Ethiopia's dirty war By Tom Porteous August 5, 2007 - While the west agonises over Darfur, another humanitarian and human rights disaster is brewing in the Horn of Africa. In June, the Ethiopian government launched a major military campaign in the ******, a sparsely populated and remote region on Ethiopia's border with Somalia. The counter insurgency operation was aimed at eliminating the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF), a rebel group which has been fighting for years for self-determination for the ******'s predominantly Somali population. In less than two months, Ethiopia's military campaign has triggered a serious humanitarian crisis. Human Rights Watch has learned that dozens of civilians have been killed in what appears to be a deliberate effort to mete out collective punishment against a civilian population suspected of sympathising with the rebels. Villages have been attacked, sacked and burnt. Livestock - the lynchpin of the region's pastoralist economy - have been confiscated or destroyed. A partial trade blockade has been imposed on the region leading to serious food shortages. Relatives of suspected rebels have been taken hostage. Thousands of civilians have been displaced, fleeing across the borders of Ethiopia into northern Kenya and Somaliland. Last week, with little objection from the international community, the Ethiopian government expelled from the ****** the International Committee of the Red Cross, one of the few neutral observers of the crisis left in the region. This is not Darfur. But the situation in ****** follows a familiar pattern of a counter insurgency operation in which government forces show little regard for the safety of the civilian population and commit serious abuses, including deliberate attacks on civilians, mass displacement of populations and interference with humanitarian assistance. Unlike in Darfur, however, the state that is perpetrating abuses against its people in ****** is a key western ally and recipient of large amounts of western aid. Furthermore the crisis in ****** is linked to a military intervention by Ethiopia in Somalia that has been justified in terms of counter terrorism and is firmly supported by the United States and other western donors. Ethiopia has often justified military action in Somalia on grounds of cooperation between what it calls "terrorist" groups in Somalia and the rebellion in ******. The ONLF certainly has strong ethnic and political links to Somali insurgents now fighting against the Ethiopian military presence in Somalia. It may have decided to escalate its rebellion in ****** in response to Ethiopia's full-scale military intervention in Somalia in December last year. Now there are reliable reports that, as a result of Ethiopian military pressure inside Somalia, Somali insurgents including members the militant Islamist al-Shabaab have sought refuge in ****** where they could be regrouping. Thus instead of containing and calming the situation in Somalia, the actions of Ethiopia's forces there may well be exacerbating the conflict and regionalising it. The emerging crisis in the ****** is indicative of an increasingly volatile political and military situation in the Horn of Africa. Predictably civilians are bearing the brunt of the crisis both in the ****** and in Somalia where hundreds of thousands have been displaced by fighting since the Ethiopian intervention. Predictably human rights abuses and violations of the laws of war are being perpetrated by all sides. It could all get a lot worse, especially if it leads to a resumption of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. So why isn't the international community doing more to address this crisis. Hasn't the UN being saying for years that crisis prevention is better than cure? The EU and the United States have significant leverage over Ethiopia in the form of foreign aid and political influence. They should use it instead of turning a blind eye to abuses carried out by the Ethiopian security forces in the name of counter terrorism. Western support for Ethiopia's counter insurgency efforts in the Horn of Africa is not only morally wrong and riddled with double standards, it is also ineffective and counterproductive. It will lead to the escalation and regionalisation of the conflicts of the region and may well help to radicalise its large and young Muslim population. Source: The Guardian Read the comments,,,,

Desperate Measures From A Desperate Government By Mohamed F Yabarag, London, UK Here we go again. Another illegal incarceration from Rayale’s desperate regime; this time the recipients are Qaran leaders, Somaliland’s new political party. The writing was on the wall for Dr Gaboose, the party’s founding chairman and his deputy, Engineer Mohamed Hashi Elmi, a man dubbed by many as the “Mr clean of Somaliland politics” ever since they declared their intention of forming a political organization in Somaliland with the aim of competing for the forthcoming local government elections. In an attempt to cling on to power, Rayale’s government has been fighting tooth and nail with the help of all government apparatus against anyone they presume may threaten their grip on power in the forthcoming local and presidential elections. A man who initially came to the highest office in the land by default to the surprise of almost everyone and consequently won it by the thinnest of margins ever recorded anywhere in a hotly contested presidential election is now on the rampage to destroy this nascent country by using strong-arm tactics that are all too familiar for those who had witnessed Siyad Barre’s dictatorial regime in its dying days. This is blatant and abhorrent abuse of power at its ugliest level by Rayale’s pathetic government. What we are witnessing today in Somaliland is nothing short of dictatorship in full swing. Under this government we are in democracy only by name. This government have no ears to listen to the desperate voices of its citizens who are yearning for a genuine leadership. It has dismally failed time and again to work with members of the elected House of Representatives as well as civil society organizations. With the arrest of QARAN leadership, our much vaunted democracy lies in tatters and the people who would have saved us from this pathetic government through the ballot box are now languishing in the notorious Mandhera jail. And what did the do wrong to go to Jail? The government wants us to believe that these guys are a REAL threat to the national security. Sounds familiar? How many people, including women and children has Rayale’s regime sent to jails on the ludicrous and rather bizarre grounds that they were a REAL threat to the national security? The REAL threat to peace, security and the existence of Somaliland as a nation is Rayale’s inept and power crazy government. Somaliland’s horrendous jails are teeming with innocent people and if this trend continues, half of Somaliland’s population could end up in jails, even tough there are not enough jails to accommodate such a number. Since the formation of QARAN in early April, Somaliland government was on the back foot fearing that its supporters will most certainly erode as a result of this new party led by very highly effective leaders. The leaders of this organization, Dr Gaboose and Mohamed Hashi, have more than once asked the government and the constitutional court to register their party in preparation for the forthcoming elections. The government’s response to their demand was one of indifference at best, and intimidation at worse. The Association of Somaliland Lawyers (SOLLA) is adamant that this party should be registered and has every right to be allowed to compete for the forthcoming municipal elections under the Somaliland’s constitution. Almost all the political communities in this country, including the House of Representatives and the two opposition parties to name a few are in complete agreement that the government has no case to deny QARAN in participating national elections. For heaven’s sake our constitution is not written in Russian, Amharic, Swahili, or even in Osmania script. It is written in plain Somali and can easily be interpreted and construed by all the concerned parties, but the government seems to be interested in few articles here and there. Quite simply the government is buying time to make sure that no elections are held when they are due because they know with great certainty that they lost the confidence of Somaliland electorate. This is a doomed government teetering to a standstill. It knows that their time is up before the elections have even started in earnest. Less than six months are left before Somaliland voters go to the polling stations and yet the voter registration programme, a pre-requisite to municipality elections, is nowhere near a completion or certainty. Right now, Somaliland government has enough problems on its plate; the national election council and the 2007 budget to name a few, and yet they seem to be creating more problems on the mistaken believe rather foolishly that its tenure in office will be extended to allow it to sort out this mess they themselves have created in the first instances. Any government that has the interest of its people at heart would have resolved the aforementioned issue by appointing an independent commission consisting of lawyers, ministers, and members from both houses as well as the two opposition parties. By taking this path Rayale’s government would have brought this matter into a conclusion that could have been acceptable to both QARAN leadership and the government. Instead the government has, as always, chosen the path of confrontation over the path of compromise and conciliation. Somaliland government should release the leadership of QARAN leadership without further delay to avoid a long drawn out confrontation between itself and the rest of the country. Failure to do so would mean that some people may take the law into their own hands. The ball is in on government’s court. myabarag@talktalk.net

Faisal Ali Waraabti & Bashir Goth Missed This Time By Abdi Goud Musa, Connecticut, USA Bashir Omar Goth is good friend of mine. He is one of the most intelligent Somalis I know off. He is great poet, writer, journalist, and decent human being. He is the son of Sheikh Omar Goth(A great Islamic scholar and Pioneer who is father of education of Dilla) as his family spells it. I spell my middle name Goud so I do not receive any roughing, stones thrown at ,some jabs or upper cut thrown by someone who is mad about something any member of that family wrote or said at anywhere. Bashir Omar Goth is also the brother-in-law of my late best friend Adan Mohamed Ali Saraye may Allah bless his soul.Bashir Omar Goth is the brother of my friend's widow Rabia Sheik Omar Goth, one of the most dynamic women I know of; but he is wrong this time. So is Faisal Ali Waraabe who is also another good friend of mine and happen to be from the Sultanate of my tribe. These two decent people, thinkers, leaders and friends of mine are wrong for three reasons.First, where I have been living since 1980, over quarter of century, namely the United States of America, no one goes to jail for what one believes,whom one associates with, what party one starts, or what platform runs on, and for what one advocates no matter how horrible including the KU Kulux Klan who are do not have any respect for anyone except their members or believes. Secondly, I am not convinced that my high school or secondary schoolmate Mohamed Abdi Yusuf(Gaboose) as he is well known for, Mohamed Hashi Elmi one of the founders of SNM, and Jamal Cadiid whom I am told is from Dunbuluq(where I was born) which by itself carries good connotation, did anything wrong to be put to jail without due process. Thirdly, Somalialnd is small country that is not recognized by the world community. What most Somalilanders including Bashir Omar Goth and Faisal Ali Waraabi were trying to advocate and sell to the world public that Somalialnd is democracy. Somaliland has checks and balance. Somaliland has elected president, bicameral elected parliament, and independent judiciary. Is not arbitrary imprisonment of opposing political leaders as those of Qaran leaders far from the previous statement? I think it is. No one I mean no one, should go to jail in Somaliland without due process.If the government has a case Qaran leadership it has every right to bring them to court. Without due process and every Somalilander having legal representation and his/her day in court, I for one, I am not buying that imprisoning these three individuals is serving Somaliland and its people well. Let the gentlemen have their day in court and let the government prove that they committed a crime. Abdi Goud Musa, Connecticut, USA

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Ridiculous! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPJzhTi47LE

Thanks, very interesting. So Liverpool is good for something apart from its red football team

The source is ignorance, bad governance and a secular rule saxib.

Ngonge landed at Heathrow wearing a khamiis in 1990

^^you cant go around kid-napping people and killing police officers saxib. Raage got a huge scoop with this one. The guy was calling Ghazi on his mobile whilst the shooting was going on,,,,,,

No khamiis or cimaamad for me saxib. shirt and trousers is the norm. No need for a jacket or tie. This kid is apparently from Hargeysa, so I think you guys need to take him to the homeland, give him so serious Dawah and perhaps find him a good youn Muslima Lets make sure he is from Hargaisa first

The "I had a job interview this morning" excuse just so to avoid any questioning by the job centre staff Cant remember the last time i wore a suit :confused:

We set off for Berbera then Burco the following morning. We arrived at Berbera at about 2.30pm and lunched on fish at one of the restaurants, which had its fair share of ‘dhagan celis’ visitors. I only took pics of the beach and didn’t bother with the rest of the city. I regret not taking any pictures, as it would have demonstrated a city destroyed but not re-developed. Sarajevo, Bosnia came to mind when travelling through the city towards the beach. We met up with family and friends who made their way up from Burco and were already enjoying the beach. It was time to show off my swimming skills. I did manage to obtain my silver award whilst in junior school but slept on the morning of the gold award :rolleyes: The beach was perfect. Soft sand, clean water and no semi naked western expats in sight! A party from Burco who were still celebrating their brother’s marriage, some local curious kids and a young mixed family – a Somali guy and English muslimah with a cute little kid mash Allah, joined us. A very enjoyable day indeed. Here are some pics and vids taken,,,,,,,,,, On the road to Berbera 1 Still going,,,, and on,,,,,,,,, The beach

Rag, rag dalay! Allah Yarxamhum Snoopy Restaurant

More good news,,, The Bourne Ultimatum Movie weekend,,,,

^^ Me in an Orange shirt?? Never, ok maybe in a Van Basten or a Ruud Gullit shirt,,,

Dollar Store Now I know where Geedi gets his suits Suldaaka cad! MC Xamar when he visits in the future

lol I'm sure the Chinese DVD sellers will be in Hargaisa soon. DiiiViiiiDiii?

Ambassador in the evening During the day

Met up with JB later on in the afternoon who then showed me around Hargaisa in the evening after a quick trip to the Ambassador for a late lunch. We visited a neat mall complex with the main shop called the Dollar Store. This place had mostly western style clothing. Although one didn’t agree with some of the stuff on display, this was compensated for by plenty of sports gear and traditional Somali attire. Later that evening a funny bus journey from the Dollar Store to the Summertime restaurant had us in stitches. A: Waar hebelow, dee exhuastku wuu ka laadlaadaa bahalka B: Ar ninyow maantoo dhan waxan maqlaayey qadow qadow, show bahalka waxbaa ka si ahaa. Bal aan joojiye sug. The bus stops in the middle of the road and they both get off to inspect. ‘boom, bang, clank’ can be heard and everyone on the bus tries to help by giving advice since they are all experts at how an exhaust should be fitted. Waar sidan iyo sidaa dhe, waxan iyo waxaa samee, tan iyo taa badal, kaa iyo kaa kala wareeji LoooL They come back on board a few minutes later and off we went. JB introduced me to some of his colleagues / Uni peeps before we grabbed a table and ordered the customary shaah lipton. The next day I got up at 10am after another late night. My cousin from London was staying at the same hotel. Tis a small world I tell ya. I made my way across the road and hopped on the bus making its was up the airport road. A 2 min trip cost me SLS 1,000!!!! Which is about $0.15 or GBP 0.07. Not bad I thought. Breakfast at Ambassador at 11am was very enjoyable. A busy place with a lot of people staying, functions and seminars by NGOs going on and odeyaal shiraaya all at the same time. Met the owner (reer Sheff) and waited for my Saudi uncle to arrive.

Good news,,,, Rush Hour 3 :cool:

Chirac knows what killed Arafat, says ex-aide AP Published: August 05, 2007, 00:00 Ramallah: Former French President Jacques Chirac knows what killed Yasser Arafat and should make it public, an ex-Arafat aide said yesterday, reiterating that he believes his boss was poisoned by Israel. Arafat died on November 11, 2004, after being treated in a French military hospital. Bassam Abu Sharif told reporters yesterday - on what would have been Arafat's 78th birthday - that Chirac and Arafat's French doctors know the real cause of death but decided to withhold it from the public for fear of further destabilising the Middle East. Abu Sharif said he believes Israel killed Arafat with a substance that destroys red blood cells. Asked for proof, he said he would reveal his sources if Chirac publicly denies his allegations. Israel has vehemently denied involvement in Arafat's death. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abu Sharif spoke several days after a senior Hamas leader in Gaza, Mahmoud Zahar, alleged that Arafat was killed in a conspiracy between Israel and Palestinians close to Arafat. Zahar cited a 2002 letter in which Abu Sharif urged Arafat only to accept food and drink from people he trusted. Abu Sharif said yesterday that in the letter, he was referring to Israel's 34-day siege of Arafat's compound in 2002. At the time, he said, Israeli forces inspected food shipments to Arafat and had an opportunity to tamper with them. gulfnews.com

Neph Af joogo looma adeego, can be roughly translated to: "Never kiss anyone's butt." LooooooL

^^No. I have been to the place. Lets just say all is not rosy for Somalis in Italia.

Ahh, the usual tricks. Pecaenow, why are most Somalis in Italy house maids? (jaariyado)

A middle-aged man’s voice is heard above all the hubbub. He loudly declares this wedding party, a party that has been running for the past three hours, underway! He invites one of the members of the band to bless this wedding by reading a few verses from the holy book. The band member reads the shortest verse he could think of. The bald man glides back into the dance floor with a suitable female partner this time. He grabs hold of the bride and starts energetically dancing with her. Both sets of families wonder who the hell is this man! The woman on the microphone loudly (almost savagely) calls out someone’s name. The bride cringes but manages to keep a straight face. Suddenly, a drum is heard! Boom, boom, boom – boom! The old ladies in the inner circle start bouncing around, sometimes with both feet off the ground! They display an amazing and superhuman level of energy! These ladies, after all, are all registered disabled! hahahahahahah The bald man is dancing with a different partner this time. They’re oblivious to the shocked stares as they hold each other closely and slow dance next to the happy couple. An hour later, the band start playing the final song and the bride and groom quickly cut the cake on their way out. As soon as they leave, the streets outside are fully of chattering Somalis and a traffic jam materialises out of thin air. Everyone agrees that it was a good wedding then go on to list all its faults. The boys start circling the crowd and searching for sweet looking single girls in need of a lift home, they get caught by irate old ladies and end up driving them home instead.