It has been going on for the last 5 years sxb intaad xagaa kele ku sii jeedday He thought this is the right time imika ,,,, so do i ,,

I found the most beautiful girl in Africa here in Hargeisa long time ago ,,,,, i'm told she is now lost somewhere in the UK. I'm still looking for her ...........

Yes of course the parliament has to approve it ..... It is a slap coz this is giving more support to Rayaale from the people who live in those regions. If the parliament which the majority is the opposition parties then people will see that the opposition is not willing to consider their issues ,,,,

Well, reintegration will not and cannot happen with a failed state. That is the point you are missing yaa Xiin ...

Those gangs should be stopped ,,,,,, machines and fake money is all they think of.

WELL, THIS MAY HELP As far as i know the new development is welcomed by the people living in those areas and it is another slap on KULMIYE's political face ...... We will see and wait what the days will bring next IA.....

Hordhac Waxaa dhowaan la wareegey gacan ku haynta gobolka Sool, gaar ahaan magaalaada muhiimka ah ee Laascaanood Maamulka Somaliland. Haddaba, waxaa muhiim ah in aay fahmaan dadku mamulka hirgalay gobalka in aay ka danbeeyeen Shacabka Gobolka Sool iyo Ciidan uu dhashay Gobalka oo fahmey siyaasadda Puntland oo aan qabiil dhaafsiisneyn khatarna ku noqotey jiritaanka Ummada Soomaaliya, waxeyna shacabku Taageero ka heleen maamulka Somaliland oo isna muddo ku Taamayey Waqooyisam iyo Mamul ka Hirgala Gobalada SSC iyo dhamaan Gobolada kale ee waqooyi Haddaba,Mamulka ka hirgalay Laascaanood ayaa dadka qaarba si u arkaa. Waxaan anigu ka mid ahey dadka u arka, in ay arrintani soo dhoweyneyso xal u helidda mashaakilka Somalia ee adduunka oo dhammi xal u waayey. (Taariikhdu waa mudan, waajira markhaati leh, marbay ahayd adduunyadu, mugdi lagu halaaboo, mahdhooyin badanoo, dadku aayda magansado) Waxaan qormadan si kooban ugu eegayaa Xilligii gumeysiga, Xilligii dowladdanimada, iyo Xaaladda hadda taaagan (sida mustaqbalku iila muuqdo). Xilligii Gumeysiga iyo Halgankii Xornimodoonka Waxaynu wada ogsoonahay in xilligii gumeysigu dalka heystey uu halgankii ugu adkaa uguna Taariikhda dheeraa ahaa kii Daraawiishta ee 1900-1921 uuna ka bilowdey Gobolada Somaliland. Waxaynu kale oo ogsoonahay, in halgankii siyaasadeed ee lala galey gumeysiga Ingriiska laguna doonayey in Somalia ka xorowdo gumeysiga lana mideeyo goboladii soomaalyeed ee gumeysigu heystey uu ka bilowdey ugu horeyntiina ka najaxey Somaliland. Waxaa markhaati ma doonto ah in calankii Soomaaliyeed ee ugu horeeyey lagana taago ciid Soomaaliyeed laga taagey magaalada Hargeysa oo aheyd haddana ah caasimadda Somaliland (Sareeyoow ma nusqaamoow aan siduu yahay eegnee kanna siib kanna saar). Xilligii dowlanimada Somalia Ka dib markii calanka la saarey 26,June 1960kii, ayaa sidii ay ku ballansanaayeen waddaniyiintii Somaliland oo ay hoggaaminyeen alla ha u naxariistee Maxamed Ibraahin Cigaal iyo Garaad Cali Garaad Jaamac waxay isla markiiba u amba baxeen magaalada Muqdisho si ay ula midoobaan walaalahooda kale uguna cadaadiyaan gumeysigii Talyaaniga siduu usoo dedejin lahaa xornimadooda taasoo nasiib wanaag timi 1 July 1960 halkaas oo ay ku dhalatey dowladdii Jamhuuriyadda Dimoqraadiga ee Soomaliya. Waxaase nasiib darro noqtey, in isla markiiba ay siyaasiyiintii kaafurta Somalia bilaabeen cadaadis iyo musumaasuq xad-gudub ku jiro oo ay ku sameeyeen goboladii Somaliland. Waxaase xaaladdii ka sii dartey markii xukunkii militeriga ahaa uu waddankii la wareegey. Ka dib markii shacabkii gobolada waqooyi gaar ahaan gobolada waqooyi galbeed, togdheer iyo sanaag ay u adkeysan waayeen dhibaatooyinkii lagu hayey ayey bilaabeen kacdoon ay ku doonayeen in ay xuquuqdooda ku helaan jawaabtii dowladduna waxay moqotey in ay bilowdey xasuuq aan loo aabayeelin. Taasina waxey dhalisay kacdoonkii hubeysnaa ee SNM. Waxaase la yaab noqotey, in dowladdii Soomaaliyeed aay Adeegsato Qabyalad lagu kala Qaybinayo dadka uu dhashay Somaliland Wayna ku guulaysatay in muda ah mishinki, Waxayna Gaadhay Heer aay duqayso magaalooyinka Hargeisa iyo Burco iyadoo isticmaalaysa madaafiicdii, Taagiyadii iyo dayuuradihii dagalka ee Qarankii Soomaliyeed halkaasna lagu gumaadey shacab aan la tirinkarin, Xilligii dagaalada sokeeye Dagaalka aan kor ku soo sheegey ee dhexmarey Jabhaddii SNM iyo dowladdii Soomaaliyeed wuxuu sabab u noqdey in dowladdii isticmaasho qabiil iyo in qabiilooyinkii kale sameystaan jabahado qabiil ku dhisan sida USC iyo SPM kuwaas oo iyaguna dagaal hubeysan ku qaadey Taliskii macangagga ahaa ee Siyaad Barre taasoo keentay in ay dowladdii Somaaliyeed si fudud ku burburto. Dhibaatooyinkaas naxdinta lihi waxey dhiliyeen in dagaalkii qabiilku sii xumaado oo ay cidana cid bixin weydo dadkii Soomaaliyeedna cadow isu wada noqdo. Waxaase ammaan mudan maamulka Somaliland oo intii itaalkiisa ah ku dadaaley kuna guuleystey in shacabkeedu nabad kuwada noolaado nidaam iyo kala danbayna ka abuurey degaanada xukunkooda hoos yimaada. Xaaladda hadda taagan Sida aan hordhaca qoraalkan ku xusan, waxaan aaminsanahey Mamulka Somaliland ee ku fiday Gobolka Sool ay soo dhoweyneyso xal u helidda dhibaatada Somaaliya. Taasoo aan sabab uga dhigayo arrimaha hoos ku xusan: Waxaa laga gudbayaa siyaasaddii qabiilka ku dhisneyd, waxaana khasab noqoneysa in qabiilooyinka koofurta Soomaaliya fahmaan in ay isu baahan yihiin ayna ku khasban yihiin in ay heshiiyaan, haddii kale sida muuqata waxey noqon doonaan gobol Itoobiya ka mid ah. Waxaa sahlanaan doonta wada hadalka mustaqbalka oo intii toban qabiil oo midba dan gaara wato wada hadli lahaayeen, waxaa wada hadli doona Somaliland iyo Somalia(Koonfur). Haddii koonfuri sidan kusii jirto, waxey Somaliland ka badbaadeysaa gumeysiga Itoobiya la damacsan tahay Soomaaliya oo dhan. Arrimaha aan kor ku soo sheegey haddey tahay mid Taariikheed iyo haddey tahay xaaladda hadda taaganba waxey muujinayaan in ay Soomaaliland horena u isticmaashey haddana isticmaaleyso Siyaasad caqli gal ah marka loo eego Soomaalida koonfureed, waxaadna moodaa meesha dadka qaar leeyihiin Soomaalibaa la kala goynayaa iyagoo aan u fiirsan iskana indha tiraya waxa ay dalkooda iyo dadkoodaba ku sameynayaan, in ay Somaliland noqon doonta furaha xal u helidda dhibaatada raagtey ee Soomaliya. (History is repeeting itself) Somaliland waa HOOYADII XORNIMDA SOMALIA, Mamulka Somaliland ee ka Hirgalay Gobolka Sool gaar ahaan magaalada muhiimka ah ee Laascaanoodna waxey soo dhoweynaysaa joojinta dhiiga ummadda Soomaaliyeed ee daadanaya........ LA SOCO QORMADA LABAD EE AH SOMALILAND WAA HOOYADII XORNIMDA SOMALIA Jamal Ali

I have recently posted, on our Wesbsites, an article that articulated the hardships I went through in the USA since I came to Arkansas in 1981. And based on the responses I have received from my readers to date, I have to say that I am amazed how different people see the same story differently. To some it is a hilarious but encouraging piece that deserves attention and positive simulations. To others it is a fact of life overseas, and so they will think twice before they let their families apply for welfare and would rather work hard. But to others it was ****** on my part to push myself to hardships like those mentioned in the article because, like many, “I could have taken the easy road to live in America!”. Whatever one may say, I have no regrets to have taken that less traveled road and for the following reasons: At first, new in America, I did not have much choice. But within few years after catching up with life in the USA, my wife and I realized one fact. That it was possible that our kids could be easily lost unless we take decisive actions before it was too late. This was because great America has its unfair share of social problems. Your child can be lost. Your child can be killed. Your child can even be stolen. Or your child can give in to peer-pressure and hence develop life-threatening behaviors. And since we were alien to both America’s culture and the climate, we chose to take all the necessary precautions from any of those happening. So, we agreed that one of us should always stay with the children at whatever cost and the other, naturally me...should provide for our family needs. And because one paycheck is far too little to fill the needs of any average family in America, like millions of Americans, I had to work on two full time jobs. This is because your needs are too many and most require you to pay! In one occasion for instance, the following incident took place: Back in 1995, one morning, as usual I woke up at 6:00am to catch my water laboratory work…. I used to go one hour early to beat traffic… and I headed immediately to the front door. But I was shocked that my 9-year-old daughter was sitting by the door fully dressed like it was time for her to catch her bus. It was cold and snowing outside. “Aabbo (daughter) what happened? Why are you dressed up this early and sitting here alone? You still have another one and half hour to go!” I said. And her answer was: “father, I ran out of my lunch money and I thought I have to catch you before you go!” Then, I remembered that some time before, she told me that at school, children are given two kinds of lunch coupons… one is pink and the other is yellow. She said, those who pay money get the pink card to get lunch and breakfast. But those who get it free should have to give a yellow one to the counter. Unfortunately, I did not give much attention to what that meant at that time! So, with that in the back of my mind, I said “honey, you could have had the yellow card today and I could give you your lunch money tomorrow!” But as soon as she heard that she fell on the floor, broke into tears, and cried hysterically. At first, I did not really understand what went wrong. So, I begged her to talk to me and explain. And after she regained her composure, she said “dad do not give me anything if you have no money! I will fast today! But get me my lunch money tomorrow!” Then I asked her “why do you have to fast aabbo?” Then she said “because you do not even understand what it means to get a yellow card! You do not even understand how other kids look at you if you give the cook a yellow card! You do not even understand how humiliating it is when other kids see you have a yellow card!” she kept explaining… I said” ok, ok, please forgive me!” Luckily, I had one hundred dollar bill in my pocket of course from my taxi. And ashamed of myself, I rushed out and went to the nearest grocery store to buy some items or else no one would give me a change. Then I headed home, knocked the door and there she was still sobbing. I hugged her and gave her $10 bill for her next five days lunch and breakfast because the government supplements that with another $2 per child per day. She immediately got up, wiped off her tears and shouted “dad please forgive me! I love you and I really love you …dad, I am sorry I made your day terrible…. Dad it is great I have you!...! Dad you are sweet and I love you.....dad….!” Naturally, proud of myself though as usual tired, and a little bit rejuvenated but determined to work even harder, I left home. In fact, I was so happy that I said to myself “I should do everything possible no matter how hard it is to support my family. And I should always support my family only with my sweat come what may!” On another occasion, one late Thursday evening while I was taxing, my same 9-year-old daughter called saying “dad I need you to go with me to school tomorrow because it is the Parent-Teacher Association meeting day. This is because my mother cannot go with me as she has another assignment. But one of you must come with me to school. And since it is Friday, your off day, I need you to quit taxing tomorrow and go with me please!” she said. “At what time honey” I asked! She said “it is 5:00pm dad”. So, I quit my taxi business early that Friday and made home at exactly 5:00pm and there was my always too anxious daughter ready and waiting for me and together we headed to her school! And as soon as we made to the school auditorium, the principal instructed all parents to go with their children each of who would give them a tour of whatever each child did during that semester. So, my fifth grade daughter took me to her class and said that she had to give me a tour of what she did in her geography project. Her project was about the equatorial belt of the world. So, as soon as we were at her class, she said “dad our tour is about the equatorial lands and how life is in there. Please remember it is always raining there. The land is marshy and soft and can swallow you in one go. Huge snakes or constrictors are there. They do not bite you. They wrap themselves over your body, squeeze to death and then swallow you. You can even hear sound of your ribs as they give in to pressure…watch out dad! Please only follow me because I know where those constrictors hide…. “I later learned that artificial python like rubbers were put everywhere in the artificial jungles. “In addition, there are noisy monkeys that always chase one another over the huge tall jungles that cover the sky like umbrellas! Do not give much attention to them. They do not do any harm!” she continued… So, I carefully followed the directions of my daughter and together we made a safe tour. But after the tour, I was truly amazed how creative her geography teacher was as I was equally amazed how well my 9-year-old understood her subject material. And finally, silently I whispered to myself “that is how creative Americans are and that is how early in childhood one may develop creativity and later may translate those new ideas to real innovations and hence realize his/her American dream! It is too great to be here. It is too great my kids are born here and raised with great morals and self-respect! I am proud of my kids and I am happy with the kind of life I am leading despite its hardships!” But when we came back from the tour, the principal asked: “how many of you liked his/her child’s project? And certainly impressed with my tour, I was the first to jump and shout “I loved it!” and soon many others followed. Then, the principal said “we want to make a lot of improvements for the school and only with your help, we can. So, we need at least three hundred parents each of who pays $10 per month so that we can buy computers, research project items, expand the library etc. And if you do that, we promise our school is the best in the State of Texas!” And again with enthusiasm I said “I will pay it; please know it is a promise.” And not surprisingly, more than four hundred parents promised to do the same! This is typical of how even advanced America supports its community services. This is typical of how people put their power and resources together even in the developed world. This is typical of how communities in different parts of the same country, compete with one another. And not surprisingly therefore, this is how excellence is achieved nationwide! And now let us ask: how many of you in poor Somaliland just do one little thing for their families on daily basis, let alone for their community or country? And how many of you sacrifice for his/her family let alone for others or for poor Somaliland? In another different incident, at exactly 7:00am United Arab Emirates time where I work as a water quality specialist who monitors the quality of water that comes to Water Treatment Plants and then goes back to environment, I called my daughter in the USA. At 7:00am my time, it is exactly 10:00pm her time. She was at work and was supposed to work till 12:00 midnight her time. So, ashamed of myself for her working that late when I now have all the free time in this part of the world, I said to her “it is too bad I work for only 6 hours a day and you have to work that late and then go to school tomorrow.” But to my surprise she said “dad, are you crazy? Why should I sleep or stay at home lazy when I can work and make a difference? I am really happy I am doing this!” On yet another occasion, in one evening when I recently visited my family in the USA, during one of my regular conversations with my children, out of nowhere, they asked me “dad, do you know that it is an insult to live on welfare”. And certainly happy to hear that, I asked “what makes you think so?” Then they said “when someone lives on welfare in the USA, that some one does not pay tax. And if one does not pay tax, then that someone is not really in the statistics of America! And that fact in itself is an insult. Isn’t it dad? Can you tell us why we should accept to be out of the statistics of America? Can you tell us why we should do nothing when we can something and hence be productive?” …they continued. So, my dear readers, this is the attitude toward life, of those who are raised the right way in North America or Europe. This is the attitude developed by those who are not brought up on welfare. This is the attitude inherent in the true citizens of Americans! But had my kids been raised on welfare, like many, I bet they would have never worried about their future. I bet they would have never respected their parents or themselves. I bet they would have never cared to get a yellow card at lunchtime. And I bet they would have never worried even if they failed at their schools. And the reason is that if you neglect your kids, they will neglect you and will not respect you. And they will become indifferent toward everything including their lives! Consequently, today, I have more than ever realized how our sacrifices and hard work had paid off. They paid off because now, it is my children who believe that it is silly to just go school and then waste the rest of their time. So, all work full time and go to school full time. And not surprisingly therefore, all take care of most of their needs! And even more amazingly every one is happy doing that of course like millions of young Americans. This is the normal way of life in super power America! And that is why America is different and that is what makes America unique! Unfortunately, thousands born in Europe, North America and hundreds of naturalized Somalis do not understand this or appreciate living in there. And just because Western countries are generous, even healthy people there just get welfare and sleep round the clock. And sorry most of them do not worry hence their families live on welfare, which has its own negative impact on the lives of their children! Fortunately, though I could have taken that easy road, I am not one of them. Like many Somali “intellectuals” everywhere, I could have let my family live on welfare and “enjoy my time”. Or like hundreds of thousands of families do, I could have moved my family from state to state hunting for better welfare. Or otherwise, like tens of thousands, I could have worked and still let my children live on welfare. And like those, I could have spent that saved big money on building huge bungalows back home. And I could have naively bragged for being “a successful man” bashing on others who work hard. And knowing that I am a hard worker, I could have accumulated a lot of money if material is all that matters! Moreover, like them, I could have swollen accounts in overseas banks when my family actually lives on welfare, which is supposed to be only for the disabled! Or else I could have built mansions in poor Somaliland and still strive to become the sole mover and shaker of Somaliland politics. And I could have gourmet lunch and dinner at the top restaurants of Hargeisa every day!!! But sorry, my dear readers, I had refused to do that. And now telling my story to you in details, I hope that many will give me high fives simply because my way of life in the USA was hard but was and is much more honorable than that of many others! By Noah Arre noah.arre@gmail.com

The Rationale behind the impending recognition During the last several months, it has become clear that the recognition of Somaliland by the world is now on the cards. It seems that a ‘critical mass’ of support among the international community for accepting the painfully self-evident reality that Somaliland has made itself into a peaceful, mature, stable and democratic state has won the day against the previous, ostrich-like policy of senseless denial. The juridical argument that Somaliland won its independence from Britain in 1960 and was a recognised nation-state before joining with the Italian-administered UN Trust Territory to the south to form the Republic of Somalia is true, and it certainly provides legal justification for the recognition that is now in the offing. Nevertheless, the undeniable and compelling rationale for recognising and supporting Somaliland’s nationhood is simple: the people of this country have made for themselves, with no outside help and indeed against the sustained efforts of regional powers in their neighbourhood to undermine their efforts, a functioning, representative, indigenous, democratic government. The recent shift in the position of the United States in favour of a more active engagement with Somaliland is certainly an important catalyst in mobilising international support for Somaliland’s recognition. This is only to be expected, after all in a uni-polar world, the blessing of the sole superpower is essential for any significant, international, diplomatic undertaking. Many Somali and foreign commentators have explained this recent shift in US policy with reference to a purported wish by the US Department of Defence (DOD) to base the newly created Africa Command (AfriCom) in Somaliland’s port city of Berbera in the Gulf of Aden. Of course, this argument gave rise to the usual chorus berating the ‘imperial’ motivation behind the America’s decision to engage Somaliland more robustly and directly. However, the idea of basing AfriCom in Berbera seems very far fetched, given Somaliland’s extremely poor level of infrastructure development and lack of the necessary support services that such a facility would require, e.g. housing, transportation, catering, fuelling facilities, schooling etc. A more reasonable explanation can be found with reference to several, inter-related factors which directly impact upon US security concerns: a) The failure of the so-called Transitional Federal Government of Abdillahi Yusuf (TFG) to establish even the semblance of government in Mogadishu more than a year after the Ethiopian army kicked out the Union of Islamic Courts and installed the TFG in its place. Indeed, as Yusuf and his gang of war-criminal thugs set about fighting over the aid monies pledged by the sponsors (including the US) of their fictional government, the Ethiopians found themselves caught in a political and security quagmire with no end in sight. As an increasingly ailing and aging Yusuf and his cohorts engaged in their in-fighting, oblivious to the misery of the people they purportedly represent, and as the isolated and poorly-trained Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu became increasingly trigger-happy and indiscriminate in their response to the natural hostility of the occupied Somali citizenry, it was inevitable that the ousted UIC gained popular support in Mogadishu. b) When the Ethiopian army invaded Somalia, many of the young, clan-based fighters that had flocked to the UIC ranks at the height of its popularity deserted, thus Ethiopia was able to take over the country with relative ease. However, as the TFG showed its true colours by turning on itself over the spoils of their beggary under the protection of an increasingly harsh and brutal Ethiopian army that found itself in the midst of a sea of hostile, Somalis united only in their opposition to the TFG and their Ethiopian protectors, the young, clan-based fighters drifted back to the UIC. But the UIC itself had fractured, with the moderate leadership of the home-grown Islamic Courts movement ensconced in Asmara, while the radical, Al-Qaeda-inspired and trained cadre that had seized leadership of the UIC had mutated into the Al-Shabab Militia that now laid claim to the Al-Qaeda franchise in the Horn of Africa. It was to this shadowy, violent and nihilistic organisation lead by Adan Hashi Ayro that these young clan fighters gravitated and it is Al-Shabab that now poses the most intractable and growing military threat to the TFG and the Ethiopian army. c) By contrast, the authorities in Somaliland had demonstrated an effective counter-terrorism capability which had the enthusiastic support and participation of its people. In 2002, the Somaliland government arrested eighteen armed ONLF guerrillas traversing its territory to undertake attacks in Ethiopia and handed them over to Ethiopian authorities. In 2005, Somaliland security forces succeeded in capturing and imprisoning the perpetrators of three terrorist attacks which had resulted in the murder of several foreign aid workers, including the English principal of Sheikh Secondary School and his wife. In one incident, the residents of a small village some 40 miles from Hargeisa arrested and detained two fleeing terror suspects which had engaged in a gun battle in Hargeisa with Somaliland security forces prior to fleeing in a commandeered vehicle. All these suspects were tried in criminal courts, and in December 2006 fifteen suspects were sentenced to between 20 and 25 years in prison. Only eight of the suspects had been apprehended in Somaliland and were brought before the court, while the others, including Hassan Dahir Aweys and Adan Hashi Ayro, were sentenced in absentia. In 2007 four other suspects also linked to Aweys and Ayro (indeed one of the suspects was a brother in-law of Ayro’s), were convicted of the murder of the English school principal and his wife and executed after their appeals were exhausted. Thus, Somaliland demonstrated its determination not to permit its territory to be used to mount armed attacks against neighbouring countries, while also demonstrating its security and intelligence capability to thwart terrorist operations mounted against it by groups from Somalia. After the 2005 attacks against foreign aid workers, the Somaliland government established a new, elite, paramilitary unit to guard and protect foreign workers in the country and since that time, there have been no further terrorist attacks against foreign workers and aid organisations. d) Finally, Somaliland’s success in creating a stable, peaceful country with representative government, freedom of the press, freedom of association and the rule of law under an independent judiciary, in a part of the world where such freedoms are the exception rather than the rule, became increasingly impossible to ignore. The US had conferred upon Ethiopia the responsibility to counter and eradicate Al-Qaeda inspired or sponsored terrorist activity in the Horn of Africa under the so-called global ‘war on terror’. With Ethiopia bogged down in Somalia protecting a vile and venal cabal of warlords masquerading as a government, and the concomitant rise of an increasingly effective Al-Shabab as Al-Qaeda’s Horn of Africa franchisee, the US had to reassess its options. Clearly, its policy of supporting the TFG in Somalia, while arming and encouraging Ethiopia in its military campaign in support of the TFG was failing, if not backfiring entirely. These are the cold, hard, real-politik reasons behind the recent shift in US policy in favour of a more active engagement with Somaliland and a more objective understanding of the TFG’s inability to secure popular support in Somalia and thereby undercut or eliminate Al-Shabab’s rise and possible ascendancy in local politics. Of course, Berbera has a very strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and it is a natural deep-sea port capable of docking the US Navy’s largest vessels, and its airport has the longest paved runway in Africa. Thus, it is fairly certain the US Navy would like to use it. However, an ideal location for AfriCom with all of its concomitant infrastructure and communications requirements, it is certainly not. Overlaying all the hard realities listed above is the argument, posed by this writer among others, which posits that the road to a solution for the crisis in Mogadishu lies through Hargeisa. This approach to solving the seemingly intractable conflict in Somalia focuses upon an indigenous, bottom-up, grass roots approach to reconciliation based upon Somaliland’s own experience, in contrast to the top-down, foreign-sponsored approach that has proved such a signal failure and resulted in the creation of illegitimate, Frankenstein-like ‘governments’ with little or no popular support such as the TFG, and the TNG before it. It may well be that the international community, including the US, is waking up to the benefits of this alternative approach, since their efforts to date have failed miserably. The likely impact of the State of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa To get a clear understanding of how Somaliland’s formal statehood will impact upon regional politics in the Horn, it is necessary to understand its role and history in Somali nationalism and the irredentist dream of Greater Somalia. It is true to say that modern Somali nationalism, as with the nationalisms of much of Africa, Asia, Arabia and Latin America, was the natural response to colonial rule, since prior to European imperial entry into the Horn of Africa, there had been no pan-Somali political structure or state. Instead Somalis were organised economically and politically along clan and sub-clan lines with allegiances shifting vertically depending upon lineage and horizontally depending upon alliances, geographic proximity and marriage ties. The European carve-up of Africa resulted in the Somali people being divided between the imperial powers of Britain (British Somaliland Protectorate and the Somali-populated Northern Frontier District of Kenya), Italy (Italian colony of Somalia), France (Djibouti) and Ethiopia (the Haud & Reserved Area which is now the 5th Governorate). While some historians erroneously cite the anti-British campaign mounted by Sayid Mohamed Abdille Hassan during the second decade of the 20th century as the first manifestation of Somali nationalism* , the impetus to establish a modern Somali state first emerged after the end of World War II when anti-colonial nationalism swept across Asia and Africa. During the 1950s, there emerged within all the Somali territories political movements agitating for independence and self-determination. In addition to this natural response to the nationalist “wind of change” that was sweeping through Africa, the straight lines drawn by the imperial powers in their carve-up of Africa artificially separated kith and kin, not to mention water and pasturage from nomadic inhabitants that had used them for millennia. This direct impact upon the lives and livelihoods of the vast majority of the Somali population fuelled the nationalist impetus and politicised the rural population. As was to be expected, Somali nationalism quickly developed an irredentist outlook, which sought to unite all the Somali people in one nation-state comprising the territories populated by them, and the dream of Greater Somali was born. Nowhere did this dream of Greater Somalia have greater resonance and mass adherence than in the British Somaliland Protectorate (BSP). This is explained by several factors: a) The population of the BSP was overwhelmingly rural with more than 90% of the population comprising pastoral nomads roaming far and wide with their herds of camels, sheep, goats and some cattle in a seasonal search for water and pasturage. Conversely, the Italian colony to the south had a significant agricultural sector with some 20% of the population comprising sedentary farmers based in the fertile basin between the Juba and Shebelle rivers. In Djibouti, there was a large minority (some 30%) of Afar people which are not Somali, thus the irredentist impetus of the majority Somalis was somewhat muted. The development of openly nationalist/irredentist political movements in the Haud & Reserved Areas in Ethiopia were muzzled effectively by the imperial regime in Addis, while the irredentist yearnings of the Somalis in the NFD in Kenya was drowned out by the violent campaign of the Mau Mau to evict Britain from Kenya. b) The defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II resulted in Italy being forced by the UN to grant internal self-government to Somalia to prepare it for independence within ten years. In addition, Italy had settled several tens of thousands of Italian immigrants in the territory during the colonial period and had effectively integrated it economy with Italy’s. Thus, the principal exports from Somalia of bananas, some cotton and tropical fruits went to Italy while nearly all imports came from Italy. In addition, Somalia was relatively urbanised compared to other Somali territories due to the longstanding efforts of Italy to settle the nomadic population through pacification efforts and the provision of basic educational and medical facilities. By 1950, Somalia boasted two large cities (by Somali standards) with populations numbering in the hundreds of thousands, i.e. Mogadishu and Kisimayo, and several urban, regional centres with populations in the tens of thousands, e.g. Jowhar, Beledweyne, Bossasso, Merca etc. When the pro-independence political parties emerged in the early 1950s, they paid lip service to the dream of Greater Somalia, but in reality their energies were focused upon the ‘real’ prize – ruling Somalia in place of the Italians. c) The ten years of UN Trusteeship provided Somalia with a decade of limited self rule and, therefore, the development of a parliamentary political culture focused upon the achievement of political power and the allocation of civil service positions through patronage to maintain said power, along the Italian model of multi-party democracy. Coupled with its comparatively developed economy, not to mention greater levels of urbanisation and social infrastructure (i.e. hospitals, schools, roads, communications etc.), the allure of Greater Somalia was not as great in Somalia as it was in the BSP, the Haud & Reserved Areas and the NFD. Indeed, nationalist politics in the BSP was explicitly predicated in the popular mind upon the creation of Greater Somalia. Independence from Britain was not seen as an objective in itself, but as the first step towards the realisation of the dream of Greater Somalia uniting all Somalis in one nation-state. The evidence of this symbiotic linkage in the popular psyche between independence and the irredentist dream was the public clamour within the newly independent Republic of Somaliland for immediate, unconditional unification with the UN Trust Territory when the first Prime Minister suggested a period of six months to negotiate the terms of union. This public pressure was so intense and evidenced by mass demonstrations, that the government had no choice but to accede to the terms demanded by the new government of Somalia, which were iniquitous to say the least, and effectively deliver the BSP to Somalia. When the terms of the union were put to a national referendum for ratification a year later, in 1961, the overwhelming majority of people in the BSP rejected them. The cold reality of the terms of the unequal union had triumphed over the heady nationalism of the previous year. Thus, it is fair to say that the BSP was the depositary of the irredentist dream of Greater Somalia and the people of Somaliland were the keepers of its flame. The brief border war between the new Republic of Somalia and Ethiopia in 1964 was actually instigated by Somalilanders unwilling to accept Ethiopian border controls that sought to limit their rights to move freely in search of water and pasturage as well as trade with their brethren across the border. A decade or so later, when the dictator Siyad Barre invaded Ethiopia in 1977 to prop up his increasingly shaky regime, it was Somaliland that became the front-line in that war and it was the people of Somaliland that became caught up in the nationalist fervour that accompanied the war, with young men volunteering to sign up and women selling their jewellery to support the war effort. By contrast, in Mogadishu and the rest of the south, life went on pretty much as before with the population relatively immune to the nationalist hysteria gripping the north. With the historic decision in 1991 to recover the sovereignty they had so lightly surrendered in 1960 and re-establish their statehood, the people of Somaliland turned a page in Somali history and, indeed, in the Horn of Africa. This decision effectively killed the irredentist dream and laid the concept of Greater Somalia to rest as the defining principle of Somali nationalism. The dream of Somali unity had turned into a nightmare of tribalism, dictatorship and genocide and the people of Somaliland are the first Somalis to clearly understand this cruel lesson of history and face up to it. They have not built their new Republic upon the heady, emotional call to ethnic solidarity, nor upon the call for a theologically pure caliphate, but upon political liberty, economic freedom, the rule of law and a separation of powers within government to ensure that autocracy never again assumes ascendancy in their politics. The fierce commitment of Somalilanders to their new Republic, their new nationalism if you will, reflects their commitment to these founding principles and their determination to never again relinquish that which they once easily gave away, and were forced to recover after four decades of oppression through a long and bloody war of liberation that forced one third of the population into exile around the world. Somaliland’s rejection of the dream of Greater Somalia also reflects acceptance of historical reality, since the Somali peoples of Djibouti and the NFD of Kenya had perforce surrendered their irredentist ambitions during the dark years of the Siyad Barre dictatorship. There is an old Somali fable in which the carnivorous animals of the bush had killed a deer to eat and the question of apportionment of the meat had to be addressed. As King of the Beasts, the lion instructed the hyena to divide up the carcass, and the hyena suggested that half the meat should be given to the lion while the other half should be shared among the other animals. The lion roared in displeasure and smote the hyena in the head with his great paw dislodging one of his eyes, which dangled bloodily down his cheek. The lion then asked the fox to share out the meat and the fox proposed that the meat be divided in half with one half set aside for the lion. The other half would then be divided in half again with one half set aside for the lion and so on and so on. The lion was mightily pleased with this share out and asked the fox how it had learnt the art of apportionment, to which the fox replied, “The eye of the hyena taught me”! Thus, did the Somali population of Djibouti choose independent statehood over union with Somalia in 1977, after witnessing what befell Somaliland after its ill-fated union with Somalia, most particularly during the two decades of the Siyad Barre dictatorship which culminated in the regime declaring war on its own people and perpetrating genocide against the people of Somaliland. Regarding the Somali population of the 5th Governorate of Ethiopia, the federal constitution enacted by the EPRDF government permits secession from Ethiopia if the overwhelming majority of the people of any province vote for such in a free and fair referendum. Indeed, it was this provision that provided for Eritrea’s secession from Ethiopia and emergence as an independent country in 1993. The 5th Governorate has an elected, regional legislature and representation in the Federal Government in Addis Ababa, in fact its first Governor after the overthrow of the Mengistu regime, Abdul Majid Hussein Omar, was a key member of the EPRDF inner circle that fought in the war that deposed the Mengistu dictatorship and installed a democratic, federal government in its place. The ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF) that is fighting in the province is a narrow, tribally based and defined organisation that remains wedded not only to the failed irredentism of Greater Somalia, but also to the equally failed quest for ***** hegemony within such a construct. They are the inheritors of Siyad Barre’s disastrous quasi-fascist vision of tribal supremacy and they are destined to join him in the dustbin of history. Thus, the emergence of Somaliland as an independent country marks a crucial watershed in the politics of the Horn of Africa which began with the overthrow of the Mengistu and Siyad Barre dictatorships and the accession to independence of Eritrea some eighteen years ago. This period ushered in a new era of popular empowerment, representative government and the rule of law throughout the region, with the singular exception of Somalia which descended into a hell of warlord anarchy and state collapse. To be sure, the transition from dictatorship to open and representative government has not been easy and the countries of the region are struggling to get to grips with recognising the difference between legitimate, political opposition and threats to the state, for example. However, the fact remains that throughout the Horn, the era of dictatorship is certainly over and there is both de jureand de facto recognition that the legitimacy of the state derives from the willing consent of the people through government that is both representative and accountable. Somaliland’s statehood will consign the irredentist dream of Greater Somalia forever to the dark past, thereby removing the last potential threat to the peaceful political and economic development of this strategically crucial region. Somaliland will be an invaluable addition to the region as an independent state for many reasons, foremost among which are the following. Firstly, Somaliland’s statehood will contribute immeasurably to resolving the crisis in Somalia by demonstrating to the people of that country that the only solution to their problems lies in their hands through national reconciliation and the development of a new ‘xeer’ or social contract among themselves as to how to live together. Somaliland can and will provide a neutral and nurturing forum for the various communities of Somalia to come together and resolve their differences. Somaliland’s own experience in national reconciliation and conflict resolution predicated upon Somali cultural and tribal traditions will bring a unique and invaluable insight and utility that has been missing to date in international efforts towards this end. The fact is that the ordinary people of Somalia, as opposed to the coterie of warlord thugs that have held that country to ransom for the last two decades, openly admire Somaliland’s achievements in national reconciliation and nation-building, and wish the same for their own country. Secondly, Somaliland’s accession to statehood will open the country to foreign investment and will enable it to access international capital – both commercial and discretionary. It will be possible to develop Berbera into a major regional port serving the entire region and beyond, as far as Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC). This will increase trade and investment throughout East & Central Africa and so enhance economic growth and development. Berbera could, and should, become a major trading hub and gateway into East & Central Africa, and its strategic location as well as easy access to the markets of Ethiopia and beyond stand in its favour in this regard. Djibouti is presently developing a large container terminal in Doraleh, under the aegis and management of Dubai Ports World (DPW) with the aim of serving this same region. However, given the size of the target region in population, resources and geography, the economic growth rates beginning to be achieved therein and the potential volume in trade concomitant therewith, there is a need for both Berbera and Djbouti as world-class ports. This is not a zero sum game by any means and there will be greater demand than both ports can cope with, not to mention the fact that healthy competition will benefit users by keeping rates competitive. In conclusion, the emergence of Somaliland as an independent nation-state is not only the righting of a historical mistake (admittedly self-inflicted), neither is it merely the recognition of the self evident, legally valid and legitimate wish for self determination of the people of Somaliland, although it is all of these things. In addition, Somaliland’s statehood is also an important, and possibly key, chapter in the progress and development of the Horn of Africa region towards representative government, economic growth and popular empowerment. Denying the people of Somaliland their liberty and sovereignty benefits no one and only provides aid and succour to those who look backwards towards tribal hegemony or nihilism cloaked in faux religiosity for their political credo. Conversely, embracing an independent Somaliland not only recognises historical fact and the commendable achievements of the people of that country, but also welcomes a mature and responsible partner to contribute to the progress and development of the entire region. Ahmed M.I. Egal egality@gmail.com March 2008

Somaliland's NEC elects a new chair The members of the Somaliland National Elections Commission (NEC) today elected Mudane Mohamed Ismail Mohamed as the new chair. Mudane Mohamed Ismail's election follows the resignation of the previous chair, Mudane Mohamed Yusuf Ahmed, last Thursday. The official confirmation of Mudane Mohamed Ismail's election came at a press conference held at the offices of the NEC in Hargeisa. Mudane Mohamed Yusuf Ahmed, who also attended the press conference, gave a brief speech to stress that his resignation was due to health rather than political reasons. The incoming chair of the NEC Mudane Mohamed Ismail Mohamed thanked the other members for their vote and pledged to work with the commission to carry out the important work ahead. The Deputy Chair of the NEC, Mudane Hersi Ali Haji Hassan welcomed the election of the new chair and stated all the members of the committee pledged their full support. Omar Mohamed Farah Qarannews Hargeisa

I'm not asking for trouble ,,,,, i simply want to discover. Now let's see who has a better idea ,, or even worse

Some questions have not answers coz they are simply .......... (fill the gaps)

Ask reer Sool sxb ,,, Boocame is well-known

Abu Salman, the request of being a gobol came from the people who live there ,,, it has been debated over this issue since the last 5 years or more. People are finally happy coz their request have been accepted. Dabshid, i thought you'll be happy ,, To the rest ,,,, Somaliland is a non-stop truck like it or not. Somaliland with 12 regions ,,, Hmmm ,, that is one smart move i say ,,,

President Rayale declares the creation of Six new regions and Sixteen new districts in Somaliland Warkii 22-Mar-2008 iyo Qormadii: afnugaalnew Desk The President of Somaliland, Mudane Dahir Rayale Kahin today formally declared the creation of six new regional authorities and sixteen new districts in Somaliland. According to an official communique from the Presidency, the six new regions are as follows: Gabiley Region with the town of Gabiley as the provincial capital. Badhan Region with the town of Badhan as the provincial capital. Buholde Region with the town of Buholde as the provincial capital. Salal Region with the town of Zeila as the provincial capital. Sarar Region with the town of Caynabo as the provincial capital. Odweyne Region with the town of Odweyne as the provincial capital Along with the Six new Regions, President Rayale also inaugurated the creation of Sixteen new districts which are as follows: The district of Haji Saleh which will be in Odweyne region The district of Kalabydh which will be in Sool region. The district of Wajale which will be in Gabiley region. The district of Widh-Widh which will be in Buhodle region. The district of Qorulugad which will be in Buhodle region. The district of Go'da Weyn which will be in Sahil region The district of Harasheikh which will be in Odweyne region. The district of Raydab Khatumo which will be in Oodweyne region. The district of Garba Dadar which will be in Salal region. The district of Boon which will be in Salal region. The district of Harirad which will be in Salal region. The district of Las Idle which will be in Sahil region. The district of War-Idad which will be in Sarar region. The district of Elal which will be in Sarar region. The district of War-Imraan which will be in Togdher region. The district of Magalo Ad which will be in Awdal region. President Rayale today issued a decree instructing the Somaliland ministry of Home Affairs to proceed with the process of amalgamating the new regions and districts to its bylaws. According the communique the declaration of the new regions and districts will not in anyway cause delays in the voter registrations and the forthcoming elections in Somaliland.

Madaxweynaha Somaliland Mudane Daahir Riyaale Kaahin ayaa Maanta Degreeto Madaxweyne aaya Cafis u Fidiyay Dhamaan Sideed iyo Lixdankii (68) Maxbuus ee lagu soo qab qabtay dagaaladii ka dhacay Adhi cadeye iyo Dhaban-saar Mudane Daahir Rayaale Kaahin digreerada uu ku cafiyay waxay u dhignayd sidan. Markuu arkay: Dastuurka JSL qodobkiisa 90aad Markuu tixgaliyey: Codsiga Odayaasha iyo wax garadka Beesha SSC Markuu Xaqiiqsaday: In ay yihiin Muwadiniin la khalday Markuu yaqiinsaday: Inay dalkooda nabad ku joogi karaan Markuu tixgaliyey: wada tashigii Masuuliyiinta ay khusayo Waxa uu go,aansaday madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyada Somaliland Mudane Daahir Riyaale Kaahin in Laga bilaabo Taariikhda Degreetadan wuxuu cafiyey dhammaan Sideed iyo lixdanka (68) Maxbuus ee Magacyadoodu ku lifaaqan yihiin oo lagu soo qabqabtay dagaaladii ka dhacay Adhi cadeye iyo Dhaban-Saar. Sidoo kale Madaxweynaha JSL Mudane Daahir Rayaale Kaahin waxa Degreeto Madaxweyne Lr.310/032008 uu Cafis u fidiyay dhamaan kow iyo toban (11) Maxbuus ooo ka soo jeeday (gobalada Mudug / Nugaal iyo Bari ) oo lagu soo qab qabtay Dagaaladii ka dhacay Adhi cadeye iyo Dhaban-saar afnugaal New Desk

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In ka badan 70 Maxbuus oo ka soo kala jeeda Gobolada SSC & Deegaanada Real Puntland oo Somaliland ay ku qabatay dagaalo ay ku soo qaaday deegaanada Dhabansaar & abeesalay ee gobolka Sool ayaa guud ahaanba saaka si rasmi ah looga soo daayey jeelka Mandheera oo lagu hayey, waxaana saraakiishii la geeyey hotel ku yaalla magaalada hargeysa, halka askartiina lagu soo daabulay baabuur Nooca Bus-ka ah oo loo soo wado dhinaca laascaanood & Buuhoodle Agaasime Ku Xigeenka Warbaahinta SSC, ahna isuduwaha warfaafinta gobolka Cayn Xuseen Aadan Yuusuf (Kurdi) ayaa taleefoonka kula sheekaystay Col, Deyr Xaaji cabdi oo xorah oo dhex maraya magaalada Hargeysa,waxaana uu Kornaylku u xaqiijiyey Agaasimaha in guud ahaanba maxaabiistaasi la soo daayey. faahfaahinta maxaabiistaasi lasoo daayey kala soco Buuhoodlemedia.comBuuhoodlemedia.com

sub-clans ?? ,,, meesha dowlad baa ka jirta sxb

you are always welcome sxb

Komishanka Doorashooyinka Somaliland Oo Doortay Gudoomiye Cusub Hargeysa ( Qaran), xubnaha komishanka doorashooyinka Somaliland ayaa manta Maxamed Ismaaciil Maxamed uu doortay in uu noqdo gudoomiyaha cusub ee komishanka qaranka, ka dib markii gudoomiyihii hore maxamed yuusuf axmed uu iscasilay maalintii khamiistii. Shirjaraa’iid oo ay saaka wadajir xaruntooda ugu qabteen lix xubnood oo ka mid ah komishanka ayaa lagu shaaciyey in ay isku raaceen gudoomiyaha cusub ka dib markii ay tix galiyeen iscasilaadii gudoomiyihii hore oo sababo caafimaad darteed iskaga casilay xilkii gudoomiyenimo. Gudoomiyihii hore Maxamed Yuusuf Axmed oo haddal kooban kulankaas ka jeediyey ayaa sheegay in casilaadiisu la xidhiidhin wax siyaasad ah iyo khilaaf komishanka dhexdiisa ka jira midna haseyeeshee uu xilkii uga dagay xaalada caafimad oo soo wajahday taas oo sababtay in uu wadi kari waayey hawlmaalmeedka shaqo ee xafiiskaas. Guddomiyaha cusub Maxamed Ismacil Maxamed “kabowayne” ayaa xubnaaha komishanka ka codsaday in ay la shaqeeyaan isla markaasna ay ka gacansiiyaan gudashada xilka ay u doorteen. Guddomiye ku xigeenka komishanka doorashooyinka Xirsi Cali X.Xasan ayaa soo dhaweeyey guddoomiyaha cusub waxaanu sheegay inay ula shaqayndoonaan sidii gudoomiyihii hore …

The Chair of the Somaliland National Elections Commission (NEC), Mudane Mohamed Yusuf Ahmed has resigned. According to reliable sources close the commission, Mudane Mohamed Yusuf has already taken the decision to resign, although there have been no official confirmation from the NEC or the Somaliland government. The alleged resignation of the NEC Chair follows recent accusations from the two official opposition parties in Somaliland, KULMIYE and UCID, that the recently published lists of NEC and Voter Registration officers in Marodi Jeh, Awdal and Sahil regions were illegally selected. Mudane Mohamed Yusuf Ahmed is one of the three members on the National Elections Commission appointed by the President of Somaliland, Mudane Dahir Rayale Kahin. Qarannews will endeavour to bring further news as it becomes available. Omar Mohamed Farah Hargeisa Qarannews

Laascanood(Qaran)-Waxaa maanta degmada Boocame oo ka tirsan Gobolka Sool gaadhay Wefti saraakiil iyo Maamulka isugu jira oo iyagu u dhashay deegaankaas, tegida Saraakiishan oo dadka reer Boocame aysan intooda badani ka warqabin, ayaa hadana markii ay galeen Boocame waxa si aad iyo aad u heer saraysa goobtaasi ugu soo dhaweeyay dadweynaha iyo wax garadka deegaankaasi, mana ay jirin wax rabshado iyo cabashooyin ah oo ay dadku ka muujiyeen socdaalka waftigaasi culus ee ka socday xaga xukumada Somaliland inkasta oo ay madaxda oo dhami ahaayeen dad u dhashay gobolka. Weftida balaadhan ee timid Bocame ayaa si xiiso leh loo soo dhaweeyey waxayna la kulmeen qaybaha kala duwan ee reer Bocame,Somaliland ayaa u soo ruqaansanaysa dhinaca Boocame ayaa iyadu ah mid dadka ku dhaqan deegaanada Sool ay aad u hadal hayaan iyagoo iswaydiinaya waxa ku xigi kara imaatinka wafuudaasi, sidaasi waxa sheegay shaqsi ka mid ah deegaankaasi oo isagu sheegay in ay dadweyanah deegaankaasi taageersanyihiin imaatinka waftigaasi iyo wax qabadka ay u fidinayaan dadka ku dhaqan goobtaasi. Degmada Bocame ayaa Laascaanood u jirta 95km oo kaga began dhinaca Konfureed ,Boocame waa degmo istaraajiya ahmiyad balaadhana ugu fadhida deegaanada Gobolka Sool waana degmadii uu ka dhacay shirkii ugu dambeeyey ee Isimada iyo waxgaradka Beelaha SSc. Xukumada Somaliland ayaa ku hawlan sidii ay u soo xidhi lahaayeen xadka Jamhuriyada Somaliland la wadaagto dalka Somaliya ee lala midoobay 1960-kii taasi oo burburtay , soo xidhida xuduudka u dhaxeeya Somaliya iyo Somaliland ayaa qayb weyn ka ah tagitaanka ay maanta madaxdan ka tirsan Somaliland ay ku booqdeen deegaanka Boocame. Wixii ka soo kordha hadba waan idiin soo gudbinaynaa Qarannews Laascaanood

The map will follow soon IA .....