Hoping there aren't any setbacks this time around, the fall of Baardheere is certainly on the horizon.

Central Somalia will much appreciate the opportunities from this development.

Ayoub- I really do not believe I or anyone has to sell him. I do not believe Sheikh Sharif was or has ever been qualified for Somali leadership nor did I really ever think Sharmerke was either. I did think Nuur Cadde, Farmaajo, and Cabdiwali were impressive individuals who were qualified but even so I believe Dr. Bashir is more qualified than either of those man. The man is simply all around and well respected in that regard. As you can see, Abwaan is the man who first supported his candidacy here. I cannot list enough why I believe he is qualified but I do believe as Somalis get to know him more in the ensuing time frame that reality will become self-evident.

Ayoub- He doesn't need me as a defense. The man is an executive at IBM managing projects worth more than entire East Africa's GDP. Managerial and executive experience plus sound knowledge of the Somali dilemma and drive and determination to see things move in a professional and highly efficient manner is what the man excels at. Law-less Somalis negative image become synonymous with the caliber of its leadership. Change the leadership, you change the country.

One of the most well qualified Somali men I have ever had the chance to meet. A long time executive at IBM with strict professionalism and impressive work ethic. He is one of the main go-to-guys for Asia-Pacific rim region and is based in Japan. The man is simply cut above any actor I have seen in Somalia's politics the last 20 years.

As a member of his family, I thank you for the condolence and your blessings on him. It was a shocking event and one which serves as a reminder to all of us. Abdihayi was a young man, accomplished, and on his way to making a serious and beneficial impact on the people he cared most about. He had no health conditions and there was no sign of the impending tragedy. He hemorrhaged, went into a coma, and died less than 48 hours later. May Allah (SWT) forgive his sins and bestows his mercy upon him and may Allah (SWT) give solace to the entirety of our family, his young daughters, and all those who were friends, acquaintances, or were touched positively by him.. Amiin.

Mr Farmaajo visited the city of Seattle the week before the Boston visit. It was the largest turnout of Somalis I have ever seen anywhere in the city of Seattle.

Waad mahadsantahay adeer but I must say my credibility is not held accountable by the limitations of your judgement. Baardheere will fall within a fortnight that I am sure of; the precise moments of that happenstance will be controlled by the forces on the ground there and God.

Libaax- The Gedo forces are sitting on two sides of the city. The Somali-only Gedo troops who captured Garbahareey and the more northern districts are 5 km to Baardheere from that side while the mix Somali and Kenyan group from southwest are also sitting on the outskirts of Baardheere from Buusaar/Fafaxdhuun/Ceel-waaq side. Al Shabaab is being asked to peacefully vacate the town and they while realizing cannot defend their positions in the town are hesitant about moving out as they have invested greatly in the town as the most important line of defense for Kismaayo, their foundations. If they vacate Baardheere, it will also be a great morale loss for their lines in Kismaayo and do not wish to hurry the risk of subordination, mutiny, and disorganization. It is well known the Shabaab in Kismaayo are in an uneasy and opportunistic alliance with the Gedo clan in Kismaayo ever since they united to remove Ras Kambooni and Hisbul Islam from the city. The Shabaab do not want to risk this Kismaayo powerbase becoming their "5th column" which is possible if Shabaab is shown to be weak in the Jubba Valley. Baardheere is the only town preventing this perception from being formed. But rest assured Baardheere will fall within a fortnight, the question is can they be removed without actually bringing fighting to the city.

xiinfaniin;817920 wrote: ^^With you I never fail to get the exact reaction characteristic of your online persona. Noo wad sheekada, I await the Baardheere development. I suppose, then, my consistency must hold some sort of an allure for you sxb; if you so wish to antagonize it on a routine basis.

Xiin- Your assumptions there do not hint of creative calibrations and may even show regression in analytical thought as it relates to Somali events in that theater. It is quite unfortunate really.

It will fall either tonight or tomorrow night thereby removing Al Shabab's control from any part of the Gedo Region. May they run away in peace.

It is not oil "found" per se, rather a confirmation of the existence of hydrocarbon sediments. "Found" will depend on the extent as well as the recoverable viability of such sediments for commercial basis. Once such an analysis is undertaken, the use of "found" can be used which will lead to process of extraction. It will take years and years to get to that stage it seems. Kenya, although confirming the presence of hydrocarbon sediments in the 70's, took three decades to "find" petroleum.

So even the individual educational achievement of a young Somali girl in a London borough does not escape the vicious clutch of tribal oriented politicking? Have you no shame?

He is dead so there is no accountability on earth. His judgement lies with God. I believe that is the most appropriate thing to say about that man.

Still a very dignified man.

He also appointed Omar Abdirashid. Sheikh Sharif seems to be in campaign mode and resentful of Farmaajo's populism. As president he did appoint Farmaajo; that's for sure, but I think he needs to think carefully before going down this route of small minded pettiness. It seems like he deems a threat and is being led by that emotion. He had ample time to address the Farmaajo issue and populism, the situational context of his statements unmasks his hidden political aims.

I find Gen Subxaanyo's clarification very compelling. Recently Mahiga gave a very controversial interview that touched on a number of things including the Parliamentary squabble, Farmaajo's political ambitions, as well as what he termed a "coup" in Villa Somalia by the "Ala-Sheikh" group. Universal TV devoted a talking point segment to it and the first question asked to Gen Subxaanyo who is President Sheikh Sharif's adviser on security matters and a regular at Villa Somalia was the "Ala-Sheikh coup" statement. The General gave a very compelling clarification about the meaning and nature of Mahiga's labeling as well as the overall aims which they bespeak. Gen Subxaanyo while making sure to highlight the inappropriate nature of Mahiga's interference in this regard which is not explained by his job description goes on to highlight it as a euphemism for anyone who shows his Islamic identity in Islamic Somalia and is not avowedly secular.

Raula, you have been missed dear. It's good to be graced by your presence again Gu'giisoo toban dhamayn gar iyo xaajada faloo u guuxaa saar gedood

Oodweyne- I am quite flattered by your honest attention towards my political consternation my friend, but I must say there are more effective ways to inquire about me without taking away from the the legitimacy of the recent Premier. The man has become a popular figure for a reason; we must respect those circumstances while attempting to assess the ramifications of his individual political ambitions. For those of us in the diaspora, it is easy to frame these very important issues around meaningless talk but it is wise to remember the man's populism results from what he inspired during his short tenure as Prime Minister of Somalia.

I am not sure it is beneficial for Somalia to carve a niche in American public eye at this time. Given all the setbacks in the past and the low American tolerance for long attention span, it is best now that Somalia holds the interest of a select number of government agencies and its bureaucracies that could provide important socio-political development aid. Somalia already has the interest of these entities and that is all required from the United States at this juncture.

While I would rather take a more pragmatic approach with regards to the consequence of this conference, I must say may God bless your statement.

Hersi Aw-Maxamed Hilowle is the head of the Ahlu Sunnah administration of Caabudwaaq. http://allahlusunna.com/?p=1010

Besides saying this is a welcome development, I must say I appreciate the fact the people of Baydhabo have been saved from a nightmare scenario occurring around them.

Hogwash. The Telegraph itself sources a Somali website as the cause of the leak.