Abaarso is on the Western outskirt of Hargeysa and used to be not long ago its major milk supplier; how sad even such a place is threatened with desertification and enclosures, while adulterated milk is supplied accross the Ethiopian border. Maybe deservedly so, since we rally around corrupt politicians and elders for whom the environment or getting at least one surgeon or other health trainers for a major town are the last concerns (why bother anyway since they get treated in Addis or London). Back to education, foreign agendas have their own "social engineering" priorities (with "gender equality" and "fostering critical enquiry" as smokescreens); irrigation, surgery and other practical skills that really matters may need to be fostered through cooperation with Sudaneses, Pakistanis or even Cubans who are exporting cheap medical expertise worlwide while offering first class public services to their needy citizens...

Alpha Blondy;728140 wrote: last day in djibouti. what a wonderful little country. friendly people and so much to do here. but as they say; east or west, home is best! not entirely sure where that is at the moment. djibouti, could for all i know be home lol. Everyone love the beaches and geological wonders or feel "integrated" there; eg, when this "Xamarawi" brother came late back in high school and we were assisting him, he soon was more popular than myself (Yemenis, afars, somalis and many others are all as locals as the rest). I hope you stayed with local hosts and avoided all these expensive places milking foreigners (eg, even the better-off seldom shop at the supermarkets full of overpriced imports); besides, cars are superfluous outside the occasional trips to the great outdoors. Of course, it becomes more exciting after some time spent in Hargeysa (though the latter has changed a lot). And yes, strangely enough, even when born locally and you experienced the best, it can be a dilemma as to where to call home; even a cousin of mine who came from Gabiley as adult and is now in Leicester sounds as "confused" too (maybe this is the most artificial border)...

It seems the main anxiety among other Somali groups which is exploited to opress is fear of hegemony; those other main stakeholders in Oga-denia, ie Guelleh/Silanyo groups alongside the Sh. need constant reassurance and coherent PR to join in as together they potentially have a formidable bargaining power , no significant cleavage of interests and close kinship (armed struggle is not the necessarily the only option to safeguard their culture and environment). There would inevitably be major changes as better informed and fed youths will grow assertive, but we need to put aside our typical nomad pride, compromise and above all, foster a brotherly atmosphere in order to amount to anything among the other major ethnic groups (which will, no doubt, invoke their common orthodox or axumite heritage).

Much of that could be verified empirically: civilisation conveniences, comforts if not luxuries exert often a terrible cost on many fronts, eg diabete and cvd rates in the UAE, USA etc or psychological issues replacing material ones, eg depression rates exploding when deprivation recess (exactely as if higher affluence or less vital worries were leading to existential ones). We can also observe that communal feelings and solidarity regress as people gain in self-sufficiency, rely on public services or insurances and seek greater private space, all factors potentially destructive health wise for everyone as the latest studies point out that constant and healthy interaction with various people is vital (ie as important if not more than factors such as not smoking, exercising etc). Likewise, hardships prone peoples such as Somalis, especially those from areas such as Mudug, tend to be relatively more productive given the same opportunities (eg when they settled in town or emigrate); farming or urbanised groups were for their part more reluctant to arm themselves etc.

^^Taas min baabil uulaa, transmitted the less obvious; it's suicidal to shy away from those marital intimacy issues (he added some wifes have let's say "greater appetite")...

Thursday night muxaadaro on xuquuqul zawjeyn ongoing live on RTD: http://www.axadle.com/AxadleTV/RTDTV.html Wifey is entitled to full rights, particularly sexual satisfaction, as much as the man, the sheikh insists on it for the western-influenced ladies: "bariis haday rabto guriga aabeheed ayay joogi laheed" "looma baahno sidii nacaska inaad boodid...ee u dhamees tir" etc etc, the presenter showed a bit of uneasiness with all those details but if only those ladies knew all the comprehensive and progressive rights granted by Islam long before the current rethorics; and if only others were so straightforward with the truth even before thinking marriage... I like also the idea of pre-nuptial training centres; would vastly improve the face of society...

Juxa, it is true friends can move in different directions, but I get attached to and consider people as important in themselves (even old employees back in our African summers). Also, it is wrong to befriend solely for practical reasons; new ideas, outlooks, emulating their positive sides etc are infinitely more important... I have seen Somalis tends to be "pragmatic" when it comes to people and will treat them accordingly (worse, cars or salaries etc tend to be used to judge people); of course, this is catastrophic overall and in the long-term, plus no guarantee that the ones you look down to will not be needed and prove to be much less harmful...

Why would someone add you on emails/msn/facebook etc but then don't bother replying; if you think someone is no longer needed as a friend, then maybe you should not add him... If only I could understand how one can only call someone when needing a service/utilitarian purposes or forget others when he see them as no longer needed... Decency + love= weakness nowadays?

It is true that in the last few years more of the average Djibs would see permanent secession as more palatable than in the past but I highly doubt a majority would support it, including many from Hargeysa, let alone the elite. Why so? well, fears of Addis hegemony as the foremost factor, but also qualms about dividing a sister nation in her hour of need alongside expected major clan clashes, not to mention that the Zeyla/Borama clans (whose lands comprise a good part of Somaliland) are still very reserved etc. On pure self-interested grounds, many of us may have better opportunities if not much bigger ambitions in an independent Somaliland than in Djibouti thanks to nepotism, clans/ethnic "quotas" etc; however, beyond a certain level of intellect and ethics as well as emotional lucidity, this seldom factors in the equation (even though restricting secession to lands unequivocally supportive may allow secessionists better moral credibility)... PS: All the clues point out that Silaanyo and similar leaders are definitely not as dogmatic as the masses; yet, they can not, of course, afford to appear agnostic on such an emotional issue.

We used to keep some in the summer, nothing beats fresh, free range/organic eggs; now hooyo is enjoying to rear some and I adressed her some guides on beekeeping too (Hargeysa has much potential for urban farming, if only that was promoted as some countries did it...). Also, much needed free tomatoes and eggs may help the locals more reliably than cash which may be converted into khat or gadgets...

Just sent the contacts sis. You guys could at least see things as they are and maybe share a report about what to expect etc since many go back these days.

Too much hygiene beyond the obvious could be paradoxically dangerous too. Had only one episode of food poisoning ever despite growing in Africa and habo's cake was at fault (or maybe its preservation since she caters for foreign bases, presidence etc ). Time to rebuild some immunity. Ibtisam, why don't you have tea with my hooyo if you can be around the centre, no hidden intentions lol, she has common points with you...

Indeed, some stability is required though Kenya, Ethiopia or even Morocco with its Africa leading wind sector have their own internal conflicts and tensions as well as limited funds: "The Moroccan government has set a target of raising the contribution of renewable energy from 7.9% to 18% of the national electricity consumption by 2012. Wind power is poised to play a key role for reaching this goal with a targeted 1,500 MW of capacity, Morocco has further a plan involving the building of five wind farms to increase wind energy generation capacity to 2,000 MW by 2020. Other major wind farms currently under construction in Morocco include the Laayoune Wind Farm (240MW), Foum El Oued Wind Farm (200MW) and the Sendouk Farm (65MW)."(renewableenergydev.com) The point is that even without excellent stability, much could be done, particularly in terms of wind powered water pumping as this is key to both security and livelihoods. It can also boost the overall economy as agriculture is the major sector, while limiting rural exodus and the associated urban decay as well as exploding criminality in major towns. It is these small scale, locally owned schemes that have a real impact, eg adapted water management would allow towns such as arabsiyo to supply nearby Hargeysa if not further etc

The Rift Valley is one of the World best areas for geothermal resources and some schemes are already into the advanced stage in Kenya, Djibouti etc; however, the wind offers also plenty of potential, particularly for Somalia (Somalia Wind Energy Map). Giant wind farms are already underway in Ethiopia and Kenya while more are planned throughout the whole region: Kenya Wind Farm Indeed, huge parts of the country are ideal for at least wind powered water pumping so vital for the rural economy and security while some areas, eg the mountainous areas up North, have some of the best potential in Africa for wind powered electricity. Water is here the key to both security and the economy, hence the importance of wind powered water pumping by itself. The sector of alternative energy, and particularly wind power, is now booming and predicted as a key sector worldwide.

I think the former Central Bank director was even closer to the FM (Arabsiyo) and that he recruited one of my aunts there back then; I think he's the one now living in Washington as another aunt was their guest some years ago and he is said to be Christian (as some other former Somali/Djib officials). I was too young in the 80's but was told aabo was the local fundraiser for the SNM and even risked his job then (which may explain my memories of those SNM videos including the one where Gen Morgan is surrounded by tanks and give instructions, pointing the finger or the corpses in Hargeysa in anther one etc); I even came accross an old cut of the "Lettre de l' Ocean Indien" in 2001 with an article about those Siyaad government atrocities in 88. Was the former finance minister from Arabsiyo that ex minister called Thomas?

I know the Somaliland FM is from Gabiley/Arabsiyo and so is the General Secretary of the Djiboutian government (a relative, though slightly different in lineage from us and the FM). I don't know what you mean the reer abti of the FM are from Arabsiyo, he is genealogically from there just like both sides of my family; obviously, the reer abti of the SG are from there too (where the rest of his family still reside, including many of his reer abtiyaal, ie my own relatives). I think you are either closer to the SG or FM; we used to joke "Afraad vs Shanaad", or the two SNM wings, with some other cousins as kids back in summer 1993 in Hargeysa. And of course, Djibouti officials may be much closer sometimes to Somaliland (investments, parents and siblings living there etc) than many diaspora Somaliland politicians (you pobably know the longstanding Djibouti Central Bank director, his predecessor etc).

The Somaliland foreign minister is well-known in the family and was our guest during Silaanyo Djibouti visit but I did not know minister Abdi was from Gabiley too. Is he from Arabsiyo like the FM too (I am not good at genealogy)? Anyway, the well-funded RTD, Djibouti Telecom monopoly with their outrageous "bonus"/salaries etc will all be under his technocratic watch...

Here is veteran Ali Abdi (former ex-Foreign minister etc) replacement, not a household name but seems much more academic than good old Ali and very involved into Somali affairs (hobby of the intelligentsia); the guy is either from Burao or Hargeysa: The Prime Minister, Mr. Mohamed Dileita Dileita, formally installed today the new government in their respective positions. In this sense, the Minister of Communication and Culture, in charge of Post and Telecommunication, Government Spokesman, Mr Abdi Ahmed Houssein, officially took office in presence of Prime Minister and his predecessor, Mr. Ali Abdi Farah. Graduate Center for Strategic Studies in Africa and the Institute of Advanced Studies of National Defense in Paris, the new communications minister began his teaching career where he served in turn as Professor of History-geography and head of the school. After two years at the head of the department of middle school, he was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, where he was appointed manager of files "Conflict, Security, Somali affairs" in the office of minister. Member of the joint border Djibouti-Eritrea and the technical committee on disarmament of pastoral communities in the IGAD region, Mr. Abdi Ahmed Houssein, during his career, also served as a liaison officer of the Somali business facilitator for IGAD.

A minor repair may set you up for the price of an used one and hinges or other parts are easily damaged; Still, putting aside a machine whose electronics/display is just fine (ie what is valuable) seems too wasteful. Are there new casings for a Medion Akoya E1312 or you just discard it when the hinges let you down? PS: Warranty does not cover physical damage!

lol Adeero, who is said to be IOG speechwriter and main collaborator, is giving the government composition on the official website http://www.adi.dj/ : [...]The new government formed Thursday by the Head of State, Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh on the proposal of Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita, makes more room for technocrats known on the national stage for their skills and significantly decrease its average age, the youngest member of the government having only thirty. These include Dr. Okieh Djama Elmi, Secretary of State for Youth and Sports. The new team includes, besides the PM, Mr Dileita Mohamed Dileita, 22 members including more than half of incoming ministers, said the secretary general of the presidency, Mr. Hassan Mohamed Abdillahi, giving the media composition. Most of the heavyweights of the government were dismissed, while only nine members of the old team were retained, like Mr. Ali and Mr. Farah Assoweh Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, who were appointed to Justice and National Defence. Among the ministers retained their positions include that of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youissouf, the Minister for International Cooperation, Mr. Ahmed Ali Silay, and the minister and Muslim Wakf property, Dr. Hamoud Abdi Sultan.[...] PS: the Clan/Ethnic balance is sadly unchanged, still a long way to go on that front (ie the reason we have only one minister/2 MPs "quota")...

Interesting how technocrats seems on the rise and new faces appear; the lobbying against the health minister seems to have worked too, with the new website Djibouti24 launched by well networked young technocrats lynching officials (though revealed scandals are often hard to verify and riddled with inaccuracies etc). Alhamdulilah, I'm sure mum and the family will appreciate now that they finally got the head of their minister; her last letters were very timely and diplomatic: Djibouti24.com.

Of course brother Nur, pressures of all sorts affect all of us, but is not ethics and Deen all about precisely keeping your principles in the face of these pressures? Nobody is expected to smile and not steal if dying of hunger or keep high standards in the most extreme cases; however, most pressures routinely faced by most of us are often a convenient scapegoat and there would be little virtue in being honest and well-wishing in the absence of these very pressures at any rate... PS: sorry to steer away a little the topic but I still find hard to come to terms with those who on one hand lecture on "Buluuqul Maraam" and on the other just go back to backbite even their own collegue, let alone others...

Are there not other reasons why so many otherwise "intelligent" and relatively knowledgeable people fall into sins? I would suggest addiction or habits, peer pressure, alongside personal vulnerabilities etc. Imagine an ethical young man with above average intellect but who is lonely and feel out of place, odds are that this may leads him into things he would not have even thought about otherwise (eg, if happier or within his own environment etc). Of course, we have also the prophet praying against poverty and debts, as these corrupt ethics sometimes (or having children inciting parents to cut corners etc). Most surprising, and quite shocking, one can even find islamically learned men with at least an average "intelligence" indulging in some of the biggest sins as a matter of course (envying & backbiting, blaming whole communities selectively, inventing or exaggerating stories etc ); this is what I find the most abhorent of it all as I just can not see myself backbiting or resenting others's blessings to any similar extent (I actually even add "I think" or "it seems" to my harmless sentences on purpose, just to point out that I can not have the full facts or be totally certain). In those latter cases, greater intellect and understanding may have helped just as much as more coherent and comprehensive ethical intelligence (both very crucial); even kids could indeed internalise to talk exclusively about what one could be certain of and possess the full facts, while always wishing the best for eveyone, including those richer, happier etc than you...

Stoic, it was no fun for us to be driven to our local nursery at around age 2 since mum was working but it was, very fortunately, for around half a day and did not last long; as a kid, I also resented hooyo doing overtime/night on calls at our hospital while some of the nanny's actions would have landed her in serious trouble here etc (seems I had a hard time to tell ohers about all that or thought it was "normal", unimportant etc). It's funny also you choose 4 because that is how many boys we were. Without both pressing need and family support, a working mum may not be ideal for kids (let alone when ayeeyo, habo etc are not available or all "locally" based)...

The irony is that the UK is supposed to be a much easier place for bright students than say France where even top grades on the Baccalaureat Scientifique with Maths option guarantee little more than a place for the 2 years preparation of top schools, accessible only through fierce competition (that Baccalaureat will look like a relaxation period). Now A levels whereas students pick few subjects and are merely expected to choose two sciences for instance if applying to medical school is almost a walk in the park (which motivated or middle-class pupil can't really get As on biology or chemistry?) . Not to mention all the resources available in developed countries... These talks of "achievement" thus always strikes me as a bit naive and ignorant as people have lost a sense of comparison between international standards, examinations and the breadth/depth of curriculums (I have heard that even the top French school exams and preparations are "easy" compared to some Indian schools)... PS: it is of course an achievement if a refugee from illiterate or unsupportive background face challenges to get a few As, but in such particular case only.