The thing that greatly concerns me about this agreement is that Kenya is interested in off-shore drilling in those areas. That means a leak could pose serious environmental damage and easily reach mainland Somalia. I don't trust our enemies, they could even do it on purpose.

Shabeele, Somaliland doesn't care what you think. And I honestly couldn't care less what Somaliland thinks, either. As I said, sooner or later you will beg to rejoin.

I think you mis-understood me. I will be the first one to denounce qabil. It is a cancer to our development as a nation and as a community. I only mentioned D-Block (Puntland) and H-Block (Southern Somalia) for geographical purposes. What I meant to say was that those two qabils must come together, put our differences aside and work towards a better future for all of us. I never said that one particular tribe is better than another, so I have no idea why you're accusing me of having a qabilist mentality? As I said, it was probably a mis-understanding on your part.

lol, let Somaliland continue with their secessionist dreams. In the mean time, let Puntland and Southern Somalia form a strong central government filled with ministers from both sides and let us come together based on mutual respect and mutual interest. Seriously, if Somaliland wants to be left alone, let them. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. The rest of the country should isolate them politically. If anything, it makes it much easier for Puntland and Southern Somalia to form a state, since we will then have less tribes to worry about when forming a government. 10 years from now, still with no International recognition and realizing their shame, Somaliland will beg to unite with the rest of us. Our doors will always be open for our brothers from Waqooyi Galbeed of course... but let them realize their own mistake first. My short-term vision is Puntland giving up its autonomous claims to form a centralized government in Mogadishu, and a united Somalia stretching from Bari all the way down to Ras Kamboni. D-Block and H-Block must come together and save the future of Somalia.

Independence of Somaliland will have no negative impact on the rest of Somalia. After all, there is not one commodity or natural resource which is present in Waqooyi Galbeed that can not be found in other parts of Somalia. The irony of all this is that long-term, it is Somaliland which is in more need of Somalia. Personally, I think a united Somalia is in the best interests of everyone. I wish our brothers in Waqooyi Galbeed would think better of us.

I don't like it, but foreign peace-keeping forces are a must in our current predicament. There are various elements within the country that are opposed to the Shariff adminstration. What do people expect him to do? The Sheikh already invited his enemies to the peace process but they want nothing to do with him. Their only language is war and violence. You can not negotiate with these animals. AMISON troops are necessary for the security of the interim government in Mogadishu. In a perfect World, the Al-Shabbab forces and the handful other Al-somethings would unite to create a stable, national security force. This would ensure there is no need for AMISON troops.

The only reason Puntland and Somaliland are "peaceful" is because they're not subject to outside interference. There was peace in Southern Somalia under the ICU before the U.S and Ethiopia took them out. Over the last two decades it is also well-known that the CIA and Addis Ababa armed warlords and militiamen.

I am very concerned about the fate of the natural resources of our country. We don't want to end up like Nigeria who is blessed with huge reserves of oil but suffers from a stagnating economy, high unemployment rates and soaring crime. The authorities in Puntland and Mogadishu must ensure that they do not surrender the natural resources of our people for a quick buck. I very much doubt they possess the necessary knowledge to measure the market value of commodities both in the short and long-term financial climate. Personally, I would deal with the Chinese. No doubt. I'd give them all the big contracts, because ethically and morally they're more upright than the white man (with all due respect). Their also technically more advanced and proficient. It's a win-win situation.

Originally posted by Pilgrim: • Profit oil: after deduction of royalty and cost oil, profit is split 50% to the Puntland government and 50% to other parties 50%? Unacceptable. They should not have accepted anything less than 80%, at the very least 75% of all profits should be asssigned to the local government. I see the authorities in Puntland have not negotiated adequately.

Let them have their own state. They weren't called qaldans for nothing .

Apartheid: "any system or practice that separates people according to race, caste, etc." In this case, clans. Perhaps you should educate yourself. And whether you like it or not, the sole purpose of Somaliland - and indeed the underlining reason that draws unwavering support from its people - is to establish an Issaq state.

The people of Somaliland have made their choice loud and clear Indeed they have. On July 1st, 1960 - when the people of Somaliland willingly forfeited their sovereign rights to unite with Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic. 35 countries at the time, including the U.S and U.K, recognized Somaliland - but you chose to voluntarily form one united country. Too bad you didn't want to be an Independent state back then. This preposterous pursuit of recognition is not only inherently linked to apartheid (it is essentially an Issaq state) - but it is also illegally breaching the Internationally-recognized borders of Somalia.

Insha Allah, they're tribal and apartheid-induced political strategy will never be recognized.