...... and the other one who went to the Eid prayers. The prayer started and the Imam repeated ALLAHU AKBAR 7 times ,, the guy confused and turned to the crowd shouting "Waar Salaadu xagee bay ka xidhmi la'dahay" ,,,

HARGEISA, Somaliland- The government of Somaliland this week has announced that it would commit 30 percent funds required for the registration of voters for the horn of African nation’s upcoming elections, seventy percent of the fund has already been pledged by donors for the general elections slated for next march. In an exclusive interview with SSI, Somaliland’s minister of Finance Mr. Husein Ali Duale stated that despite the current global food and oil price hikes taking a toll on the nation all efforts are being made to carry out a successful election. “we are ready to pay the difference for the registration of voters which is quite big amount of money”, said Minister Husein Ali. Minister Husein Ali forecasted that UDUB, the incumbent party of Somaliland will win the upcoming elections with majority because of the achievements made by the party. “I know my political friends Mr. Siilaanyo and Mr. Waraabe, the two chairpersons of the opposition parties couldn’t cope with the international community because there will be problems which they do not have the capability to solve with courage. But the current president of the republic of Somaliland and his Vice president who will once again stand for election. President Rayaale have the knack to lead Somaliland and solve easily the internal problems of the nation”, said Minister Husein Ali. In the unlikely event that UDUB looses in the upcoming elections Minister Husein Ali said that the party would make efforts for a smooth handover of power to the victor. “that is how it goes if we want to show the world we are maintaining a strong democracy, but I don’t think the opposition candidates will get a chance to lead the country because they have nothing to show the voters and people can see right now who they are going to be with”, said Minister Husein Ali. The minister showed concern in preparing for the upcoming presidential elections in light of the prevailing global food and oil crisis. “Somaliland in respect to other nations receives little support from the international community because of its recognition as a state is still in limbo. Had we been given recognition our ability to cope with the global economic crisis would have been more effective”, said minister Husein Ali. According to Minister Husein Ali the delay in international recognition inhibits the nation’s ability from soliciting loans from donors as well as international banks. As a result to cope with the prevailing international economic turmoil the government had to redesign its annual budget. “We carefully tried hard to support the most affected people who couldn’t afford to continue their daily lives normally either in water shortage or the high prices of food and oil. we strongly built our police and military either by equipping them lightly or paying them all the necessary payments so we could defend our borders in Sool and east of the Sanaag regions and now we are willing by November to change the old Somali shillings currency in the Togdher region, its big a achievement”, said Minister Husein Ali. Minister Husein Ali also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue in the tasks of nation building despite the problems of high prices of food and oil. The minister further talked about the relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia and mentioned that relations are improving and the government is planning to send a big delegation after the Ramadan fasting season to hold further discussions on expanding trade between the two neighborly nations. By Moha Dahir Farah Jire The Sub-Saharan Informer - August 29, 2008

PARIS, Sept 16 (Reuters) - French forces have freed two French tourists taken hostage by pirates off the Somali coast, the French president's office said on Tuesday. One pirate was killed and six others taken prisoner, the president's office said in a statement. The French couple were seized at the start of September by gunmen who had demanded a ransom of more than $1.4 million. The couple had been taking a sailing boat from Australia to France, where they planned to sell it. "The two French nationals are safe and sound," the statement said. It said President Nicolas Sarkozy had ordered the French army to rescue the hostages late on Monday. Somali pirates have hijacked more than 30 ships so far this year, making the shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden the most dangerous in the world. Most of the gunmen are based in the lawless, semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland. Abdulqadir Muse Yusuf, Puntland's assistant fisheries minister, told Reuters the French raid took place on the coast about 700 km (435 miles) southwest of Bosasso. "They captured the boat and saved their two tourists," Yusuf said. "This morning planes were seen flying over the area, but they have now gone back. We are investigating whether the French marines caused other deaths and damage, since many civilians live around that area." An east African maritime organisation had named the couple as Jean-Yves and Bernadette Delanne. Earlier this year, French commandos captured six Somali pirates shortly after a ransom had been paid for the release of a French yacht and its 30-strong crew. The pirates had been demanding a ransom of more than $1.4 million for the Delannes' freedom, as well as the release of the six pirates held in a French prison. On Sunday, pirates fired rockets at a French tuna fishing boat in international waters in the Indian Ocean, 400 nautical miles off the Somali coast. France has demanded European Union moves to protect boats sailing in the Indian Ocean.

looooooooooooooooooooooool ,,, it can happen you know ,,, Alif maal qabee, Rabbiin qabaa ,,,,, Classic , A&T, Akam bultee niyow ? ,, fayaan qabee ?? I was there when this guy in Hargeisa was asked to lead the prayers in a masjid after the First Jamaacah ,,, he wasn't mentally ok but the way he dressed, they thought he is Ok ,,, after taking sometime telling them STAWUUU ,, he went to the corner of the line and looked them from the behind then screamed: "Waar dee Badhyahana sima" ,,,,,,,

Palin won't meet with 'Troopergate' investigator ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Gov. Sarah Palin is unlikely to speak with an independent counsel hired by Alaska lawmakers to review the firing of her public safety commissioner, a spokesman for Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Monday. Spokesman Ed O'Callaghan said he has not spoken with Palin, but she was "unlikely to cooperate" with the inquiry "as long as it remains tainted." Democrats charged that the McCain campaign was trying to stall the investigation. "The partisan presidential campaign of McCain/Palin has interfered and is picking partisan targets to smear in order to make this investigation look like something it isn't," said Patti Higgins, chairwoman of the Alaska Democratic Party. "Rather than cooperating with the investigation, the Republican presidential campaign is doing everything it can to stall and smear." O'Callaghan also said he did not know whether Palin's husband, Todd, would challenge a subpoena issued Friday to compel his cooperation. Thomas Van Flein, the Palins' lawyer, who has accepted service of the subpoena, did not return messages seeking comment. The governor herself has not been subpoenaed, but the Legislature's investigator, Steve Branchflower, has said he hopes to speak with her. Palin and her husband campaigned Monday in Colorado and Ohio. Palin also planned appearances Tuesday in Ohio. McCain's campaign insists the investigation into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan has been hijacked by Democrats. Palin initially said she welcomed the inquiry. But after she became McCain's running mate on Aug. 29 her lawyer sought to have the three-member state Personnel Board take over the investigation, alleging that public statements by the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democratic state Sen. Hollis French, indicated the probe was politically motivated. French said Sept. 2 that the results of the investigation could constitute an "October surprise" for the McCain campaign. He later apologized for the remark, but Palin's lawyer has said the biased impression it created can't be undone. The McCain campaign says it can prove Monegan was fired in July because of insubordination on budget issues, and not because he refused to fire a state trooper who went through a nasty divorce from Palin's sister. To that end, the campaign released a series of e-mails detailing the frustration several Palin administration officials experienced in dealing with Monegan. The "last straw," the campaign said, was a trip Monegan planned to Washington in July to seek federal money for investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases. In a July 7 e-mail, John Katz, the governor's special counsel, noted two problems with the trip: the governor hadn't agreed the money should be sought, and the request "is out of sequence with our other appropriations requests and could put a strain on the evolving relationship between the Governor and Sen. Stevens." Monegan was fired four days later. In the weeks since, it has emerged that the Palins and her staff repeatedly had contacted Monegan expressing their dismay at the continued employment of Trooper Mike Wooten, who divorced Palin's sister in 2005. The following year, Wooten was suspended for five days based on complaints filed by the Palins, including that he drank in his patrol car, used a Taser on his 10-year-old stepson and illegally shot a moose. A bipartisan panel of the Legislature voted unanimously to authorize an investigation into the circumstances of Monegan's firing. In an effort to move the investigation into the Personnel Board's court, Van Flein filed a complaint there. But on Monday, he asked the board to dismiss the matter, citing the e-mails about budget issues as proving the real reason for Monegan's dismissal. "The Governor decided to replace Mr. Monegan based on his refusal to execute her administration's policy on fiscal and budget matters, a refusal that between late 2007 and the middle of 2008 blossomed into outright insubordination." Monegan's attorney said he had no immediate comment. Also made clear in the e-mails is that some Palin staffers believed Monegan worked outside normal channels in making budget requests, in one case writing a letter to the governor in support of a funding for a project she had already vetoed.

@ Alif wax ma leh ,,,,,,,,,, hahahahaha

(Versailles, April 8th 2008) - Somaliland is asking for international recognition since 1991 when it restored its independence. Some countries have granted a de facto recognition to Somaliland, for instance Ethiopia which hosts a representative based in Addis Ababa. Delegates have also been sent to the United Kingdom, once the colonial power controlling the protectorate of Somaliland, and to the USA and Italy. Recently France has sent twice diplomats from its embassy in Djibouti to Hargeisa to create cultural links with Somaliland. The latest move materializing a de facto recognition by France has been to authorize the opening of a representative liaison office in the French capital. Les nouvelles d’Addis has met the newly appointed Somaliland representative, Mr Mahamud Salah Nur. Les nouvelles d’Addis. – You arrived recently as a representative of your country in France. What have been your previous official assignments? Mahamud Salah Nur. – I had various positions since Somaliland was created again. A national charter was adopted in 1993 in Borama and government structures came into existence. I became then a member of parliament representing my Sanaag region up to 1997 when late president Egal was elected. Then I joined the government as minister of Foreign Affairs until 2001. When the political parties were created I became one of the founders of Kulmiye party which is the biggest opposition party. Lately I was chosen by president Riyale, taken into consideration my background, even though I belong to an opposition party and I did not leave my party. I was appointed as a representative in France. And the Somaliland government has decided to open an office taken into consideration the position of France as one of the great powers. It is a force to reckon with in Europe and we have decided to introduce the French language into the educational system. Now French is beeing taught in the universities of Somaliland, both in Borama and Hargeisa. I just have arrived to open this office. LNA. – It cannot be an official diplomatic representation because there is no recognition yet. What can be your status? MSN. – Recognition has got two aspects. You have de facto recognition and de jure recognition. What we have now is de facto recognition. France takes into consideration the fact that Somaliland has existed for 17 years and single-handedly was able to survive, has shown unbelievable resilience to survive on its own. To day without boast Somaliland is a force to reckon with in the region. It has got the most democratic institutions, it has got the freest press, it has got a real functioning parliament and lot of things are controlled by the opposition. As you know we have separation of powers. The legislative, the judiciary and the executive. The parliament is controlled by the opposition which has got the majority. So it is something like cohabitation in a strange way on that part of the continent. LNA. – You mentionned recognition de facto. Are you referring to the visits of French diplomats to Hargeisa last October and more recently ? Do you think this is a first step toward full recognition? MSN. – We think that there is a growing awareness worldwide that it is high time, it is overdue that the world has finally to grant Somaliland a legal, diplomatic recognition because the international community has realized that we have met all the conditions for a fully-fledged state, all the requirements as stipulated in the Montevideo Convention on recognition of states in the sense that we have fixed boundaries, permanent population with all the functional institutions of a state and we have legitimacy because we had several elections. We had presidential elections, we had parliamentary elections. By the way we are unique in East Africa in the sense that we have a president who is there by the virtue of the fact that we had national elections with a thin majority of 80 votes. That has happened nowhere in the world. And above all we are an oasis of peace and stability in the region. Thus number of people say this merits the respect of the international community. LNA. – One strange thing is that while European countries like France and Great Britain have started to have relations, even if they are unofficial, inside the African Union they are waiting to do something. In your opinion will the African Union continue to wait and take no decision? MSN. – It is a very interesting question. In fact having officially made an application for membership in the African Union, a high level delegation was sent to Somaliland and finally a draft report was written, a very positive report about the situation which prevails in Somaliland. It strongly recommends that Somaliland should be recognized and admitted into the African Union, that our country cannot be equated to Biafra or to any split state but that Somaliland is unique in the sense that it meets all the conditions for a fully-fledged state. What Somaliland has done is fully in harmony with the charter of the African Union. This is now seriously debated by African countries and we think soon, inch’Allah, they will reach a positive decision. LNA. – Beeing now in France do you plan to meet some personalities to inform them, in the ministry of Foreign Affairs for instance ? MSN. – The Foreign Ministry has already agreed in February that Somaliland should be given the right to open an office to represent our country. Not fully diplomatic but a sort of ex officio. LNA. – Like the Palestinian representation? MSN. – Something along that line. You call it officieux. The decision of recognition will be taken by France and by the European countries. France cannot take this decision alone but it will have to consult other European governments. France will be chairman of the European Union by the first of July.We think by then the Europeans will seriously debate the issue of the recognition of Somaliland and that depends on how much efforts we put in to convince and sell our gopel to Europeans. LNA. – You have a lot of work ahead. Welcome to this country. We shall certainly meet again. MSN. – Thank you. BY ROBERT WIREN LES NOUVELLES D’ADDIS

Madaxweyne Rayaale oo Guda Galay kulamadii uu La'lahaa Dawladda Fransiiska Paris (Qarannews)-Wefidii uu hogaaminayay Madaxweynaha JSL Mudane Daahir Rayaale Kaahin , waxa maanta oo Isniin ah guda galeen Kulamadii ay la yeelanayeen Dawlada Faransiiska , waxana maanta xarunta Madaxtooyada Faransiiska ku qaabilay La taliyaha Madaxweynaha ee Arrimaha Africa, Mr. Bruno Joubert Warsaxaafadeed arrintan ku saabsan oo uu soo saaray Afhayeenka Wefdiga, ahna Wasiirka Maaliyada Mudane Xuseen Cali Ducaale ayaa u qornaa sidan, kaasi oo loo qaybiyay saxaafda isla arkaasna uu nuqul ka mid ahii uu soo gaadhay shabakada qarannews waxa uu u dhignaa sidan hoos ku xusan. “ Weftigii uu hogaaminayey Madaxweynaha JSL, Mudane, Daahir Rayaale Kaahin, ayaa shalay waxa uu ka degay gegida Dayaaradaha De gaulle ee Magaalada Paris, halkaasi oo ay Madaxweynaha iyo weftigiisa ku soo dhaweeyeen Masuuliyiin ka socday Dawladda Fransiiska iyo Jaaaliyadda Somaliland ee Dalka Fransiiska. Weftigu waxa uu Maanta oo Isniina guda galay kulamadii uu la'lahaa dawladda Fransiiska, Madaxweynaha iyo weftigiisu waxa Xarunta Madaxtooyada dalka Fransiiska ku qaabilay la taliyaha Madaxweynaha ee arrimaha Africa, Mr. Bruno Joubert, kullankaasi waxa la taliyaha ku wehelinayey, Safiirka Djibouti u fadhiya Dalka Fransiiska, Mr. Dominique Decherf iyo Masuuliyiin kale oo ka socotay Madaxtooyada Fransiiska. waxa kale oo Maanta Madaxweynaha iyo weftigiisu kullan kula yeesheen Xarunta Wasaaradda Arrimaha Debedda, u qaybsanaha Wasaaradda Arrimaha Debedda ee Africa iyo Indian Ocean , Mr. Jean De Gliniasty iyo Masuuliyiinta qaybaha kala duwan ee Africa. Madaxweynaha iyo We.ftigiisu waxa kalooy Maanta booqdeen Xarunta Senate-ka ee France, halkaasi oo ay kula kulmeen Guddiga Arrimaha Debedda ee Senate-ka. Madaxweynuhu Madaxdaasi kala duwan ee uu arkay, waxa uu warbixin qoto dheer ka siiyay Xaaladda Somaliland ee Maanta iyo halkii laga soo qaaday, iyo siday diyaar ugu yihiin shacbi iyo dawlad sidii dalkooda ay horumarin u gaadhsiin lahaayeen. Waxa Madaxweynuhu ka codsaday inay gacan ka siiyaan sidii loo kobcin lahaa dhaqaalaha Dalka iyo wax allaale wixii ay gacan nagu siin karaan. Madaxweynuhu waxa uu Masuuliyiinta uu arkay dhammaantood u fidiyey Casuumad inay dalka yimaadaan, isla markaana indhahooda ku soo arkaan xaqaa’iqa ka jira Dalka. . Masuuliyiintu dhammantood, waxay Madaxweynaha uga mahadceliyeen warbixinta dhammays-ka tiran ee uu ka siiyay xaaladda Dalka, iyo booqashada isaga iyo weftigiisu ku yimaadeen caasimada dalka Faransiiska ee Paris. Waxay Madaxweynaha iyo weftigiisa u ballan qaadeen in ay gacan dhaqaale iyo mid kaleba ula diyaar yihiin. Isla markaana ay ka aqbaleen Casuumadda Madaxweynuhu u fidiyey. Madaxweynaha waxa kullamadaasi ku weheliyey, Wasiirka Wasaaradda Maaliyadda, Mudane, Xusseen Cali Ducaale , Cali Ismaaciil Xassan, Xog-hayaha 1aad ee Xafiiska Somaliland ee France iyo Mudane, Axmed Maxamed Ciise, Xog-hayaha Gaarka ah ee Madaxweynaha JSL”. Qarannews, kala soco wararka socdaalka waftiga uu hogaaminaayo madaxweynaha Somaliland mudane Dahir Rayaale Kaahin.

Subax wanaagsan ........ The work should start at 11am during Ramadan ,,, it is not fair to wake up at 6:30am ,,, not fair at all.

Imaaraatka ayaad waxoogaa lacag ah ka hesheen miyaa si aad magaca u qaadataan ?? ,,,

looooooooooooooooooooool@A&T ,,,, Waad dhowdhowdahay hadaa ,, ma fogid ,,

looooooooooool ,,, try again sxb.

I feel sleepy ,, completely sleepy but it is only half an hour before i go home.

Washington (W.Wararka)- Mooshin ujeeddadiisu tahay in la xakameeyo taageerada uu Mareykanku siiyo Ethiopia aya la hordhigay Golaha Senate-ka , waxana Ethiopia lagu eedeeyey inay ku xadgudubto shacabka. Mashruuca qaraarkan ayey dulucdiisu tahay in Mareykanku taageero dadaallada xagga dimoqraadiyadda iyo ilaalinta xuquuqda aadanaha, kuwaas oo sida qaraarka ku cad si weyn loogu xadgudbay. Senator Russ Feingold oo ah guddoomiyaha guddi-hoosaadka Africa ee Golaha Senate-ka Maraykanka, isla markaana ah mudanaha mooshinkan soo gudbiyey, ayaa qoraal dheer oo uu ku lifaaqay mashruuca qaraarkan waxa uu ku sheegay in, inkastoo taliskii keligiii taliyihii Mingistu meesha laga saaray, haddana inaan wax horumar ah laga sameyn xagga dimoqraadiyadda, isagoo tusaale u soo qaatay doorashadii Ethiopia ka dhacday sannadkii 2005, taas oo ciidanka ammaanka Ethiopia ay dileen 193 qof, iyagoo dhaawacay 763 qof, waxeyna xabsiga dhigeen boqollaal siyaasi oo ka tirsan mucaaradka dalkaas. Iyadoo aan weli ka soo waaqsan xiisaddii ka dhalatay doorashooyinka isdaba-marinta badani ka dhacday, ayuu Sen. Feingold sheegay in haddana Ethiopia ciidammadeeda u dirtay Soomaaliya, si buu yidhi ay gacan u siiyaan dawladda Mbeghati. Muddadaas wixii ka dambeeyey, Sen. Feingold ayaa sheegay in hey'adaha xuquuqda aadanaha, iyo xitaa warbixin-sanadeedka Wasaaradda Arrimaha Dibadda ee Mareykanka, in lagu sheegay in Ethiopia ay gabbood-fallo ba'an ay ka geysatay Muqdisho iyo gobollo kale iyo waliba gobolka Soomaalida ee dalka Ethiopia. "Bishii May ee sannadkan ayuu Baarlamaanka Ethiopia ansixiyey sharci cuna-qabateynaya xorriyadda shakhsiga ah, isla markaana xannibaya awoodda dadku u leeyihiin inay dawladdooda iska beddelaan.†Sidaa waxa qoraalkiisa ku sheegay Sen. Feingold. Iyadoo la tixgelinayo dhammaan qodobbadaas, ayuu Sen. Feingold sheegay in nuxurka mooshinkiisu yahay in dawladda Ethiopia lagu sandulleeyo inay oggolaato yididiilada shacabkeeda oo ah helitaanka hannaanka axsaabta siyaasadeed, madax-bannaanida nidaamka garsoorka, xorriyadda saxaafadda, xushmeynta xuquuqda aadanaha, tayeynta bulshada rayidka ah, sii deynta maxaabiista siyaasadeed iyo waliba horumarinta dhaqaalaha. Intaas waxa weheliya ka hortagga xagjirnimada iyo argagixisanimada ka jirta gobolka iyo in Ethiopia ay u hoggaansanto dhexdhexaadintii laga dhex sameeyey iyada iyo Eritrea ee lagu calaamadeeyey soohdinta labada dal. Mooshinka ayaa sheegaya in Golaha Senate-ka Maraykanku uu Ethiopia ka codsanayo in oggolaadaan in khubarro ka socota QM, hay'adaha xuquuqda aadanaha iyo warbaahintuba inay baadhitaan ku sameeyaan gabbood-fallada la sheegay in ciidankeedu ka geysteen gobolka Soomaalida Itoobiya iyo weliba dalka Soomaaliya. Si loo meel-mariyo dhammaan qodobbadaas, mooshinku wuxuu codsanayaa in lacag dhan $20 milyan oo doollar lagu bixiyo mashaariicda la xidhiidha soo noolaynta dimoqraadiyadda iyo badbaadinta xuquuqda aadanaha. Sen. Feingold ayaa hadalkiisa ku sheegay in xidhiidhka laba-geesoodka ah ee ka dhexeeya Ethiopia iyo Mareykanka uu yahay mid muhiim ah, balse in maamulka Madaxweyne Bush xidhiidhkaas ku saleeyey danaha soke ee Mareykanka ee ku beegan xagga ammaanka, iyadoo looga baahnaa inuu tixgeliyo danaha fog ee ah dowlad-wanaag iyo la-xisaabtan. “Haddii la rabo in laga guuleysto xagjirnimada, waa in la taageero inuu hannaan dimoqraadi ah oo dhab ah ka dhaqangalo Ethiopia. Sidoo kale, haddii aan Ethiopia siinno taageero xagga ammaanka ah oo aan shuruudo ku xidhneyn waxaan si dadban u beereynaa xididdadii ammaan-darrada,†ayuu yidhi Sen. Feingold. Ugu dambayntii, Feingold wuxuu sheegay in mooshinkani dowladda Mareykanka ka reebayo inay taageerto haya'daha ammaanka dalkaas, hadday caddaato inay geysteen gabbood-fallo ka dhan ah xuquuqda aadanaha.

It is almost 1pm now and i'm as full as i ate a whole goat ........ need to exercise i guess.

I haven't been hungry for the last 2 days at all ,,, harraadna iskaba dhaaf.

Thanks for understanding ...... As for those people in that territory, i would highlight some points: - They signed the Somaliland independence in 1991 in Burco. The signatures of the elders, leaders and the prominent figures of those people are available. Without them, Somaliland would not exist today. - As a democratic government, they are included in the Parliament, government and most of the other administration. - Those people are divided within. it is true some of them support Somaliland and others prefer to stay with the greater Somalia but as long as they are included in the Somaliland territory the majority is the leadership. - It is not to ask each gobol to vote if they want to join Somaliland or not. That would make us to ask togdheer, Hargeisa, Awdal, Saaxil and so on. It is the whole nation sxb. The selection has been done and the decision has been taken in 1991. Case closed.

The Somaliland people are experiencing serious challenges including poverty, 95% unemployment, illiteracy, high birth rate, and young democracy that provide the right to express themselves and demonstrate when necessary. Unfortunately, the people have no experience in how to demonstrate peacefully and usually their demonstrations include unacceptable level of disorderly and property damage, and the police force have not been trained in how to control peaceful demonstration nor have been provided the necessary equipment to control peaceful demonstrators. The results have been excessive force by the policy using live bullets to control the crowd, which leads to the death of innocent civilians in the hands of the policy whenever there are demonstrations anywhere in Somaliland . These unnecessary deaths have been taking place too many times in the last few years and many people have died by the hands of the police force that were supposed to protect them. You'll think President Rayale's administration who have experienced these difficult situations more than dozen times in the last few years would be seriously looking into finding a way to solve this problem and eliminate the death of civilians by the hands of the police. You would be wrong. No one has made any attempt to solve this problem beyond blood-money payments and the killing of innocent civilians by the police continues – the latest one happened few days ago in Hargeysa. The latest incident was prompted by a disagreement between the Water Authorities in Hargeysa and the Southern district communities in Hargeysa over a promises to dig 6 water wells that were made to them, and the decision by the Water Authorities to stop work and remove equipment after one well has successfully been completed. Because there are not enough resources to meet the social needs of the people in Somaliland these types of disagreements about sharing resources will continue to bring strong disagreements between authorities and people in Somaliland. Quick research in Somaliland revealed to me that the Somaliland Police force (anywhere in Somaliland) have never received training on how to control demonstrations nor have they been provided any equipment that will help them to do the job of controlling unruly crowd. It is reasonable to ask the question, how do other democratic societies deal with this problem? The answer is very simple; the police receive basic training on crowd control and receive equipment that will help them to do the job. There are various types of equipment available to help police including tear gas, pepper spray, plastic bullets, and electric Tasers. In some cases, riot squads may also use water cannons, armored vehicles, police dogs or mounted police on horses. Officers performing riot control typically wear protective equipment including: riot helmets, body armor, gas masks and riot shields. I'm aware that the budget of Somaliland Police authorities may not afford the resources to be fully equipped with all the tools that are available, but it is inexcusable that they do not have any equipment or training at all to mitigate the situation – none. In such circumstance the police are faced with very bad options; violent crowd and demonstrators that are determined to hurt them and lack of proper equipment that will help them control the situation, which means the only tool available to them is deadly weapons (live bullets) – which they have consistently used and hence caused the death of dozens of civilian demonstrators in most major cities in Somaliland over the last few years. This is simply happening because of lack of leadership and the fact that President Rayale does not consider this an important issue that needs to be a priority for his government. The recent press release of Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Sillanyo, chairman of Kulmiye, where he expressed sympathy for the families of those who lost their lives and asked the authorities to bring those (police officers) who committed these crimes to justice gave me hope, and it seems to me that there is a chance that this problem might be solved. Chairman Ahmed expressed the need and promised to (if given the chance) to provide training to the Somaliland Police force in the methods of controlling peaceful crowds and at the same time providing them the necessary equipment to do the job, which he promised will save the lives of many citizens. Until then, the Somaliland Police force is between rock and hard place – their only choice is to get hurt and allow property damage by demonstrators or kill your own people. It is obvious which option they have taken. Rashid Nur Somaliland American Council

HARGEISA, 17 July 2008 – Until a few months ago, Safia Jibril was able to feed, clothe and educate her nine children thanks to the US$100 that her husband's brother in the diaspora sent every month. "Six months [ago] it was enough to provide my family's livelihood but today the price of one sack of rice has doubled," she said. "Now if I buy one sack of rice and one of sugar, then I will not have flour, oil or anything to pay my children's school fees," she told IRIN in Gabiley village in the western suburbs of Hargeysa, capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland. "We are waiting Allah's mercy," Safia added. "I used to sell some charcoal in front of my house, but today I do not because I spent my capital on the family food [budget]." Like many Somalilanders, Safia's family has been hit by inflation and high food prices that have especially hurt the livelihoods of the predominantly pastoralist population and created general food shortages. According to local traders, a sack of rice used to cost $28 six months ago, but this has increased to above $52. The situation has been aggravated by the fact that Somaliland imports virtually all its food. "We can no longer buy anything from the market because the price of foodstuffs has increased," said Fatouma Ahmed, a mother of five children who used to provide for her family by selling tomatoes near the State House. Mohamoud J. Osman, an agro-pastoralist from Juffa, 11km north of the Ethiopia-Somaliland border town of Wajale , which lies to the west of Hargeysa, said he could no longer afford grass for his livestock. "I have just returned from Mada-wein [village, south of Hargeisa]," he told IRIN. Used to feeding his animals on sorghum, he has had to stop because the price of the cereal has risen. "I sold one ox [so] I could buy grass for my other animals," he said. Impact Hargeysa District Court Chairman Abdirashid Bergel said economic difficulties have strained families. Since January, at least 242 families have broken up, compared to 117 over the whole of 2007. According to Abdirashid, the break-ups have largely resulted from the current economic slump and rising prices of food. Local traders said the situation has also impacted on business. In Burao market, for example, sales of livestock, which used to be a booming business, have slackened. Farmers from Togdheer region, who mainly used to supply the livestock, have reduced deliveries because prices have fallen. Currently, a sheep sells for about $38 - less than a bag of rice. Meanwhile, the government is attempting to calm nerves. "The high price of food is not only in Somaliland ; it is a problem throughout the world," the commerce ministry said in a recent statement. "The government does not tax food items [because] it is too little compared to other [taxable] items." The minister, Osman Qasim Qodah, said the government was urging Somalilanders to eat cheaper, local items instead of imported food. The worst for Somalia is not over yet, however, according to forecasts by the US-funded Famine Early Warning System (Fews Net) and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization's Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU). The two organizations, in a June update, noted that the overall performance of the 2008 ‘gu' rains in Somalia had been poor - although some pastoral areas in Juba and Gedo received good rains. Areas like northern Bakool, Lower and Middle Shabelle regions, Hiran, and most of northeast, northwest, and central regions; in many cases received less than 40 percent of normal rain during April, May, and June. "As a result of the below normal rains, crop germination and development has been poor in most of the key cropping areas, with some sorghum producing districts (including Saakow in Middle Juba and Bardhere in Gedo) experiencing crop failure," the update said. On livestock, it noted that body conditions for cattle, sheep, and goats were poor throughout Somalia due to low rainfall in the ‘deyr' 2007/08 season, followed by a very harsh ‘jilaal' dry season (January to mid April 2008). Milk availability and calving rates of camels in Sanaag, Togdheer, central and Bakool regions had also been affected. "In May, the total number of livestock exported through Bossaso and Berbera ports dropped significantly," it said. Somaliland , which has an estimated population of 3.5 million, relies on livestock as the backbone of its economy. Government statistics show that 55 percent of the population is either nomadic or semi-nomadic - with 45 percent living in urban centres or rural towns. In April, the governor of Somaliland 's Togdheer region warned that extensive drought and high inflation had pushed many families, both nomadic and urban, to the brink of starvation. About 350,000 people live in Togdheer. "People are suffering not only from the drought but also a very high level of inflation, putting food out of reach of the many," Jama Abdillahi told IRIN. Source: IRIN

Today as the international community grapples with the energy crises, one Horn of African country known as Somaliland is seeking international recognition as a sovereign state in 17 years of self declared independence from the battle scared Somalia. During the parliamentary forum on sustainable development and aid effectiveness held in Nairobi, the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland expressed optimism that his country will receive international recognition as a sovereign state. With the recent recognition of Kosovo as a sovereign state, the speaker is enthusiastic that Somaliland will soon get its day among of community of nations.In the interview with the Kenyan Times, Abdilahi who was accompanied by his deputy Mr. Abdilasis M. Samale, said they have rolled out a program to push for their country’s recognition as a sovereign state in international forums. They said their move will soon succeed after visiting of different countries in Africa and Europe which includes Wales, Finland, and Denmark among others, the speaker has been officially invited to Germany. By the end of three day forum in Nairobi, he held discussion with UN Habitat Director Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, US, German, Russian and Swedish ambassadors. He also met Keny’s Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) officials to discuss mutual interests on matters of business and labor relation. The duo admitted that despite Somaliland stability and democracy, the country frustrated by international community which remains reluctant to recognize their independence. This he adds is a major obstacle since it has crippled the political, economic and social stability of the country. Says he: “We have doubt that international community applying double standard when handling the issue of Somaliland. It has literally assumed that this is an African case. We are not dealing with the international monetary fund and other bodies; hence we can’t get any fund. Mr. Abdilahi adds that because of lack of such recognition, his country doesn’t have properly accredited financial institutions and there for have to rely on merchandise money transfer. This has made it difficult for Somaliland to transact business with other countries and thereby support their balance of payments. He blames African Countries for refusing to stand up for Somaliland, but is optimistic that the issue would soon be resolved through intense dialogue and constructive engagement. According to the speaker, Kenya is and important diplomatic, economic and strategically of Somaliland. He exudes confidence that Kenya would be the first country recognize her sovereignty following the cordial relationships that the two countries have established. “Kenya is known to be a peace mediator internationally, and a beacon of hope. We have made friends with Kenyan MPs and we are certain that we are heading somewhere”, Says Abdilahi adding that the country already has Mr. Osman as it’s representative in Somaliland. American Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Dr. Jendeyi Frazer’s visit to Hargeisa, Somaliland’s Capital, and President Dahir Riyale Kahin’s visit to Washington early this year marked positive steps which the speaker believes would soon seen Somaliland recognized as a sovereign state. He says the visits were successful because the President addressed the issue of immigration security, and development of democracy in Somaliland. This was followed by visit by Somaliland MPs to Ethiopia, Uganda, Washington DC, Germany, and other countries were the issue of recognition and acceptance was discussed. History The Republic of Somaliland broke away from the rest of Somalia over 10 years ago following the collapse of the government of the late Mohamed Siad Barre. In 2000, Somaliland voted in a referendum to determine the support for the sovereignty were 97 percent voted for independence. But the quest for sovereignty has not been endorsed by the international community. In 1991, after the collapse of central government in Somalia, the main part of the territory asserted it’s independence as the Republic of Somaliand in May 18, 1991. It regarded it self as a successor state to the briefly independent state of Somaliland. But didn’t receive any international diplomatic recognition. The economic and military infrastructure left behind Somalia has been largely destroyed by war. The People of Somaliland had rebelled against the Siad Barre dictatorship in Mogadishu, which promoted a massive reaction by the government. The late Abdirahman Ahmed Ali was the first President of Somaliland. Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Eggal was appointed his successor in 1993 by the Grand Conference of National Reconciliation in Borama, which met for four months, and led not only to gradual improvement in security, but solidified the fledgling state. Eggal was re appointed in 1997, and remained in power until his death in May 3, 2002. The vice president shortly afterwards, and in 2003 Kahin become the first Somaliland President to be elected in a free and fair election. The 2006, the war in Somalia between the Islamic Courts Union and the forces of Ethiopia and Somalia’s transitional government has not directly affected Somaliland. Politics and Government Somaliland has formed a hybrid system of governance under construction of Somaliland, combining traditional and western institutions. In a series of inter clan conference culminating in Borama Conference in 1993, a qabil (clan or community) system of government was constructed which consists of a consecutive, with a president, vice-president, and council of ministries, a bicameral legislature and an independence judiciary, the traditional Somali elders “Guurti” was incorporated into the governance structure and formed the upper house, responsible for selecting the president as well as managing the internal conflicts. Government became in a sense “a power sharing collision of a Somaliland’s clans”, with seats in the upper and the lower house proportionally allocated to clans according to a predetermined formula. In 2002 after several extensions of this interim government, Somaliland finally made the transition to multi party democracy with district council elections consisted by six parties. Foreign Relations Somaliland has political contacts with the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Builgum, Ghan, South Africa, Sweden and Djibouti. On January 17, 2007, the European Union sent a delegation for foreign affair to discuss Future Corporation. The African Union has also sent a foreign minister to discuss the future of international acknowledgment and on January 29 and 30, 2007, the ministers said that they would discus the acknowledgment with other member states. In June, 2007, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia held a conference with President Kahin during which he referred to in and official communiqué by the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry as the President of Somaliland, the first time that Somaliland has been officially acknowledged as a sovereign state by another government. While this is not claimed as a move for official recognition by Ethiopia, it is seen a positive step forward a unilateral declaration by Ethiopia in the event of African Union failing to move it’s recognition of Somaliland forward. A delegation led by the President of Somaliland was present at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting 2007, in Kampala Uganda.

Ilaaha ha ka badbaadiyo dhibaatada meeshaas ka dhacday .......... Havan't heard from the brother for such quite long but i hope he and his family are doing well. Castro, If you are reading this, one word would cool down our worries ........

We don't want to secede. We just want our independence back after the union. First, the union did come with the intended objectives to bring all somalis together. It remained only North and South. Djibouti was the first to break that dream. The other two were occupied anyway. Second, why unite with a chaos when you can be your own ? .... I can't see a country where i can (or one can) argue to unite with. I don't want civil war here. Currently there is no one i could talk to for re-unification if that is even possible. Third, the union brought its fruits and the reward was killing, jailing and torturing our people. The people suffered from the 30 years of union worse than the did with the colonial powers. Finally, There was a rush to unite with the south right after the independence. People were so exited to unite and they didn't think properly the details of such union but the emotions of the wadaninimo and qiiro was occupying the minds of the people. It is time to stand alone and to correct those mistakes. In Conclusion: I support the union and that is in the hearts of every single Somali living in this world. Somalis will unite one time Insha Allah no matter what but i believe this is not the right time. We need time to forget what heppened and prepare for the next round sxb. Somaliland needs time to recover from what happened, sort its issues by it is own and take some rest. Somalia needs more time to clean its house, bring peace, build governance, rebuild the country and recover from the deadly civil wars. After that ,, Yes we can TALK about re-unification but this time with conditions. Have a nice day .....

A Muslim cleric and five of his followers have been convicted of belonging to a terrorist group which allegedly planned attacks in Australia. A jury in Melbourne found Abdul Nacer Benbrika guilty of leading the group. The cell was accused of planning to stage "violent jihad", targeting the prime minister and major sports events. Four other men were acquitted. Charges are pending against two others, in what is being described as Australia's biggest-ever terrorism trial. During the long-running trial, prosecutors had argued that the group planned to attack a grand football match that attracts nearly 100,000 people every year in Melbourne. The cell was also accused of plotting to assassinate former Prime Minister John Howard, who had authorised the deployment of Australian troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. No attacks took place. All 12 men had pleaded not guilty.