MOGADSHU (Sh. M. Network)-Islamic clerics who have been meeting in Mogadishu issued Thursday articles relating to the situation of the country. The clerics built an Islamic Council in their meeting and elected Sheik Bashir Ahmed Salad as the chairman of the Somali Clerics Council.  More on Islamic clerics issue prominent articles in Mogadishu

Ethiopia’s most famous pop singer, Teddy Afro, has had his sentence for manslaughter reduced on appeal.

He was jailed for causing the death of a young homeless man through dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of the accident. More on Ethiopian pop star jail term cut

When you land at Mogadishu’s international airport, the first form you fill out asks for name, address, and caliber of weapon. Believe it or not, this disaster of a city, the capital of Somalia, still gets a few commercial flights. Some haven’t fared so well. The wreckage of a Russian cargo plane shot down in 2007 still lies crumpled at the end of the runway. More on The Most Dangerous Place in the World

NAIROBI (Sh. M. Network)-UN special representative for Somalia wonders why the Somali conflict was not being treated like other conflicts such as Congo, where suspects have been sent to the Hague for trial.

There is a need to set up an international commission to address killings carried out by Somalis against their fellow countrymen, says a UN special representative for Somalia. More on Envoy calls for ICC probe on Somalia

DJIBOUTI, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Somalia’s new Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said in an interview he wants to meet hardline Islamist insurgents and use dialogue to end violence that has plagued the country for nearly two decades. More on EXCLUSIVE-INTERVIEW-Somalia’s new PM wants to talk to insurgents

Somalia’s President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has chosen a Western-educated son of an assassinated former president to be the country’s prime minister. The nomination is expected to win easy approval in Somalia’s newly expanded parliament. More on Sharmarke Chosen as PM in Somalia’s National Unity Government

A new report calls on the Obama administration to overhaul its strategy on Somalia. The Enough Project says President Obama has inherited a dangerous and fast-moving crisis in Somalia with profound implications for regional and international security. More on Obama Administration Asked to Change Course on Somalia

DJIBOUTI,  (IRIN) – Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was recently elected President of Somalia at a parliamentary meeting in Djibouti. Before returning to Mogadishu where he will appoint a prime minister and form a government, Ahmed talked to IRIN about the challenges ahead. Below are excerpts:  More on Interview: “The Somali people do not want any more fighting”

The same Islamic Court Union I.C.U that U.S.—Ethiopia coalition toppled and accused of having ties with Al—Qaeda in 2006 came to power in January 2009, not because from the barrel of a gun, but because of a popular vote.

However, the U.S. and the International community continue driving a wedge between Somali groups. The West shamelessly continues dividing the Somali factions into moderates and extremist. In June 2008, I have predicted dividing the I.C.U along moderates and extremist will not only undermine the Somali liberation efforts but will also complicate any future peace conferences. Read the article entitled, “U.S. Wins Dividing the Islamic Court Union” http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2008/334/9.shtml More on Somalia: starting new era, or reinventing the wheel?

We have reason to believe that the huge donation to the Clinton Foundation was made on behalf of the Ethiopian government. Ethiopia’s rulers have deployed tremendous resources to ensure the continuation of the Bush administration’s policy of unquestioning US support for their controversial rule.

Surprisingly, Sheikh Al-Amoudi, along with the Gates Foundation and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is among the top five donors to your organization.