^ usheeg, you gotta diversify your bonds.

Ibti Use your womanly charms and 'ungayify'(is that a word?) the fella.

Indeed, it seems out brothers from the northwest have finally woken up from their mirqaan induced coma and see that somalia is one and cannot be divided. This is good news.

Indeed, it seems out brothers from the northwest have finally woken up from their mirqaan induced coma and see that somalia is one and cannot be divided. This is good news.

wrong topic.

^ Somaliland is yeserday's news Jamaac Churchil, it's the time you joined the somali republic train.

Xiinfaniin Why is silanyo a good man? What has he done besides being a third rate leader of the khat rebels aka SNM? This weak attemp to placate to secessionists is pathetic.

The release of the MV Faina by Somali pirates after almost six months in captivity will be received with mixed feelings by the different players in the high stakes, high seas drama. The crew of the Ukrainian freighter will be savouring freedom, while the ship's owner will no doubt be ruing the high cost paid for its release. But it is perhaps the pirates who will walk away from the saga with the most to smile about as they count their loot, reported to be $3.2m (£2.2m). The MV Faina is the second high-profile ship to be released by pirates this year. In January, a Saudi oil tanker, the Sirius Star, was released after the hi-jackers reportedly received $3m as ransom. If the military presence stays for a long time, it could have a long-term impact on piracy Roger Middleton Chatham House This means that the gangs of modern day buccaneers operating off the Somali coast have "earned" at least $6.2m in just over a month. Officials say that pirates were paid some $150m in ransoms in 2008. This is a handsome reward by any standards, and in a country ravaged by war, is likely to tempt even more gangs of desperate men to join the potentially lucrative trade. Most of the pirates are young and reportedly live lavish lives - they marry the most beautiful girls, live in big houses and drive big, flashy cars. It is said that piracy has now become "socially acceptable, even "fashionable". Treacherous waters Although some of the pirates who hi-jacked the Sirius Star reportedly perished at sea soon after receiving their huge ransom, the gang that released the MV Faina are assumed to have made off safely. With so much money at their disposal, it is likely that some of it will be spent re-investing in the instruments of their trade - more powerful weapons and speedboats. The pirates have forced ships to take long detours Horn of African analyst Roger Middleton told the BBC that the capture of the MV Faina and the Sirius Star shows the pirates have upped their game and become more brazen. However, they have also attracted the world's attention, along with a flotilla of warships, which now patrol the Indian Ocean. He says the military operation has had some success - many pirates have been arrested and several attacks foiled. But the international commitment must not flag. "If the military presence stays for a long time, it could have a long-term impact on piracy," said the analyst from the Chatham House think-tank. "But if it only lasts a year or so, we are likely to see the number of pirate attacks rise." I don't think we'd expect the southern Sudanese minister of defence welcome them [weapons] at the port Roger Middleton Some also suggest that the decline in pirate attacks could be attributed to the winter weather and unfavourable sailing conditions. Ships have started staying clear of the waters off Somalia, considered the most dangerous in the world, and this means longer and more expensive journeys. But those delivering aid to Somalia and the East African region have no choice but to sail through the treacherous waters, where the warships have been providing escort. Arms controversy Kenya, which neighbours Somalia, will also be paying close attention to the ship's release. For the Kenyan government, which has been lurching from crisis to crisis over the last few months, the ship's release is certain to turn into yet another unwelcome controversy. MV FAINA Pirates seized the MV Faina on 25 September 2008 Cargo consisted of 33 T-72 tanks, rocket launchers and small arms Kenya says the cargo belongs to it; some reports say it was destined for South Sudan Pirates reveal Sudan's arms race The MV Faina, which was hijacked in Kenyan waters on its way to the port city of Mombasa, was delivering a shipment of military tanks, rocket launchers and small arms. The ship's manifest suggests that the cargo was heading for South Sudan. But the Kenyan government has repeatedly denied this, insisting that the arms are theirs, while the Government of South Sudan has also rejected the claims. Now that the ship is free and about to deliver the arms, the world's focus will now shift to the shipment's final destination. Many will be waiting to see that will happen to the weapons once they are loaded off the ship. But Mr Middleton says the mystery is likely to continue. "It's hard to see that anyone is going to want be open about who these are for. Unless, of course, the weapons are destined for Kenya, as the officials maintain. "I don't think we'd expect the southern Sudanese minister of defence welcome them at the port." But if the weapons are indeed headed for South Sudan, the Kenyan government will find itself in deep waters answering some very uncomfortable questions. Kenya played a crucial role in brokering an end to the war between South Sudan and the government in Khartoum in 2005. If the erstwhile negotiator is now helping South Sudan buy arms, it would be a violation of the peace deal it helped broker, which states that weapons purchases must be approved by a north-south Joint Defence Board. "There is a delicate diplomatic game going on," Mr Middleton suggests. As it struggles to deal with its own internal issues, including a famine, two recent fire tragedies and political wrangling over the prosecution of those involved in the 2008 post election violence, the Kenyan government might be thinking that the ship's release couldn't have come at a worse time.

What a title! I was about to throw down a fatwa on you sick minded people.

Ashkir You still need to be somewhat educated to become electrician, except the education is more practical and hands on. Better than getting a useless liberal arts degree if you ask me.(no offence to those who have that)

Originally posted by underdog: Here's a question... If you had a son and he could be either a 1st rate electrician or a 3rd rate doctor, which would you encourage him to pursue? Do you enjoy asking moronic questions? I doubt that's a realistic situation. But either would be good, and it would depend on what the person wants.

I always thought university/college were overrated in some ways, it would be nicer if somali boys studied trades becoming electrician, journeymen etc. There is good money in those trades.

Originally posted by Somali Pirate: To the others, yes i am angry. Angry at seeing our nation like this. Angry at seeing our people like this. I have pictures of my father may allah bless him when he was a general in the army of siad barre. Just looking at those pictures makes me angry. Such beautiful country and now razed to the ground. I wonder what my father who fought in the ****** war would make of the fact that our country has become a play ground for eithopia and other countries. Wow a somalilander who's not blind to reality, well said.

^ At this rate, there will be no exploration if every new admin signs a new contract with a different foreign comapny. But we shall see.

Why not select an PM from somaliland region? surly that would be a better way to rebuild the somali republic. I think it's time puntlander took a break from southern politics and focus on the region. Shieck Sharif should try a new formula.

Originally posted by somalipride: Hey Duke, i'll post some of the pics I took. I didn't take as many as I wished. I can not put in words how big bosasoo is, it is not the same city I left a couple years back. It has grown enormously. You can find everything you want there now. I remember little things like barber shops where very poorly maintained in the past, now they look like some in the West do. With real chairs and very clean, before there were none. There are eye glasses stores with professionally displayed products. Hotels are so much more nicer, Juba Hotels front area is very nice. Security is a lot tighter and there are places that will stop you and check that you have an up to date drivers book if you drive around. The stores are full of so many things and so many restaurants have good food. I know this may seem to like nothing to someone that has never been to the state, but if you haven't been there before or ESPECIALLY if it's been a long time since you gone to Puntland, you'll be shocked how it has grown. There are Somalis living peacefully there from every corner of the country. But when I was living abroad all you hear is the state is near collopse that things are terrible. That is far from the truth and it seems so many only focus on the negative news. With that being said, Bosasso seems to be growing far more then the rest of the state and I am worried that the other places will fall behind. The new president must trying and work with other area's and help them develop also. Great to hear bossaso is developing, I'm heading to puntland this summer, allah willing. But you're right, we don't want to put all our eggs in one basket like the barre regime did with mogadiso. All cities should be developed. Also, somalipride. What's the latest update on the oil deal, I know AfricaOil Corp wanted cadde to win the elections but what about the deals they signed with the old admin, will they be honored? Thanks

Yes, a race of pure retards.

Who eats kebabs? Must be a british thing.

I guess like women with mustaches looks masculine, a man with man boobs would be very feminine and weak. But I get the feeling cynical lady is jelous cause he got bigger boobs than her.

Originally posted by *Ibtisam*: ^^A/Y is never SL excuse, they picked their path long before your atheero. Don't give him too much credit :rolleyes: In any case this is not about SL is it now, it never was, so try to focus kiddo :rolleyes: I don't mind puntland objecting on those basis under a different circumstance. But haad they just need to chill and kick back till the south has some peace. It is pointless derailing the process haad when the south is still faced with so many obstacles. The place is becoming xeero dig between all the different fractions. How exactly is voicing concerns about 'the djbouti process and representation derailing the process lil girl? Think before you write. It's withing the right of puntland to voice concern about those who were representing puntland in that sham of an election. But all in all, puntlanders still control their own affairs and are definitely taking a wait and see approach.

Originally posted by *Ibtisam*: Thewayfarer, iisadasu maa caadaalba? I don't know why anyone is surprised by Puntland's stance. It SHOULD be all about Puntland after all "waa 40% of Somalia, the biggest and most talented warlords, eer sorry I mean heroes" if it is not about them, they are not playing ball. Plus I think the PL leadership wants to see sharif begging and bribing, just so it can be claimed that it is once again all bout them and Somalia could not do without their heroes. Unfortunate indeed. At least puntland still believes in the Djbouti process, only asking to make sure we are fairly represented in the somali republic considering Puntland has more to offer somalia than somalia has to offer puntland. Must everyone agree and support shieck shari? Even in western government the is a such a thing called loyal opposition. What about your region somaliland? They are still secessionists, now that A/Y is gone, what's the excuse? You all need especially secessionists need to take your hypocrisy somewhere else.

I'm officially opposed to this team, there needs to be some loyal opposition. Shieck sharif was basically crowned as somali president, handpicking 200 of his own MP's, that is not a fair process. For now, he is only president of banadir area and not all of somalia. He does not control all of somalia!

I think silaanyo or someone from Somaliland region should be given the PM position, that would be interesting.

It's great to finally see a generational shift in somali politicks, hopefully the man will be able to do something progressive especially in south somalia.

Nur Cadde steps down, does his votes go to sharif now? Sharif has clearly won.