Somalia has never accepted occupation, but today it is a reality. Only 2 months, we could as a people hold our head up high, now with the presence of Ethiopian on soil, we have never been lower. The close anaology would be France in 1941. Or South Korea now, vis-a-vis Japan, when it was occupied before. Today, is has to deal with the issues of that occupation, and how it's women were used as sex slaves. Or Holland when it was occupied by Germany in WWII These countries though have deveveloped and vastly bettered themselves, I don't see Somalia in the next 30 years, emerging from this position and standing to face this monster we have next door. Only our insurgents, can deliver us from this shame now. We look towards them, to free us from this terrible legacy. I'm confident they will do, what has to be done.

Well my family are from the far north, but i believe in Somali unity.

I would prefer to be my own boss. You don't rely on anyone, and you don't depend on how someone is feeling. If not then, i would prefer a male boss. From experience, it is less the hassle and more stable. You go in and you know what you have to do. With a women, it depends on how she is feeling and other things, it's just more stress.

Are you proud to be Somali? When someone asks, you where you come from, do you tell them something else. Are you more or less proud now, than say, this time last year?

Good idea. Hope it goes all the way. Petition signed!

Well said Bilal, having no government for 16 years has blinded the TFG supporters. They will support any regime, even if it is a rotten one. Basically, this entity is enforced on the country. Whether the international community supports it or not is not a issue. No one supports the bush regime, but they still have to do deal with it. Sovereignty cannot be imposed on top of the people. The peacekeepers, should not come. How can they? there is no peace to enforce!

Typical TFG incompetence. They couldn't change a light bulb between themselves. But, why are being executed? I don't agree with the death penalty. It's wrong and has no place in a democractic society. Anyway, they should be given their day in court. A moratium should be held on the death penalty issue at the moment till further notice.

Well said, Sky. Agree totally. Thank you for your post.

There is curently, no chance of Somaliland being recognised. The movement hasn't made the inroads into the correct corridors. It doesn't even have a office in Brussels, Cairo, Washington, you name it, where it counts. 99% of people, anwhere, have never even heard of Somaliland. The day, when you see, pop concerts, in London Hyde Park chanting a free Somaliland, with singers we have all heard about, is when you will know, that it's time has come. Today it is nowhere. Which is good news. I believe in a United Somalia. Strength in Unity.

Centurion, you need to think in a broader context. We are facing a bitter enemy in Ethiopia. Who is growing like a locust. One can only imagine what size it will be tommorow, let alone in 2050. A Somali state of potentially 50million, gives a state a strategic barrier to counter a bigger enemy and a context within which internationally, Somalia can hold up and taken notice of. Currently, the USA has designated, 4 countries in Africa ''consultative status'' you can guess, which 4 they are, who is also in it.

15-17 million is more realistic and within my estimates. Interesingly, it would mean that the population sample that the United Nations Population Division used in it's 2004 report ''World Population Change 1950-2050, the 2004 Revision'' for Somalia in 2050 of around 25million will be widely off the mark. With the population easely over 50million on 6.1 growth at current 15-17million today. Very good news.

Oh i'm sure his coffers are full of birr

You only have to look in successful countries and see what propelled them to that position. Look closely and you will see common similarties between them. The best that Somalia can hope for now is a kind of a benovalent leader. Someone with a vision. Qatar's Emir is a good example. Who overtime, with forceful and clever education can erase the clan cancer from the people's mentality. The ethiopian puppet in villa Somalia now, is certainly not the man for the job. His aim is to pillage and loot and will then spend what is left of his short life in a addis villa in comfort. Whatever his supporters, in here and we know who they are, say, that is the reality.

So a increase of only 2million over 30 years?! with one fo the fastest growing growth rates? are you sure.

I know a cenus was hasn't been taken since 1977!!. The Cia factbook reports 8,863,338. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/so.html But given the time, it must have double by now. Since the population growth is very high. So what is the best estimate you have?

This system is not the way to govern a country. It's basically institutionalizing clan policitics. It enforces misrule. Cabinets and Department is filled with the requisite clan formula. The best and the most competent can't force their way in. Instead of a system of the most able it becomes a system of staffing people to fill the formula. Only in Somalia, can such a system be though off. It beggars the mind.

What is the true popluation of Somalia???. No one really knows. I would guess it is over 15 million. Certainly more than 6 million. The CIA factbook, uses data from the last cenus in 1977!!. 15 million is not a small country.

Put them on a wanted list. A new pack of cards. Get them one by one. No sympathy to traitors.

Jacaylbaro, traitors should be given no sympathy. Once you do, you are on a slippery slope, and the enxt you know, you won't have a land anymore, and become like the Palestenians. Now, don't think for one moment, it will not happen.

Very good news. The next target should be Gheedi himself.

My dear, Taliban, you yourself said, the black population is 54.8%!! Now is that the majority or the minority? I would say it is the majority?!

The respected Economist newspaper has written today, a article out offshore industry. In it, Bermuda is mentioned as the richest country in the world. 2006 figures. That is clear. Bermuda is majority black so there it is a black country that is the richest. Now, this is notable. It should be celebrated. http://www.economist.co.uk/surveys/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8695139 It is a base, but these companies pay local fees and expenses,so the economy of the whole island benefits. Its a bit like foreign direct investment, money flowing in. Well done to Bermuda.

Nonsense. The country has devleoped because of good policies and trade. Bermuda is today the biggest base of the insurance industry. It's all their in the figures.

Competition is good and very healthy, this bodes well. Berbera City, should create a distinct management that is separate and clear. Say the port should be managed by the Berbera Port Authority. With it's management set free under charter to make the business decisions that are correct for the development of the port. Same process should happen for Hargesiya Airport and other municipal centres.

A small black country is the richest place on earth......Bermuda What they don't try and tell you, is black achievement. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html