I agree with the author's input and take on this, at least for the most part. He's enforcing the notion of decentralization of Somalia - local bodies having the authority of their local affairs as opposed to waiting for the decision or signature of one man, the Somali President, to make any positive development in their regions. He's also suggesting that the role of the Somali government be reduced to only foreign missions and representing Somali at the UN. These are reasonable arguments. The only part of the article that made me a little unease is at the end, where he says peace in the south means war in the north. What is he on about there? Halkaasay kaga dhiiqatay inti kale wuu iska roonaa. I don't know what do the resident secessionists think of the argument, do you agree with him that peace in Mogadishu means war in Hargeisa?

LOOL @ title of the thread. I like 'Fighting for his country'... He was fighting for his life. Although the man was brutal dictator, he was one of the most iconic and bizarre leaders the world has witnessed. My condolences to his family, supporters and the people of Sirt.

Somali: It's a nation as well as ethnicity, but he's of a Kenyan national and ethnic Somali, so that's half-half

Is the Kenyan army stationed in a set location or are they on the move? What is the latest news? Or is this just the Kenyan boosting style, which is second level boosting I saw in any conflict news reporting.

No major clashes happened for that loss of life occuring, not even little skirmishes I have heard about. Kenyati dufuri is quick to claim victory miyaa Lool. Beenta xataa sida loosheego inay bartaan ayay ubaahanyihiin

Whether this report sheds light to the reasons as to why Kenya is in Somali or not, the fact of the matter is that Kenya is in Somalia for its own interests and purely for its sole agenda. They cannot get rid off AS nor will they weaken them but will only derail the process of weakening them. If any home grown terror/militia element can be eradicated by a foreign force, Afghanistan would have been peaceful by now.

This is unacceptable and a grave mistake by the Kenyan government. The Kenyan army crossing the border, I mean up 100 KM into Somalia without any approval from the UN/AU or any authority including getting consent from the Somali government. This disastrous move will only backfire and come to harm the Kenyans. It's not much of a problem to the Somalis and Somalia as it got used to different nations crossing its borders and entering the country including super powers, it happened in the past and hardly did the Somali spirit broke. However, this will end the image Somalis always had about Kenya, a friendly nation and less harmful government, that's no more. Kenya the new enemy next door, many inside and outside Somali will find a reason, a conscience reason to support Alshabaab against this Kenyan aggression.

Lool @ literate people and discussion, you make it sound so scientific but rather 15 pages of senseless argument.

Welcome to Hargeisa thread! I thought this guy was hired by the mayor of the city or tourism ministry to publicize the city and advertise for potential visitors. I was expecting proper guide through pictures and other interesting attractions from the city. All we get is some second hand opinion and a chit-chat. Crap!

Carafaat;751323 wrote: I think there is no other country more familiar with the situation in Somalia then Somaliland. . [/b] Correction: knowing that there is no country called SL and giving you the benefit of the doubt, or paraphrasing your sentence, I reckon you meant to say that there is no city more closer to Hargeisa(hence poeple) than it's capitall Mogadishu. Granted this to be true, however, If that is the case then why does your politician believe and I quote "A boy born in Adis Ababa is closer to me than the one born in Mogadishu" I wonder why? Just ponder.

Siilaayo has been nothing but a spectator since winning the Presidence. Unlike Riyaale he was marginalized and isolated both by the neighboring countries and by Somali politicking and regional standards as he was reduced to persona non grata. He was even unpopular within the triangle clan structure let alone in SOOL and SANAAG. This latest move of his is perhaps an attempt, a desperate attempt, to reignite his posture. Whether it works for him or not is to be seen soon. On the other hand Faroole has had few limelight and made news headlines this year on many occasions. He does not suffer any form of isolation, contrary, instead he's consulted, briefed before hand and listened to about any of the significant issues. War and an armed struggle against SL is of no benefit to him. Although he has taken the opportunity to make political score by branding Siilanyo as warmonger in his provocative visit to the disputed territory, and any sound of bullets is sparked by Siilanyo, at least that's the message he conveyed. But he does not see war fit his purpose. He can win through peace. In Somali politicking no one has ever won through war, you may fight but that does not bring an end to a political problem. And this is a problem that least needs the attention of Faroole for the following reasons: 1. Hargeisa and Berbera are not going anywhere let alone LA 2. The SSC movement is big enough problem and headache for the secessionist movement, Fact: most pple in SSC regions are against SL and secession. 3. The motive of Siilaanyo's visit is to become popular among Habraha - this least concerns Faroole. Although Siilanyo seems to have won some hearts in his Habraha quarters by pulling this magical milliseconds and privately hosted visit, whether that popularity remains is a challenge he has to overcome. A daunting task he will see to no avail, as is known, any qualification for one to be popular among each Habar is to be from Habarta. Clannish fashiology that's very common in the Somali peninsula but no where is applied or championed more so than in that corner of NW Somalia.

Testimony to Somali strength and patience.

Also they need to train other 300 men for animal welfare.

This thread stayed alive for all this time, and for the sake of spewing cantrabaqash

Xaabsade can or may take control of Garowe but not while relying upon the might of the Habraha uu umajaajilaynaayo, unfortunately that of his kin are not with him at the moment. Let the old man amuse the triangle.

This sound more like mid life crisis. Ngonge has suggested the best solution which works for most Somali woman that go through such crises. Attend as many wedding as possible for the next ninty days.

Beautifully crafted piece of writing. We will see if the seccessionists could present logical counter argument to Abtigi's hard-hitting truth.

Lol @ Duke facing juctice, yeah why not, everyone will face justice either now or hereafter.

Everyone has the right to self-determination, self-control and self-isolation. When SL feels to take action, I think they should, to me its drastic bondage.

War criminal! If this is the Gen Tuke I know or have heard about before, I thought he had nothing to do with military and was not involved in wars. May be its a different guy you talk about here.

Yes, this can happen. I think Somalia was under UN trusteeship between 1950-1960, and had done exactly what you desribed above. Italy was not technically ruling the country during that period. I agree with your suggestion, I am for Somalia becoming under Turkey trusteeship for at least10 years and until the whole Somali pyche changes. It's doable but it will have to be via the UN I guess.

I met a local girl who has satisfied my requirements. What were these requirements Alpha? Just curious!

If it is drama and an act as such, you say, then why not let them act and dramatize. By the very act to taking a pen to write about don't you think this is serious, or at least you are taking it serious. Otherwise why bother?

I think the time for the west along with Isreal going downstream has begun with the rise of the east, BRIC countries and Turkey getting far more emboldened.

No, not really, it isn't new but rather become old fashioned and out dated phenomena. But I don't know about Minneappolis, perhaps fight 13-ka ayaa kubadan and they think parading themselves with a bearded white guy infront of Somali restaurants and Dukaano is all fun and cool. For those of us who have lived in the west for almost two decades, this phenoma has passed different stages and is at the stage where is getting out of the norm again, orthodically that is it, not a modern cliche anymore.