Taako A drug lord doesn’t have to kill when those around him have no power, nor do they oppose the use of drug. Manuel Noriega, was a CIA buddy and worked for them, but latter on in 1989 america and Noriega became enemies, the guy was removed from power and captured when america invaded Panama. Then was he brought to the States and convicted of concaine trafficking and some other redicules crimes. Amazing how americans treat their ex-friends. Funny I was told that indhacadde was paid by the CIA as well.

A druglord at least doesn't kill, nevertheless he is not entitled to be called Sheihk.

After a brief taste of stability under the Islamic Courts, a new conflict is spreading. Steve Bloomfield reports from the city where civil war has become a way of life Published: 19 January 2007 Standing amid a pile of rubble on a Mogadishu street corner two young men, faces covered by red scarves, loaded their rocket propelled grenade launchers. Three spare grenades and an AK-47 were slung over their backs. By their feet lay a box containing a remote-controlled mine similar to the improvised explosive devices that have proved so deadly to British and American soldiers in Iraq. A second pair of similarly armed men stood at another junction 200 yards down the road; two further pairs were stationed nearby. Watching the fighters take up position in the Black Sea area of southern Mogadishu, 37-year-old tea shop owner, Nuuro Mohammed Diirive, called for a "resistance" to drive Ethiopian troops out. "Somalia has been confiscated by Ethiopia," she said, waving her arm in anger. "We are not free people. We are under the colonial master. We must find an army to resist them." Mrs Diirive, a mother of seven, said Somalis should be prepared to lay down their lives to defeat Ethiopia. "We will use suicide bombing. Maybe my children will do that." The same pattern was occurring across the battle scarred Somali capital yesterday afternoon. In the north of the city 10 masked men stood outside a mosque waving their AK-47s in the air and chanting "Allahu akbar". In the past few days the price of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in Mogadishu's Bakara arms market has risen from $400 to $1000. Sales of AK-47s have soared. "The Islamic Courts are arming now," said one trader. A decade-and-a-half of civil war takes its toll - on a people and on a city. Once upon a time there was a beauty to Mogadishu. Now, it is a city utterly destroyed by war. Through the bullet-riddled walls, crumbled houses and crater-filled streets it is possible to see how far the city has fallen. The remains of an ornate white-washed baroque balcony sits above a handful of destroyed shop-fronts where malnourished goats are now the only customers. There is barely a single building which is not scarred in some way. Most have been so badly damaged they can hardly be called buildings anymore. Entire streets are lined by nothing more than piles of rubble. A thin layer of grey dust covers everything, from donkey carts to telegraph poles. Yet the modern world clashes jarringly with the past. Goats and cattle vie for space on Mogadishu's potholed highways with brand new 4x4 Pajeros imported from Dubai. Despite there being no central bank or functioning ministry of finance, Somalia's black economy continues to thrive. Market stalls are crammed on to every major street, many of them selling khat, the mild narcotic that was banned by the Islamic Courts. For the six months that the Islamic Courts were in control of the city there was a level of peace and security here that had been absent for the preceding 15 years. Even those who soon tired of the Courts' increasingly radical leadership and their insistence on banning music and the broadcasting of World Cup football matches agree that their rule made Mogadishu more stable. Less than a month ago Ethiopian and Somali government troops rolled into Mogadishu driving out the leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts who had controlled the capital since June. The Islamists had been expected to put up a fight. Instead, they appeared to crumble. Their leaders were chased from town to town while Mogadishu itself fell without a shot being fired. The United States, which gave tacit approval to Ethiopia's invasion, had accused the Islamic Courts of being run by an al-Qa'eda cell and of sheltering terrorist suspects. US air strikes attacked the fleeing Islamists in the village of Ras Kamboni and the Courts appeared to be defeated. But now the insurgency against Ethiopia's occupation has begun. Members of the radical Islamic group, al-Shabaab, have re-emerged in Mogadishu vowing to ambush Ethiopian and Somali government soldiers. "We are not defeated," one of the fighters told The Independent. "We are back in action." The only piece of clothing which signifies their membership of al-Shabaab is a red scarf wrapped around the face and head. If the attacks on Ethiopian and Somali government troops are successful they said they would take off their scarves and disappear into the city. By nightfall, al-Shabaab fighters were positioned in four key areas across Mogadishu, waiting for troops to drive past. Al-Shabaab's leader, Arun Ayro, is back in Mogadishu having fled with other Islamic Courts leaders to Ras Kamboni. Fighters on the street said yesterday that Mr Ayro would not leave until the Ethiopians were defeated. Many analysts had expected al-Shabaab to defend Mogadishu when Ethiopian troops invaded. Instead the Courts announced they were withdrawing from Mogadishu in order, they said, to prevent bloodshed. The al-Shabaab fighters on Mogadishu's streets yesterday gave a different reason. "We did not want to be hit by the Ethiopian bombs," said one. "We feared the air raids." As Ethiopian and Somali government troops took control of Mogadishu, al-Shabaab melted away into the city. But now they are back. The start of the insurgency was announced yesterday in the form of a leaflet which was distributed across the capital. Titled "Heavy Warning", and with two pictures of AK-47s, the leaflet said that Ethiopians, who they referred to as "colonialists", would "face new insurgent operations and attacks". They warned Somalis to stay away from Ethiopians "and their stooges", a reference to Somalia's weak government, which was only able to defeat the Islamic Courts with the backing of neighbouring Ethiopia. That backing has come at a price. Ethiopia was already deeply unpopular in Somalia following two invasions in the past 45 years. Now there has been a third, Somalis appear united in wanting Ethiopian troops to pull out. Osman Hassan Abdulaahi, a lecturer at Mogadishu University, is also angry. "Ethiopia is an occupying force. We are under occupation. We are the same as the Palestinians and we should fight like they do. If someone occupies your land you must take up arms to show resistance." Mr Abdulaahi, 40, accused the interim Somali government, headed by a former warlord from the Puntland region, Abdullahi Yusuf, of succumbing to the sort of tribalism that has ripped Somalia apart since 1991. "He is not doing a proper reconciliation," said Mr Abdulaahi. "The country will slide back into civil war." Civil war has been a near-permanent state for Somalia since the military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown 16 years ago. Successive attempts at establishing a new central government failed and Somalia's capital was carved up by warlords - big businessmen who employed clan-based militia to stake out their territory. In a country awash with AK-47s and with no rule of law, arguments tended to be settled at gunpoint and Mogadishu became the most-dangerous city in the world. Mustafa Mohamed fled Somalia in 1989, becoming a refugee in London. Starting work as a waiter he eventually rose to become an assistant manager, working at one of Terence Conran's restaurants, Le Pont de la Tour. Now he is back in Mogadishu leasing 4x4s to wealthy Somalis and a handful of western visitors. Sitting in a café in southern Mogadishu he said the city has already begun to become more unstable since the Courts left on 28 December. "The Courts believed that if you did not follow their religion as they do, you could not be a part of them but they had the support of the people," he said. "They did a job that no one could have done. Everybody was scared of killing when they were in charge." Few appear to be scared of killing now. The sound of gunfire ringing through the night sky has become a constant soundtrack to life in Mogadishu. Locals call it "Somali music" and in the past few nights the music has become louder. "I don't know how long it will be before more trouble strikes," Mr Mohamed, 37, said. "We are just waiting to see if something goes wrong this weekend. You don't know when the next bullet is going to strike you. You have to be careful where you go and who you mix with." But for many of Mogadishu's estimated two million inhabitants, the threat of violence is just one of the many fears that stalk their lives. For the city's poorest, most of whom fled to Mogadishu to escape civil war in other parts of the country, life is no different whether it is under the warlords, the Courts or the government. Work is difficult to come by and the lack of income inevitably leads to empty stomachs. The dusty track leading to Nasato Saciid's home is littered with rubble. Bracken and cactus trees have sprouted through the ruins of crumbling shells that once were houses. Eight members of her family live here among the debris. At night they all crowd into the only room to still have a roof. If they had a mattress, there would be nowhere to put it. During the day her four children play among the rubbish. Her five-month old baby girl lies on a mat protected from the sun by a ragged cover made up of more than 30 different bits of cloth and tarpaulin tied together with string and propped up by a thin log. Just 25-years-old, Mrs Saciid, has spent almost her entire life trying to find a way to survive in a country falling apart. She spends her days at home looking after her children. Her husband was once a mechanic but can find no work in his trade. Every morning he leaves the house at first light to go to Mogadishu's markets seeking work. "If he gets some money I cook for the children," said Mrs Saciid. "One day we get meals, one day we miss." Yesterday she missed. Her husband returned with just 3,000 Somali shillings - the equivalent of 13p. Mrs Saciid was able to buy a small amount of millet which she cooked for her children but she and her husband were forced to go without. "There was a bit of peace under the Courts," she said, "But life was about the same. They did not create any businesses. They did not open any schools. I can't predict who is good. They are all alike. They do not create a society." Her eldest son has just started to go to a local madrasa. "I did not want to send him there. The Koranic schools teach too much geography and history of their land in Arabia." But there are no other schools and Mrs Saciid, who never had the opportunity to go to school herself, is determined to ensure her children get some form of education. "What future will my children have?" she asked with a sad smile. "It is a very hard life and I don't expect it to get any better."

I can’t help but laugh every time someone posts pictures of this guns that are being hand over to the warlord government, all ragged, deformed and rusty tools. Last time I checked Mr. Finish was a warlord and today only in a country named Somalia could a warlord become a MP… where the uneducated erudite killers who are incompetent individuals could remain supreme.

See what tribe mentality does. These Somalis are a disgrace to the logical thinking human.

Originally posted by Naxar Nugaaleed: as long as someone doing the job walaal, its all good with me. but going back to the piont you have raised, the section of the charter that you pionted out does not counterdict that make up of the government becouse there are no parties as of now. The section is outlawing tribally based parties but not government. Iska ma indo tiri karno the realty on the ground, which that our problems (and it just accord to me that we don't have tribes but clans in somali) clan based. Its a transitional government and its purpose was to address the problems facing the country I.e. clan dicvision, how can we fault them for that? It is rather hypocritical of the government to create such a law, especially when the government is one which is of tribal nature. I don’t see why other parties can’t be based on tribe when the government itself is. Our problem is about tribes and clans who are continuously fighting against other tribes and clans for power, land and dominance. If we are to cure the problem we would have to use anything that is not tribal based, in which case the Somali populace would recognize that it is no longer about tribe. Set the level a little bit higher, so they will not see things from tribal/clan POV. Creating a government that is of tribal nature, will end up imposing the same tribal/clan mentalities which we want to get rid of. It isn’t the medicine, but a lethal dose of poison.

NN, the problem with the Government is, that it is a tribal based government. I was reading the Somalia Charter, and Article 21 # 4 it said, and I will quote “ Any political party of a military character or tribal nature will be prohibited” Now anyone could correct me if I am wrong or correct my misunderstanding, but isn’t the TFG based on tribe, divided among tribe, govern regions by tribe and when appointing an individual to office tribe is soley put under concentration. It is a party which is of tribal nature if you ask me. LOL… someone hurry up and prove me wrong or find the error I am in. NN i think that i am more likely to be suited to be the devils ultimate advocate.

Taako, we are not here to talk about what appears to be fair and what is not. These people aren’t kids, who want to get everything equally. We are talking about the future and the interests of our nation. If the people of Bay and Bakool want a person who could represent them in the government, let them bring forth a brother who is educated, experienced and has good morals. Everyone will respect him and accept him for his merits and not his tribe/clan. The President and Prime Minister could both be from the same tribe, clan, sub-clan, sub-sub-clan, even family if they reach the expectations set for them. Enough with the tribal affiliations.

Yoonis Many of your faults my friend comes from your political POV. That is where our disagreement comes from. The political views we holhttp://www.somaliaonline.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?d and represent are very much part of the problem. We should portray our political views in ways that is positive and satisfactory to all and I will guarantee you that there will be more arguments which are lucid, constructive, accurate and productive. However, I have noticed that there are some people who make accusations and personal remarks. They need to bring forth some evidence to back up their claims. The argument shouldn’t only be based on personal statements but also facts. Besides what is there to forget and forgive? You actually think that we have taken the offensive words any of the TFG supporters may have uttered to the heart?

Taako So Somalis are still making their politic promotions based on tribe, which will hurt us one day. When a little error is made, and a tribe is unsatisfied because his/her tribe didn’t get the high positions it sought after, it will all once again be made out to be a tribal conflict. The sooner we start judging our future politicians based on education, experience, and good morals, the better chances we have of avoiding tribal conflicts in the future.

He should be the new Speaker

Yoonis, I partially agree with you. I will try my best to be respectful and discredit those whose views I argue against with notions based on reason and not fool language. However, what is the point of forgetting the past, when it could educate us about the future. We should not forget, but rather forgive. We should at least try to forgive the TFG supporters for being the cyber-supporters of the Ethiopia invasion.

^^^ It doesn’t matter if they changed sides due to who is beneficial to them. They could become fence-settlers if they wish. However, they still have the right to publish whatever they deem creditable, and you have the right to not read their news articles.

Raadamiir, who are these “Somalians”, you mean Somalis. It still remains to be a piece of garment. You weren’t going nuts when the Ethiopians were killing your fellow Somalis, raping Somali sisters, showing their superiority over the Somalia nation, bombing innocent nomads and invading the Somalia nation, yet now with your lack of knowledge you have managed to get all frustrated about your Somali brothers on the North just burning a piece of garment. I pledged my loyalty to my people, not a piece of garment like you. A flag doesn’t make you a Somali, the blood running through your veins does and the people you stand for. You shouldn’t be talking about those who lack education. With your ignorance you are nothing short of being an uneducated nauseating malefactor. Dismiss yourself before i do.

Raadamir, your sexual apatite isn’t my concern, if you want to play with yourself do so, let your left hand entertain you while you wave the picture of Abdullahi Yusuf on your right hand. The residents of Mogadishu will agree with me any day of the week that they only dwelled in pure utopia when the ICU was ruling the city. I can’t deny them peace. I don’t have the authority to do so. For once say something intelligent that could match-up to your age’s expecting intelligence. I have more family members in Mogadishu than you probably. My concern for them will be deeper than yours.

Red Flag burning doesn’t bring much harm or anger. Okay maybe only to few individuals who think they have pledged their loyalty to a piece of garment and not their people. Ignore Raadamir, he cheers for the invading Ethiopians and thinks he represents and cares for the Somali flag. A self-declared Somaliland loyalist is more Somali than he will ever be.

Yoonis Should i help you or just let you speculate on whether i could read/understand Somali or not. You can’t remain doubtful forever.

^^ what are you talking about, it is just a flag.

^^^ A flag doesn’t bring destruction, people do. Why do people take their anger out on other nation's flags.

Ever heard of the saying: “Actions speak louder than mere words” Wll his actions truly do speak louder than his words.

^^^Do you even know who you are referring to as a government? The warlords are our government today? Warlords don’t bring peace, they find ways to steal from the people and put their own self-interest above others. I will wait and see how your wishful thinking comes to reality, that is if it ever does?

Abu They themselves have claimed to have killed three thousand Somalis so called ICU soldiers. The streets leading to Mogadishu were decorated with corpses. Yes with the help of the warlords, which were mainly supported by Ethiopians and other foreigners we managed to kill our own brothers. The men who control the militia who have managed to kill their own brothers will be held accountable. But we won’t be able to do that if you support a government who protects those same men who have brought and caused turmoil in Somalia. You have too much belief on a government which won’t defend the poor Somali nomad. You are wishfully thinking, many Somalis do, I won’t blame you. Somalia stood on its own for 16 years, the world had only add more fire and destruction to our problems. Don’t tell me we are going to be oppressed on top of being poor and weak to stand together. Ethiopian troops will leave AU soldiers will come, who are notorious for their crimes against the ones they are to bring peace to. The AU soldiers in Darfur resulted to raping the women. I barely expect anything from these African leaders. We can’t afford to accept a government that is only recognized for merely existing and not helping or providing for the common Somali. Sorry, if I am not as wishfully thinking as you.

Naxar N Christian Ethiopians in general have a certain hatred for the Somalis, who are primarily Muslims. Whether they are Habash, Oromo or Tigree, it really doesn’t matter, at the end they are enemies, their ethnic background doesn’t assure the safety and wellbeing of the Somalis. Differentiating your enemies based on ethnic background won’t make them less of a threat. If you had any concern for every single Somali regardless of tribe or clan you wouldn’t the least bit tried to justify this oppression that is taking root. As for Ethiopia not attacking, you have fallen short yourself by not realizing the reality which is crystal clear. Ethiopia did indeed attack, the TFG have no army which could stand on its own feet and defeat the newly born ICU. They have no military technology or equipment, no soldiers which could protect the nation. Few Somalis walking along side thousands of Ethiopians isn’t necessarily what I would call ‘assisting’. If Ethiopia is to ever assist us, let them start with our brothers and sisters in the Og*den region. Tell them to stop killing them and raping the women, tell them to give them equal share of wealth as the other regions. It is a region full of refugee camps. Tribal affiliation has made you blind of justice and civility. I promise you it won’t take you far. Going in circles will not lead you to somewhere.

Abu You think these barbaric scavengers should walk into Somali soil, kill thousands of innocent people and walk out without being held accountable for their odious acts? Somalia is ten times worse than Iraq. Iraq wasn’t as poor and malnourished as Somalia is, yet that didn’t stop the Ethiopians and US from attacking and causing more destruction.

He should stick around. It will keep me amused. Besides there should be more like him, then we will know how many inept Somalis there are.