The boogeyman is gone. Quick, someone think up a new scary figure to keep the wailers going. On a serious note, where is A&T today? I'd love to hear his considered take on things now that Zenawi's gone. How does the Ethio internal power politics work? Is the guy running the show now a mere temporary puppet or the real thing? War mashaxarada naga daaya oo wax sheega dee.

Xaaji Xunjuf;858454 wrote: I always knew saado was a politician but will she stop singing now Ngogne saado defected long time ago just six months after keyse defected Yes. But is it as the guys above say or is it the usual "sub clan" disputes?

It doesn't matter what the media calls him, did the commission take his name of the list?

LayZie G.;858421 wrote: Lol, he has 62 other candidates that needs his full undivided attention. :D

^^ That lost are the most confusing. They're there despite the opposition of SL but then SL itself would appreciate a deal from Sharif (one that grants the desired independence). However, I don't think the old (SL) men in the Somali capital or the MPs they choose would approve such a deal. On the other hand, I don't think they'll vote for a PL man or Farmaajo. So it must be Sharif Xasan all the way. :D

I'm confused. Wasn't she a die hard Khaatumo supporter? When did she do a U turn and join the Imam?

oba hiloowlow;858409 wrote: He will be known as the Aden Cadde of this era When did you give up on your sheikh, Oba?

Che -Guevara;858382 wrote: You are usually on top it old man but this one fell short, can Sharif be just great manipulator? Imagine if these discussions were real, do you think the promises the others make to Sharif could be trusted?

^^ It's interesting but not much different to the news we've been hearing for the past couple of days. Fiqi, are you accusing the SOL readers of being easily distracted?

Dad u dhuun daloola arrimahaan ayaa sheegay in xubnaha Baarlamaanka cusub aysan ku badnayn taageerayaasha Madaxweyne Shariif taasina ay keentay in uu codsado in lagu soo daro kuwa dib loo celiyay. My Somali broke down again. dhuun daloola, does that mean 'ey of the needle'?

A few minutes later... Sheikh Sharif: Hello! Ma Farmajo baa? Farmajo: Waa kuma, ma Sheikh Sharif baa? Sheikh Sharif: Haaa. Did you hear of the latest manoeuvring for the presidency? Farmajo: What? What happened? Sheikh Sharif: Sharif Xasan and the PL collective have conspired to rob us of the job. Farmajo: I don’t believe you. Those two would make strange bedfellows. Sheikh Sharif: Sharif Xasan promised to make Cabdiwali PM and give PL full freedom to choose their own path. Farmajo: Hmm. They would love that, won’t they? Sheikh Sharif: Of course. This is why you and I must join forces and try to stop them. I am really sorry for what happened in Kampala but my hands were tied the minute Sharif Xasan conspired with the Ugandan president. This time, it will be different. Farmajo: Thanks but I would rather take my own chances. Sheikh Sharif: In that case, you may as well give up now. My sources tell me it will be a runoff between me and Sharif Xasan’s new alliance whilst you have divisions within your own clan (some of which will vote for Sharif Xasan). Farmajo: Even if we agree that some of what you say is true, how do I know that you will not trick me? Sheikh Sharif: Because I need you as much as you need me. Circumstances have thrown us together and we must make the best of what we have. I’ll be president for two years and will then retire early to allow you to do a Gordon Brown and become president. Farmajo: Hmmm. Sounds tempting. Fine, I’ll back you if you make me PM. Sheikh Sharif: I will make you PM. Farmajo: Ok, let me see what I can do. Sharif: But hurry up please, the election takes place in a few hours. BREAKING NEWS: Somali phone companies report massive profits to the peroid ending 21/08/2012

Meanwhile.... Sheikh Sharif: Hello, ma Sharif Xasan ba? Sharif Xasan: Hello. Sheikh Sharif: Did you hear what the Puntlanders did? Sharif Xasan: NO! What did they do? Sheikh Sharif: They managed to convince Farmaajo and others to switch sides. Must be all that money they received from the oil companies! Sharif Xasan: Ma dhici karto. I am assured of enough votes to win the presidency outright. Sheikh Sharif: My sources tell me that you have a healthy number of guaranteed voters but that many of the others you’re relying on will switch sides at the last minute. What will you do, take them to court for not fulfilling your laalush agreement? Sharif Xasan: What laalush? I don’t pay laalush. Sheikh Sharif: Of course you don’t. But I have it on good authority that PL and their wider clan brethren do. It’s like the 90s all over again. If we don’t act fast we will be outsmarted here. Sharif Xasan: What do you suggest we do? Sheikh Sharif: We do what we did in Djibouti and Kampala. Sharif Xasan: You, president again? Sheikh Sharif: I’ll make you PM and we’ll go back to being the best of friends. Sharif Xasan: Why don’t you back me for president and I’LL make you PM? Sheikh Sharif: Because my sources tell me that I have more backing than you in the media, the international community and within parliament. Not enough to beat the new PL alliance but enough to beat you. Sharif Xasan: You’re bluffing. Sheikh Sharif: Are you willing to take that risk? Sharif Xasan: Ok. Ok. As long you keep your promise and make me PM. Sheikh Sharif: PM now and in four years time we’ll do a Putin and switch. Sharif Xasan: Good idea. Ok, let me see what I can do. I’ll call you later. Sheikh Sharif: You must hurry the voting takes place in a few hours.

20/08/2012 Faroole on the phone: Warya! Our deal is as it was. When the selection takes place, I want you to choose Cabiwali. Wait, wait, my other phone is ringing. Hello! Sharif: Cabdiraxman, ii waran saaxiibkiis. Faroole: Waa kuma? Sharif: Waa sheikh Sharif. Waxba soo kordhay. I’m told that Sharif Xasan has secured a very large number of votes and we’re at the risk of having him declared president. Faroole: Ma dhici karto! Sharif: My spies tell me way dhici karta! What should we do? Faroole: How should I know? What are your plans? Sharif: I am hoping you can persuade Cabdiwali to drop out of the race and ask his supporters to back my bid. Faroole: Why? What would I get out of it? Sharif: What do YOU want? Money? Faroole: I want Puntland to be an independent state. Sharif: You know and I know that none of the presidential candidates (or the international community) will back something like that up. Faroole: Forget it then. Sharif: Come on saaxib. Let us find a compromise. How about if I ensure PL’s federal independence? Faroole: We have that already. Sharif: But you may not have it for long if Sharif Xasan becomes president. Faroole: I’ll have it if Cabdiwali becomes one. Sharif: Very unlikely. I have counted the number of guaranteed votes in my favour and I only lag behind Sharif Xasan by two dozen votes. There are only 275 MPs and Cabdiwali can’t muster as many votes as myself and Sharif Xasan. He has to back one of us. Faroole: What if we decide to support Sharif Xasan then? Sharif: Can you TRUST him? At least I promise to keep Cadiwali as PM and he can ensure that I keep my word. Faroole: Hmm. Waa runta. Ok, give me time and let me get back to you later. Sharif: Ok but hurry please, the voting starts in a few hours. Faroole (going back to the first caller): Warya. Are you still there? Isbadal weyn ba dhacay. I want you to tell all our supporters to back Sheikh Sharif. MP oo magaciisa diiday inoo sheego: SHEIKH SHARIF? Faroole: Haaa. Hurry and tell all our other supporters. MP oo magaciisa diiday inoo sheego: Oo Cabdiwali maxa ku dhacay? Faroole: Sharif Xasan paid more money and Farmajo backed him up.

^^ I was hinting that he might not be "listening" to this Eastleigh fatwas but that he may be the one issuing them. Naga daa, you spoilt it now.

^^ Xamaasada ciyaalka loo daaya ninyaho. These fools (and I call them that with every meaning of the word) are acting with total certainty in a world that has never been certain (save the message itself). War ma adoonyadan ay cuthman bin cafaan lago dilay, ama Cali bin abi taalib iyo caa'isha laba ciidan o ay saaxaabo ka buuxdo dagaal ku bilaabay baa afar xayraan o maanta jooga ina odhanayaa "anaga boqolka iyo boqol waxa yaga ku saxsan"? Xaqin di'maa ma jiro, samir ma jiro; argti gaaban iyo xamasaad uun ayaa cilmiga iyo cibrada taarikhda muslimka laga bartay ayaa meelahan lala ordaya. Xamaasadaa loo baahanyahay waa tii la keeno marka gurigaaga la weeraro adigo tijaabiyay si kasta inaad heeshiska iyo nabada ku dadaashid. Waa markaad wax walba tijaabisid oo aad xal kale ka qoosatid. Waa markaad dadka o moojisid in aad tahay qof (marka hore) caqligiisa isticmaalay oo si kasta o dadaalay ino dhulka iyo dadka badbaadiyo. Kan ku leh "taydii ku soco hadii kale kaafir baad tahay" waa qof caqligiisa ka maarmay oo gacantiisa ka doortay. Al ard ardu allah wa al deen deeno allah ya saaxibi, markay shababkan noqdaan ciid aay bisaduho ku kaadido, diintu way jiraysa, dhulko na wuu jiraya. Lakin axmaqnimadu waxahay tahay qof dil iyo dulmi isku huba isagoon ogeyn hado allah taa ku raacsanahay iyo hadii kale. Xamaasada aad faaninayso waa taa diinta sida qabyaalada ka dhigtay (annaga saxsan reeraha kale na waa uskag). WAX FAHAN!

^^ Lets push the "paranoia" notion up a notch. Err, I heard that Maaddeey was in Nairobi too!

Jacpher;858271 wrote: ^How many Somalia embraced eating Dhurwaa Maaddeey :D You have it wrong my friend. This man has little regard for knowledge let alone having a knowledge. This is beyond crazy xamaasad. This man is creating a religious facade for his takfiiri movement to kill as many of their political opponents as they can get away with. This is another ploy to making xalaal for Ali Dheere to blow up little school kids and declare them cadduwulaah. For him and AS, no room for difference of understanding of deen, difference of religious opinion, difference of religious approach but all about right vs wrong, Muslim vs gaal, us the mujaahidiin against gaalo. Sheikh. Umal wuxuu ku eedeeyay inay abuuraan waxaan jirin si ay u xalaaleystaan daadinta dhiigga Muslimiinta. Ninka dhahaya qof Muslim ah waa gaal, natenyahu kama sokeeyo, hana lala aaso. There is a fundamental principal difference between this man than any other Somali or Muslim scholar. Horta adiga iyo ninkaan ba (and most Somalis when it comes to that) waxba isma dhaantan markay xamaasad gaadho. It's clearly obvious that the man has the knowledge (as I can see you have sense) but it all becomes useless when he (or you) let your strong feelings get in the way of such knowledge (or sense). Maadeey, real or not, xamaasada aan waligay kuu sheegi jiray ayaa meesha qastay. I wouldn't ask this man for directions for the toilet, never mind seek Islamic advice from him. Wax fahan.

It's traditional for the Imam to threaten breaking away whenever there is a Somali presediential election. Not sure why people are shocked here!

Like many in the Shabab movement, the man has the knowledge but his crazy xamaasad blinds him to everything else. If his opinions were not real they would actually make for an amusing sketch.

LayZie G.;858196 wrote: ^Eid Mubarak Che... Anybody but Sharif Sheikh Ahmed....but then again, I admire the man's tenacity..so I really dunno. I remember when you bit my head off back when he was first elected president. Looks like you've got over your crush of that oily face, huh? (Who do you have a crush on this time, LG?). p.s. Best thread on the subject so far.

Couldn't view this video at work and assumed it was some poor woman with an AMISOM gun pointed at her face or something. What a bloody amusing relief!

^^ Well, it's an obvious stitch up then. How can such a hurried thing result in a fair selection? On a different note, don't you find it amusing that guys like Samatar (and I'm sure many others on that list) who claim to oppose the clan system have managed to reconcile such opposition with the actual fact of being selected by their own clans? Such a step should really make as big a wave as the one we saw when mullana Sheikh Sharif shook the hand of Hillary! :D

^^ It makes no sense though. Either the process to weed out undesirables is through and the result is a parliment of "good people" or it's a dodgy parliment to begin with and the addition of former warlords is neither here nor there. Che, It's interesting dee. Are they still on track to select a president on Monday?

Samafal;857881 wrote: The list is OK as long as the primitive illiterate warlords are kept out of it. What is worrying is our Sheikh president is advocating for the warlords to be added into the list so as they can elect him president. Sh Sharif is becoming every strange nowdays, may be all these campaigning is getting into him. This unhealthy obsession with the "warlords" and their selection is nothing but a red herring. What's the total number of former warlords that are attempting to be selected? Twenty, thirty? Such numbers will not swing the vote unless many of the supposedly "clean" MPs don't choose Sheikh Sharif, Cabiwali or Sharif Xasan. I still reckon the stitch up shall continue and Sheikh Sharif shall return as president. The real horse trading starts now. Happy Eid, people.

^^ Most sources say it may be Sunday. But it's too early to say anyway. Give it another few hours dee.