the land, namely the Presidency. You gotta love the irony.

Originally posted by Raqid: I was just making a point that Gedonet was probably right and they did turn out right didn't they? I dunno...you tell me. This is how GedoNet.com explained the arrival of Gedo militias into Bakool region for training: sarkaalkan ayaa sheegay inuusan ka war hayn ciidan ka socda oo gobalka Gedo oo ka mid noqonayaa ciidamo la sheegay in loo aruurinayo dowladda federaalka soomaliya magaalada Waajid, balse ciidamadan la sheegay inay yihiin ciidan waardiyaal u noqonaya xildhibaanadan u baxay Jowhar. [/b] Now, other sites disagree. But, HOL recently wrote that the Gedo militias number about 2,000 men. No man in Somalia needs a 2,000-strong personal bodyguard army. Ciidamo ka socda Gobolka Gedo oo ku soo biiraya Ciidamadii horay ugu sugnaa Magaalada Jowhar Sabti, October 15, 2005(HOL): Warar laga helay ilo kala duwan ayaa sheegaya in ciidamo ka tirsan Mileterigii hore ee Soomaaliya oo ka socda gobolka Gedo ay dhawaan ku soo fool leeyihiin magaalada Jowhar oo ay haatan ku sugan yihiin ciidamo ka kala socda gobollo kala duwan oo tiradooda lagu qiyaasay ilaa 5 kun oo Askari. Wararku waxay sheegayaan in ciidamada Reer Gedo oo ilaa 2 kun oo Askari lagu sheegay tiradooda uu soo horkici doono Wasiir ka tirsan Xukuumadda Federaalka Soomaaliya oo lagu magacaabo Maxamuud Sayid Aadan, kaasi oo la sheegay in ay isaga iyo ciidanka uu horkacayo ay soo gaareen Gobolka Bakool deegaano ka tirsan. Warar aan si rasmi ah loo xaqiijin ayaa sheegaya in ciidamadaas iyo kuwo ka soo jeeda gobolka Bakool ay soo raaci doonaan Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya Md. C/llaahi Yuusuf Axmed oo la filayo in uu maalmaha soo socda socdaal ugu amba baxo degmada Waajid ee gobolka Bakool. Dowladda Federaalka ayay wararku sheegayaan in ay qorsheyneyso in ay diyaariso ciidamo gaaraya ilaa 10 kun oo Askari, kuwaasi oo la sheegay in ay ka qeybqaadan doonaan sugitaanka ammaanka, isla markaana ay la shaqeyn doonaan ciidamada ka socda Midowga Afrika marka loo fasaxo in ay soo galaan Soomaaliya. Salaad Iidow Xasan (Xiis), Hiiraan Online sxiis@hiiraan.com Mogadishu, Somalia

Ouch! But I read the "comments" item from what Dayniile.com refers to as people who're same sub-clan as Col Qeybdiid. This comment caught my eye (watch the mentality): laakiin aabe ima dhalin oo reerka aan ka dhashayna magaranayaan halka uu kaga yaalo C/Qaybdiid, hadaanse kiisu waa xarige aan dhiig u daadan oo aan dad ku dhamaan waana isnaqaan oo Mudug baan wada joognaa jawaabtana Koonfuta Gaalkacyo baa laga dhowrhayaa hadii alla idmo ee waxaan ku leeyahay nin aqal muraayada degan dhagax matuur tuuro hadeyse maanta iyagu bilaabeen hada waa nin key u daran tahay The really funny thing is that this dude probably ain't in Galkacyo or even in Somalia, yet he's got the audacity to make such threats. It wasn't long ago when SNM War Minister Mucaawiye threatened that his magical superpower army would invade Garoowe if PL militia attacked SNM militia in Adhicadeeye area. Now, you've got average Somalis repeating the threat some of Caato's junior men in south Galkacyo made long ago. And worse, we're presently in the month of Ramadan. Also, when did Swedish police become north Galkacyo residents? You hear new things everyday, I suppose.

For the people who put Sheikh Xasan Dahir Aweys with the likes of warlord Indhacade, waxaan idin oranlahaa ka fiirsada. Sheikh Aweys is genuinely al-Itihad. His involvement with the group includes battles in northeastern Somalia in the mid-1990s against Col Yeey's Ethiopian-supported SSDF (and, I might be wrong on this, but I heard he was also involved in the al-Itihad that defended Gedo region from the Ethiopian invasion of '96). As far as I know, warlord Indhacade isn't al-Itihad. Anyways, its clear for everyone to see what men like Col Yeey and Indhacade have done to Somali people (you can put those two killers in the same category, but not Sheikh Aweys). Other than his opposition to the TFG-Jowhar, what other wrong has Sheikh Aweys done? :confused: As far as Cabdiqasim goes, for those who believe in his innocence, remember the $millions he took in the name of Somalis everywhere? What did he do with it? As soon as he came to power, names like Ina Deylaaf, Indhacade and Yusuf Seeraar (the Guriceel boys) came into southern Somalia's political lexicon. Let's not blind ourselves, fadlan. BY AYOUB_SHEIKH: Human Trafficking is bad enough, your attempt to justify it is even worse. Your hypocrisy knows no bounds and it wont be long before you're preachin Soomaalinimo to the masses. So, saying human trafficking is a common, worldwide problem (a fact, by the way) is somehow seen as a justification for it? And yes, I know there are many ports in the region, but the distance between Yemen's shores and Boosaaso is geographically the closest. If I'm wrong, prove it. And the issue of victimhood: As far as I know, we're all victims. But the only people I've seen repeat their victimhood over and over again are the hardline supporters of SL. All I'm saying is build your country on a foundation of unity and common interest, instead of uniting under the banner of "we were once wronged." Tell me, who wasn't? :confused: P.S. Read my other post on the explanation of "what goes around, comes around." Let me know if you disagree.

Yeah, I know, I know: PL admin will stop at nothing to help "develop" northeastern Somalia. But someone please explain how a company with a $20 million budget will somehow explore for oil, natural gas and other minerals in PL, and make multi-million dollar payments to the PL admin. At the end of the day, the question marks over this PL Agreement ain't going away. Somali Government weighs in on mining deal October 17, 2005 SOMALIA'S Government has raised concerns with the Australian Stock Exchange over a mysterious deal involving a small Perth company that claims it has secured the exclusive mineral and oil rights over a large slice of the war-torn African country. In a letter to the ASX, Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi offers to co-operate in any investigation into the company's claims. The letter, a copy of which has been obtained by The Age, said the deal with the regional government in the eastern Somali state of Puntland was invalid because only the country's transitional federal government had the power to negotiate the sale of mineral and oil rights. The letter was sent on October 6, a day after Range Resources Ltd announced that it had entered into a conditional heads of agreement with an overseas company, Consort Private Ltd, to buy 50.1 per cent of the sole and exclusive rights to all mineral and oil exploration and development in Puntland. "We understand that this event, if not stopped on time, will have an impact on Range Resources Ltd and the market of the Australian Stock Exchange and we ask you as a matter of urgency to inform your market of this event," the letter says. Shares in Range Resources, which plans to fund the deal through a $3.45 million rights issue, were heavily traded after the announcement, and jumped about 30 per cent to more than 4¢. They closed on Friday at 3.8¢. Consort Private, which is believed to be registered in the Maldives and operates through a London law firm, signed a contract with the Puntland government on August 30 at the Hilton Hotel in Dubai. The deal between Puntland and Consort has been the focus of intense public debate in Somalia, where it increased tensions between the regional and federal governments. Civil war between rival clans have raged in Somalia for more than a decade, with a federal government being elected only last year. On August 28, just two days before the contract was signed, Somalia's prime minister warned foreign companies and investors in a press release to stop trying to make deals for mining rights with regional governments such as Puntland. "Any violation against this statement will result in negative consequences and the external and/or internal culprits will take the responsibilities on their shoulders," it said. After announcing the deal between Consort Private and Range Resources on October 5, Range's Melbourne-based executive director Jim Marinis said he knew little about Consort Private and could not explain why it had chosen to approach a small and virtually unknown company such as Range Resources, which has a market capitalisation of just $20 million. However The Age has learnt that Range Resource's new executive chairman, Michael Povey, travelled to Somalia in April with Terry Donnelly, the Perth businessman who put together the deal between Consort Private and the Puntland government. Also on the trip, which was arranged through Mr Donnelly's charity Kids In Need Inc, were Perth consultant geologist Malcolm MacLeod and lawyer Anthony Black, who is a director of Consort Private. Mr Povey, a mining engineer, joined Range Resources on August 26 — four days before the contract between the Puntland government and Consort was signed — and was given 1,125,000 share options in the company. Mr Marinis said Mr Povey had been appointed as Range Resource's executive chairman because of his knowledge of Somalia and not for any links he might have with those behind the Consort Private deal. "He was not the go-between," Mr Marinis said. He also said Mr Povey had no financial interest in Consort Private. "Absolutely not," he said. "There's nothing to hide on that one." Mr Marinis denied there were any problems with the legality of the deal, despite Mr Ali's letter to the ASX. He said Range Resources had gained separate written assurances from Somalia's transitional federal government that it would not interfere. On October 10 the company wrote to the ASX saying the federal government had provided "written approval with regards to the validity, operation and effect of the Puntland agreement". Mr Marinis said the government of Puntland was democratically elected and independent and had the power to negotiate and sign the contract with Consort Private. An ASX spokesman confirmed it had received the letter from Mr Ali. "The company was aware of the claims in it too," he said. "We understand they sought to address those in the announcement of October 10." There is confusion surrounding the roles Terry Donnelly, Michael Povey, Malcolm MacLeod and Anthony Black played in putting together the deal that saw the exclusive rights over Somali minerals and oil given to Consort Private and then sold to Range Resources. Under the terms of the agreement, Range Resources will pay Consort Private $US2.5 million ($A3.3 million) and make a further 17 monthly payments of $US200,000. Consort will also be given 85 million Range shares and 85 million Range options. According to Range Resources, Mr Donnelly worked as a consultant to Consort, but Mr Donnelly denies this, saying he received no financial reward for putting the deal together. Mr Donnelly says his only interest was in helping the people of Somalia through his WA registered Kids In Need charity. He told The Age his memory of exact dates and events was not good because of a recent illness. Documents posted on Range Resource's website show Mr Black and Mr Donnelly were present at the signing of the contract between the Puntland government and Consort Private in Dubai. During the signing ceremony Puntland's state president praised the two of them, pointing out that Mr Donnelly "introduced us to Consort". Mr MacLeod confirmed he had visited Somalia in April as a consultant to examine "certain amounts of data" but denied any direct involvement with Consort Private or Range Resources, and refused to comment on the deal. Source: The Age, Oct. 16, 2005

Gaaladu, no matter how educated, still manage to miss the point: Strange how wearing a skirt in one culture is seen as a sign of manliness and as something else altogether in another. Somehow, he STILL manages to call it a "skirt" - while, only a paragraph before, he correctly termed it "Macawis." Also, Richard Burton's I-meet-Africans-for-3-days-and-I-know-everything-about -them legacy seems self-evident in this White boy's writing.

I hate these hypothetical debates that, at the end of the day, serve nothing save for more division amongst us. Soomaali waa Soomaali. Regardless of what anyone says, writes or sings, I don't have a pint of Arab blood in my system. 100% Muslim? YES! 100% Somali? YES! 100% African? YES! By the way certain branches of the Eritreans also, surprisingly, have that "last" name. What do you think about that? True, sxb. When I heard about this, I was shocked but history is made to be ambiguous. XOOGSADE - Don't give up the fight, sxb. We ain't Arab. Period. If you're Arab, return to Yemen, fadlan. We have no home for people with identity crises!

UDUB won, again.. A bit dissappointing, but it seems the ******NO TRIBAL NAMES PLEASE******are still years ahead in SL power politics, and rightfully so. Gen. Siad Barre's fascistic Imperial Viceroys, particularly the likes of Gen. Gani and Gen. Morgan, Two out of three of those men are dead, Allaha u naxaristo. I wonder what you get from your continuous insults against dead men. :confused: [ October 15, 2005, 17:52: Message edited by: Admin ]