Voice of America (VOA) correspondent Alisha Ryu has reported that Eritrean President Isaias convened a "unity meeting" in early June to form a coalition against the TFG and Ethiopia that would include not only the ICU and former members of the TFG, but also two Ethiopian rebel groups, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the ethnic-Somali ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF). Other sources report that the ICU's Shaykh Sharif will be the chairman of the yet-to-be-named front, while the ONLF's leader, Mohamed Omar Osman, will be its military commander. Xiin must have gotten a subscription to World Defense Review.

"As far as the Abdullahi Yusuf clique is concerned, they have no authority they are only a puppet of the Ethiopians, and as long as that situation prevails there is no question of negotiation with them."

So where is that fool talking of barbarism yesterday?

Thu 8 Nov 2007, 22:29 GMT By Claudia Parsons UNITED NATIONS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Sending U.N. peacekeepers to Somalia is not realistic and the international community should consider other options including a "coalition of the willing," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled Mogadishu this year amid persistent fighting since Somalia's transitional government came to power after ousting militant Islamists with the help of Ethiopian troops. The government has urged the United Nations to send peacekeepers. In August, the Security Council asked Ban to develop contingency plans for such a deployment. "Under the prevailing political and security situation, I believe that the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation cannot be considered a realistic and viable option," Ban said in a report to the Security Council. He said it had not even been possible to send a technical assessment team to Somalia because of the lack of security, though he added the peacekeeping department would continue to review contingency plans for possible peacekeeping operations. Earlier this year, the African Union agreed to deploy 8,000 troops to replace the government's Ethiopian backers, but so far only about 1,600 Ugandan troops have arrived. In the latest spasm of violence, Somali insurgents dragged the bodies of dead Ethiopian soldiers through the streets of Mogadishu on Thursday amid fighting that killed at least 21 people. The grisly scenes recalled the 1993 shooting down of two Black Hawk helicopters by Somali militiamen during a failed U.S. operation to hunt down warlords in Mogadishu. Images of dead Americans dragged through the streets by joyous Somalis deeply shocked U.S. public opinion, precipitating American withdrawal and contributing to the ending of a U.N. peacekeeping operation in 1995. Ban urged AU countries who have pledged soldiers to the current force there to deploy their troops as soon as possible, and said the United Nations would work with the AU to support the force, which faces serious financial and logistic problems. "Given the complex security situation in Somalia, it may be advisable to look at additional security options, including the deployment of a robust multinational force or coalition of the willing," Ban said. "Such a force could initially be small and self-sustaining, growing over time with the achievement of specific security and political milestones," he said, adding that in time such a force could allow the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops. Ban also urged the Somali government to press ahead with national reconciliation, saying it should reach out to opposition groups and implement commitments such as preparing for elections in 2009. Reuters

^^^^ Though it is barbaric, I understand where it is coming from. When people witness their loved ones being decimated by Ethiopian artillery, their grief explains, but does not justify, their behavior. The Ethiopians are reaping what they sowed. And since you didn't shed a tear for the thousands of women and children mowed down by your beloved Tigray bullets, don't come around here talking about barbarism.

You can see the pictures on Shabelle. Somali insurgents have dragged the bodies of two dead Ethiopian soldiers through the streets of Mogadishu after a day of heavy battles. Residents say hundreds of people trailed after them, pelting the corpses with stones, chanting "God is Great". Similar scenes were witnessed after Somali militiamen shot down two US Black Hawk helicopters in 1993. Thousands of Somalis have been killed, and hundreds of thousands displaced, by renewed fighting in the capital. The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan says clashes in the Huriwa neighbourhood in north-eastern Mogadishu were sparked when the Ethiopians tried to patrol. "They came here in their hundreds just after dawn and met stiff resistance from the insurgents, using rocket-propelled grenades and machine-guns," resident Seynab Sheikh told our reporter. The clashes subsided only after the Ethiopians withdrew. Aid workers in Mogadishu itself say the fighting has become so bad that civilians who are wounded are unable to get help and frequently bleed to death. The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Eric Laroche, told parliament in Baidoa that 1.5 million Somalis were in need of emergency aid, the Reuters news agency reports. "We have to be able to help them - and we have a problem reaching them," Mr Laroche was reported as saying. Source

The alliance of the A.R.S, O.L.F, O.N.L.F, S.D.M.O and islamic groupings need not win the war Castro, but their active coordination with in ethiopia would provide a counter point that will make ethiopian meddling in somalia to expensive in terms of finances manpower and prestige. With in Ethiopia the T.P.L.F would revert to the heavy handed genocidal tendencies that it has always used to maintain its strangle hold on power, this will only further motivate the disenchanted masses to revolt, in 1988 the S.N.M did the same exact thing it knew that militarily it simply could not hold the metroplis' of the north, but correctly identifying the tendencies of the Barre regime to mass punishment, its actions precipitated the short and murderous actions of the Barre regime in the long run the population was radicalized in to supporting the S.N.M turning men in to "mujahidin" where before that they were mere dead-enders. You forget about the West and their interests. Propping up failed, genocidal regimes is their favorite pass time. How will this all play out with alphabet soup of competing interests we have here? NGONGE, I would start with Socod Badne's list (in some other thread) concerning Ethiopia v. Eriteria as a list of facts.

Originally posted by Somali.I.Am: Just wanted to say I'm new here..so welcome me.... ..jokes! I've been a silent user for quite a while, so I decided I'd like to post my own opinions up from now on insha allah. Before I welcome you, are you a fan of the wretched TFG? Do you have any posters, pictures, tattoos or other paraphernalia of the wicked Yey? If you've answered no to the questions above, welcome aboard. If not, turn around and go back to where you came from.

You say that if Somalis make peace between themselves they will be safe undoubtedly that is true, destablising Ethiopia I do not suggest as an alternative for genuine inter-somali reconciliation, but I merely make clear that with ethiopia in the picture that shallNever happen. That is the central argument of the Asmara group (and mine). I didn't know you were a fan. Ok, so I didn't have the clarity of mind to see Ethiopia for what it is: a mole hill not a mountain. Is the ARS capable of doing this? ONLF? OLF? All of them combined? Here's the $64,000 question: how? Originally posted by NGONGE: Practical solutions, my dear Castro, practical solutions. Ps I know Xiin was only presenting a hypothetical scenario; Still think it's impractical?

Originally posted by xiinfaniin: There is ideological, territorial, historic, and economic quarrel between Ethiopia and us! Our interests are diametrically opposed! That much is clear. What is not so clear however is if our people the Somalis or the privileged educated few or even the religious elites for that matter will ever think beyond the qurac trees, see Ethiopia and the threat she posses, forget about their differences, and come up with an strategy to defeat it! Wars in Somalia will only strengthen Ethiopia’s hand. We need to think over this one seriously. I will come back latter IA. While you're away, chew on this: how can a failed state subvert a non-failed state? The United States, arguably the mightiest nation of the 20th century and the most prolific subverter of other states has often failed in its goal only to invade those nations outright. Clearly, we are decades away from invading Ethiopia but even subversion requires meticulous planning, large funds, and at the very least an agreement among those who engage in the subversion. It may be easier to climb mount Everest barefoot.

^^^^ Despite your support for a secessionist entity (an obvious shortcoming), you have the decency to condemn the diabolical cruelty being perpetrated against your fellow Somalis.

Red, my (unproven) thesis is Ethiopia being behind Somaliland's call for secession. There's ample anecdotal evidence to support this theory but nothing concrete I can present. Still, you can surmise I have gone with my gut feeling on this and therefore, contend that supporting a secession engineered by our current occupier is antithetical. Others may have their own reasons for arriving at the same conclusion but this is mine.

^^^^ Jimcaalow, Redka is a hop, skip and a jump from seeing Somaliland for what it is. Don't push him. Soon, I hope, he will relieve himself of the shackles of this antithetical duality: support for Somaliland and support for the resistance to Ethiopian occupation. Originally posted by Baashi: Dirrin is the way to go you chicken hawk. You seem to reside in Venus baby boy. You are feeding the gallery a salt-free soft baby food. Specific minority are taking hits day in and day out all the while the rest of the country are watching that drama from a distance. Just a couple of observations. There is no "specific" minority taking hits. Upwards of 2 million (in a nation of no more than 10) are directly and severely affected. In addition, there are large numbers indirectly affected in other areas in the South. This amounts to at least 20% (if not a third) of the population being under brutal occupation so it is not a minority by any means. Secondly, it is true that many are watching the drama from a distance. We can speculate on their motives: whether it is due to fear, lack of resources or even silent support of the enemy, who knows. I choose to believe many of those who decided not do anything about what happens in Muqdisho are simply unable to do anything about what happens in Muqdisho. Their hearts are bleeding but their hands are tied. On the other side, there are those (and these are the minority) who have given their resources, lives and limbs to support the enemy. They sent their boys and their meager resources great distances to fight alongside (what should be and in fact is) their historic enemy to kill their brethren. It will likely be extremely difficult to convince those at the receiving end of this violence to sit on the same darin as these collaborators.

Long but good read. By Abdulkadir Mohamed Sunday, November 04, 2007 Speculations of who will be the next prime minister are becoming an infectious bug that is spreading like unstoppable pandemic at least among the Somali people in my area and elsewhere. Almost everyone I know or come across is obsessed with it To some, it may sound silly and sacrilegious to talk about the recent resignation of Ali Ghedi, the late Somali Prime Minister of the transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the ensuing saga of who will be selected as the next PM. While the whole power struggle between Ghedi and President Yusuf of the TFG was going on, more than hundred thousand Mogadishu residents where in forced flight to escape from the indiscriminate shelling between the occupying Ethiopian troops and Somali insurgents. And as result of this carnage, thousands more are in deep crisis. Thousands have already perished and million people are being displaced. Mogadishu IDPsDuring the time of Ghedi's ducking, one of the powerful warlords in Mogadishu ordered entire Mogadishu neighborhoods to be vacated and vowed that those who resist his orders would pay a deadly price. They had to prepare to be leveled to the ground was the warlord's ultimatum. The crime for the poor residents of these "unruly" neighborhoods is the perception that they were either sympathetic or supportive of the insurgency against the warlord guild and the occupying Ethiopian troops. The warlord's declaration of total destruction was taken seriously and within three days, residents of three main neighborhoods in the southern part of Mogadishu began yet another damned exodus to the city's outskirts to join thousands of internally displaced people who made the nefarious journey to escape from the never-ending carnage earlier. The massive displacement and insecurity in Mogadishu prompted international humanitarian agencies to sound the SOS sirens to the world in order to save the poor residents of Mogadishu from the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. Many are confused how much suffering it takes for a situation to be considered a "humanitarian catastrophe? Isn't this even worse than the tragic situation in Darfur? How long it takes for the international community to recognize the support they bestowed to the ineffective transitional federal government is not saving lives and not creating stability and peace? The international community that backs the Transitional Federal Government seems to busy playing the shuffling game of selecting the next PM too. Let the fleeing Mogadishu mothers and children eat warlord bullets, Ethiopian shelling and insurgent bombs. EX-PM GediIt is believed that the international community pressured Ghedi to step down after they summoned him the second time in Addis Ababa. Why was Ghedi booted out, you may ask? Wasn't he a compliant? Yes he was all of that and more but Ghedi committed the cardinal sin! After his return from the first trip to Addis, Ghedi got bubbly and bold in his verbal retort vis-à-vis with Yusuf, the TFG President. Ghedi forgot the fact that both he and Yusuf were two different faces in the same card. The leaders of Transitional Federal Government (TFG) owe their ascendancy to power to Ethiopia and thus are beholden to Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian dictator. Ghedi, out of step of his dutiful temperament, urged people in Mogadishu to stand up to the TFG forces. Ghedi's verbal faux pas and shout out to Mogadishu didn't go well with Ethiopia and thus had to be called again in Addis to be bullied to abandon his premiership. And as a compliant subordinate, he had to follow orders. Was ex-premiere Ghedi the sacrificial lamb or the classic scapegoat for the TFG's failure to tame Mogadishu? Was he a useful ***** whose tenure and significance expired after the foreign meddlers of the Somali affair reached their goal to dismantle the few remaining obstacles to obliterate Mogadishu? There are those who believe Ghedi was a man in control of his undertaking of self-enrichment and wealth accumulation. Rumors have it that the ex-prime minister boasted to be a 50-ish man with 50 million dollars. An accomplishment for an obscure veterinarian-turned-political-opportunist! Ghedi's three year adventure as the transitional federal government's prime minister and in Somali politics had been very turbulent. He escaped few suicide attempts on his life, two no-vote confidences against his tenure. He would probably be remembered as another failed Somali leader. Or maybe, to some, as a traitor. The feud taught many that the so-called Somali leaders cannot team up for even one common cause. Certainly, as long as we have such leaders in power, there will be more mistrust which in the end would spoil the chances of ever seeing an end to Somalia's self-inflicted misery. Now that Ghedi is gone, question is would the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) leadership yield to the realities in the ground, mend their ways and overhaul their failing policies? Or would it be business as usual where the prevailing warlord mentality of winner takes all would continue? Before we contemplate on these questions and the obvious fact that the answer lies elsewhere; let us look what the TFG group accomplished in their three year of existence? First year: they were happy to stay in Nairobi hotels until the Kenyans kicked them out. Second year: they were homeless in provincial towns, in search of capital city and legitimacy among Somalis. Third year was a breakthrough and started with the toppling of the impatient Islamists by the invading Ethiopian troops at the behest of Bush Administration's and his "war on terror" adventure. If one considers the history of the Somali warlords and their obsession to destroy and dismantle, one can grasp the imposing conquest they had in the third year. The TFG accomplished to uproot half of Mogadishu residents; making the capital a ghost city where those who remain hope nothing but death and destruction. The ceaseless bombing of Mogadishu by all forces is stirring some government supporters to shamelessly suggest a new capital city to replace this cursed capital. The TFG succeeded to shutdown by means of constant shelling the two main markets of Mogadishu: "Suuqa Bakaaraha and Suuq Bacaad". They were also able to chase influential businessmen and their assets out of the country. This flow of capital is another tragic consequence of the Somali civil war. Besides the loss of human life, Somalia was already suffering the brain drain misfortune where the educated and the urban elite fled the country because of the never ending violence. And now the remarkable Somali entrepreneurs of money wiring, telecommunications and commerce are sadly joining the refugee ranks. The TFG forces were able to silence, again by means of killing, imprisonment and harassments the nascent free media in the country, killing some of its pioneering founders and forcing scores of its brave journalist into exile and refuge. The TFG forces were also able to invalidate, to some extent, the hardworking civil society and women organization groups that campaigned tirelessly for the protection of civilian life and human rights. Such is the TFG accomplishment. Instead of promoting the rule of law and human decency, instead of tolerating different opinions, the TFG leaders have gone against everything a civilized and reasonable government takes pride of. By judging its behavior and accomplishment so far, one can see that the TFG is hell-bent. There is a justifiable suspicion that it may prolong its existence and sustain its power by any means necessary beyond 2009. The TFG came to power by way of war and probably will keep it by use of violence. But the current talk is all about who is going to be the next prime minister until the end of the transitional government's term in 2009. Would the new PM bring change of policies and direction to steer the country towards genuine inclusive reconciliation and power sharing? As the saying goes "where you stand depends on where you sit". The next prime minister has to be inline with Ethiopia's policy of having a weak Somali government. The next PM has to work with the existing fiefdoms, petty politicians and warlords. There are plentiful of men who are available to conform and fulfill these Ethiopian pre-requisites. The abundances of such men willing to serve the interest of Ethiopia and keep the status- quo of warlord-ism and civil strife is perhaps what pressed Seyoum Mesfin, the Ethiopian foreign minister to come to Baidao for cherry-picking. However, there is also the "bring the technocrats in" ballyhooing promoted by the international backers of the transitional government. To have this, the parliament has to amend the dreaded and often confusing TFG constitution to allow non-parliamentarians to hold office in the government. This is coupling some competent and experienced technocrats with the ineffective warlords. Finally, there is the outrageous case of clannish entitlement. There is already an accepted notion that the next prime minister should come from the ousted one's sub-clan. Or all hell will break loose if the next premiere is not selected from the "powerful" sub-clan in North Mogadishu. There excuse for this case or the fear is that by losing the premiership, the "North Mogadishu sub-clan" may join the insurgency. Another outrageous view is also circling that the next PM to come from "south Mogadishu" to put down the insurgency. One fact that came from Ghedi's recent fall is that, despite the unspeakable atrocities and destructions committed by his government against innocent Somalis in Mogadishu, Ghedi was able to use the "clan card" and court the support of Mogadishu sub-clans. The elders of the clans accepted to lick their wounds and come to Ghedi's rescue. This whole obsession with who is going to lead the executive branch of the TFG while there is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe is a proof that Somalis are suffering of a total amnesia as people. Somalia is not only a failed state but its society is failed too. Somalis became mere spectators to their slow death. They choose to support tormenters and killers. Every region of Somalia is led by irrational trigger-happy men. Even the supposedly peaceful northern regions are now at each others throat? And Somalis have sided with the warlords in power and became their staunch supporters; whishing more destruction for the other sides. If the humiliation of losing our nation-state and sovereignty is not enough, then at least the continuous suffering of our people should make this obsession with the "next PM" obsolete and non-issue. One fact is clear, the current leadership and the men vying for power don't have what it takes to save Somalia. When those saviors will come is a mystery and that is why I believe that the generations that will stand up and save Somalia are yet to be born. Abdulkadir Mohamed E-mail: Abaadir0@gmail.com

Originally posted by Emperor: I always felt the secessionists would hate to see that flag fly high but what's got to our nationalist MMA, me wonders... MMA is a Benadiri. His people are being mowed down by Ethiopians and their dabodhilifs. If you ask me, he has shown remarkable restraint in the face of all the pro-TFG/Ethiopia rubbish that is strewn all over this site.

Originally posted by Zenobia: Islamic finance institutions are growing at 15% per year, it's profitable and there's a growing demand for it. Which is why many western Banks are starting to offer the not so kosher 'Sharia Compliant’ services. The whole institute has to be riba free to be Islamic. Z, I know this has been beat to death but I don't buy any of this 'halaal' banking nonsense. Interest by any other name is still interest. Anyhow, it's good to see Rahima. Too bad she's not available anymore.

^^^ I too agree with it but that doesn't mean it's likely to happen. I'm certain old man Xiin knows that as well. In the (not so unlikely) event the Asmara-Addis Abeba conflict breaks out, the end result 1, 2, 5 years down the road is really up in the air. Even Xiin's formula may become a reality. Surely you can stretch your imagination a little, señor NGONGE. P.S. I know, I know, you'll come back with your usual "you're all a bunch of sleepy-eyed dreamers. Get with the program and support the TFG, blah blah, blah blah...."

^^^^^ Awoowe, bal u yara kaadi. Waxa is hayaa waa Somali. Xabashka iyagaa u yeertay oo ku kala hormarayay. Haatana wali iyagaa doonaya oo hoosta ku wata. This reminded me of Charles Baudelaire's famous quote: "It is the greatest art of the devil to convince us he does not exist." Similarly, it is the greatest trick of Ethiopia to convince us (Maryooley) that it has no lust for Somalia but that it is merely a reluctant participant in a domestic quarrel. That Somalis are at each other's throat is hardly a secret but that Ethiopia is no more than a tool being used by warring factions seems a little far fetched. May be you know something I don't.

^^^^ Myopia. First they came for the Somali-Galbeed and I did not speak out because I was not from Somali-Galbeed. Then they came for the Benadiri's and I did not speak out because I was not a Benadiri. Then they came for the Shabeeles and I did not speak out because I was not from the Shabeeles. Then they came for the Puntlanders and I did not speak out because I was not a Puntlander. Then they came for the Somalilanders and I did not speak out because I was not a Somalilander. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

^^^^ I must say I like the hawkish view atheer. And it is indeed tragic that all the misery has descended upon our people but I'm not one to wish similar calamities on anyone, including the (people) Tigray, Amhara or Eritreans. If Zenawi is toppled, it would be great for that will mean dabodhilif Yey is gone as well and the mini Somali states will have no sugar daddy to support them. Let's see.

Originally posted by -Serenity-: the forum has outgrown (thanks to the useless loooool posts) the server it sits on and it needs a server upgrade. loooooooool

About time! Despite the (false) impression this looming war is good for Somalis everywhere (even in Ocadenia) by opening yet a third front on Ethiopia, unfortunately, the entire Horn of Africa is likely to suffer even more than it does today. Many lives of the innocent will be lost and many more will be displaced, likely permanently. Who will benefit? Dabodhilifs on all sides. War profiteers. The makers of weapons. The West. NGO's. etc... Allow sahal.

^^^ Nice to know we have an aspiring serial killer on board.

^^^^^ Anyone who thinks that satirical (nay genius) post of mine is pro-secession is suffering from dementia. Picking on these guys is too easy, walaahi. They're like sitting ducks. This is too much. LOL.

Originally posted by Caamir: Only Allah can judge me how sincere I am for the revival of our country. Of course, while I continue to be judged by every Tom, Dick and Harry dabo-dhilif? Judging ( ) from your understanding of that fabulous post of mine, your political views are clearly commensurate with your poor comprehension skills. Now be gone and return to your shrine for atheero.