asc all, so jabuuti is agitated post-elections but hargeysa is ok; seems nuune is en route; stress kills so need to learn to enjoy and relax better, change of settings/people . Have you guys noticed that not-so-smart or ethically illiterate people are too often unable to let aside preconceptions and focus on facts or logic to reach a solution? It is exactely as you were talking chinese or an exercise in futility it seems...

Nobody or few really believe in communism or full collectivisation; however, dirigism or planning and strong regulations, key strategic industries nationalised or largely state-owned and pervasive social protection as well as spending is what explains largely why Sweden lead in many way including innovation, resisting better the downturn or France has such well educated citizenry with world leading productivity, healthcare or infrastructure (trams, high speed trains etc). This has been proven to prevent chaotic transports or hospitals, out of control inequalities and crime, ubiquitous corporate malpractice etc and protect small farmers and traders (or labor intensive industries). State owned land and denying tenure to intensive, polluting farming may makes full sense too (more sustainable, equitable and productive to distribute it to small tenants, not like soviet sovkhozes). Even USSR witnessed stellar growth in heavy industries despite failure to incentivise, particularly the farmers (and I'm certainely not fond of those models). Focusing on equality & human capital, state owning key industries and planning economic priorities (heavy industries rather than consumer items) can thus be more efficient for a stronger, just society and done in different fashions (Cuba has world leading education, healthcare, scientific achievements...all for much less resources and a long embargo yet with relatively little environmental footprint). PS: all that will not prevent stress or suicide, actually satisfying basic needs leads to other problems; hence, the spiritual side is even more crucial (thus those socialists are not muslims models despite the achievements).

A catholic metis from modest background, anti-racism and inequalities (oppressed ones are largely black, metis or natives in South America) were his slogans and he brought controversial yet huge change to the masses despite all the obstructions with US complicity as per usual; now, the inequalities and racial divide are still extraordinary high in much of that resources rich continent and the reactionaries or supremacists will no doubt celebrate... Venezuela as a leading oil exporter etc was central to Latin America- Africa cooperation too (another summit just ended in Malabo); despite noted response to Somalia famine by its socialist militants, its global alliances were unholy at times though (support to Syria/Iran axis). A huge blow now for the left and possible game changer in Latin America (not to mention the local poor masses and minorities that finally profited from some of their vast natural resources); big subsidies to Cuba may dry up too (where thousands of poorer countries students are studying medicine there, countless experts sent to Africa etc). PS Pan Latin TV Telesur (Caracas is major shareholder) is airing his realisations: Telesur en vivo. "El mundo lamente la muerta del Chavez". Chavez es no solamente Venezolano, no solamente Latinoamericano...lucha...pueblo..capitalismo (audio) Comrade Raul Castro voy a ser triste, una terrible vez para su mejor amigo?

she's just elderly hence vulnerable, nothing to do with politics...

Is it not happening already? trying not to keep up after few sleepless nights...the gulf is often huge between the have and the have not so I can understand the resentment, it's just that I don't want ayeeyo caught up in this so-called liberation...

Nuune, it may be sidr (jujuba) honey, its expensive (around 200 against $50 for the usual honey in Yemen); it's harder to find reliable supplies among somalis (easier in Ethiopia) but an established lucrative industry in Yemen. I'll buy few kilos if you find some, but with lil discount . ps: Somalia is the ideal, year round, bees-killer chemical free place for honey; it's potentially worth billions, straight into peasants hands rather than corporates or elites: A Market Analysis for Honey Production in Somalia. Hassan Duude from Somali Economic Forum said Dubai authorities were organising soon an investment/partnerships forum for Somalis (besides the Nairobi one in June etc) but the intensification/modern beekeeping has been disastrous elsewhere after a while (plus, the honey is imperfect).

ibti, someone I trust liked it on FB, so did I, nothing more; hope things are getting slowly better from the state/civil society side too: corruption, basic services, terrible traffic/mini roads etc... A-B, that is a sweeping one bro, besides locals seem now more "reer magaal" with all those expats, stories, parties videos etc...a case of "laga baray laga badi"? ...while we may be assimilated to Al Qaeda these days for requesting change

wcs Ibtisam, yeah its great to be there, hope change is coming slowly, heard about the BR thing businesswise too, it can help local traders...

lol the smaller the spanner yeah, being naturally kind/considering public interest is seen as weakness and ethics as foolishness...the reason why things are as they are. mind you, they called us "yaakhii" during summer breaks from jabuuti back in the 90s , but somalis everywhere think alike though...

my bad sxb, just meant the locals ruthlessness, yacni somali mentality that sabotage good initiatives...

Quite varied sxb, hope election dispute ends by then in Jabuuti...brother Alpha is misunderstood, he's talented but got disillusioned by the "ku qabso ku qadi meysid'. and nuune, get some authentic raw honey sxb if you can, it sells well too ($15-30 a kilo)...got yet another qanjidho inflammation and barely slept, some get a kick out of it so its wiser not to tell all your sufferings to everyone

lol Malika, not really, seems all somalis are politicians, helping or supporting one party or camp...

asc Maaddeey, delayed indeed but watching things, hope it again settles down real quick... long seen Djibouti24 with suspicion despite its popularity, it rumored that hooyo was paid $40 000 from the national cash cow Djib Telecom while the youngest one was to get a job there in return for a repentance speech at the ruling coalition campaign meeting, but PM Dileita insisted to the communication minister that there was no place for "traitors" etc. The more prosaic truth is that she turned down all the 1st lady indirect pressures, just accepting to keep silent after clan traders, relations etc pressurised ayeeyo, so they needed some stories to be concocted. Now, they seem defending the 1st lady against "ingrat" Amin Amir helped to sell well his art... This may confirm our doubts about the stolen voip equipment during the Model (sheikhs but professionals etc too) group formation. Norf, I try intense 3-5 rounds of max intensity training (eg, speed running of 1 min); seems like this is equal in many ways to a long exercise (I mix both)...

No, it's my quick summary albeit this "revolution" mostly in the official langages arabic/french is a bit obscure; maybe I should claim to be writer/analyst etc too

Finances is not an issue as far as equality and sustainability are the goals and besides post-conflict growths are usually high, so is the regional growth (5-10% is thus very realistic if we get stability) ; the expected domestic revenues are thus amply sufficient for basic services much of it locally managed; here are potential revenues sources (as well as measures preventing hoarding and speculation): Public or state land ownership; residential land tenure rationed, speculation criminalised, smallholders only entitled to rent land for farming (no ecologically destructive intensive large scale farming or massive tracts of land owned by a firm) National ownership of strategic industries: utilities, rail, etc; alternatively, partial nationalisation to be considered Taxation for a dirigist or planned industrial policy: exemptions for critical services and industries; non priorities sectors investments to be discouraged (labor intensive processes and small scale traders to be protected) Taxation to be gradually raised from 15 to 30% of output over the medium term; Licensing for industries such as Telecom (it was said modest Telecoms taxation alone could raise $500 millions, not to mention the now booming livestock exports etc). Extra taxation on non-essential items and even more for higher classes consumption (non essential are classified as "luxuries" for taxes purposes in Djibouti); special taxes on junk food, polluting items Infrastructure repair and upgrade to cost roughly $3 billions over a decade if based on African average, superficy etc, already underway to some extent and could be modular as per financing (port leasing as Djibouti-Dubai or now under discussion Dubai-Berbera, PPP and other forms of private sector involvements are options). Re-building, ongoing too, and social housing for the most vulnerable may double that amount. Total public spending raised from app. $50 to $500 per capita, through successive stages over the medium term; modest targets which make most sense if almost all state expenditure is redirected towards services for the masses and administrative costs minimised, while efficiency is maximised. Those are my basic overall hopes anyway as an humble layman not expert; we are indeed already witnessing significant advances in Somaliland, Puntland etc in both revenues or services areas. Our experts like dear brother Thierry will hopefully one day manage our resources at the national level witout sacrificing equality or our ecology (most efficient nations try it through strong state involvement and regulations in the economy, so should we).

french diplomacy appeal for vote counts details and sheikhs release; very late and slow world attention; clearly, no more tolerance for enduring mismanagement and silencing by the public now more sophisticated (joined by the diaspora: writer, artists etc). All that is great over the long term but incertitude meanwhile as to whether a compromise will be reached; sheer force use is risky so the gvt rely on propaganda and seduction too (inviting Imam Sudeysi; funny scenes on rtd). Exciting but anxious times.

By then, Xamar may call you; it will be easier to harass you once in a while too Hotels etc are full in JB but few places reasonable at around $40-50; studios etc make sense for longer stays; still ongoing demonstrations etc though (major medias are self-censuring the situation despite the country strategic value). I'm torn between the "liberation" appeal and the risks for our mini businesses

Nuune thanks, one of the best threads; focus on construction or investments rather than equality has risks, both sectors are booming unprecedently in Djibouti yet as shown by today historical elections cooked results, people are extraordinarily dissatisfied. As pointed out by Norf, needs or basic human needs along equality must be the priority and raison d etre of the government. I believe, in my humble opinion, that healthcare and prevention (which entails litteracy, nutrition, sanitation and urban planning) allied to equality (both are in fact indissociable as shown by countless studies or reports) are what really matters: general or population well-being depends on it after spiritual needs or public morality. In purely economic terms, and most succesful economies such as S. Korea were diriged by engineers or technicians going against economic recommendations, or much could be achieved with minimal spending, eg WHO level of minimal primary healthcare expenditure of $20 per capita. The economy is thus dedicated to human needs and equality rather than a goal in itself where GDP, investments and other figures are worshipped (exports and manufacturing can often be detrimental to population level well-being in many ways as shown by medical studies). For tentative and flexible targets by 2025 (flexibility is key; even clinicians must do much with limited resources): Health, prevention & well-being: Sanitation and basic litteracy are prioritised as simple nutritional guidance or hands washing save most lives at birth and beyond with no cost a ratio of a clinician and 5 healthcare workers for 10000 locals, the latter including "community nurses" required to visit each home at least once annually (task shifting allow fully trained nurses to do 80% of routine doctors workload as some specialised procedures are taught to less qualified colleagues). an Anti car attitude in urban planning that prioritise pedestrian spaces and walking, parks and trees (which are the essence of international best practice: Curitiba, Brazil, a city for people, not for cars); Parks and trees are essentials for crime reduction, absorbing pollution, mental well-being etc (stress is often too the number one killer and health problem). Nutritive staples such as beans free of charge to at least expecting mothers and infants (maternal malnutrition even before pregnancy has remarkable effects on child overall life prospects; so do stress); rations targeted towards the disadvantaged and managed very locally (Imams and other leaders enlisted in distributions; mosques to relay messages etc) international best practices to be studied and proactive mentality to be adopted; eg Cuban world leading health indicators, equality and scientific achievements under minimal resources, Cuba urban farming again internationally acclaimed, Rwanda successes in reducing the growing worldwide plague of traffic accidents in particular etc Equality and Economic opportunities: Dirigism and planning: an independent body, chaired by reputable figures, ensure the economy is at the service of rather than against the interests of the masses. Basic needs and key industries to be prioritised: appropriate technology in vital sectors such as small-scale irrigation or mini fishing vessels, large scale low cost housing or its intakes etc (appropriate technology means designing for simplicity, for local manufacture and maintainance to avoid endless ephemeral projects dependent on external factors: ApproTEC human-powered irrigation pump) Economy run by engineers, technicians, public health specialists and activists or intellectuals (S. Korea is a stellar example of fastest technological and output growth against economic experts and orthodoxy albeit not a model of efficiency as Cuba record on healthcare, education, sustainability and equality). Economic self-reliance is key for national sovereignity and prioritisation of well-being & equality. Industries to be protected and internal markets to be prioritised, especially for agriculture and basic needs. Public spending from $100 to $500 per capita, achievable through successive stages over the medium term, are more than necessary if wisely managed. Public-Private Partnerships schemes or external financing reserved for major infrastructure financing (those aternatives need to be limited to non-recurrent, massive, non vital infrastructure costs so to avoid dependence or basic human needs reliance on private or foreign sources). Opportunities for all to be prioritised with educational focus on vocational training, labor intensive processes and industries; small scale farming using permaculture or urban garden schemes or small scale trading to be protected against large scale land tenure and firms to achieve livelihoods for all and prevent inequalities or environmental unsustainablity. Economy firmly subordinated to empowering the masses, popular well-being and equality rather than corruption prone pure worship of growth, GDP and other figures often disastrous in human and environmental terms. Popular well-being more generally (which includes urban planning) or public health (well beyond healthcare services) are indeed both closely linked to equality, hence the avoidance of divisions into artificial compartiments: economics, urban traffic or parks, prevention and care etc when a focused vision on the human factor or equality takes care of the rest at minimal cost in terms of environment, mental & physical fitness and crime.

wcs, guten mortag dear secessionists and non secessionists (funny word). Historic elections are drawing to an end, the campaign paid off for our youngest one as he just get his job on wed with the local big bank as one of the "incentives" to silence the family back home; talk of the town was about clan traders, envoys etc pressurising ayeeyo etc to convince them to switch and make mea culpa. As my younger cousin put it, auntie came pleading with hooyo "ma rabo in la idhaahdo waxaa mara gurigayga carrefour" or don't wanna my house to be declared a roundabout (using the intersection excuse for bulldozing it) Thus is the logic in Africa

Was it for Qardho "genocide"? Imagine the Jabuuti "genocide" as some call it, with a dozen or so victims...

Baashi, this is what I had in mind too and this issue is irrelevant not only because it's largely rethorical (any easing if any will be monitored)but also because credible policing, justice and above all interclans trust are the real issues rather than more armored cars or artillery when discipline is still at such an embryonic stage (it's still good for the government to have it lifted on paper but with monitoring). At the stage when artillery or tanks are really needed and Djiboutian or Ugandese ones gone (many trucks etc donated to them for their role), many states from Algeria to S. Korea will be glad to send it free, either new or slightly obsolete; mastering armored cars is very quick but justice, soldiers or police discipline and accountability for shipments, most crucially clans balance and trust is so much more of and the real challenges.

Apophis, ethical intelligence and overall intelligence, multitalendness or intensity go hand in hand in general terms; gifted or multi-talented people seem less petty minded and more motivated by ideals or greater purposes more generally and relatively (religioud reformers, US founding fathers, revolutionaries, intellectuals or writers etc). On another note, the sheikhs sponsored opposition is frightening Guelleh party; they are now even harassing the family back home with offers again, work and related complaints; the just arrived youngest one may quickly get a job.

Alpha Blondy;918345 wrote: Abu, story of my life. welcome to the club of self-pitting. i've gone into self-imposed solitude. i suggest you do the same. More solitude than family calls, few full friends and occasional socialising with mostly older or decent acquaintances is stunting emotional growth/social learning sxb; avoiding constant mindless interaction is a must and advised against though. Alpha, the reason I'm no longer full blown idealist is the realisation that suffering and humbling are a must precisely for better ethics or civility. It's counter-intuitive but you'd rather wish for that in order to get better or more moral humans.

Apophis;918339 wrote: Maybe you expect too much of people. Pettiness, envy or lies are all part of human nature and we must embrace it and be aware of its place within man. It's not cynicism to have such a realistic view of people. Maybe I can't fully admit to myself that such evil is indeed "natural"; the end result is detrimental to all, undermining collective good will. Seems it may be linked to overall intelligence and there is an inherited component to it, besides environment, for "baseline" ethical intelligence (as with mood or happiness).

asc all, life is so ironic and pple can be most evil just to ask you favors later; yet, it has always been so basic and in all religions to treat others as you'd wish to be treated. Pettiness, envy or lies etc, basic ethics are often too much expectations and nothing is harder than to still behave well. There are still some friends for whom I got unconditional loyalty and love alhamdulilah or cynicism would be all pervasive...