Both the president and foreign minister of Somalia are expected to lead their delegation to the conference. Rather than risk Somaliland's boycott of the conference, they may expediently decide to exclude northern unionists from their delegation, particularly if he/she comes from the Khatumo State of Somalia, something which is an anathema to the secessionists. If they were to do that, such an action is bound to raise credible suspicions that the president and his foreign minister are in collusion with Somaliland in this conspiracy to exclude the unionists so that Somaliland can have its way at the conference. If that was to happen, it would only confirm the persistent doubts about their commitment to the union in the first place. The president, more than Somalia, would be the casualty as he digs his own political grave. More than anyone else, it is the United Nations' Special Representative to Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, to whom the secessionists are counting on for support and that is for good reasons: in flagrant disregard of his mandate, he has gone public on a number of times to declare his support for the enclave's self-determination and recognition; and the more he got away with it, the more audacious he got with his support. Ratcheting up that support should be easier now that there is likely to be a more pro-Somaliland federal government delegation to the conference. As for the talks themselves, they can be held in one of two ways: one way is for the conference to be between the Somali government and those who claim to belong to "Somaliland", the latter defined as embodying those clans and regions who claim to have seceded from Somalia. Put this way, the people from the SSC regions and Awdal are not part of Somaliland since they do not subscribe to the secession, and the fact that they have established their own States speaks volumes. As such, they have nothing to do with this "Somaliland" and the talks are purely between the federal government of Somalia and the secessionists. Even so, the northern unionist regions and their clans, as part of federal Somalia, have the same right like other regions in southern Somalia that their members be included in the federal government's delegation as happened in the first London conference. Somaliland should never be allowed to exercise veto power over this fundamental right irrespective of whatever retaliatory measures it threatens. On the other hand, if the secessionists are claiming that "Somaliland" is more than one clan-based, and that the other clans and their regions, such as Khatumo, are part of it through the freely expressed will of their people, and not because they are under occupation, then that claim has to be put to the test and the only way it can be done at the London conference is for these regions and clans to send their true representatives. Somaliland can not have its cake and eat it. It can not demand self-determination and deny it to others. Nothing could portray its cynical contempt for this fundamental right than to bring their stooges to the conference, the likes of Xaabsade and Xagle, as the true representatives of the SSC people! In the final analysis, no binding action on the break-up of Somalia can be taken by the president and his cohorts, at London or anywhere else. Such existential action regarding the dismemberment of Somalia will be null and void unless it has first and foremost the endorsement of the unionist people in northern Somalia; secondly, it is consistent with the constitution; thirdly, it has the approval of the Somali parliament and the cabinet; and in the end is approved by the Somali people through a referendum. It is difficult to see how the secessionists can get over the first hurdle let alone the successive ones. Going through this process is a dead end. A better one for all concerned is for the secessionists to come to their senses and return to the fold

NO to Somaliland's Blackmail to the London Conference By Osman Hassan Jan. 18, 2013 The minister for "foreign" affairs of the one-clan secessionist enclave calling itself Somaliland is reported to have raised unacceptable condition amounting to blackmail for their participation in the forthcoming London talks between the government of Somalia and its northern region (former British Somaliland). According to press reports, the minister was quoted as threatening their boycott of the forthcoming talks in London if representatives of the federal government include anyone hailing from the north (former British Somaliland). He claimed their position on this matter was accepted at the previous London conference in February 2011 and also at a subsequent meeting in Dubai between their leader, Siilaanyo, and the former Somali president, Sheikh Shariif Ahmed. If that is the case, where is the proof and, if he has one, what is the point of his spurious threat? The answer, of course, is that the minister has typically taken liberties with the truth as he has so often done in the past. Making baseless assertions to serve their propaganda for the enclave has been the minister's trademark. But even by his usual standards, he has gone over the top this time when he comes up with this bizarre claim and presumably still keeps up a straight face. Doesn't he know we are not in the dark ages and that the facts in this day and age are common knowledge and incontestable. Either he has short memory when it suits him, or believes others have none. The fact of the matter is that there has been no agreement between the host country (UK) and the principal parties (Somalia government and Somaliland delegates) as to the region or clan composition of their representatives to the conference. Each side was free to select its allotted representatives without any dictation from the other side. It is for this reason that the federal minister of education, Prof Ahmed Aideed Ibrahim, who hails from the Khatumo State of Somalia (based on the regions of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn), was one of the key representatives of the federal government at the conference, seated close to this very minister without any objection from him, and if anything radiating visible cordial body language. As for the meeting in Dubai, it was nothing more than an improvised informal rendezvous whose purpose was merely to reaffirm the continuation of the talks but otherwise did not engage in anything of substantive or procedural significance contrary to the minister's characteristic spinning. What is always predictable about the minister is his irresistible penchant to hector the international community to imbibe their false mantra as fact: that his clan, masquerading as a separate independent country, is the sole representative of all the other four clans in the northern territory of Somalia. Seen through their distorted prism, they will deny, or else count as of no consequence, the fact that these other clans remain vehemently unionists and indomitably opposed to the secession, as witnessed by the armed struggle raging in the Khatumo State of Somalia over the last 3 years. It is their way that counts and nothing else. And when their dictate is challenged on the ground in the unionist regions, their answer is occupation and repression; and when they sense they may not have their way at the international arena, they resort to oral threats and ultimatums in lieu of physical force. This narcissistic self-righteousness - that their wishes are special and as such should always prevail over the inalienable fundamental rights of others - has been partly fostered by fawning hired lobbyists who unfailingly painted the enclave as the jewel of the Horn, a paragon of democracy, an oasis of peace and stability deserving recognition and not to be held hostage to what they ad nauseam depicted as the "turmoil-ridden" southern Somalia. It is the combination of the work of these lobbyists and the enclave's own relentless propaganda since their declaration of secession in 1991 that has created worldwide the false impression among the less knowledgeable that the clans of Somalia's northern regions are all behind the secession. Unfortunately for them, northern unionists have woken up, albeit belatedly, to chip away at their claims, paring it to the bone for all the lies they are. This patent self-righteousness has also its roots in the colonial era when the clan was the coloniser's favourite collaborator and rewarded with preferential treatment. That past special relations is being presently resuscitated by some wayward British parliamentarians who are nostalgic about their ex-colony and eager to see it splinter from Somalia and gravitate to the mother country as in the good old days. No wonder most in the enclave perceive Great Britain as having a soft spot for them and count on it to take their side when push comes to shove in their contest with the central government of Somalia. Of course, the British Government is not burdened with sentimental bag and beholden to a bygone era. What counts for it is what serves its interest best, which lies in a united and stable Somalia. By all indications, achieving this objective is the endgame of Britain's current initiatives for Somalia, unless betrayed by the Somalis themselves Each time the honourable minister makes one of his absurd statements, it should be seen against the backdrop of the preceding observations. As such, the question that arises now is why he should make this disingenuous baseless claim that the previous London conference agreed on the exclusion of northern unionists from the conference, and threaten their boycott of the conference unless this phantom "agreement" is respected? One plausible answer could be that they are pessimistic about the outcome of the conference and are using this concocted unacceptable claim as an exit strategy; or more likely they may see the situation to have changed considerably in their favour since the previous London conference, and see the time now as auspicious to make a pitch for the exclusion of northern unionists who, more than southern participants, are bound derail their chances of success at the conference. Their sanguine outlook is based on the support they reckon they can get from the Somali government and the United Nations Special Representative. Starting with the Somali government, much water has gone under the bridge since the first London conference. This time, there is a new Somali leader, unmistakeably ambivalent about the union and oozing empathy for the secessionists; and, no less important for them is the new foreign minister who hails from their secessionist enclave and who has a history of being diehard separatist. She has not recanted, openly and unreservedly, her allegiance to the secession which is the prerequisite for accepting her true return to the fold more than a fleeting ritualistic swearing by a sympathetic Chief Judge.

To speak Somali to have a Islamic heritage to have Xeer Somali cultural folklore dances , my sort of Somali dish is nice hilib geel poetry songs

Cultural values there was a time i used to think Somalinimo was about achieving Somaliweyn under one country but since the past 25 year i started leaning towards more of cultural traditional values language Somali hospitality the idea that Islam is also very essential of being a Somali. Because that's the social bond Somalis have which will be unbreakable.

Carafaa who are these people and what do they want from somaliland Wake me up when Hag elders arrive and start supporting somaliland Kuwani wa afar qof cidi waxba ma weydiso

Aaliyaah adeer ma been baan sheegey mise waxan sheegey wa run Somalidu wadaniyada waxay u yaqanin xaflad iyo calan la isku duubo aroorta danbena qudhoonkoday walaaqdaan.

loool@ Child soldier war wuu ka weyna lol

LOOL

Mintid Farayar;909257 wrote: The glaring weakness in Hassan's administration is how narrowly based the decision-making process is. Apparently, Hassan doesn't leave any decision to his Prime Minister or Foreign MInister. The fact that he personally meets every foreign delegation at the Mogadishu airport as well as fly to Washington for the exchange of diplomatic portfolios telegraphs this deficiency. Key positions are staffed by relatives (by marriage) and trusted long-term friends. Don't celebrate too early, friends, the dual-track policy is in full effect. Hassan's portfolio is still limited to the 'South-West' as far as the international community is concerned. Hillary Clinton was asked if the Americans will still use the dual track policy for Somalia but she didn't really answer the question she concluded that the new government will make the decisions for Somalia. She also noted that America will continue to assist the new government but she never said the dual track is off the table.

Oodweyne number six you mean directly with nation states but its hardly feasible even if you open liaisons offices there. Those nation states will not change their stance unless we have a massive lobbyist group in every capital city in Africa. But we don't have the capital nor the resources what could help is re establish Somaliland institutes in Europe like sopri and others. The world is run from Washington and Brussels wasting our times with those Black Sub-Saharan Africans will not change anything. On number 5 can you elaborate a little bit more with what states you had in mind. If the talks fail the IC will be forced to come with another alternative the only problem i see is there is no time table for these talks. But i am certain we will not talk about piracy and fishery in the upcoming talks.

Abwaan;909262 wrote: Oodka It was always obvious that Hargeysa would remain part of Somalia. I am glad that you finally see the reality, however hard it is to you. Let us move on, celebrate together and rebuild Somalia. This is a victory for All Somalis. I dont think so but one can always wish:D

The Maguartania sultanate one in Bosaaso Boqr Cismaan and Sultan Cali Yusuf in Hobyo in the late 19 century after they had a quarrel the ambitious Cali Yusuf went out to establish his own sultanate in Hobyo. After the demise of the Ajuraan Empire the south was pretty much ruled by different tribes after the 17 century the BiyoMaal Kingdom was established and the Imams of beesha Unuka. In Somaliland Sultan diiriye end 18 century was chosen as the King of Burco and Beyond all the way to Sanaag. After political dispute between him and Sultan Guleed the king of much of Somaliland at that time.Sultan diiriye was rebellious to the King in Hargeysa and refused to pay tax. Also the Maakhir sultanate was based in laasqoray as an old sultanate in much of eastern and south eastern Sanaag one of the oldest in Somaliland. And in the begin 19 century a Brilliant merchant by the name of Sharmarke ali saleh baashe conquered seylac and ousted Sayid Muhammad al baari the last Arab ruler of Seylac he also established his admin in berbera making a deal with the berbera Mullahs. His son later continued his Sultanate than the British came and the rest we know the same in Somalia the Italians came. in Jigjiga we had the galla madow defeater his name was garaad wiilwaal the man who in the early 1800s removed the galla madows from Jigjiga and surrounding areas and crowned him as the first garaad of Jigjiga. And 20 years after his death the region was occupied by the Abyssinian King Menelik the second. His followers fought but they were no match for Menelik equipped with British and Russian riffles.

I just finished reading the article the guy went on and on about foreign interference's which might be the case , but the notion of Somalinimo and how he applies it as a solution is far from the truth. The author describes Imam Ahmed Ibrahim Al ghazi struggle as one the Somalis were defending Somalinimo against the Ethiopian, which is not true. Imam Ahmed and the conquest of the Abyssinians was strictly an Islamic Jihaad had little to do with Somalinimo.juqatiluna fi sabililaah. The Imam was not fighting for Somali galbeed at that time the Somalis haven't even fully moved in those area's. Allthough the vast majority of the Imams army were Somalis, but there were also afar Muslims Muslim Shewians Arabs hararians Gurage Muslims and even Turks. There was never a Political Somalism struggle or a Somali empire it was mere a experiment in the early 60s and mid 70s. Somalinimo if you ask me has little to do with Politics more with culture and traditions songs poetry. So people need to really redefine what they mean when they say Somalinimo.

Jacpher;909247 wrote: I didn't read the piece but I think Somalinimo ain't as significant to me as wadaninimo. We need a strong wadaniyad to see Somalinimo. I can say we lack wadaninimo, for the most part. Which country wadanimo is about nationalism

For a moment i thought Fiqi the spokesmen of the Puntland government on sol had a new born baby. Nevertheless congrats to the new Fiqi. Wadani fiqi is a royal term used also for elders the same way the Unuka clan has Imam.

Taleexi;909185 wrote: Stoic thanks for sharing but Bashir Goth is a confused prolific writer whose some of his points have merits but their timing is very bad indeed - people in the north can not rally behind one political entity at this point in time thus, his efforts remain to be fruitless. How about if we all become part of Khatumo and call our country khatumo republic , magacan Somali ba hanaga hadhe iyo landtan is daba socottaa and taleexi for president.

Lots of exaggeration on the side of our brother Bashir Goth ofcourse people voted along clan lines and the ruling party tried to win the mayor ships in many towns in Somaliland as expected but this happens in all over Africa. Clan identity is part of the larger Somaliland society the people embraced it and have no problem with it , it worked for 22 years and it will continue to work. Elections are elections you have winners and you have losers and people need to move on.

Somalinimo means for me to give a Somali lady with lots grocery a lift

oba hiloowlow;909178 wrote: xaaji mala taleexi qoladaan bundhlayn buu ku biiray Wu laba xagliya kolku doono horta adeerki cabdi samad wa kuxigeenka Budhlayn, xafladaha Liibaan na aad bu u xiiseyaa.

Taleexi awoow khaatumo ba viruska Puntland phobia faafisa

You should try Djibouti to very nice beach waliba Djibouti looks like a modern beach with bars and stuff and lots of recreation

Somalia;909165 wrote: Jubbaland supporters protesting what the hell does that have to do with Puntland, which violation of constitution has he done against Puntland? Puntland in your dreams... obsession without borders. Puntland wa laxdi Jubbaland na wa kabti wa wada socdaan adeer naga daa dee

oba hiloowlow;909163 wrote: simply amazing Badaha Somaliland siday u eegyihin waan aqaana lug baan ku maray not exactly lug gaadhi lol but you get the point from maydh to seylac

Che -Guevara;909159 wrote: Silly people. Why not listen what Man has to say instead of standing in the cold. Somalidu waligood caqli wax ku ma diidaan dee waanu diidnay bay yidhahaan we dont know why laakin waanu diidnay

Puntians are angry