Doesn’t promise much for the future then. I read this article on a donut shaped city they planned around Addis suburbs. Not sure what to think of, and what it says about Oromia’s belief in the future of Ethiopia. Opposition to Oromia megacities echoes Ethiopia’s master plan turmoil

So far the Garaads leadership have shown to act as a real authority, keeping their intentions and objections clear and consistent. We can’t say the same from the SL leadership, it’s still not clear where they stand and what their intentions and directions are. Not only with regards to SSC but the rest of the country. Those committing murders in Gacan Libaax, Ali Sahid and Elafweyn are enjoying impunity, while the on the other hand one swears revenge for Las Anod. It doesn’t add up.

What we have been seeing in the last months are rather the effects, the causation started much earlier with the assumptions, calculations and actions that have shaped and driven SL governments directions over the last years which have come to a blown not caused but rather ignited by the SSC uprising. And the main factor in this causality I would say is the following wrong assumption one has made; The social contract on which Somaliland governments authority and stability is outdated, as the government is now all powerfully and can control the country, and does not need to strive towards inclusion and equity between the clans. And also along this line of thinking one assumed that SSC community can’t go nowhere as they don’t want to join Puntland and can’t become a federal state, and with military force you can keep control of the region, and thus there is no need to give special consideration and enter in to a political agreement with the community. Remember on the 8th January 2018 when Somaliland forces took control of Tukaraq and thereby reaching the ‘border’, well this was just a month after this government took office, and this further reinforced that military force was sufficient to control region and there is no need for a genuine political agreement with the community. So this thinking started much earlier and were expressed in all actions of the regime, while the patience expressed by the people and different communities, was not taken at face value but rather seen as a reinforcement of the own assumptions, thinking, further confirming the above mentioned narratives. And it’s also this self constructed false belief of the own power that led to further elite capture in the economy, nepotism, oligopolisation and thus concentration of wealth in the hands of few. Further leading to loss of trust, economic stagnation and political/communal polarisation, of which we seeing now the full extends.

I am not up to date on the under currents of the politics can cant really speak on, for that I have to take your insights in to this. However, I know that the political deal is shaky, with so far no concrete legal pathways to support elections as agreed in this political deal. And as you also stated, the current elites might put own individual ambitions above any compromise or common interest if that would mean transferring power. Additional factor complicating things is that it’s not all about politics, but above all about economic interest and we have not seen any indication that one is ready to address the discourse, inequalities that have fueled the bleak economic future outlook and thus much of the tension, polarization and discontent.

What’s that plan exactly?

As usual one is barking up the wrong tree. I don’t think Somaliland is necessary wrong for seeing Museveni as a potential mediator able to facilitate diplomatic talks, as he is the most senior of African leaders and nestor of Statesman. And seeking solutions closer to the region, is much better instead of far away countries like Norway, Sweden or Switzerland. However, before approaching Museveni and other leaders and countries from the region, Somaliland if it’s really serieus about talks with Somalia to resolve things, should be first sending envoys(Ergo) to Mogadishu, Garowe, Baidoa, Kismayo, Beletweyn, Adado and to wherever Somalia’s political leaders concave, and try to listen, understand, build relations and convince their views and arguments to those that are able to influence Somalia’s position. And only then if and when all efforts and means have been exhausted to directly resolve things, think of approaching those closest in the region.And we are far away from this point, as non of their officials have set foot in Mogadishu or really made effort to listen to those they want to convince. So not only is one barking up the wrong tree, but also putting the car before the horse. Lastly, it’s not the first time the Ugandan President points Somali’s to their delusions and tells it like it’s.

Somalia is the only country in the world that picks people from the streets to work in foreign affairs department and its embassies as diplomats, the same way they select and appoint janitors in the Hamar government offices. The only difference being the suits and selfies. No wonder that Jubbaland, Puntland and every land chooses to manage their own external relations and affairs, as Somalias foreign service doesn’t add anything to the equation anyway. @MMA, I hope all the dirt of these Embassies becomes public, till one is convinced to have a proper and professional foreign service.

So typical, Somali’s closest cousins. Now I understand why Somalis neighbouring Oromos inject so much emotion emotional bullshit in to politics without rationality. Wada cadifiin bila caqliya, uff.

One is assuming too quickly that these fires have been intentionally lighted. I have issue with this for two reasons, one is ignoring fate(Qadar) and second one is excluding perhaps the most rational of reasons that could play a role, such as climate change. So wondering to what extend the changing climate(increasing temperatures), crowding of urban and market spaces, increased quantity of products present(material wealth?), more electric and inflammable materials (bad quality) present, and bad electrical wiring play could perhaps have played a bigger role? Those familiar with Somali markets, could perhaps shine a light at the trends and changes they have observed over the years. And perhaps it would be good to look at the trends in markets in similar countries with hot arid climates who also have unregulated and informal markets. After all increasing temperatures and heat waves have caused an increase in wild fires all over the world, and perhaps markets are at most risk in Somalia, whereas in other countries it’s forests, grass lands, or suburban neighborhoods that are at risk.

This is cat and mouse game has been going for more then 15 years, and as long as we don’t understand why youngsters are choosing to join AS and what motivates people to go extreme lengths such as suicide bombings, one can’t really solve the symptoms neither eradicate the issue. I am not underwriting the importance of the hard working soldiers and intelligence people, but if it was only a matter of more guns, more soldiers, more training and powerful intelligence with more resources then one would have solved it by now. One needs to have a complete picture of the motivates in order to address the issue, and one shouldn’t be to simplistic in thinking there is only one motivate or driving factor, its more likely that its a complex web of dozens of different factors, motivates and underlying issues playing a role. But surely one can dedicate a team of 20 analytical people to map this out and distill to come up with workable solutions and recommendations to address the issue and underlying factors. Surely this isn’t too much to ask as one also delicates thousands of people to work in soldiering and thousands to work in other sorts of offices that hardly can even operate properly due to the security issues. Not saying this is a task for the security sector, but rather a responsibility of the politicians to have 20 people dedicated to understanding and dealing with AS, and coming up with solutions and measures across the board that are beyond security but rather are political and socio-economical in nature.

Seems the Oromo’s don’t have much of a political direction or strategy, if they continue look like this they might unite everyone against them. Ileyn nimanku waa iska Somali oo kale

How so, isn’t this about federalism? And even if Jubbaland goes ahead with this, their representative should work within the scope of the Embassy and collaborate with Embassy officials. Anything else should be regarded as a silent form of secession and dismantling of Somalia’s sovereignty. Diplomatic row looms after Jubaland appoints envoy to Kenya HIIRAAN.COM The decision by Jubaland State of Somalia President Ahmed Mohamed Islam to appoint an envoy to Kenya has caused controversy as the...

It seems this is the new fault line between Northern and Southern Ethiopians. Oromo will have to wake up and smell the coffee, their so called alliance with Amhara’s is dead end and also Amhara’s will need to change their relations with Tigray as they can fight on two fronts.

Gedo, Hiiraan, Banadir and SSC, are these the contenders to become recognized states?

Shacabka make more sense then most politicians.

You don’t think he will get sub-clan protection of sorts.

The fate of SSC and Somaliland region and people ia inseparable interconnected and intertwined with one another. And at the same time no amount of violence, guns and casualties can enforce it nor prevent the connectedness, the sooner everyone realizes that the easier it will be to embark on a common path.

Well done to keep the political leadership limited, this should make them more targeted, effective and efficient. Compare this with Hirshabelle’s 81 cabinet members whose authority, legitimacy and reach is non-existent. Hirshabelle President appoints 81-member cabinet after two years in office WWW.HIIRAAN.COM Jowhar (HOL) - President of Hirshabelle regional state, Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe, has appointed a cabinet for the first time after being...

This is the second time I heard the SSC leader speak and must say I am quite impressed, he eloquently explains for all to hear what has fueled the uprising and conflict, and what has been the political gain of this conflict. He is already more of a statesman then many others Somali politicians who have been longer in the limelight. Nevertheless, he has quite a task ahead of him.

Governments negotiate on treatment and release of POW, instead Somaliland government showed they really don’t care what happens with the 300+ soldiers held captive. This official even stating that they don’t care if those soldiers get killed, ‘ha laayaan ciidankaa’. subxannalah

Is this true, or just speculation? What does it mean for the politics of Somali region?

On the issue of national sovereignty, we have to ask our selves do we want sovereignty to be shared by the region and the centre? And I am no legal expert, but understand that sovereignty is defined as the supreme or dominant power of authority and whose characteristics can be described by permanence, exclusiveness, all-comprehensiveness, inalienability, indivisibility, and absoluteness, and has as different sub-types, titular(in name only), internal(obedience from all that are within), external(recognition on the part of states), and legal (highest legal power). Does it make sense from a practical perspective and also a principle perspective, if it makes sense for sovereignty to be shared by federal states and central government, and what would it mean for ultimate power to be shared by politicians from the centre and states. If this would make sense, and why one would want that? My personal thinking is that it would not lead to better balanced governance or checked power, but might lead to further muddied political landscape. And perhaps the ultimate de facto sovereignty of power lies with the traditional leaders, that have already a quite an informal and positive power over their constituencies but who are not given any formal role in the structure state, while on the hand ‘clan’ finds itself a role in the other bodies of the state through the 4.5 Parliament and clan based federal states, while clan shouldn’t belong there. So why not establish a House of traditional elders, that shares the titular, internal and legal sovereignty with the central state executive, and that way balances positively and formally the supreme authority, and has a formal role in peace making and reconciliation, and that way diffuses the pressure for clan representation in Parliament and the need to form clan based states. Let the formal traditional leaders be the formal clan representatives and share/balance sovereignty. And this House of Elders would have a formal role in matters of clans, and play a role in the peace and reconciliation between communities and channeling the need for clan representation. The African countries that have given a formal role in the state to traditional elders are some of the most stable, peaceful and cohesive developed countries. Botswana comes to mind as a very positive example, and others like Uganda, South-Africa, with the recently deceased King Butulesi and whose traditional leaders play formal and positive role in the state. In everything is clan and clan finds its way in everything deconstructing and making basic governance and service delivery challenging, why not give clan a formal role, through its formal leaders and give a seat and formal job description, and that way one can deterge it from the other bodies of the state. So that a Minister, MP, Regional State or local authority can focus on their real roles without feeling the need or necessity to represent the ‘clan’, as its channeled through the House of traditional elders. Lastly, we have recently seen how permanence, important and comprehensive the role of traditional leaders in solving the most complex societal conflicts and disputes, which has been nearly impossible for politicians to play that role and solve those issues. Look at the recent important role Garaads have played in uniting the SSC folks, the Suldaans from Somaliland have diffused the tension and simmering political deadlock, the Isims and Boqor in Puntland prevented an almost internal civil war. If indeed their role, authority and power is that strong over people, and despite decades of undermining their role and status in the formal affairs state, their status is permanent, why not make them a formal part of the structures and formalise their collective roles, responsibilities and mandates in membership of a collective decision making body or House?

It’s a simple choice actually that SL leaders have to make. A) if the SL leaders really belief in a inclusive Somaliland with the SSC community being an integral part of Somaliland, they will choose peace talks and every road that can lead to them rapprochement , reconciliation and rectification (three Rs). And they will welcome and embrace SSCs political leadership and its traditional clan leadership, as a legitimate counterpart as they are united in their voice and political aspirations. And believing in a shared destiny between the people of Somaliland or Northern regions, they belief that’s is only a matter of time to find common grounds for understanding through dialogue. Much of the criticism towards the SSC leaders over the past decades was that they were politically divided and did not have a unified political platform and leadership and fragmentation was preventing seriously engagement and addressing the political wishes of SSC community. And today the politically unity of the SSC community who have formed a unified political platform and leadership, and whose 14 Garaads have united under the same political umbrella provides an opportunity to engage with, dialogue with and seek common ground with a legitimate counterpart. B) But if one doesn’t believe in a inclusive Somaliland and shared ownership of Somaliland based on the colonial borders with all its communities being part of it or aspiring to become part of it, and they see it as a singular clan owned and dominated project, whose narrative fully aligns with that of the SNM clan ideology that thinks it can subjugate other clan and political groups by using the incomes and control of the Berbera Port as a power leverage, then SL leaders might choose continued war with SSC, other clans and those whose who have other political thoughts. And this will lead to further internal crumpling of Somaliland and division that has started with the SSC folks uprising and Las Anod conflict but will continue throughout other regions with further uprisings and more people rejecting this Somaliland, and more clan based regions and communities deciding on self governance and forming alternative ‘states’z I think it’s those two choices that SL leadership has, and these two choices are inherent directly linked to the future of Somaliland, its viability, stability and social coherence. SL leaders needs to look at things from this dialectic perspective, thinking and decision making that consist of opposed or contradictory ideas, in order to examine, consider alternatives and find the truth. Without considering this dialectic thinking and opposing ideas, many would and already tend to see things from the singular truth and pathways professed within the ingroup members and will overlook better and more promising solutions and alternatives than the currently chosen and professed one, which is currently the trend.

Noocaas cadiifiinta ayaa umadii meel kasta u taliniya, ama beel ha u taliyo ama madaxtooyo ha dhex fadhiisto, wa isla cadifiinti qori ku taaga xalka u heysatay.