^^Lol. They've had their own 'election' and I understand the cautious commenting or silence of Somalilanders in SOL.

It's all about the 'hook' Tell us as little as possible to get us wanting more info....

By Ahmed Ismail Yusuf Feb 06 , 2009 Riyale's Deleterious Dictatorial Behavior Part of: Leadership For The Common Vice A somewhat scathing attack on Riyale's Presidency and his so-called 'dictatorial grip' on Somaliland'.

Australia holds 'pigeon smuggler' A man has been caught with two pigeons stuffed in his trousers after he got off a flight from Dubai to Melbourne. Australian customs officials say the live birds were wrapped in padded envelopes and held to the man's legs by a pair of tights under his trousers. Officials also found two eggs in a vitamin container in the man's luggage. Australia has strict quarantine rules on the importation of wildlife, plants and food. The man, 23, could face up to 10 years in jail. The nation's quarantine regulations are designed to protect health, agriculture and the environment. As well as 10 years' imprisonment, the maximum sentence for wildlife smuggling includes a fine of A$110,000 (US$70,480; £48,902). Customs officials say they also seized seeds in the man's money belt and an undeclared aubergine, following the flight on Sunday. They add that the pigeons were not endangered and that the case, as well as the birds, eggs and seeds, has been turned over to the country's Quarantine Service to assess the health risk. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/asia-p acific/7869301.stm Published: 2009/02/04 10:34:28 GMT © BBC MMIX

^Lool@Xamar Gale. War Caamir, beryahan ma haybtii baad haysaa?

6 Feb 6, 2009 - 12:33:42 AM Granted, the Somali political conundrum is multifaceted in nature. And, one of these facets and indeed most frequently cited element perpetuating Somalia ’s violence and anarchy is the lack of good leadership capable of ensuring good governance. After all, according to the official account, this very element is what toppled the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The indicators of TFG's fatal incompetence are many; however, the one that highlights it the most is their decision to usher in the broadly loathed Ethiopian occupation, and for callously becoming the instrument that executed Ethiopia' s brutal free fire policy. It goes without saying that there is no good governance without good leadership; and, of course, there is no good leadership without a holistically competent leader who is morally grounded to set the high standards. Good governance requires setting in motion the necessary process that allows good decisions and policies to be effectively framed and implemented as well as setting up an objective system of accountability. And particularly for Somalia , it also requires the facilitation of a systematic process that ascertains the establishment of genuine civil societies free from clan politics and non-sectarian Islamic institutions. Among other things, these institutions could play the critical role of reforming an entire segment of the society that is suffering from the residual effects of a prolonged civil war and state of anarchy. A few days ago, in order to inspire a fresh paradigm conducive to peace and reconciliation, the newly expanded parliament (the outcome of the Djibouti peace accord) elected Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as Somalia's new president. Is he the right leader to rehabilitate this failed state? "The ascendancy of Sheikh Sharif provides an opportunity to create an inclusive coalition governing from the center outwards," says John Prendergast, co-chairman of the Enough Project that studies the Horn of Africa. Based on his short but high profile presence on the Somali political stage, the new president might have what it takes. He stands in sharp contrast with those who have been jostling for power in the past several decades when politics became a vile enterprise and a deadly zero-sum game. In his essay ‘Faithless Power versus Faithful Authority in Somalia ’, Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar describes the said era with this observation: "Any sense of imaan (faith) vanished from the ethos of those competing for public power as the nation descended into an abyss. Civic-minded and faithful Somalis kept a low profile and failed to mobilize the population." While his peace strategy that led to his election has been challenged as it created division within the Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia --a coalition that he was representing in the Djibouti peace conference-- few question the worthiness of his vision, the sincerity of his commitment, and his willingness to sacrifice for his country. He often cites an episode in Islamic history when Prophet Muhammad negotiated and signed the Treaty of Al Hudaibia-- a lopsided deal favoring his enemy-- in order to secure peace and stability as the source of his inspiration. In his acceptance speech and his subsequent interview with the Saudi Gazette, the newly elected president hit all the high notes, so to speak. He promised to diligently guard the responsibility entrusted on him; to reach out to all Somalis and make peace and reconciliation his priority; to reject nepotism and deal justly with all Somali clans; to stop militant extremism, and to cultivate peaceful relationships with neighboring countries. Many analysts consider this too tall of an order for any transitional leader to accomplish; however, with the right team and the right prioritization, the new president has a reasonable shot of set a momentum toward lasting peace. Meanwhile, the first task awaiting the new president is finding the right person to hand the most pivotal position of the soon to be new government. Rumors are heavy towards the appointment of the former Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galeydh who served in the first Transitional National Government (TNG). While Dr. Galeydh is considered by some as a polarizing figure who comes with certain political baggage, most would agree that he is a giant among the current candidates. He is a diplomatically astute individual who is capable of stitching together a competent government ready to deal with a volatile and a rapidly changing world, and persuade the hardliners within the opposition to coalesce with the new government. Galeydh's main political base might be the resistance movement with all its diverse shades as he took a firm stance against the Ethiopian occupation. The second most pressing task is to extend an olive branch to the Asmara wing of the ARS and Al-Shabab. However, it is important to note that, unless a profound gesture of goodwill is extended to them for confidence building, mere symbolism and empty rhetoric might have a counter-effect. The international community, more particularly the U.S. , can set this in motion by removing Al-Shabab and Hassan Dahir Awes off the terrorist list since they are not charged with specific crimes. Such a list has only proven to further radicalize people. President Ahmed's election comes at a time when the majority of the Somali people have come to the realization that the "Islamists" are the only group that have proven to possess the moral rectitude required to restore peace and order and work for the common good. Equally important, at a time when the pendulum of the American politics is swinging back to the realm of reason, realism and pragmatism. And while this creates a fertile ground for peace and reconciliation, the looming specter still remains for Ethiopia and its cronies to resort to their all too familiar sabotaging tendencies. -------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Abukar Arman is a writer who contributed to groups such as Foreign Policy Association, International Herald Tribune, Aljazeera, Scoop and the Journal of Turkish Weekly. LINK HERE

The condemnations seem to be forthcoming. I was hearing of Xamar's elders condemnation too. Rumour has it that the journalists changed the way they work just before Mr Tahlil was murdered. And that Mr. Tahliil took an integral part in ushering in this new change. Apparently, the journalists and media houses agreed to maintain good reporting standards from hereon. That meant that live unedited maxaadaras from mosques, live press conferences via the telephone and all measures that limit control over content would be regulated, so as to filter out publicity seeking morons who call themselves leaders when infact they are not. Marka, it seems some didn't like this new attitude, which started with 'actually going to Al-Shabaab's press conference' instead of simply conducting it live, and unedited (to AS's advantage) through the phone.

The fire was a tragedy. So is Lucy Kibaki as a first lady . You should watch Redykyulas' parody of her lol.

Gacantaad ku sidataan runtii. Daadsha baan idin iri.

^LOl. Then we should give them an ample time to chase their own tails .

Lol. Caqli mee! Reer SOL ma sidan beey idinka joogtaa? After all these years of supposed 'political awareness'? The Protocols of Diplomacy, start with that. There's a Somali version of it. Read, folks

Wouldn't be surprised really.

Oh yeah, serious man! I thought I should share it with SOLers Here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=tXaZmY52gHM Back in black I hit the sack I've been too long I'm glad to be back Yes, I'm let loose From the noose That's kept me hanging about I've been looking at the sky 'Cause it's gettin' me high Forget the hearst 'cause I never die I got nine lives Cat's eyes Abusin' every one of them and running wild CHORUS: 'Cause I'm back Yes, I'm back Well, I'm back Yes, I'm back Well, I'm back, back (Well) I'm back in black Yes, I'm back in black Back in the back Of a Cadillac Number one with a bullet, I'm a power pack Yes, I'm in a band With a gang They've got to catch me if they want me to hang Cause I'm back on the track And I'm beatin' the flak Nobody's gonna get me on another rap Don't look at me now I'm just makin' my play Don't try to push your luck, just get out of my way CHORUS Well, I'm back, Yes I'm back Well, I'm back, Yes I'm back Well, I'm back, back Well I'm back in black Yes I'm back in black hooo yeah Ohh yeah Yes I am Oooh yeah, yeah Oh yeah Back in now Well I'm back, I'm back Back, I'm back Back, I'm back Back, I'm back Back, I'm back Back Back in black Yes I'm back in black Out of the sight!

Lol. Well they are trying to be as careful as they can now. Because Labour's also facing that 'British jobs for British people' slogan. That was made even more worse when Brown today at the PM questions used economic 'depression' instead of recession. As usual, Cameron was quick to blast him .

(Thunder) (x10) I was caught In the middle of a railroad track (Thunder) I looked 'round, And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder) My mind raced And I thought what could I do? (Thunder) And I knew There was no help, no help from you (Thunder) Sound of the drums Beatin' in my heart The thunder of guns! Tore me apart You've been - thunderstruck! Rode down the highway Broke the limit, we hit the ton Went through to Texas, yeah Texas And we had some fun We met some girls, Some dancers who gave a good time Broke all the rules, played all the fools Yeah, yeah, they, they, they blew our minds And I was shakin' at the knees Could I come again please. Yeah the ladies were too kind You've been - thunderstruck, thunderstruck Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck Yeah Oh, thunderstruck, yeah Now we're shaking at the knees Could I come again please. Thunderstruck, thunderstruck Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah Said yeah, it's alright We're! Doing fine Yeah, it's alright We're! Doing fine So fine Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah, Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck Whoa baby, baby, thunderstruck You've been thunderstruck, thunderstruck Thunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck You've been thunderstruck http://youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w

^Amin. Allaha u naxariisto.

This is getting out of hand...

Downing Street says it is not aware of a threat by the US to withdraw cooperation over terrorist intelligence. The judgment relates to a terror suspect currently being held at Guantanamo Bay Earlier, two senior judges revealed the Foreign Office had said the US government put pressure on the UK to suppress evidence of allegations of torture of a British resident. But the Prime Minister's spokesman said: "I'm not aware of any such threat. "We have a very strong intelligence relationship with the US and this will continue." In a judgment released this afternoon Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justice Lloyd Jones said the US had threatened to withdraw cooperation over terrorist intelligence and "the public of the United Kingdom would be put at risk". Former shadow home secretary David Davis demanded a Commons statement from the Government on the ruling, calling it "a matter of utmost national importance". The judgment involves 31-year-old Binyam Mohamed who was arrested in Pakistan in 2002 and has been held by the US at Guantanamo Bay since September 2004. He alleges the evidence against him is based on confessions extracted by torture and ill treatment - claims denied by the US authorities. Last August the same two judges said in their initial ruling that MI5 had participated in the unlawful interrogation of Mr Mohamed, an Ethiopian national. Binyam Mohamed They held that the UK Government was under a duty to disclose evidence which it held about the treatment of Mohamed after his detention in Pakistan. But the court's judgment at that time did not disclose the details supplied by the US intelligence services pending further argument over the security issues involved. Today the judges were giving their ruling on an application by the media for those details to be restored to the original judgment and made public. The judges said: "The suppression of reports of wrongdoing by officials (in circumstances which cannot in any way affect national security) would be inimical to the rule of law and the proper functioning of a democracy. "Championing the rule of law, not suppressing it, is the cornerstone of a democracy." But they said that in the opinion of the Foreign Secretary David Miliband there is a real risk that, if the information was released, then "the US Government, by its review of the shared intelligence arrangements, could inflict on the citizens of the United Kingdom a very considerable increase in the dangers they face at a time when a serious terrorist threat still pertains". The judges also said Mr Miliband had informed them that the new President would not change the position of the previous government. The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "We have not engaged with the new US administration on the details of this case" link

^Sool? Gheelle I don't know sxb... perhaps its possible to plant them but I am yet to see anyone who has done that.

^You just want any excuse adiga soo ma aha? Gooygooy waaxid

^Lol Waykan Gheelle. Dooxada Boocame is just beautiful.. I have seen some pictures of this area before and it's just amazing. Yes, qurac-da complete the idealic picture ...

^I see. Is football popular in Somaliland? If yes, then the people should be encouraged to play and watch more footie. That should be a good way of keeping them dis-interested in politics. Ibti, you might not be the kind who make threats but don't underestimate your agitated sentiment towards politics in Hargeisa, because you share the common discomfort of the average Somalilander.

^Is that a threat?

I don't know what to make of Sheikh Umal's khudba.

Good thing.