Originally posted by Fahiye: Just wondering where in the interview does he the Ambs say that TFG is losing the confidence of the Somali populace? Stephanie Hanson's seems to be generating some hype!. Post Script: This does not mean I love the Tigreys and the TFG!!! it was just an observation. Really? A classic sign of a ku-meel-gaadh doughboy is their attacks on journalists Here it is.. "....and what I found in talking to people outside of the process—and these are not necessarily the Courts although earlier on we did talk to some of them, too—is their lack of confidence in the Transitional Federal Government in its capacity to carry forward."

^^ Great opportunity missed! I think the "street art" shows what the "movers n shakers" back home are up to. Whoever said we lack tourist attractions. The only person who took full advantage of this form of artistry was the late Gen. Barre. Some of the Kacaan posters commissioned by the former regime was as good as anything Tate has to offer.

U.S. Special Envoy Cites Widespread ‘Lack of Confidence’ in Somali Government Interviewee: John M. Yates, U.S. Special Envoy to Somalia Interviewer: Stephanie Hanson, News Editor September 19, 2007 Since the United States tacitly supported an Ethiopian invasion of Somalia that ousted the Islamic Courts Union controlling much of the country, Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government has struggled in its stabilization efforts. Ambassador John M. Yates, U.S. special envoy to Somalia, says there has been “some momentum” since the close of a six-week reconciliation conference in August, and that the “first priority will be the drafting of a constitution.” Yates notes, however, that the security situation in Mogadishu remains “fairly dismal,” and there is a “lack of confidence in the Transitional Federal Government in its capacity to carry forward.” He says the Eritrea provides support to insurgents in Somalia, but the U.S. ability to influence Eritrea “seems to be limited.” As the U.S. special envoy to Somalia you’ve kept a pretty low profile. Can you discuss what your focus has been since you took this role, and some of the different challenges that you’ve faced thus far? I’ve been running within the embassy in Nairobi, the Somali unit. We’re now up to about five Americans and two Foreign Service Nationals, and my main focus has been on dealing with the [Transitional] Federal Government, with all the different stripes of Somali leaders, and with the international community. I’ve been traveling quite a bit, especially to Addis Ababa. You should understand that the ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, is also officially responsible for the conduct of foreign relations with Somalia, so he is also very much involved. We work very closely together, of course with the assistant secretary, [Jendayi] Frazer. And have you been traveling to Somalia? No, so far we are not because of the security concerns. Except one time in the time that I’ve been here, I flew in with Assistant Secretary Frazer to meet with the prime minister and speak with parliament. FULL INTERVIEW- us_special_envoy_cites_widespread_lack_of_confidence_in_somali_government.html

^^Hashii geeddankeedii rag badan goodku ku casheeyey Ramadan Kareem to you too.

Hargeisa.. @kuwinig web page

Djibouti....

streets of borama

Somali street art Contemporary Somali art is best viewed during a little stroll through town. All over the place are colorful displays of food and services. Quite often, these displays are not only demonstrating the creativity of Somali artist, but also their incredible ability to copy well known global brands (and notes...) and transform them yet into a unique piece of art. Somali street art is accessible to everybody, diverse, entertaining, you name it. Unfortunately, it is also an expression for the high illiteracy rates which are still prevailing and affecting over 75% of the adults in Somaliland. Although the disappearance of these original displays would definitely be a loss for Hargeisa, I still wish that one day, they will not be there as a symbol for illiteracy, but -if at all- simply as an expression of art ... web page

JB This kind of "gloating" topic is negative and comes across as laughing at others misfortune . Originally posted by me: Northerner's plan on discrediting Somali nationalists and nationalism by calling people like Duke, Emperor, Naxar nationalists. Northerner by calling people like Duke, Emperor or Naxar names it doesn't make your stance any better. You guys are all the same. In other words, you ARE the "nationalist". Alla tani maxay is nuugtay!

Englishman: Why do Americans vote for the sort of people they would never invite into their houses? American: Why do the English vote for the sort of people who would never invite them into their houses?

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:40:41 GMT China to lend Congo $5 billion in latest Africa foray (Reuters) KINSHASA (Reuters) - China plans to lend the Democratic Republic of Congo $5 billion to modernize its decrepit infrastructure and rich but deteriorated mining sector in another huge Chinese investment foray in Africa. Congolese officials said the draft accord signed on Monday foresaw Chinese companies gaining copper/cobalt, gold and nickel concessions under repayment deals that would also include toll revenues from the roads and railways to be constructed. The proposed loan earmarks $3 billion for strategic highway and railroad projects that would link the country's mineral-rich but remote interior to its southern neighbors and the international shipping routes of the Atlantic. The remaining $2 billion targets the revival of the former Belgian colony's once-mighty mining sector -- a treasure trove of copper, cobalt, gold, nickel, uranium and diamonds still to be fully tapped -- whose production has been decimated by war, foreign invasions and years of graft, pilfering and neglect. "This agreement will allow us to carry out important large-scale projects," Congolese Infrastructure and Public Works Minister Pierre Lumbi told Reuters. "What we have are repayment methods in terms of mining concessions, but also others like toll revenues," he added. The draft accord signed comes with a promise of a possible additional $3.5 billion of funds still to be allocated. If fully disbursed, the loan will be one of the biggest Chinese financial commitments on the African continent. In recent years, the Asian economic giant has been sinking billions of dollars into energy, mining and infrastructure projects from Algeria to Angola. Of the initially proposed $5 billion, $3 billion will go in a first phase towards big infrastructure projects, including a 3,400-km (2,125-mile) highway between the northeast city of Kisangani and Kasumbalesa on the southern border with Zambia. It will also cover construction of a 3,200-km (2,000-mile) railway to link the country's southern mining heartland to its western port of Matadi, with access to the Atlantic. INFRASTRUCTURE IN RUINS Congo's infrastructure is in ruins following a devastating 1998-2003 war that killed around 4 million people, mostly from conflict-related hunger and disease. This came on top of years of corrupt misrule under late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Few paved roads exist outside Kinshasa and a few major cities. Congo's colonial-era rail system suffers daily derailments and regular fatal accidents. Much of the country is without electricity, clean drinking water, or basic healthcare. The $3 billion infrastructure segment includes plans to build 31 hospitals, 145 health centers, and two universities. The $2 billion allocated for mining will hand China a major foothold in a sector where foreign mining companies have been scrambling for stakes, especially following landmark post-war elections late last year won by President Joseph Kabila. "They (the Chinese) are getting copper and cobalt concessions in Katanga, gold near Kilomoto (in Ituri district), and nickel ... in the Kasais (provinces)," Deputy Mines Minister Victor Kasongo told Reuters. "These are concessions that have not been awarded yet," he added. Kabila's government has recently launched a review of mining contracts to weed out suspect deals and negotiate new accords potentially more beneficial to the country. web page China opens coffers for minerals China has signed a deal to loan the Democratic Republic of Congo $5bn to develop infrastructure and mining. Infrastructure Minister Pierre Lumbi said the money will be spent on building roads, hospitals, health centres, housing and universities. In exchange, China will get rights to DR Congo's extensive natural resources, including timber, cobalt and copper. A recent study concluded that China's main interest in Africa is to guarantee supplies of raw materials. full article

Appalling timing but I'm not that surprised. TFG stooges have been shit-stirring in that region for the last few weeks.

Manager Mourinho leaves Chelsea Mourinho's position was the subject of continual scrutiny last seasonChelsea manager Jose Mourinho has sensationally left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent, the club has confirmed. The news comes just 24 hours after the disappointing Champions League draw against Rosenborg. BBC Radio 5live football correspondent Jonathan Legard understands Mourinho texted senior players, including skipper John Terry, with the news. Mourinho joined Chelsea in the summer of 2004 and led them to the Premiership title in each of his first two seasons. bbc --------- Without Jose and Gordon Strachan, MOTD interviews will be even more boring.

^^ No need to shout Believe it or not, that was a question and a closed one. I won't give you another bite at it coz you might be fasting and I already feel like Paxman.

^^ If you thought it was rhetorical why did you respond to it? You're the one who's making assumptions. Go on... have a go... Was this just another lie propagated by Duke & Co?

^^ That was a question hence the "?" at the end of it. I'll give you a second bite... Was this just another lie propagated by Duke & Co?

Was this just another lie propagated by Duke & Co?

^^ Don't know whether Sharif Xassan and Xuseen Caydiid are Secular or not. Can't see what's in hearts but when I judge the book by it's cover - one of my weaknesses btw - their foreheads are stumped with "weasel" and "void" respectively.

mmmmhhh... A gadh-less Xassan Turki and Duke cheerleading him? Like the great bluesman howled...something just ain't right!

^^ La jiifiya banaan, la toosiya banaan. MMA I've seen some describe Secular State as "Qaran-Cilmaaniya". It's a mix of Arabic and Soomaali. The same way one would describe Religion based State as Diiniya. I don't think we have these terms in af-soomaali. Maybe we should Somalise Cilmaaniya to Cilmaaneed the same way Diiniya became Diimeed/Diineed.

Originally posted by -:...I gett off work after Makhrib. Phew! I thought you gonna say it's bid'ca. I'm sure some ajar-seeking samaritan out there will help you with this predicament.

Originally posted by -: ^^^Unfortunately I won't be having any this year. Waayo?

Ramadaan Mubaraak folk. Take it easy on the samosas.

^^ Well, not really coz the old Ethio monarchs claimed the territories from Khartoum to Lake Nyanza(Victoria) as well.

MMA No need to be so negative. The Maakhir State will at least sort out the wheat from chaff (or chavs even). No more will the obese petrol station attendant try to robe the natives of their mineral resources. The people of Sanaag can now sort their problems without greedy middlemen from outside trying to sell them out for pittance. As for the greedy folks who took east of Sanaag for granted, the message to you is ... wax badso wax beel bay leedahay. The chickens are truly coming home to roost. Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: Dadku waxay ugu neceb yihiin dadka wax qabsada ,,, Maakhir is created by the Makhirians after they are disappointed by the bugland false promises and fake tolkahood Ya been took! Ya been hoodwinked! Bamboozled! Led astray! Run amok!”- Malcolm