Folks, this is a reliable news from Halane compound. In other words , it is from the horse's mouth. A friend of mine just landed yesterday From Mogadishu by way of Addis Ababa Bole international. He works with donors and he resides in Halane. I didn't even want to wait a day or two and have the Aftir together and . Since I am having Kenyan blues kately, I decided to get the whole info through the phone. Here is the main points of our conversation. Galbeedi: How come this time you have to fly through Addis than your usual Nairobi route ? Halane: My agency usually rents the UN owned airlines which charges double than the private airlines in order to keep the UN fleet sustainable. Since Kenya announced visa requirements and other restrictions many of our staff had decided to fly through Addis. This is the second time I went through Addis and I really enjoyed. Galbeedi: How about other agencies like the world Bank, EU and others. Halane: Actually for the first time the World Bank held a training for Somali bank staff in Addis last week and others were planning to follow suit. It won't take much for other agencies to move quickly to Addis. The only group that has to find long term is the UN operation and their aviation hubs. Galbeedi: How about Somali ministries and other agencies that have ongoing contacts with the international community? Halane: There is already contingency plan from Somali agencies and ministries from education, healthcare, women' issues and other capacity building efforts by the international community to address and plan this issues. THey told the agencies that since Kenya doesn't allow most of these contacts had to be moved to other IGAD countries and within Somalia. So far, the best place is Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian capital is already an international city with welcoming culture and great familiarity for Somalis and international community staff. There are more direct flights from Addis to the world vthan Kenya. Galbeedi: In this fight , If the Kenyans could lose more than the Somalis, why do it in the first place? Halane: THey did miscalculate big time. THey even tried dirty tricks and low blow moves in order to escalate the issue. Reliable people told me that it was Kenyan paid European hackers who infiltrated the Ethiopian foreign ministry website and annexed Somalia from the map in order to create hostility between Somalia and Ethiopia. THere ametuer shenanigans are visible from a far distance. THey even sent people to Hargeisa and said Uhuru, dads boy , will visit Hargeisa at the end of the year. Kenyans airlines are losing money already. Galbeedi: Yet, so far Somalia didn't retaliate against these moves. why not? Halane: Somalia is acting like a mature adult in this saga , but, quitely hitting Kenya where it hurts. If Somalia imposes visa requirements before point of entry, it will make the international agencies and the flying public difficult to plan things. Government agencies already told their partners to set up their meetings somewhere else. Soon the the Meru Qat trade will be blocked. THey can sabre rattle as much as they want , but Somalia is using it's weapons gradually to inflict tough blows. Galbeedi: Do you believe like most of us that the whole issue is all about the Sea dispute and international court? Halane: yes and no. The sea dispute is part of the Kenyan grievances and they want Somalia to bring back the dispute back to African union. Neither Farmaajo nor anyone else could bring back the case. There are also larger issues in the region that may weaken Kenya in the future. The Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea future political and economic alliances are shifting the geopolitics of the regions from the Bantu side of east Africa ( that were his words not mine, usually I do not like using Bantu or looking down any human being) to the Cushitic side of the Horn. Besides, the economic growth that is expected in the horn is centred in Somalia and Ethiopia. In other words, Ethiopian an tapped population and the business know how of the Somalis. So, they trying to chew more than they can. Galbeedi: You did visit Kismaayo last month with members of the donor community. Tell me about the city and people. Halane: You know you and I hail from Western Somalia to Jigjiga and there are certain western ( Galbeedi) accent we share from those who come from Godey, Qalaafe and Somali zone in general. To my surprise, all the people at the hotels and other places I had met had Galbeedi and OG accent of Somali zone. I haven't heard any Jubba area accent. Anyway, everyone was friendly and the city was safe compared to Mogadishu.. Galbeedi: what do you think the fate of warlord Ahmed Madoobe?, is it the end of the rope for him or is he a survivor? Halane: The Farmaajo government had mobilized the local people of Kismaayo. There are no Gedo candidates this time but local native OG and others are empowered to oust him. Traditionally, Somalis do not re-elect leaders and Madoobe is not an exception. All of the other candidates are opposed Madoobe. He doesn't have any alliance. Most of the men who took over Kismaayo were either trained by Kenya or were members of Cabdi Illey Liyu police. THey might be tough , but are disliked by the local people. The time has come for the local Somalis regardless of clan to choose their leaders. Unfortunately for him, he is neither from KIsmaayo, Qooqaani, Gedo or Bu'ale. Galbeedi: how about if he refuses to hold and open election or refuses the verdict ? Halane: The international community had told him already about holding free election and the Somali government had issues guidelines for the regional election. He gas no choice but to hold an open free election or economic sanctions will cripple him. Kenya is pushing him to confront the federal government. Galbeedi: do the regional governments been squeezed by Farmaajo or it is the other way around? Halane: It is all about money and who controls that money. The regional governments had appealed to the American ambassador and other donors to receive aid money directly from the donors instead of through the federal government. Despite the fake promises made by the donors, the Somali government drew a redline and told that everything must go through them. Last week, Puntalnd leader Deni was told by the donors to do their process and needs through the government. That is why he is talking tough this weak. Galbeedi: I know you support the government, but do you think this reclusive guy Farmaajo is turning the tide against the Kenyans and other foreign nations? Halane: Government policies both economically and geopolitics take shape slowly. It is difficult for the regular people to notice, but Somalia is gaining traction in the world stage and the region. The international community sees Somalia as a nation that had survived through thick and thin. I know you are Ethiopia phopic but real cooperation will bear real fruit soon. People had to be patient. That is all folks. Hearing this stories made my day . I think we have cornered the Kenyans and might even defeat them without even firing a bullet.

Oo falkaasu miyaanu Ethopia iyo Kenya colaysiinayn? Galbeedi bahasha bun ka dhin!

lol. If you are trying to sniff tribal lineage, waad wareeri saxiib. You didn't answer the question. Gabadhu ma reerkaa, as in your family? BTW, Mr. Alba is a talented black man. Let us stop glorifying whiteness.

Amiin Caamir mar kale usha wuula helay labawajiileyda Soomaalida naceyb: