Timbuktu

Mansa Musa a member of the Keita Clan Map of the Mali Empire

Sundiata Keita The Lion Prince... Original Lion King Sundiata Keita or Sundjata Keyita or Mari Djata I or just Sundiata (c. 1217 - c. 1255) was the founder of the Mali Empire and celebrated as a hero of the Malinke people people of West Africa in the semi-historical Epic of Sundiata. Sundjata is also known by the name Sogolon Djata. The name Sogolon is taken from his mother, daughter of the buffalo woman (so called because of her ugliness and hunchback), and Jata, meaning "lion". A common Mande naming practice combines the mother's name with the personal name to give Sonjata or Sunjata. The last name Keita is a clan name more than a surname. The story of Sundiata is primarily known through oral tradition, transmitted by generations of traditional Mandinka griots. Sundiata Keita established his capital at his home village of Niani, Mali, near the present-day Malian border with Guinea. Though he was a Muslim, Sundiata also exploited local religion, building a reputation as a man of powerful magic. Sundiata was not an absolute monarch, despite what the title implies. Though he probably wielded popular authority, the Mali Empire was reportedly run like a federation, with each tribe having a chief representative at the court. The first tribes were Mandinka clans of Traore, Kamara, Koroma, Konde, and of course Keita. The Gbara of Great Assembly was in charge of checking the Mansa's power, enforcing his edicts among their people, and selecting the successor (usually the Mansa's son, brother or sister's son). Sundiata Keita died in 1255, probably of drowning. Tradition holds that he died while crossing the Sankarini river, where a shrine remains today. He had three sons who succeeded him to the throne of the Mali Empire: Mansa Wali Keita, Ouati Keita and Khalifa Keita. The famous West African ruler Mansa Musa is his grandnephew. Sundiata is also known as Mari Djata or Marijata according to Arab historian Ibn Khaldun in the late 14th century. "Mansa" means "king of kings." refrence Lion Prince

Masha Allah, may the progress in Hargaysa continue, an important Somali city.

http://www.radiodalj ir.com/audio/martiso or/xuskaPuntAug01.ra m

Khudbadii afhayeenka baarlamaanka Puntland C/rashiid M. Xirsi ...

Khudbadii M/weyne C/raxmaan M. Faroole ...

Khudbadii Garaad C/llahi Cali Ciid ee xuska 1-da Ogoosto ...

^^^You are a usefull tool, keep up the good work saxib.

Febregas: Arsene Wenger is a benign dictator if at all one. Janagale, made some valid points in the debate, continue adeer. The important issue here is what model can get us out of the misery and into the modern world as you said. I propose a weak central government, my ideal one might not suit everyone and thus can be fine tuned. However the premise that a central government with a charismatic leader will solve our problems is a very flaud one. A centralized government would choke the Somali people, all the masses would think about the clan the ruling group at the time as we have always done. If the masses knew that the central figure was not that grand and all powerful then their minds would focus elsewhere. Its better to have powerful states that would represent more clans than one entity ruled by one clan. The issue for natural resources and foreign investment I think is up for debate, should it all be in the remit of the central government? Thus lets propose a Fedral government with Hargaysa, Garowe as the two already existing states. Then lets add South Mudug, Galgaduud, Hiiraan Middle Shabbele as another new state. Lets now add Gedo, two Juba’s and Lower Shabbele as the fertile, bread basket state in the south. Mogadishu and Banadir as the Federal state with special status much like DC. You have Four strong states that contrast in natural resources, geographical landscape. Each viable and able to stand on their own and contributiong to the center. Thus each state would be responsible in developing its natural resources, all have abundant untapped wealth from hydrocarbons to vast mineral deposits. The southern states could develop their agricultural areas, the Northern their fisheries and livestock exports. The central government would work on defense, foreign affairs and the budget and would allocate resources for natural disasters and setting in place the Federal laws and making sure each state is meeting its potential. We don’t need ministers with BMW while the people don’t have water.

Ducaysane; adeer Faroole has made an astute move reflecting the truth on the ground. Puntland is true self governing entity which has more land than any other group in Somalia. Fabregas: The form of government is not important the benefit it gives to the population is. We don’t want dictators and monarchs we want development and social services. Ever heard of a dictator in Switzerland or India? No but I know you love the Al Saud type of government. Let make it in simple terms, we want an Arsen Wenger and not Alex Ferguson type of government we need a leader who will get the best out of a player/ citizen.

Al Jazeere: Adeer its great that you see the benefits of the Federal formula however in your fear of “clan fiefdoms” a silly term really, you are running towards sub clan fiefdoms which are even more ludicrous. Mudug, Nugaal, Bari on their own can not become Federal states. They are administrative districts or regions.Each is made up of Sub clans A federal state or a sub nation must be able to stand on its two feet, also must have a common interest of the population. Puntland, Somaliland have proven they can stand on their own and are supported by the majority of their population as viable entities. It would be insane to have 18 federal states in a small country like Somalia, it would defeat the purpose. Also it would not address the clan issue some are using as an excuse.

^^^Not bad but not enough. The best formula would be a weak central government that guides the states and a strong local government with all the powers to do local issues and set their own agendas. Only national defense, foreign affairs, and the federal budget should be left to the central government. Roadwork’s, healthcare and education should be left to the states. Economic development and foreign direct investment should be left to the states. 80% of local taxes should go to the state i.e. Puntland and 20% to the center i.e Mogadishu. Each Federal state shall have its members elected by its population and those who are sent to the Federal level are also elected by the states. Thus a weak central government would stop any ideas of coups and power grab and the regions would also develop faster. Puntland, Somaliland and two more in the south with Mogadishu or Barava as capital. All Somali’s born anywhere will be automatic citizens to the Federal republic and reside in any state of their choice.

Somalia: The 11th Anniversary of Puntland: Moment We Cannot Ignore 2 Aug 2, 2009 - 3:52:32 PM By Faizal Mohamud "By Saturday's colourful celebration among others, the people of Puntland send a clear message to the International Community, particularly, the UN envoy to Somalia, Ahmed Ould-Abdallah that they can still continue their success story despite any marginalisation." Puntland State of Somalia yesterday celebrated the11th anniversary of its establishment as a model for a federal Somalia, where power and natural resources, the main and modern triggers of conflicts in Africa, are fairly and equally distributed to its regions and people. The creation of Puntland State in 1998 coincided with the failure of Cairo Peace Conference, one of the dozen reconciliation talks held in overseas to reconcile the warring parties in Somalia but later manipulated by governments to thwart the outcome of preceded conferences held by rival antagonists. Disgruntled with Egyptian mediator’s partisan approach, the region’s first president, Col. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed walked out the meeting in Cairo and returned home to hold talks with elders and clan representatives who after months of deliberation agreed to establish a self-rule state that could be a cornerstone for a future Federal Republic of Somalia. Remarkably, the administration has reformed and trained its security forces, promoted governance and revitalized its institutions using the insufficient income it generates from tax revenues (despite being marred by corruption which sparked criminal activities, i.e. piracy, abduction, that the region has been recently portrayed, but the new administration promises to eradicate such activities). In all conferences on Somalia, Puntland campaigned for the restoration of Somali government in a manner that suits all parties to the conflict without marginalisation of any group or any clan – federalism. But pushing a federal system for Somalia, the administration has gained animosity and is less favoured by some international actors in Somalia, mainly the Arab league and Arab nations who support a centralized Somali government. The impressive foundation of this little-known State and its success story has been aided by the absolute need of its people for governance after being deprived of security and tranquillity by the ruinous civil war that torn the Horn of African nation apart and the subsequent meaningless bloodshed that shapes the image of today’s Somalia. I was motivated to write this piece of acknowledgement in admiration for the civilians; women, children, students, who took the streets yesterday in colourful celebration for the anniversary of this great establishment in a rare scene in Somalia, overwhelmed by strong enthusiasm for governance and strong excitement for their relative achievement. They were not out to support a particular leader or a certain group but to show the dire need for stability and order, a valuable trigger that deserves to be admired and rewarded. Since its establishment, Puntland has been presided over by four successive presidents, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Mohamed Abdi Hashi, Mohamoud Muse Hersi, and current President, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole who won parliamentary election in January this year. President Abdirahman Farole was recently invited to Washington by US Congress sub-committee for African Affairs where he briefed them on the current situation in Somalia and on his way back made a stopover in London to meet British officials and addressed the independent ‘Chatham House’, where he was briefly questioned by curious politicians, analysts, journalists and International NGO's. Despite its maintenance to remain as part of Federal Somalia and continual disregard to succession, Puntland has been relatively marginalized in international conferences aimed to restore stability and order to Somalia, which could deepen the already political deadlock in the country. Mostly, this marginalisation is helped by its under-representation in international partners engaged in Somalia, i.e. international aid agencies; think-tanks and international media, mainly used by groups and individuals who underestimate its success story. But by Saturday's celebration among others, the people and the government of Puntland had a moment to show the public, the media and, more importantly, the UN envoy to Somalia, Ahmed Ould-Abdallah that they can still continue their success story despite any marginalisation, in a world that rarely cares good achievements, where armed conflicts, terrorism and political violence mainly allure and influence international players.

^^^There is allot of water, the problem is there need to be more drilling programms. The water is underneath the ground.

Meiji adeer; as I have clearly outlined the benefits of the federal structure, local governments would be able to best meet the needs of their regions. The failure of the centralist system and the dire effects its had on Somalia as a whole have shown us that we need an alternative. The Federal system would create check and balance and positive competition between states. Also any citizen of the republic would have a right to reside in any of the states regardless of clan or regional background. Thus your one line “clan ministate” would be redundant. It seems that its those who advocate for the centralist system who harbor clanist ambitions. Adeer get over it Aydeed and the USC have failed in taking the country by force. Again what are you afraid of other than being marginalized?

Somalia: Desperate Water Shortage in Somaliland 4 August 2009 Email|Print|Comment Share: Hargeisa — The self-declared republic of Somaliland has been gripped by a drought that has left thousands of families and their livestock in desperate need of water, officials say. "The first thing people ask you is for water, because both the people and their animals [are] seriously weak and cannot reach water wells in the remote areas," Said Ahmed Du'alle Bullale, MP for Saraar region, told IRIN on 2 August. The parliamentarian, who recently visited Saraar, Sool and Sanag regions, said many water wells had dried up. Those that still had water served very large populations. "About 100,000 [people] from Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag regions were displaced by the recent drought and no one is supporting [them]," he added. The worst-affected areas included the main Saraar plains between Sanaag and Togdheer and Ba'ade, between Sool and Sanaag. "Most people have moved to places where some Gu' [long] rains were received, such as the mountains of Sanaag near Erigavo and the southeast district of Togdheer," the MP said. The mayor of Ainabo town, Khalif Ismail Saleban, said about 35,000 pastoralist families had moved from other regions in search of pasture for their livestock to areas between Qori-lugud and Buhootle, where some long rains had fallen. This had increased the number of displaced people in the town, which is the capital of Saraar region. "We have more than 400 families who lost their animals in the drought," he told IRIN. A local chief in Ainabo, Ibrahim Isse Hassan, said the drought had also cut the market value of livestock. The highest price for sheep, for example, was down to US$38 from $42 a few weeks ago, yet the price of rice was still $36. On 22 June, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net) warned that the drought in Somalia's central region had extended north into the key pastoral areas of the Sool plateau, Nugal valley, and Hawd livelihood zones. The situation threatened more than 700,000 pastoralists and a significant number of urban households, whose income and food sources are strongly linked to livestock marketing and trade. "Emergency assistance is required in order to prevent severe deterioration in food security," FEWS Net said. The situation had resulted from cumulative effects of four consecutive seasons of below-normal rainfall, it noted, adding that pasture and grazing conditions had deteriorated to an alarming degree. [ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]

lool. @Maxamed Cusmaan Awliyo. A man I knew from London UK. Though you are as usual wrong, not even close in terms of regional make up.

Meiji adeer; for a man who coined the slogan of “Mogadishu society” claiming the capital was only a clan mechanism should never lecture anyone about clan states or fiefdoms. I gave you simple facts; Puntland is 1/3 of Somalia land and people. The people of Puntland have chosen to look after their own interest and form a new administration that has by the grace of god been successful thus far. Your fear is noted but you do not have any arguments. Since the demise of the central government and the hater brutal regime, Somlia slipped into clan warfare the regions that are Puntland today decided to chart a different course. Federalism is the only sensible course for Somalia or even a confederation of states might work. Centralisam will never. Somaliland extreme position, and Mogadishu other extreme position can only be bridged by a federation. In which Hargaysa, Garowe, and Mogadishu all have their own authority, while working together on economic, foreign and defense issues jointly. A weak central government and powerful state level government where developmental issues are decided in perspective to the needs of the local states interest. This is a viable system you are only afraid because you might not have a greater say as you thought with the fake Mogadishu society. But who care what you think old man, Puntland is getting stronger and insha Allah will succeed.

Meiji. First of all the federal system in many nations did not take centuries the case of Germany & India is a clear one both are around 6 decades old as states and both very successful in comparison to say Pakistan which has a central system. Puntland state covers more than 1/3 of what is Somalia land mass and 12 o it's coast it's the only area that has access to both the red sea and the Indian Ocean. Thus it's not a mini state as you clanishly refer to it's a superstate. The relationship between the Federal center and the States like Puntland will be ironed out in the future, Pintland has earned the right to govern itself through the dark days if he war. It is home to thousands of Somali families who have been feeing the south for the past decade or so. You can ignore all you like the state today is recognized even by the world powers along with Somaliland as a viable Somali state. Today there are Somalialnd , Puntland and TFg/alshabaab areas. Again stop hating and galling behind.