Somali Islamists eye possible Ethiopia pull out AFP Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Somalia's Al-Qaeda linked insurgents, on the back foot after months of losses, are eyeing a potential withdrawal of arch-foe Ethiopia in the volatile southwest, raising security and humanitarian concerns. Heavily armed Shebab fighters swept into the town of Hudur, capital of Bakool region, just hours after Ethiopia's surprise withdrawal from the town on Sunday. Hot on the heels of the Ethiopians -- the strongest military power in the southwest region ever since their November 2011 invasion -- fled allied Somali militia forces and a column of some 2,000 terrified civilians. Security sources say the withdrawal from Hudur could signal a wider pull out of Ethiopian forces including from the key city of Baidoa, warning that if this happens, the 17,000-strong African Union mission (AMISOM) would be hugely overstretched. "Everything suggests Ethiopia is determined to withdraw from Baidoa" in coming days, a security source told AFP. Ethiopia, which has repeatedly said it wishes to withdraw, is reportedly frustrated that its requests for AMISOM troops to take over its positions have been ignored. "The Ethiopians have been talking for quite a while of how much they want to leave...so far it was seen more as a posture," said a source close to AMISOM, adding they were frustrated at how much the military operation was costing. Whether Ethiopia continues to withdraw also depends on the reaction of the international community and whether the Shebab reoccupy the areas they pull out from, the source added. The withdrawal from Hudur "is a reminder that what they do is of strategic importance and that the Shebab is not defeated," the source added. Relations between Addis Ababa and the Somali government are also tense, with a parliamentary delegation travelling to Baidoa on Sunday in a bid to persuade Ethiopia not to leave, a humanitarian source there said. Addis Ababa -- long seen as a traditional enemy of Somalia -- is a controversial presence in Somalia. Ethiopia entered Somalia in a 2006 US-backed invasion, but was driven out three years later by a bitter insurgency. -- Major boost to Shebab morale --- But while Shebab forces are weak and unable to hold out against the heavy weaponry of Ethiopia or AMISOM troops, Hudur's capture marked a sharp turnaround and a major boost to their morale. Sources say that while their return to Hudur was expected, the speed with which they retook the town took many by surprise. "If Al-Shebab reoccupy all the places Ethiopia withdraws from, it would change things," the AMISOM source said, adding that Hudur's rapid capture "clearly shows that holding ground is not enough to win over an insurgency." AMISOM would struggle at its current capacity to take over Ethiopian positions, while Somali troops who worked closely with Ethiopian troops would not necessarily cooperate so well with other forces, sources said. Hudur's capture, the Shebab's most important territorial victory for over a year, prompted jubilant celebrations amongst the Islamists, who vowed to "wage jihad" until total victory in messages posted on its Twitter account. Top Shebab military commander Mukhtar Robow led the celebrations in the town. So far, Hudur is the only major town Ethiopians have pulled out of, but with troops packing kit in Baidoa in apparent preparation to leave, many are worried as to the impact of a retreat. Security sources say several thousand Ethiopian troops have dominated southwestern Somalia since their 2011 assault on Shebab bases in November 2011, shortly after Kenyan forces invaded Somalia from the far south. Kenyan troops have since joined AMISOM. Ethiopian forces have remained separate, although they collaborate with the mission. While AMISOM already have a significant force in Baidoa, reinforcements are battling to open up the final 50 kilometre (30 mile) stretch of road connecting the city with Mogadishu, some 250 kilometres (155 miles) to the southeast. But given the large amount of Ethiopia's heavy equipment and weaponry based in Baidoa, troops would be unlikely to be able to stage a rapid pullout as they did in Hudur. "The behaviour of the Ethiopians is ambiguous," another security source said, asking whether they were "really leaving or pretending?"

^^You really do protest too much, Mintid Must you object every statement xiin makes lol...when I say Mooge, there are number of Mooges in Kismayo . If you are asserting internet is no wise possible from Kisamyo, that is a different story all together .

^^LOL Ok. But you do know, at least one hopes so, that internet analysis are always tramped by the reality on the ground. And on that account, you come short by at least a mile...

^^ :D You are now officially detaining your reasoning and analytical rigor.

^^Ok. Help me understand how do you square such a hardline stance with the developmental funds pledged by various countries Turkey included in the spirit of (if not predicated) Somaliland integration with Somalia. I mean such a bold, line-in-the-sand drawing could only be possible from a sovereign nation. The support Somaliland gets is along the lines of stability and security in the greater Somali peninsula. In light of current strategy of putting Somalia together, I really doubt Hargeysa's late in the game objection will go far with the powers that be ...

Another pseudo analysis from brother Mintid . Or to be rather generous, his is a conjecture at best .Reality on the ground contradicts with the notion Ethiopian troops can be let go without replacing them with AMISOM from an area where the fight against alshabaab is the fiercest , and critical. Today government ministers and military officers flew to Baydhabo to calm things down, for if Baydhabo goes so will Gedo region that border with Ethiopia... And for the assertion this is due for American budget cut , where did you get that precisely ?

Baashi, I don't have the names yet. Perhaps our Mooge from SOL could furnish the gallery with the 'ergo' names ---he is in Kismayo , on the ground.

^^Actually, there is a still room for doubt about Hargeysa administration's pronouncement. Hargeysa is in a quandary , and no decision is easy for them these days. This quandary has been in the making for the last twenty years ,but the political elites and the region's intellectuals never questioned the wisdom of insisting on being a country when none is recognized. Even worse, this position risks political isolation, unless there is a rather expedited schedule for the talks with Federal government. So I still think Siilaanyo may still end up showing up in London after few visible visits from Western embassies....

Envious of exactly what xiin ? Don't know , xabad! Can't think of any other reason to reject the only oil for the wheels of progress that's available now for Somalis. Come on, Haatu. Even Kenya gets $1 billion from US alone for development aid.

Somalia: the EU enhances food security by combatting desertification in Puntland Europian Union Press release Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Today, the European Union and its partners, Adeso and CARE, have signed two contracts allowing them to carry out a new environmental programme that will assist Puntland, the North East region of Somalia, in managing the fragile and heavily degraded rangeland. Environment degradation in Puntland is a serious concern for the local population. It threatens the environment and the local economy, mainly based on livestock and pastoral activities, as it affects the large area of land partially covered by shrubs and trees used predominantly for extensive livestock grazing. Climatic hazards, absence of effective management and charcoal production (however banned since 2002) has accelerated land degradation. That is why the EU has decided to finance a major programme that will cover the entire rangeland of Puntland for a period of 4 years. With a total amount of 25 million EUR, the EU will contribute to reversing the desertification cycle by assisting the Puntland authorities in effective management of rangelands and by empowering 120 communities in the region to identify the conservation priorities of natural resources in their territories. The new initiative, that will be implemented by CARE and ADESO, will create alternative employment opportunities to rural populations through revived rangeland-based livelihoods and "Cash for Work" activities. Additionally, the programme will address the issue of charcoal consumption in urban areas by supporting the use of different sources of cooking fuel (LPG). The EU programme is part of a European Union worldwide initiative that seeks to improve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). This initiative will particularly contribute to Somalia's MDG 1, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, and MDG 7, ensuring environmental sustainability.

^^Clearly you are angry with development and progress perhaps it is due to a misplaced envy ?

I suggest this young reported should be released . But some geography lessons are in order: the old colonial maps are gone with the fall of British Empire . This is the land of Ali Shire dynasty (that one is for Oodweyne )

^^Clearly the administration lost sight of the true target, focused on the wrong priorities and stumbled. But I am sure the government will regroup, and steer clear from the political activism that tainted it with respect to federalism, and stick with president's number one priority;security, security, and security

Oodweyne, You know better ---people like your caliber understand organized conferences like the one in Kismayo, anchored in the new federal concept , backed by local stakeholders cannot be reversed. The government will find a way to bless it and accept the outcome at worest--- at best a high level delegation will visit as reported and show respect to the effort to govern the region and claim credit .

KISMAYO, Somalia Mar 19 2013 (Garowe Online) – A Somali Federal Government (SFG) delegation is expected to visit the port city of Kismayo in the coming days as the Jubaland state conference is set to resume, Garowe Online reports. Sources close to the SFG told GO that a ministerial delegation will be arriving in Kismayo shortly. The SFG had stood against the Jubaland state conference previously calling the conference 'unauthorized'. After failing to stop the conference, the SFG have taken another approach to the state building process, sources tell GO. The delegation’s planned visit is coinciding with the continuation of the Jubaland state conference that began last month but had been adjourned last week. One of the reasons why the conference was adjourned was to include absent delegates from Gedo. On Tuesday, over 80 delegates from Gedo region arrived in Kismayo to take part in the Jubaland conference. While the Jubaland conference was in recess, IGAD regional bloc, Kismayo’s interim administration and SFG military officers had been meeting in Kenya to discuss the recent deployment of 200 government forces from Gedo region to Berhani 40 KMs from Kismayo airport. The meeting was a bid to mediate between the two sides after Kismayo’s interim administration expressed concerns of the deployment. Sources tell GO that the mediation went well and both sides agreed to continue the conference without any further disturbances. Although the SFG hasn't specified that they would participate in the conference, the visit to Kismayo coincides with the upcoming resuming of the Jubaland conference. Traditional elders, intellectuals and organizers of the Jubaland process have repeatedly requested that the SFG take part in the state building process. - See more at: http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Federal_gov_t_to_visit_Kismayo_as_Jubaland_conference_restarts.shtml#sthash.xsmim5ce.dpuf

Somalia needs this

http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/somalia/documents/press_corner/20130319_en.pdf

KISMAAYO: Shirkii Maamul u samaynta Jubbooyinka & Gedo oo dib u bilowday iyo Ergooyinka oo la qaybsanayo. Kismaayo: (pp)- Waxaa dib uga bilowday guddaha magaalada Kismaayo ee Xarrunta gobolka J/hoose ee Kismaayo shirkii maamul u samaynta deegaanada Jubbooyinka iyo Gedo, iyadoo shirarkii horay uga socday magaalada Kismaayo ay kusoo biireen ergooyinkii ka maqnaa shirka qaarkood ee gobolka Gedo. KismaayoWararka aan helayno ayaa sheegaya in ergooyinkii ka imaan lahaa gobolka Gedo aysan weli soo dhamays tirmin inta dhimana la sugayo maalmaha soo socda, inkastoo ay wakiilo u joogaan magaalada Kismaayo. Sadexda gobolee kala ah J/hoose, J/dhexe iyo Gedo ayaa isku afgartay inay qayb sadaan ergooyinka , inkasta oo illaa hadda banaanka la keenay in sadexda gobolka ay si toos ah u qaybsanayaan ergooyinka, kuwaas oo ansaxin doona dastuurka kumeel-gaarka ah ee Jubbaland & Gedo. Waxaa loo maleeyaan illaa hada waxyaalo badan laga gaaray horrumar ee arrimaha dadka deegaankaas ku nool, kuwaas oo ku qanacsan illaa hada sida ay wax u socdaan. Inshaa’alah hadii uu hirgalo maamul goboleedka Jubaland State ayaa noqonaya maamulkii Labaad ee buuxsha Maamulka Federaalka ee Soomaaliya , maadaama ay yihiin illaa 3 gobol, marka laga soo tago dowlad goboleedyada Puntland oo 14 sano kahor dhidhidaba loo taagay. Waxaa kaloo jira maamulka Galmudug oo maamul ahaan u jira , lakiin aan buuxin shuruudihii Federaalka ay ku noqon lahaayeen, waxaa kaloo jira Ximan & Xeeb oo iyadaha gaarkeed u ordaysa iyagana aaan buuxin shuruuradaha federaalka.

Ergooyinkii Shirka Maamul u Sameynta Jubbooyinka u Mateli lahayd sadexda Gobol oo Maanta la Magacaabay Talaado, 19 Maarso, 2013(HOL) - Waxaa gudaha magaalada Kismaayo mudooyinkii u danbeeyay ka soconayay shirkii maamul u sameynta gobollada Jubooyinka, iyadoona shalay ay magaalada sooa gaareen ergo ka socotay gobolka Gedo, kuwaasoo qeyb ka ah xubnaha ka qeybqaadanaya dhismaha dowlad goboleedka Jubbaland. Gudoomiyaha Gudiga Farsamada shirka maamul u sameynta Jubooyinka C/qani Cabdi Jaamac oo maanta shir jaraa’id ku qabtay gudaha xarunta Jaamacadda Kismaayo ayaa ka warbixiyay shirka iyo weliba halka uu marayo. Gudoomiyaha ayaa sheegay in xarunta shirka uu ka soconayo ay kusoo qulqulayaan ergooyin ka kala imanaya gobollada Jubooyinka, wuxuuna xusay in shalay ay shirka kusoo biireen xubno ka socday gobolka Gedo, islamarakasina maalmaha soo socdo la filayo in ay soo gaareen ergo kale oo cusub oo iyaguna ka iman doonta isla gobolka Gedo. Masuulkani ayaa sheegay in la qeybiyay ergooyinkii matali lahaa degmooyinka iyo gobollada Gedo , J/hoose iyo J/dhexe, isagoona sheegay in sedexda gobol midkiiba la siiyay 120 Ergo, wuxuuna xusay in ergadaasi aan lagu soo xulan qaab qabiil balse lagu soo xushay hab deegaameed. “Waxaa lakala qeybsaday ilaa 485 Ergo 15-na waxaa laga dhigay Keyd si wixii hadhow soo baxo loogu xalliyo, 485-taa ergo waxaa loo kala qaatay, sedexda gobol, gobol walba waxaa la siiyay 120 Ergo, hadana gobol walba waxaa loogu daray 15-Ergo oo dumar ah,” ayuu yiri masuulkani. Sidoo kale waxaa uu sheegay in gobolka Gedo la siiyay 30 Kursi oo dheeri ah, taasoo uu sabab uga dhigay gobolka Gedo oo ah gobol baaxad weyn, wuxuuna intaa ku daray in dagmo walba inta la siiyay ay dadkeeda ka fariisan doonaan islamarkaasina ay isaga soo xuli doonaan habkii ay doonaan. Ergadani laga soo xulay sedexda gobol ayaa la filayaa in ay ansixiyaan axdiga KMG ee la doonayo in lagu maamulo gobollada Jubooyinka islamarkaasina ay u gudbaan dhismaha dowlad goboleedka Jubbaland State. Xasan Nuur, Hiiraan Online. Hnur@hiiraan.com Kismaayo-Soomaaliya

"beri bay isbadeli doontaa inshaallah" The recognition will come tomorrow miyaa , that is not an incorrect geography lesson, it is rather a 22 years old wish which time has not been nice to it.

^^I suggest you to buy nuune's 'cariish fargaas ah' which was for sale for quite some time , and stop hating the state

^ I agree. Siilaanyo has to be commended for understanding Alshabaab is an enemy for all Somalis. His security cooperation with Puntland is also commendable

^^Sure When Mr. xunjuf hears Kismayo and Gedo he thinks of a particular 'enemy' clans, forgetting this is a very diverse region, and the community is unified in wanting a regional state.

Kn:Ergadii ugu tirada badneyd ee ka soo kicitinta gobolka Gedo ayaa maanta soo cago dhigatay magaalo xeebeedka Kismaayo si ay uga qayb galaan shirka halkaasi ka socda ee lagu unkaayo maamul goboleed ay yeeshaan sadexda gobol ee Gedo iyo labada Jubbo. Ku dhawaad sagaashan qof oo isugu jira salaadiin, odayaal dhaqameed, siyaasiyiin iyo xubno kamid ah gudiga farsamada ayaa diyaarad wayn oo ka soo qaaday magaalada Doolow ay ka soo dejisay gagida dayuuradaha ee garoonka caalamiga ee Kismaayo. Ergadan, waxaa garoonka si diiran ugu soo dhaweeyay maamulka ku meel gaarka ee Kismaayo oo uu horkacaayo gudoomiye ku xigeenka, Yaasiin Raadaar iyo qaar kamid ah ergada sii joogtay magaalada iyo waliba xubno kamid ah gudiyada gaarka ah iyo kuwa farsamada ee maamul u samaynta Jubbooyinka ku hawlan. Ergada ayaa loo galbiyay Jaamacadda Kismaayo oo ah madasha uu ka socdo shirka maamul u samaynta Jubbooyinka iyo Gedo isla-markaana ay deganyihiin dhamaan ergooyinkii gobolada. Waxaa xusid mudan in ergada maanta soo gaartay Kismaayo ay ku idilyihiin dhamaanba beelaha wax ka degga gobolka Gedo. Shirka maamul u samaynta gobolada Jubbooyinka iyo Gedo ayaa la filaayaa in halkiisa uu ka sii socdo, ayadoo ay maanta soo gaareen magaalada ergadii ugu danbaysay ee la sugaayay. Dhanka kale waxaa magaalada ka maqan dhawr kamid ah saxiixayaasha, waxaana la sheegayaa inaan shirka loo hakin doonin cid maqan wixii hadda ka danbeeya maadaama ay madasha ku idilyihiin bulshadii rayadka iyo dhamaanba ergooyinkii loo baahnaa. KismaayoNews.com

Hadaba saaxiibayaal soomaalidu dhaqanbay lahaan jirtay xiliyadii hore waxayan illaalin jirtay xididnimada ninka guur doonka ahi waxaa uu ka soo guursan jirey reer ay abtirsiimo ahaan kala fog yihiin ama gobol kale degan oo guurka noocaasi ah waxa la odhan jirey xadhig xidh, ninka guur doonka ahi marka hore wuu sahan tegi jirey marka uu soo arko inantii u qalmi lahayd ayuu reerkooda ku soo noqon jirey isaga oo rag miisan leh kaxaysan jirey, sidoo kalena waxaa la kaxayn jirey geelii yaradka loo bixin lahaa, hadaba waxaa dhacday in tuulo ka mid ah tuulooyinkii ay soomaalidu degi jirtay horaantii qarnigii 20-aad, Ay safar galeen rag dadab dhig ah oo wada geelii ay yaradka ku bixin lahaayeen, hadaba markii ay soo gaadheen reerkii ay u socdeen ee ay inanta ama gaabdha ka doonayeen waxay markiiba la kulmeen inanta aabaheed oo ahaa ninkii odayga ahaa ee taariikhda soomaalidaan meelo badan kaga jira ee la odhan jirey Naaleeye Habacsane. Hadaba markii ay u sheegeen u jeedada ay u socdeen iyo inay inantiisa doonayaan wuxuu markiiba ugu jawaabay MAYA Waxayna markiiba ragii dhangada ku dhufteen oo ay dareeriyeen geelii ay wateen ilayn madax meel ka saraysa oo la salaaxaa ma jiree inanta Aabaheed u diidayna cid kale siin karimayso e, hasee yeeshee waxaa ragii la kulmay nin oday ahaa oo talo qabeen ahaa markii ay u warameen wuxuu ku yidhi geela soo celiya hawshuna way dhamaanaysaa miyaydaan ogeyn in NAALEEYE HABACSANE ay HAA iyo MAYADU iskugu mid yihiin oo marba uu midi afkiisa ku soo horeeyo oo uu yahay nin aysan maskaxdiisu badqabin. Hadaba marka la eego shirarka soomaalida loo qabto siilaanyo wuxuu ka taagan yahay mawqifkii uu iska taagay NAALEEYE HABACSANE markii inaantiisa loo soo geed fadhiistay ee uu markii danbana ku ogolaaday, saaxiibayaal waxaynu dib u xusuusan karnaa shirkii London lagu qabtay ee hore xukuumada siilaanyo wey diiday markii hore markii danbana way ogolaatay, markaa waynu arki doonaa in maalin dhawna ay yidhaahdaan meeqaam saraa nalagu soo casuumay oo waanu ka qayb galaynaa, marka ay Hargeysa yimaadaan safiirka ingiriiska u fadhiya Addis ababa iyo safiir ku xigeenka maraykanka u fadhiya Nayrobi.