This is a very bad topic and I was not going to get involved, however I guess Horn wants to hear the truth but it hurts man it hurts. It seems Somali’s like to talk about warlords and do it for a political purpose and not for humanitarian or Islamic purposes. Horn brother who is Abdiqasin salad Hassan? Is he a Dr who fought for the independence of Somalia and struggled for the betterment of the somali’s? Or was he a member and not by association of the people who destroyed Somlia. If today Somalia has warlords they came from the school of Mohamed Siyad Barre the father of warlords and the greatest one to ever live in our beloved country. Abdiqasin and his TNG represent the worst kind of Somali’s claim to be religious but only arms his clan, who occupy MARKA, BARAVA and most of the fertile lands of those with no guns and who happen to be muslim, if that’s propaganda then, go and speak to a person from these towns and ask them. Abdiqasin has used the money from Islamic organisations and Arab countries donated for the poor of Somalia to strengthen himself and his immediate family, where is the leadership in that? If a sign of a warlord is that he uses the people then Abdiqasin has used them more than any one so far.21 years under SIYAD and now 3 years on his own. When it comes to killings and murders I recall a fight between Abdiqasin and Huseen Aydeed a couple of years a go where 300 young men and civilians died in Mogadishu near the old port. The three years that has passed Abiqasins forces fought those of OSMAN ATO, MORGANS, the RRA and MUSA SUDI YALAXOWS all these forces where not SOMALI ARMY but his own SUB CLAN. And hundreds of civilians perished at this time, So much for being Somali President. Abdiqasin sent 65 battle wagons and 400 militias to Kismayu in order to strengthen his clan cousin Colonel Seerar and the JVA in 2002 when he was suppose to bring peace to Somalia he was taking sides with his clan another trait of warlords. With all his talk of president his actions remind us of his late great mentor the fascist who destroyed our nation Mohamed Siyad Barre. throught his three years The man visited 3 places if you can count Mogadishu and Afgoyee as separate places. The last place was DHUSA MAREB and this is where you guessed it His clan is from. So dear HORN why so much faith and reference for this clown? Could we assume that this is the closest thing that you have to the late General Siyad Barre? A nostalga back to the days of Kacan when you felt like you was on top of the worls, no need to elaborate. I really don’t like listening to hypocrisy, I support PUNTLAND and its leader because it makes sense to me because of the stability and development that PUNTLAND has brought and the other choice we have is people like Abdiqasin and that is no choice for PUNTLAND at all. So Horn with all due respect come out and admit why you support Abdiqasin looking at his track record of 21 years and his abysmal 3 years, the man couldn’t achieve anything he lost all his deputies from Galayr, Abshir Deerow and what 170 out of the 250 MP’s of ARTA original. So why dear HORN why???????????

Samurai Warrior, As ever many thanks bro, many many thanks.

Entrepreneur, Calaykum Salam Bro many thanks for the articulate response, I totally agree with you there are some quarters who like the rubbish on Mogadishu and on the plight of our people in that city. Those same groupings are those that wish for the continuation of the present reality in Mogadishu, with 17 road blocks from Afgoye to the centre of the town and other very troubling things which have become the norm. However I and others who argue for peace unity and federation are the ones who detest this reality that our capital our flag and our name is being dragged through the mud day in day out. Also there are others I cant stand those who defend Mogadishu of today the ones who excuse the killings, maiming kidnappings and rape of the unarmed groups. Those people I detest as much as those who want to see the destruction of Somalia. There can be no excuse for the failures of leadership in Mogadishu and for the blatant absence of that essential component of human life peace. MMA, An apologist for today’s Mogadishu now that’s a shame bro a damn shame

Thanks Ameenah, as ever I enjoy your post and how are you doing lately sis?

King_450, Salam bro, I have not seen your posts lately, I am fine many thanks. I have never been to Somaliland,I am also not against Somaliland and its people, I have close relations and friends from Hargaysa. Is it me who is crazy or the diatrab from Ina Cali warrabe? All I am doing is putting the news across, and I want answers from Somalilanders with regards to the remarks from their secessionist leaders. Nin Yaban, Your not doing any service to any one by opening your mouth. I think you have an obsession with SNWestern and that’s dangerous for you. Did you even read the post? Is it a fabrication? Is it relevant in this forum? And is it genuine? chekc out www.somalilandnet.com I will continue o present the TRUTH and analyse it as is my human right, but Nin Yaban what is your point, what is your position or you just another supporter of the scrap merchants of Mogadishu?

Shirkan ayaa waxa ay hogaanka sare ee xisbiga UCID Shirkan ayaa waxa ay hogaanka sare ee xisbiga UCID kaga hadlayeen xaalada dalku ku sugan yahay maanta, ka dib intii doorashadii Madaxweynuhu dhacday, iyo dhismihii golaga wassiirada ee dawladda madaxweyne rayaale soo dhisay. Eng. Faysal waxa uu ka hadlay carabkana aad ugu hayay xaaladaha xuduudaha dalka oo uu ku sheegay mid aad looga dayrinayo maanta, laga soo bilaabo markii uu Madaxweyne Rayaale booqashada ku tagay magalada laascaanoo oo Gobolka Sool, halkaas oo ay koox argagixiso ahi rasaas ku soo rideen Waftigii Madaxweyne Rayaale hor kacayay . Eng. faysal waxa uu isagoo arrintaa daba socda yidhi,"waa arrin aanay dawladda Somaliland waxba ka qaban, iyagoo aan ahaba yaraatee wax rogaal celin ah ku samayn Majeerteeniya oo maanta siday u soo durkayeen jooga Guumays, walibana ka qaada cashuur halkaa". Eng Faysal waxa kaloo uu sheegay in ay dawladda Madaxweyne Rayaale ay run ahaantii iska dhayelsatay qadiyadaha Gobolada sanaag bari iyo Sool, waliba intii ka dambaysay doorashadii oo aad ay dawladdu uga gaabsatay xaladaha Goboladan. Mudane Faysal waxa uu hadalkiisii ku soo gabagabeeyay in ay Somaliland xoogeeda iyo muruqeeda gashato difaaca dalka, iyadoo waliba aanu dib u soo hubayn doono ciidankii SNMta, iyo Ciidanka xooga Dalka oo maalgalin fara badan la siin doono. Posted by Mohamoud Abokor. Email: news@somalilandnet.com .................................................................. It gets more interesting by the day..

Here is the article of Somalilands foreign minister. Minister: Somaliland will not rejoin Somalia Edna Adan Ismail -Somaliland's foreign minister ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Reuters ) -- Somaliland's foreign minister said on Wednesday that the breakaway region would not consider rejoining Somalia, because of the fractious warlords plaguing the Horn of Africa nation. "Can anybody in his right mind join a country fragmented as a result of warlordism and fundamentalism?," Edna Adan Ismail told Reuters in Addis Ababa. "The warlords in southern Somalia are interested in protecting their own interests, by supporting terrorism and have not got the interest of the Somali people at heart" Somaliland declared its independence in 1991 and is a relatively stable enclave which held its first multi-party election earlier this year. It is not recognised internationally. Related Somaliland leads charge for African women The rest of Somalia has been devastated by warlords and their militias. A government in Mogadishu has no control over most of the country. The lack of central control has earned the country a reputation as a potential haven for terrorists. Peace talks are in progress in Kenya but are mired in wrangling between the various factions. Somaliland is not attending. The minister was in Ethiopia as part of a delegation led by Somaliland president Dahir Rayale Kahin to discuss bilateral relations with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Issues to be discussed include the Berbera Corridor, which Ethiopia wants to use for its import and export trade, commercial and economic development between the two countries and strenghtening border security and customs, she said. Source: Reuters, Aug. 07, 2003 ....................................................................... ETHIOPIA: Minister says Somalia should be united, denies interference © IRIN Bereket Simon ADDIS ABABA, 8 Aug 2003 (IRIN) - Ethiopia has rejected calls by the breakaway republic of Somaliland for international recognition by insisting that the region’s future lies within a united Somalia. Information Minister Bereket Simon told IRIN that while Somalis will decide their own future, Ethiopia’s interests lie in unifying the war-ravaged state. His comments came as Dahir Riyale Kahin, president of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, held talks in Addis Ababa with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and key Ethiopian officials. The talks, according to Bereket, focused on two areas – latest developments in Somaliland and security issues surrounding the common border with Ethiopia. Members of the Somaliland delegation have not made any public announcements. Bereket also dismissed claims that the five-day visit by the Somaliland delegation, which also includes the foreign minister Edna Adan Ismail, undermined the Somali peace talks currently underway in Kenya. The Somaliland authorities have refused to attend the conference, saying it has nothing to do with them. Bereket said he remained optimistic about the Nairobi-based talks, as long as the rival factions stayed at the negotiating table. "We think they will find a possible way out of the current situation through dialogue and continuous engagement – that is the only way out,” he said. “We don’t see walk-outs from such meetings as solutions, nor resorting to armed intimidation,” he added. The president of Somalia's Transitional National Government (TNG) Abdiqassim Salad Hassan walked out of the talks last week saying they were heading towards the "dismemberment" of Somalia. Bereket also dismissed claims that Ethiopia was “meddling” in the talks. “Ethiopia cannot serve as the scapegoat for the failures that he [Abdiqassim] has executed in that meeting.” “If you are asking me about the wishes of Ethiopia, it is that we would like to see a united Somalia living peacefully, being led by a responsible state,” Bereket stated. “That is our wish and we will try to the best of our capacity to assist our Somali brothers to achieve this objective – but that remains their task and depends on how they act." “Whether this dream can come true or not is the work of the Somali brothers and sisters," he added. "The best way forward is continuing the dialogue and reaching agreement based on the accommodation of the interests of different sectors of Somali people.” 12 years and you cant even confince ETHIOPIA, talk ADNA TALK WAY

Entrepreneur, “If we had cities and regions that are flourishing dhul gaalo ma joognen.” Men there are more Americans in the UK than Jamaicans and Somalians, but I guess America is not flourishing. Or what about all the Arabs from the EAU and Kuwait who reside in foreign countries Entrepreneur I got relatives that still live in Mogadishu and they would tell you it’s a hell whole a beautiful environment but no peace equals a terrible life where anything goes. Mogadishu is a bad place today and lets not get idealistic I and others don’t hate the place or the people but those who hold them in bondage.

How come people find posative news disturbing? There is a lot of Posative news from these articles, why it should worry, Shiekh and others I dont understand.

Always knew there was something funny about that Abdiqasin

Samurai Warrior, Many thanks for the post Ayoub shiekh, Dont let Nin Yaban read your post he will ban you, Oh I am from Galkacyu or was it Garowe oh never mind its been a long day,

Somaliland getting very nervous P2 What follows are real accounts of somalilanders, I did not edit these texts in away as not to compromise the integrity of their accounts. ................................................................................................................ ........................................ DHALIIL KUSOCOTA DOWLADA SOMALILAND. Salaam, waad salaamantihiin dhamaan,intaa kadib waxaan rabaa inaan si kooban uga hadlo waxyaalo aan ku dhaliilay Dowlada Somaliland waana kuwan; 1-waxaan u soo jeedinayaa dowlada (oo aanu had iyo jeer ku biirino aragtidayada hadaanu nahay debed-jooga somaliland)inay xilka ka wareejiso wixii wasiiro ah ee la ansaxinwaayay ku waasoo weli si xaqdaro ah ugu fadhiya kursigii maamulka taas oo meel ka dhac ku ah dadka iyo dalkaba 2-inay umada ka qabato wasiirkan baarqabaynaya ee Arimaha-gudaha,ninkaas oo runtii u dhaqmaya sidii keligii taliyayaashii Afrika,waxase la gudboon inuu ogaado umadan sharafta lihi inaanay marnaba ogolayn sida uu u socdo iyo weliba caqliyadiisa gaaban,anigu waxaan ka mid ahay dadka qawaaniinta bartay waxaanan ogahay in taliye boolis hoosyimaado Badhasaabka gobolka ee aanu ka madax banaanayn maadaana uu badhasaabku yahay Madaxweynihii gobolka. dowladu hajoojiso xumaanta ay wado, iyo daandaansiga ay umada ku hayso,waa su'aale maxaa ilaa hada loo haystaa dhalintii doorashada loo xidhay iyo tuhun abuurka beenta ah,waxaa idinka codsaday wadani iyo ajnabiba,waxaa idinka codsaday axsaabtii qaranka ,waxa idinka codsaday safiirkii ingiriiska ee dalka soo booqday,waxa idinka codsaday xataa qoladii soo saartay baaqii ay somaliland ku taageeraysay ee ay lahayd sidaa sameeya oo xuquuqda banii aadamka hagaajiya kooxdaa oo belgim baaqa ka soo saartay oo lagu magacaabo ICG,yaabaye ma waxaa rabtaan kacdoon shacbi,ilaahay kamaanaan baryine. golaha maamulka ee Hargeysa maaha inay yimaadaan wasiirka xafiiskiisa si ay uga codsadaan in amar lafuliyo ee waa in qoraal loogu gudbiyaa,isla markiina la fuliyaa amarkaa golaha la doortay ka soo baxay,hadii kale waxaa ee lagaga dhacayaa umada igmatay iyo iyagaba iyo weliba qofka fulinwaayay laftiisa. 3- waxa maahmaahi tidhaahdaa(albaabka dabayshu kaaga soo gelayso iska xidh oo ka raaxayso)taa waxaan uga jeedaa waxaa fajiciso igu noqotay in maanta uu c/laahi yuusuf afka soo mariyo ciida somaliland oo weliba caynaba iyo Buuhoodle ku darsado liiskiisa ,isaga wax danbi ah masaarayo ee waxaan dusha u saarayaa Dowladayada nagutidhi waxaan ilaalinaynaa ciidiina iyo nabadgelyadiina.Anigu waxaan ku dhashay Caynabo markaa hadaa tahay dowladaydii sidee degaankaygii loo soo cidhiidhyaa,waxaa kaloo iyana aan aad ula yaabanahay muranka lageliyay Gobolkii sanaag ee dadka degan min sanaag ilaa zaylac ay asal ahaan ka yimaadeen,waa inaan wax tanaasul ah marna loo samayn cida rabta inay inay dhul balaadhsi sameeyaan oo la xasuusiyo inay tahay sanaag asalkii iyo hoygii ay ka yimaadeen dadka ilaa ethiopia degani ay ka yimaadeen . Waxaan dowlada iyo shacabkaba u soo jeedinayaa inay la socdaan in ay somaliland marayso heer aad iyo aad u xasaasi ah oo ay aad u dhowdahay xiligii Hargeysa iyo muuqadisho (waa sidaan u aqaanee,waayo waxay dishay muuqii somali lahayd oo dhan)u kala bixi lahayd Biyo iyo saliid,markaa waa in loo diyaargaroobaa, haday tahay Ciidan ahaan,Dhaqaale ahaan,wacyigelin shacbi oo loo diyaarinayo marxalada cusub oo aan anigu u bixiyay(life free or die) ,iyadoo ilaahay somaliland marwalba gargaari doono waayo xaqbay ku socotaa,wafdigan kenyatiga ahna loosheego mowqifkii horeba caalamka iyo iyagaba loogu sheegay,reer somaliana haday bacad sidaa u oolayaan iyo hadii ay Dowlad dhisanayaanba waa ikhtiyaarkood lakiin taasi anaga nagumaxidhna sida ay ragooda jibooday ay lawaasheen ee ay marba Hadraawi maradiisa somaliland ka ururinayaan. waxaan hadal ku soo gebagebaynayaa weedh aan u jeedinayo w/kuxigeenka macdanta iyo Biyaha somaliland; waxaan leeyahay maaha sidaad u hadashay ilbaxnimo,wasiirnimo,siyaasinimo,Qaranimo,reer somalilandna waxa aad sheegayso shirkii Booramay baal iska dhigeen oo hadaan taasi jirin Rag badaniba maanta kamay taliyeen somaliland,hadaba (taasi iyadoo aan ku tilmaami karo maangaabnimo oo aanay habayaraatee aanay mas'uuliyada laguu igmaday oo ay beelaha aad caadifada la jiidhay ay ka midyihiin kuwa aad uhayso)waxaan Madaxweyne Rayaale u soo jeedinayaa inuu ninkan kubilaabay ku bilaabayn gefka xilkiisii Qaranimo inuu meesha ka qaado isla markaana xaal uu kabixiyo madaxweynuhu waayo isagaa kursiga udoortee. Raali iga ahaada Qormadii way iladheeraatee,balse aan ku soo gunaanado,weedhan waxaanan leeyahay MD.QEYBOW warka shaaca ka cadee oo dadku warbaykaa sugayaane mowqifkaaga ra'iis baarlamaanimo gudo dadka ku doortay ee yidhi (cafalaahu camaa salaf)na waa jibkooda iyo xilka aad u hayso uga soobax sida uu Dastuurku dhigayo,kana hadal;arinta majeerteeniya iyo tan gobolka soolba. wasalaamu calaykum waraxmatulaahi wabarakaatu SOMALILANDER - USA Raabi qani raabi_qani@yahoo.com

BARI_NOMAD, Man you fantastic, its all good. Landers + Mogadish, Move to Puntland why dont you, at least there is life down there. "oh the UNHCR are PUNTLANDERS" Damn those PUNTLANDERS PUNTLAND 4 LIFE

Egal is dead, lets leave it at that. But this document is historic as it gives a profile of his character.

Horn Afrique, My brother you got the Abdiqasin syndrome of putting everybody together. WHAT IS A WARLORD? AND WHO IS A WARLORD ITS LIKE SAYING ALL ARABS ARE TERRORISTS IS THAT TRUE? Where is SERRAR and BARRE HIRALE, Colonel Bixi AND THE People who always set GEDO A BLAZE of the JUBA ALLAIANCE WHO CONTROL OTHER PEOPLES HOMES IN kismayu? Where is Colonel Dahir Riyale Kahin King of Somaliland? Its all good we can writte what we want but we need to be objective.

Brother again many thanks for your post, But knowing some people they dont even know where GARAD is LOL

Somalilanders, Such venom for President Yusuf, such remarkable hate why? Ayoub Shiekh, You seem to know more about Abdullahi than he does, he use to work for the italians I think you mistaken him for Mohamed Soyad Barre. "He killed so many people" just come out with it you dont like him because he is OOOPS can I print that?. Again Abdullahi took part in well known millatery campaigns he fought armed enemies, weither the Barre Regime, Al Itihad, USC, JAMAC Cali forces. He didnt attack civillians but aremd combatants. He never sent men to be executed unlike SIYAD and RIYAALE. Abdullahi yusuf is hated by Somaliland because he is the biggest to their dream of independence. He is hated by the south because he has proven PUNTLAND can stand alone. He is hated by people of SIYAD's regime because he put the torch on this regime, he fought SIYAD when everybody was chiering for him, GULWADE SIYAD. So people lets top the nonsence, Abdullahi Yusuf YEY and that is his surname, is a well known Somali figure a great surviver and we await the outcome of the meeting. Abdullahi for presidnet of the federal Somalia

Isimo kusii jeeda Mbagathi, Kenya Laascaanood, (AllPuntland)- Wafdi Isimo ah oo ka socda gobolada Sool, Cayn iyo Sanaag oo ka soo ambo baxay magaalada Laascaanood ee xarunta gobolka Sool ayaa Soo gaaray magaalo madaxda Puntland ee Garoowe. Wafdigaan oo uu hogaaminayo Garaad Saleebaan Garaad Maxamed Garaad Maxamuud waxaa ka mid ah Garaad Abshir Saalax iyo Garaad C/laahi Daba gooye . Wafdigan isimada ah ayaa u socda gogosha nabadda ee loo fadhiyo iminka xerada Mbagathi ee ku taalla duleedka magaalada Nairobi. Garaad Saleebaan Garaad Maxamed oo u waramayay Idaacadda Gaalkacyo ayaa sheegay in ay maanta u bixi lahaayeen gogosha nabadda balse ay diyaaradoodii baaqatay balse ay bari oo talaado ah aadi doonaan gogosha nabadda , Isimadan ayaa casumaad ka helay maamulka shirka dib u heshiisiina Soomaaliyeed . C. C. Farayaamo AllPuntland, Somaliya

Biography of Puntland Leader Related links : Taariikh Nololeedka MDGPL http://radiogalkayo.com/banner/leaderofpunt.php DAWLADDA PUNTLAND PUNTLAND STATE OF EE SOOMAALIYA SOMALIA XAFIISKA MADAXWEYNAHA OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT ____________________________________________________________________ Bosaso, 17 July 2002 SUMMARY OF THE BIOGRAPHY OF PRESIDENT OF PUNTLAND STATE OF SOMALIA. 1. Born in December 1934 at Galkayo, Mudugh Region of Central Somalia ( now a region in Puntland State of Somalia). 2. Married with four children, Mohamed, Mariam, Khadija and Ahmed of the same mother, Madam Hawa Abdi Samater. EDUCATION 3. Staff College, Italy, 1944-1957 (Modena) 4. School of War (Staff & Command), 1965-1968, Soviet Union (Frunze). 5. - Attended Law School, University of Somalia, 1977. 6. - Holds a number of military decorations for bravery and leadership POLITICAL & MILITARY CAREER 1. Corp Commander of the Somali National Army at rank of Lt. Colonel. 2. Officer-In-Charge of Department of Officers and Personnel of the Somali National Army. 3. -Opposed the Military Coup of Dictator Siyad Barre, subsequently arrested by the regime for six years without court trial. 4. Following the Ogaden War of 1997-78 was among the officers attempting a change of the Government of Siyad Barre. 5. -Formed the exile Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) in Ethiopia as its leader in 1978-1985. 6. -Arrested by Dictator Mengistu Haile-Marian of Ethiopia for six years for opposing the Latter¡¯s policy on Somalia and diverging national interests. 7. -Re-instated as SSDF leader in former Northeast Somalia following his prison release in Ethiopia in 1991. 8. Commanded the resistance and defence of the regions now comprising Puntland State against General Aideed¡¯s forces. 9. One of five Co-chairmen of the National Salvation Council (the Sodere Group) in 1996-1997. 10. -Elected President of Puntland State, 1998- 11. - has excellent working relations with the leaders of Ethiopia and Kenya. 12. -Commands a high degree of admiration and influence throughout Somalia and beyond. VISION FOR SOMALIA 1. A Federal State with stronger powers for the Provinces ( states). 2. A Somalia free from radicalism and religious extremism 3. A free market-oriented national economy. 4. A good neighbourly relation with the countries in the Horn of Africa. 5. A Stronger ties with the West. PRINCIPLES, LIFE STYLE AND INTEGRITY 1. He has unmatched integrity and political consistency rarely found in political establishment. 2. He is unmatched, perhaps a unique African leader who is extremely anti-corruption and self-interest. 3. Being a non-smoker and non-drinker, he leads a modest and dignified life.

Gediid LOL, Hadrawe is our Nelson Mandela the man we have been waiting for all this time. I wont mind him being President even though I dont think he has declared any interest for the post. The question is Gediid, if Hadrawe became president would you support Unification and leave Somaliland independence with thugs like Riyaale and Ina Warrabe?

I just heard the BBC and Beledweyne went crazy when the old poet arrived. I have to give it to him this is the action of a great man.

I tell you something this is shocking this hypocracy of Somaliland is amazing. How can you criticise others so easliy, why you need to fabricate lies so easily when your own leaders are these. You burn the flag, the flag didnt kill people, it did not run NSS department of Berbera. Somaliweyn didnt cause any harm it was the REGIME of SIYAD and both EGAL and RIYAALE where part of that administration. People if you want Justice start at home and not blaming Mogadishu and the FLAG.

I am very proud to be a PUNTLANDER TODAY. Cause its our birthday. You know you have landed as a State when people get interested in your news. Like Ooodweyn searching on HOBYONET.COM and PUNTLANDPOST LOL it makes me emotional to think such people had not heard of PUNTLAND a mere 5 years ago. Viva PUNTLAND Viva Somalia

Press Statement By Kenya's Special Envoy... Mr Bethuel A Kiplagat. Press Statement By Kenya's Special Envoy And Chairman Of The IGAD Technical Commiittee To Somali National Reconciliation Conference, Mr Bethuel A Kiplagat. Issued in Nairobi 1st AUGUST 2003 Ladies and gentlemen of the Media, first I would like to thank all of you for coming to this Press Conference. I would also like to commend you for your sustained coverage of the Somali peace process, which is a good indicator of how you rightly view and evaluate the seriousness of the matters at hand. Similarly, I would like to convey my thanks to members of the IGAD Technical Committee and our international partners in the Somali National Peace and Reconciliation process for making themselves available. They are here in order to speak on any relevant and pertinent issues that may be better addressed by them as representatives of international organizations and governments who have played a critical role over the past nine months in seeking peace and reconciliation for Somalia. The IGAD frontline states - which were mandated to seek a solution for Somalia and the international community - have exhibited total support to the process. Indeed, the level of commitment by the international community in the provision of diplomatic and political support; and the provision of resources to fund the Conference is highly commendable. I believe that all these well-wishers of Somalia will continue to support the process until the objectives set out early last year by the IGAD Heads of State Summit in Khartoum, and endorsed by the international community - are realised. Aim of briefing: We are on course ... The aim of this press briefing is to inform you about progress and gains so far made by the Conference and to highlight key stages of the process before we embark on the formation here in Kenya of a transitional, broad-based, all-inclusive, government. We are confident in our efforts that the government formed here will obtain prompt international acceptance and diplomatic recognition. Where are we now ? We are almost at the end of the most critical phase of the conference - that is Phase II. I say this with some trepidation though with equal justification. In this lap, five working reports for the future government have been completed and adopted. These reports deal with the key issues which must be dealt with by the future government. They are: Demobilization, disarmament and reintegration; land and property rights; economic reconstruction, institution-building and resource mobilization; regional and international relations; and conflict resolution and reconciliation. Their completion and adoption is a major milestone by itself. These reports provide for the future government, almost instantly, with useful and handy tools to deal with the main and immediate tasks ahead. A huge amount of time, talent and financial resources were expended to delineate the plans and to formulate the programmes. I am glad to report that there is general agreement among the Somali delegates and other informed partners that the recommendations, which were approved by plenary sessions, represent a concrete and sensible approach to the tasks which were initially identified in Phase One and the priority areas. The Charter The sixth report- which actually was considered by Committee One is the Charter. I must report that it was and is the most contentious. It has caused some delay in respect of the Conference timetable. In a process of reconciliation, where it is essential to take on board opposing views, more time for reflection and reconsideration was needed. I am glad to report that we have distributed today the Final Draft Version of the Charter which will be submitted formally to the delegates tomorrow - Saturday. I believe you need a bit of background to this. The Charter committee came up with two versions. The IGAD Technical Committee in turn submitted the two versions to the Somali leaders committee for reconsideration with a view to obtaining a harmonized compromise version. After numerous meetings and consultations, the sticky points were identified and resolved. This provided for the historic breakthrough of the 5th July 2003, where all the Charter disagreements were ironed out. It was resolved that the selection of the members of parliament would be done by the political leaders - signatories to the Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities signed in Eldoret on 27th October 2002 - and politicians who were originally and officially invited by the IGAD Technical Committee in consultation with traditional leaders. I am glad to say that all invited leaders are here. There are two who have not arrived and they are on there way here. Similarly, 73 Ugases (traditional leaders) have arrived. I must emphasize here that all the stakeholders fully participated in all the deliberations. In fact, it was after all the concerns were addressed that agreement was reached. Now the stage is set for the Plenary to discuss and debate the Draft Charter. Some misunderstanding In the public domain, there are some incorrect reports which I suppose arise from oversight or misreading or lack of information on the Draft Charter. These need to be corrected. It has been broached that the issue of religion is not addressed. The Draft Charter in Chapter Two Article 10 proclaims: "1. Islam shall be the religion of Somalia. 2. The Islamic Sharia shall be the basic source for national legislation." A unified Somali State The primacy of the Somali language In a similar vein, there are suggestions that the Draft Charter is encouraging dismemberment of Somalia. Such an act is obviously in contravention of the UN Charter and repeated pronouncements of the Security Council; it is also the stance of the AU and the Arab League. In fact, the matter of a unified Somalia is proclaimed in the mandate given by IGAD Summit to the Technical Committee. This is what the Draft Charter says on this issue in Chapter One Article 2.0: "1. The unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Somalia shall be independent, sacred, inviolable and indivisible. "2. The territorial sovereignty shall extend to the land, the islands, territorial sea, the sub-soil, the airspace above and the continental shelf. "3. Boundaries: The Republic of Somalia shall have the following boundaries. a. North - Gulf of Aden; b. Northwest - Republic of Djibouti; c.West - Federal Republic of Ethiopia; d. South-Southwest - Republic of Kenya; e. East - Indian Ocean." That is what the Draft Charter says. As you can see the boundaries are not only specified but are also defined. The primacy of the Somali language The language issue has also been embellished beyond belief. Suggestions abound that the Arabic language has been relegated or even worse in some reports - has been dropped totally. Here are the facts. The Draft Charter proclaims in Chapter Two Article 9: "The official languages of the Republic of Somalia shall be the Somali language (Maay and Maxaatiri) and Arabic. 2 The second official language of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia shall be English." Let me reiterate here, that the Conference is about the Republic of Somalia and not a section of it. And that is what my colleagues and myself are mandated to fulfill. Efforts have been made in the past to ensure that all parts of the country is fully represented in the conference. And as I speak, we have not relented or given up on seeking the participation of all parts, groups or representation of all shades of opinion. The parliament formed will be made up of all clans. On the issue of Ugases (Sultan, traditional leaders), 73 are already here in the Conference. The security issue is of paramount importance for Somalia and a major concern for her neighbours and the international community. The country cannot be allowed to continue to bleed. On this front, a committee - with the full support of the AU and the UN - is working tirelessly on security matters. Finally, ladies and gentlemen we are all looking forward to the formation of a transitional Somali government very soon which, with the help of the international community, will have the capacity to seize the enormous opportunities and goodwill under offer; and will wrench the country from the present state of despair and devastation. Ultimately the Somali people will determine their destiny through free and fair polls after the expiry of the interim dispensation which will be formed here. I hope as we enter the third phase - which will principally be about power-sharing - we shall have more press conferences of this kind so that we share in the joy of breaking good tidings to Somalis, Africans and the World.

SOMALIA: Talks on course says Kenyan mediator 1 Aug 2003 (IRIN) - Ambassador Bethwel Kiplagat, the chairman of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) technical committee and Kenya’s special envoy to the Somali peace talks, told a press conference on Friday that the Somali peace talks were on course and a new Somali government should be formed soon. The IGAD-sponsored talks on Somalia began in October 2002 in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret, but were moved to the capital, Nairobi, in February this year. Kiplagat said any government formed at the conference would be universally accepted. "We are confident in our efforts that the government formed here will obtain prompt international acceptance and diplomatic recognition." He said "the final draft version of the charter" had been distributed and "will be submitted to the delegates on Saturday" for debate and discussion. He denied suggestions that the draft charter would lead to the dismemberment of Somalia. According to Kiplagat, chapter one of the charter addresses the issue thus: "1. The unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Somalia shall be independent, sacred, inviolable and indivisible. 2. The territorial sovereignty shall extend to the land, the islands, territorial sea, the subsoil, the airspace above and the continental shelf. 3. Boundaries: The Republic of Somalia shall have the following boundaries: a. North - Gulf of Aden; b. Northwest - Republic of Djibouti ; c. West - Federal Republic of Ethiopia; d. South-Southwest - Republic of Kenya; e. East - Indian Ocean." Some Somali groups have accused the mediators of presenting a charter that will divide Somalia. In this respect, Kiplagat reiterated that the conference was for all of Somalia and "not a section of it". The press conference comes two days after Abdiqassim Salad Hassan, president of Somalia's Transitional National Government (TNG), walked out of the talks saying his concerns had been "ignored and trivialised". [ENDS]