The United States has deepening concerns about the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region as well as other threats to the sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity of Ethiopia. People in Tigray continue to suffer human rights violations, abuses, and atrocities, and urgently needed humanitarian relief is being blocked by the Ethiopian and Eritrean militaries as well as other armed actors. Despite significant diplomatic engagement, the parties to the conflict in Tigray have taken no meaningful steps to end hostilities or pursue a peaceful resolution of the political crisis. The United States condemns in the strongest terms the killings, forced removals, systemic sexual violence, and other human rights violations and abuses. We are equally appalled by the destruction of civilian property including water sources, hospitals, and medical facilities, taking place in Tigray. We call on the Ethiopian government to meet public commitments to hold accountable all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, to protect civilians, and to ensure unhindered humanitarian access. We call for the Eritrean government to live up to its public commitment and immediately return its troops to internationally recognized Eritrean territory. Without an immediate cessation of hostilities and a rapid expansion of humanitarian access, current and significant food insecurity could lead to famine. The time for action from the international community is now. Today, I am announcing a visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act on the issuance of visas for any current or former Ethiopian or Eritrean government officials, members of the security forces, or other individuals—to include Amhara regional and irregular forces and members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)—responsible for, or complicit in, undermining resolution of the crisis in Tigray. This includes those who have conducted wrongful violence or other abuses against people in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, as well as those who have hindered access of humanitarian assistance to those in the region. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Should those responsible for undermining a resolution of the crisis in Tigray fail to reverse course, they should anticipate further actions from the United States and the international community. We call on other governments to join us in taking these actions. Additionally, we have imposed wide-ranging restrictions on economic and security assistance to Ethiopia and will bring our defense trade control policy in line with them. We will continue humanitarian assistance and certain other critical aid to Ethiopia in areas such as health, food security, basic education, support for women and girls, human rights and democracy, good governance, and conflict mitigation, consistent with available authorities. The United States will continue its existing broad restrictions on assistance to Eritrea. The United States reiterates its calls for a durable, political solution to the crisis. We are committed to supporting efforts to resolve the crisis in Tigray and help Ethiopians advance reconciliation and dialogue to overcome current divisions. United States’ Actions to Press for the Resolution of the Crisis in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia - United States Department of State WWW.STATE.GOV The United States has deepening concerns about the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region as well as other threats to the sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity of Ethiopia. People in Tigray...

Deni confirms it. All residents can vote.

MMA, Is he really related to Fahad Yasin?

Come now, you can't be this easily offended?

That's good to know!

Puntland is not separate country. Every citizen is entitled to vote. Any resident regardless of their geographical origin should able to vote and run for offices.

For the first time, Pland will be holding municipal elections. The question is who can vote or run? Only native clans or all residents? Puntland elections will set the tone for the rest of the country. It will be crucial to the rights of every Somali citizen. It can usher true federalism or entrench clan politics.

Bernia calls Netanyahu for what he is, a power-hungry racist.

His incendiary remarks given a platform propagated by Garoweonline Somalia's opposition regrets withdrawal of "loyal" troops from Mogadishu WWW.GAROWEONLINE.COM

Good work.

Ciid Mubarak folks.

...or so they taught. The man turns out to be Jewish.

‘They Set Everything On Fire’: The Paramilitary Forces Killing People They’re Meant to Protect ‘They Set Everything On Fire’: The Paramilitary Forces Killing People They’re Meant to Protect WWW.VICE.COM Ethiopia’s state-backed Amhara region security forces are attacking people in their own region. The resulting violence has displaced thousands.

The biggest surprise and worry for the Israelis is the rioting and upheaval within Israel. Arabs Israelis rose up in many towns and cities. In some places, the authorities temporarily lost control.

To be blunt, I would not want the Somali capital to be close to any town dominated by D, H, or I blocks. Baraawe seems to be gaining some consensus. Otherwise, move it to Baydhabo whose citizens are reasonable and pro dowladnimo.