Somalis from other parts should take advantage too. As I understood it looks like there are associations and these guys are like federation. But it can be quite useful. The Ethiopians have better access to South African government than many other countries.

Somali Diaspora Co-ordinating committee memebers Some pictures from the conference

Much better solution. Most of us are trully influenced by war, to a degree we don't even feel it. So its not surprising that some pointed to things that could lead to fighting.

Absolutely. None of us should wish war to happen to them as we hate war on ourselves. Some hard to believe information: 1. Israel offered its "good" offices for negotiation on the Nile 2. Some one dug up a video of Isayas talking about Egypt during the time Eritrea was fighting against Yemen about Hanish islands and is totally devastating info, its on youtube now and I am told absolutely devastating scandal. It says clearly unambigously that Egypt is in the wrong and selfish. Remember the King of Afar-Tigray/Ethiopia that defeated Egypt repeatedly is Isayas's great great uncle. 3. The Egyptians have come to realize that Sudan has changed completely since the separation. Darfur will not be so useful as the Egyptians thought 4. America is trying to repair its relations with Sudan But forget all that, the most important thing remains the Ethiopians have the capacity to divert the Nile using hand tools and farmers in so many places. The British empire knew this and 20 places were identified, then Egypt has to come and physically colonize Ehiopia which is an impossible task for Egypt.

This man is a survivor. Not only kenya is at his service, but he also beat the competition to Ethiopia. I think Ethiopia may be a better country for SFG to deal with him than Kenya. Either compromise and make him important minister in SFG. Fighting him is absolutely wrong time and place.

It may be a good Idea for the SFG to organize a tripartite border commission that involves Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The Ethiopians are in better condition to convince the Kenyans that its only the Somali that can help them to secure their country from terrorism. Terrosim can move to Mombassa and other areas. Wall will not help with anything. Wall is only good for countries that have a lot technology. Wall without highly advanced and expensive twchnology is useless waste of money. Kenya should think just like like Ethiopia: The Ethiopian Somali is the only guarantee of the border. If the Somali considers Ethiopia his country and wants its peace and prosperity it will happen, otherwise there is no force on earth even America that can keep that border safe. Maybe Kenya has some corrupt minister that wants to make a killing from the wall.

1. to store the water in Ethiopia where its cold climate and release in seasonal way as needed in Egypt and Sudan. This option would reduce evaporation by 1/3 Sudan Ethiopia Egypt in that order Egypt is not sure if there are conflicts wants international involvement 2. Build Canal and use it as highway, if not the whole way, but where most evaporation happens. This option can reduce by more than 80% Sudan Ethiopia Egypt favour this in that order. Egypt did not want to spend money, sudan is most enthusiastic of this. 3. Egypt to have deep storage instead of like Aswan which is water exposed to evaporation over a flat large wide land, intead dig deeper and over small width can save the evaporation that currently happens at Aswan. Both Sudan and Ethiopia has proposed to Egypt. Some Arab countries are also interested in this as long as they can use for farming the water saved.

I will link/copy the conference and estabilishment and leadership election of the Somali's organization Diaspora in South Africa. Some of you may not know that Ethiopia has historical and current good relations with South Africa. Nelson Mandela was trained in Ethiopia and a number of ANC as well. ANC and EPRDF are also sister parties and good relations including among individuals. Hopefully the Ethiopian Embassy can be one more tool to help with situation of Somalis in South Africa.

"Local government is better than good government" Abraham Lincoln galbeedi, If something happens at a stage in history, there will be part of a community that defends it, wants to restore it. All the Somali sultanates and Boqor that were rudly interrupted by Europeans, have still significant number of Somalis that want to restore that structure and continue with it. Some Somalis also think that, it was only clan institutions, that is old and backward etc, forgetting that the American states are English, Scotish, German, Dutch clans. Canada also maybe not different. The dreamers act in America which will end up benefitting latin americans, maybe also few Somali was passed specifically for Irish. The Somali is not different than any other peoples around the world. Has family, relatives, village/town, province, sultanate..and then country. Country is something new. Canada is 150 years old most of it as Dominion, so is Australia. Family feud is more intense than feud with neighbor or friend. Feud among Somalis is much stronger and intense than feud with Afar or Oromo. Feud of Germans, French and English is far stronger than French with Spanish or English with Italians.

I would never say that of any people that have fallen under hard times, let alone of the Palestinians. All I criticize the Palestinians is: Egypt is their number one enemy more than Israel. The Palestinians have to ensure there is a government in Egypt and Jordan that is favourable to them. Its Arab countries that have created a palestinan organization each one of their own and compete. Egypt closes and opens the Gaza by agreement with Israel.

Good idea. Good source place of influence. Ethiopia and Uganda use IGAD a lot and the Americans use it more than the AU itself.

IMHO Faroole should just pack his bags really well to withstand Mogadishu, head there and see what he can contribute or do in the national scene. Puntland politics seems difficult for him to get a handle of. If somene is convinced of a project, people expect him to have respect for the idea/project.

Thank you. Very informative and educational as well. Even when I read it from always being suspicious of the British, it still shows the whole history and gives a picture of the Darwiish.

I agree the Darawiish value in nationalism, bravery, even their military tactics and lasting as long as they did against the most capable of all empires. If it was Ottomans, French, Italians, Belgians, Portugeuese etc would have given up. If it wasn't British encouragement, supply and support King menelik had given up. The Sayid himself in person came to Arussi which is close to Addis Ababa and returned to Somali areas unharrassed.

I looked at a number of google earth and maps, but could not see any wall/line since the google pictures are not old. Suldaanka, Is this issue urgently serious and theatening?

galbeedi, I read the complete report which I think was maakhiri1 that posted a link from the British Gazette. Crrect me if I am wrong, but I only learned two things: 1. The Somali is a brave fighter no matter which side or organziation he is 2. The Darawiish was its own worst enemy Such movements are always not celebrated by whole country. The Weyannie is for example most hated by Amhara, but most celebrated by Afar, Tigray and Agew and tolerated or admired by most in Ethiopia except Amahara and allies. It was a movement against King Haileslassie in 1942. The British had to put it down by 8,000 their army on ground and planes not being enough from Asmara, they had to bring from yemen. The British used the same fireball bombs they later used in Germany like Dresden. The Darawiish are celebrated by some, tolerated by others and to some degree disliked by some. Such movements as heroic as they are are not so good of an instrument of unity or appeal. That is probably why you do not see Somali politicians tripping each other to galavanize people using Darawiish.

There is a saying "One who thinks he knows a pet more than his owner". Egyptian leaders know that their media has been writing false information. The Ethiopians have been more truthful, that there will not be agricultural projects around this dam. Its pure hydro electric dam. The filling is easy to agree upon. Sudan has offered to take all her share in the rainy 2 months, flooding season. That alone will fill the dam in 4 years. If Egypt offers half that then the dam can be filled in 2.5 years. Egypt is saying 5 years, since that will have no effect what so ever. But is not fair to Ethiopia that all its investment would not have any return for 4 years. Compromise can be found easily, but the false propaganda in Egypt that went on for so many years is the problem.

For those who wished to have war, or expected war, lets ask Eritrea. The Eritreans are saying its impossible for Egypt, unless she wants to commit suicide to attack militarily at this time. The Only thing Egypt is capable to do and should do is ceate, encourage, support internal strife in Ethiopia. And even that would not achieve the desired result at this time. There is no reliable partner for Egypt. The Eritrans after 15 years of supporting Ethiopian opposition have given up. ONLF was most reliable and the Eritreans were confident of is too far, not enough support in Somalia and cannot make reliable alliance with Amhara or Oromo. The Afar, Tigray, Agew would have been "natural" allies for ONLF, but these peoples don't have solid opposition organization to Ethiopia and will stay that way for some time to come. Egypt relation to Eritrea also propaganda aside is at its worst. Inside the Saudi camp UAE is challenging Saudi command. No matter how much propaganda there is from Ethiopia, Sudan and partly Somalia about Eritrea, Eritrea is not far from Israel. The Egyptians know this very well. Even when Isayas needs medical attention, goes to Israel. Basically the Tigray must have great support in the information and intelligence from Israel. The Dam itself was started when troubles started in Egypt, a coincidence, I don't think so.

Even though the news is not out of this world kind and everyone that is capable uses it, the source is suspect. Regarding night time data transfer it is normal everywhere. Backup to another location is done at that time, backup to cloud storage is done at that time. Each country has its backup and updates done as well. The French have fallen so low, American water boy always inventng stories from Libya to Syria and Africa. The source never even mentions the British or Americans what they do in OAU or what Israel does with African countries there.

Absolutely, The British, French were only interested in the gates of the red sea. Since they were both in competition they sat next to each other. The British being most capable empire agreed with Ethiopia, but behind the Ethiopians told the Italians to take sea shore next to France and not leave any room until Suakin (Sudan) for the French. Since this area was not devied up in the Berlin conference, Russia objected anything close or claimed by Ethiopia, the Russians had in communication with their co-religionist Emperor that time. Therefore the British made it up as they go. Being a maritime empire and the suez opening Bab Elmendeb was as hot as its today.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/288980/Egypt/Politics-/The-interests-of-Egypt,-Sudan-and-Ethiopia-are-one.aspx Following a tripartite summit between the leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in the Ethiopian capital on Monday to discuss differences over the Grand Ethiopian Renainssance Dam, Egypt's president told reporters, "People should be assured. None of [us three] countries – Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia – will be harmed." President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi added, "Egypt's interests are one with Ethiopia's and also one with Sudan's. We are speaking as one voice." In a response to a question by reporters on whether the crisis over the dam has been resolved, El-Sisi said, "There is no crisis." Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir concurred with El-Sisi, saying, "There is no more crisis." Immediately after the end of the summit, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in press statements that the leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan agreed on resolving all disagreements on the technical issues on the Ethiopian dam within one month. "There are no mediators in the Renaissance Dam negotiations," Shoukry added. The meeting between El-Sisi, Al-Bashir and Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Desalegn, which came on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, aimed at breaking the deadlock in negotiations over disputes on the impact of the GERD on downstream countries. Ethiopia and Sudan have not accepted the results of a report issued in March 2017 by a European consultancy firm on the potential impact of the dam on downstream countries, which concluded that the speed of construction could negatively affect Egypt's water share. Ethiopia has reportedly rejected a recent proposal by Cairo to involve the World Bank in the stalled technical negotiations. In response to questions from reporters at the Egyptian TV channel ONTV to the President about the dam issue following the meeting, El-Sisi called on the media not to convey messages that cause the public concern or that insult others. "We already have mechanisms in place, we have committees on the issue," he said. El-Sisi explained that "there is a high-level committee including the ministries of foreign affairs and irrigation who are following up on the issue," asking the public to rest assured. The Egyptian president had met on Saturday with Al-Bashir, and the two leaders agreed to form a joint ministerial committee to deal with all outstanding bilateral issues between the two countries. El-Sisi has been in Addis Ababa since Saturday to participate in the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, which is taking place from 22 to 29 January.

If someone thought there will be a fight, will be disappointed. None has the means or capabiity if had wanted for electionering, there was no reason to fight if reasonable.

That is really great. The Canadian is familiar with few things Somali.

Some of you have views about clan and even sub clan that is not realistic and fair: Remember empires and countries are terrible at survival. They come and go depending on world security, trade etc needs. The clan and if clan is too big a sub-clan is the only nucleus of survival and continuity of people. Think of the Assyrians, such a big empire, such big an important country they had. Where are they now? Only 3 clans/tribes survive and one that was in Iraq is almost gone between American invasion times and now ISIS invasion days. If Somali did not revert back to pre-colonial institutions, wouldn't survive. Being colonized by Britain and France, which colonies in rest of Africa do not communicate and some fight as their colonizer used to do, but the somali was at home the next day. The colonizers may have focused on different fields like education, governance in some and agriculture infrastructure in others, but the Somali became just a somali the next day. Made new writing sytem for the language and continued. This is role of clans and clan system. Somalia is a big country. You cannot have someone in Bari and another in Kismayu making easy communication in everything, it takes time and space, but if the two somalis are from same clan, is much easier to acquent and communicate completely while may belong to different political parties. Negative side of clans is if you mainly use it to hate others in everything and forget that the individual did not select to which clan he will be born. As the Israeli tell the Arabs " If you love your own people just a fraction of what you hate us, you could make a lot of progress". To the somali that would be if you love your clan members more than you hate other clan you could make a lot of progress. Someone who loves his/her clan will never hate other clan. He she may not be friends with other clan but will not have hate.

Tillamook, You are giving the Tigray all kinds of credit and accolade they do not deserve or have. I will give you an example from Somalia history which exactly parallels that of Tigray. One of the kingdoms/sultanates in Somalia fought for a year against Italy. That kingdom had an army, tax collection, administration,services, navy, etc. Was quite modern and traditional institutions. In just one year of war with Italy it lost its navy as well as even its shiping and fishing boats to bombardment by air and sea. In 5 major battles and more skirmishes lost close to half of its army. If you take away the farmer or nomad for months to do fighting, the camel economy the basis of life dies. This kingdom at the end was totally destroyed even its offices. It still did not totally disappeared morally. It was the only area that submitted to Italian rule, but kept Italians from making the place their entertainment zone. Tigray is the same in Ethiopia. Only the Afar are marginally poorer. Both for same reason. Too much fighting wars. Both are poorest regions in Ethiopia. The only wealth they have that both have not lost even under tremendeous pressure, is tradition, culture, language, self government and fairly good coehesion, all good basic characteristics for fast development. There was not a single school of any level for the Afar when EPRDF took over. Now every hamlet has elementary school, there is about 20 secondary schools and 1 university. Health also similar development, very few industries and big agricultural projects like sugar. Those who try to put down a fellow Somali by calling names of foreign countries, entities etc: Are you saying that a Somali cannot have those ideas, interests etc on their own, unless they are told by Habeshi, Arab, America, British, Italian, French etc? That is sad on you. Lets take example Somali kilil in Ethiopia. Its a microcosm of the Somali on planet earth in terms of clans, sub clans... It also connects 3 current countries Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia. It has among its clans and sub clans whose parts in these countries are significant from leading role to influencing role. Its only natural for the Somali in this territory to have various options that he/she thinks is the best. This is not new. When the British empire during its winding down days thought of uniting most Somali except those in Djibouti in one country (remember somali kilil was under british control until 1950s when it was given back to Ethiopia), some of the opposition to the plan came from Somali kilil. Reason is some of the bitterness from what happened between different clans and sub clans during the fighting against colonials and how easily some got along others didn't with colonialists. Remember also that this region at some point or another, at some east or west south or north of the region, has fought against Ethiopia, British empire and Italy. The French did not attempt to expand, stuck to agreement with Ethiopia. Why can't some Somali decide the best course is stick with Ethiopia and improve our status and development here? Why can't some Somali decide the best course is unite all Somali in one country of our own and will develop fast? Why can't some Somali decide the best course is to be ourselves a country and will develop fast we have oil and gas? Whay can't some Somali decide best course is each unite with your clan in whatever country it is and get rid of this kilil, since we do not seem to agree on basic issues here? Do all these Somalis need an Arab, Habeshi, European or Somali in other regions eye to see their situation? Do all these somalis with different opinions need Arab, Habeshi, European or Somali from other regions ear to hear the environment noise around them? It might offend some of you, but black Americans call tom boy, house nigger anyone that remotely has ideas that even resemble European American ideas. Thus can never be Americans while living in America and those who can do something get out and go far from black neighborhoods. The Somali is big enough in number of population, in territories to have diffrent interests. Some Somalis can grow banana in their areas and should not be forcing others that their territory is not suited to it, to know about banana and have laws and rules about it. Its enough if we just eat it. I dont have time to spend to find out how it grows. Some Somalis had kingdoms, some had sultanates, others had clan chiefs and clan elders. Those of you in UK should understand English, Welsh, Scotish, Irish and even in England the north east and some other provinces. You might argue that the 4 are different ethnic, but scotish and irish are same ethnic, had same language Gaelic, yet the difference is so much that in America and Canada the Irish got "royal" (joking) treatment when they came. Respect the Somali and try to analyse why a somali would support, push even fight for this or that idea.