The growing threat of piracy. "A strategy of community assistance combined with military authority will turn the tide of piracy." Fri, 27 May 2011 18:19:32 -0400 pm -04:00 -14400 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill. In 1801, Thomas Jefferson faced the first crucial decision of his presidency: allow piracy to expand and threaten American shipping, or confront piracy head-on. Jefferson acted decisively. He sent a brand new U.S. Navy to the waters off North Africa, defeated the Barbary pirates and re-secured American shipping. Two hundred years later, we stand at a new decision point involving 21st century pirates and the threats they pose to American interests. Over the last three years, attacks involving Somali pirates have increased by more than 300 percent with over 20 merchant ships and over 480 western and allied sailors being held hostage. The rise of piracy can be a metaphor for a potential decline of the United States. America was recognized as a new international power when it suppressed piracy in 1815. Its failure against Somali pirates may send the wrong – and irreversible signal – that America is in decline. East African pirates expanded their range deep into the Indian Ocean and now attack ships at the entrances to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Pirates now operate across the sea lanes where 70 percent of the world’s petroleum traffic must pass. Their ransoms are up 36 times — from $150,000 to $5.4 million per ship. According to the Kenyan government, up to 30 percent of ransoms are paid to East African al Qaeda and al Shabaab, who run the largest terror training camps on earth. We can no longer ignore the economic and national security threats that this brand of piracy poses to the United States. The War on Terror has not ended with the killing of Osama bin Laden. We must now shift our focus to defeating terrorist training cells, such as Somalia’s al Shabaab and Yemen’s al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, that are funded in part by the ransoms paid to pirates. The terrorists who train at these camps learn tactics that allow them to execute small-scale Mumbai style attacks. In the post-bin Laden fight against terrorism, cutting off funding to isolated terrorist camps is the next battle we must win. With much of the world’s petroleum supply coming out of the Persian Gulf, pirates have the capability of doing major damage to Western economies by taking energy supplies hostage. It is well known to our enemies around the world that our economic stability depends upon oil shipments. This fact, coupled with the potential for extremely high ransom payments make western-bound oil tankers a perfect target for pirates. In April 2011, the highest ransom ever paid, $11 million, was given to pirates who captured the Irene, an oil tanker bound for Houston. We must heed the lessons of the Jefferson administration to respond to the pirates who continue to prey on vessels in the Indian Ocean. Defeating the pirates will take a comprehensive approach and decisive leadership. The United States and her allies have the capabilities to achieve this mission. Key policies that would assist American and Allied navies in ending piracy include: - Banning ransom payments that support the expansion of pirate operations and fund terrorist organizations. - Blockading the three primary pirate ports and shorelines, which would prevent pirates from taking to the open ocean while expanding the rules of engagement for local naval commanders, and would give us an immediate upper hand over the pirates. - Providing assistance to local communities who oppose pirate rule. - Rewarding frontline Somali communities with economic assistance if they confront or convert al Shabaab or pirate-controlled areas while also expanding prisons in Puntland (Somalia) and Kenya to incarcerate captured pirates. - Providing military assistance to Somali forces that regain control of pirate-controlled areas so that once under local control, the territory does not fall back into pirate hands. These are the types of decisive actions the Jefferson administration would recognize. When it comes to the economic stability and security of the United States, we should recognize the current policy has failed — moving from five to almost 500 hostages. The aggressive actions taken by pirates against American and allied shipping demand a swift response. A strategy of community assistance combined with military authority will turn the tide of piracy. Source: The Hill

^^^Thats Somalia's FM, Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar coming back to Mogadishu and meeting the local kids.

A growing Somali City..Galkacyo

The new admin as expected is making great progress. Insha Allah hope for the best. Galkacyo is changing for the better.

Zack, the process is quite simple. MP’s elect a Speaker and his deputies. Then the Speaker convenes the parliament, which elects the President and then the President is sworn in by the Speaker of the House. The charter has not changed. Those who want change are like those who are looking to make an illegal extension. Now the UN and Mr Mahiga is running the show, the Somali’s will be told to follow the process and Mr Sakin will not have his cake and eat it at the same time.

Galkacyo oo loo samaynayo 600 oo ciidan gaar ah oo qaabilsan adkaynta amniga. Fri, 27 May 2011 17:48:30 -0400 pm -04:00 -14400 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Galkacyo May 27 - Shirwayne wada-tashi kuna saabsan aayaha magaalada Galkacyo ayaa maanta bulshada reer Galkacyo uga furmay hoolka shirarka Dugsiga Sare ee Cumar Samatar kaasoo isla maantaba la soo gaba-gabeeyey, laguna gaaray go'aamo aad muhiim ah. Shirkaan oo loo bixiyey shirka aayo ka-talinta magaalada Galkacyo ayaa lagu casumay indheergaradka qaybaha kala duwan ee bulshada, sida siyaasiyiin xilal kala duwan ka soo qabtay Puntland, madaxda xilligan maamulka heer gobol iyo mid degmo, aqoonyahanno, Issimo, nabaddoonno, ganacsato, haween iyo inta badan madaxda hay'adaha iyo kuwa ururada maxalliga ah ee ka hawlgala gobolka. Shirkaan maanta oo dulucdiisu ahayd aayo ka-talinta, gaar amniga iyo arrimaha horumarinta magaalada ayaa si wayn looga falanqooday hagar-daamooyinka muuqda iyo kuwa qarsoon ee Galkacyo kala soo darsay xagga nabad-galyada iyo horu-kaca arrimaha bulshada ee dhankasta; waxaana fahan iyo daraasayn xogeed oo la dhuuxay kaddib go'aan lagu gaaray in loo isu-taago maamul iyo dadwaynaba wax-ka-qabashada xaaladda gobolka, gaar ahaan tan magaalada Galkacyo. Guddoomiyaha gobolka Mudug, ahna Duqa magaalada Galkacyo Cabdiraxmaan Maxamuud Cuuke oo maamulkiisa xaalad deg deg ah lagu magacaabay dhawaan, ayaa shirwaynaha u soo bandhigay qorshe maamuleed ku aaddan wax-ka-qabashada amniga iyo arrimaha horumarineed ee Galkacyo kaasoo lagu asteeyey muddo lix-bilood gudaheed ah. Waxaa ugu wayn tallaabooyin qorshaysan ee maamulku iftiimiyey samaynta ciidamo isku-dhaf ah oo bilays iyo daraawiish iskuga jira, gaarayana illaa 600 oo askari kaasoo amniga gacan ku dhigi doona. Maamulku waxay qorshahaan wax looga qabanayo xaaladda gobolka muddada ku siman 6-da bilood ee ay soo bandhigeen u dalbadeen taban-taabin iyo taakulayn xooggan oo ay ka rabaan dhammaan qaybaha bulshada ee magaalada Galkacyo, taas oo ay ugu horrayso in gacan wayn laga siiyo dhinac dhaqaalaha; waxaa sidoo kale Md. Cuuke oo sharraxaad dheeraad ah ka bixiyey qorshaha dhaw iyo midka dheer ee u xarriiqan in maamulkiisu uu ku tallaabsado. Indheergaradka ka soo qayb galay shirka maanta laguna martiqaaday ayaa isla goobtaasi ka sameeyey ballan-qaado aad u tiro badan oo iskugu jiray dhaqaale iyo gacansiin dhan walba ah; waxaana jiray shaqsiyaad si gaar ah ugu deeqay lacag miisaan leh oo ay uga qayb noqonayaan horumarka amni iyo bulsho ee maamulku iclaamiyeen. Qaar ka mid ah shirkadaha waawayn ee ka hawl-gala magaalada Galkacyo ayaa iyaguna dhankooda sameeyey ballan-qaado lacageed oo joogto ah, bilkastana lagu taakulayn doono wax ka-qabashada arrimaha magaalada Galkacyo. Gabagabadii shirka waxaa la magacaabay guddi heer gobol ah, kana kooban 7 xubnood, una xilsaaran aruurinta deeqaha dhaqaale ee ay bulshadu ugu yaboohday gobolka, si wax looga qabto arrimaha qallafsan ee Galkacyo, gaar ahaan amiga. Cabdifitaax C. Geeddi, Daljir, Galkacyo.

^^^No you dont, you only speak to them as members of SOMALIA. The only ever meeting you ever attended with the AU, UN are when there is a Somali one.

^^^lol@ Che, they are only fooling themselves. In London, Geneva & now Nairobi the secessionist sat with and under the umbrella of Somalia. Since no one will recognize them and no other nation will have them. Come to Papa.

Throughout the history of Somalia, the Speaker and his deputies have always been elected first and then Presidential elections are held. In this case it will follow the same suite unless we are fooling ourselves?

Xukuumadda oo ka warbixisay kulan ka dhacay Ethiopia Addis’ Ababa: (Sh. M. Network) Xukuumadda KMG Soomaaliya ayaa ka warbixisay kulan looga hadlayay arimaha dalka Soomaaliya oo ka dhacay Magalaada Addis’ Ababa ee dalka Ethiopia. Waxa ay isku raaceen Madax ka tirsan Midowga Afrika iyo Xogyaha guud ee Qaramada Midoobay Bank-Moon in laga gacan siiyo dowlada KMG dagaalada ka dhanka ah Al Shabaab ee ka soconaya gobolada dalka, in la dhamaystiro dib u hishiisiinta iyo Dastuur u samaynta dalka kadib kulan Madaxdaasi ay ku yeesheen Magaalada Addis’ Ababa ee Caasimadda wadanka Ethiopia sida uu warbahinta u sheegay Wasiirka arimaha dibadda ee Xukuumadda Max’ed C/laahi Owmaar oo shirkaasi u matalayay Soomaaliya. Dhinca kale Wasiirka arimaha dibadda Xukuumadda KMG ah mar wax lag waydiiyay waxa uu kala socdo xaaladda Soomaalida ku nool dalka Yemen oo ay ka soconayaan banaanbaxyo wata rabshada ayaa waxaa uu sheegay in arintaasi ay wax bdan ka qabatay Safaaradda Soomaaliya ee dalkaasi, isagoo tilmaamay inay jiraan Soomaalida badan oo ay ka qaadeen Yemen inkastoo uusan carabaabin halka ay geeyeen. Magaalada Addis’Abbaba ee Xarunta dalka Ethiopia ayaa waxaa horey uga dhacay shirar badan oo ku saabsan arimaha Soomaaliya kuwaasi oo go’aanadii kasoo baxay wax ka dhaqan galay aysan jirin.

I see XX & Salah are fans of Amir Amir.

^^^Now Salax joins the Faroole watch. Wonders never stop. As for recognition, Somaliland delegates were told "You are PART OF SOMALIA" so be quite..

^^^XX got so confused he posted news from Faroole as well.

^^^Good move, thanks for the update my dear.

^^^It’s an amazing change of fortune. The world is our oyster.

The reason behind this thread and the term New Somali State of Mind was to provide a different image of what we have become used to. To encourage what we are good at, we are natural traders. Our network of clan, kinship, friendship and honor system gives us a competitive advantage over others. Our uncanny way of managing risk is also an attribute few can ever fathom. Also the Somali civil war was a unique point in our history. Our people were engulfed by the perfect storm. This is subsiding, I am reminded of an old song The Times are a Changing . Indeed they are.

More pics from Hashi Energy.. Nice one Gheele T.

Anarchy and Invention World Bank Report..

Eastleigh, Nairobi: Many describe it as a 'country within a country' with a robust economy that immensely contributes to the national economy - Photo: HOL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL REPORT BY XINHUA CORRESPONDENT Bedah Mengo Sunday, March 13, 2011 NAIROBI (Xinhua) -- Once a lackluster residential settlement, Eastleigh has grown to become an unrivalled business hub in Nairobi, Kenya thanks to a huge population of Somali immigrants. The area, christened "Small Mogadishu" is perhaps Nairobi’s most active commercial center, slowly taking over from the central business district. full report

Afro-Deli & Coffee Walking the Talk of Community Reinvestment For the past several years, the African Development Center has been grooming prospective and seasoned entrepreneurs alike to start and sustain successful businesses throughout the state in an attempt to create a more prosperous community for all. This fall, ADC embarked upon an innovative social venture with business partner, Abdirahman Kahin. ADC heavily invested in the establishment of Afro-Deli & Coffee, which opened in this fall. Afro-Deli & Coffee is an inspiring social venture that attempts to weave together business with community and culture. The deli offers freshly made African, Mediterranean, and American cuisine at reasonable prices. Hoping to add more depth and culture to the booming commercial corridor in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, Afro-Deli & Coffee is a growing hit among students, residents, and workers in the area. The deli exhibits the familiar, vibrant color scheme shared by ADC and offers both indoor and outdoor seating to suit all seasons. Earlier discussions were centered on how this opportunity could raise funds for ADC’s work of supporting new American communities as they start and sustain successful businesses, build wealth and promote community reinvestment. ADC staff engaged in broader discussions on the role of business in helping to cultivate and maintain social reinvestment by supporting causes that improve the situation of underserved and vulnerable communities in diverse and impactful ways. While the deli will serve as a consistent source of funding for the African Development Center, investors hope to do even more. The concept of social entrepreneurship and business responsible is on the rise, as many realize that in order to succeed, we must all do well. This notion has always served as a guiding principle for ADC’s staff as they promote business development efforts to our clients. As ADC embarks upon this exciting venture, Afro-Deli & Coffee will donate a percentage of proceeds to local organizations that promote a vibrant and healthy community for all. Instead of serving our closest circle, we hope to reach causes far and wide and truly walk the talk of community reinvestment.

Mission & History Mission African Development Center works within the African communities of Minnesota to start and sustain successful businesses, build wealth, and promote community reinvestment. Our Work Through workshops and consultations on financial literacy, business development, and home ownership, ADC provides culturally competent services to Minnesota’s African community. ADC is a leader in micro-lending to small businesses, outperforming even the largest banking institutions in the state of Minnesota. For three years now, ADC has been recognized as the number One small business lender of the City of Minneapolis. With the help of 8 dedicated full-time employees, Executive and Finance Committee and Board of Trustees, ADC provides services in 6 languages to communities throughout Minnesota. ADC is dedicated to the economic empowerment and success of African immigrants. Minnesota is home to over one-hundred thousand African immigrants, many of whom face language, cultural, and religious barriers. ADC actively works to reduce these barriers and create a path for African immigrants to achieve financial success. History Minnesota, like the nation, is struggling to deal with the economic pressures and opportunities of immigration. ADC’s role in this big picture is to create answers on the opportunity side. Our work has corroborated studies showing that increasing the rates of self-employment and home ownership among “new Minnesotans” contributes to the revitalization of neglected neighborhoods and links mainstream businesses with the state’s estimated $6 billion ethnic economy. According to a recent report by The Minneapolis Foundation, 13 percent of Minnesota’s foreign born residents in the 2000 Census were from Africa – a higher percentage than in any other US state. Most Africans have come to Minnesota over the past generation as refugees fleeing civil strife in Somalia, Liberia and the Sudan. Other relatively large African populations recently arrived include Nigerians, Ethiopians, and Eritreans. This influx will likely continue. Minnesota offers immigrants an established African population, a strong economy, a good quality of life, educational opportunities, and unskilled jobs that don’t require fluency or literacy in English. In an era of budget cuts at every level of government, mainstream community development corporations lack the funds to expand their services to meet the complex needs of African immigrants. They also lack the motivation to seek out non-traditional clients: Minnesota’s down-payment assistance funds already cannot keep up with existing demand. ADC was created to fill these gaps, and we have achieved spectacular early success. Both in providing services and building capacity, our hard-working staff and diverse board have transformed ADC from a one-person, half-time operation five years ago to a highly-networked corporation serving Minnesota with innovative financial products and services.

Experience of Somali entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities By: Hussein Samatar PDF

Somalina, those are amazing pic's you posted there my dear.

Chimera; I also appreciate your valiant effort of trying to change the Somali brand. The misplaced assumption one makes of an individual on cyber space is neither here nor there. Looking forward to your contributions to this thread, brother.

Gems in Somaliland Somagem Mining Company Ltd was founded to incubate and grow opportunities in the natural resource sector in Somaliland, 'Company' strategy. The timing reflects the strong outlook in demand for minerals, in particular precious gemstones as an asset class, and a paucity of significant new economic discoveries in recent years. To meet this supply side challenge Somagem has assembled a team of talented and professional experience. Together we have the necessary skills and network to access and evaluate numerous opportunities and select those with the highest potential. Once identified Somagem incubates a new subsidiary and assembles a dedicated, experienced and highly motivated management team to develop each opportunity. Emerald Peterasite Ruby Saphire