khatumites were pardoned by SL people,regardless of their role in siyad Barre's war machine. I'm glad to know that people in the SSC were pardoned, the people there will be relieved. They lived in peace since the 90s when somalia(south) was in turmoil Hmmm, for being squeezed between SL and PL that region is surprisingly peaceful. only recently switched allegiances when they sensed Mogadishu could stand on own 2 feet,not because for love of somalinimo but that they could share home with otha Ds & thus manage to have lion's share in Mogadishu and also weaken those they regard destroyed their utopia. I guess history started two years ago and the people there suddenly discovered Somali nationalism. I'd like to assure our Somaliland enthusiasts that the future of Somalia will not be decided in Hargeisa or Mogadishu, all this back and forth in this forum will achieve nothing. The future of Somalia/Somaliland will not be decided by Somalis unfortunately.

3/4th of the article is about an incident that happened in the youtube video above and the rest is advocating the recognition of Somaliland without providing any cogent reasons. Here's the writer: Henry Johnson '14, Research Assistant Henry Johnson is a CMC Junior from Portland, Oregon. He is dual majoring in History and Government. Henry is ardently interested in the history of oppressed peoples and he is thrilled to begin contributing to the Center for Human Rights Leadership. Aside from this serious interest, Henry enjoys art shows, painting, and watching older movies. I wish the young man good luck, but he's out of his depth when it comes to an issue as complex as Somali politics.

Apophis;987138 wrote: You can read the article the way it is written or you can read it they way you want it to be written. One of those is problematic (I'll let you figure out which one). The moral of the story is, this case was botched and botched badly, her allegations might have been bogus but the conduct of the police and the office of the president made it worse. The majority of rape victims in the world don't pursue legal actions and when they do they usually suffer more than the alleged rapist. Somalia is not equipped to investigate rape allegations (they don't have DNA,rape kits or qualified doctors), and for some here to lay the burden of the proof on the "victim" (some even mentioned 4 witnesses!) they perpetuate the culture of blaming the "victim". By their standards it's better for a rape victim to remain silent in Somalia ( it pains me to say this might be true), if you think it's bad when a women is raped it's infinitely worse when she go public, it's not a coincidence that they are the ones who were arrested.

Apophis;987136 wrote: The article you yourself posted makes what you're claiming null and void (maybe you should have read it). As you can see, she (and the journalist) were arrested for defamation, she admitted it under police questioning and she's being taken to court. The station was closed down last month and has no direct connection to the case (as far as we can see). If she was raped she should have gone to the police. She didn't (as far as we know) and thus there's no case to answer for. I read the article and read the part that was highlighted thus ( Did they arrest her to force her to change her testimony?). They arrested her and the journalist and then provided this tidbit. Don't you find it strange for them to arrest everyone in that radio station and the rape victim for offending a state institution and defamation and then after arresting her they managed to get this confession. This is not the first time and it will not be the last, this culture of intimidation is normal and condoned. According to you this is how it is supposed to work. Woman claimed to be raped ------> Don't book the alleged criminals for questioning instead arrest the woman and the journalist for defamation -----> After arresting the woman extract confession.

Apophis;987133 wrote: Logic 101, the burden of proof is always on the claimant. What evidence do you have that is the case? But you also judged and dismissed the accused without an iota of evidence. In your, illogical, world, the cart comes before the donkey. 1. The police arrested the alleged victim first, they didn't even book the alleged rapists or question them (unless they questioned them outside the police station which I'm sure is fine by you). 2. They arrested the journalist and the radio owner and forced the closure of the radio, i'm sure that is justified and normal. 3. The rape victim jailed for offending a state institution, this is now a political issue that required the office of the president to respond to international outcry. By inserting politics the police is now tainted, they are not neutral and can not do their job without raising questions. Did they arrest her to force her to change her testimony? Did they do their due diligence in investigating the original alleged crime? 4. This is not the first case: In February, a Somali journalist and a rape victim he interviewed were both sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of "offending state institutions". However they were released two months into their jail term after the case sparked widespread international criticism. In that case, the court found the woman had lied after a midwife conducted a "finger test" to see if she had been raped, which Human Rights Watch (HRW) said was an "unscientific and degrading practice that has long been discredited". This points to a pattern of prosecuting the "victim" especially if the alleged crime was will cast the government in bad light (or AMISOM). The insinuation that any "victim" will gain anything by coming forward is debunked, not to mention the prosecution rape victims face in society.

Apophis;987108 wrote: Her "ordeal" does not exist until it is proven beyond reasonable doubt in a just court of law. The western education you speak of teaches that the accused is innocent until proven guilty. Indeed some of the comments here from supposedly western minds are boggling, as they are quick to believe any hearsay. So you think her arrest is justified and that the burden of proof should be on any victim of crime in Somalia. The police should abdicate any responsibility and prosecute the "alleged victim" for daring to say anything that might cast them in bad light. Her story might be bogus but you judged her and dismissed her story and the police arrested her (they agree with you), she is a criminal now for claiming to be raped. I'm sure in your world that's how it's supposed to work, the police arrest the "victims" and lay the burden of proof on them.

Cadale;987077 wrote: Bogus story. NO emotions at all displayed when she's saying she got raped. Not to mention that she's an shabelle employee, a radio station that was closed by the SFG. stop being so gullible folks. Would you prefer if she was wailing and tearing her hair off in the video? some of the comments here are mind boggling, but if this what supposedly western educated Somalis say about this woman imagine the hardship she faced talking about her ordeal in Somalia where there is no justice system for the weak.

UN warns Somalia after alleged rape victim, journalists arrested The United Nations in Somalia called Thursday for a "proper investigation" after police arrested an alleged rape victim and the journalists who reported her story for defamation. Rape, and reporting on sexual assault, is one of the most sensitive topics in Somalia, and the case is the latest in a series of arrests of victims and the journalists who aired their story. The alleged victim, a 19-year old reporter, told the independent Radio Shabelle she was attacked and raped at gunpoint by two fellow journalists. "One of the men threatened me with a pistol, and took me to the bedroom by force... both of them raped me several times, destroying my pride and dignity," she said, in a video interview broadcast on Somalia's Radio Shabelle website earlier this week. AFP

Looking back at Turkey's history the last thing they would want is fostering the divide of Somalia.They are a traditionalist country that prefers central authority as evidenced by their unwavering support of the government of Mogadishu. I also find the tone of the article reminiscent of the "children of the queen" line that Somaliland embarrassingly floated trying to gain independence.

Police in Somalia have arrested a 19-year-old alleged rape victim and a journalist who interviewed her about the attack, a government official told Al Jazeera. Both the victim and Mohamed Bashir, a reporter for Radio Shabelle, were arrested on Wednesday for defamation, according to government spokesman Abdirahman Omar Osman. The owner of Radio Shabelle, Abdi Malik Yusuf, was also arrested, but has been released on “medical grounds,” according to the spokesman. Aljaeera

Dalmar1;986850 wrote: Amisom, the personel army of Mudane President Hassan:) It's the other way around, buddy.

I guess Somalia airlines will be a government owned entity. I actually would prefer if the SFG didn't try to operate an airline company since they are rarely profitable unless they are in a very lucrative route.

Xaaji Xunjuf;986748 wrote: Some are just intellectually inferior Oodweyne nailed it and some times the truth hurts and people try to reply with utter nonsense and thats the only defense mechanism they have. I find calling SOLers who disagree with you intellectually inferior a sign of conceit. Oodweyne's writing style is extremely archaic and too flowery, there are many unnecessary words that are injected to convey intellectualism but do the opposite and the insults are extremely childish. He/she is obviously smart but as they say you can a person out of Somalia but you can't get Somalia out of him/her.

Che -Guevara;986499 wrote: In of all the times he could left the country, Jawahir decided to take a trip now! Nothing inspires confidence more than a well timed trip . Maybe the issue is already resolved or he is employing delaying tactics to force a resolutioon.

the prime minister was a doormat and these guys will regret getting rid of him, all those people are not going to lie down and let this president take the spotlight like Saacid did.

This segregation stuff in Qatar is shocking to me, i visited there when i lived in the Gulf and I don't remember this happening. If they start with Indians and Pakistanis then Arabs and Somalis are next if it didn't already start.

People like to needle Puntlanders, but I think they are playing the game with a long term view rather than the instant gratification that some here can't get over. Don't you all find it strange that their vision of Somalia is slowly but surely coming to fruition? Despite the recent power trip that the flow of western money and support caused, the incompetence in Mogadishu will make everything come to screeching halt.

Looky here, The mole is trying to dig himself out of his hole. Posing for this picture must have required a lot of energy, I'm sure 3 months of sleep will fix that.

I'm surprised by the low figure to renovate the University, $3.5 million is not enough even in Somalia.

SomaliPhilosopher;985789 wrote: Though I wished she stayed, I would agree in saying she doesn't "understand the Somali way." Yes the Central Bank of Somalia Act does give the bank autonomy and it should do so in practice. But of course these 'articles' and 'clauses' for all practical purposes don't really matter. We are a country that are just transitioning from over twenty years of lawlessness, at least of formal law. What did Yussur expect? For these dusty acts and bills to be taken off the shelf and the government to act in full accordance? For the President to attend to all her inquiries with only four weeks on the job, with most of her time spent abroad? These things take time. Yussur should have understood that and work accordingly instead of provoking a full out scandal because of the potential 'opening' of doors of corruption. Yussur will be received as a hero. A strong figure who stood her ground and held strong to her 'personal values'. Though with all idealism aside, this is not a testament of strength, but rather one of weakness. Somalia does not need 'personal values'. It needs patience. It needs flexibility. It needs calm . It needs understanding. These are not values of an individual but rather one of a nation. I've never seen such convoluted logic. Refuse corruption (even small ones) ---> weakness. Overlook pity corruption for hope of change in the future ----> Strength. if you compromise your integrity for pittance then you'll sell all you hold dear for a bigger payout.

I didn't say he should be replaced but he should be judged and the failure of this government should reflect on him. If you say nothing and give him excuses then he will continue this disastrous trajectory.

Xaaji Xunjuf;985422 wrote: Culusow does not need to resign he just need competent ministers and advisers the man is not bad, i still have fate in him. Nobody forced those advisers on him. Don't you think he should take responsibility for the mess he created in one year? I really think a cardboard cutout would do a better job than he is doing, At least it won't pocket money that is supposedly helping starving people.

I thought those shadowy groups mentioned by some websites were a figment of imagination or conspiracy theories, but those websites predictions are a little too accurate for me to discount right now. Somali politics is too convoluted by tribal allegiances but the addition of these groups is making my head spin.

The president shouldn't have the power to fire the prime minister in a parliamentarian system, that's the job of the Parliament. He shouldn't even initiate the process of firing the PM if we want any balance of power in the future. if you want the president to control everything in the federal government then dispense of this useless ceremonial position (prime minister) and let's have a true representative system where the president is a member of the parliament and so are the cabinet and they are all voted by their constituents (in the future, i know it's impossible at the moment but the current structure is too vague for my liking).

Somalia can't handle 500,000 more people, I doubt it can accommodate 10% of that. The cost of repatriation will be huge, but i'm sure they will bus these people involuntarily and leave them to fend for themselves.