"The Arab geographers generally used terms such as Habasha for the people of the Ethiopian interior regardless of whether they were Christian, Muslim or pagan; Berber for the inhabitants of the Horn, whom they sometimes qualified as 'black Berbers', to distinguish them from the Berbers of the Maghrib; and Zanj, for the various peoples of darker complexion whom they located beyond the Habasha and the' black Berbers" "In fact, there was a basic continuity in the use of the term Berber since the first century of the Christian era, to describe the land and the people of the Horn. The Periplus, Claudius Ptolemy, and Cosmas Indicopleustes employed it in much the same way as the Arab geographers did after the ninth century. There seems to be no doubt now that the Arab geographers had particularly the Somali in mind when they spoke of the 'black Berbers' of the Horn; and the earlier use of the term by Greek writers may very well indicate a more ancient occupancy of the Horn by the same stock of people." page 134 - 136

That is wonderful. The SNA is being built step by step.

Mad_Mullah, does it matter who kicks them out? Al-Shabab is the enemy of the state.

I thought I was the only one who found it amusing. How much does this guy get paid?

Isn't the SFG pressuring the Baidoa conference participants to accept three State formation which includes Lower Shabelle? What is this new Constitution you speak of?

Another conflict on the horizon?

Dr. Kenney, As a side comment, there is more to Somalia's problems than meets the eye. I believe a large segment of the population back home suffers from some sort of mental illness. Combine that with poverty, lack of education and the daily cycle of violence and wollaa, you have a monster as a neighbor, brother, friend and a family member. It is not easy to turn things around.

I was surprised the author didn't mention the President's own nicknames.

Saffs, for some reason, I have unilaterally convinced myself that flying is unsafe.

Times are changing Saff. 30 is the new 18. What you don't want to do is settle for less. The best advice Holac can GIF [pun intended] is to keep celebrating.

I fly frequently for business, but I'll be honest, I don't enjoy flying. I find it to be boring, unpleasant and tiring. I am watching the news now and they are talking about a missing airplane. The agony for these family members is sure to be intense.

^^ Because he is annoyingly everywhere.

Is K'naan still alive? He is diminishing lately.

What flag are they waving? (the red and blue)

There he is at the front right.

Good speech. ThankY Haji.

Ninyaban, I have to be in Wash tomorrow for an important meeting. I am gearing up for it saxiib.

We predicted it, but it is a big loss for the young actor.

That is good Hassan. The spy video is very clear. Was that done with your iPhone?

Safferz, how about this one. On Morgan Tsvangirai: "I have never seen someone that ugly"

Vey well said. But what if the President is the problem himself?

This is a great initiative. Foreign schools with more standardized curriculum have the potential to lift the standards of the locally owned schools due to competition.