The high-stakes gambit backfired amid international uproar.

Barwaaqo, Well, you got us into this conspiracy thing. Tell me how does this benefit Farmajo? Keep in mind, Houthis and their Iran-backers have no support in Somalia. The Iran embassy in Xamar have been closed down. The Saudi coalition through Emirates have tried to recruit Somali mercenaries. Emirates have been training Somali forces. Events in Mogadishu are hardly distracted by outside events. I can't see how a video by Houthis will register anything in Mogadishu. Farmajao and Kehyr will have a better chance with Alshabab if they want to distract people. Better yet they launch some sort of military campaign. All it takes to send militias to Lower Shabelle.Better yet, he could pick a fight with regional leaders. There is so many options for him to distract people. A video by Houthis threatening is the least appealing option.

Barwaaqo, This stunt would actually raise Somaliland's profile. After all, the conversation will revolve around that. I don't see how anyone else benefits from it. Besides, Iran and its allies have been kicked out of Mogadishu.

Suldaanka, Pictures, pictures

So you are telling me a someone in Farmajo circle reached out to Houthis, paid them and recorded this video? Or you are just throwing theories out there and see what this sticks. I could easily accuse Wadani considering they were robbed off their win?

EPRDF, opposition parties discuss Ethiopia’s anti- terrorism law Addis Ababa, December 22, 2017 (FBC) –The ruling party, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and opposition political parties today held discussion on Ethiopia’s anti- terrorism law.

Old Observer, I haven't given up hope. My mother has been living in Mogadishu for few years. She is not there now. According to her, your average Somali has moved on. It is the so called politicians, traditional leaders, businessmen and others that want the chaos to continue. It is in their vested interest for status-quo to remain.

Suldaanka, Do you know the United Arab Emirates is the second largest trading partner of Iran? That trade continues to increase since the Iran nuclear. Do you think Arabs will come to Somaliland's aid if Iran-backed Houthis decide to bombard Berbera and risk upsetting Iran? Barwaaqo, come now. Conspiracies now? Besides, you are giving Farmaajo too much credit.

I wonder if that's for show or will the Turks will issue MPT 76 to Somali soldiers?

They look like an actual soldiers! I hope the training included more than just technical skills.

It looks beautiful! These young men will serve their country if they are well taken care of and given something to believe in.

Shakur and his gang Guess the other two?

This is becoming silly/

Geedi responds

Unfortunately for him, his base can keep Xamar hostage but won't propel him to the presidency. He gave some wiggle room to Farmajo and Kheyr

This dude just benefited from Government's amateurish mishandling of him and other opposition. He managed to blow that way. I think the last real Somali politician was Mohamed Ibrahim Egal

Galbeedi, It is clear the Woyanes are instigating this. Any regime who little or no legitimacy will do everything it can to prolong its existence. That said, the Somalis that are being murdered live deep inside Oromo where no Somali forces operate. If the Oromo leadership was seriously about brotherly coexistence, they would haven't allowed the massacre of Somalis inside police stations. They are systemically killing and cleansing Somalis. Just imagine people of Hargeisa and Bosaso lynching Oromo in the streets? The authorities there will be obligated to protect or the very least, give them a passage to their regions. Somalis in Oromia are not even being given the opportunity to leave in peace. We need to stop being naïve. The Oromo, Tigray or any other nationality will have no problem killing Somalis.

In subsequent comments to his tolka, According to Abdishakur, the Somali Government and by extension other clans are guests in their Capital City. There can be no progress as long as one feels they can thumb their noses at every government.

Ironically enough, a stable Somalia would have been a great asset for Ethiopia at moment like this. The Horn will rise together or burn together. Ethiopia is the source of stability and instability in the Horn.

Old Observer, So, would other members of EPDRF more amenable to someone like Lemma, granted if they agree on allowing Oromo politician as the head of government? Or does everybody now believe Oromo want all or nothing?

Yoniz, I am glad you pointed that out. How can a regional court make a ruling on federal case? I assume treason is a federal crime. Are there even federal courts?

Old Ovserver, Well, they are becoming more emboldened everyday. They seemed to have embraced the idea that they could bully everybody. Would other nationalities specially the Amhara be comfortably with having someone like Lemma Mergersa as the Prime-Minister? My only concern with Somalis is that they will mirror with what's going in Somalia. It is a vast region populated by most Somali clans with not enough force to impose the will of the State. The Somali tribal regions namely Somaliland and Puntland will also be tempted to get involved. Even if the Somali gets independence, Somali idiocy might plunge it into war.

Old Observer, Yes, you are right the Oromo are becoming belligerent and vicious. When you say 23, I assume you mean the numbers of seats within the parliament? I understand EPRDF claimed to have won all the seats in the last election. My question is since the party is made of TPLF, OPDO, ANDM and SEPDM, how do representatives from other regions including Somali and Afar fit into it? Do they have a say in the Executive Committee?