Mereja Forum

[AbyssiniaLady]

Manganese ore - Somalia.


Manganese is an important metallic element that has many uses in making steel, alloys, pigments, fertilizer, bricks, glass, textiles, It is also used in dry cell batteries.

Somalia is blessed to have a huge deposits of manganese mineral.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With the President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh



Aug. 10, 2023


Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone with President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Djibouti defense partnership.

The Secretary reaffirmed the Defense Department’s commitment to the U.S.-Djibouti strategic partnership. He underscored the critical role Djibouti played in enabling the safe evacuation of American personnel from Sudan in April and expressed his appreciation to President Guelleh for his leadership as a strategic partner in the region.

The two leaders discussed opportunities for the Department of Defense and Djibouti to strengthen cooperation and enable a more secure and prosperous East Africa.


Source: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/R ... he-preside



Djibouti hosts America’s largest military base on the African continent and is home to more than 5,000 U.S. military personnel, The United States reportedly pays more than $100 million annually under the current lease, according to recent reports. Clearly, Djibouti earns millions of dollars in rent from hosting these bases, however, it is time to close all these useless military bases, except China military base, China is investing so heavily in Africa.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Nickel ore - Somalia.



Nickel ore - Somalia.



Nickel is used in the production of batteries, electrical wiring, and armored plating. Nickel is also used to produce metal alloys with iron, copper and chromium.


Somalia has the largest known Nickel reserves in the African continent.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Rare earth ore - Somalia.



Rare earth minerals are essential components in a wide array of applications, from everyday electronics to cutting-edge technology, Somalia is blessed with huge deposits of rare earth minerals.

[AbyssiniaLady]

U.S. forces provide assistance to Somali National Army



A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon on patrol early morning over Somalia – 01.09.2021 Photo by Staff Sgt. Trevor McBride.




By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Aug 27, 2023

At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against al Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Seiera, Somalia, approximately 45 kilometers northwest of Kismayo. on Aug. 26

The collective self-defense airstrike was conducted in the early morning hours of Aug. 26, in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization.

Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the airstrike killed 13 al Shabaab fighters and that no civilians were injured or killed.

The command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.


Source: US media/africom

[AbyssiniaLady]

It's an excerpt from old article.


Let there be no mistake, the goal of US military’s presence in Somalia is to lock Somalia natural resources up as a U.S. strategic reserve for the future, the United States is really worried that China would gain control of Somalia’s abundant natural resources, US policymakers are terrified of China's rise, thus they are desperately clinging to Somalia.

[AbyssiniaLady]

When a Blessing Becomes a Curse.



Old video.



US soldiers in Somalia 31 years ago - under the pretext of humanitarian intervention.




US soldiers in Somalia 31 years later under the pretext of fighting terrorists - 12.08.2022 Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jayson Burns.






Traumatized Somali children.


Canadian Airborne Regiment, Chaplain Capt. Mark Sargent stands behind a group of Somali children captured by the Airborne Regiment, who are tortured, bound and wearing signs that read Thief - 1992.


Their crimes? being born in a country not only has proven oil and natural gas reserves but it also is rich in a highly sought-after minerals in the world, Hundreds of thousands of Adult Somalis who suffered childhood US-led invasion war-related trauma are still suffering.


Somalia is entitled to ask compensation from the United States.

[AbyssiniaLady]

First Ethiopia-Somalia Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting Kicks off in Mogadishu







Addis Ababa, September 07/2023 (ENA) The first Ethiopia-Somalia Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting kicked off in Mogadishu today, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen is participating at Ethiopia-Somalia Ministerial Commission Meeting, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Meles Alem said.

During the meeting, the performance of the bilateral agreements between the two countries will be thoroughly reviewed, he said.

Moreover, he added that the meeting will contribute to further elevate the long-standing diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia in multifaceted spheres.

Agreements in areas of trade and defense are also expected to be signed , Meles said.

On other hand, Ethiopia has finalized preparation to actively participate at the 78th UN General Assembly in New York and the G-77 plus China Summit in Havana.


https://www.ena.et/web/eng/w/eng_3303107

[AbyssiniaLady]

A history of America's preoccupation with natural resources-rich Somalia.





Al-Shabaab did not exist then.







In the early 1992 US-led coalition's invasion of Somalia at the order of President George H W Bush marked the beginning of America's endless war and military interventionism in Somalia, It is the longest hidden US war in the history of the United States of America.

• On 20th January 1993. Bill Clinton administration picked up where George H. W. Bush left off and began bombing Somalia.

• George W. Bush picked up where Bill Clinton left off and began bombing Somalia.

• Barack Obama picked up where George W. Bush left off and began bombing Somalia.

• Donald Trump picked up where Barack Obama left off and began bombing Somalia.

• Joe Biden picked up where Donald Trump left off and began bombing Somalia.

The tradition continues.



One matter is certain, Somalia is and for foreseeable future will remain a permanent fixture on the agenda of U.S government.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Ethiopia, Somalia Pledge to Further Strengthen Cooperation






Addis Ababa, September 9/2023(ENA):-The First Ethio-Somalia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting was held today in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The session was preceded by the Senior Officials meeting, which took place from 5 to 6 September 2023, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen and Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama.
In his opening remarks, Demeke thanked Salah Ahmed Jama for the warm reception and hospitality extended to him and his delegation and further commended Salah Ahmed Jama for convening the 1st Session of the JMC.

Expressing the focus of the relations has been concentrated on political and security matters he said it is high time to explore more opportunities to expand areas of cooperation for the benefit of our brotherly peoples.

Demeke commended President Hassen Sheikh Mahmoud on the fight against the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, as a critical step towards ensuring sustainable peace and security in Somalia.

He also mentioned the fact that Ethiopia and Somalia share language, culture, people and values that will always be an eternal bond between our two countries and pointed out that "enhancing our people-to-people relations by exploring various ways is a natural extension of this historic tie."

Demeke reiterated continued commitment of Ethiopian government to facilitate and promote all aspects of cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, Salah Ahmed Jama on his part said, this JMC is a historic moment for the two countries that can benefit the two peoples.

“We look forward strengthen our longstanding relationship that is grounded by a principle of mutual respect and brotherly relationship,” he added.

Moreover, he expressed that this JMC serves as a crucial platform for formalizing of our historic relationship so that we enhance the ties for mutual benefit of the two countries.

Somalia will work together with Ethiopia to strengthen the longstanding cooperation, he elaborated.

Upon concluding the meeting, the dignitaries presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Trade cooperation and agreed minutes of the meeting.


https://www.ena.et/web/eng/w/eng_3305107

[AbyssiniaLady]

The winning paintings from 10 African teenagers were exhibited on China's Tiangong space station on Wednesday. These art works of "My Dream" painting competition for African youth, had the unique opportunity to fly into space along with the crew of the Shenzhou-16 mission. Some 2,000 people from over 40 African countries joined in the competition.


A six-year-old Somali boy, Kawkib Mohamud, won the first prize with his dove-themed painting, which is one of 10 paintings that was exhibited at China’s Tiangong space station by the Shenzhou-16 taikonauts who are currently on a five-month exploration mission.

Source: China Media.



In 2022 Chinese astronauts talked from space with the youth from eight African countries via video link, sharing their experience in the Shenzhou-14 mission.



2022 Somalia.



It is impossible for US to keep China out of Somalia as it wishes.



China's soft power at its best.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh in Djibouti, September 24, 2023..



Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III poses for a photo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud before a meeting in Djibouti, September 24, 2023.



Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met Sunday September 24, 2023 with the President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh and the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Djibouti as part of his first visit to the African continent as defense secretary.

Secretary Austin also met with the Djibouti Minister of Defense Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan and the Somali Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur.

Source: US media.


The main purpose of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's meetings with the Somali President is to ensure that the USA maintains its iron grip on Somalia, Thirty two years later, US is still in Somalia.

The US cannot afford to lose natural resources-rich Somalia to strategic competitors, It's as simple as that.

[AbyssiniaLady]

European Union’s Political and Security Committee visited Somalia - EEAS





22.09.2023 Somalia Press and information team of the Delegation to SOMALIA


The Chair of the European Union's (EU) Political and Security Committee (PSC) is currently visiting Somalia, engaging in high-level discussions with Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, key stakeholders from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and other international partners. The visiting delegation is led by the PSC Chair and Deputy Political Director of the EEAS, Ambassador Delphine Pronk, together with EU Ambassador to Somalia, Karin Johansson. The focus of these discussions is to deepen the partnership between the EU and Somalia in the framework of the Joint Operational Roadmap as well as to further explore avenues for the EU’s support to the development of the Somali security sector.

Ambassador Pronk acknowledged that “the partnership between the EU and Somalia is presently at a high point, since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's inauguration last year and the launch of the EU – Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap in May. We need to capitalise the on the current momentum of our partnership by advancing the future security cooperation between EU and Somalia.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The EU and Somalia have a long-standing and joint-up partnership as exemplified by the launch of the EU- Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap in May 2023, which sets the path for a renewed focused engagement for the next two years. The EU is committed to supporting Somalia's stability and ongoing development. Since 2014, the EU has invested EUR 3.5 billion in state-building initiatives as well as implemented budget support programmes. The EU recently increased its support to the Somali National Army (SNA) from EUR 40 million to EUR 65 million, with potential willingness to provide further support, contingent on progress in key areas.


The EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) is a key body in the EU with the responsibility for overseeing the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The PSC is responsible for 1) monitoring the international situation; 2) recommending strategic approaches and policy options to the Council of the EU; 3) providing guidance to the Military Committee, the Politico-Military Group and the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management; and 4) ensuring political control and strategic direction of crisis management operations.


Source: The European External Action Service.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Mineral distribution map of Somalia published by the United States Department of the Interior in 1982.



Emeralds - Somalia.



Lithium ore - Somalia.




Cobalt ore - Somalia.



Beryl ore - Somalia, It is one of the most important gem minerals.



Minerals from Somalia!


Somalia has abundant deposits of gemstones.

[AbyssiniaLady]

The United States of America owes Somalia an apology and reparations.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Beach sand minerals - Somalia.

[AbyssiniaLady]

The Case of Somalia: Black Masks - White Faces. (Black Masks - Ethiopia, White Faces - America.)


It's an excerpt from old article. February 18, 2007.

• Washington co-coordinated its air and naval forces with the advance of the invading Ethiopian military juggernaut. As the US advised-Ethiopian mercenaries advanced by land, the US air force bombed fleeing Somalis killing scores, supposedly in hunting ‘Al Qaeda; sympathizers.

• The Somali experience in failed empire building reveals another even darker side of imperialism: A policy of ‘rule or ruin.’ The Clinton regime’s failure to conquer Somalia was followed by a policy of terrorizing the population, destroying the country and its economy.

Somalia has been through hell and back since the 1992 United States invasion.

[AbyssiniaLady]

Floods in Ethiopia kill over 20, displace thousands





Published: 04 November ,2023: 06:18 PM GST



More than 20 people have died and over 12,000 others have been forced out of their homes in Ethiopia’s Somali region due to flash flooding triggered by torrential rains, the regional government said Saturday.


Bridges and roads have been destroyed by the downpour, making it difficult to reach affected households, the Somali Regional State Communication Bureau said in a statement, with damage to livestock, crops and property also reported.


“More than 20 people have died in the flood so far... more than 12,000 families have been displaced,” the statement said.

“Rising rainfall and forecasts show that the risk of flooding remains high.”

The UN’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, said last month that eastern Africa would likely encounter heavier than normal rains over the October-December period because of the El Nino phenomenon.

El Nino is a naturally occurring pattern associated with increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere.

Since the start of the October-December monsoon in Somalia, “floods due to heavy rains have affected at least 405,652 people, with 14 deaths”, OCHA said in a situation report released on Saturday.

“At least 47,100 people have relocated to higher grounds to avoid the risk of flooding,” the agency said, adding that the downpour had cut off access to markets and farmland in some areas.

The Horn of Africa is one of the region’s most vulnerable to climate change, and extreme weather events are occurring with increased frequency and intensity.

Since late 2020, Somalia as well as parts of Ethiopia and Kenya have been suffering the region’s worst drought in 40 years.

At the end of 2019, at least 265 people died and tens of thousands were displaced during two months of relentless rainfall in several countries in East Africa.

The extreme downpours affected close to two million people and washed away tens of thousands of livestock in Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.


https://english.alarabiya.net/News/worl ... thousands-

[AbyssiniaLady]

Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Fei Shengchao Publishes a Signed Article Titled Belt and Road Initiative: A Road of Peace for the New Era







2023-11-12 20:29


Harmonious coexistence has been the aspiration of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forth the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the aim of promoting peaceful development and better lives for the world. Over the past 10 years, the concepts and ideas of this initiative have increasingly come true. Last month, the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) was held in Beijing, and over 10,000 representatives from 151 countries including Somalia and 41 international organizations attended the event.

Nowadays, the world is in great turbulence and transformation. The Palestine-Israel conflict is raging, and the Ukraine crisis is still dragging on. Critical choices have to be made about where humanity should go. Do we choose cooperation or isolation, solidarity or division, going forward together or in our separate ways? The answer upheld in the BRI is multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for mankind, so as to address global challenges and maintain lasting peace together.


President Xi Jinping pointed out in his keynote speech in BRF that humankind is a community with a shared future; win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all; and the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation. From Beijing, a clear and unambiguous message has been sent to the world, which is we need unity, cooperation, openness and win-win outcomes, not division, confrontation, isolation or zero-sum mentality. Amid the great transformation unseen in a century, the Belt and Road cooperation will bring much greater energy of stability and peace to the world.





It calls for mutual respect. The BRI was proposed by China and is shared by the world. It is not a soliloquy by China but a chorus of all partner countries, featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. In pursuing this initiative, China never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs, and it never exports its social system or development model or imposes them on other countries; China does not play geopolitical games, but creates a new model of win-win cooperation; and China wants no blocs for a few but a big family where all countries coexist in harmony.


It pursues win-win results. The BRI aims to build more partnerships and make the pie bigger, and it opposes creating small clubs or seeking selfish interests. Over the past decade, synergy has been fostered between the BRI and the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as well as other international and regional development strategies. Greater economic integration and deeper cooperation will inject new vigor into global peace and stability. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the modernization China pursues is not for the country alone, but for all developing countries through joint efforts. He announced at the opening ceremony that China will further expand market access; deepen reform in areas including the state-owned enterprises, digital economy, intellectual property and government procurement; and enter into free trade agreements and investment protection treaties with more countries. China’s potential as the world’s largest market will be continuously tapped. Chinese financial institutions will set up new RMB financing windows and support BRI projects based on well-informed studies. China will promote local employment through cooperation projects and carry out 1,000 small-scale livelihood assistance projects. We believe that the materialization of these significant measures will surely provide stronger boost and greater space for global modernization.

It energizes development. Embodied in the BRI is the vision of open, integrated and mutually beneficial cooperation. Somalia joined the BRI in 2018. Under the framework of BRI, China remains Somalia’s largest trading partner for years. China has also staunchly supported Somalia here and on the world stage. In the past year, China provided aids and assistance to Somalia in areas such as security, food, orphans’ care, training and scholarships as well as renovation of hospitals, schools and public institutions buildings. Thanks to the scholarships and funding provided by the Chinese side, hundreds of Somalis including diplomats, military officers, judicial officials, transportation experts, journalists and students have the opportunities to go to China for vocational training or university programs. 





In the early 15th century, Zheng He, a famous Chinese navigator in the Ming Dynasty, made voyages to today’s Mogadishu, a feat that is still remembered today. He won his place in history not as conqueror with warships, guns or swords. Rather, he is remembered as friendly emissary sailing treasure-laden ships. The BRF also proves that peaceful development and win-win cooperation represents the prevailing trend and people’s common aspiration. Cold War-style confrontation and decoupling efforts go against the tide of history and will lead nowhere. China and Somalia are both peace loving nations. On October 27, our two countries both voted for a resolution that calls for a humanitarian truce in Gaza in UN General Assembly, sharing our compassion and sympathy for innocent lives and our desire for peace. China will continue to follow the path of peaceful development, strive to build the Belt and Road into a road of peace, and march hand-in-hand with Somalia and other countries toward security and development for all.

The author is H.E. Fei Shengchao, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Republic of Somalia.


https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_66 ... 79221.html

[AbyssiniaLady]

The United States has used the pretext of counterterrorism to continue consolidating its military presence in Somalia and it is spending billion dollars to maintain military bases and to fund deployments of thousands of secret troops in Somalia, However, Somalia should not seek closer ties with US at expense of relationship with China, Instead, Somalia should seek to strengthen ties with China.

China is not a warmongering and a war profiteering country.