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The current visit by the leaders of autonomous Puntland and Somali President Shariifoow got me thinking about the tango between the two entities. Shariif and Puntland aren't complete strangers, they have extreme dislike towards each other but they've sat at the same table many times before so there's definitely open talks between the two. Shariif clearly does not want Puntland around and Puntland itself is only a nuisance to him; politically Puntland is only of significance to Shariif's clan elders who are using Puntland's clan status to block a political rival bloc from taking power. Aside from that, only potential resource exploitation, which Shariif's gov't is blocking anyway, is the other positive about Puntland. Otherwise its a total nuisance and a leech to Shariif and the TFG. Unlike the other separatist state, which has no bearing on Somalia itself or the central state apparatus, Puntland has tremendous affect on the goings-on of Mogadishu and the south and its independence would have some effect on the country's politics and the TFG.

Would Shariif ever do it and more importantly - would you support Puntland's independence? After all, Sudan was the first state to recognize South Sudan's independence and the catalyst for SS's independence, so Shariif has all the power in the world on this issue, no point about discussing if or how he could do it.

[For the record, I am Pro-Union and Pro-Federalism, One Somalia is my preference and always has been]

that would be awesome Wallahi

It has to come from the people. If the people of puntland wanted Independence then yes.

It has to come from the people. If the people of puntland wanted Independence then yes.

The people don't matter. 99% of Somaliland's people want independence and they even voted on it in their own local survey - but they never consulted with the TFG so they'll never get it. If Shariif says today that the city of Baydhabo is its own independent country then it will be so. Papers and legal haggling decide things, not local initiative, that's the real world. Somaliland doesn't affect Shariif either way but Puntland actually bothers him like South Sudan bothered Khartoum regime, that's why its actually plausible that Shariif gets angry and just signs away Puntland as its own state.

Gets angry and signs away puntland? He cannot just sign away puntland if the people dont want it. And he wouldn't do that even though politically they might get in his way at times. He could though if they wanted it.

monk has lost the plot

Sharif might be dumb but not dumb enough to "just sign" away. Beside, its not up to him to make such decision.

Wishful thinking on your part thou.

Gets angry and signs away puntland? He cannot just sign away puntland if the people dont want it. And he wouldn't do that even though politically they might get in his way at times. He could though if they wanted it.

Faroole can just write up a fake ballot that says 100% of Puntland votes for independence, these things aren't transparent. I really think one of these days a TFG leader will just sign away Puntland in frustration, it does more harm than good to the administration. In the next few months to a year, our current prime minister will give away in excess of $100 million to Puntland from the TFG treasury. I think Shariif realizes the reality of what will happen under the new PM and he'll sign away Puntland before its too late. Puntland is literally tagging along with Shariif to international functions and screwing up his game, it must be annoying for him as a sovereign president.

Basically, Majeerten high jacking Soomali politics in order to get their own way is what monk is propagating.

Gets angry and signs away puntland? He cannot just sign away puntland if the people dont want it. And he wouldn't do that even though politically they might get in his way at times. He could though if they wanted it.

Faroole can just write up a fake ballot that says 100% of Puntland votes for independence, these things aren't transparent. I really think one of these days a TFG leader will just sign away Puntland in frustration, it does more harm than good to the administration. In the next few months to a year, our current prime minister will give away in excess of $100 million to Puntland from the TFG treasury. I think Shariif realizes the reality of what will happen under the new PM and he'll sign away Puntland before its too late. Puntland is literally tagging along with Shariif to international functions and screwing up his game, it must be annoying for him as a sovereign president.

Then all he has to do is to appoint a prime minster that doesn't hail from one of the puntland clans. Signing off a part of the country is a bit too extreme.

LOL at "just sign away puntland"

Monk-of-Mogadishu

Do you think if Somaliland decided to join the federal Gov Puntlands role would change within the TFG?

Then all he has to do is to appoint a prime minster that doesn't hail from one of the puntland clans. Signing off a part of the country is a bit too extreme.

You're too naive about that bit. He has to either appoint one of the Puntland clans or a member of the Gedo clan within 4.5, and his clan elders and political elite only trust Puntland elders because of old political blocs. It just has to be this way.

Monk-of-Mogadishu

Do you think if Somaliland decided to join the federal Gov Puntlands role would change within the TFG?

Puntland leaders have actually brought a lot of reer Waqoyi into the fold of the TFG in order to push federalism and downplay the influence of anti-federalism southern clans. Somaliland entering the TFG would be good for Puntland as it would further promote federalism and that means a stable support line for Puntland.

LOL at "just sign away puntland"

I don't see what's funny, if he wanted to he could easily do it. That's how the whole "independence" thing works, unless you're just easily amused.

But let me ask you - would you support Puntland leaving Somalia? Its clear you have a strong dislike of the region and its people and that's understandable, I think you would highly support the move but I want to get your opinion.

Would the real puntlanders please stand up.