STOIC, just an off-the-topic question. what is/was your field of study?

having SOL users in Mogadishu, who have first-hand experiences on stories coming out of the city? I was just asking myself that question. It seems most of us make up arguments based on news-feeds from websites and make judgments against one group or another. We are, to be simply honest, classic arm-chair warriors. Thus, is it really possible that we have users, resident in Mogadishu posting in this section? I am really concerned about visitors who go to the city for a brief period of time, theirs is abit like ours outside the country. They are more likely to become bombarded by the different perspectives present to them by those in the city supporting different views points, which may only lead to confusion. So, if there is any user in Mogadishu, would you please do us the honour of giving us a discription of the situation on the ground? Thanks

^^ Because, Fandhaalku, looma laba Xeeradeeyo, hadiise la laba Xeeradeeyo, hoore xargag iyo Adke xajiimoon baa laga qaadaa . As for the topic, Lol. I am reminded of this: aduunyada, ragna hilba li'i ayaa haysa, ragna dabaduu u sarsaaran yahay , said he, Hyena .

Hmmm! Not really a bad idea. Darwishland! Good name, really. Good idea if they look after their own interests! Puntland is currently a hijacked case. So Maakhir Coast State, coming up too? PS: After all, Somalia's future is in federalism, so, the sooner these regions put their houses in order the better for the federal government. Right now, Puntland is too large an entity to be considered one region in the federal system. So decentralization is a good option. Kudos to Darwishlanders.

^^^ . It takes many days to get a clear view.

Dhubad, thanks again. research, even before you provided a link to your blog, I knew where your simplistic and laughable line of questioning, would go! The typical, but now cliche' western obsession, of linking everything Muslim to either terrorism, honour killing or FGM. Pathetic. Naxar are you that stup!d not to recognize the pattern of this guy's questions? The questions all lead to an honour killing, committed by a family whose figure-head is an Islamist - who served as the ministry of religious affairs in Puntland- and now (since he fell out with the TFG) is a member of the UIC in control of Mogadishu. Sensational story, isn't it? It is classical tabloid story guaranteed to sell like a hot cake. But creating a link of such nature would be most absurd. Ashareh, an honour-killing, Islamist gun-man! . That is not the Ashareh I have met before.

Africa Report N°116 10 August 2006 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Somalia has been drifting toward a new war since the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was formed in late 2004 but the trend has recently accelerated dramatically. The stand-off between the TFG and its Ethiopian ally on the one hand, and the Islamic Courts, which now control Mogadishu, on the other, threatens to escalate into a wider conflict that would consume much of the south, destabilise peaceful territories like Somaliland and Puntland and possibly involve terrorist attacks in neighbouring countries unless urgent efforts are made by both sides and the international community to put together a government of national unity. The Islamic Courts’ success, and the rise to prominence of hard-line jihadi Islamists within them, has alarmed neighbours and sent shock waves through the broader international community. Ethiopia, which suffered terrorist attacks by al-Itihaad al-Islaami (AIAI) in the mid-1990s, considers the Courts a direct threat. Kenya is alarmed by links between key figures within the Courts and individuals of concern within its own borders. The U.S. believes jihadi Islamists within the Courts shield al-Qaeda operatives responsible for bombing two of its embassies in 1998. All share determination not to allow Somalia to evolve into an African version of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Transitional Federal Government is increasingly perceived within Somalia as a faction rather than a national authority and is so wracked by internal dissent and the accelerating defections of cabinet ministers that it threatens to fall apart. Further Reading The whole document.

^^^ OK mate, good luck with your Somalian. PS: It is Somali, not Somalian . Just returning a favour.

So what does this mean for Puntland and Somaliland if the news is true?

^^^ . Thanks for the correction mate. Very well, art. For your info, here is a somalitalk link to ar0's topic. DGPL oo Qarka u Saaray In ay Dalka ka Saarto Shirkadda Range Resources. It is in Somali, and I haven't got the time to translate for it you. PS: Range has horns, huh? Well, aint that news, art. I thought you would say Punt has Horns, but hey, I guess its Range that has the bullets to the guns, in the form of $250.000? . And one more info, the ICU is coming to the party .

^^ Good questions. These days, you never know what some wicked individuals would imply of others. "I'm interested in the years before he became Minister for Religious Affairs in Puntland. Was he in Dubai and Canada" What is the next question?

Oodweyne: For one - i.e., Dictatorial Regime - is essentially political order that has no claim of popular legitimacy of the citizen, which is the definition of Dictatorial regime; whilst the other, it has it’s foundational root, something that is the assent of the citizens, which is definition of Democratic Polity(such as Somaliland); and therefore, a minority that are intend of defying the will of majority in that manner of calling out the State's destruction, in which, furthermore, such Majority’s democratic verdict is predicated on, in-terms cof the existence of the said Political State in the first place; can be, without mincing word, called, as an “Act of Treason†by that minority or their political part). This is the summary of all of Oodweyne's argument. The issue is not whether the logical political reasoning he deploys here is applicable in all accounts and to all circumstances, rather, it is the acknowledgement that while states may remain similar in meaning, there are however are two different starting points or departures to consider. To explain this point further, one needs to consider these two scenarios; 1- Where a state is based on the democratic value of assent of the majority; where the welfare of the whole takes president over that of the few. In such a case 'dessent' is allowed but only to some extent. Where dessent becomes a threat of 'existential' nature, it (the dessent that is) must be kept in check. Thus in keeping with the majority's assent to a common social contruct upheld by all, the minority whose determination is total destruction of the common state can 'morally' and justifiably be charged with treason. 2- This is where the foundation or the construct of the state has no assent (majority or a sizable minority), in which people's self-interest becomes subdued to the interest of handful individuals. In this, the dessenting voice has a moral right to oppose such a state apparatus since he/she hasn't entered into a social contract ratified by the majority. These above classifications are not universal in defining the purpose of the state's responsibility towards dessent. Rather, the above classifications are purely liberal definitions. In definitional matters such as these, it depends on which political lense one use to come to a conclusion. The realist definition of the state is to look out for itself in way possible. According to realists, a state, or all states in that matter, have the same purpose-to survive. Morally, therefore, any state, whether it be considered dictatorship or democracy, must function for three things, statism, self-help and most importantly, survival. Now, if you were to ask a realist about the predicament the said fellow faces, he would out-rightly tell you that 'democracy or no democrazy, the state is right to charge him with treason'. So, while Oodweyne's assertions or Somaliland's actions can be justified as an interest in self-help and survival; the very thing Baashi said can be used to say: well, in looking after its welfare, the state (while claiming to be democratic) is really no different from dictatorship in taking the actions it took. Because, if the moral justification provided were absent, the state would still prosecute the dessenting voice. So the whole 'democracy' stuff is a charade. Again it all comes down to what values one subscribes to. Somaliland holds democratic elections to gather people's votes and that may give it the right to claim to have a moral right to protect the will and welfare of its people. This can be countered with the argument that Somaliland has in essence forced a sizable number of peoples of territorial proximity to its broders, into a destiny that is not of the choice.That if the democratically marginalized minority, aren't really a minority but a majority whose other half has been kept out of the process of choosing their destiny. In a nutshell, the majority rule in Somaliland is a formally a 'minority' group of people that was in a country whose majority were opposed to what the now majority of Somaliland wish for! I hope that made some sense. That said, however, it is always good to delineate the contours of discussion. If what is being discussed is the state itself then we need to ask, how sovereign is the state we're discussing? How fluid or transnational is the relationship and allegiance of this particular state's citizens to other states or political entities. The case here in Somaliland is that there is a fluidity of both allegience and transnation relations of citizen, not to mention the question over Somaliland's sovereignty due to lack of international recognition. The state in Somaliland is not as clear cut as a state that has clearly defined territorial borders to which its people can pledge allegience. When such fluidity exists, it always has the risk of de-legimizing the state's claims to its territorial sovereignty and existence and subsequently, its actions. In extreme cases, Somaliland's state may seem treasonous to the recognized Somalia's future state for trying to divide a sovereign country.

Aussie Ranger, that was really a cheap attempt at 'divide and rule'. Afterall, I haven't known an aussie that knows that much about the affairs of other men , expect that is, forest affairs. That is forest affairs and not foreign affairs-know the difference . PS: Keep dandee'ing. You sure are good at that . But Somali Politics is one crocodile you can't dandee that easily; it has horns .

^^ Thanks for the info sxb. Where is the investor art? Hey art, how is it going mate?

Maan-gaabka talladii, waa maqane jooge Alley lehe. Nimuu cudur qabiili ah lafta iyo ludda saaqey wallaan daawo kale loo hayn.

Let us see what the planners of these resignations get out of it. It may backfire on them, as is always the case with their plans. Ina Yey tala xume.

Garoowe: Baarlamaanka Puntland oo dhowr maalmood dib dhigay ansixinta Company ilaalin doona Xeebaha Puntland. Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - APL Garoowe(AllPuntland)- Golaha wakiillada dawlad goboleedka Puntland ayaa muddo afar maalmood ah dib isaga dhigay qorshe kusaabsanaa ansixinta shirkad cusub oo la sheegay in loo xilsaaray ilaalinta xeebaha Puntland. Shirkaddan ayaa waxaa la doonayay inay wada shaqayn la yeelato wasaaradda kalluumaysiga iyo badda , marka ay golaha wasiiradu saxiixaan. Baarlamaanka ayaa waxa ay dooddoodu soo socotaba waxay soo gudbiyeen Mooshin kusaabsan in cod loo qaado shirkaddan oo uu madaxda sare ee Puntland ay doonayso in la ansixiyo. Waxaa doodda baarlamaanka sii dheereeyay in shirkad kale oo horay u ilaalin jirta xeebaha Puntland ee SOMCAN ay ku doodayso inay xaq u leedahay ilaalinta Puntland tan iyo 2008da , cid kalana aan sharci loo lahayn in la ansixyo. Madaxwaynaha Puntland Cadde Muuse ayaa Shirkadda ilaalisa xeebaha Puntland SOMCAN u magacaabay inay mar kale sii wadato qandaraaskeedii , inkastoo mar danbe ay dawladdu shirkad kale la timid. Maxamed Yuusuf Axmed oo ka tirsan baarlamaanka Puntland ayaa sheegay in dood dheer kadib xildhibaannadu ay bilaabeen inay u codeeyaan mooshinkii lasoo hor dhigay hase ahaatee 26 kamid ah baarlamaanka markii ay ansixiyeen lagu murmay codadkii kale ee ka aamusay iyo kuwii diiday , dabadeedna buuq iyo qaylo halkaasi ka dhalatay ay guddoonka baarlamaanku dib u dhigeen dooddan . Muddo Afar maalmood ah kadib ayaa la filayaa inay baarlamaanku ka doodaan arintan kusaabsan shirkadda loo ogolaanayo inay xeebaha Puntland ilaaliso. CCC Farayaamo AllPuntland

^^ Shariif is the only likely individual in the TFG that may act as a bridge-link between the TFG and the UIC and other parties in Somalia. His priorities include compromise and not conflict and he has already shown the willingness to negotiate with the UIC. That is why I think he should be spared.

Duke: Ignoring Paragon and his defence of all things Inda cade and the occupation of lower Shabbele. I belive by moving to Mogadishu peacefully the TFG would win the hearts of the local people and gain the support of many within the courts. Duke, adeer how did you achieve to read all that into my post? I think your fear of Indhacade has made you delusional to the extent that any time I post a comment, you see Indha-cade in it! Lol. Bal kaalaya idinku sheega, dadoow. Ninkan Indhacade, is he like the Pirates of the Caribbean? Duke, sxb, I feel sorry for you really. May your nightmares disappear, and this is a genuine prayer. The sad thing is that Duke, whether I support or not support Indha-cade, he will outlast uncle Yey politically. So what are you going to do? And one more thing, so far all you have achieved is to eat your own words and turn a 360 degrees angle. You have also failed all your arguments since they were bound to fail to begin with due to your faulty analysis. Marka adiga you are a lost cause. If you are man enough then please do stick to your position. Don't become a political yoyo on us please. If you can't hold a position to the end then don't come back this section. FYI: I have decided not to bother replying to you again since you have proved that you have nothing useful to say about Somali politics. Failure, thats all you know how to sow. Juje, adiga sxb oilyada iyo biyihaa iskaga kaa qasmey. You didn't even come close to comprehending what is being discussed sxb.

NGONGE: It was only at the end of 2004 that you and many on here were rejoicing at the establishment of the TFA and then you rejoiced even more when president Yusuf was chosen to the lead the Somali Transitional Government. NGONGE, to be honest even I accepted the TFG's election of Abdullahi Yussuf, albeit ralliing behind Cadow. The hope was that the TFG would set in place some sort of state apparatus and national frameworks that would kick-start the journey back to national reconstruction and reconciliation. I really didn't care who the TFG elected as long as they did what they were meant to do. But as time went by, their inherent inabilities to achieve anything of substance became clear and as the TFG became more and more hopeless, I too became less hopeful of them. However, this didn't mean I have written the TFG out of the solution yet. I still think they have a role to play though deminished. That is if the TFG's Shariif can find a way to rescue it by replacing Abdullahi Yussuf and Gheedi with more reasonable individuals. That way, the TFG would become instrumental in using it's acquired international contacts while working with other groups in Somalia, chiefly the UIC in Mogadishu. That way the TFG could become part of something meaningful. Somali Politics is in very sense unpredictable and, although I support the UIC myself, their priorities and policies can change dramatically. But I hope whatever their priorities and policies change to, that would not become war with other Somalis. We are tired of war. Time to rest from it is now I believe. PS: Duke, for the TFG to relocate to Mogadishu it must get rid of the President and the PM. I just can't imagine how the TFG can achieve such replacements without the risk of total collapse. The President and the PM are not people who would give in that easily unless they are forced. The question is, who can force them?

^^ That is a big achievement in itself. The last time I saw him in his college he was so adamant to make it this time around. I am so glad he did move up the rank, I guess he did something about the bariis iyo suqaar the maqaaxida in hounslow . I watched him being interviewed right after the run. I wasn't lucky enough to see him run. I hope his other Somali college in my neck of the wood (east london) would breakthrough too. They are very promising indeed.

^^ Haye . Ma kala noogteen mise weli waxbaa idiin dhiman. Aniga enerji intaa la eg igu jiro ilma-adeerayaaloow. Sidaa darteed ayaan marba bal hadba muranka afk-dablaha ah halkuu idiin marayo u soo qooraansadaa. Waydinkaa dhallinyaro, nimba ninka kale goroda hayska laalaadsho , illeen macangagnimada waa nin rag ah xaalladiiye.

Sheekada Kismaayo waa sheeko aad u qoto dheer. Waxaan xusuustaa waa ay jirtay xurguf u dhaxaysey reeraha daga Af-Madow iyo qaar kaloo lagu tuhmay in ay 'dooni keentey' (ari boowe bari laga reysey) . Is qabqabsigaa isagoo socdo ayaaba labadi reerba Kismaayo gacan ku haynteediiba laga fara maroojiyey. Waa halka Morgan kula magac baxay 'The General of the Jungle' . Maantana muranka waxaa isaga baxay reer Af-madow oo waxaa u muran lahansho uu u dhexeeyaa reerkii ay doonida keentey iyo kuwo cusub oo uu 'geel dhaan ah keeney' (ari boowe gado laga reysey) . Waxaanan hada sugeynaa, wadaado tikniko keentey. Alleylehe, anigana markeyga ayaan is keeni doonaa, xantalaay dhuuc iyo keeno leh ayaan Kismaayo kusoo weerari doona. Ama dooni keentey ama dhaan la imad haba ahaadene, dadkuse waa wada dhiig iyo in wada dhalatay oon loo kala hiillin karin. PS:On a serious note, I remember when the argument was confined the O and H tribes and now the the M tribe is in the equation. I believe Kismaayo has a chance of becoming a multi-tribal city where people live side by side with each other and peacefully. Claims of ownership maybe taken care of in that way.

I like the flip the topic took-from Baydhabo, Yey and to Puntland, Somaliland and Somalinimo. This is not to mention Islaannimo. Bal inoo sii wada dooda please . Very enjoyable indeed.

Allaha u naxariisto. Reerkiisana samir iyo iimaan Allaha ka siiyo. Aamiin.