Bal maxaa ku watey dhibkaas. ------------ Hirsi Ali to EU Lawmakers: “I Don’t Want to Die” Friday, February 15, 2008 -Yesterday, the French press agency AFP ran a report about Ayaan Hirsi Ali under the above title. Ms. Hirsi Ali, a Somali-born former member of the Dutch Parliament, was in the European Parliament in Brussels trying to raise funds to protect her from Islamist death threats. “I don’t want to die, I want to live and I love life. I find myself in a very desperate position,” she said at a press conference in the parliament building. The press conference was organized by a French Socialist MEP (Member of the European Parliament). The Socialists are, however, deeply divided about Ms. Hirsi Ali’s initiative. There were only 6 Socialist MEPs at the press conference: three Frenchmen, two Walloons and one Portuguese. The 6 Socialists were joined by 3 other MEPs: Paul van Buitenen, a former whistleblowing European Union civil servant who is currently an independent Dutch MEP aligned to the Greens, and two MEPs from the Flemish-secessionist Vlaams Belang. Ms. Hirsi Ali proposes the establishment of a European fund to protect people threatened by assassins. The journalists tried to corner her into distancing herself from Geert Wilders, a member of the Dutch Parliament, who is also under an Islamist death sentence. The press wanted to know whether the fund should also be used to protect members of the “far-right.” She answered that the only criterion should be whether people’s lives are effectively threatened. Like Geert Wilders at the moment, Ms. Hirsi Ali has in the past been living under tight protection from the Dutch police. The Dutch authorities, however, stopped paying for her protection one year after she left the Netherlands for the United States. She resigned her seat in the Dutch Parliament and moved to America in May 2006 to work for the American Enterprise Institute in Washington after the Dutch authorities discovered that she had lied about her age and name in her Dutch asylum request. Ms. Hirsi Ali, whose real name is Hirsi Magan, had entered the Netherlands in 1992 from Germany, falsely claiming to be an asylum seeker arriving from Somalia. As the United States government does not pay for the protection of individuals either, she was forced to move back to the Netherlands in October 2007 where she lives at a secret place under police protection. The Dutch authorities, however, do not pay her protection when she is out of the country. Wouter Bos, the leader of the Dutch Labour Party and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands, says that there are no cases where a state continues to provide protection for a national who left the country without prior agreement. “Since October I have been fund-raising full-time [for my protection],” Ms. Hirsi Ali said in Brussels. “It has become swiftly apparent that the best I can do is raise enough money to pay for the security detail that accompanies me to fund-raising meetings. When the money runs out I am confined in hiding.” The French Socialist MEP Benoît Hamon has launched a petition to secure support for EU funding to protect people who are under threat for their opinions. It could be financed to the tune of 50 million euros by a fund that the parliament has at its disposal each year. The petition is, however, unlikely to receive the required backing from half of the European Parliament’s 785 members. AFP reports that only 82 MEPs have signed so far. The petition is to be signed during the EP’s plenary session next week in Strassburg. Philip Claeys, a Vlaams Belang MEP, has announced that the three MEPs from his party will also sign. In February 2006, Ms. Hirsi Ali told a Flemish newspaper that she would “ban the VB because it hardly differs from the Hofstad group [an Islamist terror network in the Netherlands]. Though the VB members have not committed any violent crimes yet, they are just postponing them and waiting until they have an absolute majority. On many issues they have exactly the same opinions as the Muslim extremists: on the position of women, on the suppression of gays, on abortion. This way of thinking will lead straight to genocide.” Mr. Claeys says Ms. Hirsi Ali, who at the time was a member of the Dutch Liberal Party, had been misinformed about his party by the Flemish Liberal Party of Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Neither the Belgian nor the Dutch Liberal MEPs are willing to sign the petition in favour of Ms. Hirsi Ali’s protection. Most parties, including the majority of the 215 Socialist MEPs, oppose the establishment of a European fund to protect people under death threats from extremists. So far only three (Mr. van Buitenen and two Green politicians) of the 27 Dutch MEPs have signed the petition. “This initiative is going nowhere,” Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, a Dutch Liberal MEP, told Radio Netherlands. “It’s tragic for Ayaan because she needs security but the EU is not the place to provide it. She is being made to believe in something that does not exist.” Yesterday’s press conference must have been a humiliating experience for Ayaan Hirsi Ali. The European politicians do not seem to realize that it is a humiliating experience for Europe as well. It proves that Islamist terrorists, who threaten to kill citizens who speak out against them, have won. There is no freedom of speech in Europe, where the state authorities are unable and unwilling to protect their citizens, although the latter have to pay taxes. Would it not be appropriate then to give these citizens the right to bear arms and protect themselves? Or is this an obnoxious, undemocratic question? Source: Brusseles Journal

The Evolution of the Concept of Jihad in Islam By Dr. Mahamud M. Yahye Feb. 10, 2008 I have recently come across an interesting and educative article in the London-based Arabic daily, Al-Hayat (Life), of January 12, 2008, titled “The Evolution of Jihad Concept in Islamic Thought: A New Book on Hot Issues”.(1) It raises some important contemporary issues, which are relevant for us, Somalis. As we are all aware of, a fundamentalist group, known as “Al-Shabab” (or the Youth) is now waging fierce guerrilla warfare in the name of Islam against the Somali Government’s army and its allied Ethiopian forces, in which mostly innocent civilians are killed. That is why I have decided to translate, summarize and share the said article with more readers. The article was essentially a review of a new Arabic book by Dr. Mahir Al-Sharif, titled “The Development of Jihad Concept in Islamic Thought”. It is a book, the reviewer said, that comes in an opportune moment when people everywhere are today affected by the phenomenon of political Islam, including its extremist school that entices terrorism and the takfiri thought – something that constitutes an onerous burden and a serious danger for both the Arab and Islamic worlds [where a countless number of innocent Muslims are dying everyday in the name of this jihadi doctrine].(2) This concept also negatively impacts, according to him, the image of Islam as a creed and religion worldwide. It has, furthermore, led to the disdain and the targeting of Islam at the international level – a factor that could have dire consequences for the unity of communities as well as the stability of governments in both Arabic and Islamic countries. `The Early Pioneers In this new book, the researcher essentially tries to answer the following basic question: “If the concept of jihad finds its corroboration in the holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s hadith [his sayings], then how the exponents of Islamic thought have dealt with this concept over the course of history?” (3) Thus, the book starts, firstly, with the beginning of the jihadi thought during the Prophet Muhammad’s time and the subsequent Islamic conquests (or futuhat). The author quotes the Islamic scholar Al-Awza’i (who lived during the early Islamic conquests) as saying that it is forbidden to kill prisoners of war, the elderly, the blind, the herdsman and the monk unless they participate in war efforts. It is also not permitted, according to this ancient scholar, to shoot the unbelievers or burn them if they hide behind their women or children; it’s also forbidden to cut or burn the infidels’ trees or destroy their beehives or slaughter their livestock except for satisfying hunger. As for Imam Al-Maliki, he opposed the idea of abrupt fighting or attacking the enemy in the darkness of night; he also opposed the idea of suicidal attacks on the enemy. This is so because, according to Al-Maliki, the main purpose of Islam is to lead people to the right path and to call them to embrace that faith before militarily attacking them. As for Imam Al-Shafi’i, he is reported to have laid down the foundations for the creed of jihad through his famous book “The Message”. In it he pointed out that the main enemy of jihad is infidelity and not the aggression on Muslims. But Imam Abu Hanifa is said to have objected to the position of Al-Shafi’i, because the former adopted the position of the existence of one religion under different rules, emphasizing the fact that according to Abu Hanifa, God’s prophets were not following different religions but a single one. Ibn Taimiya and His Followers From this new research, it appears that the phenomenon of Islamic jihadi doctrine crystallized with the arrival of Sheikh Ibn Taimiya (who was a follower of the Hanbali school of Muslim thought). He was born in the 13th century during the period of repulsing the invasions of the Crusaders and the Tatars. Ibn Taimiya is reported to have participated in these wars and to have fought against some of the Shiite and Ismaili sects; he also denounced Sufism and declared the necessity of waging war against any group that refused to follow any rule of the Islamic faith. Ibn Taimiya is said to have rejected philosophy and was a literalist scholar, not a man of ijtihad – meaning that if there is a conflict between mind and text, the latter should be given priority in his opinion. He called for fighting against anybody whom the message of Islam has reached but did not accept it. Finally, Ibn Taimiya regarded jihad as one of the basic pillars of Islam and he considered it more important than hajj (pilgrimage), prayers or fasting, and he ordered the fight against anyone who obstructs the call of Islam.(4) Secondly, the author explains the jihad concept from the point of view of the pioneers of Islamic reform, a man like Jamaluddin Al-Afghani, who emphasized the unity of mankind and the unity of religions, as well as the idea that justice is the foundation of the universe. Al-Afghani fought against colonialist policies and urged the peoples of the Orient to struggle for freedom. But he also put emphasis on the defensive nature of the Muslim fights – defending their countries without extremism or fanaticism; he also prohibited corruption and shedding the blood of others for no reason. As to his contemporary, Sheikh Mohammed Abdo, he confirmed that one of the basic tenets of Islam is to avoid apostatizing others; that after Allah and his Prophet [peace be upon him], nobody has authority over the belief of any other; he also emphasized that no Muslim has another source for his belief except from Allah’s book [the noble Qur’an] and the sunna [or the sayings and tradition of Prophet Muhammad] without the intercession (or shafa’a in Arabic) of either predecessors [salaf] or followers [khalaf]. Sheikh Abdo also called for the unity of the monotheistic religions [i.e., Christianity, Judaism and Islam], emphasizing the fact that Islam forbids excessiveness in religion; it guarantees the freedom of thought and belief based on the Qur’anic verses: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from the error…” And “If it had been thy Lord’s will, they would all have believed – all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe.” [The holy Qur’an verses 2:256 and 10:99]. According to M. Abdo, jihad is a shared obligation or fard kifaya [meaning that if some Muslims carry it out, all the other Muslims are relieved from performing it].(5) He also pointed out that the reason for wars in Islam is not due to the doctrine, but to politics, the covetousness of the rulers, their corrupted self and their love for power. However, the other scholar, Mr. Ali Abdurazak, sees that jihad was not just calling to the right religion, but for putting proper foundations for power and for expanding territory. He pointed out that calling for Islam could better be accomplished through explanation and through influencing the heart by means of persuasion and effectiveness. As to force and compulsion, they are not suited to a calling that aims at guiding the heart, he said. Political Islam The author then talks about the views, regarding jihad, of those thinkers who advocated Islamic activism [or political Islam], like Hassan Al-Banna, Abu A’la’ Al-Mawdudi and Sayid Qutb. For instance, the late Hassan Al-Banna (an Egyptian political leader/scholar and the founder of the radical Muslim Brotherhood) saw that Islam combines religion, worship and state together. He attacked collaboration with the West or the so-called “the interaction between different civilizations”; and he argued the issue of jihad as one of the obligatory duties of Islam – making no difference between it and that of compulsory prayers or fasting during Ramadan. This is so, because it is far better for a Muslim, according to Al-Banna, to die in the battle field for carrying out jihad for the sake of Allah. He based his argument on the notion that Muslims are obliged to fight in order to protect the call for the right religion and to safeguard the spread of the divine message. Still he called those engaged in jihad [or al-mujahideen] to show mercy and justice and not to kill women, children or the elderly. In Al-Banna’s opinion, it is obligatory to fight anyone who received the call to Islam and failed to embrace that religion. (Another Egyptian Islamic ideologue by the name of Mr. Muhammad Al-Farag argues in his book, titled The Neglected Obligation, that jihad actually represents the 6th pillar of Islam, i.e., besides shahada or testifying that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad is his messenger; five obligatory daily prayers; fasting in Ramadan; performing hajj or pilgrimage; and paying zakat or alms tax/charitable donations).(6) With Al-Mawdudi, the jihad concept crystallized more deeply. He believed that governing mankind is for Allah alone – something that denies the eligibility of human beings to govern in this life. He further believed that Islam has erased the laws or teachings of all previous prophets and that the salvation of mankind depends on its embrace of Islam. In Al-Mawdudi’s view, jihad is at times more important than the daily prayers and fasting in Ramadan. He continued arguing that Islam is a “revolutionary concept” that aims at destroying, totally, the world’s social system in order to construct its edifice anew. The jihadi concept received another boost of extremism and takfir from thelate Sayid Qutb [another Egyptian scholar/activist].(7) He saw in Islam the birth of an new human being upon whom was bestowed the leadership of mankind, emphasizing that governance is for Allah alone and advocating the necessity of the advent of an avanguard and an elite that cuts its ties, in terms of creed, with the people of “religious ignorance” (jahiliya) or infidelity days. In this regard, he even differs with Al-Banna who thought that Muslim societies suffer from inadequacy in their Islamic belief and it is, therefore, necessary to interact with them so as to change them. On the contrary, Sayid Qutb thought that Allah has chosen the Muslim nation (or Ummah) to lead mankind and he called for a legitimate war to confirm the rule of Allah over this earth, based on the notion that Islam is not a religion only but it is also a general declaration for the emancipation of mankind from servitude, and for wiping out the regimes and governments that are based on governance by human beings. [Mr. Qutb was reported to have been radicalized after studying in America for several years in the late 1940s. He was appalled by what he saw in USA: “its moral decadence, its materialism, racism and sexual depravity.”] (8) IV. Contemporary Thinkers Towards the end of his book, the author presents some diverse religious positions with regard to the issue of jihad as advocated by some contemporary thinkers/religious authorities, men like Sheikh Mohammed Said Al-Bouddi, who seems to be more tolerant, and Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who warns against extremism and calls for moderation. There is also Mohamed H. Fadlallah who asserts that jihad or struggle against oneself is more arduous than that of an external enemy. Moreover, the author presents the positions of some other scholars whom he considers as men of religious reform, such as Sheikh Mahdi Shams who advocates that “there is no compulsion in religion” and who considers armed violence as a failed approach that greatly harms the Islamic project. Sheikh Shams promotes to call for Islam, instead, with wisdom and good advice. Furthermore, the researcher presents the position of Mr. Jawad Saeed and the doctrine of non-violence in Islam, which is viewed as an extension to the trajectory of men of religious reform. Mr. Saeed opines that violence and the call to Islam are incompatible, supporting his argument by the Prophet’s hadith which declares that “the best jihad is a righteous word uttered in front of an unjust sultan or ruler” – and not fighting with a sword, spear or the like to kill others. As for the scholar Mr. Khalil Abdel Karim, he takes the jihadi groups back to their worldly origin. He thinks that they merely represent political movements with worldly political, economic, and social aims – just like any other secular party. This latter thinker also asserts that human beings differ in interpreting the sacred texts because of their differences in their understanding, tendencies, interests and their status in society. The author finally presents some views sponsored by Mr. Mohammed Shahrour who absolved religion from dividing people – something that represents the act of human beings and religious scholars themselves. The truth is that, according to him, religion did not categorize people into the “Abode of Islam” and the “Abode of infidelity” for the sole purpose of hating the other and distancing him/her. With regard to the Muslim groups that have resorted to armed violence, Mr. Shahrour sees that they have put the stigma of terrorism on Islam. He even opposes the idea of martyrdom and suicidal operations, advising that Muslims should live their own era and not that of Al-Shafi’i, more than a thousand years ago. He also opposes the idea that there is no further research or “ijtihad” on a divine text. Further research is on divine texts, he says, because outside a text we can do whatever we like. Conclusions The author concludes from all the above that the foundations of jihad were not fully laid down by the holy Qur’an and the hadith (sayings) of the noble Prophet; and that it was the religious scholars concerned who attributed them to these divine sources so as to give them legitimacy. Hence, the author (Mr. Sharif) calls for undertaking a real religious reform, which revisits our Muslim religious heritage and reads the holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s sunna (his sayings and deeds) in a new light. The author also thinks that the current environment of both education and the media plus the lack of freedom of expression, thinking and research; and the socio-economic crises; the stalemate of the peace [in the Middle East]; the Israeli and American policies there – all these constitute factors that lead to total isolation and deep animosity towards the other. Nonetheless, the writer sees that a call to real religious reform would be a good path for Arab and Muslim renaissance. These are the main views of Muslim imams, scholars and political leaders over the years. As can be deduced from this summary, they widely differ in their positions – all based on our sacred Islamic religion. But I leave each reader to reach his/her own conclusion. On a lighter note, let me finish my article by referring to a piece which recently appeared in Newsweek magazine. It reported that some researchers at Oxford University, UK, found out – after reviewing the biographies of more than 400 Muslims accused of being terrorists – that a great number of them were engineers. (Remember Mohamed Atta, one of the leaders of 9/11 attacks on America, and who studied engineering in Hamburg, Germany?) The researchers attributed this phenomenon to the fact that the mind-set of engineers makes them “more likely to systematize and simplify the world.” (9) But in my considered judgment, I don’t think Newsweek’s explanation is sufficient. Perhaps because the Muslim engineers are exposed to the latest ideas and theories of modern science, which are mostly developed by non-Muslims, they become more self-conscious and spiritually dissatisfied. Add to this the fact that although the Arab/Muslim countries of these young engineers have over the last 100 years or so been exposed to the doctrines of capitalism, socialism, communism and democracy, none of these systems has fully succeeded in their countries. Some of them had also stayed for some time in the West, for studying or for other reasons, and they were alienated by what they had experienced over there, as Sayid Qutb was. Again, many of them are very angry because they believe the West is against their religion and is oppressing and killing their Muslim people in Palestine and elsewhere. All these factors perhaps leave their spiritual cravings unsatisfied and push them back to their familiar religious doctrine (Islam), or rather its extremist branch, which entices them to kill others in the name of their religion or even to sacrifice their own lives for its sake in suicidal operations. Mahamud M. Yahye, PhD mm2yahya@yahoo.com PIC User C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersDocumentsJihad in Islam.doc 02/14/2008 4:12:00 PM (1) See Majid Kiyali, “The Evolution of Jihad Concept in Islamic Thought: A New Book on Hot Issues”, Al-Hayat, Issue No. 16353, dated 12/01/2008, p.16 (2) Tafkiri refers to the idea of branding your opponent, fellow Muslim as “kafir” or infidel or apostatizing him/her. Jihad is an Arabic word that literally means exerting an effort or struggle, but has been mostly used, since it entered the English language in 1869, to mean waging a holy war in the name of Islam as a religious duty. See Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th Edition, 2003). In one of his hadith (sayings), Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have indicated that the hardest jihad or struggle is with one’s self which often leads him/her to vice or sin. (3) Ibn Taimiya is believed to be the man who paved the way for the emergence of the fundamentalist Salafist/Wahhabist doctrine in Islam. See also “Understanding the Origin of Wahhabism and Salafism” by Trevor Stanley (to be accessed through Google under the title of this latter article). The word “Salaf” (or predecessors) usually refers to the first three generations of the Muslim nation. (4) “Fardu kifaaya” is the opposite of “fardu ‘ayn”. Under Islam, the latter refers to a religious duty that is compulsory and every Muslim is obliged to perform it, such as 5 daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, etc. (5) See Meredith, Martin, The State of Africa: A History of 50 Years of Independence. (Simon Schuster, UK, 2006), p. 446. See also Tareq and Jacqueline Ismael, Government and Politics in Islam. (CBS Publishers & Distributors Ltd., New Delhi, India, 1991), Part II. Sayid Qutb was executed by hanging by Gamal Abdel Nasser’s regime in Egypt in 1965 for belonging to the radical Muslim Brotherhood and for his extremist views. Martin Meredith, op. cit., p. 444 See “Jihad: Extreme Passion”, NEWSWEEK, 31/12/2007, p.5 Talk of the Town section --Wardheernews

Ethiopian Officials Blame Puntland Leader for Insecurity Feb 15, 2008 (Garowe Online/All Africa ) -- ADDIS Ethiopian Foreign Ministry officials have blamed the leader of Somalia's Puntland region for rising insecurity during a meeting with interim Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf, confidential sources told Garowe Online. The Ethiopian government officials spoke to President Yusuf at a meeting in the capital Addis Ababa with Puntland President Mohamud "Adde" Muse present, sources in Addis Ababa said. The officials said insecurity in Puntland is having an adverse affect on stability in Ethiopia, especially in the Somali Regional State bordering the Puntland regions. The Puntland administration was accused of "lax security" that allows Ethiopian rebel movements like the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF) to use Puntland ports and coastline to land weapons and other materials. Some officials in Puntland President Muse's government were accused of "taking bribes" from opponents of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government, sources close to the meeting reported. The Ethiopian foreign ministry officials also informed President Yusuf that they received a request for the deployment of Ethiopian troops in Puntland from Muse, but that the Ethiopian government "rejected" the request on grounds that insecurity in Puntland is a result of the region's leaders and not the public. During the meeting, Ethiopian officials said their soldiers fighting in south Somalia have captured tons of weapons, some of which were originally donated to Puntland by the Ethiopian military but later sold in the black market. Puntland has been one of Somalia's more stable regions since its formation in 1998, but the region has experienced an unprecedented rise in corruption and criminal activities since Muse came to power in 2005. It is not clear what move the Ethiopian government wants President Yusuf to make in light of their complaints against the Puntland leader. But many observers see Yusuf, the former Puntland strongman, as the region's de facto ruler long after his ascension to the Somali presidency. Source: Garoweonline/AllAfrica

Originally posted by Dabshid: Thanks Caamir for the article, You wlc.

MMA, disarray is a state confusion or turmoil. It does not mean choas.

Reuters’s methodology of news reporting is not without criticism in this particular situation. Its reliability regarding the accuracy of its news reporting from Sanaag is highly questionable because it often receives the wrong information frmo these two entities which always claim Sanaag as though they have jurisdiction over the Makhir State when in fact it is the inhabitants and their shaky administration of Maakhir that can be said to have the authoritative facts and knowledge over what truly occurred. The American Chronicle relies its news from local sources such as LaasQorey.Net. Whilst Somaliland (Northwest) craves to the opposite of observable consequences of true but unfavorable events and thus sways international news agency from the ineffectiveness of its tribal administration , it has no real political or military authority in the region except claiming old colonial borders, so the ostensible truth of news from Makhir news agencies which often provide substantial evidence bolstering their reports in the region go unnoticed. The reason is that no such agencies would want their staff, stationed in Nairobi, to divert from their regular activities in conformity to their non-alignment policy of news reporting in Northern Somalia other than going alone with the "disputed status" of Sool and Sanaag; You can simply understand that it quotes two conflicting statements from Puntland and Somaliland over what has actually happened Wouldn't you therefore disagree with such conflicting statements and deem them as statements subject to biased views and distortion of facts. Somaliland continues to claim the entire area of the former British Somaliland. It is currently under the control of the western half of the former British Somaliland, with northeastern Maakhir having declared a separate, unrecognized autonomous state within Somalia on July 1, 2007. Press TV

Clinton Team Seeks to Calm Turmoil The Wall Street Journal 14 February 2008 MCALLEN, Texas -- With Spanish music blaring, Sen. Hillary Clinton campaigned across South Texas yesterday with a more populist message, as her new campaign manager sought to reshape a campaign that has lost eight straight primaries in a week. Maggie Williams, a confidante of Mrs. Clinton from when she was first lady, has moved to assert her control following the departure last weekend of former campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle. Ms. Williams is running a daily conference on what ads to put up and expanding the inner circle with advisers from the old Clinton White House. But the campaign has something of a shellshocked feel, as staffers privately chew over a blowup last week where internal frictions flared into the open. Clinton campaign operatives say it happened as top Clinton advisers gathered in Arlington, Va., campaign headquarters to preview a TV commercial. "Your ad doesn't work," strategist Mark Penn yelled at ad-maker Mandy Grunwald. "The execution is all wrong," he said, according to the operatives. "Oh, it's always the ad, never the message," Ms. Grunwald fired back, say the operatives. The clash got so heated that political director Guy Cecil left the room, saying, "I'm out of here." Adding to the sense of drama, an aide to Sen. Barack Obama yesterday declared the Clinton campaign all but doomed. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said that Mrs. Clinton can't become the Democratic nominee without winning every remaining contest in "blowout form." In a conference call with reporters, he said that "even the most creative math" won't get her there. To disprove that, the Clinton team is relying on its new campaign manager, Ms. Williams, and her reshaping of the candidate's message to focus more on solutions for working-class people. As part of that revamp, Sen. Clinton is getting tougher on Mr. Obama. "There's a big difference between me and my opponent," Mrs. Clinton told a mostly Hispanic crowd here in McAllen: "I am in the solutions business. My opponent is in the promises business." Meanwhile, she launched her first negative ad, airing one in Wisconsin that criticized Barack Obama for not agreeing to debate before that state's primary. Though Mr. Obama has pulled slightly ahead in delegates, Mrs. Clinton's advisers say their candidate can halt his momentum -- as she did after her Iowa loss by winning New Hampshire -- in part by besting him in coming debates. On the trail yesterday, Mrs. Clinton denied there was any dysfunction or a somber mood in her campaign. "We have a tremendous amount of energy and focus. In fact, people are coming in, volunteering their time. If you look at what we've done on the Internet in the last week, supporters and contributors are really committed." This, she said, "is the exciting part of the campaign where you really get down to saying, 'OK, what are the differences?'" Ms. Williams is pouring resources into two must-win states, Texas and Ohio, which vote March 4. Some advisers are looking even further out: to spring contests in Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico. Mr. Penn yesterday released a memo saying that Mrs. Clinton leads in the "three largest, delegate-rich states remaining: Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania." He noted that they have 492 delegates, or 64% of the remaining total Mrs. Clinton needs for the nomination. Campaign aides say Ms. Williams and newcomers she brought from the old Clinton White House, such as Doug Sosnick and Steve Richetti, bring a needed jolt of energy. Some add, though, that the drumbeat of recent Obama wins casts a pall, particularly on the long-timers who've watched the campaign's slide. Still, it's possible the tumult, including the staff shakeup, could be just what the limping Clinton campaign needs. John McCain dumped his campaign managers last summer when his candidacy seemed to be tanking. Now he is the strong Republican front-runner. Indeed, the biggest sign of trouble for Mrs. Clinton recently -- the need for her to make a $5 million loan to her campaign -- will turn out to be "the turning point," predicts Alan Patricof, a venture capitalist who is one of her national finance chairs. "People see what a fighter Hillary is and want to help her come back," he says. The campaign projects it will raise around $20 million this month. On Tuesday, the campaign faced another shift when deputy campaign manager Mike Henry resigned, following Ms. Solis Doyle. He said he wanted to pave the way for the new campaign manager to build her own team. Both Mr. Henry and Ms. Solis Doyle felt pressure to allow a new direction in the campaign. Ms. Solis Doyle recently returned home after two months on the road to find a family accustomed to her absence, she told colleagues. When her 6-year-old son cried out one night recently, he rebuffed his mom, saying, "I want Daddy." Ms. Solis Doyle flew out of the room in tears and told her husband: "Joey doesn't want me. S- this campaign, I'm quitting." Some Hispanic leaders had written to Mrs. Clinton that it would be "troubling to many" if Ms. Solis Doyle, the first Latina to run a presidential campaign, was removed because of primary losses that were other people's fault. The campaign urged Ms. Solis Doyle, whose parents and siblings emigrated from Mexico, to state publicly that she wasn't forced out. Ms. Solis Doyle told reporters: "This is my decision, my choice, my timing. . . . There was no pressure." Mr. Patricof, the co-finance chairman, is brainstorming for new fund-raising ideas, having already raised the maximum legal amounts from hundreds of donors. Last weekend, he emailed finance director Jonathan Mantz with a suggestion to dial for dollars via video conference. The campaign is considering it. Mr. Patricof has even pulled out all his Christmas cards with their envelopes (for their addresses) as a reminder of people he can ask to donate to Mrs. Clinton. Another idea from the campaign: Host several private events -- at supporters' apartments all located in a single Manhattan high-rise -- in one night, so Mrs. Clinton can appear simply by riding the elevator. Earlier this week, Mr. Mantz held a quick meeting in a hotel lobby in Washington with donors, some of whom are involved in the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and were in town for other business. Mr. Mantz also went to Philadelphia to meet with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and supporters there. "Momentum [for Mr. Obama] doesn't amount to a sweep, and we can weather the storm in February," Mr. Mantz told the groups. "This is a roller coaster; hang on for the topsy-turvy ride." The campaign is planning several fund-raisers in the next two weeks. Debbie Branson, a Dallas lawyer who will host one, says instead of the standard fee of $1,000, she's lowered the price for some tickets to $250 to attract more attendees. To quash a rumor that operatives had resorted to working free, campaign chair Terry McAuliffe told reporters last week: "All staff are 100% being paid. We now have money." But Ms. Williams is working as a volunteer. So are several other recent additions, such as Steve Richetti, who was deputy chief of staff in the Clinton White House. One priority now is wooing the so-called superdelegates -- elected and party officials who could decide the nomination if the tally of pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses is very close. Some who were supposed to stay neutral aren't holding. Virginia Rep. Jim Moran, who initially wasn't backing either candidate, came out this week for Mr. Obama. Yesterday, another superdelegate, David Wilhelm, sided with Mr. Obama. Mr. Wilhelm had been Bill Clinton's 1992 national manager. The pressure inside the campaign began after Iowa. Devastated by her third-place showing in the Jan. 3 caucuses, Mrs. Clinton brought in Ms. Williams as an adviser. In her victory speech after she won New Hampshire, Mrs. Clinton said she had "found her voice." Some aides believe that voice came from Ms. Williams. When Feb. 5 Super Tuesday results were inconclusive, the team led by Ms. Solis Doyle grew more deflated, and it was increasingly clear fresh leadership was needed. Named to the campaign manager job, Ms. Williams began putting in place new processes to make decisions more quickly. With each recent contest, Mr. Obama has made inroads into Mrs. Clinton's voter base, including women, older voters, whites and working-class voters. He's also outpacing her on money raised. All day yesterday, the Clinton and Obama campaigns traded barbs via emails to the press. Mrs. Clinton stayed on the stump, wearing her trademark yellow jacket and a sunny disposition, while the campaign song blaring here, in Spanish, was "Estos Celos," or "This Jealousy." Copyright © 2008, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)

Originally posted by AfricaOwn: Do you agree with what you posted? No I should agree with what Hadhwanaagnews and Somalilandtimes scribble on their walls.

Kulan balaaran oo loga hadlayo arimaha Dhinaca Amaanka oo maanta ka dhacay Xarunta Dowlada Hoose ee degmada Bosaaso ee Xarunta G/Bari. Bosaaso:-kulankan oo ahaa kulan balaaran oo ay ka soo Qayb galaeen Guud ahaan Qaybaha maamulka iiyo bulshada kala duwan ee Magaalda Bosaso oo lugu Gorfaynayey Xaaaldaha Amaan ee Degmada Bosaso iyo Guud ahaan Degaanada Maamulka Puntland ayaa Waxaa uu ka dhacay Xarunat Dowalda Hoose ee Degmada Bosaso Waxaana Shir Gudoominayey MADAX WAYNE KU Xigenka Mamulka Puntland ahna sii hayaha Xilka Madax waynaha Xasan Daahir maxamud (Afqurac). Waiirka Wasaarada Maaliyada Maxamed Cali yuusuf ( Gaagaab ) iyadoo ay nabadoonada iyo Wax ga radka Reer Puntland Gaar ahaan Reer Bosaso ay tusaale u soo qaateen Wax yaabihii ugu Dameeyey ee ka dhaca Degaanada Maamul Goboleedka Puntland iyadoo intuu kulankaasi Socdey Madax wayanah ahana sii hayaha Xilka madax wayne uu talefoon uga yimid Dagaal markaasi si Life ah uga Soconayey tuka Raq oo ay iskaga Hor yimadeen Maamulka Puntland iyo Somaliland Sida lugu soo Waramayo. Kulakaasi ayaa waxaa ka hadlay Gudoomiyaha RugtaGanacsiga jaamac dheere oo sheegay In Hadii loo doorto jagada madax wayne oo uu Rajaynayo uu balan qadayo inuu Xoraynayo Dib u soo Celinta Magaalada Laascanood ee Xarunta Gobolka ,isagoo sheegay inuu yahay musharax u taagan Jagada Madaxnimo ee Maamulka Puntland. Kulankankaasi ayaa Sidoo kale Waxaa hadalo dhaliila ka soo Jeediyey Qaybaha kala Duwan ee Bulshada Sida isimada iyo Weliba wax garadka kale ee bulshada iyadoo ay ku eedayeen Qaybaha bulshada Degmada Bosaso Inaaney Wax Xiriira Wada Lahayn Shacabka taasina aytahay mid aan lugu wada shaqaysan karin. Nabadoon Qaaxiyo oo ka mida ah nabadoonada Sida Wayn looga yaqaan gobolka bari ayaa Gashaanka ku Dhuftay inay jirto Dhibaato Wayn oo kala hasyata Maamulka iyo Dad Wayanah taasi oo uu buu yiri nabadoonku ah kala Warqab la,aan aan layska War Hayn oo Shacabka iyo maamulka Midba Goonidiisa uu shaqaynayo iyo Weliba la tashi,la,aan ay Maamulka keli ku yihiin oo nin Waliba uu ku howlan yahay Sidii uu isga oo keliya Wax u qabsan lahaa. Geba Gebadii kulankaasi ayaa Waxaa hadalo ka soo jeediyey Madax wayne ku Xigeenka Maamul Goboleedka Puntland ahan Sii hayaha Xilka Madax wayanah Maamulka Puntland oo Sheegay In Wax badan oo Amaanka ah ay Wax ka qabayaan Odayasha isimada iyo Qaybaha Haweenka ee Shirkaasi ka soo qayb galayana ka balan qaaday Inuu Wax badan ka qabayo Amaanka Wax kastoo ay kuq adanayso isgoo afqurax Hanjabaad kulul u diray Maamulka Somaluiland Mar uu ka halayey kulankaasina ku eedayey Falkii Ceerigaabo ka dacayee Dhaca ahaa FoolXumada iyo Musuq maasuqa Somaliland. Kulankan ayaa Geba Gebadii ku soo Dhamaday Jaw aad u Wanaagsan iyadoo Inta badan Laysku waafaqay In hal meel loo soo jeensado Sidii looga qayb qadan lahaa Amaanka iyo Xasilonida Degaanka Gobolada Puntland Gaar ahaan Degmada Bosaso ee Gobolka BAri. Kulankan oo u jeeda ugu Wayn ee Maanta looga hadlayey ay ahayd Arimaha Amaanka ayaa Waxaa ka soo Qayb galay Qaybaha kala duwan ee Bulshada Sida Haweenka Nabadoonada Cuqaasah iyo Odayaasha Dhaqanka Gobolka bari iyadoo Si gaara laysugu Wada Raacay in si gaara Xil laysaga Saaro Amaanka Wixii amaanak wax u dhimayana bulshadu ay hal meel uga soo jeensato. Source: Dhahar.com

Somalia: a German abducted, Maakhir in Stability, and Somaliland in Disarray By Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis February 13, 2008 February 13, 2008 Somalia: a German abducted, Maakhir in Stability, and Somaliland in Disarray Over the past two months, we dedicated several articles to Maakhir, the self-proclaimed autonomous state in Northern Somalia that acclaims every unitary effort in the multi-targeted and war-stricken country of the Horn of Africa. Contrarily to the secessionist aspirations of Somaliland that lies in the West, and the ineffective political targets of Puntland that lies in the East, the Maakhir authorities pledge full commitment to peace, concord, and local development until the time of an All-Somali Union. In the few months that passed since the new state was launched (1 July 2007), tiny Maakhir (area: 35000 km2; population: 700000 people) proved to be a paradise of stability and concord, civil order and environmental sensibilities, if compared to warring Somalialnd and Puntland that do gravely threaten stability and peace, socioeconomic development and national union in the Horn of Africa area, in the same way the Abyssinian soldiers do trigger Islamic Extremism in the Somali South. Abduction of a German male aid worker In a clearly deteriorating environment in the ailing and unrecognized pseudo-state of Somaliland, a German male aid worker was reported abducted in Erigavo earlier today by gunmen loyal to Somaliland militias in the area. The news spread immediately allover the world, as it highlights the total incapacity of Somaliland´s secessionist government. The authoritative Maakhir portal Laaqoray.net, in an informative article (http://www.laasqoray.net/view_article.php?articleid=2662), gave details about the event, stating that "Eye witnesses reported that the aid worker's driver was wounded by gunfire when the kidnappers intercepted his vehicle in an area claimed by both the breakaway states of Maakhir and Somaliland. According to elders in the city the aid worker and his driver was heading to Waqdiriya (an ancient town controlled by Maakhir) area outside Erigavo when the gunmen ambushed and snatched him and left his driver wounded and lying on the floor. The abducted aid worker was employed by German Agro Action, a non-governmental organization which has been operating in the area for several years. The NGO based in Bonn, [known in Germany as Welthungerhilfe] confirmed that one of its employees had been abducted in northern Somalia. In the area where the abduction took place, Agro Action [which has been active in Somalia since 1990s] was leading a project on irrigated farming development. Aid workers, notably foreigners, have been increasingly targeted in all parts of the restive Horn of Africa country". Through contacts with various Maakhiri authorities, we reconfirmed that the early information, according to which the abductors went to Southern Erigavo, was false. As a matter of fact, the Erigavo district is divided between Somaliland and Maakhir. As the area was for many years open to roaming Puntland and Somaliland militias, the Maakhir Authority made repeated calls for self-restrain in order to help establish a minimum security around its borders. Reports from Badhan, the Maakhir capital, specified that the abducted German aid worker was taken away to the mountains toward Daalo, an area controlled by clan militia supporting Somaliland. The Maakhir Authority, in an effort to solve the problem, entered into negotiations with the tribe loyal to Somaliland (***** Clans) because Somaliland does not exercise real power in its eastern regions. Maakhiri elders from the Maakhiri part of Erigavo have held talks with their ***** counterparts, offering full support in order to obtain the release of the abducted German aid worker. Mohamed Digil, a former Somaliland administrator as head of ´uncontrolled´ militias According to converging information from Laasqoray and Maakhiri Erigavo, the militia that abducted the aid worker is clan militia unhappy with the Argo Action representative and his team, as they were heading towards Waqderiya (an ancient town controlled by Maakhir) in order to consider details pertaining to a new development project. The ´uncontrolled´ militias had allegedly stated to the Argo Action representative that the area is disputed, and demanded that the NGO does not help whomever may be currently in control in Waqderiya. This reveals the dedication and the commitment of the German NGO, and the dramatic circumstances under which they do their best to help the indigenous populations. Through my latest contacts, I got the reconfirmation that the leader of the militias involved in the abduction is no other than the notorious Mohamed Digil, a former administrator in the breakaway and unrecognized, mafia state of Somaliland. Mohamed Digil belongs to the Habar Yonis clan, which is a sub-clan of Muse Ismael and Jibrel Turwa. Why? As we already said, Somaliland does not exercise real political, economic and military power in the province of Western Sanaag, even though the area is a ***** territory; for non insiders, the ***** clan is the strongest component of the secessionist administration of Somaliland, but this does not imply total ***** support to the Hargeysa puppets of the Abyssinian tribal dictator Meles Zenawi. Many ***** Somalis oppose the paranoid secessionist dreams of the Abyssinian puppets who portray themselves as Somaliland´s leaders. As a matter of fact, Somaliland functionaries are scarce in the east of the Hargeysa and Berbera, the main Somaliland´s port which is controlled by Abyssinian paramilitary criminals and thugs. The abductors are certainly loyal to Somaliland authorities in terms of clan, but as long as we are not aware of their projects and targets, we can only express the conjecture that they employed methods already successfully employed in Yemen in order to attract governmental interest and subsidies. Antecedents Beyond the illustrious Yemenite tradition in this regard, we have to admit that abduction has been a common story in Puntland where last year two women from Spain and Argentina working for MSF were abducted. A while back, a French cameraman preparing a documentary on migrants was also kidnapped. In all cases, ransom was paid to the abductors in order to get the aid workers back. As for many years Somaliland and Puntland have been engaged in conflict over the territories of Sool and Sanaag, and always viewed these provinces as marginal to either Hargeysa and Garowe, their respective capitals, the autochthonous populations enthusiastically sought peace and development, and backed their political leaders who declared its independence as Maakhir State of Somalia. Maakhir is therefore the guarantee for civil order and discipline in the area. What to do? One of the most critical problems of the Horn of Africa region, and Somalia more particularly, is related to the uncontrolled areas of Eastern Somaliland where the political vacuum and the socio-economic underdevelopment are matched with tribal militias prevalence. The clash between some clan militias and the otherwise nebulous and ill-fated administration of unrecognized Somaliland endangers peace and progress in the entire area. When every clan has its own militias, the rise of tribalism gives localism an anti-patriotic nuance that ends up in ceaseless wars. Somaliland is also threatened because of this procedure; when Eil-Afweyn is controlled by ***** militias who don't care whether Somaliland exists or not, the Hargeysa warlords should re-think about their dreams of international recognition that, if we assume possible to materialize (which is not the case), could turn to a nightmare of the utmost subdivision and split. It would be to the benefit of all these provisory states in the Somali North to cede control of their borders to UN peacekeeping forces until a General Constituent Assembly of all the Somalis brings forth the next, real, effective and auspicious National Unity Government of Somalia. Maakhir should be helped in its effort to establish civil order, social rehabilitation, and unitary national feeling, and supported in its commitment to stop illegal charcoal trading, and hunting, Note Picture: the natural pyramids of Sanaag in the autonomous state of Maakhir in the north of Somalia

Suldaan, who are those kidnappers? Somaliland administration has yet to comment on either the kidnapping or the release of the aid worker. (check the above News.) Without politicizing this unfortunate incident, I think it was to the great work of the residents and elders who collaborated with those who negotiated for the release of the aid worker. IT is the first time this type of incident happened in a peaceful region like Sanaag, so let us call that a unique one.

He looks younger on the first pic.

German hostage released in northern Somalia MOGADISHU , Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Somaliland security forces has rescued a kidnapped German aid worker from custody in the northern Somali region of Sanaag, police said Wednesday. The German aid worker was kidnapped Tuesday after his vehicle was ambushed by heavily armed gunmen as he was traveling to an area outside Erigavo, a town claimed by both the breakaway republic of Somaliland and the autonomous state of Puntland. "Our troops helped release the hostage unharmed from the kidnappers," a police officer in the breakaway republic of Somaliland, told Xinhua by phone from Erigavo, requesting for anonymity. " We have received intelligence as to where he was being held and acted immediately to rescue the hostage and we are following the captors," he said. The German national was reported to work for German Agro Action (GAA), a non-governmental organization which has been operating in the area for some time, a local radio reported. Puntland officials have said that the area in which the German aid worker was kidnapped was not under their control but is under the administration of Somaliland which is yet to comment on the kidnapping. Source: Xinhua

Originally posted by Centurion: ^^ Bit of an akward chap though, what? I read the news a couple of days back that the premier would meet Javier today. Thanks for the link.

lol@ Isseh. I know Adde Muse would say such words. Waa nin aan xishoon.

Maxaa kala socotaa Heerka Waxbarasho ee Dugsiyada Sare ee Magaalada Ceerigaabo Ceerigaabo :Wax barashada Dugsiga Sare ee Magaalada Ceerigaabo ee Xarunta Sanaag ayaa Noqotay Mida ugu Horumarsan Dalka Somaliya ka dib markii la Ogaadey Hanaanka iyo Heerka baaxadale ee ay ka taagantahay Degmoyinka kale ee Dalka Somaliya. Ceerigaabo waxa ay ka tirsantahay Degaanada sida Khaaska ah ay u degaan Dadka ka soo Jeeda Gobolka Sanaag Waxaana ka taliya Maamulka Gobolka Sanaag ee Makhir state. Ma jirto wax Raad iyo awood ah oo la Oran karo Somaliland way ku leedahay Sababtoo ah Degaanka Waxa Meteli kara Shacabka uu ka soo Jeeda. Hadaba Intaasi ka bacda ayaa waxaan Booqanay Dugsiga sare ee Wax barashada Degmada Ceerigaabo oo ah Dusgsiyadii ay Hirgelisay Dowaladii Hore ee Jaale Maxamed Siyaad Bare Waqtigii ay ka arimin jirtey Dalka Somaliya ilaa haatana Waxaa Dhismaha iskuulkaasi uu yahay Mid Heer sare ah oo aan wax Dayac ah marin. Waxaa ay isugu jiraan ardayda Wax ka barataa Dusgsiga sare ee magalada Ceerigabo Wiilal iyo Hablo ku Howlan sidii ay u gaadhi lahayeen Heerka jaamacadeed ee ay Dalkooda wax ugu qabsan donaan. Magaalada Ceerigaabo ayaa Sidoo kale waxaa ku yaal In ka badan ilaa 20 iskuul oo isugu jira hoose Dhexe iyo Sare ku waasi oo Dhamaantood ay wax ka dhigaan Macalimiin wax ku soo bartay jamacado ku yaal Dalka Gudihiisa iyo Debediisaba. Sidoo kale Goobihii aan booqanay ayaa waxaa ka mid ahaa Gobtii ay ku Olayd Jaamacadii Hore ee Degmadaasi Ceerigaabo ee loo yiqiin Dayaxa waxaana ay haatan tahay Meel aan waxba laga baran balse ay Weli ka muuqato qaabkii jamacadeed. Inta badan ardayda Wax ka barata Dusgiga Sare ee Magaladaasi Ceerigaabo ayaa waxa ay waxbarasho u raadsadaan Jamacadeed dalalka Suuriya, Hindiya, Sudaan, bakistaan, Malaysiya iyo Sidoo kale ku wa dalka oo ku kala yaal Boorame iyo Bosaso. Maamulka iskuulaadka Magaalada Ceerigaabo ayaa Sheegay Inay Wax barasahada u badka Xilgaara ay iska Saraan isla mar ahaantaasina Sanad Walba ay jiraan Boqolaal Dhalinyaro ah oo ka qalin jibesa Wax barasahda Sare ee Degmada Cerigaabo ku waasi oo inta badan Wax barashadooda ku Dhamaysta Qurbaha iyo Meelaha kale ee ay ka Heli karayaan. Source: Dhahar.com

Originally posted by Baashi: Morning camel boy Oodweyne, You seem to have missed the point mze Duale is trying to make here. The way I read it -- if I’m not mistaken -- the piece is a lighthearted sweeping generalization that satirizes the political class of nomad world and their art. He equates the current crop of political prostitutes that call the shots in that far away sand dunes -- unknowingly perhaps -- to the great Shamans. . Well said Baashi, senior librarian-Oodweyne often swirls his slinging-mud critique in putrid smoke both to divert the important message that this article makes and to grandstand upon visiting readers whom he believe would intuitively agree with his long but pointless responses. Ps. Siiarag resides in Somalia and has lived there ever since Somalia's civil war. He is a true patriot who, on many chances, refused to live as expatriate.

War nimankaas awood aan caadi aheen bey yeesheen.

Originally posted by Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar: Dad ayaa leh guri ayaa nagala dhacay, nagala heystaa. Ka waran kuwa hantida dowladeed ku tumanaayo? Maxee yihiin kuwaas? Dadkaas yaa waaye? lol MMA, how are we going to believe Somali web portals and their clannish, anti-government propoganda without some hard proof or documentation that backs up their claims.

JB that is amazing. If others, that otherwise would be glad to be at ease within modest bounds, should not by invasion increase their power, they would not be able, long time, by standing only on their defence, to subsist" From Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes.

Expatriates ministry discusses Yemenis issues in Somalia SANA'A, Feb. 09 (Saba)- Minister of Expatriates Affairs Saleh Sumei confirmed his ministry's readiness on easing difficulties and obstacles Yemeni community faces in Somalia. In his meeting with Yemeni ambassador in Somalia Ahmad Omer for tackling issues of Yemeni expatriates in Somalia, Sumei highlighted efforts exerted by the embassy for grouping Yemenis under the umbrella of Yemeni community there. The ambassador presented a detailed explanation on electoral process of the administrative staff of Yemeni community in Somalia, talking about livelihood of the community under heavy fighting in Somalia. Source: OANA. All rights reserved

It is incumbent upon us and the world to reinstate the Somali state. Pirates thrive in anarchy. Talks with pirates over hijacked Sakhalin-bound tugboat continue YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, February 11 (RIA Novosti) - Talks with pirates who seized a tugboat carrying a Russian-British-Irish crew off the coast of Somalia coast two weeks ago are continuing, a spokesman for the Danish owner said on Monday. The Svitzer Korsakov vessel, intended for use in the Sakhalin II oil and gas project led by Russian energy giant Gazprom, was seized in the early afternoon of February 1 during a voyage from St. Petersburg to Russia's Far Eastern island of Sakhalin via Singapore. "A British company with experience of resolving such conflicts is continuing talks with the pirates," said Andrus Tamm. "We hope that the situation will be settled in the near future and the vessel and its crew will be able to make their way to Sakhalin," he continued, also commenting that the pirates had made their financial demands clear. He did not give details, however. The captain of the six-man crew is British. Another four crew members are from Russia and the ship's engineer is Irish. All of the crew members remain on board the vessel, and are reportedly in good health, Tamm added. The Danish company that owns the tugboat - Svitzer Wijsmuller Sakhalin Ltd. - has been contracted by Sakhalin Energy to transport ships to the Russian Far East. Pirate attacks are a common occurrence off Somalia's coast, and in the past several vessels carrying United Nations aid to the country have been targeted. Attackers usually seize cargo, money and other valuables, but rarely capture ships or crew members. SOURCE: Ria Navosti

Amazing piece. The Chief of Chiefs - The Man Who Matters In Somali Politics By A. Duale Sii'arag Feb. 10 , 2008 “Of all the races of Africa, there cannot be one better to live among than the most difficult, the proudest, the bravest, the vainest, the most merciless, the friendliest: the Somalis. Every individual Somali fights to stay himself, a person… The Somali fumed under discipline and loved the irregular life, the scattered patrol and the lone effort which might bring him to individual notice, to recognition for what he might achieve on his own”. Gerald Hanley, Warriors, Life and death among the Somalis With the crumble of time-honored traditional systems and state institutions, a new breed of leadership arises from the ashes. From Djibouti to Nairobi, the Somali-inhabited Horn of Africa has become the political grazing land of the blissful-looking His Highness the Chief of Chiefs. The Chief of Chiefs is becoming a household name which is simultaneously revered and dreaded. Politics and political gamesmanship are in his blood and the fates of many Somali political leaders are in the palm of his hand. Charismatic, controversial and loquacious, the Chief of Chiefs is a man to be reckoned with – a man of paramount exploits and of different stamp. Majored in the art of expedience, the Chief of Chiefs is extravagant and enjoys the trappings that come with celebrity-like popularity. With cohorts and fans across the Horn, the Chief of Chiefs is the foremost leader that Somalis would look up to when a matter of peace and death are being dealt with. A self-made chieftain, a cheerleader, a clairvoyant, an emerging star pundit, a statesman of stature, a potentate of note in his realm; the Chief of Chiefs is undisputedly the most influential personality in the tumultuous politics of the beleaguered Horn of Africa region. From Asmara to Kampala, he is too cozy with those in powers who are often smarting from sagging popularity and are paralyzed by incompetence, corruption and dictatorship and with influence-peddling business elites, who mercilessly fleece and molest the less fortunate and are eternally wedded to the power usurpers. Intellectuals with glittering academic credentials are queuing and jostling at his doorstep simply to win his blessings and patronage. He is befitting to his alter ego described as one who “likes to feel that men are bricks to his trowel, to build with them what he likes; and they find a secret zest in being led by him”. Immaculately dressed, engaging and friendly and loved by women; the Chief of Chiefs is a trendsetter of a sort. Persuasive and articulate arguments are his inherent forte. The Chief of Chiefs, an indefatigable genius, who has graduated from the school of a degenerating society, from the womb of an anguished nation, has effectively supplanted the natural traditional leaders, genuine politicians and intelligentsia. He is shrewd enough to grab every opportunity that comes his way. He may not necessarily tune to any melody, but orchestrates remarkable symphonies for others to dance to. He enjoys a flamboyant media presence and is outspoken on every issue. The Chief of Chiefs, an impresario of the highest order, can trigger enormous tremors in many shaky fiefdoms in the neighborhood and has the capacity to pull the rugs beneath sitting feeble presidents and prime ministers. Born and bred in the sparsely populated, reddish, parched grazing lands of the Hawd – a much coveted dreamland for the mighty camels in the Somali peninsula, in a period of roiling instability, he commanded what seemed like a posse of bandits. In his formative years, he was a leader of a brutal clan brigand which took pride in raiding villages and settlements of nearby clans for the purpose of wresting the gorgeous beasts - the camel. His bravado and predatory habits enlisted both the fear and envy of his peers. He always carried a crucial item that no man who matters could do without – a rifle. Fickle and restless, unpredictability was deeply ingrained in his DNA. As a conceited, young rogue cameleer with short-temper and swift hand for brawl, he was always quarrelsome and spoiling for a fight. He was inured to bloodshed from childhood, passionately vindictive and audacious in attack often on trifling issues. Boastful of his lineage and their prowess, he proved a highly dreaded bird of prey. As a glutton of the delectable camel milk, the mainstay of the men of the Hawd, a herd of milk camels were always at hand to quench his insatiable cravings for the nutritious staple. Bending his left leg, he will stand on the right, squeezing the teats with his right hand and squirting a flow of milk from the udder to a vessel in his left hand and at times directly into his mouth, guzzling at the rate of about half a liter a minute. Young and culturally untrained, like many of his generation of cameleers, he migrated first to the city of Hargeisa and then to Mogadishu in his late twenties, with virtually no practical skills to prepare him for the shift to the urban life. Apart from crude masculinity and inherent audacity, he was ill-equipped to weather the dynamics of the rough and tumble of city life. A sinner turned a saint; the city life has altered the Chief of Chiefs in a big way. Within short span of time, he transformed himself from a dreaded cameleer brigand to a respected city suave – an influential powerbroker, a kingmaker, an enterprising magnetic personality with unparalleled political clout and patronizing smile. With no compunction and little contemplation of his past, he continues to conquer and explore the world of immense opportunities with vengeance. He peppers a much-needed spice to the often convoluted and murky politics of the region. His expertise in conflict resolution is sought after by governments, warlords and rival clans. Astute in playing his cards and with unusual knack for realpolitik and machinations, he evinces an aura of confidence, wielding wide-ranging political and social leverages, and patronizes trendy restaurants and cozy middle class Qat salons such as the Maan-hadal. The Chief of Chiefs bears a truly regional distinction. With multiple veiled identities, his diplomatic tentacles are wide-reaching. He travels with Ethiopian, Djiboutian, Kenyan and Somali passports, to name a few. He is accredited to have miraculously succeeded in resolving some of the recent political gridlocks in the Horn. Among other things, he has allegedly persuaded Meles to dump the ill-famed former Prime minister of Somalia, Ali Geddi, and Rayaale to set free the incarcerated leaders of the Qaran political party. He is now eyeing the crisis in Kenya where his dexterous hands may be solicited. The Chief of Chiefs is an altogether changed man but the cause for the change of his persona can neither be analytically quantified nor elucidated rationally. His rise to the commanding heights of social and political glory remains one of the inexplicable phenomenons of this century. Experts are unable to decipher into the mysteries as to how he has been catapulted to such pinnacles, but the fact remains that he is calling the shots. Is this the kind of leadership that can steer Somalis out of the quagmire in which they are helplessly trapped in? It is somewhat baffling, if not a mere display of poetic justice, that Somalis, from all walks of life, remain pawns of cunning self-made characters such His Highness the Chief of Chiefs. A. Duale Sii'arag E-Mailbaxaal@yahoo.com WardheerNews Contributor at Large

LabaXininyod has to translate these peoms for the young majority in this site. He excels in that department.

Kook-Kat, I am a big fan of your stories. You are one funny girl . A similar one, My 1st cousin along with his family whom all were born and raised in Hargeisa came to live with our nuclear family in Merka for circumstances beyond their control (the first civil war). We used to make fun of him until his northern dialect evolved into the normal southern dialect. That was after 1988, and after the major civil in 1991, we were all seperated. He went back to the Northeast whereas we were forced to move to Kenya. In two years, my cousin's Somali-southern dialect is completely transformed again just like he was before. It is how it is. Environment has a strong impact on how we act, behave, and think.