^You are not good salesman, are you Uchi lool Ace. I know the history of the union but you seem to be intentionally ignoring the current history and reality. And I disagree on the clan issue. They will be the key to everything. Hargeysa and Mogadishu can not impose any agreement on anyone.

Ace. When the Republic imploded, it didn't neatly crumble into North-South. The civil war created tribal homelands and the struggle against Barre waged by tribes not by Somaliland or any other regional administration. And at the end, tribes will decide the final outcome and solution won't come in neatly packaged divorce settlement. These talks are good beginning but they falsely assume that there are only two Somalis whose reconciliation will result in lasting peace.

Ace//I guess we will see but the Somali saga is complex and solution will not come from IC whether the world acknowledges Somaliland or not. Safferz Interesting point.

Ace. You are reading too much into those words. I can easily read into the below image (taken today with buluuga in the background) and say Turkey only recognizes Somalia. Turkey has always reaffirmed Somali sovereignty and have shown no indication suggesting otherwise. From what I understand, Turkey wants to open in Consulate, maybe that could be one indicator showing where they are leaning to. In any case, Somali Government will tread carefully.

I see that but actual Communiqué has nothing new in it.

Nothing new.

I am just surprised by your assumption of reer miyi girls.

Stoic. This might all be for a show. I would say one thing, I don't think the current Somali Government will take the monumental decision of endorsing Somaliland. It does not represent the will of the Somali people as the country is in transition and it certainly does not have the means to implement anything it agrees to. For the spin doctors, this was a success.

Stoic...It really depends what the talks represent for each group. Somalia is seeking not clarification of a relationship, as far as it is concerned Somaliland is part of Somalia, a region with legitimate grievances that could be addressed within the context of these talks. Concessions will made as long as Somaliland stays within the union but Somalia will not agree to the ultimate concession., outright independence of Somaliland with the blessing of Mogadishu. They kicked the can down the road when it comes to sticky issue of independence.

Stoic...We need to clarify few things. The reality is Somalia has no physical control over Somaliland and Somaliland engages with everyone that is willingly to listen its cause but from legal perspective, Somaliland is part of Somalia and International Bodies and Governments around the world accept this fact hence in the international settings, Somaliland will not be be on equal footing with Somalia. The May London Conference is clear indication which way IC is leaning. Hassan is co-hosting the conference with Cameron and in this setting, the Government represents all Somalis,As stability takes hold in Mogadishu, all diplomatic efforts shift to Xamar and away from periphery. IC view these talks between Internationally recognized Government and separatist region, not two countries holding bilateral talks. Faisal Waraabe is one the people that mention the diplomatic dilemma facing Somalis. He advocates Somaliland should deal with embassies in Addis rather than those in Mogadishu.

Somalia maintains to represent all Somalis including the North, It hasn't signed or agreed to anything that says otherwise!

"One thing though Somalia is slowly signing stuff that can be used against them if they support groups that are Against SOmalilNd" Somali Government has no control over 'groups' against Somaliland.

Seems like waste of time...

IMF Recognizes the Federal Government of Somalia After 22-year Interval Press Release No.13/119 April 12, 2013 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today recognized the Federal Government of Somalia, headed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, paving the way for the resumption of relations after a 22-year interval. The decision is consistent with broad international support and recognition of the Federal Government. Recognition of the government allows the IMF to offer Somalia technical assistance and policy advice. Somalia, an IMF member since August 1962, has been in a state of civil war since the early 1990s, and there was no government with which the Fund could deal. In September 2012, a new Federal Government of Somalia, led by Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took office. The new administration has since enjoyed considerable support, including from the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and many IMF member countries. Somalia is currently ineligible to borrow from the Fund due to its outstanding arrears, which currently amount to SDR 233.8 million (about US$352 million). http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2013/pr13119.htm

Filthy habit.

Blessed. It is societal issue. That said, Somali women in the West are in unique advantage to help women back home. Social and political change will only come if women demand them.

They owe less than what I thought they did.

IMF recognizes Somali government, offers economic advice WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund officially recognized the Somali government on Friday, ending a 22-year hiatus and allowing the Fund to provide economic policy advice to Somalia. The move opens the way for donors and other development banks to resume relations with Somalia, whose economy is in tatters after more than two decades of conflict. Donors are expected to meet officials from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund during meetings of world finance leaders in Washington next week. "The decision is consistent with broad international support and recognition of the federal government," the IMF said in a statement. The IMF said, however, that it will not be able to approve lending to Somalia until the government clears $352 million (229.4 million pounds) in debt it owes to the IMF. The United States has said it will work with the World Bank and the IMF to help Somalia clear the debt. The country also owes the World Bank about $250 million, which is preventing the institution from providing development aid to the government. Major Western donors, including the United States, Britain and countries in Europe, have slowly been re-engaging with the Mogadishu government since the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last year. It was the first vote of its kind since warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. In subsequent years, al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents seized control of large swathes of the south and central parts of the country. An African Union force has had some success in driving the insurgents out of the capital. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Christopher Wilson and Paul Simao) http://uk.news.yahoo.com/imf-recognizes-somali-government-offer-economic-advice-220146734.html#kgZqAsC

"Somalia however still owes some $352 million to the Fund" Really?

The International Monetary Fund recognized the Federal Government of Somalia Friday, ending a 22-year break in relations that could lead to IMF technical and policy support to the country. "The International Monetary Fund today recognized the Federal Government of Somalia, headed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, paving the way for the resumption of relations after a 22-year interval," the IMF said in a statement. "The decision is consistent with broad international support and recognition of the Federal Government." Somalia has been an IMF member since 1962, but relations broke after the civil war of the early 1990s left the country with "no government with which the Fund could deal." Mohamud's new government, which took office in September 2012, "has since enjoyed considerable support, including from the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and many IMF member countries," the IMF said. Somalia however still owes some $352 million to the Fund, and so is currently ineligible for any new financing. http://za.news.yahoo.com/imf-recognizes-somalia-government-225338599.html

Wadani, My bad, I might have temporarily confuse you with Apo

^lool you didn't take the bait.....

Sliding on black ice is fun till you get hit.

^LOL I haven't actually read the thing. I fear I might lose couple more brain cells.

^If you applaud killing women and children, what kind of sick twist are you ninyahow.