well, Allpuntland is owned and run by Abdullahi Yusuf's son, a typical clannish impostor. He is daddy's mouthpiece and the site is not different than the other clan oriented ones. Actually, it is one of the nastiest and deceitful sites. Hornafrik and shabelle are two news media outlets in Mogadishu and have shown some impartiality in their news reporting. but there are times, you could predict their political inclinations. i will rate above the others for their balanced contents. Dayniile is in tune with the whims and wants of their leader, Qanyare. the giant BBC needs no introduction and doesn't differentiate minion bickering primitive clans.

Hope is a luxury i can't afford no more. Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf, is a veteran rutless warlord and has dictatorial and clannish predisposition. he cannot fairly lead a real transitional revolution. The Colonel is not a consensus builder. He is an old despot who has no vision and foresight. the prime minister, a veteranarian by profession, is showing signs of infantile behaviour and bullying and now he is threatening to dismiss some members of his inflated cabinet. it is better if he does a favor for all of us and go back to tending his animals. to the surprise of many, Muse Sudi an influential faction leader and another ruthless warlord of Mogadishu has been thrown to jail by Kenyan police with the consent of the president and prime minister. this is a counter- productive and again a huge miscalculation from the government side. they think using scare tactics will discourage the other camp and will finally succumb to their tyranny. the mogadishu camp and the winning group of parliamentarians who opposed the Ethiopian forces intervention into the somali mess are now in preparation to relocate to Mogadishu soon. they definitely have something in mind? a scheme to cause the downfall of the SRRC faction and to overthrow Ghedi and Ina-Yeey. can you imagine what and where will this lead to? The final crumble and demise of the peace process and another gruesome violence

I thought after the lenghthy and tedious successive conferences to restore peace and governance into somalia that Somali people will learn from experience and move forward with genuine reconciliation. i thought Somalia was destined as if it is primed to begin anew, to move from the relegated status of a "failed state" to a new era of nationhood. I knew that the majority of the Somali people with a sense of relief and optimism were all ready to forget that the men appointed to lead the nation where the same perpetrators of the Somali civil war and tragedy. The conventional wisdom at the time was since most warlords and faction leaders were now in the government, they will venture to ensure its realization. The Somali people accepted, as they had done in the past, that in the interest of peace and the restoration of stability, they would blindly sacrifice the concerns they had for the way in which the new government was structured and about the people who would be part of it, hopeful, perhaps even against their moral conviction, that the new leadership would demonstrate political maturity and patience. After six months of exile, of disgraceful incidents and misguided political maneuvering and of the latest squabbling of the parliamentarians, I have become profoundly troubled that we may be once again losing the prospect of lifting our country from the ashes of war and destruction to a nation of peace, stability, prosperity and that we may be once again on a disastrous course of inflamed clannish strife that could hurt our chances for a nation and people at peace with themselves. The government led by Colonel Yusuf and professor Ghedi has been unable to demonstrate a serious commitment to the peace process. Their call and insistence of Ethiopian troops into Somali territory was interpreted as a strategy to subjugate and dominate certain Somali clans and to establish yet another reign of dictatorship rule dominated by clannish nepotism. The call of troops from frontline states to back up and escort the government to Mogadishu has failed to have a positive impression upon the Somali people in general and the world community at large. Both the president and the prime minister showed how unfamiliar they are with the art of diplomacy and governmental functionalism. They were not ready to listen to the stance and dissenting uproar of the people at all. While ignoring all constructive suggestion from concerned intellectuals, both the president and the prime minister failed to articulate a clear vision for putting into place a real plan of creating government institutions, systems and measures critical to a smooth transition and crucial to a peaceful and stable Somalia. Unfortunately, the only thing this government in exile accomplished so far is just to generate a new internal strife, divisions and discontent among its members.

With the objectionable installation of the warlord-colonel Ina-yeey as the Somali president, followed by the appointment of Gheedi as the prime minister from the same SRRC clique of Ethiopian lackeys, the so called Somali peace process is now entering its most horrible stage. Like a car, out of control, driven by drunk driver, the regime of Ghedi is crashing into a concrete wall and injuring innocent pedestrians and bystanders along its catastrophic way. Ignorance and arrogance go hand in hand and when the two team up with naïveté, deliverance is categorically beyond reach. From the get go, this Ethiopian formulated facade was destined to fail and bound to crash, as the drivers were blind-sided by clannish hatred and animosity. After today's fateful incidents, things are dramatically moving fast on the ground. The Tigre-backed faction are already putting in place their "inflated government" minus the ungrateful defectors and moving it to a " Phony Capital" while the rival warlords and their newly found "patriotic" cohorts as well as civil society are all competing to outmaneuver the bigheaded government by returning to Mogadishu. A genuine democratic transition to peace and reconciliation may not be coming for long time to come. Forget about a viable functioning somali government for now. That is the last thing you will ever hear as long as we have these men as leaders and politicians. This bleak future would be forever with us as long as we have this vacuum of visionary leadership and freely elected parliamentary and judiciary institutions, which are constitutionally vested with the authority to validate all modern democratic government functions and structures in accordance with a solid constitution. Under the current shaky conditions and nature of the somali politics and general psyche, this is far from being realized in our lifetime!

Idiocy in Minneapolis - Some die hard supporters of the warlord presdient, mostly poor Somali mothers from Ceder, are at this moment barricaded, freezing to death, (minnesota winter doesn't discriminate), in front of the office of Republican Senetor, Norm Coleman, to lobby for the USA to support the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia - This sit-in campaign started last night and will continue till tommorrow. these mothers are the same ones who were waving somali flags and cheering with somali national anthem and songs at the inauguration of the president. here is the laughable travesty: The organizers of this sit-in have submitted a MOTION to the Senetor to have the US government expel Dr. Ali Khalif out of USA becouse of his opposition to IL PRESIDENTE ABDULAHI YUSUF OF PUNTLAND!! That is another Somali divine Comedy in progress!!

- Idiocy in Minneapolis - Some die hard supporters of the warlord presdient, mostly poor Somali mothers from Ceder, are at this moment barricaded in front of the office of Republican Senetor Norm Coleman to lobby for the USA to support Ethiopian invasion of Somalia - these are the same people who were waving somali flags and cheering with somali national anthem and songs at the inauguration of the president. Yaabka Yaabkiis!! here is the laughable travesty: The organizers of this sit-in have submitted a MOTION to the Senetor to have the US government expel Dr. Ali Khalif of USA becouse of his opposition of IL PRESIDENTE!! That is another Somali Comedy in progress!!

Somalis of all walks of life, intellectuals, elders, students, civil society organization, women rights activists and grassroots peace activists all appealed to the government and to the members of the parliament to convene and compromise, putting aside of their petty differences and put the interest of the Somali people and the Somali nation ahead of everything else. They urged them to not let frontline foreign troops, in particular those of Ethiopia march into Somalia as peace keepers in disguise. Well, today the majority of the members of the parliament led by the always calm and confident speaker, Shareef Hassan - history will vindicate his heroic leadership - have answered the plea with courage. Some short sighted skeptics who sided with the inexperienced prime minister and the exiled president are now being branded as enemy collaborators and have lost the little credibility and support they had from their own power base. It is well known fact that most warlords had restricted moral concern for their own people, but no one ever expected they will be grouped with the concerned patriots of the nation but that is how some are playing the game now. However, make no mistake; still the warlords are the same despicable people who have led us into destruction and bloodshed. Unfortunately, we have some in the making, Ghedi is becoming another warlord, the second Mohammed Dhere, and the stooge of the bigoted clannish warlord president, Ina Yeey. Most Somalis of goodwill have held that moral concern for the Somali people and nation had ceased decades ago but the events that transpired today in the parliament have given hope that there are still few heroes like the speaker and heroines like Honorable Asha Abdallah and Company. - a word for all - reject clan animosity and nepotistic totalitarianism for it might bring bring distater. Unfair balance of power should always be avoided and balances and checks should always be there for if it wasn't the existence of the parliament assembly, the ethiopian stooges would had their way. finally, Somalis have to learn how to compromise and work togather for our mutual benefit and above all our existence. question? What interest should the government of Gheedi take into account? now that their motion is defeated ? The Tigre-led Ethiopian one or the concern of the majority of the Somali people? will the mogadishu warlords relocate and start implimenting their recent agreements and pacify the capital? faanoole weli fara kama qodna -

No border state troops in Somalia, donors say 17 Mar 2005 14:17:16 GMT Source: Reuters By C. Bryson Hull NAIROBI, March 17 (Reuters) - A call by the Somali president for peacekeepers drawn from bordering countries, already virulently opposed at home, appears headed for defeat under international donor pressure, diplomats say. Many Somalis, including warlords and militant Islamists, have promised to attack any troops from neighbouring states -- especially from traditional rival Ethiopia -- if they deploy as part of a planned African Union peacekeeping force. The dispute, which provoked sharp debate in the Somali parliament, is fast approaching a deciding moment. Regional leaders on Thursday began a two-day meeting in Nairobi to discuss the AU deployment. Diplomats at the meeting, held by ministers from the east African nations that make up the IGAD regional mediation body, said donors will oppose the use of any troops from Somalia's neighbours Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia. "It cannot happen. It can happen if they pay for it themselves," one Western diplomat told Reuters. Ethiopian-backed Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf wants 7,500 AU and Arab League troops to help his government return home from Kenya, and is adamant that border states be included. The AU last month backed a deployment of troops from IGAD members Uganda, Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia to tame rampant insecurity in lawless Somalia, but it has no money to fund it. Donors have grown increasingly cool towards Yusuf's plan, and the United States last month said it would not support any peacekeeping force with border state soldiers. Other donors, who have thus far kept their reservations quiet because of IGAD's lead role in shepherding Somalia's peace process, echoed that position on Thursday. "We wish to express our concern regarding the question of neighbouring troops in Somalia," Enrico De Maio, Italy's ambassador to Kenya and co-chair of IGAD's donor partnership, told the meeting. The United Nations acting special representative to Somalia, Babafemi Badejo, told the meeting that the U.N. Security Council would have to grant an exemption to a 1992 arms embargo to any foreign force deployed in Somalia. Several diplomats said the United States has promised to use its Security Council veto to block any force involving neighbouring troops. "We have said ... we would not be supportive of such a force in the Security Council," a U.S. official told Reuters. The official cautioned it was too early to say a veto would happen, since it may not be necessary after the IGAD meeting and next week's Arab League summit in Algeria. On Thursday, Somalia's parliament debated a Yusuf-backed motion to approve his plan, and both sides claimed they had the votes to win. But about half of the 275 MPs have publicly supported an alternative plan that would permit foreign troops except those from border states. The plan offered last month by Mogadishu MPs from the commercially influential ****** clan - including several powerful warlords -- calls for voluntary militia disarmament and re-training by former Somali police. Donors are encouraged, but say the plan needs improvement. "It's a gesture and one that deserves careful study," the U.S. official said. Washington has said Somalia has the means to secure its country, through the warlords that are now part of the government. AlertNet news is provided

No border state troops in Somalia, donors say 17 Mar 2005 14:17:16 GMT Source: Reuters By C. Bryson Hull NAIROBI, March 17 (Reuters) - A call by the Somali president for peacekeepers drawn from bordering countries, already virulently opposed at home, appears headed for defeat under international donor pressure, diplomats say. Many Somalis, including warlords and militant Islamists, have promised to attack any troops from neighbouring states -- especially from traditional rival Ethiopia -- if they deploy as part of a planned African Union peacekeeping force. The dispute, which provoked sharp debate in the Somali parliament, is fast approaching a deciding moment. Regional leaders on Thursday began a two-day meeting in Nairobi to discuss the AU deployment. Diplomats at the meeting, held by ministers from the east African nations that make up the IGAD regional mediation body, said donors will oppose the use of any troops from Somalia's neighbours Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia. "It cannot happen. It can happen if they pay for it themselves," one Western diplomat told Reuters. Ethiopian-backed Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf wants 7,500 AU and Arab League troops to help his government return home from Kenya, and is adamant that border states be included. The AU last month backed a deployment of troops from IGAD members Uganda, Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia to tame rampant insecurity in lawless Somalia, but it has no money to fund it. Donors have grown increasingly cool towards Yusuf's plan, and the United States last month said it would not support any peacekeeping force with border state soldiers. Other donors, who have thus far kept their reservations quiet because of IGAD's lead role in shepherding Somalia's peace process, echoed that position on Thursday. "We wish to express our concern regarding the question of neighbouring troops in Somalia," Enrico De Maio, Italy's ambassador to Kenya and co-chair of IGAD's donor partnership, told the meeting. The United Nations acting special representative to Somalia, Babafemi Badejo, told the meeting that the U.N. Security Council would have to grant an exemption to a 1992 arms embargo to any foreign force deployed in Somalia. Several diplomats said the United States has promised to use its Security Council veto to block any force involving neighbouring troops. "We have said ... we would not be supportive of such a force in the Security Council," a U.S. official told Reuters. The official cautioned it was too early to say a veto would happen, since it may not be necessary after the IGAD meeting and next week's Arab League summit in Algeria. On Thursday, Somalia's parliament debated a Yusuf-backed motion to approve his plan, and both sides claimed they had the votes to win. But about half of the 275 MPs have publicly supported an alternative plan that would permit foreign troops except those from border states. The plan offered last month by Mogadishu MPs from the commercially influential ****** clan - including several powerful warlords -- calls for voluntary militia disarmament and re-training by former Somali police. Donors are encouraged, but say the plan needs improvement. "It's a gesture and one that deserves careful study," the U.S. official said. Washington has said Somalia has the means to secure its country, through the warlords that are now part of the government. AlertNet news is provided

We all well aware of how most Somali warlords do extremely well in the conventional art of changing sides and continually shift alliances but I have never expected Ina-Aideed will take it to this Self-pitying level .Twice, within a day or two, the juvenile chap misrepresented his political stance and viewpoint on foreign troops, the status of the capital and the implications it will have on the whole Somali reconciliation process. He is unquestionably in cahoots with his reactionary SRRC faction and has been playing a practical prank on the overwhelmed warlords of Mogadishu. it is obvious that he cannot rebuff his Ethiopian Master, Meles Zenawi, albeit his desire to portray himself as a man who is apprehensive about the inevitable collapse of the phony Empagathi process. Aideed Junior is caught between rock and hard place and is definitely worried about the looming second civil war. He is doing all of this maneuvering in order to align himself with the winning side. but he is confused about who will be the winners here? Could it be Ina-Yeey backed by the overwhelming power of Ethiopia or the Mogadishu warlords with their ruthlessness and insurgent zeal? That is his dilemma now.

How do I unrelentingly reflect and hallucinate of seeing Somalis redeem themselves from this clannish darkness and ignorance! I am so disillusioned and dispirited by this clannish nonesense. It is depressing to have some educated folks being the warlords' mouthpiece of division and distrust. shame on all of us! Character assassinations, name calling, warlord flattering is such a silly joke. people wise up and see the real picture. we are going to the abyss here! You all need to come up with alternative ways to engage in genuine constructive discussions about the Somali dilemma. stop being advocates of these ruthless warlords! We shouldn't be supporting a warlord who doesn't care a bit about somalia and the Somali people. We have to let these criminals at the helm of the Somali leadership know that they cannot fool us no more. I honestly believe who ever designated Ina-Yeey as president made a huge mistake. Even his masters are now re-evaluating about the improbability of their haste scheme – thanks to the conscious voices of true Somali patriots; Ina Yeey and his cohorts' hallucination of Ethiopian tutelage is coming to an end. The whole world community is urging them to get in line with the program of reconciliation and peace. But can ina-Yeey and his clique have what it takes to direct us into reconciliation and compromise? It is about a time in which we have to believe in our own god given Somali vigor and maxim to make changes without outside help. we have real somali visionaries out there who are immune of this clan disease. we have to stand up with them and give them our unconditional support. These warlords at the helm of our leadership are all the same regardless who you support and for a matter of fact Yeey is the worst of all. "What can you expect from a hog, but a grunt?" Ina-Yeey's speeches are really misguided and thoughtless. All he talks about is clan politics and that is what the man knows the best. it is delusional to expect him of greatness and diplomacy! It is true when they say "Leopard does not change its spot". In-Yeey is the personification of the Somali infirmity. Call him whatever you want, President, warrior, hero, warlord or leader. No amount of title can change one's personality and behavior. That is an established reality not another lame and biased character assasination. It is time we all have to realize that warlord criminals are well skilled to be one step ahead and smarter than us, they have already designated us as their unintelligent victims!they know how to play the clan card and take advantage of our suspicion and mistrust of each other. Their political transgressions are well planned, calculated and orchestrated. they will continue to pillage and tear down Somalia into fiefdoms- with the help of our enemies. They will lead us into another horrendous civil war if we side with them. it is a time now to re-think and act before it is too late.

ETHIOPIA INTEREST IN SOMALIA EXPOSED The ****** basin is the area of Ethiopia's largest condensed gas deposit, namely the Caluba and Hilala gas fields. Caluba gas field is located in the region some 24-Km west of Shilabo town. According to various world energy reports, Caluba stores over 76 billion cubic meter natural gas and related non-renewable minerals, that can be exploited for both local and international markets. Shilabo town is about 330 kms distance from the port town of Hobyo – South Mudug. Presently, Hunt Oil an international Oil Company has concession for petroleum exploration in Ethiopia, although an increasing number of countries are involved in the exploration and survey of petroleum prospects. Also in the ****** Basin, Hunt Oil Company acquired the rights to the Genale River concession, which borders Somalia and Kenya The Caluba Natural Gas Project, a joint public-private enterprise for which financing has been approved for $130.8 million in which $74.3 million comes form the International Development Association (IDA), with co-financing from African Development Bank ($27 million) and the Netherlands ($4 million). http://www.seen.org/db/Dispatch?action-ProjectWidget:28-detail=1 The revenues form the Gas project will be controlled by the Ethiopian government with no benefits foreseen for the social development of the people of ******. It is well documented that the Ethiopian government has not invested in providing major public services (hospitals, schools and university) in the ****** region. People in this region don’t even have access to acquire licenses for commerce. The main problem faced by Ethiopia in realizing the commercialization of this project is to find the most viable route to construct a pipeline toward several seaports for export purposes. Ethiopia’s intention to deploy troops to our country is to seize control of the port towns of Somalia, the closest to the gas field being Hobyo. This is also one of the reasons why the Ethiopian-backed Salebaan clan from Cadaado land-locked region of Galgaduud were fighting to take control of Hobyo port, one of the oldest ports in East Africa. The port is now in the hands of Sa’ad clan the natives of the town. The military and arm supply relationship between Mr. Yusuf, Ethiopia and Yemen is connected to the Hunt Oil’s common interest in the 3 countries. Hunt Oil’s has currently acquired rights to explore the Marib Al Jawf gas fields in Yemen. The Hunt Oil Co. is one of the most influential companies in the US. Mr. Ray Lee Hunt, the owner of this company has an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion and he ranked No. 92 on the 2004 “Forbes 400 Richest Americans†list. He recently made contribution to Bush’s campaign and he served as his Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board in 2001. Mr. Hunt also serves as board member of Halliburton, the world's largest providers of products and services to the entire oil and gas industries. Moreover, on November 2003, President Bush nominated Hunt Oil Co. executive Jim Oberwetter as ambassador to Saudi Arabia. http://www.saudi-american-forum.org/Newsletters/SAF_Item_Of_Interest_2003_11_18.htm It is evident that a US intelligence team will back Ethiopian troops when they invade Somalia in order to ensure the planned works of the Caluba oil pipeline project toward Somali ports. The interest of Ethiopia is purely economic and has nothing to do with IGAD’s so-called plan to disarm the militia. The fight for the control of energy sources is the heart of the present war against Islamic people. It is up to the Somali people to negotiate contracts and seek profit sharing from the Ethiopia’s gas export revenues instead of being occupied and assimilated into the greater (Ethiopian) neo-colonialization policies. Donna Somala Donnasomala@yahoo.com

Ethiopia’s Action Speaks Louder than Words March 3, 2005 I read with great interest the article in the Hiiraan Website, by Mr. Nasser M. Issa, in which he asks: Is Ethiopia really our number one enemy or not? Is it fair to consider all successive Ethiopian governments as our foe? I believe that there has never been the notion that Ethiopia is either permanent or number one enemy of Somalia. Therefore your question: Is Ethiopia really our number one enemy or not, the answer is no. Ethiopia is our neighbour and as such, we have no choice, but to live together in the region. It is said that neighbours are not chosen, like one chooses his friends or his shirts. Ethiopia is our neighbour, therefore, our two peoples are destined to live side by side, till doomsday. Your second question, “Is it fair to consider all successive Ethiopian governments as our foe? The answer to this question is, so far they were, with bold letters. But as you also said, nothing is permanent. So, the relations can be adjusted according to the situation that emerges. We have to root out the cause for this negative answer. Our conflict with Ethiopia is not based on ideology or political difference. The root cause of the problem between our two countries is classical colonial case, which needs to be solved through decolonization process, either by the African Union or the United Nations, or through peaceful and brotherly means between the two countries. And mind you, as you said “Ethiopia is the Super Power of the Horn of Africa†and hosting the headquarters of Africa Union in its territory, it shoulders more responsibility than others, in the liberation of African territories which are still in foreign domination, including the territory which Ethiopia itself occupies, namely the Western Somalia or better known as the ******. We are now all part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and with it, according to its doctrine, “Africa becomes more effective in conflict prevention and the establishment of enduring peace on the continentâ€. It is wonderful, in principle, but how to achieve its objectives if there are still countries languishing under colonial rule? How can we prevent conflict if there are people who are still struggling for their freedom? How can a country that colonises another African territory claim to be working for the prevention of conflict? No one can deny that Ethiopia is the oldest country in the Horn of Africa or even .of the Continent of Africa. Only Liberia can share that title with it. But as such, and as an elder brother, it should have played the role of helping other Africans who were fighting for their freedom and independence. On the contrary, Ethiopia wanted to be like the white colonialists, when on April 10, 1891, in his Circular letter to the Heads of European State Menelek of Abyssinia claimed, “Ethiopian has been for fourteen centuries a Christian Island in a sea of Pagans. If Powers at a distance come forward to partition Africa between them, I do not intend to be an indifferent spectatorâ€. Menelek’s statement was echoed by the British Queen Victoria’s Special Envoy, Rennell Rodd, who justified and encouraged Menelek’s colonial attitude, by saying, “As a Christian African Power, his claims to a sphere of influence were better founded than those Powers whose seat of Government is in another continentâ€. The same Rodd, was the man who handed over the Somali territory known as the ****** to Menelek in 1897. Britain also gave Ethiopia the Haud and Reserved Area in the fifties. After more than a century, Mr. Nasser said in his article that “Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and the un-disputed superpower in the Horn of Africaâ€. Mr. Nasser’s statement is almost identical to what Mr. Rodd, the British Envoy, who gave away Somali territory to Abyssinia, said in 19th century. After Menelek there was Haile Selassie, who, in a BBC broadcast on August 28, 1966, was reported to have said among other things, “I would like France to stay in the French Somali Coast forever.†Is there any change of attitude or policy by the latest two young Ethiopian leaders, Mengistu and now Meles towards Somalia? I don’t think so. Eritrean people liberated themselves from of Ethiopian colonization by force. Eritrea was given to Ethiopia in 1952 by the United Nations as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean people defeating Mengistu government forces. While Meles Zenawi is in power, the people of Eritrea solidified their independence in a referendum in 1993. I wonder if he wishes to impress the Somalis or to frighten us, Mr. Nasser M. Mussa claims that Ethiopia is seven times bigger than Somalia. I can only interpret his insinuation that “it is better for Somalis to stop provoking the Lion of Judahâ€. How come then, Eritrea, which is little more than half of Somalia, succeeded to defeat the “Lion†and to take its independence from Ethiopia, which would be about fourteen times bigger than it? The answer is, “the right is might†and not the other way round. The Eritreans were not given their right; they have taken it. Because “the right is not given; it is takenâ€, says a colleague of mine. The population of Eritrea is estimated about 4,447,307 (July 2004), little more than half of the Somali population. It was their will-power that gave them victory and not their number. The former Soviet Union used to be called Super Power until it fell apart ten years or so ago. We have seen what happened to it. Like Ethiopia, the Soviet Union was composed of various regions, and was the first Super Power to have sent a man to the space. Despite that, the Chinese Leader, late Chairman Mao Tse Tung, used to call USSR and the USA “Paper Tigersâ€. Ten or so years ago, the world has seen USSR shredded like paper. We have seen former Yugoslavia falling apart. No one can hold people against their will or by force of gun. Besides, the normal trend is that any Empire will crumble one day. The collapse of Ethiopian Empire was miraculously averted by the change of policy of “the young manâ€, Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, whose Movement, TPLF, (Tigray Peoples Liberation Front) was originally fighting for the liberation of its own region, Tigray, but instead he accepted the advise of some “friends of Ethiopia†to take the entire country when the fall of Mengistu regime became inevitable. However, the possibility of Tigray breaking away from the rest of Ethiopia is included in the Constitution of the country. To prepare the ground for such an eventuality, the old Imperial system has been abolished and replaced with federal system which could be the basis for future separation of the region. Article 39 The Right of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples: 1. Every nation, nationality or people in Ethiopia shall have the unrestricted right to self determination up to secession. I am not sure if this Article was meant for the Somali region; however, the Somalis and other nations like the Oromos, will also invoke it when the right moment comes. As for the Tigray people, who were struggling for the liberation of their territory for a long time and lost many lives, are not happy with what few of their men or women are enjoying in the central Government at the expense of their nationhood. I heard that it was our vote that gave Ethiopia the advantage to have the Headquarters of OAU in Addis Ababa, when the African countries had to choose between Cameroon and Ethiopia in the sixties. If that is so, it was a great political mistake. The Headquarters of the Organisation for African Unity, now African Union, should have been in a country that does not colonise territories of others. The criteria for selecting a country should have been, clean hand; especially in those days when the liberation fever was so high. How could a country, which colonised others, be part of an organization intended for decolonization of the continent? Mr. Nasser also says that “it (Ethiopia) is regarded by the United States as a crucial partner in the war against terrorâ€. I ask if that is a credential. If so, it means that the United States must be satisfied with the way “the democracy†is flourishing in Ethiopia. Remember Manuel Noriega who was Panama's President from 1983 to 1989? He was a “good friend†and “partner†in the fight against what the United States did not like? He was considered "outstanding" at the SOA, (School of the Americas).But then what was his end? He was captured from Panama by American marines and imprisoned in the United States. He was convicted of “drug traffickingâ€. Now-a-days modern governments base their relationship with others on the national interest of the country; but the past historic relationship is also taken into consideration. If they were at odds, for instance, the past will be part of history when the two countries eliminate the root cause of all their hostilities. If Somalis get back their territory from Ethiopia, like Egypt got back its territory from Israel, there will be no reason why Somalia and Ethiopia should not have good relationship. When the Israelis withdraw from the Palestinian territories, which is hoped to be soon, surely the two countries – Israel and Palestine – will mend their relations from mutual hatred to peaceful coexistence. That will also bring the normalization of relations between the Arab countries and Israel. Here too, Israel, despite their mighty forces, strategic partner of the United States and forcefully supported by the latter, politically, economically and militarily “decided†to evacuate their settlements and to withdraw their soldiers from Palestine. Why? Because they noticed how strong it is the determination of the Palestinian people to achieve their goal. The Palestinians believe that freedom does not come on a silver plate, but with blood and sacrifice. Having seen the reality of the situation, the United States probably told Ariel Sharon that it is in the best interest and for survival of the Jewish state, to end the occupation of Palestine. Regarding the foreign forces to be sent to Somalia for peace-making mission, it is only logic not to include the countries which share border with Somalia, i.e. the Frontline States. The Iraqis rejected the proposal regarding the forces from the neighbouring countries to be sent to Iraq for peace-keeping activities. And that is normal. It is normal that a mediator should enjoy the trust, respect and the support of the people to be mediated and beyond any doubt, to be a neutral. I wonder if IGAD has an office that analyses the political differences and sensitivities between the member countries before taking final decision on important matter, such as deployment of forces in member countries for peace-making or peace-keeping. Did they, by any chance, study the relations between various countries in the Organization? Somalia and Ethiopia and Eritrea and Ethiopia are still at a state of war. How can a Somali let an Ethiopian soldier to come inside his house? Wouldn’t be possible that an Ethiopian soldier just shoots and kills a Somali and claims that he acted in self-defense? We are all members of the same family, but IGAD or by extension the AU surely knows that within the family there are members who are not in good terms. I do not know whether the IGAD or AU is deliberately planning for a failure, so that the Somalis could be blamed for it. If I were the Ethiopian decision-maker, I would have told the Sponsors, whoever it was, that it is better that the Ethiopian forces are not included, known the sensitivity of the Somali people vis-�-vis Ethiopia. I would have excused on behalf of the country. IGAD must know that the presence of Ethiopia on Somali soil will definitely irritate the population. If that is the hidden agenda, then IGAD is inviting for a renewal of the conflict in Somalia. May the Almighty forbid that. The writer of the Article “Improving ties with Ethiopia could benefit Somaliaâ€, talks of “positive signs in their dealings with Ethiopia†and says, “Both Puntland and Somaliland†have very close relationship with Ethiopiaâ€. Of course, it is true what Mr Nasser says, and reason is because the two regions are, in fact, implementing Ethiopia’s policy of dividing Somalia. They are making it easy for Ethiopia which has continuously been working for the dismemberment of our country into clan-stans, which, now-a-days is called “Federal Statesâ€. Any group which works for the balkanization of the country definitely wins the support of Ethiopia. It always had widely open hands for those Somalis who destabilized the country or oppose whoever government is in place in Somalia. Since our independence it never gave us a break. Her policy is that all those who fulfill this agenda win wholehearted support of Addis Ababa Government. In the end I wish to say that what is happening in our area or in the third world where colonialism existed is not of our making. It was done by the colonial powers whose policy was to let the Africans and Asians be busy fighting each other at the end of their occupation. But today, the sad and the hard fact is that the same colonial policy is being applied by Ethiopia, an African, the host of the African Union, on the Somali territory. It has been arming the Somalis and setting against each other; dividing them and ruling them. You see, no one talks about the rebuilding of the country or its development. No one speaks of the sufferings of the people and how to come out of this abyss of despair and so on. We only talk about how to destroy each other. The weapons that we use to kill each other come from same source. And no one asks why are we given the arms and ammunition which we are using them to kill each other. Ethiopia used to be a land locked country before it got Eritrea under its control. Now that it has lost Eritrea it has gone back to its original shape, a land-locked country. Well, is it said “Kulli shey yarjac ilaa asluâ€! It should not be a surprise to no one, if, within the next two years, we see it going back to what it was before 1897, when, as the observers predict: a) Meles will lose power in the center and retires to his own land, Tigray. b) TPLF will invoke the Article 39 of the constitution that he made. c) There will a referendum to secede which will approve the secession of Tigray from the rest of Ethiopia. d) All others, Somali and Oromo territories and others will follow suit. e) There will be a new chapter of history in the Horn of Africa. A new Horn of Africa will emerge where all are friends and brothers and sisters and help each other in the interest of all the inhabitants of the region. In the Middle East, the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, wants to go to history as the man who brought peace for Israel by withdrawing from Palestine. As for Meles, it is a different case, because he has to open the old file for his region, when he will be out of office. It is like being between the hammer and the hard place. Can he defend the unity of Ethiopia and at the same time to be the leader who struggled for the liberation of his own territory, Tigray? Can he tell his people that Tigray shall stay in the Ethiopia Empire if and when the group he fought against comes to power in the center? These are hypothetical questions, but I believe that nothing is static and things might change. When the root cause of our conflict is removed peace will prevail. We can all benefit from it. People of the Horn of Africa will be free from fear and conflict. Borders will be open and people will travel freely to every country in the region and do business in wherever they wish. Ethiopia will be welcomed to use any port in Somalia for the benefit of the people of Somalia and that of Ethiopia. For the time being, Ethiopia’s action speaks for itself. Mohamed Osman Omar mosman65@yahoo.com

The government you have been waiting for finally arrives, but NOT in the capital as was suggested by many, including Mr. Michael Bellamy, the American Ambassador to Kenya and Western benefactor countries. Now the question is: Are you ready to welcome a government that is frightened to relocate in its own capital? Prepare to ask them all the questions that have been lingering in your mind for quite sometimes. There can be an overwhelming amount of things to think about and to act upon, such as security, foreign troop deployment, your family needs, education for your children and grandchildren back home, health care and all the other daily basic necessities. Nevertheless, we must first transcend the tribal mentality, even though the Transitional Federal Government and Parliament have been concocted on tribal basis in a foreign country. For example, the thorny question is: what is the best way to disarm the gun-totting youths who control the string of makeshift roadblocks in the capital and elsewhere in the country? This question is still on the table and would continue to remain there until viable solution can be found in a country already saturated with blood and tears. I have been saying all along that changes must come within and not without. This is the hottest debate since the election of President Abdullahi Yusuf and his Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gheddi and I would not be surprised if it continues in the days to come, both at home and in the Diaspora. The overwhelming majority of those of you who cast their votes strongly disagree the deployment of foreign troops in Somalia. The same goes to the people at home. Your message is clear for anyone to read: No foreign troops on our soil. It is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. Victor Hugo has once written: "No army can withstand the strength of an idea when time has come." In Somalia, the moment had arrived: the moral support of the public had won the day at last. In the world we live today, we are often considered as ungovernable, unworthy of sympathy, if not talkative and disdainful. Let us prove them wrong. Let us prove that we can be our own boss without other people telling us what is best for us, period. Let us remind them that we are not the first people in the world who were entangled in a civil war imbroglio, though ours appears to be a never-ending one. The Confederate and Union soldiers had turned many parts of the cotton belt in South of the United States into a living hell, which seems to pale in comparison with the wholesale massacre and the looting spree in Somalia. The bleakness was so devastating that General George Washington put full energy into his military strategy to put an end to brother killing brother once and for all, and built the United States of America from the ashes of the civil war. Another example is the brutal Spanish Civil War-1936-1939. It was not only a battle against fascism, but social revolution. The result: around 25,000 people died during the first year of the civil war against the fascist dictator Franco, followed the death of about 3.3 per cent of the Spanish population with another 7.5 per cent being injured. After the war, it was reported that the fascist government of Francisco Franco arranged the execution 100,000 Republican prisoners. It was estimated that another 35,000 Republicans died in concentration camps in the years that followed the civil war. A huge number of civilian populations died of malnutrition and the lack of medical care and the collapse of sanitation, and other vital services. Uniting the cross-section of the fragmented Somali society can only solve the current Somalia conundrum, and as the delicate hope begins to blossom, we must move to the next hurdle-that is national reconstruction from the ashes of the civil war and put Somalia where it belonged among the community of nations. The onus is on the people! BY M. M. Afrah©2005 Afrah95@hotmail.com

Kenyan president due in Ethiopia for talks on Somalia, region NAIROBI, March 8 (AFP) -- Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is to visit Ethiopia this week for talks with top Ethiopian and African Union officials amid controversy over the AU-authorized deployment of regional peacekeepers to lawless Somalia, officials said Tuesday. The three-day visit, which begins on Wednesday, also comes as tensions have risen along the Kenya-Ethiopia border where several dozen gunmen believed to be Ethiopian rebels ambushed a Kenyan security patrol on Saturday, killing one and seriously wounding four. In talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the Kenyan president will "seek ways of ensuring safety on the expansive common border, discuss the possibility of Ethiopia using the (Kenyan) port of Mombasa and ways of guaranteeing regional stability," Kibaki's office said. While in Addis Ababa, Kibaki will also address the AU Commission, which last month authorized the seven-member east African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to deploy peacekeepers to Somalia to support the relocation from exile there of the country's transitional government. Senior IGAD defense officials are currently planning the proposed mission whose prospects have been complicated by vehement opposition to the force from some Somali warlords. IGAD comprises Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda and many in Somalia are opposed to the inclusion in the force of troops from Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya which they believe have ulterior motives in contributing

hich way is the equation of Somalia's stability would go. And that is if Col. Abdullahi Yusuf and his advisers can read the line. It happened to me that while I was writing this piece that the US Ambassador to Kenya Mr. William Bellamy, was quoted as saying "Our view is that the transitional government has, potentially, the means to secure its own country,". Though Ambassador Bellamy was careful to say the United States did not oppose the AU plan yet he make it clear that "There is a risk they could be a magnet for instability" . Furthermore, in his last Talking Point DISARMEMENT IN STYLE Mr. M. M. Afrah supported voluntarily countrywide disarmament in style but with conditions of course. Unlike Ambassador Bellamy, M. M. Afrah witnessed first hand the carnage between UN troops and Somalia Militia, and very much opposed deployment of Ethiopian or Somali-Ethiopian troops that are currently in training camps, according to intelligence reports. Both these two experts and the International Crisis Group findings with other intellectuals make it clear that Ethiopian involvement in Somalia is like adding gas to a fire that is already burning wildly. I also wonder why the Ethiopians are very keen to send their soldiers in Somalia where there is more harm in their presence than good?. Why don't they let the AU troops do the initial security work so that President Abdullahi Yusuf and his Prime Minister Ali M. Gheddi will start nation rebuilding and reconciliation, which is what they were elected for in the first place. It is clear that neither President Yusuf nor Ethiopians want fresh start for Somalia crisis rather have another hidden agendas, which will devastate the whole of East Africa. As Mr. Afrah pointed out the President, the Prime Minister and parliamentarians must read the mood of the people before taking any step that might cause another bloodshed and anarchy. comments@banadir.com

Kibaki iyo Geelle oo Zenawi ku qancinaya in uusan ciidan u dirin Soomaaliya Burtinle-Online Arbaco, March 09 2005 Madaxweynaha dalka Kenya Mwai Kibaki, Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Jabuuti Daleyd Axmed Daleyd, iyo Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Soomaaliya Cali Maxamed Geeddi ayaa dhamaantood subaxnimadii Arbacada ka degay garoonka diyaaradaha Bole ee ku yaala caasimada Itoobiya ee Adis Ababa. Wufuudan oo ka kala timid Nairobi iyo Jabuuti ayaa waxaa la sheegay in ay Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Itoobiya Melez Zenawi kala hadli doonaan arrimaha Soomaaliya. Warar lagu kalsoon yahay oo Burtinle-Online kasoo gaaray magaalada Nairobi ayaa sheegaya in Madaxweyne Kibakiga Kenya iyo Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Jabuuti Daleyd ay Adis Ababa u tageen sidii ay Melez Zenawi ugu qancin lahaayeen in sadexda wadan ee safka hore ka baaqsadaan ciidan loo diro Soomaaliya. Kibaki iyo Daleyd ayaa la rumeysan yahay in ay Zenawi kala xaajoon doonaan dhibaatada ka imaan karta ciidamo ka socda sadexdan wadan ee Kenya, Itoobiya, iyo Jabuuti oo Soomaaliya loo diro. Maamulka Kibaki ee Kenya ayaa horay u cadeeyay in aaney ka qeyb qaadaneyn ciidamo loo diro Soomaaliya, halka Geellaha Jabuuti aanu diidmo iyo ogolaansho ku aadan ciidan dowladiisu u dirto Soomaaliya soo saarin. Dowladda Itoobiya ayaa noqotay dowladda keliya ee ku adkeysaneysa in ay ciidamo u dirto Soomaaliya, marka laga reebo dowladda Uganda oo aan ka tirsaneyn wadamada safka hore, waxaana muuqda cabasho iyo hanjabaado ka imaanaya Hogaamiye-Kooxeedyada Wasiirada noqday ee gacanta ku haya magaalada Muqdisho. Madaxweyne Kibakiga Kenya ayaa intii aanu ka ambabixin Nairobi kulan la yeeshay Afhayeenka Baarlamaanka Federaalka Shariif Xassan, waxeyna warar lagu kalsoon yahay oo nasoo gaaraya sheegayaan in Kibaki uu ka codsaday Shariifka in aanu Baarlamaanka Soomaalidu yeelan wax kulan ah inta uu Madaxweynuhu kasoo laabanayo safarkiisa Adis Ababa. Codsiga Kibaki ayaa loo macneeyay in hadii Zenawi aqbalo in aysan dowladiisu ka qeyb qaadan ciidan loo diro Soomaaliya, ay markaa sahli doonto in Baarlamaanku is afgarad ka gaaro arinka muranka badan dhaliyay ee ka qeyb qaadashada ciidamada Itoobiya ee nabad ilaalinta Soomaaliya. Hadii ay Kenya iyo Jabuuti ku guuleystaan in ay Itoobiya ka baaqsato ciidamada loo dirayo Soomaaliya, markaa Baarlamaanka Soomaalidu uma baahan doono in uu ka doodo arinka ku saabsan wadamada safka hore oo ciidan u dira Soomaaliya. Lama garan karo in dowladda Itoobiya aqbali doonto talada labada dowladood ee Kenya iyo Jabuuti. Burtinle-Online editor@burtinle.com

Somali Concern Group (SCG) is deeply concerned about the current situation in Somalia, in light of the possibility of deploying international peacekeeping forces in to Somalia. SCG believes that peace and security in Somalia is paramount, however, we urge the government to ensure that the process must be transparent and well structured. The government should present their case to the parliament for debate and discussion on the issue by analyzing in great detail. It is important that our members of the parliament to make an informed choice in order to make the appropriate decision, considering all the options available. A Healthy debate can bring a consensus agreement which is vital to the decision making process. SCG demands International, independent and impartial peacekeeping forces. SCG understands the importance of peace and security in Somalia and believe that international, independent and impartial peacekeeping forces are necessary in order to build a trust between Somalis. However, SCG strongly believes that frontline states should not be part of the Peacekeeping forces. Peacekeeping troops should have clear and structured plan that can give confidence to Somalis and their decision-making process need to be clear and transparent. It is important to publish peacekeeping force’s policies, strategy and their mandate in advance before the parliament debate. SCG urges the government to understand the importance of reconciliation, reconstruction and above all building confidence between Somalis. SCG would recommend the following: 1) To Leaders (President and Prime Minister): • To show a genuine leadership and passion to Somalis. • To uphold the rule of law, democracy and accountability. • To avoid frontline states Peacekeeping Forces be deployed in Somalia. • To promote nationalism, freedom and peace. • To use reconciliation tone when speaking in public, in order to avoid any confusion and escalation of violence. 2) To members of the Parliament: • To constructively debate the issue of peacekeeping forces, if possible to request experts who can discuss the positives as well as the negatives of deploying foreign troops in Somalia. • The decision making process should be transparent. • To return to your motherland as soon as practically possible. • Your decisions should be based on the interest of Somalis. • Members who can influence militia need to declare their full support to the government and commit themselves towards disarming their groups. 3) To Somalis: • To support the government and the parliament. • To reconcile their differences and realize their full potential. • To take part of the peace process and solve their problems. • To work with one another with a view of securing peace and stability in Somalia. • To act as good ambassadors for the Country with a common interest and goal, this is to revive the dignity of the people of Somalia. • To support those organizations who want to make a difference, such as SCG, National Civic Forum, etc. 4) To International Community: • To support the government politically, economically and morally. • To help the government with regards to upholding the rule of law and democracy. • To ensure that the government fulfills their agreements with other agencies. • To avoid frontline states deploying their troops in Somalia. • To uphold and adhere to UN arms embargo on Somalia. Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow) Chairperson of Somali Concern Group

UNAIDS Report a Major Factor On Why Not To Send African Contingents to Somalia! March 7, 2005 A few weeks ago I read one Musa Suudi Yalalow, a former warlord and the new minister for Industry in the TFG; with a strong base of support around Mogadishu and the Middle Shabele province-- voiced the concerns of many in his community when he warned of the serious health risks, specifically AIDS, posed by the deployment of African troops to Somalia. Especially,from highly infected East African countries such as Uganda and Ethiopia whose regimes have superciliously pledged to bring such troops to Somalia in spite of the consent of Somali people, powerful faction leaders and the Parliament for supposed “peacekeepingâ€, though the peace to keep has yet to be seen or explained. At the same time many people, including myself, had faint misgiving of bringing notoriously incompetent and brutal African forces to Somalia. The Question I’ve been asking myself is what exactly will these Africans forces, likely infected with AIDS if the U.N.AIDS organization is to be believed, do? The only piece of information related to this, if almost comical, has been from TFG spokesmen who say that these “peacekeepers†will secure government installations such as seaports and airports and protect key government officials in Mogadishu. Wait a minute, aren’t there people already protecting and inhabiting those installations, wouldn’t it be wise to ask if they would have something to say about this? But the real question no one wants to ask is: why can’t the Somalis concerned, be it in Mogadishu and elsewhere, why can’t they do the protecting and the securing? And if the Somalis can’t do this for whatever reason or are not willing to do this (which by the way is the argument of the Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed camp) how on Earth will Africans who do not even enjoy minuscule local support or knowledge of the area, likely to be met by widespread hostility of armed clans and opposition leaders, let alone having no affinities with the cultural and religious values of the people concerned, succeed? It seems those who want to bring African troops to Somalia have not clearly thought things through, and if they have thought things through, evidently they are being lead by some other sinister designs apart from desire for peace. The matter is not only obscure, as it is divisive and controversial, but also dangerous too. And as any expert of Somali affairs can tell you when something becomes as “divisive†and especially as “obscure†as this controversial debate on bringing Foreign Troops to Somalia, it usually motivated by tribal and clan interests. Equally, when hostile nations such as Ethiopia or Uganda prepare contingents before approval, than there is something seriously wrong. And if you look at the chief proponents of bringing Foreign forces to Somalia in particular to Mogadishu, be it in Nairobi or on the web, they tend to hail from non-resident clans, as a matter of fact, from individuals who haven’t been to Mogadishu for well over a decade since the civil war started in 1991! As in all civil wars and tribal conflicts of such nature involving former combatant communities there is always along with mistrust and anger a strong desire by one group or another to “settle old scoresâ€, that is, to “get evenâ€- Somalia is no different. And once you add the historical preponderance of Somalis seeking favors with foreign powers or dictators in helping them “to help themselves†fight their nonsensical fratricide, this debate on bringing African forces is little more than widening one’s tribal numbers and leverage power in a resurgent tribal conflict. In this light, U.S. Ambassador Bellamy and the International Communality are correct in rejecting this dangerous scheme, especially in relation to Ethiopia, for the premise on which it is based is sectarian. No one seriously believes the arrival of an African force in Mogadishu without the consent of the people or their leaders will bring peace, it will bring a nightmare of blood and destruction and invite more attacks. As Mr. Bellamy said “Somali militias should keep the peace “. The President of Uganda, Mr. Yoweri Museveni is a man who has enjoyed in his tentative incursions into the Somalia Quagmire, a bit of admiration. He is known best for stating in 2004 that what is happening in Somalia was tantamount to a “slow genocideâ€, in particular talking about the high infant mortality rate, so why would such a altruistic man of yesterday, a “friend of Somalis†want to bring another “slow genocide†that of the AIDS holocaust which has claimed millions of his countrymen, to the Somali people today? And the AIDS pandemic is an undeniable holocaust which Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of the Geneva-based UNAIDS, has described as “an unprecedented crisis and a challenge never before seen since the advent of slaveryâ€. The answer to why the Ugandan regime led by Museveni has seemingly chosen to unilaterally side with one clan and faction in the Somali conflict over Foreign Peacekeepers can be explain when one looks at the internal situation of Uganda. Uganda, like Somalia, is in the midst of a civil war; albeit not as destructive or active as in Somalia, but nonetheless it is not in a state of harmony, but in a state of war. Large parts of the country as the UN reports remain in rebel hands. “Much of Northern Uganda remains involved in conflict, with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) attacking civilian populations and killing or displacing many thousands of people. Much of this part of the country is considered too dangerous to visit. However, recently Museveni has begun to make some inroads in his war with the LRA and according to negotiations reached with the rebels; he has begun redeploying his ragtag forces away from the North to the urban areas. As all of us know any African regime which has a large undisciplined army, many of them child soldiers, milling about in cities and towns is an enormous source of internal danger and tension for the regime. So Museveni who no longer can redirect his forces to the Congo, that is, following the peace deal brokered between him and Rwanda, has found Somalia to be a convenient stress valve for this accelerating problem. Since Somalia has become the world’s largest and most convenient “solutions†be it in dumping hazardous nuclear waste and other toxic materials, he believes it can easily absorb this problem as, and besides, if things somehow manage to go well (something knowing is betting on) Museveni will be in even more good graces with Western donors and powers, either way he has nothing to lose! Besides, with Zenawi of Ethiopia being in favor of this adventure and with certain Somalis, mostly notably non-Mogadishu residents of Abdullahi Yusuf Northeastern clan, making fantastic promises similar to that of the disgraced Iraq exiles of “being greeted with flowers and candyâ€, why not give it a chance he asks. But If Museveni, like Zenawi, becomes embolden to this “debacle-in- the makingâ€, becomes blinded to the advice of the United States and other knowledgeable stakeholders on the Somali Conflict, if he decides that fixing his internal issues outweigh the reality and wishes of the Somali people, he will be the one who truly pays. Because Somali people while not having any having discrimination towards their fellow Ugandan brothers and sisters, sharing in their anguish over their long struggle with brutal Amin dictatorship and the HIV/AIDS which has claimed over a million lives, cherish fervently their freedom and wellbeing of their country. They do not wish to risk the lose an additional million of their brethren to AIDS or become part of the over 80 million will die of it in Africa and the 90 million will contract it in the next 20 years, because we are already losing people in our ****** wars! To those who think that the potential of HIV/AIDS is not as big or worse than as the current situation in Somalia, I think you should go and talk to the over 25 million Africans suffering from that killer all over Africa today and ask them if they would have preferred to suffer Somalia’s anarchy or getting the AIDS, I think we would all know the answer! Somalia and its capital need a workable and just administration. And I am happy to know that there are for the first time serious efforts underway to build such an administration for the whole of Banadir region and the creation of a “peaceful†environment. If Abdullahi Yusuf was elected as president and there is no one in Mogadishu who opposes him or preventing him from coming, than I think he should start acting like a President and come to Mogadishu and work on how to make it the great cosmopolitan capital get back on its feet! And Abdullahi Yusuf should also take a look at the UNAIDS report (http://www.unaids.org/en/AIDS+in+Africa_Three+scenarios+to+2025.asp) which is currently the biggest topic in African affairs, with all of African’s leaders including Obasanjo of Nigeria, Mbeki of South Africa, Museveni of Uganda and even Zenawi seriously reviewing it and implementing ways to save their populations from furthering drowning in the holocaust of AIDS! We in Somalia and our senior leaders who have so far been spare of it should be working even harder than these infected countries in keeping ourselves away from this apocalyptic killer, not thinking of ways to invite it in! Mohamed Aden Garre Salem, Oregon USA adengarre@yahoo.com

Foreign Forces will do Nothing In Somalia But Cause Bloodshed BY Ali Nur Masri, electrician/journalist Denver, Colorado, USA Email:anurmas@hotmail.com Michael Ignatieff in �State Failure and Nation Building� states in regards to the political situation in Somalia �Reconstituting a central state would certainly require long-term colonial occupation by some foreign power. It is not clear that this is either possible or desirable�. Abdullahi Yusuf and Meles Zenawi must have read the first sentence of this quote and based their whole malevolent policy towards Somalia on this. But I think they have forgotten to further read and investigate the second part of the quote, with the words �impossible� and �undesirable�. Since no one will disarm Somalis against their will, African or IGAD forces (if they even show up) will only meet bloodshed and become immersed in a renewed tribal war which is in the making. They will be useless to any effort to build peace and will contribute to further destruction and death, including from their ranks. I am happy to see that senior African Union officials in Abuja, Nigeria have seen the fallacy of Abdullahi Yusuf�s arguments in this regard� since this is nothing but a gross tribal scheme� and have distanced themselves away from him and it. Sadly, by distancing themselves and shifting the responsibility yet again away from the Somalis themselves to the so called IGAD states (which are part of the problem in Somalia) they have invariably set in motion a renewed CIVIL WAR to take place in Somalia. The people of Mogadishu will never be disarmed against their will, and especially not by IGAD. Any attempt to bring �rule by force� in Somalia will meet the fate of the previous disasters. Ethiopia is and has been a part of the Somali wars till today. It is not credible party and is seen by the majority of the people as an enemy to Somali unity and reconciliation with long history of enmity. It is arm forces are culpable for many atrocities illegally committed inside Somalia territory since 1995 to the present, especially in Gedo, Bay and Bakol regions. Ethiopia continues to illegally arm warring Somali factions and continues to disrespect the territorial integrity of the Somali state. Along with its repressive policies towards its own Somali citizens, Ethiopia is a major enemy of the Somali people. The International Community should not be party to this or any doomed adventurism by Ethiopian regime to forcefully install its puppet Abdullahi Yusuf under the guise of IGAD. There is no need for any foreign forces in Somalia whatsoever since at the end it is for the Somalis themselves to solve their problems, including security of the capital. And as the recent arrival of the Somali Members of Parliament led by MP. Musa Suudi Yalahow has shown the Somalis are ready and able to maintain security and welcome this government in Mogadishu with open arms. Everyone, including the former military and security personnel are fully behind this government and are ready to take part in the reconstitution of Somali army and police; as well as, all the major faction leaders of that city and their militias. The deployment of any IGAD forces will only exacerbate the political tensions/situation, since IGAD states, in particular Ethiopia and Kenya, are already seen as representing hostile interests to the Somali people. The only person who seems to have a problem with Mogadishu is Abdullahi Yusuf, since he has yet to show any credible reasons why there should be any deployment of foreign forces to Mogadishu as precondition for the arrival of government (which has already begun to arrive irrespective of him), it is apparent this man is becoming redundant by the minute, as he continues to be blinded by his own tribal hatred, fears and bloodlust. Ultimately, the people of Mogadishu and their leaders will be the ones that will decide who comes to their city and who disarms them, not Abdullahi Yusuf or so called IGAD peacekeepers. All sectors of Somali society are fully with this government and opposed to any kind of foreign intervention and thus foreign forces will bring more bloodshed and chaos, since no one can force anyone to cooperate or submit against their will. If genuine peace is to prevail in Somalia all Somali Members of Parliament should arrive in Mogadishu as soon as possible and join their colleagues who have already begun the task they have been entrusted with: rebuilding Somali state, not rebuilding clannish fantasies. If Abdullahi Yusuf does not want to come to Mogadishu for his own personal or tribal reasons, if he does not want to cooperate and work with the people of Somalia (including the citizens of Mogadishu), then he should immediately relinquish his office to Mr. Geedi. For what Somalia needs at this time is a not an isolated president in exile stoking the fires of hatred and tribalism, but a President inside working for the betterment of the Somali people with the Somali people, not against them. Someone willing to take the risks and having the fortitude and worthwithal to lead not spend his time thinking about how to mislead the international world to see his own clannish views and desires of power. Someone should tell this man to wake up and understand the second part of what Michael Ignatieff wrote, since he is still stuck in the first part of reconstituting a central state in Somalia (more like his dictatorship) requiring �a long-term colonial[Ethiopian] occupation by some foreign power.�, but Abdullahi is truly miscalculating if he thinks that where the only superpower and over 20 countries(including most European, Middle-East and some African states like Zimbabwe) and over 1 billion dollars failed in the 1990s, Ethiopia will succeed in that role today. Who is he kidding?

March 09, 2005 - 08:28 Continue shopping for a better peace-keeping force The pundits have already made their analysis and cast in their votes as to whether or not Somalia should invite an African Peace-keeping Force. The pro and opposing fans for this upcoming lively game, which will be held in Somalia's playing field, are already cheering or jeering. But the majority of Somalis, wherever they are, are against the deployment of Ethiopian or for that matter IGAD troops on Somali soil. However, this hasty decision taken by Abdillahi Yusuf and his government to import foreign troops spearheaded by Ethiopian units will have a butterfly effect on Somalia, Somaliland and Western Somalia/Reserve and Hawd/Western Awdal. It will be the end of Somali lands "Dhul Soomaali sheegato" as we know it today. In agreement with many other writers about this topic, here is how this scenario might unfold: 1- Ethiopia will be the dominant force to be reckoned with in Somalia with Zenawi pulling the strings of his puppets ( the TFG ) through his Ethiopian field commanders, intelligence officers and political watchdogs. 2- With the blessing of Abdillahi Yusuf, Ethiopian forces will finally be able to implement Abyssinia's long-held goal of "Divide and Rule". To cut the Somali lands into miniscule entities that can not sustain nor defend themselves. Ethiopian forces will be deployed at various strategic areas to guard, isolate, contain and crush at will. If Mogadisho continues to be wild for a while, it will be dealt with lastly as Samatalis Haille has written. But first some of these troops will be assigned as a permanent escort for Abdillahi's government dignitaries and officials. As the saying goes "Dead men don't pay". Therefore, Ethiopia must protect its new-found prize. Other Ethiopian units will bulldoze all the way to the Port of Kismayo. There must be an exit to the sea. Some will stationed from Beled-weyne to Buulo-barde just to keep the lid ( pressure) on Mogadisho. Many years ago, Dr.Omar Osman Rabi predicted that Ethiopia will evenually cut off Somalia proceeding eastward along the shortest distance between the North and the South. Now that Ethiopia has found its obedient wonder-boy Abdillahi, there is no need for them to knife the country along the 8th Latitude (Burtinle -Eyl ). Instead a substantial Ethiopian force will be deployed along the 47th Longitude ( Domo-Yagori-Xiis ) to cut off the Somaliland's Sool and Sanag regions and enlarge Abdillahi's Puntland. With Mohamed Omar Osman's ****** National Liberation Front finding itself a minority, Ethiopia will have made the Darods a united subservient entity from Sanag to Iimey to Kismayo. Somaliland's cause for recognition will thus be out of the window - no territorial integrity, no recognition! No fighting with Ethiopian troops and no blood will be let out! It will be "case closed"! 3- Finally, the former Capital Mogadisho will be isolated, neglected and let lose significance as a Seaport and Airport; or the Ethiopians and its allies will simply blockade and crush it just to have another Seaport nearer than Kismayo. 4- After all of those taming goals are accomplished, so to be seen to be fair with the Somalis, Ethiopia will shed its outer skin, change its name from Ethiopia to "Abysoma"- a combination of Abyssinia and Somalia. Then the strategic goals of drilling for oil and gas, mining the Uranium and building dams on the Jubba and Shabelle Rivers way beyond Dolo and Godey will be seen. 5- In the then new Abysoma, the Somalis will be a minority decimated by oppression, hate, poverty and AIDS in their homeland. Even the puppets will be eliminated one by one when their usefulness expires! If this scenario looks fictitious or a doomsday prophecy, wait until they (Ethiopians and other Eastern African troops ) come! So who can be a peace-keeper ? The notion of bringing a peace-keeping force from neighbouring countries is totally ludicrous and undeserving for all Somalis. The International Relation's motto of "your neighbour's neighbour is your friend" should be adhered to. To be a peace-keeper a force should be thoroughly trained for combat, then instructed in the elements of peace-making and peace-keeping. It should be a well-disciplined force that observes the Rules Of Engagement; and it should be logistically well furnished and supported in men and materiel. Lastly, the force's political masters must be from a democratic country where corruption and embezzlement are taboo. Thus, only few countries around the World can satisfy such requirements: USA, Canada, UK, the Scandanavians, Belguim, the Netherlands, Australia France, Germany, Italy and Japan and may be India. The USA is out as it had a bad experience with Somalia's hot potato - the late General Aideed. So too is Canada whose elite Airborne regiment has been disbanded with disgrace after the teenager Shidane Arone was tortured to death. Belguim's public opinion toward Somalis and Muslims has been distorted by that out-spoken Somali-born belguim parliamentarian lady. So it is out. Nowadays, Australia is not a hospitable place for Muslims and minorities. You think I have forgotten the continents of Africa, Latin America and Asia. Forget about them: it is all AIDS (read Mohamed Aden Garre's article inAwdalnews.com) and dictators including the Russia and China. I am not even counting the Arabs and Muslim States. The French and Germans are in Djibouti and are clandestinely operating in the whole of the Horn of Africa while we sleep .They are out. The Italians want to settle a score with Mogadisho's grave-diggers. They are out too. That leaves us with the UK, the Scandanavians and Indians. If you don't mind Britain being a good friend of the USA, England is responsible, fair and tough. The American Factor: Although America was disappointed with the debacle of "Operation Restore Hope" in Somalia, bear in mind it is the only Super-power left in the World. Without it's blessing nothing moves or moves far. Other than Russia which can't now properly clothe and feed its soldiers, the USA is the only power left that can project power far and beyond, and can sustain it. It is an economic powerhouse and a democracy. Whether you like it or not, America has to be consulted with if you want things to be done. Gone are the days of the Cold War's "Ugly American". So if Abdillahi Yusuf is still adamant on having an escort or a peacekeeping force instead of letting the Somalis take care of themselves, he rather shop for a better force from the UK, Norway, Sweden and India. These countries will supply an accountable and formidable peacekeeping force - of course with the blessing of the United Nations. Hassan Rirash hrirash@yahoo.com

Mogadishu, March 08 2005 Your Excellencies, IGAD Heads of States and Government Your Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chairman of Africa Union, Your Excellency, Alfa Omar Konereh, Executive Chairman of the Africa Union CC: United Nations Security Council United States Government The European Commission League of Arab States Subject: Against the deployment of IGAD Front Line States Peacekeeping forces in Somalia. Excellencies, We, the undersigned personalities, composing of Politicians, Academics, Representatives of the Somali Civil Society Groups, Religious groups, women groups and traditional leaders have the honor to submit this appeal to your Excellencies to bring behind your kind knowledge and earnestly request from your Excellencies to intervene the looming crisis of Somalia. Based on our knowledge in the ground, we are quite sure that history will never pardon us, if we do not act in time and draw your kind attention the creeping crisis of Somalia. We would like to extend to your Excellencies and through your Excellencies the people of our brotherly countries our heartfelt greetings and wish your Excellency’s good health and prosperity of your respective people and countries The Somali people are looking forward for the arrival of the new government to the country to continue strengthening the peace process and to disarm the different militia. Now that the faction leaders are members of the government. The consolidation of peace in our country is a process that needs commitment, hard work, time and patience. Your Excellencies are well aware that IGAD member states have been deeply involved at different levels in Somalia’s civil war with sometimes direct political and military support to one or more of the different warring factions. Africa Union should have taken note of the recent history of our region and underlying factors that contributed to the unending civil strife in Somalia and other countries in the region. Kenya and Ethiopia are still technically allied against the Somali state and the military cooperation between the countries is still valid. In total disregard to the facts on the ground and the calls made by international community, the Africa Union had made a haste decision in Abuja on 31 January 2005 and has authorized IGAD to deploy peacekeeping forces in Somalia. This decision, we believe is insensitive, unwarranted, unjustified and will not in any way bring about peace, but will bring back bad memories in the Somalia’s contemporary history and does not correspond to the true realities in Somalia. It also ignores the understanding reached in the past by the international community that IGAD member states will under no circumstances be part of any peacekeeping forces for Somalia. This decision, we firmly believe is based on misunderstanding of the history of our region, by ignoring the gravity of the situation. The Somali people categorically reject any notion that the same military forces that have contributed for the destabilization of Somalia to be called to make peace they have already broken and undermined. The fundamental principle of neutrality and impartiality that is enshrined in UN peacekeeping operations will be severely compromised if IGAD forces are deployed in Somalia. The African Union cannot abdicate and transfer its responsibility to IGAD, which has repeatedly demonstrated it’s biased agenda toward the stability and the political independence of our country During the past two years, a panel of experts that was established by the United Nations Security Council to monitor the arms embargo on Somalia have clearly indicated in their respective reports that some countries in the region and in particular Ethiopia have repeatedly violated the arms embargo on Somalia. The report mentioned that Ethiopia have supplied weapons and ammunition to the different Somali factions in the country and “have covertly and overtly participated in the destabilization of Somalia.†These reports attest to the known fact that Ethiopia has been and continue to be the main source of instability in our country. In addition, almost all armed faction groups such as SSDF, SNM, USC, SPM, SNA, SRRC and others who have been fighting in the country and were responsible for the destruction of Somalia were all formed, trained, equipped and provided both material, financial and political support by the different regimes in Ethiopia. We would like to inform Your Excellencies that the Somali people would use all means available to defend their country from any aggression carried out under the auspices of IGAD. We sincerely believe and many others share with us that the deployment of IGAD military personnel is a clear violation of international rules and obligations because the whole world shares the view that for example it is unthinkable to seek peacekeeping military support to Pakistan from India and Palestinian military to Israel. We would also like to call upon all IGAD Heads of States and Government, the United States Government, the European Union, the United Nations Security Council, the Arab League and all other organizations that have worked for the peace and security of the world to reconsider this haste decision before it plunges the whole region into bloodshed. The international community will bear the full responsibility and thereof the consequences of this ill advised decision. We thank Your Excellencies for the support Your Excellencies have been providing to the Somali people during those entire difficult journeys to stability, peace, prosperity, political independence and sovereignty. Recommendations Your Excellencies, Doubtless Peace keeping Forces to contribute peace and stability in Somalia is greatly needed, but the concern of the Somali Society is the deployment in Somalia of peacekeeping forces from the Front line States whom we share ugly histories of centuries old animosity, which cannot be forgotten over nights. Therefore, its our strong recommendations to find solution for this chronic issues by reversing such decision of sending Peacekeeping Forces from the Front Line States to Somalia, and instead bring the Peacekeeping Forces in question from none Front Line States. We also wish to suggest that especial attention to re-organize, provide training facilitates and re-equipment be given great considerations to the Somali Military and the Paramilitary Forces who will play great role in the peacebuilding of Somalia. Signatures No. Name Position Telephone 1 Dr. Hussien Haji Bod Former Deputy Prime Minister 960166 2. Dr. Mohamed Abrone Amin Former Deputy Parliament Speaker 506352 3. Dr. Salad Osman Roble Former President of the Somali Youth Organization 96o237 4. Prof. Mohamed Farah Jumale Politician :289820 5. Drs Batulo Mohamed Mursal Chairperson of COGWO 967318 6 Dr. Abdullahi Mohamed Shirwa Deputy Chairman of Somali SPL 500952 7. Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Chairman of Hayat Medical Group 500903 8. Madina Mohamed Elmi Chairperson of Life & Peace women Pioneers 960832 9. Asha Sha’ur Ugas Chairperson of women Business Group 962400 10. Dr. Abdullahi Sudi Hassan Academic 960528

The Position of Somali Intellectuals & Professionals on Sending Troops from Neighbouring Countries March 08, 2005 To: H.E. Kofi Annan, General Secretary of United Nations To: H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Chairman of IGAD To: H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the African Union To: H.E. Amre Moussa, General Secretary of Arab League Cc: H.E. Sherif Hassan, Somali Parliament Speaker Cc: H.E. Abdullahi Yusuf, Somali Interim President CC: Exc. Head States of Djibouti, Kenya & Ethiopia Re: The Position of Somali Intellectuals & Professionals on Sending Troops from Neighbouring Countries We, the undersigned, are Somali intellectuals and professionals exiled by the civil war and living in the Diaspora. Driven by the adversities that Somali state is in and the plight of Somali people, we are obligated to call on your attentions to the dire consequences of sending troops from frontline states, particularly Ethiopia, to Somalia, which we believe will have more destabilizing effects than strengthening the peace efforts of the past two and half years. It is a well-known fact that after two years of plodding negotiations, the outcome of Somali Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Kenya was the formation of transitional federal government, which should herald the restoration of peaceful and stable Somali state. Most of Somalia's key warlords have been named to key positions in the new interim government in order to restore a functional national government and avoid the return to all-out violence We fervently support any endeavour that will lead Somalia to have a viable government and we strongly object to any actions that may abort the efforts of the international community in the past two and have years. Therefore, we are of the opinion that sending troops from neighbouring countries will frustrate the peace efforts and achievements toward Somali reconciliation or it may even trigger off an all out war within the region, since some of the troops are from Somalia’s traditional rivals. May we have confidence that you will act swiftly to ensure that Somalia revives its national security apparatus, which can control its borders and safeguard against domestic strife, without destabilising Somalia's fragile transitional government and jeopardising the peace process? Thank you for your time and consideration. Signed by: 1 Hirsi Haji Jama London, UK 2 Ahmed Abdi Dahir - Shell London, UK 3 Mohamud Mohamed Gure London, UK 4 Mohamed Hassan Barre - Shimbiraale London, UK 5 Mohamed Mukhtar Ibrahim London, UK 6 Ahmed Nur Haji Abdullahi Fiqow London, UK 7 Omar Sh. Ali Idris London, UK 8 Dr Abdi Aideed Hirey London, UK 9 Ibrahim Abikar Nur Minneapolis, USA 10 Col Saeed Haji Aden London, UK 11 Col Ali Ahmed Kahiye London, UK 12 Col Suleyman Ali London, UK 13 Ahmed Omar Mohamed - Mahaday London, UK 14 Abdirahman Omar Osman – Eng Yarisow London, UK 15 Dahabo Mohoud Isse - Dowlo London, UK 16 Zahro Ali Hassan - Daanduush London, UK 17 Mohamed Ahmed Nur - Tarzan London, UK 18 Col Omar Haji Mohamud London, UK 19 Mursal Mohamud Saney London, UK 20 Prof Hussien Haji Abdullahi Fiqow London, UK 21 Abdullahi Abdi Mohamed - Teleefan London, UK 22 Kulmiye Iman Ali London, UK 23 Taaha Ali Aw-Guleed London, UK 24 Kamal Hirsi Mohamed London, UK 25 Mohamed Nur Abikar London, UK 26 Abdirahman Sheikh Adan London, UK 27 Hassan Moalim Mohamoud London, UK 28 Hussein Sheikh Ali London, UK 29 Mohamed Hussein Loolow London, UK 30 Saeed Ahmed Abdulwahid London, UK 31 Mohamed Khalif Sheikh Yusuf - Bidaar London, UK 32 Hussein Jimaale London, UK 33 Awale Ali Kulane London, UK 34 Hassan Moallim Ahmed London, UK 35 Omar Abdi Nuur London, UK 36 Abdillahi Afrah London, UK 37 Abdirahman Hassan Mohamed London, UK 38 Dr. Abdirasak Mohamed Warsame London, UK 39 Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed London, UK 40 Mohamed Nur Hassan - John London, UK 41 Abdi Abdillahi Mohamoud Baashe London, UK 42 Maryan Abdulle London, UK 43 Abdirazak Ali Duale London, UK 44 Isse Mumin Ali London, UK 45 Abukar Sh. Abdi Ibrahim London, UK 46 Abdirahman A Warsame London, UK 47 Mohamed Hassan Ahmed London, UK 48 Mohamed Amin London, UK 49 Omar Sh. Abdiwahab London, UK 50 Mohamoud Jama Adan Qalabjaan London, UK 51 Awil Ismail Dubad Wais London, UK 52 Abdi Ibrahi Ururiye London, UK 53 Khadar Abdi Mohamed London, UK 54 Elmi-Salaad Ali Jama London, UK 55 Abdilkadir Ali Jama London, UK 56 Sheikh Ibrahim Indhow London, UK 57 Osman Ossoble London, UK 58 Omar Mattan Sabriye London, UK 59 Abdirashid Jama Ali London, UK 60 Mohamed Ali Diini London, UK 61 Abdillahi Alasow Mohamoud Tumaaye London, UK 62 Abdulkadir Mohamed Hasson London, UK 63 Abdilkadir Ali Araaye Joomo London, UK 64 Abdi Abdillahi Mohamoud Baashe London, UK 65 Mohamed Nuur Hasson John London, UK 66 Abdiasiis Osman Roble London, UK 67 Mohamoud Mohamed Siyaad London, UK 68 Hawo Adan Samatar- Somalia 69 Abdinur A. Farah London, UK 70 Abdifatah Haji Ali London, UK 71 Abdirazak Ali Duale London, UK 72 Omar Sh. Abdiwahab London, UK 73 Mukhtar Mahad Daud London, UK 74 Abdifatah Hersi London, UK 75 Abdiwali Gorod London, UK 76 Mohamed Abdi Mumin London, UK 77 Dr. Abdulkadir M Elmi Stockholm, Sweden 78 Amina A Mire Virginia, USA 79 Dr. Ahmed Sh. Abbas London, UK 80 Awil Ismail Dubad Wais London, UK Contact person: Mohamed Mukhtar

Exclude Troops from neighboring countries: - Cautions the US Department of State - Markacadeey Editorial March 07, 2005 The Somali people like every other people on earth have the right to live in peace and stability after having experienced for such a long period the horrible civil war that claimed so many lives and maimed many. They need peace to re-build the country’s hospitals and schools, which have been devastated by the senseless and fratricidal war. Today the Somali people have avoided the attempt to be dragged into another round of civil strife and averted a confrontation with the international community when it rightly pronounced its objection to the deployment of foreign troops from neighbouring countries for “peace-making or peace-keepingâ€. The voice of the people is clear in the sense that a country such as Ethiopia, with which Somalia has a long-standing territorial dispute and involved in the civil war in one way or another, to be involved in such a mission, would not contribute to positive results. It is hard to understand how the African Union, which is responsible for avoiding conflicts among its member states, could have been so oblivious of the relationships between its member states, particularly those between Somalia and Ethiopia who went into open war in 1977-1978 over the ******, a Somali territory occupied by Ethiopia. But if there is anyone to blame it should be the IGAD (Inter-governmental Authority on Development) which is directly responsible for not giving due consideration to the sensitivities of the Somalis about Ethiopia. In its blind haste, it was feared that IGAD would let the Somali situation end in disaster. Despite the Somali people’s appeal to IGAD and the international community not to deploy troops from neighbouring countries, Ethiopian government officials continue making public statements pushing for deployment of their forces in Somalia. Even those who sympathize with the above decision consider it an unwarranted provocation. Not all the calls for reason have fallen in deaf ears. The appeal of the Somali people has been supported by the Government of the United States of America. A Press Statement issued in Washington on March 3, 2005, by the US Department of State Spokesman, Mr. Richard Boucher stated, “The United States shares the concern of the international community and many Somalis regarding the introduction of foreign troops into Somalia. The African Union and inter-Governmental Authority on Development would likely play an important role in a peace support mission for Somalia at the appropriate time. Such a mission, however, must be carefully evaluated and have the support of the Somali people. In order to support this process, all nations must honor the United Nations arms embargo for Somalia.†The US statement cautions: “Somalia’s neighbors have legitimate national interests that are best protected by the successful establishment of a stable and effective central Government in Somalia; however, any external force should exclude troops from those countries. Furthermore the United States warns that, “To include troops from neighboring countries at this time could pose an insurmountable obstacle to the Transitional Federal Government’s ability to gain the support and trust of the Somali people due to the perception within Somalia that some neighboring countries may be biased towards one or more elements of the Transitional Federal Governmentâ€. The above statement deserves a warm welcome as it supports the position of the Somali people that foreign forces would not result in a positive outcome but may instead go as far as rekindling the abhorrent civil strife. On the other hand, if Somalis do not wish to see foreign troops deployed in the country, or do not want the international community to interfere in their affairs, then they must demonstrate that they are themselves capable of finding solutions to their problems. The world will definitely not tolerate a small number of people to strangulate the majority of the population. The IGAD should not behave stubbornly. It is sensible to listen to the voice of reason. Instead of preparing the fire-brigades which would put out the fire, it is better to avoid starting the fire at all. Because, as it is said, Precaution is better than cure. Markacadeey Editorial

Somali Institute for Peace Re: An Appeal to Prevent the Deployment of Troops from Frontline States to Somalia London, United Kingdom E-mail: sompeace@yahoo.co.uk March 08, 2005 Somali Institute of Peace (SIP) is an independent organization committed to the principles of peace and reconciliation and opposes the use of force to resolving disputes. Its mission is to facilitate dialogue and fraternal discussions to end all forms of violence or hostilities, play pivotal role in the reconciliation efforts of feuding groups and take the lead to rebuilding the shattering dreams of the Somali people by actively participating in the restoration of the state institutions. We are saddened by the squabbling and deepening divisions between the leadership and parliament of the transitional government (TFG) over the issues of relocation and deployment of troops from frontline states. Our fear is that the growing divisions could develop into crisis stage and derail the implementation of the Mbagathi reconciliation conference agreements. It is unfortunate that the leadership of the TFG is adamantly refusing to move to the capital, Mogadishu, and pursuing the deployment of troops from frontline states without the approval of the parliament and Somali people on this highly sensitive matter. The government’s position is becoming unpopular and is alienating many supporters in the parliament and general public. Likewise, it is giving to anti-peace elements a pretext to challenge and tear down what has been achieved after twenty-four months of painstaking negotiations. We are also distressed by the news that the African Union had approved the deployment of troops from the frontline states without taking into account its sensitivity and consequences that it may bear if ever implemented. We are worried by the heightened tensions created by this decision, which immediately prompted arms build up and rush to purchase more arms by different factions and clans in anticipation to counter any troop deployment from Somalia’s traditional foes. We are equally troubled by the lack of international interest in this very sensitive issue, which could explode and trigger off a new wave of violence and clan warfare and permanently end any hope of implementing a structured system of government for Somalia. We believe that the deployment of troops from Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti will be counterproductive and will have more destabilizing effects than strengthening or promoting the Mbagathi peace agreements. Rationally, it will be nearly impossible to put together a fragmented nation if its neighbours want to tear it apart or perhaps wish to destabilize the transitional administration. It is, therefore, imperative to recognize the rivalry between these countries and their conflict of interests and understand the suspicions and fear in the hearts and minds of the Somali people. We are convinced that the deployment of troops from frontline states will do more harm than good. The reasons we believe so are that: * Frontline states have conflicting self-interests over the shaping of Somalia’s future and therefore, it will be very likely that they will scramble to working in partnership with factions/clans that best serve their national interests. The SRRC, which the president and prime minister belong to, was formed and backed by Ethiopia. It is this group that is pursuing the deployment of troops from neighbouring countries, while all other groups are against it. However, if the deployment of these troops goes ahead, we may witness a similar scenario to that of the Great Lakes region, where intervention forces from neighbouring countries scrambled for the control of certain economically important areas. In this case, the conflict could go out of control and spread beyond Somalia’s borders. * If the situation gets worse and foreign troops start killing Somalis, then the possibility of foreign fighters entering the conflict and fighting against the intervention forces may become a reality. The arrival of foreign fighters could bring new ideologies and methods unknown to the region which could destabilize the whole region. * Having in mind the meagre salaries paid to these troops, they could use this as an opportunity to making money by redistributing the confiscated arms and ammunition or even selling their own weapons in the black market. The troops could also abuse their powers and forcefully seize private properties such as vehicles and sell them to the highest bidders, which would create conflict between those whose properties robbed and those who bought it. * Like any other intervention, the troops could spread sexually transmitted diseases, especially AIDS, since HIV infections are widespread in these three countries. * The troops are also very likely to commit crimes against humanity. They could detain and torture, sexually abuse or even murder their opponents. The deployment of foreign troops should have been a last resort option and only after all other available options are exhausted. Regrettably, the TFG has disregarded ALL other available options. To build confidence and promote reconciliation, the government should have encouraged public debate over this issue and showed the people that it is a government for the people and by the people. There are three viable options which the government intentionally ignored but deserved serious deliberations before foreign assistance is sought. The three options are: 1- To enlist former members of the national armed forces and police who can actively take part in the disarmament and restoration of law and order. The former TNG summoned them and in Mogadishu alone over 10 thousand responded in a single day. There is an estimate of over 20, 000 members still active and available for the job of restoring law and order if the government wants to use them. 2- The militias of the former warlords (now ministers), the militias of the local courts and militias of the regional administrations pooled together and trained can easily do the job well. Actually, the militias are part of the problem and if drafted and trained will become an instrument used to pacify the whole country. However, they can initially be used to restore law and order in their local districts to avoid clan sensitivities. 3- Since power sharing is based on clan factor, the government should ask each cabinet minister and deputy minister to provide a specified number of men to be drafted to the national armed forces. The 90 or so cabinet members could easily contribute well over 20,000 young men. Disarmament and pacification should be a national priority and each sub-clan should contribute to the national police force. . Therefore, we are of the opinion that Somalia does not need foreign troops and urge its leadership to seriously consider other options including the above ones and seek the support of the Somali people. If, however, the TFG leadership ignores the people’s outcry and continues to seek the deployment of troops from frontline states, the government will lose the confidence of the people it represents and inescapable difficulties and turmoil will face it over the next five years. We strongly support the establishment of a competent and functioning government for Somalia capable of leading the country out of one of the longest civil wars in contemporary Africa. We urge all the stakeholders (UN, AU, IGAD, Arab League, EU, etc) to intervene and advice the leadership of the TFG to abandon the dangerous game of fuelling renewed clan conflict, which could result more suffering and bloodshed. Equally, we reiterate the leadership of the TFG to abandon its inflammatory rhetoric and tyrant-like behaviour of threatening those who dare to question their intentions. Again, please consider domestic solution to the problem and use the options that are available to you. We remind the TFG parliament its responsibilities as the custodian of the constitution and welfare of the Somali people to safeguard the interests of the people and prevent policies that will lead to the dissolution of the TFG and renewed hostilities. The Board, London 05 March, 2005