Khadaafi, It is a good article with a lot of eye opening issues. As you mentioned the Taliban never hurt anyone beyond its border. While Al-shabaab was bombing Nairobi, Kampala and threaten the horn of Africa, the Taliban remained a home grown movement hell bent on removing foreign troops. Since Al-shabaab has pledged alligence to international terrorists like Al-Qarda, I don't see them succeeding or even changing tactics. Also unlike Taliban, they are beholden to the gulf backward sect called Wahabi. At the moment, what is sustaining them is the Mogadishu business community, the foreign intelligence and the corruptions of Somali government in terms adjudicating small claim courts and other issues. Yet, the biggest money maker for Al=shabaab is what I call the ' Hotel Cartel'.I will write about them soon. Certainly Farmaajo made some mistakes in terms of his dealings with the regional leadership. He spend a great deal of resources and time to crown loyal men in position of leadership in the regions which might even backfire at the end. It is an oxymoron to have a friend in regional presidents, all you need to have is a working relationship. Yet, after seeing the gathering of the storm from the gulf and others, Farmaajo tried to keep the same team and achieve something before time runs out. When you see the coalition that formed from the separatist elements, UAE, Djibouti and others, Farmaajo might have thought to defeat them for the greater good. Who knows. As your earlier articles , you always mention about the failure of Siyad Barre to leave the nation before its collapse, but the biggest reasons of the anarchy that flowed was the dismantling of the national army. In Ethiopia, the army was intact despite rebels taking over the capital. In Somalia the tribal rebels dismantled the army. Some of us believe that despite its religious connotations, Al-shabaab is still controlled and deployed by certain clan interests. Why is Al-shabaab still very active in Mudug despite the presence of huge armed tribal militia and Galmudug forces? When Farmaajo was elected, some of have asked him to do the minimal thing of building the army and securing the capital. Who ever becomes a leader must do something serious about this town . The next leader , whether it is Farmaajo or anyone else must start the withdrawal of the Amisom forces.The Turkey trained forces are winning without even heavy weapons. He must work on lifting the arms embargo and Somalia could defeat Al-shabaab. Finally, I do not believe the UN to be capable or willing to move the country to self rule. Just look at the last fake dispute that almost created a civil war. It was a quarrel among six or seven men. now, the process is getting bigger by the day. Where in the world you would have more referees than the actual players? L last week the prime minister released the names of the election commissions and other conflict resolution appointees.In total they were 124. . the federal elections commission members were 24 plus another 21 for conflict resolutions. Add that 11 from each region for commission and another six for conflict resolutions.Another 17 from Somaliland and similar number for Banaadir. In the real world arbitrators and judges usually are three, five or maximum nine. Make them 11 if you wish. Why would the UN allow such kind of travesty? Who is advising these people to appoint over a hundred judges. That is the UN. Soon they will be put in one of these hotels, Halane or some where else and the premier and his men will make millions on these judges who are almost half of the parliament. In fact, a wise man told me that this thing could be dragged until December or even next year just to milk these meetings. The UN and others are happy paying millions for 124 new judges. Finally, as many in here, you are very suspicious of Abiy and his moves to keep the old Ethiopia. No one wants Amhara hegemony , yet Abiy Ahmed is also dismantling the old guard of both Amhara and TPLf grip on power. In Addis Ababa, for the first time, a Somali person was elected as a member of parliament and two other Somalis are running for city counsel seats, and the last time I checked, they were both leading. Despite Abiy's his future plans, I don't understand why some Somalis are nostalgic about the evil TPLF. You can not imagine how many Muslim women with head scarfes joining the next parliament. We have to careful for what we wish. If Turkey stands by us and the west lifts the weapons embargo, we might actually defeat Al-shabaab. Most of all , we need the collaborations of Kenya and Ethiopia. Lastly, the real battle is ahead which is even bigger than Al-shabaab, The Mogadishu business oligarchs and hotel cartels.

I don't know about Mahdi Guuleed, but Dr. Bayle isn't involved any of these blue flag issues. Tallaabo, if they just ignore this little stunt it would be forgotten by the next day. Man the Landers love drama.

Dalmar Be careful what you post. These group have been in courts since last year. While thrre are corrupt judges in Puntland like any other Somali place, these are special cases. Innocent people usually dwell in jails without trail. I think Puntland had shown a backbone and swift action on these killers.

I have seen the interview of a local Gaalkacayo man who killed 17 people over ten years. He flowed similar methods . Sometimes, when the security people show up at the murder scene, he points them to the wrong direction. When I listened that interview and many others, the Al shabaab issue is no longer a military issue, but a law enforcement matter. A well trained investigators and detectives could crack most of these cases. Usually when a major robbery or active shootings take place, you cordon the whole perimeter and check both people and vehicles. You could arrest and detain anyone, especially young people you encounter in the murder scene. There are cheap electronic equipments to check for gun residue to determine if someone had shot a gun hours ago. Corruption and incompetence kills in these days. Small detective work could eliminate Al-shabaab killers in big cities like Mogadishu, Gaalkacayo or Boosaaso.

in Borama , the police always acts like what we used to call in the north, ' Saajin Tuula Jooga'. It is the one who tries to overdue things . Xaaji, how come this Qaranimo is so fragile that you have to arrest women from their homes in the middle of the night. And how come these fools in Awdal allow their women to be hoarded in jails in Mandheera by large numbers?

For less than four years Turkey had trained a formidable force that not only engaged Al-shabaab in the battle, but also defeated them without heavy mechanised weapons. Furthermore, the Americans believe that the Afghan forces they trained to be very corrupt and unreliable. Some these Afghani soldiers killed those who were helping them. There were many friendly fires that targeted Americans. In Somalia, not one single soldier trained either by America or Turkey ever hurt those who trained them.We got real soldiers, but we got corrupt leadership in Mogadishu.

Che, As the departure of American forces reaches its end , all the enteral secrets of the longest war are dripping slowly, but surely , like a leaky faucet. There is a new book detailing how the Bush administration planed to overthrow the Taliban in the summer of 2001. A meeting at the white house in August 2001 was finalised to demand the Taliban to hand over Osama Bin Ladan and Al-Qaeda leaders or face regime change. Al this is taking place before 911. The northern alliance led by the legendary Mujahedeen fighter Ahmed Shah Mascuud was tasked to weaken and eventually affect the regime change desired by Washington and even India. Unfortunately, September 10 2011, one day before the infamous 911, the Taliban had assassinated Mascuud in Afghanistan. Those Northern alliance forces eventually helped America to get rid of the Taliban twenty years ago, yet they are back again. American investigators sent by the Trump administration had found out how the military leadership was lying about the success of the operations for the last 10 years. Could you imagine the Americans had spent $9.5 billion just to eradicate the opium trade which just kept growing even more. They also spend $50 billion dollars a year in Afghanistan with tonnes of over a trillion dollars. Most of that money was laundered through the UAE banks where no questions are asked. They hired warlords and criminals to fight the Taliban with almost zero success. As we speak the Taliban control more than hundred districts and might even take over the country. A law enforcement mission that could have targeted few individuals became a 20 year war. Americans don't read history, no wonder Afghanistan is called the grave yard of empires since the nineteenth century. Americans are leaving the mess to Turkey and Pakistan to maintain the airport and convince the Taliban to make a deal. Going to the dust pins of history will be the fake American claim of helping girls go to school in Taliban controlled nation. Furthermore, the Americans couldn't even find another country to host their military. All the central Asian nations and Pakistan refused to allow any American bases in their country. For 30 years they have been chasing Arabs and Muslims in the middle east and Africa with almost disastrous results. In the meantime, the Chinese took advantage of the neoconservative led America that was led by hubris and regime change. The Muslim nations of the world could have helped America contain the Chinese, yet they choose to either destroy or push those countries to China. Despite all that , the Americans had one more chance to right the wrongs by helping these Muslim nations depose their despots like Sisi of Egypt and gain friends. Sooner or later these nations will get rid of their dictators and will remember who denied them freedom and dignity. Just look at Pakistan, a reliable alliance of Washington for 50 years, then ditched and isolated because the Neoconservatives wanted to destabilise, and eventually unleashed India to weaken and threaten them. By destroying these nations, America was losing both power, prestige, people and treasure slowly. The second world war had eliminated the British empire, and European colonial ambitions.

Xaaji, 30 year, 16 million a year, that is very cheap. Which means Somaliland will make $480 million for 30 years. That price would have been fair if it was coupled with another half billion developments. Unless you are in rush to make few millions and then disappear like Siilaanyo and company did. Do these people think that the gulf boys are the only players in town. Maxaad ula yaabi Soomaali khaliij iyo Carab ayey dunuda ka garanayaane.

They should organise neighbourhood watch security units. These are very small area with a half dozen high rise buildings. it is easy to patrol. Also as usual Somalis do not always tell the whole story. While there are some white trash criminals or hate motivated people, there are also some Somali gangs targeting them. Yes. And beware of your surroundings.

The rise of the Turkmen. Soon we might have the Turkic NATO nations. Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kirghistan. With peaceful Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran joining later, you got half billion people interconnected by trade and security. Folks, the world is changing.

They don’t need to dismantle anything. Those who have the votes set the agenda .

Duufaan, The Putntlaqnd project undermined the northern H , except C/laahi Yusuf all other leaders were " Qawda maqshii waxna ha u qaban" When I was in Burco in early 1982, 20% of the city was H. there were major hotels and businesses owned by them. In the next election, you can muster 100,000 and depose the SNM boys from power and set the agenda. you are culturally different than the Machiavellian Puntlanders. Bring your strength here and push a unity agenda. just like the HAG and D block take advantage of the absence of Somaliland, The SNM Habro are taking advantage from the divisions of the H group between Puntland and Somaliland. It is time to defeat them through ballot boxes and set a unity agenda within the system.

Xaaji, I agree. The election was fair and free mostly. As I said the people had done their duties .Yet, elections are not just putting boxes and counting. It should strengthen the bond of communities, and minimize the tribal fragmentation of the Somaliland. Every where people are trying to reduce tribal politics. That is why you don't have the party of the Irish, Germans, Mexicans or Africans. What does it take to divide Borama in six wards and let the candidates run in a definied district or ward within the city. If you join 26 june and Gacan Libaax in Hargeisa and make them a ward which might have different clans, the candidate is forced to appeal to the people of ward, and if he doesn't deliver they might elect another one for the next election. Tell me, where in the world do people run for parliament from Zaylac to Dila or city councilman running for all of Hargeisa. This is not a rocket science. On the issue of land mass, It was a figurative speech. It might be hard to define exactly which is bigger, but eyes don't lie. My argument is how Berbera (Saaxil) could have the same seats as Sanaag or just less than two of Sool which is ten times bigger than Berbera in terms of land mass and six major districts. Just look this map..

You raised a good point.They could have accommodated women if they even tried little pit. In this election, they just prepared the boxes without passing any laws. I know that I took a clan route to needle our Habro cousins, bust unless we remind them to fix these outdated system they just keep celebrating like they won the gold. If they are the majority, they should not fear improving the system.

Che, they were 100,000 seven years ago in Hargeisa alone. tens of thousands in Borama, Boosaaso and other places, The Gaas Dhagoole tribes can not hold blue color jobs, without these Oromo towns would shut down. Even in Jigjiga, every work that needs skill is done by others whether it is construction, restaurant, mrchanical or labour

This election cycle in Somaliland will not change much or even improve anything meaningful in terms of democracy, rule of law and development. No one in Somaliland including the leaders wanted this election to take place. Incumbent leaders try every trick in the book to avoid any election that might change the status quo. The last parliamentary election took place in 2005, and this one is taking place after 16 years. In fact, both Muuse Biixi and the opposition never wanted any election to take place. Faysal Waraabe and company were afraid of the opening of the political parties might negatively affect his UCID personal party (business) which is nothing but a money generating enterprise. Elections were forced on Somaliland by the donors in Nairobi who must justify their existance e and aid. They flew to Hargeisa more than 40 times for the ;last four years pushing for elections. In order to be on the good side of the Frenji who usually bankrolles the whole thing, they were forced to hold the usual tribal selection election. Now, let us leave behind my opinions and characterization and analyze the good, the bad and the ugly of the election. The Good. Every time power changes through ballots, that is a recipe for peace and security , especially the horn of Africa region where despots rule the day. Somaliland scored 42/100 in freedom and liberty according to freedom house which is one of the highest in Sub Sahara Africa. Only Kenya scored higher (48). During the election day , not one single incident of violence or disturbances had taken place. It was like a celebratory style where citizens flock to the polls with enthusiasm. If fact, these elections show how the people of somaliland are eager to do the right thing despite the incompetence of the ruling class. They are people who are willing to do the right thing by taking their pride of showing others their eagerness to be something special. I should say that the people of Somaliland had done their duties to enhance democracy. The Bad. Demoqraadiyada Beelaha ( tribal democracy). Despite the communist style government propaganda, nothing has changed in Somaliland in terms of improving election rules and representation. In 2005 , when Dahir Rayaale held the first parliamentary election, it was agreed that since this one was the first test of parliamentary democracy, it should be done without distracting or taking census on the size of the population. If you are running for a parliamentary seat, you do not run for certain ridding or district. For example, if you want to run a seat in Woqoyi Galbeed region, your tribe from Berbera to Hargeisa to Wajaale will vote for you. Only your tribes. You do not represent anyone except your tribe since those who castes the ballot were only your kin. If the Wowqoyi galbeed or Awdal region is divided by five or six districts based on population, the candidate would have been forced to appeal to everyone in order to get elected since different sub clans live in the zone. It is the Somali style 4.5 with clan elders selecting those who represent their clan. I don't know yet the final tally, but so far, no single female had been elected. If you want a seat for your clan, you don't need to be selected by the party hierarchy , but the clan elders. And if you wish to be selected by the clan you must be willing to join their Qat sessions and other ugly places to spread the cash. Since Somaliland females like most Somali women are conservatives in terms of moral behavior and spending habits, they wouldn't be willing to join Qat sessions other clan chieftain infested gatherings. The clan elder goes to the party and asks a slot for their candidate and if that party cannot find a seat to run, they will go to the next. If it is a clan thing, a woman married to the wrong tribe might not serve the interest of the clan, so women do not need to apply. Yet, the Nairobi NGO's are demanding Somalia to have 30% female quota for the coming Somali parliament. Same example goes within the city council. For example, if you want to be the mayor of Mogadishu , you must run city wide, but if you want to be a Councillor for Waaberi or Madina, you only run that district, and you must seek votes from every citizen of the district, as well , the mayor of Mogadishu must appeal to the citizens of the city regardless of their tribe. In Hargeisa , every city council will run city wide and only asks votes to his clan. Later, the ministry of interior selects the mayor and asks certain Councillors to back him up. There is no intensive for anyone to look beyond his clan. There were no debate at all to improve the system that took place 20 years ago. Everyone can be a mayor if gets the blessing of the interior minister. And once elected, he must take the cash monthly to the minister in order to hold the seat. This was confirmed to me by a former mayor. As you could see, for twenty years, they refused to improve the system or make it more democratic. Furthermore, these elections not only degrade the rule of law, but they also making things regressive. Except very few, none of those elected represent their parties. When they go to the parliament, they represent their clan and vote according to their clan or whoever pays them. Just like in Mogadishu parliament where presidents and premiers buy parliamentarians for motions to depose someone, here in Hargeisa, they get paid and vote accordingly. When the Berbera port was in the process of transferring to UAE, millions were brought and divided between the Wakiilada including Cirro and his group. They passed the next day without even a debate. The opposition parties might become allies for one month to select the speaker, and after that act, they will go separately. In a system based to keep the status quo and avoid the emergence of any changes that might wreck the separatist agenda, Somaliland might vote to get the badly needed money from the NGo's , but the new election will not kick start a new economy or jobs for the youth. Some might think the spoiler Faysal Waraabe have some support. He doesn't even have more than 5% . In order to get clan chiefs, get a slot in his party, everyone must deposit to him $10,000 non-refundable to his account. They cannot replace him even after twenty years. If that isn't dictatorship , I don't know. When was the last time the Somaliland parliament debated an issue? not one single budget item proposed by Biixi was ever refused or changed including $9 million dollar budget for the " Madaxtooyada". The last time budgets were not passed or changed were during the Rayaale administration. Voting and elections supposed to have consequences by bringing change. Not this one. The UGLY. The SNM Habro really fear democracy and representation, and are doing all kind of tricks in the book to keep their clan hegemony. In 2005, they based the parliamentary seats based on 1960 districts. How in the world that today's population would compare those of 1960?. How Sool which has six or more districts like: Taleex, Laascaanood, Caynaba, OOg, Widhwidh and Boocame compare to the fake region created by Cigaal called Saaxil. Sool has 12 and Saaxil 10, and Awdal with almost 90,000-100,000 has 13. . In 2005, Saaxil or Berbera--the only other districts that was subtracted from Woqoyi Galbeed Sheikh and Caddaado-- had 32,000 votes and got 10 seats. Saaxil never ever passed 45,000 mark with even children voting. They should not have more than 5 if rules are applied. The bizarre thing is among the 12 Sool seats, the east Burco guys got 7 of the 12. Of course, those clans dominate Caynabo, Sool, but that district off set by Buuhoodle which is on of the largest districts in Togdheer. It is pure theft by the Habro. Thus, the Habro increased their total tally from 56 to 61 this time around. Furthermore, there is zero seat for the east Sanaag community. Certain area of the east might not be accessible for vote due to their association with Puntland, yet, as always, those area that cannot be accessed by Somaliland had representation through selection by the local clans. Somaliland has five regions; Awdal , Woqoyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. If you divide by clan, you got Awdal, Sool and East Sanaag (2.5), by Awdalites and the Ha...ti, while Woqoyi Galbeed, Togdheer and 45% of Sanaag is for the Habro. The Harti has the largest land mass in Somaliland. Since Hargeisa is a big city, it is shared by us Awdalites, the 100,000 Oromo, the Ha..ti, those from Godey and many more from southern Somalia. Believe me if things were done in the right way, the Habro will be lucky to get 50% of vote. Sanaag is 35% Maakhir region ( Laasqoray, Hadaaftimo, Dhahar and 30% of Caarigaabo, and the Golis mountain range bordering the Bari region. The Garaad community could be 15-20 % of Sanaag. Now are you telling me Ceel Af weyn and Gardadag plus majority of Ceerigaabo represent the 10 seats of Sanaag? No way Jose. Sanaag the largest province in the whole Somali republic cannot be compared a town like Berbera which cannot grow its population due to the hot climate. Foks, it is all about gerrymandering in steroids. Before we leave the ugly side, let me also mention the fraud that took place in some places. In Awdal, many ballots were decided by a dozen or few hundred votes. A community which had one or two seats in the last election got four thanks to the chief election officer stealing votes. During the tabulation, hundreds of votes were taken from one candidate to another. In Zaylac, in order to give a leg up to the Jesus community who couldn't even muster 3,000 votes, a minister went there and stuffed ballots while throwing out the election monitors for four hours. In the big cities the election was mostly fair. Now let us focus on the population thing. There is a difference between the eligible voters and registered voters. The eligible voters are those who are over 18 years old who are allowed to cast the vote. Registered voters are those who were registered just over a month ago in Somaliland. We have been told that they number of registered voters to be over a million. Of course some might not show due nomads moving while others were unable to cross borders back and forth or other reasons like sickness or distance. Yet, in Somalind every election produced between 500,000--600,000, with even 12 years old children voting. People might assume unregulated urban housing and spread-out cities like Hargeisa could have a million or more. In regulated urban centers, a 20 floor Highrise building might contain two thousand residents while an acre of land might accommodate five or more houses. In unregulated centers like Hargeisa a hundred house might occupy a kilometre square of land . Imagine, Maroodi Jeex (Woqoyi Galbeed) which is comprised Hargeisa, Gabiley , Arabsiyo, Wajaale, Salaxley and Baligudle could only muster 260,000. Hargeisa alone couldn't reach 170,000. What that tells you? Just like politics, clan numbers are fought like one's life is depending on it. I can safely say that despite propaganda, Somaliland is less than 2 million people or 1.5 max. I divide them in three region. From Berbera to Lowyacado could be 750,000 including the 100,000 Oromo internally displaced people. Another 750,000 is north of Berbera to Tukaraq and Sanaag . I want to conclude that voting is a good thing always . The other good thing is that a large number of young men who are less than 40 years old are entering the parliament. In Awdal ,almost all of them were university graduates who are very young. Let us hope for the best.

This Faradheer group in Hiiraan even opposed an access bridge to Beledweyne. Can you imagine denying people development? Biriishka haddii la dhiso Beledweyne ayaa si fudud la guu soo geli ayey ku doodeen. Makina ninkii maaga melegiisa waaye.

beautiful song, by beautiful people.

Duufaan, To even remotely challenge Farmaajo they need to agree on one single candidate. Is Hassan Sheikh willing to accept Shariif Ahmed? It is also depends how many votes each candidate gets for the first ballot. If they get the plurality of the numbers, they might gang up on Farmaajo and combine their votes. Interesting days are ahead.

Rooble seems to be very smart guy. Since the day he visited Saudi Arabia , a lot of influential people had approached him to run for president. There were some credible reports that Cumar Geele had offered him millions to run for president. Rooble said, " both Shariif Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh had failed due to their premier challenging them to the precedency, and I will not flow that route" The guy decided to stay with Farmaajo. Khayre got bad advice. He should have kept quite for few years and come back 2025.

They are a team. Judging by the opposition, these two are coming back.

Absolutely. We got the worst group of leaders supervised by the good Frenji. Everyone stood up and talked. I remember local Somali shir where everyone who thinks to be somebody is given the microphone until the cows come home. A single person could have represented the regional government, flowed by the premier and closed by the president. This country is a mess. My God ,these people have unlimited time to spare despite the huge tasks waiting for them. These issues that were sorted out are minor issues. None of them said anything about the future. They just kept talking about water under the bridge or useless recrimination. Except the Swedish diplomat who reminded them that they shouldn't be meeting in this kind of forum four years from today. He told them that the next president should work immediately on the constitution . No wonder why these retards are baby-sited full time. Waa beeshii caalamka iyo Farmaajo dawladiisa oo heshiiyey.

This how USA achieves its political goals. First threaten and apply the pressure, second ask other nations like the EU to join , and if the leaders are weak or venerable force them to accept their agenda. Waa bahal gumeysigu Kala baahsanaantiyo Baylahdaada Jeceloo Markuu baadka kula helo Kaa Bogaa qaniinyada Urrka kuu dhex geleyee.

Give credit to C/laahi Dani for holding elections in Puntland. Despite all the accusations and the smear campaign waged from all of us, this man seems to be over confident and eloquent as usual. It seems this Dani guy will be going places in the future. My advice is do not hold the typical election which is not only regressive , but promotes sectarian ideology and tribalism." Major cities like Boosaaso should have wards or neighborhood boundaries to elect counselors, other wise you end up Somaliland style elections where one votes for his clan regardless of where he resides..

Ethiopia should reject " Iraqi style" weapons of mess destruction lies for regime change. They will not leave Abiy alone unless he expels the Chinese from Ethiopia.