^^Come again adeer! Shariifs.Are.Farsighted.And.Compassionate.Leaders.

^^Duke yours is mere semantics and you know it! If it were up to the said Yusuf these meetings would not have happened. The fact peace talks are taking place in Jabuuti and elsewhere represent a clear realization from the powers I referred to that a significant change of direction is needed in the way they approach Somali conflict. If that is not the case share with us what compels Yusuf, the man whom you consider the winner of the Somali conflict, to sit down with the asmara group? A group, mind you, whose significance, political or otherwise, does no longer matter according to Yusuf! Adeer these talks are to be commended. And I petty those who fail to see its significance for whatever the reason may be…

In our last editorial, Ushering Peace in Somalia, we wrote, "Ours is a country the two most important political actors – the TFG and the Alliance (the Asmara based opposition) - are not in the mood to negotiate peace. Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdalla The UN Special Representative for Somalia We believe that statement requires revisiting, thanks to the industrious reconciliation efforts by the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. As of last week, both the Transitional Federal Government and the Alliance are separately talking with the UN envoy whose ultimate goal is to have the two sides talk to each other. Two of the most important figures in the two camps are the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government, Nur Hassan Hussein "Nur Adde" and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Chairman of the Alliance of the Re-liberation of Somalia. Both have shown strong desire for political settlement and seem to have what it takes to usher peace in Somalia. This follow-up editorial piece is intended to assess the prospect of these two political figures playing a catalyst role in the quest for peace and reconciliation in Somalia. History abounds with ordinary people attaining extraordinary achievements in the face of great challenges. Consequently, titles such as leaders and heroes are bestowed on unique and successful citizens. History also records, as a footnote or on the margins, the fiascos of those who fail to show leadership when they were expected to rise to the occasion. Of course, external issues and environmental influences have always affected the turn of events in every human endeavor. However when the dust of weighty events settle, losers and leaders emerge because of the trembling or tenacity of individual actors. Vision, valor and foresight are what often distinguish the feeble from the farsighted. In Somalia, since the time of the first President – Aden Abdulle Osman, finding men and women with national leadership credentials sadly become a dwindling rarity. The barren nature of Somalia has indeed puzzled many outside observers and emboldened the opponents of Somalia. Likewise, the inability of the nation to produce authentic leaders have also disappointed the Somali masses who yearn for forty years genuine leaders who could deliver the nation form the current perpetual-like yoke of mediocrity. Hiiraan Online sees exceptional leadership qualities in the person of Nur Hassan Hussein ”Adde", the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government. The "bright" Prime Minister (both the name Nur and the nickname Adde donate brightness), has shown during his short tenure as Prime Minister, an extraordinary interest to end the Somalia crises. The Prime Minister also moved with blistering speed to mitigate the mammoth public relations problems of the TFG. Prime Minister Nur "Adde" eloquently spoke about peace and reconciliation and exhibited a genuine desire to usher peace in Somalia. His statement that he is even willing to vacate his post if such a move would hasten peace in Somalia has earned the PM the respect of many Somalis. In addition, by releasing some imprisoned community leaders, Prime Minister Nur "Adde" also succeeded to reduce the suffocating political / security environment in Mogadishu. He also won over the business community in Bakaara market by allowing them to organizing their own private security and removing the Ethiopian soldiers and the TFG militias. The Prime Minister also secured the diplomatic backing of the international community and continued to maintain a cordial relationship with the big elephant in the Somalia tent - the Ethiopians - without appearing to be their hapless boodle. Prime Minister Nur Adde also succeeded (at least for now) to oversee the reconciliation agenda of the TFG, upstaging the hard line stance of the TFG President. He further reassured the worried and weary Somali public about the domineering Ethiopian security forces inside Somalia, by declaring that once the warring Somali parties make peace – Ethiopian troops will leave Somalia within 48 hours. As a Prime Minster of a war-torn society, Nur Adde's work is indeed cut out for him. It is remarkable that he was able to stay away from the plethora of booby traps in the charged political landscape of Somalia. Moreover, Prime Minister Nur Adde preached peace and exhibited hope, and in the process: deepened the trust of his supporters, gained the respect of his detractors as well as the admiration of the Somali masses and the backing of the international community. What an achievements in six months! Two new challenges await Premier Nur Adde. For one, the Ethiopian troops entered Somalia because of Ethiopia's strategic interests. How long the Ethiopians would standby and watch Prime Minister Nur Adde lay the foundation of Somalia-centric policies and institutional frameworks different from the Ethiopian designs is a question worth pondering on. The other challenge that could cut short Prime Minister Nur Adde's reconciliation agenda is whether he succeeds to convince the rest of the TFG leaders / institutions to accept and adopt his peace and reconciliation vision. It is not a secret that there is an open tension / differences within the TFG leaders and some media outlets are even reporting that there are plans hatched in Baidoa, the TFG Parliament seat, to stifle the peace overture of the Prime Minister. Hiiraan Online also sensed a glimmer of hope in 2006 with the ascendance of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in the leadership of the Islamic Courts Union. We named Sheikh Sharif then as the Person of the Year in 2006. We wrote an editorial, "Hiiraan Online recognizes Sh. Sharif Sh. Ahmed as the person of the year 2006, not only for his magnanimous personality, but for spearheading a fledgling, non-monolithic group, which, at times, overstepped its powers, and, at other times, underestimated its enemies. Whatever the cause of failure of the UIC maybe, Sh. Ahmed epitomized peace for six historic months in Somalia, where he captured the stage by every stretch of the imagination." In Sheikh Sharif, we saw discernible leadership qualities. Under his leadership, the Islamic Courts and the people of Mogadishu routed the despised warlords and after sixteen years, re-commissioned both the airport and port of Mogadishu. The Islamic Courts cleaned the city, removed ubiquitous roadblocks, returned looted properties and presented the people of Mogadishu a precious six months of peace. Similarly, under Sheikh Sharif's able leadership, the Islamic Courts recovered within a year of a near-obliterating Ethiopian military assault. They also overcome orchestrated international diplomatic isolation. The Courts, under the guidance of Sheikh Sharif, further demonstrated political agility and adapted to the new reality in Somalia by joining forces with nationalist Members of Parliament and diaspora-based intellectuals. This reorganization resulted in the formation of the Alliance of the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), which Sheikh Sharif leads today. Many dismissed the Alliance as a ragtag and irrelevant reactionary collection holed up in Eritrea. Again, the opposition put up a stiff diplomatic and military resistance, which frustrated Ethiopian strategy and rendered their TFG ally semi-comatose. The swift Alliance / opposition success on the ground made the planned diplomatic isolation untenable. As a direct result, we now know that the international community has changed their policy towards the opposition and currently the Alliance is considered as an indispensable stakeholder in present-day Somali politics. Consequently, preparation for UN-led mediation efforts between the TFG and the Alliance is underway in earnest. Similarly, a new Alliance-included governance arrangement in Somalia and the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from Somalia are now considered desirable in fact, an inevitable reality. In a press release dated on April 4, 2008, The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah states that he, “see it as a good sign that the Somali parties are genuinely concerned about the situation in their country … They need to strengthen their ranks, consolidate national unity and understand that power sharing is the best way forward.” In spite of the positive steps towards peace and the commanding role apt leaders such as Sheikh Sharif, we must also highlight the existence of thorny challenges that could derail the ongoing peace efforts. Two of these challenges will however form the final litmus test of Sheikh Sharif's leadership competency. For one, if the ongoing mediation efforts bore fruit, Sheikh Sharif and his colleagues will be required to work with / share power with the TFG leaders. It is not a secret that there is no love lost between the two sides and that each side is responsible the slaughter of thousands from the other side. How well the two sides leave behind their bloody past and merge into a new governing body will thus be the ultimate test for all, and particularly for Sheikh Sharif. Another more ominous challenge that awaits the good Sheikh is the Al-Shabaab factor. The Al-Shabaab fighters are not happy with his recent reconciliation efforts with the TFG. Taming these battle-hardened, self-righteous and hypersensitive Islamic fighters will be a tall order for anyone. Convincing them to curb their rhetoric and cooperate in a compromise governance order will be the final test of the leadership skills of Sheikh Sharif. It is a blessing that Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed are in the helms of power in the most important political forces in Somalia. It is also a great coincidence that the current UN Special Representative for Somalia is no other than the able former Mauritanian foreign minister, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. The past performances of Prime Minster Nur Adde and Sheikh Sharif make us believe that they are the best potential peacemakers in Somalia. We are also pleased to know that Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah is their top counterpart from the international community. We hope the TFG leadership / institutions as well as the opposition groups see, seize and support this unique opportunity for peace and reconciliation in Somalia. HiiraanOnline

Siilaanyo is very reasonable politician. The only fault I could find in him is that he bought the bogus secessionist argument. He is one of few heavyweights in Somali political landscape that could get votes beyond their clannish border… I hope this latest move awakens this giant and shows that it’s indeed the cause he embraced, and not necessarily the process, that failed him.

^^Riyaale is not acting alone though...and his political foes aughtta factor that!

The powers that be decided that Somalia needs a genuine political reconciliation process. Hence I don’t think saboteurs will be able to derail latest peace process.

^^ Kashafa of all people gets that credit... SOL waxay noqotay meel dadkoo dhan habaysanyihiin; xattaa Bishaaro qori AK47 ah oo loo dhiibay aa la dhahay adeer!

Xoogga, I would die happy if Somalis continue to talk to each other as they started in Jabbuuti now! Whether one believes peace is achievable or not given the current conditions doesn't matter really (although I would appreciate if you show a bit more positive thinking than you have shown so far). As I said before lamenting the loss of Bukur will not benefit us much! In due time the crazy peaceniks, as you called them, will be vindicated IA.

^^ Caawa waa iga qoslisay saaxiib...xattaa cunugayga yarka waa igu qoslay Shaactiroole waaxid...

^^ Heesta kacaanak miyyaa!! ps--I am not sure Oodweyne would agree with this though!

Jabuuti: Axmed Walad Cabdalla ,Nuur Cadde ,Sheekh Shariif & Maxamed Xasan Xaad oo wada jooga Jabuuti. Jabuuti(AllPuntland)- Garoonka diyaaradaha ee Magaalada Jabuuti 24-kii saac ee lasoo dhaafay waxaa si kala gedisan uga dagey Raysalwasaaraha Soomaaliya Nuur Xasan Xuseen, Wakiilka Qaramada Midowbay ee arimaha Soomaaliya Axmed Walad Cabdalla, Hogaamiyaha Isbaheysiga Asmara & Hogaamiyaha Golaha la baxay Odayaasha ******. Dhamaantood waxaa kala geeyey diyaarado ka kala tagay Nairobi iyo Muqdisho iyadoo wafdi walbaaba goonidiisa ugu safray Jabuuti, Waxaana ay siyaabo kala duwan ula kulmeen Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyada Jabuuti Ismaaciil Cumar Geelle. Raysalwasaaraha Soomaaliya & Wafdigiisa oo ay galbiyeen dhigiisa Jabuuti & madax kale ayaa tagay Aqalka Martida ee dalka Jabuuti, waxa ayna kula kulmeen Saraakiisha Jabuuti. Galabta ayay wada hadalo yeelanayaan Nuur Cadde & Ismaaciil Cumar Geelle, wuxuuna kala hadlayaa arimaha Dibu heshiisiinta iyo doorka kaga aadan Jabuuti inay ka qaadato. Axmed Walad Cabdalla ayaa isna la kulmay Raysalwasaaraha Jabuuti wuxuuna kala hadlay ujeedka socdaalkooda ,isagoo ku sheegay wada hadalsiinta kooxaha Isku haya Siyaasada Soomaaliya. Wakiilka Qaramada Midowbay ee arimaha Soomaaliya ayaa ku waramay in ay dooneyso Qaramada Midowbay wada hadalo ay garwadeen ka tahay Qaramada Midoobay ayna yeeshaan dawladda Soomaaliya & Kooxaha ka soo horjeeda. Garabka la baxay Odayaasha Dhaqanka ee Beesha ****** ayaa galabta la filayaa in ay lakulmaan Raysalwasaaraha Soomaaliya Nuur Cadde ayna kala hadlaan wada hadalada ay wado Qaramada Midowbay qabanqaabadoodu ka socota Jabuuti. War hoose oo laga helay Safaarada Soomaalida ee Jabuuti ayaa sheegaya in ay wada hadalo dibu heshiisiin ah dhexmarayaan Mucaaradka dawladda Soomaaliya & dawladda Faderaalka ee Soomaaliya. Dadka Siyaasada falanqeeya ayaa tooshkoodu saaran yahay magaalada Jabuuti ee dalka Jabuuti,waxa ayna saadaalinayaan in ay dhacayaan wada hadalo dhexmara dawladda Faderaalka ee Soomaaliya & Kooxaha ka soo horjeeda. F. C. Geylan

This is good one yaa bell-gatherer!

Nur Cadde oo ka dagay Jabuuti Ra'iisul Wasaraha Somalia Nuur Xasan Xusen [Nuur Cadde] iyo wafdi uu hoggaaminayo ayaa duhurnimadii maanta gaaray Magaalada Jabuuti ee dalka Jabuuti, iyagoo ka duulay Nariobi. Wafdiga Ra'iisul wasaaraha oo ay ka mid ahaayeen Wasiirka Wafaafinta Axmed C/salaan Xaaji Aadan iyo Wasiirka Maaliyadda Maxamed Cali Xaamud, ayaa waxay wararku tibaxayaan inay cansumaad rasmi ah ka heleen Madaxweynaha Jabuuti. Wasiirro ka tirsan xukumadda Jabuuti ayaa kusoo dhaweyay wafdiga garoonka diyaaradaha ee Jabuuti, waxaana lagu wadaa inay caawa kulamo kula qaataan Madaxweyne Ismaaciil Cumar Geelle Madaxtooyada dalkaas. Lama sheegin sababta dhabta ah ee keentay in Ra'iisul Wasaraha Somalia Nur Cadde iyo wafdigiisa lagu casuumo Jabuuti, waxaase wararku sheegayaan in Dowladda Madaxweyne Geelle ay qorshaynayso inay kulansiiso Mucaaradka iyo DF. Magaalada Jabuuti ayaa waxaa shalay gallinkii hore gaaray Wafdi ka tirsan xubnaha sheegta golaha dhaqanka iyo Midnimada ****** oo uu hogaminayo Maxamed Xasan Xaad, kuwaasoo iyagu horay u sheegay inay casuumaad ka heleen guddoomiyaha Isbahaysiga Asmara Sheekh Shariif Sheekh Axmed. Sheekh Shariif, ayaa waxaa isagana wararku shegayan inuu gaari doono Berri Jabuti, balse wararkas ma ahan kuwo si cad u qeexaya safarka Guddoomiyaha Isbahaysiga Asmara. Xuumadda tirada yar ee uu hogaminayo Nur Cadde ayaa waxay u muqataa mid furfurnn dheeraad ah sameynaysa si ay mucaradka DF heshiisyo ula gasho, waxana uu Ra'isal Wasaaraha horay u sheegay inay ka go'an tahay inuu la heshiiyo mucaaradkiisa. Ra'iisul Wasaraha Somalia Nuur Cadde oo 24-saac ka hor dib ugu laabtay dalka Kenya ayaa waxay wararku sheegayeen inuu kulammo halkaas kula qaadanayey wakiillada hay'adaha gargaarka si loo hagaajiyo gargaarka la gaarsiinayo Somalia oo ay si weyn uga cawdeen 40-hay'adooda oo kuwa gargaarka ah. Dowladda Jabuuti ayaa waxay horay ugu guulaysatay inay kulansiiso Ra'iisul Wasarihii hore ee Somalia Cali Maxamed Geeddi iyo Sheekh Abuukar Cumar Caddaan oo udub dhexaad u ahaa Maxkamadaha Islamiga, iyadoo kulankasna ay ku gaareen heshiis. Waxaa sarey u kacay weerarada kooxaha ka soo horjeeda dowlada ku hayaan DFKMG ah kuwaas oo aan la garaneyn heshiis lala gaaro kooxda Asmara in ay joojin karaan dagaaladaan. source: garoweonline.com

Way to go Editor Caynte and Hiiraan Online Management! This is a worthy call.

^^^^Brother, don’t be misled by SL cyber warriors! Somaliland is coming home, and not separating! Pray that hardcore secessionists would not cause another uncivil strife in that peaceful corner. ================================================= HIIRAAN ONLINE E D I T O R I A L Monday April 07, 2008 If one thing has been constant in Somalia in the past twenty years, it is the fact that the Somalia crises have been getting more challenging year after year. Today, the first quarter of 2008, the situation of Somalia, is the worst the country has ever seen. Indeed, in every measure used to rank human progress, Somalia comes out as the worst place on the planet. For instance, if one searches the two words, Somalia and worst, one would sadly find out that the adjective worst (and its affiliates) are disproportionately associated with Somalia more than any other country in the world. In the words of Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the top United Nations official for Somalia, “The situation in Somalia is the worst on the continent.” According to UNICEF, Somalia is the “worst place for children.” Transparency International designates Somalia as the “worst for corruption.” Reporters without Borders have named Somalia as “Africa’s deadliest country for journalists.” Amnesty International says, press freedom situation in Somalia, “worst since 1991.” The International Maritime Bureau says, “Somali waters have become the most dangerous for pirate activities in the world.” On the refugee front, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, “Somalia It is the most pressing humanitarian emergency in the world today -- even worse than Darfur,” According to UNICEF, Somalia is experiencing “bleakest malnutrition situation.” On money and currency issues, Somalia ranked, “the worst performance of all 72 currencies” tracked by Bloomberg News. On the human rights front, according to Leslie Lefkow of Human Rights Watch “…there is really little comparison when you look around the world in terms of the gravity of the crimes and the scale of displacement.". As for those who venture out to help, Somalia is “one of the worst, if not the worst, environment for humanitarian agencies to operate in the world," according to the World Food Program spokesman. “Health indicators in Somalia continue to be among the worst in the world”, according to World Heath Organization. The primary sources of Somalia’s heart wrenching problems are the absence of peace and the raging of incessant wars. The Somali people need to reconcile among themselves in order to reverse the devastating trends that engulf Somalia. Somalis are the ones who ignite the violence and facilitate others to add fuel to this fire. Unfortunately, the idea of ushering peace in Somalia has become stale. Peace has remained illusive in Somalia. Why, we must wonder? Is it because, the Somalia question - whatever that question may mean - is such intractable that the quest for peace in Somalia is beyond the realm of the possible? Or, is it that those who spearhead or dominate reconciliation efforts in Somalia were/are on the wrong track or the wrong people? Or is it due to the fact that those who ought to search peace and bring about reconciliation in Somalia, were not up to the task or not ready to assume their responsibilities. Or are there other reasons that we do not know that make peace and Somalia two poles that could never meet? Whatever the case maybe, what we currently have in Somalia is a country mired in a deadly conflict for over twenty years. Mogadishu, our capital, resembles more like a ghost town than a capital city. Somalia is a country hundreds of thousands of its citizens are internally displaced, or are on the verge of displacement due to the raging / simmering conflict.. Somalia is a country one-third of its northern territory opted to secede fifteen years ago with no effort to address the implication of this severance. Somalia is a country over a million of its middle class fled the violence and resettled in far-flung corners of the world with little hope of their returning. Ours is a country the two most important political actors – the TFG and the Alliance (the Asmara based opposition) - are not in the mood to negotiate peace. Somalia is a country that even the top United Nations envoy is hesitant to unveil his peace initiative because of the fear that other members of the international community might torpedo it. Ours is a country whose national image is shattered and supplanted by contagious tribal identities; a country hopelessness, foreign manipulation, and intransigence rather than collaboration in politics become the reflex norm and the standing operating procedure. Anguished by this appalling state of affairs in the homeland; Hiiraan Online, decided to present this editorial piece to its readers. We are asking / seeking / in search of, how we, Somalis inside and outside Somalia, could help bring peace to our battered homeland. In our opinion, the only way Somalia could regain the glory that many of us fondly and faintly remember (and others dream about), is when peace prevails in Somalia. Such a peace will not come about without concentrated peace and reconciliation efforts by Somalis, for the cards have been stacked against the path of peace for close to twenty years. In spite of the mammoth difficulties and onslaught of every imaginable misfortune, Somalia limbed along for two decades. We believe this was possible because of the resilience of the Somali people. We also believe Somalia’s only hope of digging itself out of these predicaments, is through the ingenuity and the positive energy of its sons and daughters. Hiiraan Online wants to hear from them.

April 4, 2008 Was WWII Really 'The Good War'? by Patrick J. Buchanan "Yes, it was a good war," writes Richard Cohen in his column challenging the thesis of pacifist Nicholson Baker in his new book, Human Smoke, that World War II produced more evil than good. Baker's compelling work, which uses press clips and quotes of Axis and Allied leaders as they plunged into the great cataclysm, is a virtual diary of the days leading up to World War II. Riveting to this writer was that Baker uses some of the same episodes, sources and quotes as this author in my own book out in May, Churchill, Hitler and 'The Unnecessary War. On some points, Cohen is on sold ground. There are things worth fighting for: God and country, family and freedom. Martyrs have ever inspired men. And to some evils pacifism is no answer. Resistance, even unto death, may be required of a man. But when one declares a war that produced Hiroshima and the Holocaust a "Good War," it raises a question: good for whom? Britain declared war on Sept. 3, 1939, to preserve Poland. For six years, Poland was occupied by Nazi and Soviet armies and SS and NKVD killers. At war's end, the Polish dead were estimated at 6 million. A third of Poland had been torn away by Stalin, and Nazis had used the country for the infamous camps of Treblinka and Auschwitz. Fifteen thousand Polish officers had been massacred at places like Katyn. The Home Army that rose in Warsaw at the urging of the Red Army in 1944 had been annihilated, as the Red Army watched from the other side of the Vistula. When the British celebrated V-E day in May 1945, Poland began 44 years of tyranny under the satraps of Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev. Was World War II "a good war" for the Poles? Was it a good war for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, overrun by Stalin's army in June 1940, whose people saw their leaders murdered or deported to the Gulag never to return? Was it a good war for the Finns who lost Karelia and thousands of brave men dead in the Winter War? Was it a good war for Hungarians, Czechs, Yugoslavs, Romanians and Albanians who ended up behind the Iron Curtain? In Hungary, it was hard to find a women or girl over 10 who had not been raped by the "liberators" of the Red Army. Was it a good war for the 13 million German civilians ethnically cleansed from Central Europe and the 2 million who died in the exodus? Was it a good war for the French, who surrendered after six weeks of fighting in 1940 and had to be liberated by the Americans and British after four years of Vichy collaboration? And how good a war was it for the British? They went to war for Poland, but Winston Churchill abandoned Poland to Stalin. Defeated in Norway, France, Greece, Crete and the western desert, they endured until America came in and joined in the liberation of Western Europe. Yet, at war's end in 1945, Britain was bled and bankrupt, and the great cause of Churchill's life, preserving his beloved empire, was lost. Because of the "Good War," Britain would never be great again. And were the means used by the Allies, the terror bombing of Japanese and German cities, killing hundreds of thousands of women and children, perhaps millions, the marks of a "good war"? Cohen contends that the evil of the Holocaust makes it a "good war." But the destruction of the Jews of Europe was a consequence of this war, not a cause. As for the Japanese atrocities like the Rape of Nanking, they were indeed horrific. But America's smashing of Japan led not to freedom for China, but four years of civil war followed by 30 years of Maoist madness in which 30 million Chinese perished. For America, the war was Pearl Harbor and Midway, Anzio and Iwo Jima, Normandy and Bastogne, days of glory leading to triumph and the American Century. But for Joseph Stalin, it was also a good war. From his pact with Adolf Hitler he annexed parts of Finland and Romania, and three Baltic republics. His armies stood in Berlin, Prague and Vienna; his agents were vying for power in Rome and Paris; his ally was installed in North Korea; his protege, Mao, was about to bring China into his empire. But it was not so good a war for the inmates of Kolyma or the Russian POWs returned to Stalin in Truman's Operation Keelhaul. Is a war that replaces Hitler's domination of Europe with Stalin's and Japan's rule in China with Mao's a "good war"? We had to stop the killers, says Cohen. But who were the greater killers: Hitler or Stalin, Tojo or Mao Zedong? Can a war in which 50 million perished and the Christian continent was destroyed, half of it enslaved, a war that has advanced the death of Western civilization, be truly celebrated as a "good war"? COPYRIGHT CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.

Those are horrific tales. Yet the reconciliation efforts, which you judged false hopes, remain the only means to alleviate this suffering. As long Somalis are talking to each other, there is a hope. And we shall all support it. ============================================= Rajo uu muujiyay Sheekh Shariif Maalmihii ugu dambeeyay waxaa magaalada Nairobi ay Qaramada Midoobay iyo Sheekh Shariif Sheekh Axmed diblomaasiyiin wakiilo u ah wadamada reer galbeedka iyo Maraykanka kulamo kula lahayd wafdi ka socda mucaaradka dalka Soomaaliya. Waxaa wafdiga mucaaradka horkacayay guddoomiyaha isbahaysiga dib u xoraynta dalka Sheekh Shariif Sheekh Axmed iyo Shariif Hassan Sheekh Aadan. Sheekh Shariif Sheekh Axmed, guddoomiyaha isbahaysiga dib u xoraynta dalka, wuxuu ka hadlay xiisadaha iyo dagaalada ka socda gudaha dalka Soomaaliya, oo uu sheegay in ay soconayaan weerarada ay gaystaan kooxaha ka soo horjeeda ciidamada Ethiopia iyo kuwa dowladda. Wuxuu sheegay in dagaalka ay gudaha Soomaaliya ka wadayaan inta xal rasmi ah laga gaarayo wadahadalo dhaca Xigasho: BBC Somali, Apri 02, 2008

^^Some say Cadde and Afqudhac had a hand in LA’s fall into Somaliland column, and Xaabsade’s role in that fiasco was/is overblown.

Give it to Riyale; he is a shrewd politician. Fu’ad represents a devalued currency and Riyale knows he cant buy much with it! Does not surprise me that Fu’ad feels that he’s spent…

Xoogsade, brother don’t give the impression that you are arguing against something that’s eternally good; efforts toward peaceful settlement. Today reconciliation between Somalis is the overriding maslaxa for the ummah: a one for whose attainment these leaders are permitted to be creative (and perhaps lie) in their public statements and positions. Instead pray for the success of these efforts.

NAIROBI (AFP) - Somalia's top exiled Islamist leader on Wednesday pledged his camp's commitment to a new peace drive but warned the movement would keep up its struggle against what it calls Ethiopian occupation. "Members of the international community are trying to help Somalis overcome their differences and we will do all we can to be flexible and achieve a lasting peace," Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed told AFP in an interview following talks in Nairobi. Sheikh Sharif, 44, is the chairman of the executive council of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), an opposition umbrella group dominated by Islamists and based in the Eritrean capital of Asmaraa. "The ARS met UN officials and other members of the international community in Nairobi, our engagement with them is encouraging," he said. Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein were also in the Kenyan capital, but, according to Somali officials, the ARS leader did not meet directly with either of them. Sheikh Sharif was the head of the Islamic Courts Union, a militia which ousted US-backed warlords from Mogadishu in 2006 and briefly ruled large parts of the country before being defeated by Ethiopian forces last year. Ethiopian-backed Somali government troops are still battling the movement's military wing and allied clans, in a year-old guerrilla war which has left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. The impoverished Horn of Africa country has seen more than 14 peace initiatives fail since the 1991 ouster of former president Mohamed Siad Barre. Sheikh Sharif warned that his movement remained committed to its struggle against Ethiopia, which it accuses of conducting a Christian crusade in Muslim Somalia. "Somalis are fighting a legitimate war, in order to gain their independence," the cleric said. "The fighting will continue until we achieve the result of a free Somalia. Our people are currently being colonised and are experiencing the worst living conditions in the world." Sheikh Sharif and his allies were not involved in the latest peace initiative, which took place in 2007 in Mogadishu in the form of a clanic reconciliation conference. The Islamist opposition had demanded such talks be held outside of Somalia and after an Ethiopian pullout. The Somali transitional government's latest prime minister has adopted a more inclusive approach to the national reconciliation process than his predecessor Ali Mohamed Gedi. The UN's top envoy for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, said Tuesday he had been encouraged by his latest consultations with government officials and leading members of the opposition. "These are very encouraging new developments and a positive sign of a commitment by the Somalis to rebuild their country and start again," the envoy was quoted as saying in a statement. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, a former Somali parliament speaker and the chairman of the ARS' central committee, also sounded a hopeful note following several days of consultations in Nairobi. "The avenue for peace is open, we are here to explore better ways to end the violence," he told AFP. Sheikh Sharif and Sheikh Aden are both seen as relatively moderate within the exiled opposition. Source: AFP, April 03, 2008

Originally posted by Baashi: Come to think of it, the 48 yrs old with legit birth certificate got better chance to get his papers get revalidated than the 17 yrs bastrd ^^ Intaa udaa awoowe...

Mustaqiimnimaa loo hadlaa, muranku waa ceebe Nin waliba maroor iyo qasiyo, muran haduu keeno Goortii markhaatigu dhacaa, mowdku ka adeegi!

UN Special Representative says peace momentum in Somalia is irreversible. Nairobi, 28 March 2008 - The United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has said that the momentum for peace is irreversible. He was speaking as a high level delegation from the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia arrived in Nairobi at his invitation. “I believe that Somalis at home and abroad are yearning for peace and will not accept the continued fighting that has made their country a pariah,” he said. “I heard this both from Somalis inside their country and from the diaspora when I recently visited the US. They would like to follow the “Right Way” as described in the Holy Koran. “The people are very happy that the Government and opposition are responding to the strong desire of the people. “Those who have previously attended several meetings on Somalia will understand that this time they should support the process in all sincerity and refrain from unsolicited interference in the country’s internal affairs.” The SRSG added that the whole international community, including the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, was following the peace progress with great interest. Earlier this month, Somalia’s President, Speaker and Prime Minister announced the TFG’s readiness to talk to all parties and the opposition responded positively.

Toure , given what this entity did and how blatantly it complicated the security of Somalis and the possibility of peace between them by allowing (or subjected itself to be the means of) Ethiopian troops to enter our major cities, it’s very difficult for many to engage them in a good faith. For the informed, however, and for those who understand the dimensions of Somali conflict, today is not the day for settling scores or retribution. The goal is not to end the presence of Ethiopian troops for Ethiopia may not want to withdraw. The goal is, or it should be any way, to end, or reasonably minimize, the justification of such presence! The real agenda of Islamic Courts was to begin the end of a political attitude that prevailed in Somalia so long! Though they were defeated militarily, their ideas are far from defeat. Reasonable people can, and will, disagree on the tactics and the means of achieving peaceful Somalia. But one thing should be clear for all of us; there are no good options in addressing the current stalemate given today’s world-order and the forces at play. Ethiopia is just a lucky foe taking advantage of an opportunity that partially presented itself to her…we need to have a vision… Preconditions give good impression but the reality of Somali conflict requires painful concessions… Pray for this to succeed.