Duke, where is Farmaajo. Isnt he in the race.

Haatu, I did visit Wadjir. It looks a like military site. Have look at the other thread.

Che -Guevara;864074 wrote: I thought you were gonna your experience there. Have patience, mon ami.

North Easthern Districs and Politics Kenya adopted a new constitution last year following the post election violance and revolt against the central goverment. The new constition is highly decentralised and gives considerable political power, mandate and budget to the new County goverments. According to the new Constitution the North Eastern Province(former Somali NFD region) will get three regional administrations(out of the total 46 districs in Kenya). These are Garissa, Mandera and Wajir. People will elect a Regional Council and County Governor for each districs. In the past people elected an MP to the Kenyan Parliament, never to hear anything back again from the central goverment nor from their respective MP's. So the new situation gives hope to the Somalis in those regions to run their own affairs and take control of their own local and regional goverments. So far so good would one think. But there are some hugh problems in the region and risks that it might even become worser. First, the are some little clan fighting that regularly return, second the region is tormented by bomb attacks(goverment blames Al Shabaab). These little conflicts are difficult to understand, nor what they are fighting about. And hardly nobody knows how to solve things. The Kenyan goverment placed the region under military curfew and The region looks like a military base. Some are even saying the goverment is behind the attacks and clan tentions and will try to use the violance as excuse and won't allow elections to take place. The people in the region are extremely divided and there is lack of leader that looks at the bigger interest of the region. Eventhough there are many young and smart Somali's leaders from the regions. But It's difficult for them to represent the region, because they risk being 'labeled' with clan favouritism. There is quite some unnecessary polarization among clans. Many blame the Somali who fled from Somalia for spreading the clan virus. And lack of the traditional clan structures that could resolve tensions or conflicts. Even if the election take place, some might fear that it will inflame more clan conflicts. Because clans might fight over the 'political' control of districts. During the post election violance that hit Kenya, North Eastern was spared from it. This time some might have an interest in creating an uproar. This hasnt stopped some of the candidates for the district administration to start their campaigning early. The political tension in Kenya are high and might further increas towards the election date of march 2013. Let's hope Somalis unite and make use of the opportunities arising.

NFD and Nairobi Eastleigh Somalis seem to have taken full control of the Eastleigh district. Most ploys and buildings have been bought by Somalis. And the ones still owned by Kikuyu's have big bords stating that their plot is 'Not for Sale or Rent'. The district is now represented by a Somali MP. This part of Nairobi is booming, and has even its own skyline with many new towers and luxury hotels build. Due to the military airport next to Eastleigh, buildings are not allowed to exceed 8 floors. The Kenyan Airforce is now engaged in a lawsuit against a Somali Hotel that exceeds the maximum, and is 11 storeys high! The Somali MP's should lobby the goverment for the airport to be relocated to another location, so Eastleigh can expand. Little bit of the taxes collected in Eastleigh are now pouring back. The roads are improving, but still there is no seawage and Eastleigh continues to stink! Security is still a big issue, the Kenyan Police and CID(dharcad) are quite present. And this part of Nairobi still saver then other parts. Business There are signs and talk of many people returning to Muqdisho. I have been 4 times to the Nairobi Airport, and you see Somalis everywhere, sometimes 2 or 3 flight an hour going to Somalia, even new Airlines(jetblue, East African Airlines, etc next to the existing Daallo, Jubba, African Express Airways). The Somali middle class have even spread to other parts of Nairobi(South B, South C, Pangani). The business disctrict in down town Nairobi is now flooded by Somali businesses they cater not only to Somalis but more and more to Kenyan and international customers. Many young Somali kenyans are employed by the Goverment and Kenyan businesses. The Somalis seem to have broken the Indian Business monopoly in Kenya. Aid industry The Aid industry (INGO's and UN agencies) seems to be a bit nervous and under pressure. Most of them are still not (fully) working in Somalia, and are operating from Nairobi. Most of them have no plans to relocate to Somalia. Aid budgets are declining or directly and the aid agencies have run out of creativity and ideas how they can extort donors from their comfortable Nairobi base. Even some of the donors opened offices, and some even Embassies or Consulates in Hargeysa and Muqdisho. They fear that a deal between Somaliland and Somalia on how to deal with the International organisations might weaken them and force them to relocate to Hargeysa or Muqdisho.

The last month I have been travelling the Somali region in the Horn of Africa. I travelled first to the to the Somali district of Nairobi(Eastleigh), Somaliland, Somalia and the North Eastern region of Kenya(former NFD). The last time I was in the region was 4 years ago back in 2008. In 2008 Somaliland was still under the leadership of Riyaale, Abdullahi Yusuf was the President of Somalia(Cadde Muuse in Puntland), Kenya was ruled by the PNU and ODM was in opposition and Eastleigh was a Kikuyu district/constituency. Since 2008 the region went through some major political changes. So I was curious how life has changed, how people perceived the current situation and adapted to the changes and most of all what their hopes and aspiration is for the future.

Shekadan mar hore ayaanu so xirnay. dub ha usoo celinina. You have only Somali singers and poets, most are dead and some are residing in the UK, some like Binti Cumar Gacal are in Muqadisho and you have some new singers like Mursal, Khadar Silimo, Saxardiid residing in Hargeysa.

Waa sheekadii Farmaajo. Paying people to come and welcome him at the airport. Shariif is for sure learning the trics.

The Ethiopian goverment really did its best to show the world it stands firm and it has the support of the people. But no funeral can hide the will of the masses.

Proffesional funeral mourners. During the recent funeral of former Prime Minister of Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian goverment hired 1000.000 Professional funeral mourners. The organisation of funerals and funeral ceremonies are full of paradoxes and curiosities. One of the biggest curiosities of funerals are the professional tear shedders: Women who offer their services of crying during funeral ceremonies. Tears are money Whereas we often say that time is money, for professional mourners, the term “tears are money” is perhaps a better fit. Clearly shedding tears for others is also a way to earn money. Indeed it’s a common practice in Ethiopia to solicit professional mourners, or for friends who want to show their support to families in mourning by sending mourners to participate in funerals in order to create a more sorrowful atmosphere. This offering is referred to as the “support of tears” to a bereaved family during funerals. Passion for the job With the goal of obtaining bank notes, mourners are there during the act of putting the corpse in the coffin, during the transfer of human remains as well as at the burial. They have no relation to the family or the deceased but during the funerals they cry wholeheartedly. The will also mime if the sadness caused by the departure of the dead succeeds in arousing tears and moans from the parents of the deceased and the people who have come to pay their respects. "When they don’t manage to show their tears in public, they push their performance to the extreme. Sometimes they pull out their hair, scratch their face, hit their head against the wall,” described an attendant of the recent funeral of Melez Zenawi. “Even if they are paid for this job, you have to have the passion for it!” adds one of the hired mourners. Asked about her fee and how much she earns along with her colleagues for one performance at a funeral and she will tell you in a diplomatic way: “We cannot say how it works. Its death, it’s sad! But we earn a living with what we do. And the funeral Melez Zenawi will provide us enough income my family can live of for the coming years.

Dr. Ahmed Shire 'Lawaaxe' is the first Somali man to graduate from a Western univeristy. Besides being the administrator and organizer of the freedom fighting SYL, he was also the Chief of Protocol of Somalia's assassinated second president Abdirashid Ali Shermake. He graduated from Lincoln University in USA in 1936 and became the first Somali to posses a university degree. Ing.Ali Jirde(AUN), the first Somali Engineer graduated in the '20's.

the song combines Niiko with Dhaanto. this is awful.

Siciid1986;863880 wrote: . Why did they Ethiopians put the South African President Zuma between Shariif and Siilanyo?

Holiday is over. I am back.

The chairman of UCID Hon Feisal Ali Waraabe accompanied by the parties’ treasurer Madam Fadumo Said Ibrahim today left the country to attend the Socialist international conference which is to be held in the republic of South Africa. Hon Feisal Ali Waraabe who heads the Justice and Welfare party of Somaliland a Socialist party itself was invited to attend the social democratic umbrella conference which every socialist leader attends is held once every four years. This been the first time the socialists are meeting in Africa, Hon Feisal Ali Waraabe is Expected to raise the issue of Somaliland recognition to his socialist collogues during the conference. The Socialist International is the worldwide organization of social democratic, socialist and labour parties. It currently brings together 161 political parties and organizations from all continents. A history of growth and accomplishment The Socialist International, whose origins go back to the early international organizations of the labour movement, has existed in its present form since 1951, when it was re-established at the Frankfurt Congress. Since then it has been increasingly active and grown considerably in membership, more than doubling the number of its members in recent years. Labour, social democratic and socialist parties are now a major political force in democracies around the world, with numerous member parties of the International leading governments or representing the main opposition force. Close to 50 member parties of the International are currently in government. Goth M Goth Somalilandpress.com

Go Abdi! There is also a Somali paralympian table tennis talent called Magan.

Shariif and Abdiwali appoint unqualified family members to diplomatic post. AY and Geedi did the same, nothing new In the rotten and defunct ystem called the Tfg. .

Unpaid soldiers can paralyze the whole system. Just like this was the case in Cadde Muuse's time.

One of the msin political leaders in SL is called Ismail F.aqash.

Omg! This thread turned in to Habro fight. It was supposed to celebrate my Somaliweyn trip to Somaliland, Somalia, Nfd and Eastleigh. I will post more info on my observations in due time once I get back to work.

These requirements are nonsense. They should have included something about morals and values one expects to have in such a position. Or atleast that one should serve the Somali people rather then 'the clan' or foreign actors.

Ethiopia, Kenya and Ugandese will support any candicate that further divides Somalia's in to political fiefdoms(Read federalism).

Is the Xamarawi girl back in Hargeysa?

Inadeero, you have embarrased me yesterday. Not only did you offend my 'Awdal' friend, but you made me look like someone who pals around with 'Nazi's'.

Justice is sweet. Who is next?