All this hoopla aside, does anyone asked themselves who does Atom answer to?

People can not be divorced from their identify. Decades of secularism hasn't really worked for Turkey and it hasn't get them any closer to Europe. Apart from AKP, no other government ever held office in two consecutive terms. Governments lost people's confidence or were dismissed by the powerful military generals, the so called guardians of secularism. Under the Islamist AKP, the economy grew exponentially and the prestige of Turkey has risen. They have more balanced foriegn policy engaging with eastern borders while maintaining their relationship with AKP. Under this Islamist government, AKP was admitted an observer in European People's Party. It's under AKP that Turkey was finally allowed to start ascension talks to European Union Membership. Economic and political reforms have heralded Turkey into new era. And like Brazil and others, it's becoming an important player. Silencing Islamic parties or choking the political will lead to the chaos that gripped Algeria in 90s and long battles between Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt.

Abu-S...I didn't make the claim the president can be Christain. Nuune did and I'm not sure if he red the draft. The preamble starts with affirmation of the Tawhid and acknowledge of the Prophet (PBUH). In article I, it states the constitution is based on Sharia. Islam is established as the State religion in article II and no other religion can be propagated. Under the third provision of the same article, it states no law can be passed if it's deemed incompatible with the Sharia. In article 22, it says no Muslim can renounce Islam and it reaffirms no other will be propagated in Somalia. I think Nuune might be concerned about Article 95 (qualification of the president). It doesn't mention if the president should be Muslim. But in country where Muslim can not renounce his religion, it's hard to see Christian or atheist being president.In any case, such provision could be amended as this is not the last draft and even it was, future government can amend it or put it to vote. It's safe it will get an overwhelming support.

Awguuriyo Mr.Red and Mrs.Red. I thought you were going to name him Ceyrow

Ludicrous idea, isn’t it? How can I suggest such a treacherous idea when I am known as an unflinching advocate for Somaliland’s independence and sovereignty? How could I dare even to utter the ugly U-word which I have denigrated so forcefully and irrevocably in many of my writings? I can see jaws dropping with bewilderment, devoted readers unbelievably double checking the source, and some of those already besotted with cynicism against the loyalty of clans on the fringes of Somaliland jumping to conclusion as soon as they see the title without reading any further and saying with a great sense of satisfaction: “Hey, gotcha? We knew all along that he was a unionist in disguise?” Likewise, I can see also unionist “Somalilanders” getting ecstatic about my rebellious approach. Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, I would like to point out that Somaliland has chosen democracy as its system of government. And democracy entails equality and freedom for all citizens. Under the tree of freedom come its many branches such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion. Under the umbrella of this system of democracy and freedom comes also one’s right for dissent among many other rights. Any tax paying citizen should have the right to challenge the political system and be able to express his/her political opinion in a peaceful way. Democracy is not only about conformity, or herd mentality, or even about seeing only different shades of the existing system; but it is also about calling for dismantling the existing system and taking the nation’s destiny to a completely different direction if need be. It is therefore the right of every citizen to demand and promote the political system he/she sees as suitable for the country. If the Kulmiye government opens the gate for the creation of many political parties as the party’s leadership promised during the election campaign, I can envisage many parties carrying different ideologies and diverse political orientations coming to the political scene. Other than the plethora of clan-based parties that will choke the party pipeline, one can anticipate the arrival of some ideology- based parties such an Islamic party, a secular party, a liberal party, a social-democratic party and most probably a communist party. With the onset of such unfettered democracy I don’t see why it should still be a taboo to create a unionist party, demanding Somaliland’s reunification with Somalia. In Somaliland today there is a strange and unfounded fear of anyone expressing an opinion for union. Strange because Somaliland has adopted democracy as a political system and democracy is indivisible. You cannot deny citizens to demand their democratic rights to hold and express opposing views; and unfounded because the people of Somaliland have made their choice to abandon the union and reclaim their sovereignty with their own free will. Therefore to punish and criminalize people for calling or publicly advocating for the Somali union is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Somaliland. If anything, it shows insecurity and paranoia about the sustainability of the Somaliland project. The absurdity is that any Somali from anywhere in the world, particularly Somalis from Ethiopia, Djibitouti, Kenya and even Somalia can enter, stay and do business in Somaliland, but Somalilanders who happened to have participated in the politics of Somalia cannot attend even the burial of their own relatives in Hargeisa, Borama, Buroa or any other place in Somaliland. Somalis who hold high political posts in Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti are welcomed in Somaliland even though they uphold their respective governments’ official position of rejecting the recognition of Somaliland, but Somalis who hail from Somaliland by birth are treated as criminals and thrown into prison if they step on the soil of their homeland and are not even allowed to visit their ailing mothers. Their only crime is that they oppose the secession of Somaliland. This makes Somaliland democracy and freedom a cruel joke, at least to the families of the victims of such an absurd reality. And finally, here is the beef. Yes, I am a firm believer in Somaliland’s sovereignty and independence and will remain a staunch advocate for its recognition. The people of Somaliland underwent great suffering and yet still found the courage and willpower to invest a priceless amount of energy, time and wisdom in creating a country from scratch and establishing such an admirable model of democracy in Africa. And despite its lack of recognition, I want to see Somaliland determined to uphold its constitutional democracy and hopefully one day be a guiding light for African countries as well as others professing democracy yet denying their citizens basic rights. Obviously, neither I nor any sound human being would like to see Somaliland’s achievements go up in flames for someone’s fantasyland dreams, but I also strongly believe that Somaliland has attained a high degree of political maturity to democratically and peacefully challenge and defeat anyone that confronts its legal rights at the ballot box. Hence, I resent seeing my beautiful Somaliland that stands on unshakeable democratic pillars, behaving like a banana republic by incarcerating and denying its citizens the exercise of their political rights. And that includes allowing the minority unionist individuals to raise their voice and form their own party. We all know that such dissenters do not stand a chance of winning any votes, but giving them a political platform may contribute to deflating their argument and saving their lives from dying in the hellfire of Mogadishu. Bashir Goth Source

^Puntland got what it wanted in the constitution. How will this figure in its relationship with TFG?

LooooL@nuune Empowering the very warlords that led to the formation Al-Shabaab and alike is counterproductive logically speaking that's.

^While I think Bashir should answer for his crimes, it's rather hypocritical of the International court to indict Bashir while George Bush and his minions sleep comfortably in their homes.

Jowhar

^It's just cereal.So far, I seem to be winning the war of the bulge Good day folks!

Kenya has adopted a new constitution, more than three weeks after it was overwhelmingly approved in a national referendum. Tens of thousands of people watched as President Mwai Kibaki signed the document into law at a large ceremony in the capital, Nairobi. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was present at the event, despite being wanted by the UN for war crimes. The debate over a new constitution has lasted 20 years. The constitution is expected to bring significant changes, with political supporters hailing it as the birth of the second republic. source

Is it wrong to go online when eating saxuur? I get ten minutes to stuff myself. Alo guys.

^Your theatrics aside, I believe we are in agreement.

^That's not bad thing if the son knows what he's talking.

Duke...Peace needs strong partner.The TFG isn't that partner.Internal divisions and over-reliance on foriegn forces makes it unsutiable.And qabiil is problem in sense that, regions undercut each other depending on who's his holding the top office.Add that to the incompetence of the leaders, Al-Shabaab have no reason to sit down and play hardball if it sincerely believe it can topple the TFG. Abwaan....It's unfortunate incident and I don't condone it.

Duke-I don't support the murder of anyone including the opponents of Al-Shabaab but I do think it's time for every party to re-assess things and reconsider their strategies (if there's anyone) so that suffering of the public is eased. Qabiil and other narrow interests are an obstacle to peace.

^The whole Somali saga is sad. I hope people will abandon failed institutions ( Qabiil and alike) and ideologies and seek reconciliation. Al-Shabaab must reconsider this "war" specially if it can not deliver fatal blow to TFG and AMISOM.

Alla Ha,unaxariisto intii dhimatey.

^We must had different vantage points.

the government had a full backing of almost all Somalis JB..This is where you are wrong! The Somali government lost the confidence and support of the southerners. As someone who's from Puntland (tribally), I assure we had no allegiance to the government till the bitter end. And this is coming from someone who was born in Bilaajo Carab. I could only imagine how people in Mudug, Nugal and Bari felt. The same sentiment prevailed among all southern tribes. And anyone who lived in Xamar and the south at large can attest to that. The Somali state failed cuz it's severed its relationship with the public. Without the support of its consistency, the government failed. Oodweyne...I believe this is what I and Jb trying to establish. Institutions can not survive without the tacit approval of the public.Now if the question is can Somaliland army live up to the expectation of its base, then that's another argument.

Oodweyne..Agreed, as long as you don't tell me the Somaliland's army super awesomeness is what keeping them away. JB..I will have to disagree with that assessment.SSDF might have stopped being militarily operational but it had two effects on the SNA and the Somali state at large.One is the military aspect in that Somali officers of Puntland origin have all abandoned the army as institution. Of course, some came back but most were demoted and were never trusted-essentially rendering their usefulness as military officers. The second effect SSDF had on the Somali state is the political one. The entire community was marginalized and their property confiscated, not mention the crimes committed against them in response to the Cirro coup. SSDF delivered the second blow to the Somali state and army. The first blow was the defeat in 77. The third blow was SNM. The formation of USC and lack of support from southern tribes to the government was the last and the lethal blow. If the government and army had full backing (politically, militarily, and economically)of all southerners, than equation would have been different because any setback suffered by government could have been corrected and SNM will have behaved like Tamil tigers. It would have been one Somali clan vs every Somali.

Al-shabaab can only fight where it has mass following and that is why it was able to withstand against the Ethiopia's army Now you are making sense Oodweyne

^No body denies SNM did damage to the State but to say it caused its ultimate downfall is disingenuous and factual wrong. The government sphere of influence started decreasing right after 77 war.

^But they are relevant unless your argument is Northern Officers is what made the Somali war.And add the political dimension to the equation as the State lost the confidence of an entire communities. The country began to unravel at every level after 77. SNM represented one dimension of the overall problem that was facing the Somali state.

Jb...The SNM (military wing) had little or no operational capabilities in the early 80s. It was still in its infancy but the departure of northern and northeastern officers did obviously weakened the SNA at officer level.