It seems this piece in the NY Times is following the same logic (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/world/africa/kenya-planned-somalia-incursion-far-in-advance.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all). But this article only scratches the surface. More to come...

Putting Xiin's verbal somersaults aside, some bigger issues are at play here - far greater than the usual jockeying in the region. On the Mogadishu front, the TFG shows its usual disfuntionality further exasperating friend and foe. The 'mortgage ministers' are caught between a rock and a hard place. It's very difficult to stand up to those who are physically protecting you from annihilation as well as paying your bed and breakfast!

xiinfaniin;754189 wrote: ^^ :D Great post. But it confuses the issues as Johnny B called it out. AMISOM is a security arrangement that reflects the lack of genuine Somali institutions. It did not invade Somalia. It came through UN sanctioned mandate, narrow mandate at that. It is an issue nevertheless that needs to be addressed. And I am sure once Somali capacity is improved through whatever means, AMISOM will not be a difficult issue to solve. But equating AMISOM to the full Kenyan invasion is simply ignoring the facts. How so, Xiin? Are you aware of what a windfall the AMISOM involvement has been for the Ugandan military? How much it's added to a poor African country's economy? The state-of-the-art armaments and latest tactical training it's brought to the Ugandan military? The increasing subsidizing of Musevani's defense budget (which is always the largest in most countries)? The political power it gives Uganda where it can effectively compete with Ethiopia as the regional hegemon? Do you believe that will be willingly given up by Musevani who faces increasing opposition in his home base? This is the key to his relevancy. And now he would like to increase it to 15,000 from 12,000. The whole Somali military in its heyday in the late 70's was 50,000. Chew on that.....

Xiin, You know where I stand on certain issues. I've always know where you stand on certain issues as much as you've tried to hide it from the gallery in the past. Others, currently Abtigiis, have belatedly come to realize your real positions many months and years later. That's what currently compelling Abtigiis to write post after post in the last few days re: Azania and how one such as yourself can oppose it, given your previous positions in the past. Many new comers are not privy to what's making his blood boil. But others get it. Having said that, one cannot hide oneself from the bigger game that's at play here. I share your sentiments regarding the populations to our East and North. Our main disagreement(yours and mine) is based only on what type of govermental structure(s) to meet that challenge. We also have to get out of that knee-jerk reaction of viewing the neighbors as perpetual enemies. They themselves (both Ethiopia and Kenya) are being played in this big geopolitical game. They just don't know it yet...

Abtigiis;754176 wrote: He will prove me wrong if he sticks to his gun for long. And I will concede defeat gracefully. Anyway, I just heard the AMISOM spokesman saying Sheikh Sharif barred them from expanding into districts outside Mogadishu, mainly towards Afgoi. Some are saying the Sharif sensed the exit is near and is creating scenes. Somalis usually become patriotic at sunset. Having said that there is nothing wrong with his stance if he remains consistent. Where did you hear the AMISOM spokesman claiming Sharif opposed operations outside Mogadishu? Just to set the record straight. If true, I follow your implication regarding TFG leaders and their last minute conversions to nationalism. To make some smile, I've heard TFG ministers are referred to as 'Mortgage Ministers' in Mogadishu, in reference what drives their avaricious drive to accrue healthy bank accounts while holding official positions!

There's a far bigger game at play here than little Somali clan rivalries. Installing 100 U.S. Special Forces in Uganda to hunt down Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army (a group that has all but disbanded, down to less than 300 disorganized combatants that are no longer even in Uganda). State of the art drone bases being constructed in Kililka Shanaad. Come on.... Private militias being trained by neighboring countries for the last few years and finally put into action, etc. The chess pieces are being put into place and no one cares what the Somalis want. Let's take a step back from our parochial regional interests as Somalis and look at the bigger game for a bit....

While Kenya uses the immediate threat to its tourism industry (the recent killing and kidnappings) as the public reason for its invasion, there are credible signs that this had been in the works for quite a while. Besides the Wikileaks revelations of Kenya's desire to create the Azania buffer state for which Kenya had been training local militias for at least 2 years, there's an even more telling indication: In November 2010, the Kenyan Army's Operations Command was moved from Nairobi to Garissa. Something to chew on...

Oh NO, I hope we're not at the forefront of another Prime Ministerial sacking - this is all getting so confusing....

AT(Abtigiis) makes some interesting points regarding Sharif and his perpetual weakness throughout his political career. However, Sharif has always opposed the Azania project from the beginning when Gandhi first concocted it with the 'tol' in Kenya. This was confirmed within the Wikileaks cables much earlier. He had continuously asked for Gandhi and the Kenyans to bring the trained Somali militias to Mogadishu and partake in the fighting there(in Mogadishu as part of the official TFG forces) rather than the Jubba corridor/Kismayo. This was the main point of contention that existed between Sharif and Gandhi according the Embassy cables. Sharif's reasons for opposing Gandhi's troops attacking from the Southern Kenyan border?? I will let others more conversant with it pontificate on that. We know the Ethiopian reasons for opposing it, though... It's well-spelled out in those cables. Just setting the record straight

Typical Diaspora Somalis. Waar, dhulkiinii iyo dadkiinii baa gubanaya, idinkuna Qadafi iyo NATO baa maskaxdiina la weynaadey! While the mutilation, humiliation, and murder of Qadafi, regardless of his crimes, has been shocking to say the least, far more shocking is the amount of Somalis currently expiring from war, starvation, thirst, disease, and every other calamity known to mankind. Come back to reality and concentrate on home.

JB, Why is Abdulla arrested but not Jama Qalib? Sounds like a double standard. It's not a question of either individual's power within the community since Jama Qalib was previously arrested by the previous administration without any real fallout. Let us know since you're on the ground.

You guys must be joking. Another impotent piece by one more member of the 'Cafe Calaacal' group within the greater Washington area. I wonder where the current Friday (Virginia/DC) meeting place for this group is?! 20 years later and they still reminisce about the good old days of Siyad Barre when other Somalis knew their place

This erroneous story is only a weak attempt to distract from the disaster looming in Kampala. Where is the corroboration of this story other than a piece on Hiiraan Online? Somaliland has conducted and continues to conduct talks when necessary with Puntland. They're right next to each other. They don't need to travel a thousand kilometers in order to discuss issues. Faroole has thus far played ball when it comes to the issue of Sool/Las Anod (since he's come to power), just like Adde Muse before him - meaning concentrate on problems on his side of the border. Here and there he'll make the perfunctory statements on Sool in order to assuage the egos of the 'radicalized diaspora' , but he'll make no substantive movements where it really matters, which is on the ground. Secondly, no government in Hargeisa can go into negotiations over the borders and expect to stay in power in Hargeisa! But as usual, many continue to think with their emotions rather than their intellect. And so the saga of SOL continues...

Somalina;712906 wrote: Judging by the VOA interview it sure sounds like goal scoring against Farole's admin. Correction: Actually it's two shots against the Faroole admin. This one and the other a few days ago when Abdullahi Yusuf bluntly attacked him (on VOA) for going to the Nairobi meeting for selfish reasons rather than nationalistic reasons. What was amusing was Abdullahi Yusuf accusing Faroole of precisely what he (A. Yusuf) did in the past. For some reason, the Farmaajo cabinet more than any other seems to scare the Faroole administration. Care to enlighten?

Jacpher;712902 wrote: For an orphan of the Queen, you sure cry too much about PL. Do you have nightmares about Afweyne [AUN] at night? Do you hear voices of Abdulaahi Yusuf or piss on your pants? When the argument fails you, always come back with a personal attack... This tactic has been tried often by ones far more capable than yourself. Try again, son...

Jacpher;712900 wrote: Just some rogue politicians trying to score a goal against current PL admin. There are way to many ways of getting even with Faroole than declaring a state within a state. I hardly doubt if their own constituent want to heed that direction. Puntland has been the biggest booster of the whole notion of federalism and breaking up the former Somalia into little mini-regions under a federal umbrella. It seems the concept has now come full circle. With the multi-track approach announced by the U.S., neglected regions within Puntland no longer have to wait for international aid to filter through Garowe but would rather take a stab at trying to get it directly. This might actually be a good thing for the Puntland administration in the long run if it forces them to be more competent and efficient in order to head off this trend.

Che, This is just a reminder of an old discussion from 2 years ago. Should I dig it up for you? In order to refresh your memory on your own talking points and how they've fared against the tides of history? Puntland exists for one reason and one reason only - Only as a means for Puntland elites to take a shot at the top leadership of Somalia. The closest those elites came was the tenure of Abdullahi Yusuf and now the opportunity has passed. Therefore, the glue holding it together has slowly evaporated. Chunk by chunk, it will come apart. The devolution continues.... (You're right, Che, - the word has a nice ring to it)

Che -Guevara;712831 wrote: Nothing is sacred kiddo. I would be more concerned with the 'devolution' currently occurring in the former 'Puntland'. Sool is gone, Eastern Sanaag is gone, and now the 'base' is coming apart with the continuous murders in Galkacayo plus new 'mini-regions' such as 'Rascaseyr State' (just announced). Meanwhile, Somaliland's writ of control expands yearly. I remember the early years where the central administration barely controlled Hargeisa... Progress.... It's a beautiful thing!

How can Somalis not be cynical? Both Abdullahi Yusuf and Sharif Ahmed willingly ran and carried water for this 'despised international community' when it was the means to their attaining the presidential chair but as soon as they're told to vacate the position they gain a life-changing revelation that maybe, just maybe, foreigners might not always have Somalis' best interest at heart. Sharif Ahmed greatest political enemy currently within the TFI's is Sharif Hassan (speaker of the TFP). Now any follower of Somali politics knows that Sharif Hassan currently represents Ethiopian interests (which Abdullahi Yusuf alluded to in his VOA interview, although refusing to name the exact country). However, just yesterday the TFG President, Sharif Ahmed, was in Addis (hat in hand) to plead to Meles for support in keeping his chair. Isn't it a bit counter-productive to seek help from those who put you in this constitutional argument in the first place (the Ethiopians)? People: Stop putting your salvation in the hands of those who cannot even save themselves! P.S. Abdullahi Yusuf's timing in undermining both Faroole and Sharif Hassan as 'danaystiyaal' seeking personal gain at the cost of everything else is indeed interesting.

Taleexi;709256 wrote: Discrepancy ku lahaa!!........ Don’t hijack the thread por favor. Is SSC’s struggle just or not? ..... I'm happy that we live in countries where law and order are held high .... Xaglatoosiye can be questioned so are all other Somali leaders including Siilaanyo..... no one can run away from his deeds. Xaglatoosiye is just a fine man. Yes, but Siilaanyo is not saying one thing in one language and the total opposite in another. Is it an armed group or not? You're much too smart to not see it yet the pain of the obvious amateurism makes you look away. I know that the appointment of one former Chief-of-Cabinet turned Minister of Information has gotten certain circles excited in the diaspora but what happens when the plug gets pulled on Sharif's government? Back to the drawing board? Something to think about, huh? Nin kula taliyey waa nin kuu naxay!

The Zack;709248 wrote: I totally agree with what you said, that is why I don't find this cartoon funny at all. Amin Amir failed to make us laugh this time. Try again sxb, I know you can do better than that. And why is this one not funny? Has he lifted the lid off the whole reason for declaring 'Azania/Jubaland/whatever name next week'? Ma sirtii iyo 'plan' -kii tolka ayuu kashifay??

Taleexi;709245 wrote: Now it is an armed group so what? So do you see the discrepancy? Saying one thing in Somali and another in English? No wonder suspicion has been raised in his adopted country(U.S.). Just pointing out that regardless of your stand on the issue, savvier leaders are required. Lastly, you all ducked my question on Faroole being the only one to publicly call SSC a terrorist group. What do you think they are telling foreign delegations in Garowe these days when asked about Xaglatoosiye and co.?

According to the original article: "Ahmed said the SSC is not an armed group" Now, how do you think the powers that be in his neck of the woods (U.S. authorities) will weigh his forthrightness(honesty), given the intelligence they have on the region? Come on, people, you can oppose Somaliland but at least choose more capable leadership.

This is a sad situation. It can happen to any of our families, any of our relatives. Hopefully, her family will be able to get her back safely to Canada, Insha'Allah.

Tribalism at its worst - even when it's against the interest of the tribe! A question for SSC supporters: Wasn't it the Puntland administration that specifically claimed SSC was a terrorist organization (in particular Xaglatoosiye)? Weren't those the exact words of Faroole in several interviews on the BBC and VOA? Why the assumption that Somaliland is behind this?