HBU is a Christian university where the Christian faith and learning go hand in hand. So unless this Arman individual is a Christian I have every reason to be shocked. I thought the man was Muslim and in my opinion no Muslim should even consider attending a Christian university; again ninka maa laa hubaa inuu Muslim yahay?

This is what the article reads: "The civil war ended Arman's plans to return home in the late 1980s after attending Houston Baptist University ." What a shocking revelation. Ninka maa laa hubaa inuu Muslim yahay?

Nicely organized welcoming party, it real is a good moral boost for the new students coming from Puntland. Well done.

Originally posted by Suldaanka: Well, this is not about the pirates making demands. It is about the Pirateland Administration which has failed its duty. The criminals where ever they are would do the same. But its the administration which claims to have control over where the criminals operate, that will be judged on what they do about it. Will the Pirateland Administration tell the UN that they need the convicted Pirates which are sentenced in SL to be freed before the SL truckers get their release? That would be very interesting... Your wrong to blame the government of Somalia's Puntland State. It was not the state whom failed anyone; rather it was state that the world food agency failed to inform of the convoy of WFP-chartered trucks headed their way. And thus, also disobeying the road laws in Puntland as well. Nevertheless, the government there gave the green light anyways, a move that was taken in consideration of the suffering people in Central Somalia. As for the hostage situation involving the employed truckers, in my opinion all the state can do is mediate between the concerned relatives of the fishermen who remain prisoners in Harigesa after their boat wreck off Northwest Somalia and the world food agency whom employed the truckers. There are still many trucks from Northwest Somalia still in Galkayo, too afraid to return, and authorities there are said to be given them escorts. So rest assure the state is doing all it can to ensure the truckers safety.

I don't know what your on but the link I've provided clearly reads "Somali pirates hijack Cambodian cargo ship off Berbera port". Nothing to hide here sxb, you can cherry pick all you like but the fact of the matter is this is nothing new on our nations shores.

Analysis: Explosions raise fears over Somaliland stability

Somali pirates hijack Cambodian cargo ship off Berbera port NAIROBI, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Somali gunmen hijacked a Cambodian cargo ship, the MV Layla-S, off Berbera after it unloaded at the port in the breakaway northern enclave of Somaliland, a regional maritime official said on Thursday. "Crew members on board the ill-fated vessel are ... Pakistani, Indian, Sri Lankan, Somali and Syrian nationals," Andrew Mwangura of the Mombasa, Kenya-based East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme said in a statement. "It is said that the vessel has a link with Syrian and UAE businessmen. We are informed that she was taken by gunmen after discharging her cargo." The hijacking appeared to have happened on Wednesday, but few other details were immediately available. The seizure came a week after Somali pirates freed a Greek-flagged tanker carrying 2 million barrels of oil for a record ransom. Somaliland, which declared itself independent in 1991, is proud of its relative stability compared with the south of Somalia, where hardline Islamist rebels control large amounts of territory and are battling a weak Western-backed government. Worldwide, piracy attacks rose by nearly 40 percent last year, with Somali gangs accounting for more than half the 406 reported incidents, the International Maritime Bureau says. Typically, pirates from the failed Horn of Africa state hold the captured ships and crews hostage until ransoms are paid. The International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 75 percent of the global seaborne industry, said this month that it felt deepening frustration at the international community's "impotence" in combating growing piracy in the Indian Ocean. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60R130

The TFG Plan to Mint New Currency Poses Grave Dangers for Somalia The Government of Puntland State of Somalia strongly expresses its disapproval to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia’s unilateral plan to issue new currency in an agreement with private contractors in Sudan. Printing new monetary notes with different denominations during this fragile period of political turmoil and economic collapse will have negative implications for Somalia as a whole. The TFG Parliament, the Somali business community and other economic stakeholders were not consulted in plans to issue the new currency. The Puntland Government, which is the main domestic pillar of the TFG that relies on foreign aid for survival, was also not consulted during this secretive process. This raises a question of hidden motives by unscrupulous elements within the TFG, a government that is dependent on African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) for its own survival in a few blocks of Mogadishu. Minting new currency in Somalia at this sensitive time will be a costly blunder and potentially open new political and security challenges for the international community that supports the TFG. The plan to mint new currency lacks legal backing and poses grave dangers to the fragile Somali economy when one considers the following: a) the nonexistence of monetary policy by the Central Bank of Somalia; and b) the absence of statistical knowledge of money, finance, banking and financial market indicators. There has been no assessment of the amount of money in circulation in the country and the amount needed to be injected into the economy, for example. The top priorities for the TFG should have been to improve security and to rebuild public institutions through a reconciliation process, instead of plotting to flood markets with new money in a unilateral project that endangers Somali families and households. The Puntland Government strongly denounces the minting of new currency and categorically rejects its circulation in Somalia. This dangerous scheme, if not stopped immediately, will give rise to hyperinflation and lead to economic destabilization. We urge the Government of Sudan to prevent the minting of this unauthorized Somali currency on its soil. Likewise, we urge members of the international community to halt this illegal scheme and to protect the Somali people and economy. Government of Puntland, Somalia Office of the Chief Cabinet Tel : +252 90 790999 / 794030 E-mail : plpresidencyg@hotmail.com

Harardhere, Somalia (CNN) – Several Somali pirates were killed and others wounded in a gunfight. Reportedly the pirates were fighting over a large ransom given for a Greek oil tanker. According to reports the battle occurred in the heavily pirate populated town of Harardhere. Reportedly the criminals began fighting over how to share their loot. The number of pirates killed and wounded remain unclear. Elders in the town have revealed in published reports that tensions have been running high in the town rife with violence and criminal activity. The overnight exchange of gunfire was just the tipping point. On Monday pirates finally released the Greek flagged supertanker Maran Centaurus, and its crew of 28. Its believed the sum they received as ransom paid via air drop was between 5.5 and 7 million dollars. The tanker was carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia to the United States when it was hijacked on Nov. 29th.

Garowe was always their capital sxb so no problem there, however, as they themselves confirm upon their return to Puntland on the 6th of this month, they were part of the SSC leadership meeting in Kenya. You don't have to take my word for it, see the clip yourself sxb. As for the rumors of a possible arrest waiting for SSC leaders returning to Puntland from the meeting in Kenya, well the warmhearted welcome Garad Abshir Salah and Garad Buraale have gotten at Bosaso Airport by both Puntlanders as well as officials from the state I think speaks volume.

Halkan Ka Daawo Kulankii Garaadada SSC Iyo Madaxweyne Ku Xigeenka Puntland:

GALKAYO, Somalia (UNHCR) – Carpenter Mohammad Gas Dunkal received a gift when he returned to his homeland of Somalia in 1995, after four years as a refugee in Kenya: the UN refugee agency gave him one radial saw. From that humble beginning, he has built a booming carpentry and metal-working workshop, now employing sixteen master carpenters and 26 assistants. "Puntland is a land of great opportunity," he says with satisfaction. "I would advise all refugees to come back to their country and work to make their fortune." Mohammad, 47, the father of 10 children, is representative of the many former refugees who have sparked an economic revival in Puntland. Returnees – some came directly from refugee camps in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, while others have achieved professional success in Canada, the United States or Sweden – are contributing their money and know-how to Puntland's development. They have opened everything from small tailor shops to private hospitals and telecommunications companies. A drive through the streets of Puntland's three main cities, Bossaso, Galkayo and Garowe, quickly reveals there is a construction boom going on. Bossaso, Puntland's economic capital on the shores of the Gulf of Aden, is home to a busy port that forms the gateway to lucrative trade with Arab countries. "Often people think of returnees as a burden to the societies and economies they come back to," says Simone Wolken, UNHCR Representative for Somalia. While it is true that some returnees are vulnerable and need the community's support to build a new life, Wolken adds, "UNHCR finds that returnees from exile quickly and successfully take advantage of the opportunities on offer in the peaceful areas of Somalia." Through their own initiative, many successful business people are creating jobs and reintegration, recovery and peaceful co-existence in Puntland. "The UN therefore liaises closely with the business community and counts on the constructive role it can play in Somalia," says Wolken. Eighteen years after the outbreak of Somalia's civil war, Puntland and Somaliland, the self-declared independent state in the north-west of the country, are peaceful, while the Somali capital, Mogadishu, remains wracked by violence. Many Somalis have abandoned hopes of ever going back to Mogadishu, and have chosen instead to settle in Puntland, whether they have ancestral ties here or not. "I did not have any hope to go back to Mogadishu," says Osman Salat Fogase, a 34-year-old pharmacist in Galkayo, explaining his decision to leave Kenya after eight years in a refugee camp there. "No one would try to go back to Mogadishu. Here I am helping to build my country." While in Kenya, he says, UNHCR paid for the medical training that enabled him to open his pharmacy, where he now dispenses basic medical care as well as selling medicines. He had never even been to Galkayo before he settled here, but now he has built a house for his father, his wife and his five children. Entrepreneur Mohamed Jama Mohamed, 45, also had no ties to Bossaso before he decided to settle there in 1994 – after losing his $450,000 investment in a chain of photo shops in Mogadishu to the civil war. Friends and relatives who had known him as a successful businessman in the capital backed his new business ventures in Bossaso. Today he is deputy director of a big remittance bank, which he says handles millions of dollars a month in personal and business transfers. "Any refugee who has any skill or any experience in any business, I urge them: It's easy to start over here," says Mohamed. "Don't be afraid. You will get support here. It all depends on you. Stand up and forget the refugee camp and start a good, hopeful life." For engineer Issa Omar Mohamed, who now runs a poverty reduction and economic recovery programme for the UN Development Programme in Bossaso, coming home was much easier than sitting idle and watching his professional engineering skills go rusty in a refugee camp. "Nothing is guaranteed [for returnees to Puntland], but at least here they have opportunities," he says in an interview at his office just steps from the bustling port, where fish and livestock are exported to the Gulf and beyond. Further south in Garowe, as one of the founders of Galcom telephone company, returnee Ahmed Ibrahim Osman has had a ringside seat to Puntland's economic development over the past few years. When his company started in 1997, Garowe – had just 150 telephone lines, and most people lit their homes with kerosene lamps. Today it boasts 8,300 land lines, 31,500 mobile phone subscribers and 51 Internet cafés. Galcom itself also supplies electricity as well, and employs about 400 people. "Telecoms can play a role of peace," Ahmed says. "People used to spread rumours, but when there is a telephone, they pick it up and get the truth." Many Somalis abroad are waiting for a national government to be formed before they will have confidence to come home, Ahmed says. A father of five children, aged three to 12, he himself vacillates in his assessment of Somalia's future. "Sometimes I say, my children will have the best future anyone in Somalia has ever had," he says. "Other times I say, it's 18 years [since the civil war started] and there is still no government powerful enough to restore Somalia's glory. I say to myself, I have sisters in the USA and Canada, maybe I'll send my children there." But his counterpart in Bossaso has no such doubts. Returnee Abdulaziz Ahmed Hersi, chief engineer for Netco telephone company, advises all Somalis abroad: "Move back to Somalia, or at least send your money and let it work for you. There are good opportunities here."

When your faced with something out of the ordinary like daily bombing and other crimes resulting over worldly position as little as a cell phone (something foreign to Puntlanders), it really doesn't take a lot for people to react irrational out of anger. This is something us EarthLink’s have in common when faced with hardship. That said, there are two story’s to every news and unlike Jacaylbaro's "naga baxa" one here is another urging otherwise: (AllPuntland) “Soomaalida dhulku wuu ka dhaxeeyaa, Meeshii nabad ah ayaa la dagayaa, dadka careysan ee dhibaataynaya dadka ka soo jeeda Koonfurta Soomaaliya amaro cad-cad ayaan ka gaarnay” Gudoomiyaha gobalka Mudug ee Puntland.

Pirates in shoot out over multi-million-dollar ransom (CNN) -- Somali pirates exchanged gunfire Wednesday over a ransom they received for releasing a Spanish fishing boat, a local journalist in contact with the pirates said. "There was a heavy exchange of gunfire between some of our friends" one pirate told the local journalist, speaking of the other pirates. "They fought over the 3 million euro ($4.5 million) received as a ransom from the Spanish boat." At least two pirates were wounded in the gunfight in Harardhere, a pirate stronghold in central Somalia, the local journalist told CNN. The Alakrana, the Spanish fishing vessel, was freed Tuesday along with its 36 crew members, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said. It had been held for 47 days. Zapatero did not say how the ship was freed. Spanish media -- including CNN sister station CNN+, which cited a source it said was close to the negotiations -- reported that a ransom had been paid. The crew included 16 sailors from Spain and 20 from Africa and Asia. A day after the hijacking, Spanish military monitoring the situation captured two pirate suspects as they left the fishing boat and later brought them to Madrid. The two were indicted Monday on 36 counts of kidnapping and armed robbery. They could face sentences of more than 200 years in prison each because of the multiple kidnapping counts. Pirates have captured more than 50 ships this year off Somalia.

Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tolka: quote:Originally posted by Shilling: The psyche of somalinimo is something that we all collectively harmed, none are innocent, and we are all guilty when it comes to putting our individual interest ahead of our national interest. Yes, but some more than the others. Some, who who brought the historical enemy to the Somali capital.Again our collective mishap is one no individual group is guilty of; there is no innocent group when it comes to using Ethiopia as a bogyman to get to the top price - yes, some more politically endowed than others, and some just downright dirty for being on record to have proclaimed that they loved Ethiopia more than their own Somali brethren inside and outside of the republic: "a boy born in Hargeisa has more commonality with one born in Addis Ababa than one in Mogadishu." Grow some balls and stay consistent Abtigiis. Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tolka: quote:Originally posted by Shilling: Mucaarad-nimo started in 1969 when our nation's constitution was suspended It started before the constitution was suspended. Who killed who first? Admit that Puntlanders stated mucaaradnimo, this hiding under the cover of generality will not wash.Well in the words of a secessionists by the name of Dr. Mohamed Rashid Sheikh Hassan, "the preparations of the coup were in existence since 1967 but knowledge of it was limited to only a few officers, and Siad Barre was the head." So you see dear lad, if your not going to take my word for it at least take it from your guru Oodweyne's own uncle. Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tolka: quote:Originally posted by Shilling: The "if-not-us-let-it-go-up-in-flames" mentality in it's evil purity took it's toll on Somalia under the leadership of Jess and Aydiid, perhaps these are times void in Abtigiis brain; No, it lives vividly in my mind but the subject of discussion is Puntland's seemingly perpetual destructive role in Somali politics.Do you really vividly recall such evil? Then you don't mind sharing the story of Abdisaid Ali with the rest of SOL: " ...Let me remind you where I was one terrible night in Kismayu. In December 1992, I was at the home of Dr. Mohamed Dahir Nur. We were there with his two daughters, one was eleven, the other sixteen. Therewas gunfire all over the city. We could hear gunfire everywhere. We did not know that Jess' soldiers would come looking for us but they did ( us any other ********* in the city). Mohamed's home had an outhouse-type lavatory. I was in the lavatory when Jess' soldiers burst into the compound, firing their weapons. The soldiers captured Dr. Mohamed and tied him up. They insulted him and beat him. A short time after they arrived, Jess himself arrived. I recognized him. I saw him with my own eyes. Dr. Mohamed's daughters were crying and screaming. Jess went over to where Dr. Mohamed was lying on the ground and told the soldiers to kill him. They let out a burst of gunfire. Then the soldiers grabbed Dr. Mohamed's older daughter and gang-raped her. The whole time I was frozen in terror and shock from what I was witnessing. These are some of the people they massacred that night: 1. Abdikarim Ahmed (Lawyer) 2. Chief Dhuh Ahmed Salah 3. Mr. Abdi Ahmed Salah (businessman, brother to number 2) 4. Dr. Sugulle Ahmed Mohamed (Economist) 5. Mr. Mohamed Olad Isse Karshe (businessman) 6. Mr. Yusuf Dahir Ali 7. Mr. Farah Ahmed Saleh 8. Chief Abdi Yusuf Dhuh alias Maneno 9. Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi Mire 10. Mr. Ali Omar Osman 11. Mohamed Abdirizak Hersi 12. Dr. Mohamed Dahir Nur alias Lugey..(I was there) 13. Mr. Jama Ader 14. Ugas Hashi Farah Ambar alias Daqarre 15. Mr. Ali Warabe Garon 16. Mr. Mohamud Ahmed Asayr alias Ga'ir 17. Mr. Hassan Dahir Ali Gaban 18. Mr. Mohamud Farah Osman (Tetano) 19. Dr. Mohamud Musse Sugulle 20. Mr. Ainab Mohamud Said 21. Farah Aden Hassan 22. Abdillahi Isse 23. Mr. Abdullahi Tunniyow 24. Mr. Yusuf Hundhur 25. Dr. Mohamud Mohamed Abdi 26. Ms. Faduma Musse Sugulle 27. Ms. Ruqiya Musse sugulle (Sister of number 26) 28. Mr. Abdullahi Isse Samatar 29. Son of number 28 30. Mr. Abdullahi Said Samatar 31. Son of number 30 32. Chief Abdillahi Haji Yusuf alias Gurie (nephew to former Obbia King) 33. Mr. Abdi Hassan Farah 34. Hassan Farah Samantar 35. Mr. Abdi Garas Haji 36. Mr. M. Aden 37. Dr. Abdullahi Sheekh Ali alias Gobbe ( Vice president Somali Institute for Development and Administration) 38. Haji Mire Yusuf Musse (businessman) 39. Chief Haji Ibrahim Garabyare 40. Prof. Abdullahi Abdi Warfa 41. Dr. Abdulkadir Abshir Mohamed 42. Mr. Mohamed Musse Jama alias Madome 43. Mr. Mohamed Ismail Ali 44. Mr. Said Mohamud Abdalle alias Nin-ku-toos 45. Mr. Moallin Awil Mohamed Yusuf 46. Haji Isse Khaire Ali 47. Sheekh Said Mohamed Mohamud Siqe 48. Abdullahi Ali Abdulle 49. Abdi Mohamud Mohamed alias Gobbe 50. Mr. Mohamed Aden Warsame 51. Ms. Asha Bihi 52. Daughter of number 51 ( four years old) 53. Mr. Mohamed Farah 54. Mr. Jama Farah Barre alias Shan-Lire 55. Mr. Mohamed Hersi Rug 56. Mr. Sugulle Hashi Nur 57. Mr. Abdirashid Abdullahi Said 58. Mr. Yusuf Ali Salah 59. Mr. Mohamed Aw Farah 60. Ms. Anab Olad Jama 61. Mr. Ali Ispettore 62. Mr. Mohamed Dahir Agei 63. Mr. Ali Farah Dabagoye 64. Mr. Abdi Gelle Koreie (90 years old----yes Ninety years old!!!) 65. Ms. Ahada Dirie Mohamed 66. Mr. Ahmed Aisane 67. Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Warsame alias Olyo 68. Mr. Yusuf Gure 69. Mr. Yusuf Omar Hassan 70. Mr. Ainab Shire 71. Mr. Mohamud Olow Osman 72. Mr. Mohamed Hassan Mohamud 73. Mr. Mohamed Osman Omar 74. Mr. Jama Omar Alin 75. Mr. Mohamed Aden Farah 76. Mr. Ali Sheekh Farah 77. Mumin Ali Hersi (4 years old !) 78. Farah Hashi Omar ( 2 years old!) 79. Mother of number 78 81. Mr. Mohamed Farah Dhurwa 82. Ms. Basra Ali Hashi 83. Mr. Bashir Ali Gure 84. Mr. Mohamed Addow 85. Mr. Shu'aib Ali Isse-Yare 86. Dr. Mohamud Mohamed Abdirahman 87. Mr. Ali-Gurei Aden 88. Ms. Amina Hussein Farah 89. Chief Haji Ali Mumin Geddi 90. Mr. Abdullahi Haji Ali Abokar 91. Sultan Abdirahman Musse Shire-Farei (brother of the chief of Rer Mohamud-*********) 92. Sheekh Mohamud Mohamed 93. Mr. Bashir Ahmed 94. Mr. Mohamed Dahir (school-teacher) 95. Major Abdulkadir Aftoje 96. Son of Bashir Qoslaye 97. member of the family of number 96 98. Mr. Mohamed Said Garweine 99. Mr. Isse Afqalloc 100. Raage 101. Col. Mohamed Mohamud Yusuf alias Labo-Tinle 102. Dr. Mohamed Said Mohamed alias Dhalawa-former director Kismayu Port 103. Mr. Mohamud Salah Mohamed alias Dhere 104. Chief Mohamed Yusuf Mohamed alias Nero 105. Mr. Musse Afjar 106. Mr. Ali Osman alias Shabelow 107. Mr. Mohamed Jama Aw Mohamed alias Ato (businessman) 108. Mr. Ismael Mohamed Salah alias Qable 109. Mr. Hurdale 110. Ms. Asli Yusuf Mohamed alias Qalow-Qalow" No one group is except from the dirty politics surrounding our nation’s collective mishap and insisting otherwise, I am sorry to say is really very inconsistent and naive of you Abtigiis.

^When one in his perception excludes all but one section of our society in holding them accountable for what is a collective mishap, I think it is only fair that he be man enough to at least admit to the obvious, the generalization on his part. So Abtigiis, unless you want to be taken for the two-face you are, if I were you I'd at least try to be consistent about it. As you wonderfully put, "small minds think small," and u are no exception. The psyche of somalinimo is something that we all collectively harmed, none are innocent, and we are all guilty when it comes to putting our individual interest ahead of our national interest. Mucaarad-nimo started in 1969 when our nation's constitution was suspended; the "if-not-us-let-it-go-up-in-flames" mentality in it's evil purity took it's toll on Somalia under the leadership of Jess and Aydiid, perhaps these are times void in Abtigiis brain; indeed, only in his brain is Somaliland the entity fighting for its just share of donor funds and programs with the TFG while Puntland is the isolated one. Someone ought to suggest to him Somalia has better future with leaders that insist, "In dealing with extremists and terrorist threats in Somalia. The international community must support stable regions, for example Puntland, and offer long-awaited development incentives in order to attract the attention of other Somali regions that see the benefits as counter-weight to joining extremists," - than fallacious leaders sulking somewhere when they should be taking part in Somalia's future.

When you perceive certain section of our society with such baseless accusations: Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tolka: But talking of Puntland, how can a region that has done so much harm to the psyche of somalinimo with - endless mucaarad-nimo, with "if-not-us-let-it go up-in-flames" mentality, with incurable proclivity for treason, with so much publicised clan-cleansing agenda (a dream only constrained by lack of might to achieve it), spearhead the reconstruction of the very nationhood it has worked so tirelessly to dismantle?? No one is going to take its facile rethoric about Somalinimo seriously! Any suggestion that a future Somalia will be founded with a strong role of Puntland is fallacious. They are not trusted in the North, you don't have to go far beyond south Galkacyo to see what is the opinion of others about this entity, and the people of Banaadir would eat their flesh if they could put their hands on them. Perhaps you ought to rethink this as well: Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tolka: Reerkayagaa isasaxay, reer hebel ha isa saxo is petty. Till that is a lasting trust can be built. In the meantime, I stand correct in saying all of us are better off entrusting our elders and educated folk with our future then a two-face Somali.

^Small minds think small, indeed. I don't know where I've mentioned the people of Jowhar, but I do know that they have their elders and educated ones to rid themselves of any pain, trust me they don't need your empty sympathy as I'm sure of those from Bosaso.

^I'm just excited for Puntland whose communities are working hard to lift themselves above the cloud of negativity our society seems to be so full of.

This is another design that I thought of: the symbol for Islam is the crescent moon, unfortunately Somalia missed the opportunity to adopt it as its own once and I speak for the people of Puntland when I say let us be the ones to correct that missed opportunity. As black Muslims it is best we color the crescent moon black to represent our ethnicity, and to show that we are still a very important part of Somalia any flag of our should display the same colors represented in our national flag (blue and white). Another important factor not to be missed are Puntland’s member states (Ayn, Bari, Karkaar, Nugaal, North Mudug, Sanaag Bari, and Sool) a star representing each member state should be adopted in our flag. In designing this flag the above are all important factors in my thought process and I would encourage the committee in charge of designing Puntland's flag the same.

This is something I put together and just as I have I would also encourage the committee in charge of creating Puntland's new flag to incorporate the colors of the Somali flag (Blue and White) and a crescent moon and star representing our faith.

"The International Community should coherently consider the equilibrium between the “real politic” and the “new world order” Huubsireed It’s highly unfortunate and mind blowing experience to witness the day to day tragedy and the images which are deeply disturbing the minds of millions of people around the world. Who can give an explanation for a suicide-bomber attacking graduating medical students in Mogadishu? This is indeed is an act of a label person that has being easily brain washed by a cruel and unscrupulous would-be leadership willing to impose themselves against the willing of the overwhelming majority of the Somali people through the impact of extreme violence. Myself on 18th of June 2007 I have been shot 5 times by an Al Shabab commando; it is believed that Al Shabab is linked to Al Qaeda. I know how any one feels when got shot. I am sending my deepest condolence to the families and friends who lost there loved ones on this historic an unforgettable day. December 3, 2009! This cruel would-be political leadership have neither shame nor boundaries. They have targeted one of the most significant social events among others. It’s very painful to witness how able are they to brain-wash the youngsters up to assuring them the “door of the paradise” against their suicide act. Paradoxically enough, as we all know this practice is clearly forbidden by our Holy Religion; Islam! None of us can describe how cruel is this practice. No human beings deserve to be brain washed by other human beings up-to this extends! Their life has been cut short by real criminals that have no faith at all in Allah. But regrettably enough this act of barbarism is broadly carried out in the “name” of Allah. In particular I am deeply sorry for the fragile young teens of second generation of the huge Somali Diaspora which have been targeted by this cruel would-be political leadership in order to “convert them into human bullets”. The brain washing on these young teens of the second generation through malicious means is particularly heinous having the fact that they take refuge into our Holy Religion; Islam in order to counter-balance the cultural shock which are facing in the host countries. Those who “enter” in the short list are sent back to their mythized home country Somalia (with a little knowledge of their native mother tongue) from North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa in order to blow up themselves after full immersion training in guerrilla warfare and terrorism tactics. As a matter o fact some of these young teens who have tried to escape from “hell” have been executed cold blood by this cruel would-be political leadership. The international terrorist organisations are increasingly focusing on Somalia in order to consolidate their bases. It is not a “secret” anymore! Among others some self explanatory video clips of foreign fighters who are busy training and brain-washing young Somalis are of a public domain. The current Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is unable to exert any real influence on the ground because lucks of leadership skill! Instead of “winning the heart and the mind” of the Somali people by delivering tangible governance, they are losing key players in the Somali political landscape such as Puntland, Somaliland, and other regions. It is more than clear to the Somali people and to the whole world that a solution for Somalia is much needed and reachable for instance, if the country a “capable government” guided by a leadership who can deliver an effective and transparent governance. A leadership willing to sacrifice every thing for the stabilization of the country! A leadership that can stand for the well being of the Somali people due to protect them from this foreign extremism which is exploiting Somalia in order to transform our country in a “base against the interests of the entire region and beyond”. But above all a leadership who is committed toward the well being of our people until our country gets back on its feet in order to rejoin the international assembly. The International Community should coherently consider the equilibrium between the “real politic” and the “new world order”. The side effects of the Somali crisis which is driven by a political and economic agenda and competing proxy wars is increasingly hampering not only the Somali people but also the entire region and far beyond. I think that time has come to agree upon “our common interest” within ourselves and with our main international partners. The “political formula meant to empower the so-called moderate Islamist” against the “hardliner” has bared its fruits. But this formula has caused an unexpected large number of “collateral damages”, namely the loss of many innocent lives. This “formula” has successfully proven if any need that the Somali crisis has nothing to do with any of the so-called religious agenda. It is now upon an alternative and credible Somali political leadership to emerge with a comprehensive and sustainable political programme! Sooner is better! And not only for the benefit of the Somali people! May Allah bless my country! Hussein Mohamed Mohamoud Huubsireed Spokesman of the Former Somali President H.E. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed 2004-2009

The Somali militant group Al-Shabab has been arming and training pirates in exchange for a share of their spoils, says a newly released Canadian intelligence document. Al-Shabab has formed a "relationship of convenience" with one of the two main pirate networks operating off the Horn of Africa, the "Top Secret" intelligence assessment says. The report describes an "Islamist extremism-piracy nexus" that involves Al-Shabab providing "weapons, combat training and local protection" to the Mudug pirates of southern Somalia. In return, "elements of Al-Shabab continue to receive portions of the spoils from successful hijackings either in cash or seized weapons and materiel," it says. Pirate attacks in the region have soared over the past two years but in addition to threatening international shipping, they are also apparently financing the Somali extremist group at the centre of several major North American counter-terrorism investigations. The FBI is probing at least 20 Somali-Americans who have left Minneapolis to join Al-Shabab, and the RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service are investigating whether up to six Somali-Canadians who left Toronto in recent weeks were also recruited by Al-Shabab. The report was written by Integrated Threat Assessment Centre, which is made up of representatives of Canada's national security agencies. A copy of was obtained under the Access to Information Act. It says 13% of the cargo that passes through Canadian ports transits the pirate-infested waters around the Horn of Africa. Last year, a shipment of Canadian iron ore was commandeered by Somalia pirates and released after the owner of the vessel, the Yasa Neslihan, paid a ransom, the report says. Somali pirate attacks more than doubled last year to 115, 46 of which were successful. Given the millions worth of ransom payments involved, the "operation ties" between the pirates and Al-Shabab could earn significant sums for the militants. Al-Shabab is an armed group that is fighting what it calls a jihad to impose Islamic law in Somalia and beyond. The group adheres to al-Qaeda's anti-Western ideology, and the report says that, "some Al-Shabab fighters and leaders have also received guidance from al-Qaeda and have attended foreign training camps." As part of a recruiting effort aimed at Western youths, Al-Shabab has been distributing Internet propaganda videos in English that feature rap music and show foreign fighters engaged in attacks. The Somali-Canadians under investigation are in their early-to mid-twenties. Most left Toronto together in early November without informing their families or friends. Investigators believe they are already in Somalia. The Abu Huraira mosque, where some of them worshipped, has urged anyone with information to come forward. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=2296137

Somalia: Puntland respond to Donald Payne’s statement Garowe (GO) -- The government of Somalia’s Puntland state has strongly rejected a recent statement issued from the office of US Congressman Donald M. Payne who is the Chairman of the House Sub-Committee on Africa and Global Health under the aegis of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Donald Payne issued a statement on November 21 in which he denounces what he calls "abusive and dictatorial behavior" by authorities in Puntland, saying that they are routinely arresting, harassing, torturing, and handing over men from the neighboring ****** region to Ethiopian security. Puntland’s Good Governance and State Minister Mohammed Farah Isse Gashan termed the statement as misrepresentation that has no bases whatsoever, adding that there was no misunderstanding in the recent meeting between Puntland and the US foreign affairs representatives, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya. “The Meeting between Puntland President and Congressman Donald Payne which took place on mid November in Nairobi has ended without misunderstanding. It is unfortunate that the press statement released from the Congressman Donald Payne’s office, which did not, had any official stamp, and was focused on threats and baseless accusations such as killings of prisoners and torture claims. We are saying that it is the work of people who are in Conflict of Interest to use office of the Congressman,” said the statement from the good governance and state minister. The Minister said Puntland government is not a dictatorial regime as claimed by the statement from the congressman, adding that its leaders were democratically elected by the people and the state is now moving to next level whereby political parties which will allow opportunities for everyone to compete for the welfare of the state, will be formed. Congressman Payne was the main facilitate of President Farole’s recent visit to US, which allowed the international community to directly cooperate with Puntland. On the other hand, Minister Gashan said the government of Puntland does not need the help of anybody to protect its borders, interest, politics and people, adding that the rule of law will apply to all of its citizens and foreigners. GAROWE ONLINE

^We have Nur Cade and his circle to blame for that. Somalia isn't at the top of the most corrupt nations for no reason sxb.