Didn't Geedi recently hire private security to replace the militia that used to guard him? The longer the occupation continues, the more Mogadishu will resemble Baghdad. And yes, that includes an increase in private security contractors hired to protect TFG ministers.

'Been Been Sii' must have been shamed by Jerry Gettleman's daring piece for the NYT recently. It must have felt that it had to prove its claim of having 'more correspondents in more places than any other news organisation'. Still, it falls well short of Gettleman's trek deep into ONLF territory.

We've underestimated our enemy for too long. Its never wise to underestimate your enemy. This may just be the tip of the iceberg. I suspect a lot more remains to be discovered. Since we've been asleep for so long, we'll now have to double and triple our efforts to ensure that their devious plans don't materialise. Oh, how i would love to kidnap Zenawi or a couple of generals from his top military brass and get them to confess their plans over the years. The question, however, is; are Somalis ready for the painful truth or will we still have incoherent traitors amongst us advocating that Zenawi meant us no harm, even after confessing!

Originally posted by Juje: Sheekoy ku nacey..! The Fragile unity you so vehemtly mention sxb, you dismatled it before you came to rule, the ICU, and in your reign you considered all others as infidils cause you arrogantly assumed you were righteous. The ICU were and continue to be the antithesis of what you describe. Their unrivalled justice has been explained and made abundantly clear in previous SOL posts. Look them up and read for yourself. Your policy of dealing with the public and appeasing them was lil bit short of dictatorship. Were you in Mogadishu at the time? Did you question Mogadishu's residents before reaching your conclusion? Not only did the ICU deal justly with their subjects but they also dispelled the age-old animosity and discrimination suffered by ethnic Somalis of lower caste - e.g. what some refer to as the 'Adoon' or 'Jareer'. The remarkably positive side of creating secure and safe envirement was over ridden by your status in declining to compromise with alternative political foes - hence the reason of the Ethiopian Invassion. Again, this oft-repeated but baseless accusation has been dealt with in other threads. The ICU had gone to enormous lengths in their efforts to reach a compromise with the TFG. They invited AY to come to Mogadishu and assume his title several times. What more could one do? regarding the blame-game, I dont know who to believe either party, but am certain due to my knowledge that no Axmaro or TFG subordinate is capable of placing a 'remote-controlled' land mine in jiid-cadaaha qaburaha Al-Barakaat adaa. , give me something else that I can buy. I think you're being a little naive here. You may be right that neither the Ethiopians nor the TFG were capable of planting sophisticated remote controlled devices previously. However, with Mogadishu now full of Western Intelligence operatives (not just American) and with the stepping up of covert military training and assistance - one shouldn't be too suprised that the Axmaro and TFG forces may have finally mastered such techniques.

Sheekh Shariif oo beeniyey inay Golaha Maxkamadaha ka dambeeyeen Suxufiyiintii lagu dilay magaalladda Muqdishu Mogadisho, Axad , August 12 2007 SMC Guddoomiyaha Guddiga Fulinta ee Golaha Maxkamadaha Islaamka Somalia, Sheekh Shariif Sheekh Axmed, ayaa gaashaanka ku dhuftay inay Kooxdiisa ka dambeysay dilkii Milkiilihii Shabakadda Warbaahinta Horn Afrik, Cali Iimaam Sharma’arke iyo Madixii Idaacadda Codka Caasimadda “Capitaal Voice”, Mahad Axmed Cilmi, oo shalay lagu dilay magaalladda Muqdishu. Sheekh Sheekh, oo haatan ku sugan Caasimadda dalka Eriteria ee Asmara, ayaa ku eedeeyey inay Dowladda Federalka iyo Ciiddamadda Ethiopianka ka dambeeyaan falka lagu khaarijiyey labadaasi Marxuum, waa sida uu hadalka uu u yiri. Warkan oo aan si khaas ah saakayto uga soo xiganay Laanta Afka Carabiga ee Idaacadda BBC-da, ayaa waxa uu Sheekh Shariif oo hadalkiisa la turjumayo ku sheegay inay muddo dheer ay Ethiopianka iyo xulafadooda ku hawlanayaan sidii ay u caburin lahaayeen Saxaafadda, isla markaana ay albaabadda isugu dhufteen Idaacaddo Madax-bannaan oo ku yaalla magaalladda Muqdishu, waa sida uu hadalka u yiri. “Waxay xireen Idaacaddo iyo suxufiyiin uu ka mid ahaa Cali Iimaan Sharma’arke, oo ay dhowr jeer xireen, haatanna, waxaa isbedelay xaalladihii, waxayna bilaabeen inay Suxufiyiinta dilaan” ayuu yiri Guddoomiyaha Guddiga Fulinta ee GMIS, Sheekh Shariif Sheekh Axmed. Dhinaca kale, Hoggaamiye ka tirsan GMIS oo aan magaciisa la sheegin ayaa u sheegay mid ka mid ah Wargeysyadda Caalamka Carabta ugu afka dheere in sababaha loo bartilmaameedsanayo Suxufiyiinta inay tahay sidii loo cabsi-gelin lahaa, isla markaana looga horjoogsan lahaa si aysan u soo bandhigin waxa uu ugu yeeray Fadeexooyinka Ciiddamadda Ethiopianka iyo kuwa DFKMGS ee tacadiyadda u geysta Rayidka Soomaalida, waa sida uu hadalka u yiri Hoggaamiyahaasi. Sida maanta lagu soo daabacay Wargeyska Asharqal-awsaad ee ka soo baxa magaalladda London, waxa uu Hoggaamiyahaasi qariyey magaciisa iyo halka uu ka joogo gudaha dalka Somalia ku eedeeyey Sirdoonka DFKMGS iyo kuwa Ethiopianka inay ka dambeeyaan dilalkaasi, wuxuuna xusay in waxa ka socda gudaha dalka Somalia yihiin olole lagu mamnuucayo inaysan qeybaha kala duwan ee Warbaahinta gudaha Somalia shaacinin Tacadiyo uu sheegay inay Ciiddamaddu geystaan, waa sida uu hadalka u yiri. Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC) Mogadishu Somalia

Originally posted by Juje: Bilal saxiib however much you put colour in this episode, it is well documented that the Maxakamiins have used this system pre and post their rule. The assasination of high ranking individuals narrows down to them, like wise they also accepted the killing of government appointed 'gudomiyayaal degmo' With this sort of logic, the Ethiopians must be feeling good about themselves. Their new tactic of attempting to close Somalia's window to the world is going rather well. The occupiers understand well that Western journalists won't risk their lives in the black swathe that is Somalia. As such, the equation from here is quite simple: get rid of Somali journalists and you have free reign. They can then proceed with their genocidal campaign free of media scrutiny. Instead of concentrating on the bigger picture of this worrying development - i.e. what this would mean for the next torture, rape victim; here we are barking up the wrong tree and blaming our own. The fragile nature of our unity is precisely what gave our enemies the audacity to invade our country in the first instance. I must stress this again - the resistance has most to lose from a downfall in media output. Why would they risk losing publicity for their cause by killing their own messengers?

Originally posted by me: Eebe ha u naxariisto, the finger is pointed at the xabash invaders and their TFG collaborators. The enemy is trying to sillence those that are speaking out. The enemy will fail. Ilaahay ha u naxariisto. I tend to agree with the above. The occupiers are paving the way for their upcoming genocidal campaign. Some people are making implicit remarks aimed at laying the blame on the resistance. Lets not forget that it was the occupiers and their Somali agents that ransacked, shelled and attempted to demolish HornAfrik's offices back in April, not the resistance. The resistance desperately needs and relies on the media to get its messages out. Without the likes of HornAfrik and Shabelle, the occupiers would continue to downplay their losses to the outside world and thus prolong the occupation. For this reason, it would be illogical for the resistance to attack the media. We all know the real perpetrators of these crimes. The occupiers conceived it and their Somali agents carried it out. Sure, some in the TFG said the killing was 'revolting' but aren't these same men the ones who took Shabelle off air and arrested its reporters just two days ago? Sharmake's famous final words are closer to the truth, when he says that the attacks on the Somali media were "meant to prevent a real voice that described the suffering in Mogadishu to other Somalis and to the world." Making reference to the killers of his colleague, he continues, "the perpetrators want to silence our voices in order to commit their crimes." In this last quote, Sharmarke is clearly referring to the occupation and its agents. In other words, he had no doubt that the killers of his colleague emanated from the ranks of the occupiers and their agents, rather than the resistance. The quote simply wouldn't make sense if it was referring to the resistance. Surely, no Somali believes that the resistance, whose aim is to liberate Somalis, would be intending to commit crimes against the very same people they aspire to liberate? The resistance along with all patriotic Somalis will view Sharmarke and Elmi as martyrs of the impending struggle to liberate our homeland.

^Appears as if the Ethiopian Embassy officials haven't wasted much time unleashing their agents. Given Shabelle's standing in the eyes of the Somali public, though, how will the incoherent traitors of the TFG overcome the aftershocks that this crackdown is likely to generate?

^^They would if they could. Qaadisiya and Kismaayonews are not as official though. They don't have offices you can just rock up to and demolish. In any case, Qaadisiya and Kismaayonews largely cater for the Somali audience. Shabelle, on the other hand, functions as a main source of news for major overseas networks. This is why its a match bigger threat than the rest.

Originally posted by The Duke: ^^^How many small companies are taking such risks? The answer is none. Thus range, CNOOC are just the beggining the world is coming back to Somalia. Long may the good news continue. Ok. Lets forget about evaluating the merits of these oil firms. Care to address the more substantial issues raised in my post? Or do you agree with them all? i.e. that AY and Ghedi are nothing more than two criminals running an oil cartel!

Originally posted by me: Don't know whether to laugh or to cry :mad: The incident itself, that of seemingly grown up, intelligent men being ordered around in their own country, is laughable. On the other hand, it is somber for a number of reasons. Not least, this incident gives us a rare insight into the true nature of the occupation; an insight which has greater implications than the mere fact of the Ethiopians wanting to silence Shabelle. The real significance of this incident lies in the way in which it reveals, the almost totalitarian control that the occupiers have and exercise over their Somali agents.

Originally posted by The Duke: Rudy - a whole company is basing its fortunes on Puntland. Check out range resources Interesting that you brought Range Resources into the debate. Range resources is a small company. Small companies are known for taking risks. Using Range resources as an example hardly advances your argument. Lets shift our trajectory for a moment and examine the role of Abdullahi Yusuf in Puntland's deal with both the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Range resources. Shortly after the deal with CNOOC was finalised, reports emerged indicating that Ghedi was not aware of the deal. Abdullahi Yusuf, however, was. How can this be? Not to be outdone, Ghedi launched a parallel campaign and promptly introduced into Parliament, what he termed as a 'national oil law'. This law is still being debated in parliament. Ghedi aims to use this law to sign contracts with foreign oil companies. It seems like there is only one ministry that is functioning at the moment. Why don't we hear anything from the education, health, enviroment, etc ministries? What we have here is nothing short of a mini oil cartel run by two criminals. AY does his deals in Puntland while Ghedi uses his position within the TFG to draw up a law which will no doubt be detrimental to the future economic prospects of the whole country. To come back to our previous question, why wasn't Ghedi informed of the deal in Puntland while AY was? Was AY aiming to use funds from the project in Puntland to solidify his own position within the TFG at the expense of others? Ghedi, perhaps? Or are both AY and Ghedi aiming to milk the cow to their own benefit before the doomed project that is the TFG, finally falls apart? I couldn't care less about what the motives of these two criminals are, but i do care about the resources of our country. Right now its clear that these two criminals have compromised this most precious of resources to a very great extent. The sooner they take their dirty hands off this resource the better for Somalia.

The Ethiopian occupation has just stepped up a gear. An embassy official from a foreign country is threatening a news organisation of another (supposedly sovereign, we are told) country. This official is essentially telling Shabelle to cease reporting ambushes by the resistance on the occupying Ethiopian military. Why? Because, as the official acknowledges, foreign news agencies increasingly cite Shabelle as their source. The official obviously does not want the international community to find out about the ugly truth of the Ethiopian occupation. The bizzare outbursts of this official include threats that he will unleash factions within the TFG who are, according to the official, eager to lay their hands on Shabelle. Pay attention folks! An Ethiopian official is threatening a Somali news organisations and his threats are no more than that he will send Somali government members whom he has been keeping at bay! Yet another proof, if any were needed, that Ethiopia not only has full control of every facet of our sovereignty but also enjoys microcosmic control of the agents it has installed to run the country. Such control is unheard of under previously occupied nation-states. The TFG has gone beyond being a puppet entity. Only time will reveal its true status. Good on Shabelle for having the guts to publish this priceless insight into the true nature of the Ethiopian occupation. Mogadishu 07, August 07 ( Sh.M.Network) Safaaradda Ethiopia ay ku leedahay Somalia ayaa maanta u hanjabtay Idaacadda Shabelle sababo la xiriira ka hadalka dhacdooyinka Somalia. Mas'uul ka tirsan safaaradda Ethiopia ay ku leedahay dalka Somalia oo barqonimadii maanta la soo xiriirey shabakadda warbaahinta shabelle ayaa si kulul ugu eedeeyay in ay buun buuniso dhacdooyinka ka dhaca gudaha dalka Somalia. Sarkaalkaan oo hadaladiisa ay ka muuqdeen caro aad u fara badan ayaa waxa uu ku goodiyay sida uu sheegay in uu soo fasixi doono madax ka tirsan amniga qaranka Somalia oo uu sheegay in uu ka celcelinayo shabakadda warbaahinta shabelle . Mas'uulkaan oo la yiraahdo Jamaaludiin ayaa mar la weydiiyay waxyaabaha uu ku eedeynayo shabakadda Shabelle waxa uu sheegay in ay tahay waxyaabaha inta badan beesha caalamka iyo wakaaladaha ay u soo xigtaan Idaacadda Shabelle. Waxa uu ku celceliyay in idaacadda inta badan ay ka hadasho dhacdooyinka ka dhaca dalka Somalia gaar ahaan weerarada lagu qaado ciidamada Ethiopia. Mar Shabelle ay weydiisay haddii uu diidan yahay in la sheego ama ka hadalka weerarada lagu qaado fariisimada ciidamada Ethiopia iyo waxyeelada ay geystaan ama loo geysto ayaa waxa uu sheegay in aanu diidaneyn arinkaasi hasa ahaatee idaacadda ay adeegsato ereyo aanu adeegsan warbaahinta inta badan ka jirta dalka Somalia. Goodinta iyo hanjabaadaha maanta kaga yimid idaacadda shabelle safaaradda Ethiopia ayaa waxa ay ku soo beegmaysaa xilli dhibaatooyin xoogan ay ka jiraan dalka Somalia gaar ahaan magaalada Muqdisho, dhibaatooyinkaasi oo ah kuwo ciidamada Ethiopia ay u geystaan dadka rayidka ah marka loo geysto weeraro. Dowladda KMG ah oo sheegtay in ay saaxiib la tahay dowladda Ethiopia ayaa horey labo jeer albaabada isugu dhufatay idaacadda Shabelle iyo idaacado kale inkastoo markii dambe lagu sii daayay cadaadis dowladda ay kala kulantay beesha caalamka iyo dadaalo ay sameysay dowladda Mareykanka.

Northerner - You're right to highlight the enormous gains that these oil firms are set to reap. Duke is a man with very little understanding of fiscal policies. Anything the TFG does is sacred to him. He simply doesn't comprehend the enormous share of royalties that these Oil firms are set to pickup. We are talking between 290 - 380mn barrels per day. With the price of oil skyhigh, the directors of these oil firms must be in utter disbelief. Percentage shares of these magnitude are simply unheard of. Western oil firms are in mourning and must be kicking themselves over the sort of deals that the TFG has recklessly been dishing out. No wonder the US Enegy Information Administration has been busy downplaying, of late, the much-talked about oil reserves in our country, in a desperate attempt to discourage future potential investors. This ploy is aimed at securing a share before Ghedi and AY sign more bizarre deals. To put this into perspective, let us consider the case of the young nation of East Timor. Following independence in 2002, the leaders of this small nation sought to take hold of their oil reserves in the Timor Gap. The Australian government, which spearheaded E. Timor's independence claims, sought to get a share of the estimated $US20bn oil reserves. Australia was willing to provide funds for the undersea project. Guess what percentage this young nation asked for? It asked for over 90% of the total revenues. This is without subtracting exploration costs. Coming back to this insane deal, the so-called 'national oil law' is still to be approved. Without the approval of this law, neither of these deals will take place. Ghedi, whose mandate has already passed, is reportedly busy presurring parliament to sign it into law. These parliamentarians have stood by as their country was illegally occupied, i now hope that they don't stand by as their nation's resources are plundered away.

Nothing has been confirmed as yet. However, even if true; it only further demonstrates the political astuteness of the ICU in that it has decided to engage the real administrators of Somali affairs instead of wasting their time with the puppet regime led by AY. The ICU won't forsake their principle goals. They've demonstrated this time and again, beyond any reasonable calibration. This news, if true, shames the Ethiopian government more than it does the ICU. It shows that the ICU have inflicted enough damage on Zenawi, forcing him to seek dialogue in a desperate attempt to save face and limit the increasing pressure on the military, both financially and in terms of casualties among personnel.

^Good question. Even their own motor neurons have had enough of their illogical stance.

Caabudwaaq 03, August 07 ( Sh.M.Network) Ciidamada Ethiopia ayaa lagu eedeeyay in ay xoolo ku laayeen dabna ay qabad siiyeen ku dhowaad 20 tuulo oo ku yaala kalinka 5aad ee dhulka ismaamulka Somalida Ethiopia. Tuulooyinkaan ay gubeen ciidamada Ethiopia ayaa waxa ay hoosyimaadaan deegaanada Shilaabo iyo Wardheer, iyadoo halkaasi ay ku barakaceen boqolaal qoys sida uu shabelle u sheegay Cabdi Ibraahim oo ka mid ah qoysaskii laga gubay tuulooyinkaasi. Waxa uu sheegay in ilaa 45 tuulo oo ku yaala halkaasi ay gubeen, isla markaana ay laayeen dhamaan xoolihii dadka ay ku dhaqanayeen. Inta badan ciidamada Ethiopia ayaa waxa ay gaboodfaladaan ay geystaan marka ay dagaal kula jiraan jabhadaha ONLF iyo OLF ee Mucaaradka ku ah dowladda Ethiopia. Ma ahan markii ugu horreysay oo ciidamada Ethiopia lagu eedeeyo falal la xiriira dhac iyo waliba dab ay qabadsiiyaan tuulooyin.

MMA - Somali Galbeed or 'Western Somalia' is a perfectly sound name. Personally, i prefer 'Western Somalia' to the 'O' label. However, the fact that the sole liberation movement in the region used the 'O' name has elevated it above all other names including 'Western Somalia'. In recent history, whether we like it or not, the 'O' name has become synonymous with the struggle. 'Soomaali Galbeed' is a name we can use among ourselves but the 'O' one is the more famous among the Western media. The ONLF themselves chose the name 'Jabhadda Waddaniga Xoreeynta Ogadeeniya'. According to some in the ONLF, this name creates a sound byte in the Western media that other names such as 'Western Somalia' would not have been able to garner. I'm aware that this request of mine might create a precedent. I totally understand your concerns in relation to that. Thanks for your prompt reply.

I would like to request the moderators of SOL (MMA and others) to remove the word ''******'' from the list of banned phrases/words on this forum. I fully understand and support the banning of certain phrases for the valid reasons outlined in SOL's strict policies. However, because postings related to this region naturally contain the name of the region, most posts come up with many maked out words. This makes posts very untidy and unintelligible to the unfamiliar reader. The word ''******'' has come to occupy a unique place in the media (especially Western) which facilitates swift dissemination of information with regards to the cause and its aims. The word has taken on a life of its own - separate from the usual connotation of it as a clan name. The Western media simply wouldn't understand other connotations such as 'Western Somalia' or 'Abyssinian Somaliland'. Sure, it remains a clan name but those using the word often use it to refer to the region in its entirety rather than the clan itself. As the above article illustrates, calling attention to the horrendous crimes being committed against the peoples of Western Somalia has never been more important than it is now. The fact that the inhabitants of this region happen to be our own brothers and sisters makes it even more poignant. Removing ''******'' from the banned list of words/phrases on this forum will allow us to adequately continue voicing the cries of the people in this neglected region. Moderators - your swift reply and due consideration of the above request would be very much appreciated.

The world’s heart beats in ****** Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis You may find news about Palestine; disregard them! You can read many articles about Iraq; do not look at them! You will notice lists of articles about Russia’s spies; forget them! Do not waste a single moment in reading all sorts of boring descriptions of the European immoral dwarfs’ deliberations about an eventual European Constitution; let the dead bury their own dead. Do not spend time reading articles on Zimbabwe, as they concern a limited number of white people who saw their riches reduced. Do not go through the endless and boring narrations about climate disasters and avian flu that some mysterious force wants recently to have them exceedingly highlighted. Che sera sera! Remember the old song? Whatever will be, will be; the future’s not ours to see….. If you still have some human feelings left within your heart, read more about ******. Tyrannical Abyssinia’s frontier province, ****** was never asked to join the dysfunctional Abyssinian tyranny that turned to become an anachronistic Communist regime that lasted for almost two decades, before the rise of Africa’s Hitler, Meles Zenawi, in 1991. Due to its propinquity with Somalia, and because of the irrevocable, millennia long, historical, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious bonds that link ****** with Somalia, tyrant Zenawi’s Abyssinia, fallaciously re-baptized as ‘Ethiopia’, faces an existential threat. That’s why what is happening now in ****** goes beyond the limits of the most dreadful imagination, and tops the most horrid nightmares the Mankind has ever encountered. The unbelievable crimes that are daily taking place in ******, the hidden province of ‘Ethiopia’, must be known to every one, and every human being must react, and pressurize governments and international bodies to put an end to the most abominable tyranny of Africa. That’s why the veil of mystery must fall, and every one in the free and democratic countries of the West must demand from the supposedly informative mass media adequate, constant and true information about the region that puts our Humanism in test. If we accept what happens today in ******, all the earth will probably very soon become a vast ******. If we accept not to know what happens in ******, probably soon we will be dead, without even knowing it. If we have a heart, today it definitely beats in one place: ******. To partly illuminate the dramatic conditions in which our African brethren live in ******, I publish here integrally the Call that the ****** Communities outside Abyssinia addressed to various governments and NGOs, international bodies and associations last week: Ongoing Hidden Human Rights Abuses in ****** We the ****** Community Association of the greater Diaspora express our deep concern over the hidden horrors of the Ethiopian government’s abuse of innocent civilians in the ****** which is under Ethiopian occupation. We are asking the world community to take notice of the Ethiopian regime’s actions that have unleashed a reign of terror throughout the ******. The targets of these indiscriminate attacks are mainly non-combatant women and children. Ethiopian military rule in the ****** that has been in existence for over a hundred years has brought with it horrors for many generations. Yet, these new offensives on civilians, with the governmental malicious tactics, are terrorizing an already demoralized and helpless population. The resulting multitude of human suffering in this unimaginable crisis is building up to be another Darfur in the making. This military campaign the Ethiopian regime is employing includes forced mobilization of population out of their homes; they instill mass fear by using physical and verbal abuse in the open. There are numerous reports of soldiers beating up elderly men in front of their wives and children. To put it bluntly, they are raping the people of their right to live in peace. This strategy of terror is aimed at an entire people simply because of their minority status. Over the few past weeks, the Ethiopian military increased their customary abuses, and carried out unnecessary brutal systematic offenses against defenseless ****** civilians. The following are documented and detailed: - Arbitrary Arrests - Open-ended intimidation of Community and Business leaders - Extra-Judicial Killings - Gang Rape of women - Burning of entire Villages - Severe physical and emotional torture - Random indiscriminate open air shooting at groups of people Even school children have not been able to escape this new. Mutilated bodies of school children have been put on display in city and town centers to instill fear in the public. Schoolteachers are also being targeted in broad daylight inside these town centers. As reported just last week, Hassan Mohamed, a well-respected teacher, was killed in an extra-judicial action without ever a reason being given. The reason behind these killings is not known, but it’s typical of the Ethiopian soldiers to summon civilians in the town centers, and use intimidation and even carryout extra-judicial killings in open-air for the public to see. This has been the case for many reported incidents happening in province of Dhagaxbuur and its environs. Similarly, the jails in some of major cities and areas, such as Jigjiga, Dhagahbur, Qabridahare, Godey and Fiiq, are full of victims of unlawful arrests, and the resulting overcrowding in un-kept below human standards jails is further causing a health risk. Eyewitnesses report the Ethiopian Air force carpet-bombing Abaaqaroow in Godey province, and the towns of Cayuun and Dara-salaam in Nabob Province. The reported casualties from these bombings so far number more than fifty. Similar to Darfur, the ****** region is much neglected and forgotten by the Ethiopian government; there are no schools, no hospitals, no court systems, and because the area is under military rule, military justice (which is neither fair nor just) is the code of conduct. But what makes this case even more troubling is that the killings, rapes and outright terror is being conducted by the State of Ethiopia against citizens living within its sovereign borders. For several years now, the Military leaders have not allowed journalists to go to the area and report on what is happening on the ground, a practice that is indicative of someone hiding something. On June 18, 2007, New York Time’s reporter Jeffery Gentlemen wrote an article, which has exposed the hideous barbarism of Ethiopian military actions in the ******. Mr. Gentlemen himself and his news crew became victims of the very regime they were reporting on! They were arrested and detained for five days in Dhagaxbur, and were refused contact with the American Embassy. A breathtakingly alarming new development indicates that there is now a military force of approximately over twenty thousand (20,000) soldiers enforcing a blockage on all travel in and out of villages, towns and cities. This will strain the already meager food and medicine supplies, and will restrict aid that civilians desperately need. This action puts the entire population on a fast track to starvation. As documented in the U.S. State Departments Human Rights Report on March 2007, these abuses are evidence of concerted effort to completely disregard Human Rights. “Human rights abuses reported during the year included: limitation on citizens' right to change their government during the most recent elections; unlawful killings, and beating, abuse, poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, violence and societal discrimination against women and abuse of children; societal discrimination against persons with disabilities and religious and ethnic minorities.” By its own action targeting civilians, the Ethiopian government has ceded its legitimacy to the people of ******. What is taking place in ****** fits to the letter both the moral and legal definition of genocide. The world needs to act now with determination to help the helpless. You are encouraged to research the issue yourself. Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis - Orientalist, Historian, Political Scientist. Dr. Megalommatis, 50, is the author of 12 books, dozens of scholarly articles, hundreds of encyclopedia entries, and thousands of articles. He speaks, reads and writes more than 15, modern and ancient, languages. He is a Greek citizen of Turkish origin.

^Mahadsanid. Masiibada maanta naheeysato mid lasoo koobi karo maha, laakiin waa mid laga bixi doono, Inshallah.

JB - This coalition is broad-based. Its composed of concerned Somalis from all clans whose intentions are to end the occupation. It enjoys wide appeal for that reason. Likewise, the occupiers fear this coalition for that simple reason - it represents all of Somalia. Detractors will of course have you believe otherwise but the composition of the group is there for all to see. You mention Jama Ali Jama - if here's there to lend a hand in ending the occupation, then i say good on him. What clan he comes from doesn't interest me. I believe this coalition will soon reach a stage where charges of tribalism will be a distant memory.

Originally posted by Kashafa: Look, I'm not sayin don't criticise the ICU, by all means do, if it's constructive, we all need it. But let's not do the whole gloom-and-doom thing. "Oh it is all over. These wadaads are hopeless. Somalia is lost. Ethiopia is here to stay forever. We are to weak and divided. Continue Broken Record " Kashafa - Thanks for your illuminating contribution. The above remarks of yours beautifully illustrate the naysayer syndrome that continues to plague this forum. Originally posted by Allamagan: We lost in between these two kafir ragimes and fighting their wars. Why? why not in Jabuti? It would have been better place of course As Kashafa said, the leadership best know why they chose Asmara to hold the conference. On closer inspection, however, holding it in Asmara makes a lot of sense. The recurring theme about the location, i think has alot to do with the general misconception in relation to the aims of the conference. The conference is really about how to better build links and workout an overall strategy on how to end the occupation. In short, things you wouldn't want your enemy to know. As such, the coalition chose Asmara for a good reason. One of the most important of these reasons was to shield themselves from the prying eyes of US spies. Djibouti seems to be a favourite location but doesn't Djibouti host Le Monier barracks, the biggest US military base in Africa? And isn't AfriCom due to setup shop soon? One might ask - Why would the US be bothered by such a simple gathering? Is the coalition really that important? Yes it is. The optical precision and speed with which this coalition have been running the liberation campaign has caught many off guard, not least the US which has spent a lot of time and energy on the Somali project. Not to mention the rather expensive naval armada which continue to patrol the shores of Mogadishu. I'm sure the Americans would love to bring this to a closure. To this end, the US would love to gather intelligence with which to offset the plans of this group. Being based in Asmara and holding meetings there is a bonus when it comes to privacy and free will. It doesn't completely eliminate the prying eyes of the Americans but it sure does make it more difficult for them. Originally posted by Geel_Jire12: The problem with this conference is that it sounds like a kneejerk reaction to the one in Muqdisho . If it was a knee-jerk reaction, the coalition would have called one to coincide with the very first one. Knee-jerk reaction or not, its sure to ruffle some feathers. --This debate was starting to become constructive but it seems like we've been interrupted by more naysayers. It is unfortunate to be under occupation and have not another nation or group but your own countrymen doubt your abilities. Judging by the way the liberation campaign has thus far panned out, though, it is both clear and reassuring that we have more men of conviction and self belief than mere naysayers.

^^You people amaze me. What's the alternative? Let Ethiopia do as it may while shouting the word TRAITOR at its allies. Is this your idea of ending the occupation? If you don't agree with the coalition in Asmara, then tell us what they ought to be doing instead of dismissing every initiative from your pc couch. Its easy to forget that this is a coalition in its infancy. Arguably, it faces what no other anti-occupation movement before it anywhere in the world has had to face - the biggest force in its region coupled with the unlimited finances, intelligence gathering capabilities and sophisticated weaponary of the only super power of our time. Considering these awe-inspiring challenges, this coalition has faired better and adapted faster than any other anti-occupation movement against seemingly unsumountable odds in a very short period of time. The coalition has already had its fair share of victories on the propogranda front as well as on the battle field. Anti-occupation movements don't form and start functioning so soon after a defeat, as this one has. The complexities of the region and lack of resources would have made the task even harder. Criticise the coalition all you like but let it be constructive. Like it or not, its the only viable anti-occupation movement that we have. It is nonpartisan and draws strength from its brave countrymen on the battlefield. Ending an occupation takes time and a lot of sacrifice. We are only taking the first steps on that path - lets not fool ourselves. The coalition recognises the perilous journey on the path to liberating our country: Date: 05/07/07 Walaalayaal sida aad ka wada dharagsan tihiinba wadada lagu xoreynayo dalkeena waa dheer tahey , waana dhib badan tahey , waxeyna leedahey dhimasho, dhaawac, barakac , burbur iyo kala harid ay kala haraan dadkii safka ku wada jirey . Dhamaan arimahaas waxaa ka danbeyn doona insha allaah neecawda xoriyadda iyo sharafta umadda , sidaas awgeed waa in lagu sabraa dhibaatooyinka iyo xanuunada idinka soo gaaraya jidka gobonimodoonka iyo dib-u-xoreynta dalka Soomaaliyeed, maantana lama joogo waqti mawaaqiftii sharafta laheyd ee la idinku yaqaaney aad badashaan, isla markaana ma jirto sabab keeneysa in la bedelo. Xafiiska warfaafinta - Asamara

NGONGE - Image is everything ONLY when it comes to dirty politics. The political wing of the group in Asmara is led by a man who could hardly be described as a Machiavelian. This is why the obvious image problem of being based in Asmara is not hurting the group, overall. Besides, 'my enemy's enemy is my friend' is the oldest trick in politics, is it not? The current relationship between this group and Aferwerki is not an uncommon or unheard of one, given the circumstance.