Could Somalis be considered state in the strict sense of the word?

How much power does this committee has and who's ensuring their safety?

What's it you people? You are not the one eating it.

How could Amharas be any worse than Zenawi?

Ethiopia suspends forex reserves By ARGAW ASHINE Thursday, August 16, 2012 The Ethiopian government has suspended the provision of foreign currency in a decision that has been linked to the political uncertainties surrounding Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s deteriorating health. A notice to this effect has been issued by the regulator, the National Bank of Ethiopia, to the country’s commercial banks as Addis Ababa also appealed for food aid. According to Agriculture minister Mitiku Kassa, the number of aid recipients was 3.2 million over the last six months, and have now increased due to the failure of rain in some parts of the country. The country’s foreign currency reserves are running alarmingly low and can only cover the importation of basic goods such as petroleum, medicine and food. The measure is likely to lead to a black market boom that would further weaken the country’s import-export trade, observers say. Banking in the Horn of Africa nation of about 85 million people is highly centrally regulated. Industry insiders say massive capital flight and illegal transactions are the main reasons for the rapid depletion of forex reserves. One of the fastest growing sub-Saharan Africa countries, Ethiopia’s growth has touched seven per cent annually for the last nine years, according to the IMF. Big businesses owned by Mr Meles’ ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) play a key role in the daily operation of the economy. The EPRDF owns banks, insurance firms, manufacturing and construction giants, hotel chains and media outlets among the more than 85 companies under the Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray. The EPRDF is a coalition of four largely ethnically-based political parties, with the Tigrayan People Liberation Front (TPLF) — representing Tigrays, who make up less than five per cent of the population — running the show and providing the power base for Meles and his government. Mr Meles, a Tigray, has been absent from the public eye for two months due to an undisclosed illness, fuelling speculation of an internal power struggle his absence. Government officials refute this and say the long-serving premier would resume office soon. However, the government has to date failed to provide proof that he is alive. Ethiopia has lost $11.7 billion to outflows of ill-gotten gains between 2000 and 2009, a recent Global Financial Integrity report says. “That is a lot of money to lose to corruption for a country that has a per capita GDP of just $365. In 2009, illicit money leaving the country totalled $3.26 billion, doubled the amount in each of the two previous years,” part of the report reads. About $194 million in cash or 314 metric tonnes of food is needed for the next four months. Forty-one per cent of the hungry as located in the Ethiopian-Somali region and the rest in Oromiya, Southern and Amhara regional states. Source: Daily Monitor

Ethiopian premier’s absence draws attention, speculation Washington Times Tuesday, August 14, 2012 Where in the world is Ethiopia’s prime minister? The question is not a geographical brain teaser but a concerned query about the well-being of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who has not been seen in public for two months, and about Ethiopia’s commitment to U.S. counterterrorism efforts in neighboring Somalia. Ethiopian officials say Mr. Meles, 57, is recovering from an undisclosed illness, but he has not been seen or heard from since he attended the Group of 20 summit in Mexico in mid-June. In his absence, the government has continued to brook little dissent from the media, activists and members of opposition parties. It also has announced that Ethiopian troops will remain in Somalia to help defeat al-Shabab, the al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group that has ruled large areas of the Horn of Africa nation. What’s more, government insiders say Mr. Meles has been grooming his deputy, Foreign Affairs Minister Hailemariam Desalegne, to succeed him. But no succession plan has been announced publicly, and Mr. Meles‘ hold on power has been near absolute, with little in the way of institutional capacity to accommodate a transfer of power. In addition, Mr. Meles‘ minority Tigray ethnic group dominates the government’s ruling coalition, which has stoked deep ethnic resentments and heightened the risk of a scramble for power if the prime minister is no longer in charge. “Ethiopia is a very traumatized society, and people could use this window of uncertainty as a chance to rise up,” said Obang Metho, executive director of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia, a nonprofit advocacy group based in Arlington. Such a scenario, observers say, could dramatically shift government attention and resources toward domestic issues and hamper Western- and African Union-led efforts to stabilize Somalia. Mr. Meles' government sent hundreds of Ethiopian troops into Somalia in November to fight al-Shabab. They have helped wrestle away towns in central Somalia, train local militia and prevent spillover along Ethiopia’s long border with Somalia, which has allowed AU troops to advance toward other al-Shabab strongholds. Ethiopia invaded Somalia in 2006 to fight Islamists, but that move was unpopular among Somalis and gave rise to al-Shabab. This time, Ethiopia’s presence in Somalia has been more welcome, given the ruthless governance of al-Shabab militants. Ethiopia also has attacked militant bases in Eritrea, which has been accused of supporting al-Shabab. Ethiopia is home to a U.S. drone base operating from a small civilian airport in the southern town of Arba Minch. Mr. Meles‘ regime receives billions of dollars in U.S. assistance. Economic growth has averaged more than 10 percent over the past eight years, spurred by low taxes, improvements to infrastructure and strong foreign investment. But economic inequality remains stubbornly high, with per capita income at about $1,000 a year and youth unemployment at 25 percent, according to the CIA World Factbook 2012. Meanwhile, the government has cracked down on Muslim protesters and forced thousands of people from their land in Gambella and South Omo to make room for commercial agricultural projects. An aide to a U.S. senator involved in African affairs described Mr. Meles‘ absence as unsustainable and said it’s anybody’s guess how the country might unravel. David Shinn, a former U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia, said domestic unrest is unlikely to have much impact on Ethiopia’s policy in Somalia because self-interest is guiding the government’s involvement there. “Any government in [Ethiopia’s capital] Addis Ababa will link unrest in Somalia to potential or actual unrest in Ethiopia’s Odaden region,” Mr. Shinn said, referring to the Ethiopian territory that borders Somalia. The Ethiopian government likely sees itself benefiting from the U.S. drone operation in terms of security and intelligence-sharing with the West. A spokesman in the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs said the United States has been in contact with several Ethiopian officials since Mr. Meles‘ disappearance but would not speculate on what changes might occur should the prime minister not return to his duties. Mr. Meles took power after the fall of the communist Haile Mariam Mengistu government in 1991 and was re-elected amid accusations of voting fraud in 2005.

Shuush Mr. MMA

How does recycling the same help this country?

Apophis;857352 wrote: Reer-Banadiri- I don't know what kind of history you've been smoking but the nomadic Somalis do not own but a small bit of the lands they claim. All the lands from the Jubbas upto NFD were forcefully stolen from other folks. Sources?

I think the bigger question is, is it really possible for Garnaqsi to have 10 year old cousin?

^a case of pot calling the kettle black

^It's Massachusetts mate. I don't know why that's of a concern though?

lool@Malika It really depends what AfricaOwn is into. It is collage town with cafe culture. Geographically, the city's most happening places are on the red line or Mass Ave namely Kendall, Central, Harvard and Porter squares. And there's Charles River/ Memorial Drive and North Cambridge. For young folks, Cambridge does few clubs with live music, Ryles Jazz Club and the Middle East to name couple. Also check out the comedy studio. Places to eat are plenty but Raula said it can get expensive. For touristy and historical types, I would recommend Peabody, Longfellow, Harvard Museum of Natural History, etc. Needless to say, Boston has more to offer than Cambridge.

Your kinsmen seem to be suffering from obesity problem. How many more heavyweights can we expect?

lol@..Abwaan you saying you admire Aidid ninyahow

a common thug

Apophis;856523 wrote: 01/01--. Don't throw the Somali National Day into the mix.

^I can't help there....

^You have unresolved issues....

^LOL...you have very active imagination.

It elevates the tone of debate, but it will be slightly weird to have a VP pick who is more interesting than the candidate, and whose ideas are the ones being debated Mark Mardel

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19224423 Bad move?

^I actually support or oppose no one. I just hope this country goes in the right direction.