Holac, Sudan next year is taking 2 billion cubic meter water from the Nile. Sudan is actually proposing that let that water stay in the Ethiopian dam since the Ethiopians are filling the dam. It will take 2-3 years to fill completely. Egyptians are trying to repeat 1958. Egypt and Sudan got into conflict on the water. The Egyptians helped overthrow the regime in Sudan and got the new guy to sign for 40 years for Egypt to use the water. Egyptians are reasoning Ethiopia is heavy weight diplomatically, big powers are invested in Ethiopia, Military also having terrain, distance, superior will to fight for country. What they are missing is that the Sudanese have no less of fighters when the enemy is Egypt. Weapons as well have significant. The Sudanese bordering Egypt would just drive toyota land cruisers with machine guns and capture Cairo. Is also opportune time for the Brotherhood in Egypt. Don't forget Sudan is Brotherhood. Egypt could also bluffing for the election. Saudi Arabia attacks Yemen when its time to return 2 provinces to Yemen. USA takes down Soviet when the 99 year for Alaska is over and Yeltsin did not even ask. The British overthrow Iyasu of Ethiopia and bring King Haileslassie. Reason agreement Iyasu made with Standard oil of New Jersey (today Exxon) and Haileslassie gave it to British Petroleum. The fake news to overthrow Iyasu was that he has become Moslem. The Ethiopian pope excommunicated him. Too late when he came to Tigray/Wollo from Somali area his father had already been killed. Coup without facebook, but fake propaganda.

The Oromo government was asked "where did your Oromo militia got killed by Liyu". The answer is deep in Somali region. The Oromo government was asked "Where were the Somali civilians killed" The answer is deep in Oromo region Was the federal security military in or near places where the Somali civilians got massacred. The answer is no The Somali who manged to escape the massacre had told BBC including names of Oromo police that refused to protect the civilians. The emergency parliamentary committee that went to investigate also is done and has reported back. I hope the Oromo officials do not do something worst to hijack the investigation and create new incidents.

Che, What does this show you? False propaganda of Qero (Oromo Alshabab) did not last a week and other media are now going there and investigating. In the age of facebook, one can create chaos with falsehood, but if you can withstand the first blow, the perpetrator gets exxposed and total failure has to wait so many years to repeat again. The age of George Soros.

Che, The worst happened deep inside Oromo region, not even close to border of two regions. The Federal were in the bordering areas. This were Oromo police that left the defenceless in the station. Here is where it happened Cyan Afar, Yellow Oromo and violet Somali: Do you see where the circles are? I have listened to those who escaped speaking.

I think some of your strategy is workable. Few corrections: Eritrea took the Sudanese embassy in Asmara and gave it to SPLA (Garang). Eritrea was training SPLM. Eritrea trained and organized what is called Eastern Front and threatened the pipeline which goes close and parallel with Eritrea. Actually Ethiopia balanced for Sudan against Uganda and Kenya. That is why Sudan had no accusation or blame on Ethiopia. If you are talking Derg and King Haileslassie you are correct. Do you know Ethiopia refused to join the International court, like kenya and south africa and others. The Only reason was for Al Bashir. He used to meet leaders of other countries in Ethiopia, because they cannot go to Khartoum and he cannot go to their countries. Who was the first country he mentioned when US reduced sanctions? Check his news conference was Ethiopia. Al Bashir was very courageous to let South Sudan go. As long as USA Britain France are taking turn to bunkrupt and dismember Sudan, he and his people were going in circles. Some Sudanese were not happy, but it will be one of his greatest achievement. He cut the interference from Eritrea/Egypt. Egypt has no opportunity to affect Sudan from North. Even Al Bashir ethnic are there and they are enough to stop Egypt. BTW the Afar Tigray, even though they are both biggest losers by Eritrea, but both had decided long in the beginning that if Eritreans want to go they would let them go. "Ethiopia had ports for millenium, but was the poorest and most backward country" yet in 20 years even though draught happens every few years, yet no famine or starvation. The Afar, Agew and Tigray lost a million people 1984. Let alone Eritrea you would let go even half the country. What is mountains and rivers if your people are dying. Watch Meles interview with BBC when he was a fighter in the bushes. You have in my opinion a higher valuation of the Oromo in Ethiopia. OLF is 3 organizations at this time. 2 of the founders of the OLF are in ODF and they are going back to Ethiopia. Read it by looking for Abbo Leencho. Remember when Ethiopian opposition was counting in terms of weeks and months the life of Weyannie in 2005, when Amhara were at height of their opposition. Do you hear any demo or gathering in Amhara after the state of emergency, none. Even in 2016 it was in a place called Gonder. You will never hear anything out of Gonder. Unlike what you see in facebook (I know you are not that type its just figurative speak) the main issue in Gonder was an Agew community wanted autonomy. The Amhara could not swallow it and accused the Agew (Qimanti) that theyare Weyannie. Of course Tigray was on the Qimanti side. Principle as well as the Agew use were fighting in Weyannie against Derg until the regions were established. If you do not see this on Agew sites or youtube channel you would think Amhara is fighting Tigray. You also have Eritreans capacity over their head, even themselves will admit now. Never forget that its what you are fighting for that makes you a man or chicken. More than 4000 eritreans mostly from conscripts are leaving Eritrea to the enemy country Ethiopia. If you have Eritrean friends ask them this "There was border skirmish some months ago in place called Zalambessa, what happened? There is endless national service in Eritrea. Since the Somali is a fighter population, culturally, its very easy for you to understand. If the governemnt forced every kid at age 17 to go to military service, not for a year, 2 years, 3 years 10 years, but no release. How many Somali do you expect would stay in the national service? Eritreans are paying $2000 for a guide to go to Ethiopia and $1400 to Sudan. You might get 80-90 retension among Somali if they can see danger from Ethiopia or Kenya, but if you ask Somali to stay and fight for regions maybe 10% using clan Wadad etc propaganda. I spoke yesterday an Eritrean Agew who is pro regime and visits Eritrea often. He said about himself that he would side with Weyannie against Egypt. The Egyptians as cowardly as they are had committed atrocity in the Agew area in Eritrea. There are 4 Agew tribes. 1 is in Eritrea 3 are in Ethiopia all in Amhara regional state. If your startegy is to work, let me give you the contrarian view. If the Oromo prove to be so powerful Tigray and Afar and Agew would leave central ethiopia to duke it each other, those are more than enough for Eritrea. The situation in Eritrea is so bad now that the Afar militia is enough to disband the Eritrean "elite" army. Guarding the conscripts with "elite or republican guard type is a full time job in Eritrea now. Egyptians BTW will not try anything on the dam. I told you the British empire had already found out that farmers with basic digging tools can divert the nile in more than 20 places in the mountains. Then Egypt all 80 million have to come and occupy Ethiopia. Good luck with that. The Tigray are not a kind of full hardy people, ask Ethiopians will tell you. BTW chief of general staff of Sudan is in Ethiopia. If you think it contributes him and the Ethiopian counterpart (Samora Mohamed Yonus) are personal friends, but in the news was meeting PM Hailemariam. Isayas in Cairo meeting Sissi.

galbeedi, Haley is more of Netanyahoo appointed, rather than Trump. Believe it or not, somebody has promised here to be secretary of state, can't wait for Tillerson to leave. Some neo cons are saying she is presidential material, and why not she is someone who puts Israel first unashamedly. Banon went over his head against the establishment. The establishment would see Democrat win rather than someone who defied them. The sure sign empires are in decline or downfall is you go half other side of the world you kill or cause to be killed 2 million people and no body -not only jailed- but even questioned - IRAQ. Americans did not even ask questions as much as Britain. The arrogance of talking about Iran demos instead of children and women in Yemen is topping of hubris of empires.

Regarding the mention of the Somali in terms of countries or regions, is only the current reality. The Somali in 4 countries and it so happens except in Jabouti there are regions and regional/provincial governments. There is no other reason. As per article 39 of the Ethiopian constitution, anyone currently recognized as nationality can use it. The process is ardeous, requires a lot of patience and hard work and at the end a vote of 66.6%. Its exactly the same as that of Canada. Its not 50%+1 as that for Scotland or other places. As per your reason (too intelligent) of not reading Jigjiga Herald, I am simply stunned. As per choosing to be on side of Egypt, Its your choice of course. Just to state my choice. In principle I never support even on internet post, some country or government who does not have the smallest principled stand and loyalty to anything. History is cruel and history happens to have impact especially on Egypt. A country that makes excuses of Israel preventing them for not sending a large force to deal with Sinai terrorism (their terms of surrender that they cannot send a brigade without Israel permission to Sinai) is not expected to come to Ethiopian highlands and win a war. Egypt's advantage was diplomatic since they are located on one of the most important location location location on the globe. Even that recently have become no match for the Ethiopians. China, Italy, UK, US contribute each at least half a billion dollars a year. The cruelty of History: "This force of Munzinger Pasha, marched to Danakil country. It consisted of about 2,000 men. This force was ambushed, and Munzinger and nearly all his followers were killed on November 7th, 1784 by Danakil tribesmen. There were practically no survivors reported." Compare the weapons the Afar nomad had and the Egyptians had, with Swiss/German commander. Danakil is a clan of the Afar. BTW Egypt has never defeated Sudan in recorded history (exagerating of course). If you get time and interested read what happened to the Egyptians and what they did to save the samll force left alive after the war with Mahdist (Caliphate). You have more courage than the Egyptians. The strongman of Eritrea is now in Egypt.

This is good news, regardless of the reasons. The article is either copy pasted from old or is so mixed up it is written based on assumptions. It assumes Somalia helps ONLF, which is not true for more than a decade, even by war lords, which currently is non-existent assistance. The last time there was an exchange between Eritrea and Puntland on this was more than a decade ago. Maekelawi should of course be closed since it was a prison infamous since used by Derg. It was to have been closed long time ago. War between Egypt and Sudan is very likely either in Eritrea or at their common border. Ethiopia will be involved on Sudan side. That may be the most likely immediate reason. The Egyptians have presidential election and something has to happen to make Sissi election semblance of real, by cornering the Brotherhood. Eritrean strong man is visiting Egypt for second time in a year, eventhough Egypt is one of the few countries he can visit.

cadnaan1, I am sure a number of SOLers were stating that its Tigray that is creating conflict between Oromo and Somali and is using the Somali. I say, please do some investigation before sining into facebook propaganda. If the conflict is between nomads in bordering areas it sadly is normal and only development can solve it. If the conflict is deep inside Oromo territory where the Somali is only capable to save his/her life, but would never be in the offensive, then the cry is for more than a goat. The fact that Al Shabab's enemy number one is the Somali region in Ethiopia is clear to anyone. Its a matter of public knowledge, no analysis or paralysis required. What is at the heart of the Oromo movement in Ethiopia this time, well it may surprise you. But read the following very informative article written by Abdikarim Arab at Jigjiga Herald and make your mind. http://www.jigjigaherald.com/?p=632 Its easy to see that, the campaign against Illey and Liyu was for more than a goat.

cadnaan1, Let me ask you a simple question. What do you think happened, During the conflict between ICU and TFG? Conflict between 2 persons dominated the relationship. Between late president Yusuf and Shiek Aweys. The rest like Shiek Ahmed and war lords positions was changing, were amenable to pressure. The late Abdullahi Yusuf is a proven Somali nationalist. I am not sure if there is a single one of us, who could stand up for flag country and people inside an enemy prison, yet that is what he did under Mengistu. Shiek Aweys on the other hand was driven solely on personal vendetta, especially on Ethiopian Somali leaders and Puntland. Did you as a Somali tell ICU to submitt to TFG government. ICU was so impetient for power, when TFG took too long to go to Mogadishu, ICU came to Baidoua. ICU were accusing TFG of being Ethiopian. Not forget that Shiek Ahmed declared even to the extent about religion and Ethiopia, being so blinded by power that forgot that Negash is where Meles comes from. One can blame particularly Tigray for anything under the sun, but not when it comes to religion. Even when the Ethiopian government arrested a whole group of leaders of Moslem association, most people blamed government being dictatorial, but never heard anyone saying the government is agains Islam. Yet ICU wanted to liberate Ethiopian Moslems from Christian rule and late Abdullahi Yusuf would not. At the end when the Somali has lost so much, it became obvious what the ICU was, a tool for the likes of Shiek Aweys of personal and maybe clan vendetta, not much good coming out of it, but lot of destruction. All countries of the world compete in one of two ways. Destructively or constructively. Constructively is first avoidance of war as much as possible, building better things and staying ahead than other country. Its your choice which way you want to compete, and considering reality the constructive way is the only choice now, no matter how much regeret or anger one might have. First and last start by understanding and if you have to put blame by blaming a Somali on Somali affairs, before one goes to blame others. Find out what can or could have been done differently. The only place in the world where the British empire thought beneficial to build a country from same people happens to be for the Somali. Yet did not succeed. Before blaming Kenyans, Ethiopians, French/Djibouti, find the reason within the Somali first.

That is right. The stars seem to be aligning for Berebera. Djibouti is running out of capacity even with 2 new ports one dedicated for Potash and the other for cattle/meat. Speed of implementation maybe critical before the crazy Arabs again change their friendships and enmities among each other.

galbeedi, If my posts in any way or shape gave you some bad feeling, you have my sincere apology. I only discuss issues and information never persons not even political group or parties. Here are the way I approach information and or discussion on SOL. Since its assumed that most members here are Somali (except maybe me Tigray) and basic expectation is that issues should be seen from effect will have on the Somali. 1. Regardless of any regional and political differences, does it benefit a Somali even an individual. Since the Somali cannot stop now being scattered every corner of the world, the next best thing is that a Somali be success story where ever he/she is; Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Canada, Sweden, Britain..etc. I feel really good seeing the Somali being successful in business, politics of any country or region. I don't know, neither do you that the Somali diaspora will return home. But I know one thing: If the Somali becomes like the Jewish in Uganda, they can arm twist Museveni to do good by Somalia. 2. The destruction of Ethiopia at this time will have a totally destructive outcome for the Somali. Destruction of your opponent is good only and only time where you are prepared, organized to take all advantages presented. I don't see the Somali taking advantage or benefiting from what ever major realignment happening in Ethiopia. In reality it will be worst than what the status is currently. It will also bring total realignment of the horn of Africa. Djibouti and Somaliland interest is that Ethiopia continue even in a crippled status, since they both can be biggest losers in the shifting sand. Eritrea would be the next or even first to go since its composition and oppression of nationalities and Religious oppression is quite deep. So much so that the Jeberti in Eritrea now have opposition organization. That is unthinkable in Afar and Tigray in Ethiopia. The Jeberti in Ethiopia do not see themselves as ethnic or even having any difference than Religion and even that is not a difference. All Moslems (Tigrigna speakers, more than 90% of Tigray) in Tigray are Jeberti. Same in Eritrea, that Tigrigna speaking Moslems are Jeberti. 3. Unlike what I have seen from some postings, I think that at this time, people should appreciate organization and stability even on village or hamlet level. You cannot negotiate or even the worst case fight against so many directions. Instead of spending time and energy for the Somali in NFD to come to Somalia, the best thing maybe is to encourage by all means the Somali in Kenya to take over Kenya. The Somali has a good opportunity to be the go to middle man or re conciliator among the fiercely competing and fighting nationalities in Kenya. If the Somali is seen as fair everyone will consider his opinion and input and place him in high places and in a generation the whole thing changes. This is most practical and easier to do than bloodshed for unknown end. I am not an AI bot. Weyannie cannot be "under every bed" or under every tree shed. The greatest quality of Weyannie is that they really study and know cultures, and most importantly interest of peoples. Example: A Tigray living among Afar in 6 months will do every attempt to speak AfarAf (AfAfar). No other nationality in Ethiopia is as good at this. We SOLers also should not think we are more than what we are. I don't take myself too seriously to assume that Weyannie will spend money, time, technology on me. Tigray may have and still may use some of the latest spy sofware from Israel, Italy or Russia, but rest assured Tigray has no money or capability to right AI programs on Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia...issues. Countries are generally speaking like individuals. Loyalty to certain issues no matter what is a character for trustworthiness. I find Egypt always unfailingly short of this character. Palestinians, Yemen, Sudan, Libya are some examples. Shouldn't the Somali have expected the Egyptians to come to Somalia in 1992. Even if they cannot help with the political situation, they should have been there in the distribution of the food (American, Canadian, European..), helping with medical service something they can do within their means? Cuban doctors help some Latin american countries from collapse. When time comes many will be surprised of who I am, why I participate here and hopefully Eurika. Peace for you and I and everyone.

Excellent idea, but maybe too early. If the country is not consolidated and have an administrative control its difficult to implement. Ethiopia go debt relief to the tune of 11 billion USD. The way it was done was: The government negotiated and compensated companies that were nationalized by Mengistu. Russia forgave about 5 billion through the Paris club of lenders and Canada followed Russia and within a year every other country even US followed through begrudgingly and all lenders fell like domino. Then the WB and IMF came with new loans and grants and the next cycle of debt accumulation started now up more than 30 billion already (but mostly on infrastructure, education and health). Ethiopia had one chartered university now has more than 30. Debt relief can also have negative impact internally. Fight over the money can fracture the government, or create suspicion and instability. It may be great to prepare the plan on how to approach it, when time comes, but this time will be hard to find a country to start the ball rolling and internally there may not be good ground work done for it. No one for sure knows how regions will demand or react to such conditions. Open and transparent agreement with regions may be a good way to prevent fighting and accusations of corruption that can be damaging to government now.

Next customer is South Sudan. South Sudan wants a pipeline for oil to avoid disputes with Sudan Port services to avoid Kenya That is probably why they have all this trouble. Sudan is fair to them and quite friendly considering they split recently, but the Egyptians are very friendly to South Sudan and not so friendly to Sudan, go figure. There is actually memorundum of understanding between Djibouti and South Sudan. Of course it all goes through Ethiopia, but that does not seem to be problem for both of them.

IGAD is more of security and defence issues not trading one. It is most important institution for Somalia, since the EU, UN use this institution as local rep for them. Not only would this give Somalia a seat, but also a profile. Would be good if successful.

This is all to be expected: Tigray and now AI bot Weyannie Intelligence operative Its an internet culture to label someone, in the hope that posts would not be read, rather than disproving. Egypt seems to be sensitive point for some. I agree we should not hate anyone, but disliking their actions on the Palestinians and Libya is unacceptable on any level. Their sabotaging Sudan at every turn is simply greed and betrayal. You do not think there are Somalis who really dislike Egyptian ways, if that is your criterion for me being Tigray. adnaan1, Let it take some time and maybe we get more creative labels. So far the labels are run of the mill kind.

http://www.jigjigaherald.com/?p=537

I get it. Thank you.

I do not like speaking ill of any people as people, but Egyptians are the only country where they can be led to next war by a general who catastrophically lost the last war. In other societies generals like that are either demoted, retired, punished or commit suicide. In Egypt they celebrate October war to this day (Its called Yom Kippur war). A whole division in the sinai raised the white flag against a small Israeli force that went behind them and fired few bullets (a small unit led by Ariel Sharon). Husni Mubarek was in the airforce when Israel incapacitated Egptian airforce while on the ground, yet he went up the ladder and was president for 30 years. How could he ever want to try against Israel after being in those endless defeats.

The Sudanese have a joke about Pyramids in Egypt. "The Egyptians have no clue how they were made or even the reason/purpose these were made. The Kiwaja (whiteman) is pulling his hair to tell the Egyptians and they still cannot understand it" Its a way of telling today's Egyptians have no relation what so ever to the Pyramids. There is not even oral history in Cairo about the Pyramids other than they are source of income from the whiteman.

I think you are giving the Egyptians more weight than they deserve. The only place the Egyptians have been able to control is the Israeli open prison of Gaza, and that with their master Israel's non stop help. Egypt has moral depravity that has no bottom. Ethiopians may be poor in material wealth, but have better moral standing and that is tremendeous strength. Unless arabs pay for them, Egyptians have no money to bribe anyone. Ethiopians or Tigray as you call them and Sudan are worried for Egypt when it gets humiliated and Cairo collapses for Brotherhood to save it.

One SOLer got mad at me when I stated: "Egyptians are known to sell anything anytime anywhere.." In 1876 the Egyptians attacked Ethiopia, in Eritrea, with 20,000 soldiers and more than 100 Americans, european and Turk advisors leaders. More than 40 Americans that included 4 generals (deputy commander of confederate army General Loring was chief of staff of Egypt and he was at the battle). The Egyptians lost catastrophically. The Khadive (king of Egypt) called the British and Egypt became protectorate of the British Empire.

Do you think the Oromo cry is more than for a goat? It is not hidden fact that Only the Oromo were and are allowed to do demonstrations in Cairo, which they did a few times already, but on the ground inside Ethiopia is a mixed bag for the Egyptians. Numbers do not mean much in life and death situations. Eritrea has twice the number of soldiers to that of Ethiopia (hard to believe, but when you see the conscription in Eritrea it makes sense). The Oromo also are most vulnerable having borders with every single region in Ethiopia except Tigray. Conflicts with just about every single of the regions that border them. As the saying goes "oh salt, better taste good for your own sake, otherwise you will be stone and thrown like stone/sand"

How Arabs do forign policy and wars: November-2016 Saudi – Ethiopia Cooperation a Warning for Egypt? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. It seems the Saudi government tries to put pressure on Cairo by deepening its relation with Ethiopia. Amid Strained Relations with Egypt, Saudi Official Visited Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Al Ahram had a full campaign on this issue. Al-Khatib’s visit to Ethiopia is the second by Saudi officials within days, where Saudi Minister of Agriculture Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen al-Fadhli visited Ethiopia last week. BTW the Egyptians had a point here. Saudi Arabia is running out of water. There is a flauting idea that Saudi can pipe line water from Ethiopia, much cheaper than desalinating. But this was not the issue at this time. October 2016 Cairo is not following the weird twists of Saudi diplomacy in Libya as well. Since June 2016, Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, General, and now Marshal, Khalifa Haftar has ceased to please Riyadh while Cairo is actively using him to create a buffer zone between its border and members of the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups from all over the world who have occupied Western Libya (historical Tripolitania). __________________________ Egypt and Saudi Arabia here are only waterboys for Israel/US, France, UK and Italy some against and for Russia. Egypt being a neighbor acted against her own interest simply to be good with US. December 2017 The military presence in Eritrea may be a response to Sudan allowing Turkey to take over Suakin Island in Sudan temporarily last year, as part of a broader Turkish engagement policy in Africa. Suakin was once Sudan’s largest port and governed by the Ottoman Empire but has fallen into disuse since the creation of Port Sudan in the 20th century just 60 kilometers to the north.” January 2018 Eritrea giving unfettred complete control of its port, which is known the only purpose is to kill Yemeni people, for a few million dollars is something that indicative of how Arabs, of which Eritrea has become a client, is unconsionable. Material poverty will come to pass in Somalia or Ethiopia, but moral poverty of Eritrea will remain for long time to come.