Jeegaanta has more credible elections than the fat dictator. But he is slightly better than EPDRF

It will be hard to move the capital to somewhere else. But if it ever happens, a place like Barawe will be more ideal. It is not inhibited or controlled by D or H.

ANDM convened a meeting. The leadership hierarchy remains the same. Demeke Mekonnen still has his job, another possible candidate for the premiership.

A newly-trained, young presidential guard (Red Berets) died. He was the first to engage the attackers. In another incident, Somali forces and AMISOM exchanged fire. Apparently, AMISOM forces were fleeing and they tried to pass through military checkpoint. lol@Observer, Well done. It is probably the taxation part. The Government didn't relent to their blackmail. They closed Bakaraaha for two days. They had to open the third day since their goods weren't moving and the government wasn't giving in. Unfortunately for them, other markets in the city decided to stay open mainly Suuq Bacaad.

I guess that's the silver lining☺ The attackers were put down. The government forces were better prepared. The attackers couldn't pass the first checkpoint. There are local and business groups facilitating these attacks.

It seems they already had the intelligence.

Government issues 'terror warning' in Mogadishu Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali government has warned of an imminent terror attack barely six months after the deadliest attack in Somalia's history. Ministry of Information warned of a looming vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices ( VBIEDs) threat in the Somali capital. Speaking to media after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, deputy minister for Information, Abdirahman Ifan Yonis warned the public of two vehicles loaded with explosives that security officials say is being planned to be used for an attack. "The report submitted by security minister had shown that there were two VBIEDs sent to execute attacks in the city, one of the vehicles resembles those of Sahal Company which operates at the airport," said Yonis. The minister noted that they put increased security measures by deploying security forces in many parts of the town. "Intelligence reconnaissance operations will be increased. our forces will remain vigilant and we will take all necessary measures to foil the attacks," Yonis pledged. He called on the public to work with the security officers and report any suspicious activity. The warning comes barely six months after Mogadishu witnessed the infamous October deadly truck bomb. The attack which was widely described as "The worst single attack in the country’s history" occurred at Zobe junction. Over 500 people killed and more than 300 others wounded in the attack. No group yet claimed the responsibility for the heinous attack though the Somali government has blamed Al-Shabaab. Hiiraan.com

NISA HQ under attack.

In or around Villa Somalia.

It's not anger, it is paranoia. Some think every Somali is out to get them.

Good start but what's needed a proper legal process that doesn't include wadaado or tribal elders whose so called 'meditation' only benefits the perpetrators.

I wonder how many illegal payments were made in order to secure Bosaso and Berbera?

I thought he was Christian! Abyssinia having a Muslim leader is first. I am Jawar would be happy

OPDO elected Abiy as their Chairperson paving the way for his possible ascension to the premiership.

Hiiraan.com confirms 1,500 ONLF members were released. I assume these are foot soldiers and some might not even ONLF members.

It's not what Somalis say but it is what Tolka said. Should we dig up Oodka aka Ducale wrote, what Cirro said or what many other landers yelled about? The outside world is not as stupid as you would hoped them to be. I am sure they are aware of children getting voter IDs and what not.

Tillamook, It's a crapshoot indeed. They were even considering another southerner but I think the train has passed. The Oromo are also pushing for another OPDO guy, Abiy Ahmed but he might not be easily controlled as well. I think the biggest thing an Oromo leader will insist on recognizing Oromia's special interest in Addis and establishing Afaan Oromo as the second official language, issues that will automatically cause a headache for Tigray generals.

LOL Isn't too early to play the democracy card considering the wholesale robbery of the kursi by the Jeegaanta.

Holac, It will be more than an embarrassment. That's what happens when you have no plan, don't understand politics or have some decency. Half of the time things happen because Somali leaders don't put up a fight or anticipate the consequences. I am skeptical of this news but things are moving so fast in Ethiopia, at this point, anything is possible.

Not yet confirm, a developing story. One of ONLF insistence during the recent round of talks was the release of prisoners including Qalbidhaqax.

The Cabinet has unanimously endorsed Abdi Sheik Ahmed for the post of Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia, which is established under Somalia’s Communications Law 2017. Speaking after the endorsement, the minister for Post, Telecom and Technology, H.E. Abdi Ashur Hassan, thanked the Cabinet for the endorsement of the director who will lead Somalia’s first communications regulator. “This is another milestone by the Ministry to have the director endorsed in due course because it will bring us closer to the establishment of the regulator,” said the minister. “When the law was passed in 2017 we promised our commitment to its implementation, and the establishment of NCA is the first step towards that goal,” concluded the minister. Short profile Abdi Sheikh is multi-disciplinary technology leader with strong background in all facets of Information and Communication Technologies, particularly in the design and operations of global networks. For over 23 years he worked for one of the largest Telecommunication companies in the US and the World (Verizon Communications) where he held number of leadership and senior management positions, including 11 years of managing financial and human resources. Over the years, Abdi held number of positions with Verizon Communications progressively assuming more responsibilities ranging from engineering, product/services/business development, managing highly skilled professionals and resources, to overseeing and negotiating multi-million dollar business opportunities. Currently, he is a Senior ICT Adviser to the Ministry of Post, Telecommunication and Technology of the Federal Government of Somalia, focusing on passage of Somali Communications Act, capacity building for the Ministry, and engagements between the Ministry, development partners, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In 2012 Abdi returned to Somalia where he served as a Senior Adviser to two Prime Ministers. In the Office of the Prime Minister, he identified a need for coordinated and coherent capacity development framework and strategy for the Somali state institutions. Abdi proposed the formation of a national institutional capacity development directorate, which Prime Minister Sa’id established in a Decree. He worked with the World Bank and UNDP to develop a $53-million dollar; multi-year capacity development flagship program aimed at addressing severe capacity constraints in the Somali institutions. Abdi obtained his under graduate education in Computer Science from Rust College/University of Houston, Texas with honors (Suma Cum laude) and Master of Science – specialization in Information System and MBA degrees respectively from the University of Denver and the top-ranked business school of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

More #Ethiopia - Thousands turnout in Gondar city to welcome home Wolkiat Identity Committee leader, Colonel Demeke Zewdu, who was released earlier today after more than a year of detention.