Just-In-Time Briefs

[Baashi]

“Maxaa la yiri†Desk Newswires

 

The war of words between the two factions of the newly elected TFG is in its highest pitch. Both sides have their own spin masters and they’ve taken opposite positions on the most important political question of the day. The president-elect and other pro-TFG officials, the rumor has it, have now faced big political dilemma. To go or not to go to inside Somalia is the question! According to Deep throat, plans to relocate the government to Isha city have been halted indefinitely.

 

The star of the day Mr. Xaabsade (Mr. take it all) has been thinking for quite sometime now. He had second thoughts about sharing his city with unpredictable man all along. Our suspicions have been confirmed by the events that transpired during last two weeks. It seems as if the pro-TFG faction have been losing ground (in the country) as time goes by.

 

Outside the country, the president-elect looks, talks, and walks like president. His actions are nothing but presidential! Receptions in presidential places, photo ops with presidents, regional meetings, etc he has been busy making the case why he needs sizable military divisions to “pacify†Mogadishu from his own ministers and their followers. The host presidents (some are secretly hoping to be the statesman that brought the peace to Somalia) have been listening attentively, the “Maxaad la yiri†journalist who has been traveling with the president-elect reported.

 

Handful of ministers that have sizable armed following in Mogadishu and the southern regions of the country have been convening meetings, consultations, and press releases. They made clear in no ambiguous term their dislike of FTs in general and Ethiopians in particular. They said the presence of foreign soldiers in the capital city of Somalia is a disgrace they cannot possibly take.

 

They explained to the folks in Mogadishu and Somalis in general how Ethiopia had been the historical enemy of Somalia and how its inclusion as part of the proposed FTs compromises the sovereignty of the country. They act and talk as if they are decorated patriots who are deeply concerned with the wellbeing of Somalis and the sovereignty of their country. About seven weeks ago, a hero has put his neck on the line, partisan media have reported, for his beloved country. Against all odds in a distant land called Puntland not friendly with patriots, he used James Bond like tricks to steal sinister plans drawn by the enemy to invade the country.

 

Allied with the Mogadishu TFG factions are “Maxkamadaha†who have adopted noval ways to survive in the anarchy without compromising their core Islamic beliefs. They command militias. They manage properties, farms, madarasa, and even a whole region. “Maxaa la yiri†journalist who has looked into this enterprise concluded that the leaders seemed to be silent about the transgressions of their legions. They seem to speak out against selected politicians (as reported by national media), they side with not-so-distinguished politicians against another not-so-distinguished group. They took part of the civil war too many a times!

 

They often vow to fight Inna Yussuf if he sets his foot in Mogadishu soil all the while they were known to tolerate with equally other Ethiopian lackeys in the city. In the name of Islam, Maxkamadah are the side of Caato, Yalaxow, Qanyare, and other ministers that make up Mogadishu TFG faction. In the name of preventive healthcare, they come out against the proposed FTs because of AIDS!

 

Up in the Northwest, after several nights of serious Qayilaad, Riyaale and his not-so-deep opponents are said to make up their differences. He got more seats allocated for his not-so-big province more than Sool or Sanaag. Elections are to be held in eastern region the news said and politicians seem to be successful to sell whatever they so desire to folks up in the North in the name of secession.

 

Drums of war are still rumbling in the background. Southern part of the country serves as convenient scapegoat for these secessionist politicians. Folks seem to be patient and listening for fifteen years and somehow oblivious or rather ignorant of the recent political development of the South and its far-reaching implication for all Somalis.

 

Sool once again is the center of the drama and this week Vice president of Northeastern region has been visiting there. Strange as it may seem, as our insider Mr. Deep throat has confided to us, there is some understanding between the leadership of these two recovery zones. The nature of this new understanding has not yet been disclosed to our â€Maxaa la yiri†crew.

 

As it happens good morning program will be back after these messages.

Courtesy of “Maxaa la yiri†Desk Newswires.

[wind.talker]

So, you're basically saying that all the pieces are on the table and they predict one thing: WAR. I knew that on Oct 10, 2004, when Col Yeey was (s)elected to be the Somali president.

 

Seems like the entire world is against these Mogadishu warlords-turned-ministers. Uganda, Sudan, Nigeria, S Africa, Yemen, S Arabia, Libya etc all pledging to support the TFG while the warlords have support from - business community, clan courts, etc. So, the question is, can they militarily defeat Col Yeey/Ghedi gov't? Baydhabo was a victory for anti-TFG (although some are dressed in TFG uniform) alliance. But control of Baydhabo for anti-TFG alliance might be short because RRA are now united - and against Xaabsade/Indhacade. And as far as these clan courts taking sides, what did you expect from a group of people who oppose Col Yeey not on merits or history but simply on his clan? I'm serious - when Yalaxow gave that infamous BBC interview, some of us thought it was the funniest thing in the world. But a lot people wholeheartedly believed in his words (and still do, incl leaders of these clan courts).

 

Funny though, as all these warlords and lawmakers make noise, nothing is but talk of peace is coming from the mouths of Col Yeey/Ghedi. Either they know something we don't (which is prolly true) or they just don't want to be bothered with the he-say/she-say garbage so-called lawmakers engage in.

 

I have a question though: warlord Indhacade went to Mogadishu to meet the few MPs that showed up. At that same venue, he said that he didn't recognize Pres Col Yeey/PM Ghedi because they were Ethiopian spies (or something to that effect). What is his objective exactly? How can you support 'part' of a government and oppose another part? Or is it simply an indication that there really is no government - just SRRC vs. Samabixinta alliance?

[contraflow]

Allahu yaclam what is going to happen in Somalia in the next couple of months... but if FT go there as planned then the Indian ocean will definitely turn RED! I suppose we all know that but what is really keeping me in the cliff hanger is Whose going to win?

 

 

i have noticed that both parties have gone kinda ush ush in the past couple of days ...wonder what they are cooking up?

[contraflow]

i just heard on radiodaljir that Indhacadde has turn 360...he is now willing with the government as long as there are no Ethopians coming to Somalia

 

i see A/Y has been doing some shopping

[Baashi]

Wind talker, hear me out for once will you? This looter turned out Sheikh is naturally reacting to the recent political developments. He won’t be able to keep the loot if and when the TFG establishes itself in Isha city. The rational is why wait the inevitable when you can disrupt the whole plan in its nascent stage! I don’t blame him for taking the preemptive move.

 

Wind sxb u must see through the smoke for power, to paraphrase F. Douglas, does not concede without demand. In this case, a new transitional government has been established and it intends to replace an already existing power (in its various forms and locations) inside the country. TFG is demanding this transfer to be swift, it plans to employ foreign troops for that purpose alone and the powers that exist mainly in Mogadishu and in the South do not intend to relinquish whatever power they possess not to Inna Yussuf. That’s the crux of the matter! Everything else is ways and means employed by all contenders, as Bob Marley had it, to prevail.

 

Sxb if you have high hopes for peace with justice taking root inside the country I say brace yourself this one has violated one of the basic tenets of anarchism: Don't corner somethin' that you know is meaner than you

[General Duke]

Don't corner somethin' that you know is meaner than you

Great thread once again by Mr Bashi, keep them coming old man

[Waranle_Warrior]

toooooooooooooo much to read Sxb, keep it simple

 

And was this supposed to be a brief?

[Rahima]

Interesting read.

 

As always we know the intentions of these warlords (I believe that the title explains it all), but it is not they that I place the hope of Somalia in, rather it is the elected government which is meant to represent me and serve my interests as a Somali. The warlords will fade with the rubbish once a viable government gains strength.

 

I for one, am still waiting, early days yet, but I sure hope it comes soon, five years is not all that long when you think of it.

[Baashi]

“Ciyaalka Xaafada†vs. Hardball politics

 

Critic by the name of Mudane Been-Boode

Maxaa la yiri Desk newswires

 

Every now and then, we hear new terms unfamiliar to us used by certain groups. First, these informal terms come across to us as street language spoken by sub-cultures in the fringes of the society. Slowly these terms are picked up by more people and in no time they are accepted as part of the language.

 

This is the case with the word “Ciyaalka Xaafadaâ€. First term started as a label to excuse the absent-minded youths whose devotion to soccer, hanging out at barxada, watching movies, and having fun overshadow everything else in life. Being part of this group was a status worn with pride. It had various connotations. Today the self-professed ones associate the term with kids whose parents are urbanites that lead civilized and settled households.

 

Contrast the term with “Ciyaal gobolâ€(in Xamar) or “Galti (in Kismaayo)†and one would have a clear understanding of what it entails to be part of these privileged kids exclusive club! They used to call each other by their first name. They used to treat their friends' parent as uncle or aunt and actually accord eedo/adeer tittle to anyone above certain age in the neighborhood. Qabiil was irrelevant abstract thing to them.

 

That was then before the civil war; fast forward time to the present time after fifteen years! The civil war had a profound impact on all Somalis who went through that horrible experience. The reverberation and the after shock of the political upheavals emanated from the civil war earthquake had been felt within trather detached and far away Somali communities in the Diaspora. Even though the civil war’s effect was far reaching, its impact is more pronounced in the psychic of “Ciyaalka Xaafadaâ€.

 

Enter into the Somali politics in the SOL forum. The lines are drawn. Any astute observant would notice one subtle characteristic that sets apart “Ciyaalka Xaafada†from others. Lumping many different sects within the group together and risking generalizing many innocent folks in the process, this group is condescending in attitude, dismissive in tone, wrong on facts, ignorant about politics and history of Somalis, vocal in their posts, judgmental in their write-ups, and contradictory in their exhortation.

 

They would easily conclude that Somali politics is not for them and exhort nomads to be wary in getting into the political discussion to the extent that they come across as if they are dictating nomads when and where to forum. In the same breath they would plunge head first into a shark infested, wave-splashing high seas without taking a minute to double check their facts.

 

At times, they would come to the rescue of one notorious warlord defending him as any good lawyer would have done and convict another lesser profile warlord to high crimes including genocide. They would easily get irritated when challenged or their take on an issue is refuted and readily accuse the skeptic with bias and clannism. They would advocate a position today with vigor and when the whims of the warlord who they unknowingly tailgate after his behind changes they come out strong to advocate the new position in which the said warlord is taking.

 

Sometimes they exhort nomads or rather forcefully advocate hiding from the harsh reality of life and the hard choices we must make relative to the situation at home on the basis that we might get corrupted if we take a stand on a major moral/political question. Islam is sometimes used to get the higher road. Some even go father to justify seemingly biased position, say secession, because of Islam. Even “Maxkamadaha†whose legions occupy in properties that don’t belong to them are supported because of Islamic religion.

 

Confused ain’t they? Perhaps but again “Ciyaalka Xaafada†are not willing to take a stand on the issues of the day and certainly are not ready to explain why do they take the positions they take. Politics, the good politics is just dialugoe and discussion about the major issues of the day. Divergent special interests are bound to clash head on. It’s real hardball. “Ciyaalka Xaafada†arguably are bit confused. They mistakenly equate discussion with action. They unnecessarily want to shun dialogue and prefer to stay in their bedroom. Yet they won’t stay away...they come out screaming foul, foul, foul....

 

----------

 

This piece is aimed to provoke several posters in SOL politics section.

[wind.talker]

this group is condescending in attitude, dismissive in tone, wrong on facts, ignorant about politics and history of Somalis, vocal in their posts, judgmental in their write-ups, and contradictory in their exhortation.

You've declared war on the less-sophisticated by making the statement above.

 

they would come to the rescue of one notorious warlord defending him as any good lawyer would have done and convict another lesser profile warlord to high crimes including genocide.

Some defend Col Yeey in wrong and right

 

Others defend USC 'mujahids' as long as they're anti-Col Yeey

 

Polar opposites but somehow we must all survive as members of the greater Somali nation. Issues are simple: demobilize militias, occupation militias should return to their traditional homes, work together to form a government for all. Hal far fool ma dhaqdo. But are they genuine about helping the Somali people or would rather spend their days fantasizing about their version of Somali nationalism and Islam? I think they've long ago opted for the latter..

[xiinfaniin]

Originally posted by Baashi:

“Ciyaalka Xaafadaâ€

vs. Hardball

Wallee Baashi Muraad buu leeyahay! Maxaa Najjaaso fayleh!