Then there is the Borana Abdi .... they love that name. Amina Abdi from the Kenyan Borana community

As President Trump moved last month to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, an Egyptian intelligence officer quietly placed phone calls to the hosts of several influential talk shows in Egypt. “Like all our Arab brothers,” Egypt would denounce the decision in public, the officer, Capt. Ashraf al-Kholi, told the hosts. But strife with Israel was not in Egypt’s national interest, Captain Kholi said. He told the hosts that instead of condemning the decision, they should persuade their viewers to accept it. Palestinians, he suggested, should content themselves with the dreary West Bank town that currently houses the Palestinian Authority, Ramallah. “How is Jerusalem different from Ramallah, really?” Captain Kholi asked repeatedly in four audio recordings of his telephone calls obtained by The New York Times. “Exactly that,” agreed one host, Azmi Megahed, who confirmed the authenticity of the recording. For decades, powerful Arab states like Egypt and Saudi Arabia have publicly criticized Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, while privately acquiescing to Israel’s continued occupation of territory the Palestinians claim as their homeland. But now a de facto alliance against shared foes such as Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State militants and the Arab Spring uprisings is drawing the Arab leaders into an ever-closer collaboration with their one-time nemesis, Israel — producing especially stark juxtapositions between their posturing in public and private. Mr. Trump’s decision broke with a central premise of 50 years of American-sponsored peace talks, defied decades of Arab demands that East Jerusalem be the capital of a Palestinian state, and stoked fears of a violent backlash across the Middle East. Arab governments, mindful of the popular sympathy for the Palestinian cause, rushed to publicly condemn it. Egyptian state media reported that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had personally protested to Mr. Trump. Egyptian religious leaders close to the government refused to meet with Vice President Mike Pence, and Egypt submitted a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding a reversal of Mr. Trump’s decision. (The United States vetoed the resolution, although the General Assembly adopted a similar one, over American objections, days later.) King Salman of Saudi Arabia, arguably the most influential Arab state, also publicly denounced Mr. Trump’s decision. At the same time, though, the kingdom had already quietly signaled its acquiescence or even tacit approval of the Israeli claim to Jerusalem. Days before Mr. Trump’s announcement, the Saudi crown prince, Mohamed bin Salman, privately urged the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, to accept a radically curtailed vision of statehood without a capital in East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian, Arab and European officials who have heard Mr. Abbas’s version of events. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/06/world/middleeast/egypt-jerusalem-talk-shows.html

His Banadir conference is delayed again. It may turn ugly.

Sometimes you wonder why men like Beyle aren't given a chance to lead this nation. He is a great thinker who loves this country more than anyone. It is a curse.

It is true the Muslim Brotherhood is big in Sudan. But I think Galbeedi's assertion that Egypt is interested in blowing up the dam in Ethiopia is not the most likely intention of the UAE-funded troops being deployed in Eritrea. The UAE has no desire to support an international incident that can turn the African Union against the Gulf countries. Blowing up the dam is a huge deal, and will only lead to a regional war and EU sanctions against Egypt. The UAE is most likely interested in bullying Sudan for supporting the Turkish initiative. In essence, the UAE is encouraging the overthrow of Bashir and the opposition in Sudan may try to take advantage of the UAE move.

OO, I agree Djibouti is a natural choice for Somali leaders to visit first as it is an independent country with Somali majority.

Saalax, was Siilaanyo and Riyaale's welcome to Djibouti any different?

Interesting.

Why does Kheyre move around his hand and fingers as if he is talking to subjects? It is a distraction. Galbeedi, I have a different view. I think Kheyre cherishes power and authority more than Somali politicians of recent times. Masuuliyadu is very humbling and one should know the gravity of its weight. To me, Kheyre doesn't fully understand that true authority comes from the people.

Muse Bihi looks much younger than his 70-year-old age.

I was wondering what the percentage of Oromo students in JU is.

Is Egypt trying to bully Sudan for allowing Turkey make an investment in Sudan? This gives you a picture of that Egyptian dictator's mindset.

Good to hear Farmaajo will visit Puntland. Dowlada hala fidiyo.

If true, the foreign minister portfolio is moved from Guriceel clan (CCshakur's family) to Garowe subclan (Faroole's family). The FM position was traditionally designated for Northern Clans as part of unspoken power distribution among Somali clan. Farmaajo is doing away with the traditional power balance even though the position he holds today is based on that very foundation.

The region is currently semi-isolated. Badhan will have a new tarmac road connecting it to Bosaso. The travel time between Badhan and Bosaso will be cut to mere 2 hours. That will have huge ramifications for the community when it comes to business and future development.

The Eastern Sanaag (Somaliland) community should pursue its own interests and not be beholden to any one existing admin. If the SFG is willing to bring development projects to the area, the Erigavo community should welcome any minister who wants to visit. Bring home the bacon!

Alshabab is desperate. They never used to kill relatives. The pressure is on. They'll do anything to claim victory.

Who is "beesha mooryaan"? Asad Ahmed, do you not understand SOL rules?

The paramilitary Basijs and the military are giving people opportunity to demonstrate peacefully. If the situation gets out of hand, Iranians are merciless when it comes to quelling popular storms. The demo is mostly driven by economic concerns.

OO, there is nothing wrong with the Somalis having an alliance with one of the powerful groups in Ethiopia (TPLF) for the sake of safeguarding own survival, but you have to understand that, in Somali street, Illey doesn't have the legitimacy or the moral authority to make a decision on behalf of our people. Illey is seen as a despot forced upon us by the Ethiopian powerbrokers for their own survival at the expense of vulnerable Somalis. If the Oromos and the Amharas gain power, it is the Somalis who will suffer the most.

I thought the Arabs used to say it is Haram.

The kid in the video giving the speech (at 2:00 ), is a clan chief?