http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/american-companies-propose-build-usd-2-bln-gas-refinery

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/prince-eagle-bear

I think is more of general bias, rather than being uninformed. When one is biased and made up his mind to see any foreign soldiers as enemy, its difficult to make them reason even with mountain of facts on the ground. " This year’s Ramadan has been peaceful in Hiiraan thanks to the joint operations, conducted by AMISOM and Somali National Army troops, which beefed up security during the holy month. Traders selling clothes in Beletweyne also hoped to boost sales ahead of Eid al-fitr. Nafiso Omar, a businesswoman also expressed delight with the preparations, saying she was looking forward celebrating the end of the holy month with friends and family. Her clothing business had done really well in this period, she said. “We have new fashion editions such as hanaan fashion, fanaan fashion and zebra fashion. I thank God and I am happy with these new editions as we warmly welcome Eid. The people have also prepared themselves well for the celebrations,” Nafiso enthused. Bile Geele Omar, a confectioner urged the residents to turn out in numbers and celebrate Eid-al-Fitr in peace and unity."

That campaign was more intra Ethiopian than Somali-Ethiopian. Zeila and Harer, the two main centers for the campaign were interconnected as bases of sultanate that governed both. There is some information that is patently false about that campaign: In Ethiopia it is labeled as religious campaign which is true, but to a very small degree, used to raise army, and not main objective. In Somalia its labaled as national interest to limit Ethiopia from making any attempts to rule Harer and Zeila, which it did. This is also partly true. And both sides do not talk about is the conflict between Turkey and Habeshi (North ethiopia). What motivated turkey to finance, arm and even participate with 500 soldiers of its own? When Turks captured some provinces through Sudan and Eritrea sea, did not do anything remotely anti-christian. Both sides used religion to raise armies when the stakes were high militarily. The basis and reason for the campaign was economic. Zeila was most important port then and Harer was a city state tied to it. Assab and Djibouti did not exist as more than some locals anchoring fishing boats. Harer and Abyssinia were competitors where one time the other is overlording provinces from each. Shiwa or Amhara was under control of the Adal at one point or another. All they did to each other was collect taxes. Turkey had a gold mine in Abyssinia where a local Shiek organized the villages around and expelled the turkish owners of the mine. The Turks were treating the workers/local farmers terribly.

That is debunked for decades now. Only Egyptian media uses it infrequently. An Ethiopian ex-minister who is now Ambassador to Germany said the following: " As far as religion goes, we lived in a country where being Muslim carried with it discrimination to an extent that it was shamed one to pray infront of his house or street side. Now not only is it free and accepted to do all those things, but the country celebrates EID with 21 gun salute, aircraft fly overs, street closures for celebrating public and stadium filled celebrations as national holiday. Its a complete change and for the better" That describes the Ethiopia today. But of course stereotypes die hard.

That is not enough for the Americans. They want China rolled back so many steps. Through some European governments and companies, they are pressuring Ethiopia and Djibouti to contract the running and management of the railroad. Privatise it is the cover story. Allowing them to stay for century is not enough for America in Djibouti. They want evrything of Chinese dismantled piece by piece or fast by regime change. For Somalia the best option is not to do anything threatening to anyone. The ports can be given to Turkey even on fake agreements that would not be implemented, that will accomplish what you are suggesting.

The Southern guy has better chance, but some years ago when he was governor of South Amharas were expelled from a district in the south for defoesting for farm. That may work against him. Abiy is confusing. Are the Tigray going against him just to make the Oromo look like winners if he is elected. The Amhara has one shortcoming, he was not a fighter against derg and joined late as well as he does not come from the power centers among the Amhara, you know the big subclans kind in Somali politics. Now the SOE is being accused of arresting officials and police chiefs in Oromo. And the government have put enough doubt that the Oromo government was co-operating or using the QERO to come to power. If the SOE destroys the QERO infrastructure then Abiy, Lema...are welcome to be PM. Most likely the Tigray and south would prefer the Amhara deputy since that will help in America at least appearance which is importnat and will also alley fears of kilils that have accused Oromo of wanting to come to power by chaos.

DP World's main part is a british company UAE bought few years ago for 7 billion. That out of the blue propelled them to no.4 in the world. Your suggestion is contradicory: One the one hand you realize that Dubai is the new London on the other hand you expect Farmaajo to openly fight this with bare hands. I don't think is a good idea. Gheulleh is exponentialy stronger than Farmaajo, and Gheulleh avoids being seen as fighting UAE or America. Gheulleh has actually invited some senators to visit Djibouti soon, just to muddy the waters.

The Amhara are resigned to the fact that the new structure is irreversible. The Amhara can only operate with mixed ethnic geographical provinces where they can pick and choose every province chiefs. The Oromo wanted to go it alone, fooled by number of population, but even a small population state can throw moneky wrench. Before they got anywhere, seems have put everybody else including Amhara on raised anntennae. The Amhara refused the invitation for revolution by Oromo, since the Amhara suspected that the Oromo were ready, but the Amhara had nothing ready to even bargain for a small piece of the result. Now its being spoken of and discussed in Ethiopian government media and opposition that the Amhara have lion's share of Government control and employees (up to 70% is number being mentioned). If Oromo language becomes federal half of these will be wiped out first 6 months. Would that make one think twice?

BTW Gabre and ONLF seem to have retired.

Corrected on what? Are you the minister of your own truth. I have been long enough on this world to see what you are trying to say. George Soros institute has done a lot of damage to many.

I think the main and only target for UAE is Djibouti. As long as Farmaajo does not make daily or weekly phone calls with Gheulleh and or travel to Djibouti will be OK.

Tillamook, You need to realize that when you are poor, backward technologically choices are made for you, you are nt in any position to choose. You only have the choice to limit the damage others chosing can do on you. All Ethiopia can do is stay as neutral as possible, but not neutral enugh when Djibouti would be threatened. Any big change in Djibouti has direct impact in Ethiopia and viceversa. The Oromo is more of Egypt than UAE or Saudi. The Amhara maybe more American and small degree Egypt as far as foreign support goes. I think UAE is trying to resolve the problem with Djibouti in Ethiopia/through Ethiopia. A compromise maybe in the works, but America is biggest problem. America wants Djibouti punished or thought a lesson. And the Ethiopians are caught in a catch 22 with their interest and leanings every player knows. Tillerson might have threatened Ethiopia as regards to Djibouti. They must have refused to do anything against Djibouti and that is why he still spoke publicly undiplomatically about the SOE.

Ethiopia is getting a lot of income from trips and hotels by the competing trips by Qatar and UAE including Oman, Saudi, Kwait.. No body knows what is going ON. Turkey and Ethiopia have solid friendship even on persnal levels; President of Ethiopia speaks Turkish, Chief of staff Turkey and Ethiopia are friends from long time, Turkey is big investor in Ethiopia. Sudan and Somalia being close friends to Turkey also adds to the situation.

This Arab league is a collection of servants of western powers under Egypt. Syria is suspended yet they were prepared to give full membership to Eritrea and Eritrea said NO. Will only have observer status. The Arabs asked Eritrea to take full membership just to benefit Egypt no other reason. The regime in Eritrea is Habeshi regime. Habeshi would not mind friendship with Arabs, but rather be found dead than be member in Arab gathering.

Zenawi always knew the Oromo has the idea that separation is the only way to overcome Habeshi domination. A lot has gone on the Oromo that menelik and tribe has done. Meles also knew if the Oromo is misdirected can do a lot of damage. Don't forget the soldiers of minelik was almost all Oromo, but Amharized ones. Mengistus was also the same. Zenawi wanted to point out to all that if the Oromo is used by anyone else can be unforgiving tool. But the Oromo will not tell you what Meles said in the opposite direction. A lot of people think that if Meles Zenawi was in power, he would have just sent the army and no problem. Actually that maybe the image he projected, but Meles is always against wars. Somali kilil is best example: He knew the people wanted complete and total autonomy no Oromo or Habeshi in their homes and life other than federal health, higher education, and other areas. He sat with elders and intellectuals and told them OK you do not want soldiers from anywhere, fine then clean your house, yurself manage yourself and I guarantee you ethiopian army will only use border areas and few bases needed for border areas. Even in border areas the army will help communities build schools, clinics, farming etc.. That agreement holds to this day and will continue. He did the same in Afar areas where they had an organization like ONLF. You do not hear about that conflict no more. Even with Eritrea he was outvoted and he said it in public that he had to observe party and government decision. First opportunity he stopped the war. He used to say: If you have 500 dollars and used it in war you loose the 500 dollars and the person who could have made you 500 dollars more. If you had used the 500 dollars on development no body will bother you because they know you can afford 500 dollars anytime.

Indeed. Can you imagine Somalia Ethiopia surviving the blockade of Qatar for a week? We would all have to sell even homes we live in let alone ports just to survive. UAE will not take any measures against Sudan, since their food production depends there. Kwait is the same. The Saudi are same for Ethiopia. Somalia should try this method of making relationships more interdependent. Turkey may have the will, but no money.

Thanks Dahireeto, I had an inkling but was not sure. Isn't it really sad most of politics among Somali has been reduced to foreigners being ahead of Somalis? Now even a nomad conflict for water well needs foreign sponsor. If there is not one will be created. It is never conflict among Somalis, its becoming so common that it is Somalis fighting for somebody. This kind of political culture can kill a nation more than bombs or guns. Especially when its fake and takes root. Remember that late A. Yusuf could not overcome the lie that he is just an Ethiopian stooge, even thugh the truth was those accusing him were really making deals with Ethiopia.

Yes, but the US has more than necessary capabiity to bring Ethiopia to the stone age. There are the Amhara who can give up easily if they will not get power in Ethiopia. It maybe surprising and hard to believe the Amhara negotiating with Egypt but is not the first time. In 1900s also menelik and Egypt were allies against Habeshi. Even Mengistu hailemariam has come back to youtube now stating the GERD is unnecessary.

Why is everyone from all corners piling up on Puntland? This is wrong approach to any problem existing around there.

when did the change happen? Unanounced. Or you are making SOL the first institution to announce this? lol

Two peoples who have yet to find leadership that will change location from curse to blessing, from problem to opportunity are the Yemeni and the Somali. Sometimes it makes one feel like the Egyptians might have chosen the best. Be obedient and live under anyone powerful. Speak as if you are a lion, but everyone knows you are somebody's pet. This time the Somali and Yemeni have no choice but to work in pieces and regions and focus on survival issues of food production, culture and language preservation and use what can be achieved in terms of modern development. If some accident of nature or man made like draught happens these two peoples have no capacity to withstand. Fighting 200 years for ones independence and identity is extremely high cost. No food production. America and Canada are strong not with Nuclear technlogy, but food production. If you cannot feed yourself, if you cannot educate yourself your children, if you cannot help yourself with common desease or maladies, all bravery in wars will come to naught.

I know one idea you are totally opposed, but still Mogadishu has killed more than a few best opportunities of restoring Somalia. I say move to Bay or Hiiran or somewhere. Make Mogadishu federal city. You are aware how problem of Addis Ababa and Dirdawa was handled. Those two cities would have brought down any government, but are still orderly. As regards to Americans in Ethiopia: As you are well aware the state department has never been friends with this government. Amhara are first and only choice of state department. Amhara have a lot of lobby power in America. Their problem is the white house prefers to go with pentagon and Amhara can lobby congress, but Ethiopia is very strong in the senate. Generally speaking Amhara have the edge with America as always. The problem is the Amhara do not have much on the ground. Even the kilil is shaky since if they push on hate on Tigre the other ethnics in Amahara kilil will not go along. As a matter of fact the villages around Gonder will not go along. For Tigray one thing are not interested in Prime minister or president. This everyone agrees. They are also under tremendeous pressure from Afar and Somalis that the federal system should not be modified or changed in any way shape or form. No compromise on this to benefit Amhara or Oromo. The Amhara want to dismantle kilils and make provinces. The Oromo wants to keep their kilil but want to impose their language so they can displace the Amhara who hold 70% of government positions. As you know, in politics no body speaks of the meat of the issue, therefore no one speaks of the real issues one is fighting for. Misdirection is best tool. So everybody "hates" Weyannie but for different reasons and sometimes contradictory reasons. This cry is for more than a goat applies here. There are tribes even the great power America cannot buy, it can only fight them and when America is not interested in fighting them will wait for another day. Djibouti is working on survival issues like food, water, electricity. I think you are aware and informed of what has been done so far. Its big achievement. The Chinese have been very helpful in this and America is also helpful, but has no money, therefore is turning to being unhelpful and obstructionist. The French should have been most helpful, but cannot do anything America does not want. The Japanese also are under America, but want to do same method as Chinese. That is their method. I hope you are aware there is people to people relationship for Japanese with Ethiopians. In 1937 there was a Japanese association of 100,000 memebrs that sent guns and other war materials to Ethiopian patriots against Italy. This was before the Japanese Emperor decided to side with Germany Italy. From this comes the Japanese schools in Adwa and other development activities. There are schools that teach Japanese language.

galbeedi, I agree with you that all Somali territories from Djibouti to Kenya are in play just like 1900s. As minelik was in the thick of it from hinterland Ethiopia is also in the thick of it from the Hinterland. The Somali people is in the same condition as the sultanates and boqor were in 1900s. What did yu expect Farmaajo to do. The chinese will not put a single of their soldier on the ground, but going with them on "silk road" belt and road can get you killed immediately. That is what is happening. Djibouti and Ethiopia are in the cross hairs for choosing the road and belt. You may have ideals and long term views, but if you get killed immediately, you cannot implement them. If you do not implement them, regardless how lofty your ideals are, will not amount to anything. For Farmaajo Mogadishu is the key. If he cannot solve Mogadishu the chance he has of restoring central/federal goverment will end up same way as others before him.

Oodweyne, It doesn't look good on you this part. Military strategist and propagandist. BTW don't count your eggs before they are hatched. I would not expect or want for Puntland to fight at this time for this or that village either. If there is a fight must be in an unavoidable case, not something done by choice. If unacoidable then we will see what happens. Puntlands main focus is now the direction of Somalia and Puntlands place in it. A village here a village there may look like Puntland is weak, for the uninitiated, but it can take Puntland off truck. Would it be fair if someone accused you of being in secret agreement with those that want Puntland to disappear as one of the centres of power in Somalia, or even extreme case Shabab and ICU? Are you looking at it from military stand point only? Why do you want to attack at this time?