This is almost 2 years old agreement and now backed by Turkey, US sanctions on Sudan that prevented this works lifted is now ready for action. Somaliland need to move fast before Sudan takes away the 20 percent of Ethiopian business as allowed by Djibouti. Suakin and PortSudan and the free trade zone is close, convenient for Northern Amhara, Western Tigray and all Benshangul.

Sudan, Qatar to sign $4 billion deal to develop Suakin seaport March 2, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan and Qatar on Monday will sign a partnership agreement worth 4.0 billion dollars to develop and manage Suakin Port in eastern Sudan on the Red Sea. Sudan has been deprived of foreign investment in its Red Sea ports and terminals due to the economic sanctions on the country while many state and private funds for strategic and commercial reasons invested huge amounts of money in the profitable marine terminal management in different countries in the region. The deal was announced by the Sudanese Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges Makkawi Mohamed Awad in a joint press conference held in Port Sudan with the Qatari Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti. "Qatar and Sudan have agreed on a new joint partnership for full rehabilitation and management of the port of Suakin as that the signing ceremony will be in Khartoum tomorrow," Awad told reporters. He further said that the project will be completed by 2020 and will cost four billion dollars, of which 500 million dollars will cover the first phase. Qatar will fund the project but Sudan will hold 51% of its shares while Qatar will get 49%. He disclosed that the deal has been reached after four meetings held in Doha and Khartoum to discuss plans to modernize the seaport and to make it one of the strategic facilities in the country. The project includes a free zone and besides the seaport infrastructure. The minister didn’t say the term of the agreement but generally such concessions awarded for a period between 20 and 50 years. However, in some countries freehold deals are possible. Awad said his ministry plans to develop the infrastructure of Sudanese seaports to keep pace with the development of maritime transport industry, adding they will work with international companies specialized in the seaports management. In similar deals with foreign countries or private companies, the parties establish a separation of port authority from the port operator. The latter focuses on profitable commercial services while the former works on policy and regulations. The visiting Qatari minister who arrived from Doha directly to Port Sudan met on Sunday evening with the Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir in Khartoum. After the meeting, Al-Sultaiti said he discussed the project with al-Bashir and confirmed the signing of the deal on Monday. Last December, Sudan and Turkey agreed to develop joint tourism projects in Suakin which was an important port in the Red Sea during the Turkish rule. Also, Angara said it would restore the historical sites of the port.

Eritrea continues to provides support to Darfur armed groups: former rebel March 25, 2018 (KHARTOUM) - A former rebel official who is now part of the Sudanese government accused Eritrea of continuing to support two armed groups from Darfur region: Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW). Map of the secretive Red Sea nation, bordering Sudan and Ethiopia, (Map HRW) Mohamed Abdallah Herio the political secretary of JEM-Dabajo, a former rebel faction signatory of a peace agreement with the government, told the semi-official SMC that JEM of Gibril Ibrahim has a military camp in Eritrea led Abdallah Ogas who is Ibrahim’s nephew, adding that the SLM-AW has also a similar camp. He further said that Asmara provided Eritrean passports to the two factions. Following their rejection of Abuja peace agreement in May 2006, JEM and SLM-AW leaders were hosted by the Eritrean government. JEM formed an alliance with other factions called the National Redemption Front and established a training camp in Eritrea. The SLM-AW refused to join the coalition of Darfur groups but established its own camp in Eritrea. Since that time rebel elements have remained in Eritrea even after the normalisation of bilateral relations between the two governments. Also, Asmara proposed to mediate between them and Khartoum but, the latter rejected the offer. The former rebel official urged Eritrea to stop supporting and harbouring Sudanese rebel movements and to observe the principles of good neighbourliness in international law. The publication of the report comes amid strained relations between the two capitals which trade accusations of support to armed groups from both sides. On Friday, Eritrean information ministry accused Sudan and Qatar of backing an opposition group led by a radical Islamist called Mohammed Jumma. The statement further said that Qatar provided Sudan with three Mig fighters and funds a joint Sudanese Ethiopian force deployed along the border. (ST)

That fast or did the SFG timed the grevance vs. UAE base just with this. They (UN) repeated the part about draught, but should have added few more points for members like USA and Canada. The forecast does not look good, although not terrible, but still the IDP numbers are higher than reported.

It was more hot on the internet than on the ground. Had no impact on the Capital for example, a Capital that is inside Oromo country. The image on the internet looked like end of life for Ethiopia, but had limited effect on rest of country. The Oromo did not even attract support from immediate neighbours. Your immediate neighbours have to at least trust you, respect you to accept you. If you thought killing some poor citizens of other Ethnic or burning shops and vehicles will bring everything under Oromo control, you are mistaken.

Some countries are the way they are formed. Tigray did not form or rule this Ethiopia (1900s). It was formed by default. Menelik agreed with every european empire to take what they wanted. The left over that nobody wanted was Ethiopia. To give credit the Russian Empire had objected in the Berlin Conference (where Europeans devied Africa) no body to take Abyssinia. In 1991 would have been end of Ethiopia, but the system now was only way to keep it and that is what was done. If you are concerned about Ethnic its everywhere in the world. Even Scotish want separate after 300 years let alone Ethiopia poor backward, too much population and fairly new in its current setting just 130 years of war, famine, war...

lol Have been modified by galbeedi today and also promoted.

First time he may not make changes in cabinet not until after a year. He might give Foreign from Oromo to Amhara or South and defence to Afar if he makes changes in those two. Some Oromo have been accusing the foreign minister of being Tigray and the defence minister have been there like 13-14 years. He is Silte/Hareri which are accused by the Gurage and Amhara as being Tigray of South. Kilil will be ok primarily because its the kilil that has implemented the most autonomy. Your Ethiopian friends can tell you this: The image of the Somali has completely changed in Ethiopia. That image of the Nomad who is good at fighting killing and getting killed has disappeared. Ask them how highly regarded the ministers, deputy ministers and state minister Somalis are in Ethiopia. It all starts in the kilil schools clinics animal health for nomads..etc.

Thanks galbeedi that new ID will get me somewhere in Oromo governed Ethiopia. lol I have said congratulation to both you and Jawar. I am generous in that regard. You are right. Almost a third of them hard to know where they are coming from and where they want to go. Keep blaming everyone, but themselves, that is a sign of lacking solid foundation and confidence. Your allies in the Oromo are divided this time. They are the ones who established the kilil, the language even the writing system (copy of Somali), gathered every Oromo speaking and gave them an Identity and a foundation, but now I guess is time for power and the first group they threw out was yours. Ethiopia now will have less turbalence, the GERD will be completed (BTW 2 turbines are starting this year about 500MW. Egypt is failed and done. I don't want to congratulate you on that, I don't want to give heart problems to a brother. The next big problem will be America China. The Oromo guy maybe America leaning, that could be a problem, but no big deal as long as doesn't take any assignments against Djibouti everything else is tolerable. Thank you for the assignment. There is a lot of competition for that kind of job. BTW Tigray and Somali know each other more than you or I can imagine or know. There are a lot of Tigray that have positive image of Somali and vice-versa. No need to spend money to do that.

But some of it was either not true or exagerated by Jawar. Jawar hates this guy with a passion. Jawar wanted Lema, but Lema cannot be acceptable to the South, Somalis and Afar-Tigray. He tried to ease his way to the Amhara by talking about Ethiopianism being an addiction, but did not work for others. Abiy campaigned just like American election. You tube is full how smart he is, how educated he is, how brave he is in military, how he established a security agency ...you name it. Galbeedi was going with the wrong crowd. They might have been done by Tigray who appeared not liking the guy, but the overnight quick exchange done with Lema means they avoided Lema. The Tigray come as winning since they threw in an Oromo every Oromo has now started to say good things, they prevented the Oromo that was not accepable to their allies and the allies can tolerate an Oromo that is more amenable and less support, etc

As you may have realized, I was not against Somalia doing what is in her best interest and dignity including against Ethiopia if need be. What concerns me always is spending too much time and energy on this. Since there are a lot of Somalis from the republic knee deep with UAE, every time an SFG minister or official speaks about this issue, he/she is also deepening the split in SFG or parliament or regions. That is very risky to do and requires focused and limited time and effort.

maakihiri1, Not sure if this is not putting the cart before the horse, otherwise this should have been first step. Formally call Ethiopian and UAE ambassadors to explain and take message to their governments. Then based on their responses pass resolution in parliament and send it to both governments, Somaliland, all international and regional bodies and move on as fast as posssible.

So far: Somalilanders generally are not keen to this idea, they prefer to deal with their brethern across a border as autonomous, yet do not want to face a Somali in Addis Ababa where even their delegation cannot gossip or chat among themselves about an idea before they give it to the Xabeshi. Irridentists definitely not want this. Djibouti is ambigeous. Want to use their good relation with the Somali to pressure Ethiopia, on the other hand they also want to pressure their Brethern by Ethiopia, so Djibouti is OK either way. Puntland, HiirShabelle, Bay who ever is close to Ethiopia wants this to happen, since support for their regions will increase.

This was contentious issue in the 80s. Even within WSLF. The current governing party in the kilil the Somali Peoples Democratic Party was formed from 4 Somali parties and organizations including WSLF, SDL (Somali democratic league)..etc. In the 80s when EPRDF was started by TPLF and ANDM in northern Ethiopia, the Somalis were not sure whether will stay in Ethiopia or have to separate. Around 1988 the majority of Somali organizations including WSLF had decided that the Somali people will stay in Ethiopia under following conditions: Ethiopia should be federal The Somali people will be completely self governing EPRDF agreed to both conditions and actually championed for implementation. This was implemented to complete satisfaction of the Somali people. So most of Somali organizations did not see the need to be member of parties with other peoples. The Somali people can participate in the running of the country by Somalis joining ministries, aarmy, foreign service and all activities of federal government. So far this has worked fairly well for the autonomy of the Somali people, but there are times where it is necessary to be full member in political parties that have chance of governing the country. That is where the situation is right now.

lol The consolation for galbeedi is that at least the man is from Oromo. And he is not Tigray or Somali***. That should do for this round. The poor nomads that perished for this pointless and very crude and cruel game, hopefully will be a lesson to all and also the perpetrators brought to Justice. One of the big fish Oromo in that is already in Jail. He will need as much consulting from our galbeedi. *** A Somali cannot be chairman as of now, the Somali party is not member in EPRDF. At one point this was seen as good to keep the Somali fully unentangled in Ethiopia, but now this needs to be corrected in a hurry. The South, Majority Amhara and Tigray are in favour to Somali party joining EPRDF.

Not so sure about that. Maybe he is a kick in the stomach at least for one wing of the Oromo. One thing is for sure: He is not a kick in the stomach for Somali The Oromo government spokesperson who blamed the Somalis and brought the killing of Somalis inside Oromia region is in Jail. Jawar must be literally crying on facebook and Oromo media now. As is our galbeedi here galbeedi, take note. What the Oromo tried to do was intimidate the Somali and failing that split the Somali to rebel against Iley. They failed on both fronts. The Somali is as emboldened and Iley is as supported. Unless you were in full accord with that, even people as far north as Amhara saw that one for what it is. Taking human life for some cheap political competition is criminal and cruel. Somebody will pay the consequences and as facts are coming out will be your dear friends.

Its the same the other direction as well.

Not yet Prime minister, but congratulation. He has been elected Chairman of EPRDF

Abiy Ahmed of OPDO has been elected as chairman of EPRDF in Ethiopia, next PM galbeedi and Jawar congratulations lol

That is the key to everything. But to get to that key, you are being destructs with so many not so important issues. In the mean time the key is rusting in the desert heat and salt waters of Mugadishu. galbeedi, You gave up so fast on the Oromo and now moving to Sidama or Gurage. Your friends in the Oromo are misleading you again. The Gurage are quinessentially Xabeshi (Amhara side), so much so that they consider the Silte and Hareri as enemy. The hate by Gurage on the Silte was so much that the Silte went for their own province separate from Gurage and succeeded. Are you half Oromo? I have never seen or met a Somali, no matter how much "hate" he has for some governments countries or regions would deny fellow Somalis interest in favour of Oromo. In case you do not know, but I am sure you will never admit, ONLF was more and is still more of a fighter against Oromo's negative effects on the Somali. ONLF actually and always accuses the kilil government of being soft on Oromo.

Pentecostal in behaviour is as Wahabbi is to Islam. Pentecostal is also more of American so is new world order. Very militant even against Orthodox Christianity. They are militant against everything Orthodox, original and old (Be it Islam, Christianity). Pentecostal in Ethiopia expanded and became popular as a tool to fight the Xabeshi domination. It gathered momentum really fast. Now maybe about 15 million in the country. Eritrea's problem is fighting dirty war against its neighbors. In Djibouti they tried to use Afar, when the fact is that the Afar in Eritrea are the most mal treated and most opressed. Eritrea failed. Eritrea instead should have just competed against Djibouti by ports. Eritreas ports are completely useless now and failed. In Sudan Eritrea tried to ally with America and accuse Sudan of Islamic terrorism. That was wrong direction wrong principle and cruel lie. Ethiopia is close to America, but never ever tried to take advantage by throwing Sudan under the bus of "anti-terror" gravey train. It is not first time the Eritreans try to use Islam. They even forget that Moslems are the most in Eritrea. But forget that Eritreans should have followed their ancestor's way and not go with temporary politics.

Hareri yes have part. The Hareri are most influenced by Turkish even though the Ottomans were there in the city for only about 11 years. On the other hand the Turks relationship there can be said centuries. Zeila and Harer were always together and the times not together, were always very close. In the north the Turks always occupied one port or another. They win one loose the other with the Xabeshi. BTW except for the extracaricullar activities by some soldiers of Ahmed Gurey fighting between Turks/Ottoman and Xabeshi never had any religious conflict was purely territorial control and economic. Best example is that even after all the battles fought between them, there is not a single negative propaganda against Turks in Ethiopia and same among Turkish people as well.

Holac, I would say that the border between Kenya and Somalia is well defined at this time. The late president Barre signed an agreement with Kenya in the heat of Ethiopian counter offensive, trying to neutralize Kenya and trying to assure them that Somalia will not claim and has rescended her wish of Bringing all Somalis under one country. Current government of Somalia should not spend any energy on border issues now. If you do not consolidate the center you will be chaisn villages at the periphery till end of time. President Farmaajo can have a talk with President of Kenya, a friendly talk and reminder for the record, but move on. Bringing a village from Kenya will not get the Somali people one solid state that can support all villages all around. It might be simplistic, but that is how I see it.

Oodweyne, Dabrow, Why not look at the cold hard facts between Somalia and Kenya instead of looking at tribes, clans and residents or nationalists or in case of Oodweyne Ethnicist (caring about the Somali people dignity and success/failure regardless of country or region). Somalia has a right and an interest extremely important especially at this time, to have peace with Kenya. Somalia has responsibility to contribute her share to the peace of Kenya. The same goes for Kenya. Kenya has the right to peace with Somalia and has responsibility to contribute to the peace of Somalia. If one side will not or cannot guarantee the agreed and common interest of peace for both, the other side will do it all by his own. That is what happened. The Kenyans may have gone a bit too far the way they are trying to guarantee peace for their country, but on the other hand their right to have peace on the agreed border which was promised and agreed (late Barre). The kenyans trying to guarantee their own peace in their country by having good relations with locals of the border area should not be taken as undermining Somalia. After all its the people on both sides of the border who have more interest in peace and also pay the highest price when there is conflict between Somalia and Kenya. Oodweyne can write, contribute some money and talk about Kenya to high heaven from the principle that the Somali should be respected, but the man in the area has immediate life and death closeness to it. Unless Somalis start seeing issues from stand point of the interest of the Somalis directly affected by an issue first and then only seeing issues from the general Somli people interest, blaming Ghelleh for interfering in Mogadishu, blaming Xabeshi for everything under the sun, blaming Kenya for South and South West, and then condemning every Somali that tries to do something peaceful for his home province is not going to get anywhere. The accusations and blaming of the issue of who is close and at peace with Ethiopia is also same as this issue. Puntland, Bay and Bakool, Somaliland are seasonaly blamed for having peaceful working contacts with their immediate border from Ethiopia and Somalilands case with Federal Ethiopia, but nobody seems to care the fact that there is no option for Puntland or Bay other than peace and security with their neighbor the kilil, same goes for HiirShaballe and others. Its simple have good will to your neighbor and you will force your neighbor at least to be neutral if he is not having good will to you favourably. Wish and work for peace of your neighbor, your neighbor will do the same.

MMA, If your comment is on mine, I was just tripping Suldaanka. If your comment is on the news article, they are saying the state/the whole federal state not the school/city near Ethiopia.