That was a most enlightening and frank discussion about the issues affecting the region. I was most surprised at the high level of familiarity many MPs have with Somaliland, its role in the region, its accomplishments and its aspirations. The fact that Somaliland is emerging at the forefront of the foreign policy discourse for Africa is a most interesting development indeed.

IAmRevolution;788481 wrote: The dispute is OVER. The clans that live in Sool, Sanaag and Cayn have created a State called Khaatumo State, it's Capital being Laascaanood and it's borders are from Caynaba, to Ceerigaaboo-Lassuraad, to Sool-Nugaal border. Our Maakhir brothers should join us or create their own State. This is all well and good but you seem to be ignoring one small fact: Laascaanood, Caynabo and Ceerigaaboo are all fully within the control of the Somaliland government. These are the facts on the ground and not aspirational ones. On the other hand the Khaatumo admin seems to exist only in the diaspora and the interwebs. Not trying to be confrontational, just stating the current reality.

Somalina;788515 wrote: The dude is not a w*c*l, he knows who his father is, and he hails from the same region as the thread starter. Those who live in Minneapolis that hail from Bari or Waqooyi Bari can testify on his behalf. Cusmano is ashamed of his cousin and denying the poor Plander his family tree rights. lol... dawlada PL hanoolaato, Afisoone should replace Farole definitely. NASSIR, sheekada Cusmaano wadato maadan fahmin. Got to agree with Somalina on this one. For someone who regularly preaches unity it seems that you rarely practice it. In this case its someone who chooses to align himself with the federal government instead of the regional administration you identify with.

This development corporation could prove to be a very effective mechanism for Somaliland to circumvent its current legal status in order to attract much needed bilateral and multilateral sources of aid. My only concern is would be ensuring that the corporation is governed transparently and competently by individuals who are familiar will financing large scale infrastructure projects. Nonetheless this is a postive development and in addition to the "Anglo-Somaliland Chamber of Commerce" that was established last year I have a feeling that investment in Somaliland will significantly increase over the next few years. http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-president-meets-british-minister-for-africa-anglo-lander-chamber-established-19325

NASSIR;788227 wrote: The Sage, You should know 40% of UK's aid to Somalia goes to Hargeisa. If that is not tipping the balance in favor of the secessionist authority I don't know what it is. Nassir, yes 40% of its aid goes to Somaliland but if you know how the mechanisms of development aid work then you would know that the aid can only be used to fund the approved projects in DFID's (UK aid agency) development plans for Somaliland. This means that the funds aren't used to fund SL's military but are being used for humanitarian projects, food security, improving health and education, and governance. Also since they only announced the aid allocation recently it will takes some time before anyone in SL sees the money being implemented in projects so they haven't affected any of the recent events over the last few weeks. So the UK's partnership with Somailland hasn't been to the detriment of the people in eastern sool and sanag. "the government of UK will provide US$171 million (£105m) to Somaliland over the next four years (April 2011 to March 2015). The UK plans to allocate US$130m emergency aid for Somalia and Somaliland over the next four years." "The statement revealed the UK government plans to create 22, 500 jobs by 2015 in Somaliland in which over 30 per cent will be women job seekers. The UK funds will go to improving existing health centres and establishing an additional 40 functioning health facilities. They plan to increase children vaccination from 45 per cent levels to 65 per cent. Other areas the UK government wants to improve include capacity and accountability of government. Furthermore, the UK government is currently contributing $17 million to the UN Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) for humanitarian assistance in response to the drought in the region." http://somalilandpress.com/igad-leads-the-largest-donor-delegation-to-somaliland-20416

It is extremely important to help ensure that the women of Somaliland and the wider region have to opportunity to fully participate in society. Somaliland can't have a competitive economy or inclusive government if only 50% of society can participate. I welcome this and hopefully this will kick start more initiatives to promote women's participation in Somaliland.

Forum rule #3 - Language: do not use profanity, vulgarity or objectionable language. Referring to people as retards in the topic title is definitely violating that. Let's try to bring some civility into these conversations. If you can't argue without resorting to name calling then maybe you shouldn't be debating in the first place.

Che -Guevara;788189 wrote: The UK has not done anything to 'your' regions that hasn't done by 'you'. Every Somali is in the predicament that they are in today because that's where they want to be. We really give the foreign powers more power than they actually have. Got to agree with Che on this. What's happening today is not their doing. Trying to find a scapegoat for one's problems isn't the best way to find a lasting solution.

It's a pretty long video. Do you mind letting us know where exactly they discuss the topics?

I find it very odd that some people on this forum accuse those affiliated with Somaliland to have "Puntland on their lips" yet their preoccupation with Somaliland shows no abating. This must be the 5th or 6th thread from the pro PL camp claiming that Somaliland will not be attending as a separate entity. Obsessed much? As for Mario B, do you think that an entire generation of young Somaliland citizens (who demograpically are the largest portion of the population) have any allegiance to Somalia when the only thing they've known for their entire lives is the peace and stability that is Somailand? If I were you I would be more concerned with rehabilitating and reintegrating the lost generation of Somalia's youth that have not known anything about living under a central governing authority and living in a peaceful environment.

^ Too bad that has happened several times in recent years. The newly formed republic of South Sudan has a serious and contentious border dispute with Sudan over the Abyei region that has caused conflict and is yet to be resolved and in the northern part of of the republic of Kosovo known as Mitrovica the minority Serbs want to rejoin Serbia. If it is in the interests of nations to extend recognition to other states, they'll do so regardless of the finalization of the status of borders.

What I don't understand is how SL can be prepared to negotiate when a) SL is not on the London agenda b) SL doesn't really have an incentive to enter dialogue let alone rejoin a union with Somalia and c) the TFG isn't even in a strong position right now to negotiate with SL.

I think its quite clear that the game plan hasn't changed and that the conference represents an excellent opportunity to put forward his country's case to high level delegations from countries that are both strategically influential and desire to be active in the horn of Africa region. No brainer really.

IAmRevolution;787596 wrote: They are all sitting in front of three British guys, the grandsons of the very men who colonized them, humiliated them and are still mingling in their affairs. Did anyone catch where the three British guys looked at each other, in a "this people are insanely dumb way", when they were answering the questions pertaining to Somaliland? Somalilanders (beesha SNM) are the orphans of British. One has to ask himself, would British neglect the demands of their children, whom they left behind in Northern Somalia? So everyone else here is embarrassed with the gong show that was the forum and clan allegiances that divided it but you don't spare the chance to throw mud on the SLers? Doesn't your position make you no better than the raucous people in that meeting? I mean your allegiance clearly shows when you choose to make fun of one specific group over the collective disgrace of the people in that room.

The sad thing is that he wasn't the only cringe worthy one in this panel. This crowd was just as fractured as the rest of the Somalia proper. If this group consisting of academics, lawyers and other professionals can't have a productive discussion without fracturing along clan lines then any future reconciliation prospects are doomed to fail.

Carafaat;787521 wrote: Dr.Osman, Wouldn't you say security is nr.1 issue in Somalia. More important that foreign delegates visiting and nr of seatts? Some people really want to put the cart in front of horse. Their vision is often out of step with the realities and constraints on the ground. The number one priority should always be security and stability, everything else follows that. So instead of worrying about institutional details like parliamentary structures, one should be thinking about how to create an environment that is conducive for that.

Faroole as President? Getting a little ahead of ourselves are we?

SomaliNationalist;787265 wrote: In the last 20 years, somaliland was claiming it was peacefull and a multi-tribal project, but now its comitting genocide aganist tribes in Sool and Awdal, it has indeed been exposed. Long live the struggle aganist SNM! Long time lurker first time poster. I just wanted to know if you truly believe that the events going on constitute "genocide", and you're not the first one to say this. What's going on is normally classified as a "low intensity conflict" by most experts. Are the deaths horrible and regrettable for both sides? Yes. But its not genocide. So let's try to hold back on the sensationalism.