For the Londoners, what does your calendar say re suhur and iftar times? I have seen significant differences. Didn't think it would be that different within London. Morning people. I actually want to know that too. My calendar states suhur is at 3.55am but the Islamic channel says 3.09am (around that time) so am confused, so much so that I simply don’t wake up. Can someone clarfy this please. p.s as for Iftar time am torn between; the Islamic channel, peace tv and my calendar.

You must be amazing then Juxa. I got home earlier than you and still managed nothing. Permanent headache wouldn’t let me do anything. So what did you make the prep; and do you wake up early to plan for this…*how I hate kitchen goddesses Thanks for the invite and yes do send it along when ure up for feeding more mouths.

Burnt my sambusa’s yesterday. Juxa am with you…I miss being home for Ramadan. Lucky Malika enjoying Ramadan in tz. Lucky lucky woman. Where do you get the time to cook @ juxa? p.s you can always cook for me. p.s.s JB- am with you on that one but am until 3pm.

@ the office, trying to concentrate but I must admit it’s a struggle and half. Lack of caffeine has rendered me sleepy and suffering from headache. Spoke to my boss and I think we’ve agreed to a suitable working hours for this month. It’s going to be a slow and long day. Juxa- you lucky woman, didn’t even get to do that.

WORLD MUST BOOST EFFORTS TO PROTECT SOMALI CIVILIANS, UN EXPERT SAYS New York, Aug 10 2010 2:10PM An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on the international community to step up efforts to protect civilians in Somalia, where the world body is hoping to boost its presence in a bid to advance the peace process in the war-torn country. “I am deeply disturbed by the continuing endless reports of civilian casualties – many of them women and children – caused by ongoing fighting in [the] south-central region and in [the capital] Mogadishu,” Shamsul Bari, the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights, said in a news release. One hospital alone in Mogadishu has reported 1,400 war-wounded people in the first half of this year, said Mr. Bari, who has just wrapped up visits to Somalia, Kenya and Uganda. “Many children and young people risk being recruited by armed groups and used in the front lines and there are generations who have known nothing but violence and conflict,” he warned. The death toll in the first seven months of this year is higher than of the same period last year, with reports of nearly 1,000 civilians having died and more than 2,500 others having been injured. Most of the casualties resulted from shelling by warring groups in the capital. Somalia is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today, with one in every seven Somali children dying before the age of five and one in very five children in the south-central region being malnourished, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Independent Expert called on the international community to “explore all possible means” to stop many scourges: summary executions, including the beheadings of innocent people; amputations; flogging; whipping; forcible marriage of young girls to militiamen; use of civilians as human shields; the imposition of strict dress codes on women; prohibition on the use of public mass media; and bans on listening to music and public gatherings. For his part, Augustine Mahiga, the top UN envoy to the Horn of Africa nation, voiced hope today that the increased representation of the UN Political Office in Somalia (UNPOS) will help to further the peace process in the country. The Office, which is headed by Mr. Mahiga, has been based in Nairobi due to security concerns. Within the next few months, UNPOS will have increased numbers of both international and national staff in Garowe and Hargeisa in the self-declared autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland, respectively, to join national staff already on the ground, he said. “After this, UNPOS will crucially need to be in Mogadishu although for security reasons we will have to take a cautious approach,” noted Mr. Mahiga, who is Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative. He noted that there are many tasks, including collecting information and interacting with the Somali Government, the African Union’s peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) and other partners, which can only be done on the ground. Currently, there are more than 60 international UN staff based inside Somalia’s borders, as well as nearly 800 national staff from various UN agencies delivering humanitarian aid and implementing recovery and development schemes. The world body has continued to deliver relief – including health and nutrition activities – to 3.2 million people in the country. Although the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily suspended its distributions in parts of southern Somalia, it continues to feed 340,000 people in Mogadishu. “The UN works hard to be as close to those suffering the effects of the conflict as possible,” Mr. Mahiga stressed. Aug 10 2010 2:10PM

:mad: :mad:

It’s not even 10am yet and am feeling the effects of my coffee addictions. It’s going to be a long day. Morning people.

Old man- understandable. But don’t you dare go all emotional on me.

heheheh

I thought it was a joke; but after yesterday’s premier in London Leicester Sq I don’t think it is. Am shocked that 1 the so called has been’s have agreed to this. And my question is; do people still want to watch what can only be described as pensioners as action heroes?

You sound surprised old man. Were you expecting something different? More importantly isn’t that a problem across the poor developing countries?

Amiin.

You never know@Old man. Send JB to check out the courts in his backyard.

Amiin...

Hahahahah@ Juxa. When has it ever been about just “doing the job full stop for women”? Ohh no it’s the yellow scarf bit that I find funny. Why are they all wearing identical ones? Is there a purpose to them? Uniform perhaps. Mhh!!! p.s I wasn’t joking in suggesting you set up that organization that sends them the materials and whatever else they need…to empower them. *I wanted to say something on your last point. But I really don’t want to come across as JB specially when am purifying my thoughts at the moment.

Hello Juxa and why dont you start that one....p.s Make sure you send them yellow scarfs as well.

When is Ramadan?

ANNEX II Recommendations of the Police Technical Working Group Revised target for SPF strength: i. The revised target of SPF is 7,000 civilian police officers trained under the international community umbrella and integrated into the stipends payroll list by the end of 2010. ii. The target for 2011 end will be 10,000 civilian police. Training: i. UNPOS to start the training of 500 SPF in Djibouti as a matter of urgency. Proposed date of starting the training is 23 August 2010. SPF, UNDP and AMISOM shall be involved in the training process. ii. UNDP to train another 500 Somali police recruits in Armo Police Academy in October 2010. iii. AMISOM to train 200 SPF junior and middle managers, commencing September 2010. Integration of serving SPF not under stipends payroll list: i. TFG to report and officially confirm the status of the 925 SPF trained with German funding in Ethiopia. AMISOM and UNDP to finalize by 31st August the assessment of the training delivered to the 925 officers and to review if further training is required to fully integrate them into the SPF with inclusion in the stipends payroll list. TFG and AU to assist UNDP and AMISOM in the conduct of the assessment of these 925 SPF officers. ii. AMISOM and UNDP to finalize by end August the assessment of the training delivered to the 1,300 SPF officers trained in Lafoole and Labantin 1 2 Jirow and to recommend what further training is required to fully integrate them into the SPF, as well as their inclusion in the stipends payroll list. TFG to assist UNDP and AMISOM in the conduct of the assessment of these 1,300 SPF officers. Bilateral training initiatives: i. TFG to ensure that all bilateral initiatives for training of the SPF officers come through the platform of the PTWG. TFG to inform immediately the PTWG, through the SPF Commissioner, about all current or future bilateral training initiatives. Bilateral initiatives for training of new police recruits should also be accompanied by stipends packages for all registered SPF. Stipends: i. UNDP to finalize the backlog payment of the SPF stipends for the 2009 year, by October 2010. UNPOS to ensure the payment of stipends to all SPF trained under international community umbrella for January to May 2010 through the UNPOS Police project with Japanese funding. ii. USD 5.4 million would be necessary for SPF stipends, for the period June-December 2010 and the international community is urged to provide additional funding. iii. UNDP and TFG/SPF to work closely and to finalize by 31 August 2010 one consolidated list of all the SPF officers trained under international community umbrella and entitled to be included in the stipends process. A similar consolidated list should be presented by the TFG for the military force and to make sure that there is no duplication. The registration and stipends payment mechanisms for the police to be separated from the military, on account of legal considerations posed by various donors and UNDP. iv. The TFG to develop a road map for allocating funds through the Somali National budget, for the payment of salaries to the Somali Security forces, including the police.

ANNEX I Recommendations of the Military Technical Working Group TFG Security Institutions, Structures and Supporting Infrastructure: i. The TFG needs to move quickly to update and adopt the National Security and Stabilization Plan. ii. The TFG and JSC to review and move swiftly to adopt the Security Sector Assessment and operationalise its recommendations. iii. The JSC to seek donors to refurbish the Ministry of Defence/Army Headquarters. iv. The TFG troops should be supported with medical facilities, welfare benefits and other sustenance requirements. Joint Coordination Structures: i. The JSC endorses the Joint Coordination Structure recommended by IGAD, adopted by the African Union. ii. The JSC stresses the need to work quickly to integrate Ahlu Sunna wal Jama’a (AWSJ) forces in the TFG military, police and security structures. Training: i. The TFG to commit to providing names and details of recruits for the second batch of trainees for the EU training in Uganda by 1 September, 2010, accompanied by proper identification system. ii. The TFG and EU to consult on future training needs of TFG forces, especially with regard to technical and specialist elements. iii. International partners, as part of medium-term planning, to look into the training of Somalia forces inside Somalia. Child Soldiers: i. Acknowledges the TFG policy not to recruit or use child soldiers, and welcomes its commitment to work with the international community to establish processes to prevent the recruitment of children (under the age of 18) by all groups; ii. Urges the TFG to set up a task force to ensure the timely implementation of the recommendations of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (December 2008, S/AC.51/2008/14). iii. Since insurgent forces, including the Al-Shabab, and pirates are recruiting children, there is a need for the international community and the TFG to work closely together to provide alternative livelihoods and education for Somali youths. Stipends: i. Harmonize payment through a single, clear, and transparent system for sustainable stipend payments. In this regard, UNPOS will try to work towards harmonization of stipend payment systems for both police and military personnel. ii. Highlighted the need to seek additional donors to support stipend payments to the National Security Forces. UNPOS to take the lead in soliciting support from other partners.

1COMMUNIQUE OF THE JOINT SECURITY COMMITTEE Nairobi, 7 – 8 August, 2010 1.The Joint Security Committee (JSC) met on 7 - 8 August, under the co-chairmanship of Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke of Somalia and Mr. Augustine P. Mahiga, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General. 2.The TFG reaffirmed that the Committee is the primary coordination body for security sector reform. 3.The discussions were aimed to achieve an action-oriented framework on concrete progress, covering several areas, including support to the Somali Security Forces, Police and the Security Ministries. 4.The Committee endorsed the recommendations of its Military Technical Working Group (MTWG) and Police Technical Working Group (PTWG) as contained in Annexes I and II, respectively. 5.The Committee urged the TFG to take urgent steps to extend its authority in Somalia and enhance its credibility in the eyes of the Somali people. 6.The Committee urged the TFG to take concrete and urgent steps to move forward with the development of the security sector, including financial accountability, and to build on the momentum for international support. In this regard, Committee urges, as a priority, to adopt the National Security and Stabilization Plan and to review and move swiftly to adopt the Security Sector Assessment and operationalise its recommendations. 7.The Committee urged the TFG to continue its efforts to support institutional development in the security sector. 8.The Committee commended the efforts of the IGAD Council of Ministers and Summit, as endorsed by the Assembly of the African Union, to strengthen the TFG Security Sector and AMISOM. 9.The Committee commended the new initiative of the US in mobilising resources in support of the TFG and AMISOM and expressed its appreciation to all current donors and encouraged other partners to extend similar support. 10.The Committee encouraged the United Nations, through UNPOS, in partnership with the African Union to play a catalytic role in mobilising resources from the international community in support of the TFG and AMISOM. 11.The Committee welcomed AMISOM’s renewed commitment to take additional measures to ensure the protection of civilians. 12.The Committee commended AMISOM for continuing to extend essential basic services, such as medical assistance, to the civilian population. 13.The Committee welcomed the renewed commitment, by AMISOM to mentor TFG forces and its efforts to establish, in the first instance, a Safe zone in Mogadishu and the recommended that the international community gradually moves its offices back to Mogadishu. 14. The Committee commended the efforts of the United Nations, through UNSOA to support the deployment and operations of AMISOM. 15. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of civilians and in this regard emphasized: i. All civilians need to be protected – and atrocities of the insurgents against civilians need to be exposed. ii. The need to provide protection to civilians including vulnerable groups as part of maintaining law and order by the police. iii. Avoid casualties of civilians caught in the conflict through the provision of appropriate training, information gathering, appropriate operational equipment and application of the relevant rules of engagement in conformity with international law. iv. Facilitate humanitarian access and safety of humanitarian workers. 16. The Committee reviewed and adopted its revised Terms of Reference. 17. The Committee commended the TFG and UNPOS for organizing the meeting and having detailed and result-oriented outcomes. 18. The Committee undertook to meet more regularly, supported by technical preparations. 8 August, 2010

When will Lady Lola make her debut? Hello ladies- I see a last cake session before the big day is under way. Deleted when are you going to share the mysterious cake to the wider SOL cyber crew.

May choke on that....

lol...its amazing how many sol men have turned out for this thread. Hello mpendwa

Lol@ Cara. Dreaming of troll corner now. *feel like caano iyo shax with lots and lots of sugar.

:rolleyes: