galbeedi

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Posts posted by galbeedi


  1. We all welcome the report. More than any thing , I want these UN people to stop contracting to the Nairobi based groups who always concentrate on useless issues to keep their jobs . I want these monitoring groups to get off our backs. They want the arms embargo to continue. The country can not defend itself without having enough weapons.

     

    few hundred soldiers will not solve the issue. If you do not want the insurgency to continue for another 10 years, you must conscript a large army throughout the country. We know how national armies look, otherwise Somalia will be another Afghanistan. After 15 years Taliban is still in active.

     

    Finally, Jonny B, The people of Mogadishu are getting all the infrastructure allocated for Somalia. with modern hospitals and roads, and please do not tell us about the port and the airport. The Turks built it, and Somalis around the world are flying and paying the fees. Revenues from customs and entry points are national , not local. If the people are serious about supporting the federal government, they should cooperate with those trying to get the killers.

     

     


  2. I would like to give you some updates about the situation in Marka Cadey Minan Aw Cismaan. As you may have already noticed , I do not follow the general narrative of Somali politics, or the way people in the government explain the events of Somali war against Al-shabaab. Last week the Amisom contingent, along with the Somali army, left Marka without notice. Al-shabaab immediately took over the city. Here in SOL , I speculated few theories about their move, among them that the African forces, probably were not paid of their salaries. well, some credible sources confirmed that the Amisom forces were not under the threat of any attack from the enemy, nor the issue was about salary. Most of people may not believe , but the truth is the Somali army are always deployed in forward bases to protect the African forces in the case of an attack from Al-shabaab. The Amisom forces usually patrol with mechanized vehicles and with minimum of a battalion forces to comb certain villages and streets, but after the night fall, they all come back to their fortified bases.

     

    To explain the issue better, let us take an example of the American forces in Afghanistan. While these Americans are armed with modern weapons, they do not sit in their bases like a sitting ducks to be targeted by the Taliban. Not only they engage the enemy with their patrols to seek and destroy hideouts , but they have forward operation bases manned by a platoon of 20 or 30 soldiers. This forward bases are look outs for the movements of the Taliban , especially in the mountain terrains. Some times these small platoons may engage in firefights with the Taliban, and usually they can hold their ground . If they are overwhelmed by huge army of insurgents, they would request rapid response teams.

     

    In the Amisom case, we found out that the Somali soldiers, really do most of the heavy lifting when they are embedded with African forces. They do not only act as forward bases against Al-shabaab, but they do really protect the Amisom forces themselves. Most of the heavy weapons, armored and mechanized vehicles are controlled by the Africans. When they move for operations with their heavy weapons and accompanied by Somali forces, Al-shabaab usually do not engage them to fight, but abandon to the bushes or to next empty town.

     

    Now in Marka , the Somali soldiers were not paid for four months. After inquiring about their salaries for months , they finally fed up and left for Mogadishu. Since the Africans do not have Somalis to protect them in their bases, and seeing the faith of the Sawahili Kenyans in Ceel Cade, they decided to abandon their base and relocate to thirty kilometres from the town toward number 50. As of today both the Somali soldiers and Amisom returned to Marka without engaging any Al-shbaab.

     

    In Ceel Cade, Gedo, the Kenyans were about 120 men or a battalion. A day or two before the attack, the Somali forward base was abandoned by the soldiers after their college's were abused in other parts of Gedo by the Ethiopian forces. The Kenyans never sent a recognisance or " ilaalo" to check the movements of Al-shabaab. Like a sitting ducks, they were sleeping in their bases as usual , while expecting the poor unpaid Somalis to protect them. They were attacked before down. About 97 were killed, two were captured , while a dozen were injured or run for their lives. All of their armored vehicles and guns were taken by Al-shabaab.

     

    This constant events about Amisom and their cat and mouse moves, illuminate a pattern that can not be ignored. African troops with their mechanized weapons and fortified bases could easily capture towns and do some patrols and head back to their bases. They are not equipped to do every day intelligence gathering and the movements of local insurgency. They have no idea what is going in the country side, villages and towns. The only way they can secure the whole country is to deploy two thousand Africans in every town and village. That is about 100,000 foreign soldiers. Also, the source told me that the Amisom soldiers, do not cry for their missing payments, because usually they get their accumulated payments as big lam sum every six months or so.

     

    As some people said before, this battle should be fought and won by Somalis themselves. Give the Somali soldiers the necessary resources and let them fight. To achieve this goal , you need a new Somali leadership with different priorities than the current one. We can not recycle these same group of leaders and expect different results. If we continue these same strategies, expect another ten years of unending games.


  3. Soomalialnd waxan ka socdaa muxuu yahay?. Siilaanyo and company are selling everyone and every thing.

     

    Did you see the news about the land of former national theater. Siilaanyo himself sold the theater to three different people. The foyer of the building, the parking lot and the ruins where the theater stood were all sold. A well known businessman was arrested after he claimed that the theater was sold to him by Siilaanyo himself.

     

    this week some "suldaano claimed that they too were given the theater land by Siilanyo. Go figure.

     

     

    Every house that belonged to the public is sold. Libraries, police headquarters, military barracks, schools, guest houses and parks are all sold by the president not the city mayor or counselors.

     

    Waxani ma bililiqaa iyo boob baa.


  4. Malister, the issue here is political and the leadership of the president to secure the country. I have nothing against Mogadishu and the good Somali people who suffered so much , but still endured.

     

    In this pages , I did always advocate the restoration of the national capital in order to rise up from the ashes of anarchy, tribalism, secessionism, and all other ills that we all are facing.

     

    Xaasha Lillah waligay caasimada iyo dadka Soomaaliyeed ee degan kuma xadgudbin.Xamar waa magaaladeeni.

     

    Mr.Hassan was ruling for almost three and half years , yet we see daring day light attacks and Hotel bombings. How many good people have to die?. If we can not defeat Al-shbaab militarily, ideologically and intelligently, maybe we should change the strategy.


  5. Again no one is bashing anyone. Everyone knows the President is protected by Ugandan soldiers.

     

    Oodweyne welcome back. You are probably correct about British and their long term about the attitude of the young Somalis joining Al-shabaab. The Problem is the Brits talk too much with little tangible results on the ground. Why don't they train the Somali soldiers or at least invest some money?. on the politicians you are absolutely correct, they do not care about Soomaalinimo.


  6. A Somali businessman, who lives in the oil country , recently went home and came back this week. He is a well grounded businessman who cares much about Somalia in general and wishes permanent stability for all. He is not known to harbour any clannish attitude and usually does not speak in hyperbole manner. As our friend Alpha said the other day, I am a political junkie who tries to follow the ball and tries to collect info for those who may have observed things differently.

     

    A politician, high paid NGO expatriates and local Damjadiid boys who flourish in the chaos theory, would not have a good judgement of what is going on, so I seek to speak to the lone observers who compare and collect real information which usually contrasts the conventional wisdom. By now we all know business is booming in Mogadishu, whether it is looted money transformed as sky scrappers, private security contractors working with NGO's or other developments implements by the good Turks and others. Enough with the adjectives , let us listen this reliable eye witness:

     

    1- Who is in charge of the entry points.

     

    He says when I landed in Hargeisa airport, my passport was checked by a Somali officer, and after few minutes I proceeded to my business in the town. The same goes scenario takes place in Galkacayo. Again a Somali officers checks my document and all is well. He was in Gaalkacyo just after the political war instigated by the Galmudug and Puntland politicians. I asked the mood in Gaalkacayo and he said " almost everyone is armed, people are walking with their guns in the public squares, yet you do not feel afraid". As he explained, it does look like a Republican state were citizens are allowed to carry weapons in public. In other words these guns are great equalizers, where all are armed, yet no one dares to disturb the peace expect when politicians like C/kariin Damjadiid of Galmudug and Gaas tries to make the news.

     

    One of the advantages of, local non affiliated public, having guns is that no Al-shabaab or unknown assailant will try to stage a murder. If an Al-shabab commits a terror act ,he could be quickly apprehended by the locals. Of course the usual " aano Qabiil " and revenge killings of Gaalkacayo happens time to time.

     

    In Mogadishu, he said " when you land at the airport, a Ugandan officer will check your passport. having them stationed in the airport perimeter is one thing , but to check your document while a Somali officer is there only symbolically , while doing nothing , really surprised me". Having travelled from Hargeisa , Gaalkacayo and Mogadishu, for him this, was the first indication of a false Somali government that couldn't do basic things.

     

    Sometimes people develop the "cattle mentality" of accepting submissiveness after many years of failure. For them it is normal thing. It was Proff. Ahmed Samatar who first raised the out right discriminatory and demeaning behaviour of the Kenyan airport officials against flights that originate from Somalia. When Nairobi bound Somali flights leave Mogadishu, they are ordered to land in Wajeer town in the north east, for second security screening before they land in Nairobi. They were screened in Mogadishu by the Ugandans , another in Wajeer and the third one in Nairobi. No southern politician ever raised about that issue. To be fair many demeaning actions involving flights and airports also happened to both Rayaale and Siilaanyo in Ethiopia , although with lesser humiliations.

     

    2- Security and peace in Mogadishu compared to Gaalkacayo not Hargeisa:

     

    In Mogadishu the general public is disarmed. The former warlords have their guns, the businessmen have their armed militia , the "Wadaado" have always their guns and Damujaddid have Ugandans to protect them , including the bedroom of the President Hassan Sheekh. According to this eye witness, who was there just after the Liido Beech massacre, Mogadishu seems to be a front line of war if you are unarmed helpless person. I , Galbeedi , will add that Some noteworthy Somali politicians not all, and formers officers of the army hide in major hotels in the fear of being targeted by Al-shbaab . for the last 12 months , sometimes a dozen armed men had blasted the hotel walls to kill the patriots who were threat to Al-shabaab and those who support them, among them general Dhagabadan who three years earlier cleared Al-shbaab from Mogadishu, Afgooye, Number Konton, and Marka.

     

    Targeting the capable men who are series about security and national salvation is not something new in Mogadishu. In 2000, when the first Transitional government led by President C/qasim Salad came to Mogadishu, their were a huge debate among the factions. When I say factions, I mean the usual " Xadhigjiid" between the HAG and the "D" blacks who faced each other in Mogadishu for the first time since the collapse of the state in 1991. Since the security of the national capital was the paramount issue facing all Somalis, C/qasim was told to clean up the warlords who were declining in strength and in political power. Xaaji muuse Suusdi who was one of the last remaining warlords of Mogadishu was asked his opinion about the new Somali government from Carta. He said " Adeer haday bir noqotana waa ka leexahaynaa, hadayse bac noqoto waa bujiheynaa", Roughly means " if it become an iron sword we will get out of her way, but if it becomes balloon, we will release the air from it". By the way, Suudi Yalaxow " wuu Bujiyey bacdii C/qasim".

     

    In order to make the government an iron and build credible national army, which can sweep the weakened warlordes and their militia, the two faction that I mentioned above, agreed to appoint General Yisuf Tallan of Awdal region as the chief of staff of the army. Since this General is not related with anyone of the warring factions, and having credible integrity, he was the best choice for the task ahead. Many including General Galaal who was C/qasim's right hand man, did not accept that idea. Within weeks, General Tallan was assassinated in a Mogadishu restaurant by two men. C/qasim dithered, spend his time in Mogadishu hotels, collected his cash and went back to his exile in Cairo. The rest is history.

     

     

    Ah, those years , between 1994-1999, were not that bad compared to today's chaos. One may have controlled Medina, the other Hawlwadaag, but normal people intermingled and traded between Zaylac and Kismaayo flourished . There were no Maxakamdo, Al-shabaab or Amison. I would rather have Qanyare and company , than Aways and Al-shabaab.

     

    Before I am side tracked to another story, let us stay with the events of 2106, sixteen years after c/qasim. As the witness said, if you are not armed , you are a victim. He said " he felt more secure in gun tooting Gaalkacayo than the Mogadishu of Hassan Sheekh.

     

    3- How about the Future of Hassan Sheekh:

     

     

    As we speak the game of chicken played by Amisom continues. Yet again, with no fire fight they abandoned another strategic town , this time Marka Caddey. Some say , the disgruntled African soldiers were not paid for months , and this is the best way to get the attention from those who bankroll them, while others are saying that this is a message for the new British envoy to renew their mandate for four more years. Well, this union of soldiers or employees of eastern Africa, are staging a well crafted strike to get their contract renewed or else.

     

     

    When I asked my friend about Culusow and his future , he said " this president is busy plotting his return to office after 2016". By bowing to Kenyans, he already secured the backing of certain segments. We both agreed that if this president comes back, the desired long term presence of Amisom , to democratize and build Somalia until 2025, will be achieved. Two years ago, IGAD member states toured in the diaspora to get a glimpse of the opinion of the diaspora , about their long term democracy building project in Somalia. That idea was immediately shot down by the participants. I remember, people like Faysal Rooble and other saying that " how on earth can a dictatorship dominated IGAD states of Uganda, Djibouti and others , who do not have any history of democracy lead Somalia to democracy building".

     

     

    As the insecurity in Mogadishu grows, so does the desire to keep foreign troops in Somali. If , after almost four years , Al-shabaab is back where they left, the national army can not even defend towns less than 60 km of the capital, the national capital is a fear stricken place, what is the role of this President. If you can not secure one city, can not protect your self, your own personal safety is in the hands of Ugandan forces which means you failed to adequately train 200 Somali boys to guard you, what is the purpose of claiming President. These are some of the conclusions my friend came up after visiting the capital. Some people out of anger , may even suggest that rather talk of national government " Malha in la dhiso dawlada Gobolka Banadir Ayaa la qaatay, si meehs ay ugua baxdo boobkan iyo beentan aan dhmaanayn".

     

     

     

    Dambi ku hadli maayee ma arag dawladaan rabayee, Isma doorin gaalkaan diriyo daarta kii galayee, Dusha midabka soomaalibaad dugulka moodaayee, Misna laguma diirsade qalbigu waadirkii Karal'e Meeshaan dad aan ururshiyo darar ka eegaynay, Iyaba waa darxumo ii hadhayee dacaro miyaan leefay, Ma darraato raadkaan dhigaan dib ugu soo laabtay, Sidii aan dayaysnahay miyaan dawga ka habaabay, Waxba hadalku yuu ila durkinee waxaan kusoo duubay, mar uunbuu daf soo odhan nafsigii diinku soo jiidayee, mar uunbay daruur caafimaad dooxa soo rogiyee, Dirrigaa abaarta ah marbaa doog kasoo bixiyee, Dibjirkiyo marbay reer miyigu daasadaha qubiyee, Mar uunbuu digiigixan raggii daallanaan jirayee, Mar uunbuu dagoobka iska rogi doob la quudhsadayee, Oo dalaan dambeedkiyo dhibtiyo diidi keenada'e , Dibnihii shakaalnaa marbaa dooda loo furiyee, Markaasaa la daydayan xaqii naga dahsoonnaayee,

     

     

     

    Finally I did ask him my last question. Who is helping Hassan Sheekh to come back another term and how would they achieve that goal?.

     

     

    He said, "the biggest obscure group that may as well implement the desires of Culusow , may not only be the gulf countries and their connected charities, but a new more sinister and powerful group".

     

     

    In the history of the United Nations, it is extremely rare to send two envoys, consecutively from same country to a particularly a country . Both the former UN envoy Nickolas kay and the current one, Michael Keating are both British, who are replaced one another as the Somali envoys from the UN. On the other hand, it could be a coincidence or a continuity of policy from the UN. Having said, that a British based group involved in the oil business are making big waves both in Somali political landscape and business connections with government. last year the United Nations monitoring group mentioned the dealings and corruptions involved the British owned Somali Oil group.

     

     

    This kind of companies are not the big multinationals of Shell, Total , Mobil, or the other medium amid small size oil exploration companies. These companies, like Somali Oil are particularly set up by individuals who would like to get certain connections and other

     

     

     

    monopolies in a country that does not have regulatory agencies. Any way, my friend thinks that in order to keep this British monopoly and prevent any allegation of corruption reaching the international community, this new British envoy will be the man to save guard their interest and help Culusow at the same time . So, if this true expect Culusow to implement his agenda and get elected gain. It could be difficult , but if there is anyone who is well prepared it is him.

     

     

    for years this Mogadishu crowd was playing the card of Somali nationality, by saying that they are safeguarding the country from people hell bent on colonizing the country, and their stooges in Somalia, yet their actions is what keeping this country impotent. They are playing the foreign card in a disgraceful manner that humiliates all Somalis.


  7. Xabad , did you tried companionship finding the other half.. Sometimes it is nice to come home to someone that cares about you. and listens your problems and hopes. Try it , who knows it could help.


  8. If Warlord Dahir Calasow is the moral foundation of southern media may Allah help us. An innocent man sitting near the blast who was pulled by the air is a victim. There were no prove of him being a member of terrorist group.

     

    Somalee, if Calasow is your reference point of your facts , you need help. There is no dispute that there are Alpshabab members from " reer woqoti".


  9. Samafal, Saaxiib I wasn't happy about the racist tone of our friends, but you really explained well. The " Reer Bari", got more than the fair share of development in Puntland which makes some of the grievances unjustified.

     

    We have been watching all those airports, ports and other developments in Boosaaso. I take back some my criticism.


  10. Good speech.Good for him. Historically those politicians who target peaceful , law abiding north American Muslims fail badly. In Quebec a separatist premier with a minority government took the nasty road of nativist and Muslim baiting to get a majority government. She knew that there were no religious or other problems arising from the targeted community. The French Canadian politician who usually bashes the English speakers of the province thought Muslim bashing will make her increase her seats.

     

    She was defeated badly by the opposition and was decimated. Prime minister Harper was polling well, tied with the liberal opposition. He began a campaign of fear focusing a useless Niqab and other unnecessary minor issues to marginalize the peaceful and integrated Muslims of Canada to increase his vote. Canadians by large margins rejected his dog whistling and his campaign of fear and elected Justin Trudeau and the liberals .

    The same faith is awaiting load mouth Trump and his ilk's. This Muslim Community of North America is an integral part of these nations and the good people of America and Canada will reject the campaign of fear.

     


  11. Yes. we are socially conservative and economically pro-business. Uneducated immigrants and refugees with large family members always need the help of government especially the early tear. Somalis were never guided or shown the best way to succeed in their new countries. Welfare and government housing was the easiest places to start , but nowadays that trend is diminishing especially in north America. In Alberta, Canada last January, I was invited to a Somali Forum where advocates were warning people about the downside of public project housings and the effects of living in bad neighborhoods.

     

    Traditionally we are business oriented people. They may not be big, but there are more than 30 Somali owned businesses in this town. If you go to Hawala shops, Kenyans, Ugandans, Sudanis, Ethiopians and now Rowlands queue up at their shops. Also, traditionally We were never people who depended on government.

     

    Anyway, do not bet on a socialist running America. Even in Canada those who campaigned on the left side must govern in the center. They young sentimentalists may enamor a progressive, but when you got stakes in life, business and taking care of family , you will wish to keep the money you are earning. You will prefer paying less taxes and keeping as much as possible. Look at Europe where unemployment is 11% percent. In socialist economy , there is no up ward mobility, especially for the young people. The American economy creates millions of jobs every decade and those with ambition and hard work will always get some of the slacks. The Military business, the energy industry and many others sectors of the economy needs a business oriented leader. Bush years of constant war, produced Obama , now the pendulum must swing back to the right, but it won't be the wacko bird Cruz. Clinton will govern on the right side of Obama.

     

    I have a big argument about the contrast of these issues , but will leave it another day. If conservatives stop demonizing us, the Muslims, bring a sensible foreign policy, they could be our home, because we share a lot.


  12. Is that what all you guys got against this guy?. I thought Bantu is cultural issue mainly about people of Sub Saharan Africa. The Somali Jareer regardless of looks is Somali born and bred. If looks make people Bantu or something other than Somali, look no further than President C/weli himself, he has more African features than any other Somali leader.

    https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRfVXu9eC7Uh176V1S8Hcab_XcWIjIqy-BXO9abfXQWS_e061RHBw

     

    In his interview this guy Cabdisalam raised issues of governance and power abuse by C/weli and his men. It has been well known in Puntland that whom ever comes to power immediately installs his clansmen to control military, security and media. Last year a local militia from Garoowe took over the Puntland television after C/weli tried to replace them. This guy is complaining about intimidation, clan domination, sanctioned murders and others issues.

     

    All this issues could be the barking of a disgruntled politician, but the my main argument is you can not rule and manage the affaires of the government like the old ways. People need to elect their own governors and have local representation. They must collect their taxes and spend as they wish and need. Their are more security apparatus running in Boosaaso than regular police. Assassinations and murders are not usually resolved, so you need to address the grievances of the people.

     

    He is not Huuntu but " reer Boqor" deal with him.


  13. Che, she could be charged . Even the state department said that almost 22 of her e-mails were top secret. Maybe They want to get her

     

    Trump always bragged to be a winner. This will humble him. Rubio is okay, he could be a good vp for Bush.


  14. Alpha, I do not hate the people. I do distaste the system and the recycling of warlords like Muuse Biixi. I am realistic. Politics is the art of possible. I am looking to the future. I do not like Somali leaders either but I see it as a process that could eventually produce sustainable state that can we all share regardless of our regional differences.

     

    How long these Somaliland experiment will go on?. Did you see Waran Cadde asking for passport from Somalia and then denying the letter he wrote. Last time in these pages you said that I had no chances in Mogadishu. Well, my friend I do have chances both in Hargeisa and Mogadishu, it is up to me to isolate myself or be part of " Badweynta Soomaaliyeed" . I would rather be a small fish in the huge Somali ocean than being a big fish in a pond.


  15. C/weli is a democrat, he is trying to do things with consensus.. What he doesn't get is in the Somali political environment of " I jiid aan ku Jiidee", you need to be tough. they see consultations as weakness.

     

    C/raxman Farroole is behind the curtain maneuvering against Gaas. Faroole has no business of interfering the current leadership and their decisions. He has no business to even talk to the media. Did you hear anything about Cade Muuse and others?, no. The federal government has a good partner in c/weli who is more flexible than Faroole , so they must not push him to the hardliners camp.