newsisndieThe Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (AMISOM), Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira has congratulated the President of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed following his election in Djibouti today. More on AMISOM Congratulates Somali President

Many Mogadishu residents see Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s election as Somali president Saturday as their best chance in a while of emerging from the grip of political instability and civil bloodshed. More on Mogadishu residents hopeful after Sheikh Sharif election

The United States Government congratulates Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on his election as president of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government.  President Sharif has been a strong proponent of the Djibouti Process and has worked diligently on reconciliation efforts in Somalia.  More on US Government Congratulates the new president of Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A moderate Islamic cleric was elected president of Somalia early Saturday morning by the Somali Parliament, which was meeting in Djibouti.

The cleric, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, headed the Islamic courts movement that governed the capital, Mogadishu, and most of southern Somalia until 2006. Some analysts had said they thought that Sheik Sharif had the best chance of all the candidates for president to unite Somalis, because of his Islamist roots and his acceptability to a variety of factions. More on Moderate Elected President in Somalia

The inauguration of President Barack Obama was filled with tremendously moving images, perhaps none more striking than the crowds who gathered in Kogelo, Kenya — the birthplace of Obama’s father — to watch the ceremony. Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the South African newspaper Business Day both compared Obama’s election to that of Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president in South Africa. As elsewhere in the world, Obama’s task will be to maintain that enthusiasm in the face of real challenges. More on Enduring Conflicts and New Challenges for Obama in Africa

WASHINGTON – This is the full transcript, provided by the White House, of President Barack Obama’s interview with Hisham Melhem of the Al-Arabiya television network.

Barack Obama has a unique opportunity to bring something resembling stability to Africa’s Horn.

As a state, has racked up more failures than any other on the planet. So said Susan Rice, soon to be United Nations ambassador, in a Brookings Institution report she coauthored last year. More on An Unclenched Fist

As Obama takes office, an unprecedented wind of hope and optimism sweeps around the world. In fact, Obama recognized this in his inaugural speech:”And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.” More on May Obama’s hope message touch every village

DJIBOUTI (Sh. M. Network)-The Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) said on Sunday their leader Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed will run for the country’s presidency.

“We decided to name Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed as our candidate tothe nation’s president,” said Abdirahman Ibbi, a spokesman for the opposition. More on ARS says Sheik Sharif will run for presidency

 Tesfaye Gebre-Ab, an Ethiopian journalist and former high-level official with an intimate knowledge of the ruling Tigray People Liberation Front’s inner workings, has just written an explosive book entitled “The Journalist’s Memoir” that lays bare a great deal of highly sensitive secrets, including the assassinations of some prominent people and the motive behind them. Tesfaye currently lives in exile. The 400-page book is now being circulated in Europe and will soon be available in the U.S. It’s an absolute must read book.

Ethiopian Review’s Intelligence Unit has been able to get a copy of of the book. Here are a few excerpts about our friend in Seattle: