Conflicting communiqués

[macalimuu]

Foreign Forces will do Nothing In Somalia But Cause Bloodshed

 

BY Ali Nur Masri, electrician/journalist

Denver, Colorado, USA

Email:anurmas@hotmail.com

 

 

Michael Ignatieff in �State Failure and Nation Building� states in regards to the political situation in Somalia �Reconstituting a central state would certainly require long-term colonial occupation by some foreign power. It is not clear that this is either possible or desirable�.

 

 

Abdullahi Yusuf and Meles Zenawi must have read the first sentence of this quote and based their whole malevolent policy towards Somalia on this. But I think they have forgotten to further read and investigate the second part of the quote, with the words �impossible� and �undesirable�. Since no one will disarm Somalis against their will, African or IGAD forces (if they even show up) will only meet bloodshed and become immersed in a renewed tribal war which is in the making. They will be useless to any effort to build peace and will contribute to further destruction and death, including from their ranks. I am happy to see that senior African Union officials in Abuja, Nigeria have seen the fallacy of Abdullahi Yusuf�s arguments in this regard� since this is nothing but a gross tribal scheme� and have distanced themselves away from him and it. Sadly, by distancing themselves and shifting the responsibility yet again away from the Somalis themselves to the so called IGAD states (which are part of the problem in Somalia) they have invariably set in motion a renewed CIVIL WAR to take place in Somalia.

 

The people of Mogadishu will never be disarmed against their will, and especially not by IGAD. Any attempt to bring �rule by force� in Somalia will meet the fate of the previous disasters. Ethiopia is and has been a part of the Somali wars till today. It is not credible party and is seen by the majority of the people as an enemy to Somali unity and reconciliation with long history of enmity. It is arm forces are culpable for many atrocities illegally committed inside Somalia territory since 1995 to the present, especially in Gedo, Bay and Bakol regions. Ethiopia continues to illegally arm warring Somali factions and continues to disrespect the territorial integrity of the Somali state. Along with its repressive policies towards its own Somali citizens, Ethiopia is a major enemy of the Somali people. The International Community should not be party to this or any doomed adventurism by Ethiopian regime to forcefully install its puppet Abdullahi Yusuf under the guise of IGAD.

 

There is no need for any foreign forces in Somalia whatsoever since at the end it is for the Somalis themselves to solve their problems, including security of the capital. And as the recent arrival of the Somali Members of Parliament led by MP. Musa Suudi Yalahow has shown the Somalis are ready and able to maintain security and welcome this government in Mogadishu with open arms. Everyone, including the former military and security personnel are fully behind this government and are ready to take part in the reconstitution of Somali army and police; as well as, all the major faction leaders of that city and their militias. The deployment of any IGAD forces will only exacerbate the political tensions/situation, since IGAD states, in particular Ethiopia and Kenya, are already seen as representing hostile interests to the Somali people.

 

The only person who seems to have a problem with Mogadishu is Abdullahi Yusuf, since he has yet to show any credible reasons why there should be any deployment of foreign forces to Mogadishu as precondition for the arrival of government (which has already begun to arrive irrespective of him), it is apparent this man is becoming redundant by the minute, as he continues to be blinded by his own tribal hatred, fears and bloodlust. Ultimately, the people of Mogadishu and their leaders will be the ones that will decide who comes to their city and who disarms them, not Abdullahi Yusuf or so called IGAD peacekeepers. All sectors of Somali society are fully with this government and opposed to any kind of foreign intervention and thus foreign forces will bring more bloodshed and chaos, since no one can force anyone to cooperate or submit against their will.

 

If genuine peace is to prevail in Somalia all Somali Members of Parliament should arrive in Mogadishu as soon as possible and join their colleagues who have already begun the task they have been entrusted with: rebuilding Somali state, not rebuilding clannish fantasies.

 

If Abdullahi Yusuf does not want to come to Mogadishu for his own personal or tribal reasons, if he does not want to cooperate and work with the people of Somalia (including the citizens of Mogadishu), then he should immediately relinquish his office to Mr. Geedi. For what Somalia needs at this time is a not an isolated president in exile stoking the fires of hatred and tribalism, but a President inside working for the betterment of the Somali people with the Somali people, not against them. Someone willing to take the risks and having the fortitude and worthwithal to lead not spend his time thinking about how to mislead the international world to see his own clannish views and desires of power.

 

Someone should tell this man to wake up and understand the second part of what Michael Ignatieff wrote, since he is still stuck in the first part of reconstituting a central state in Somalia (more like his dictatorship) requiring �a long-term colonial[Ethiopian] occupation by some foreign power.�, but Abdullahi is truly miscalculating if he thinks that where the only superpower and over 20 countries(including most European, Middle-East and some African states like Zimbabwe) and over 1 billion dollars failed in the 1990s, Ethiopia will succeed in that role today. Who is he kidding?

[macalimuu]

UNAIDS Report a Major Factor On Why Not To Send African Contingents to Somalia!

 

March 7, 2005

 

 

 

A few weeks ago I read one Musa Suudi Yalalow, a former warlord and the new minister for Industry in the TFG; with a strong base of support around Mogadishu and the Middle Shabele province-- voiced the concerns of many in his community when he warned of the serious health risks, specifically AIDS, posed by the deployment of African troops to Somalia. Especially,from highly infected East African countries such as Uganda and Ethiopia whose regimes have superciliously pledged to bring such troops to Somalia in spite of the consent of Somali people, powerful faction leaders and the Parliament for supposed “peacekeepingâ€, though the peace to keep has yet to be seen or explained.

 

At the same time many people, including myself, had faint misgiving of bringing notoriously incompetent and brutal African forces to Somalia. The Question I’ve been asking myself is what exactly will these Africans forces, likely infected with AIDS if the U.N.AIDS organization is to be believed, do? The only piece of information related to this, if almost comical, has been from TFG spokesmen who say that these “peacekeepers†will secure government installations such as seaports and airports and protect key government officials in Mogadishu. Wait a minute, aren’t there people already protecting and inhabiting those installations, wouldn’t it be wise to ask if they would have something to say about this?

 

But the real question no one wants to ask is: why can’t the Somalis concerned, be it in Mogadishu and elsewhere, why can’t they do the protecting and the securing?

 

And if the Somalis can’t do this for whatever reason or are not willing to do this (which by the way is the argument of the Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed camp) how on Earth will Africans who do not even enjoy minuscule local support or knowledge of the area, likely to be met by widespread hostility of armed clans and opposition leaders, let alone having no affinities with the cultural and religious values of the people concerned, succeed? It seems those who want to bring African troops to Somalia have not clearly thought things through, and if they have thought things through, evidently they are being lead by some other sinister designs apart from desire for peace.

 

The matter is not only obscure, as it is divisive and controversial, but also dangerous too. And as any expert of Somali affairs can tell you when something becomes as “divisive†and especially as “obscure†as this controversial debate on bringing Foreign Troops to Somalia, it usually motivated by tribal and clan interests. Equally, when hostile nations such as Ethiopia or Uganda prepare contingents before approval, than there is something seriously wrong. And if you look at the chief proponents of bringing Foreign forces to Somalia in particular to Mogadishu, be it in Nairobi or on the web, they tend to hail from non-resident clans, as a matter of fact, from individuals who haven’t been to Mogadishu for well over a decade since the civil war started in 1991!

 

As in all civil wars and tribal conflicts of such nature involving former combatant communities there is always along with mistrust and anger a strong desire by one group or another to “settle old scoresâ€, that is, to “get evenâ€- Somalia is no different. And once you add the historical preponderance of Somalis seeking favors with foreign powers or dictators in

helping them “to help themselves†fight their nonsensical fratricide, this debate on bringing African forces is little more than widening one’s tribal numbers and leverage power in a resurgent tribal conflict. In this light, U.S. Ambassador Bellamy and the International Communality are correct in rejecting this dangerous scheme, especially in relation to Ethiopia, for the premise on which it is based is sectarian. No one seriously believes the arrival of an African force in Mogadishu without the consent of the people or their leaders will bring peace, it will bring a nightmare of blood and destruction and invite more attacks. As Mr. Bellamy said “Somali militias should keep the peace “.

 

The President of Uganda, Mr. Yoweri Museveni is a man who has enjoyed in his tentative incursions into the Somalia Quagmire, a bit of admiration. He is

known best for stating in 2004 that what is happening in Somalia was tantamount to a “slow genocideâ€, in particular talking about the high infant mortality rate, so why would such a altruistic man of yesterday, a “friend of Somalis†want to bring another “slow genocide†that of the AIDS holocaust which has claimed millions of his countrymen, to the Somali people today?

 

And the AIDS pandemic is an undeniable holocaust which Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of the Geneva-based UNAIDS, has described as “an unprecedented crisis and a challenge never before seen since the advent of slaveryâ€.

 

The answer to why the Ugandan regime led by Museveni has seemingly chosen to unilaterally side with one clan and faction in the Somali conflict over Foreign Peacekeepers can be explain when one looks at the internal situation of Uganda. Uganda, like Somalia, is in the midst of a civil war; albeit not as destructive or active as in Somalia, but nonetheless it is not in a

state of harmony, but in a state of war. Large parts of the country as the UN reports remain in rebel hands.

 

“Much of Northern Uganda remains involved in conflict, with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) attacking civilian populations and killing or displacing many thousands of people. Much of this part of the country is considered too dangerous to visit.

However, recently Museveni has begun to make some inroads in his war with the LRA and according to negotiations reached with the rebels; he has begun redeploying his ragtag forces away from the North to the urban areas.

As all of us know any African regime which has a large undisciplined army, many of them child soldiers, milling about in cities and towns is an enormous source of internal danger and tension for the regime. So Museveni who no longer can redirect his forces to the Congo, that is, following the peace deal

brokered between him and Rwanda, has found Somalia to be a convenient stress valve for this accelerating problem. Since Somalia has become the world’s largest and most convenient “solutions†be it in dumping hazardous nuclear waste and other toxic materials, he believes it can easily absorb this problem as, and besides, if things somehow manage to go well (something knowing is betting on) Museveni will be in even more good graces with Western donors and powers, either way he has nothing to lose!

 

Besides, with Zenawi of Ethiopia being in favor of this adventure and with certain Somalis, mostly notably non-Mogadishu residents of Abdullahi Yusuf Northeastern clan, making fantastic promises similar to that of the disgraced Iraq exiles of “being greeted with flowers and candyâ€, why not give it a chance he asks.

 

But If Museveni, like Zenawi, becomes embolden to this “debacle-in- the makingâ€, becomes blinded to the advice of the United States and other knowledgeable stakeholders on the Somali Conflict, if he decides that fixing

his internal issues outweigh the reality and wishes of the Somali people, he will be the one who truly pays. Because Somali people while not having any having discrimination towards their fellow Ugandan brothers and sisters, sharing in their anguish over their long struggle with brutal Amin dictatorship and the HIV/AIDS which has claimed over a million lives, cherish fervently their freedom and wellbeing of their country. They do not wish to risk the lose an additional million of their brethren to AIDS or become part of the over 80 million will die of it in Africa and the 90 million will contract it in the next 20 years, because we are already losing people in our ****** wars!

 

To those who think that the potential of HIV/AIDS is not as big or worse than as the current situation in Somalia, I think you should go and talk to the over 25 million Africans suffering from that killer all over Africa today and ask them if they would have preferred to suffer Somalia’s anarchy or getting the AIDS, I think we would all know the answer!

 

Somalia and its capital need a workable and just administration. And I am happy to know that there are for the first time serious efforts underway to build such an administration for the whole of Banadir region and the creation of a “peaceful†environment. If Abdullahi Yusuf was elected as president and there is no one in Mogadishu who opposes him or preventing him from coming, than I think he should start acting like a President and come to Mogadishu and work on how to make it the great cosmopolitan capital get back on its feet!

 

And Abdullahi Yusuf should also take a look at the UNAIDS report

(http://www.unaids.org/en/AIDS+in+Africa_Three+scenarios+to+2025.asp)

which is currently the biggest topic in African affairs, with all of African’s leaders including Obasanjo of Nigeria, Mbeki of South Africa,

Museveni of Uganda and even Zenawi seriously reviewing it and implementing ways to save their populations from furthering drowning in the holocaust of AIDS! We in Somalia and our senior leaders who have so far been spare of it should be working even harder than these infected countries in keeping ourselves away from this apocalyptic killer, not thinking of ways to

invite it in!

 

Mohamed Aden Garre

Salem, Oregon USA

adengarre@yahoo.com

[macalimuu]

Somali Concern Group (SCG) is deeply concerned about the current situation in Somalia, in light of the possibility of deploying international peacekeeping forces in to Somalia. SCG believes that peace and security in Somalia is paramount, however, we urge the government to ensure that the process must be transparent and well structured.

 

The government should present their case to the parliament for debate and discussion on the issue by analyzing in great detail. It is important that our members of the parliament to make an informed choice in order to make the appropriate decision, considering all the options available. A Healthy debate can bring a consensus agreement which is vital to the decision making process.

 

SCG demands International, independent and impartial peacekeeping forces.

 

SCG understands the importance of peace and security in Somalia and believe that international, independent and impartial peacekeeping forces are necessary in order to build a trust between Somalis. However, SCG strongly believes that frontline states should not be part of the Peacekeeping forces. Peacekeeping troops should have clear and structured plan that can give confidence to Somalis and their decision-making process need to be clear and transparent. It is important to publish peacekeeping force’s policies, strategy and their mandate in advance before the parliament debate.

 

SCG urges the government to understand the importance of reconciliation, reconstruction and above all building confidence between Somalis. SCG would recommend the following:

 

1) To Leaders (President and Prime Minister):

 

• To show a genuine leadership and passion to Somalis.

• To uphold the rule of law, democracy and accountability.

• To avoid frontline states Peacekeeping Forces be deployed in Somalia.

• To promote nationalism, freedom and peace.

• To use reconciliation tone when speaking in public, in order to avoid any confusion and escalation of violence.

 

2) To members of the Parliament:

 

• To constructively debate the issue of peacekeeping forces, if possible to request experts who can discuss the positives as well as the negatives of deploying foreign troops in Somalia.

• The decision making process should be transparent.

• To return to your motherland as soon as practically possible.

• Your decisions should be based on the interest of Somalis.

• Members who can influence militia need to declare their full support to the government and commit themselves towards disarming their groups.

 

3) To Somalis:

 

• To support the government and the parliament.

• To reconcile their differences and realize their full potential.

• To take part of the peace process and solve their problems.

• To work with one another with a view of securing peace and stability in Somalia.

• To act as good ambassadors for the Country with a common interest and goal, this is to revive the dignity of the people of Somalia.

• To support those organizations who want to make a difference, such as SCG, National Civic Forum, etc.

 

4) To International Community:

 

• To support the government politically, economically and morally.

• To help the government with regards to upholding the rule of law and democracy.

• To ensure that the government fulfills their agreements with other agencies.

• To avoid frontline states deploying their troops in Somalia.

• To uphold and adhere to UN arms embargo on Somalia.

 

 

Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow)

Chairperson of Somali Concern Group

[macalimuu]

Kibaki iyo Geelle oo Zenawi ku qancinaya in uusan ciidan u dirin Soomaaliya

 

Burtinle-Online

Arbaco, March 09 2005

 

Madaxweynaha dalka Kenya Mwai Kibaki, Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Jabuuti Daleyd Axmed Daleyd, iyo Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Soomaaliya Cali Maxamed Geeddi ayaa dhamaantood subaxnimadii Arbacada ka degay garoonka diyaaradaha Bole ee ku yaala caasimada Itoobiya ee Adis Ababa.

 

Wufuudan oo ka kala timid Nairobi iyo Jabuuti ayaa waxaa la sheegay in ay Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Itoobiya Melez Zenawi kala hadli doonaan arrimaha Soomaaliya.

 

Warar lagu kalsoon yahay oo Burtinle-Online kasoo gaaray magaalada Nairobi ayaa sheegaya in Madaxweyne Kibakiga Kenya iyo Ra'iisul Wasaaraha Jabuuti Daleyd ay Adis Ababa u tageen sidii ay Melez Zenawi ugu qancin lahaayeen in sadexda wadan ee safka hore ka baaqsadaan ciidan loo diro Soomaaliya.

 

Kibaki iyo Daleyd ayaa la rumeysan yahay in ay Zenawi kala xaajoon doonaan dhibaatada ka imaan karta ciidamo ka socda sadexdan wadan ee Kenya, Itoobiya, iyo Jabuuti oo Soomaaliya loo diro.

 

Maamulka Kibaki ee Kenya ayaa horay u cadeeyay in aaney ka qeyb qaadaneyn ciidamo loo diro Soomaaliya, halka Geellaha Jabuuti aanu diidmo iyo ogolaansho ku aadan ciidan dowladiisu u dirto Soomaaliya soo saarin.

 

Dowladda Itoobiya ayaa noqotay dowladda keliya ee ku adkeysaneysa in ay ciidamo u dirto Soomaaliya, marka laga reebo dowladda Uganda oo aan ka tirsaneyn wadamada safka hore, waxaana muuqda cabasho iyo hanjabaado ka imaanaya Hogaamiye-Kooxeedyada Wasiirada noqday ee gacanta ku haya magaalada Muqdisho.

 

Madaxweyne Kibakiga Kenya ayaa intii aanu ka ambabixin Nairobi kulan la yeeshay Afhayeenka Baarlamaanka Federaalka Shariif Xassan, waxeyna warar lagu kalsoon yahay oo nasoo gaaraya sheegayaan in Kibaki uu ka codsaday Shariifka in aanu Baarlamaanka Soomaalidu yeelan wax kulan ah inta uu Madaxweynuhu kasoo laabanayo safarkiisa Adis Ababa.

 

Codsiga Kibaki ayaa loo macneeyay in hadii Zenawi aqbalo in aysan dowladiisu ka qeyb qaadan ciidan loo diro Soomaaliya, ay markaa sahli doonto in Baarlamaanku is afgarad ka gaaro arinka muranka badan dhaliyay ee ka qeyb qaadashada ciidamada Itoobiya ee nabad ilaalinta Soomaaliya.

 

Hadii ay Kenya iyo Jabuuti ku guuleystaan in ay Itoobiya ka baaqsato ciidamada loo dirayo Soomaaliya, markaa Baarlamaanka Soomaalidu uma baahan doono in uu ka doodo arinka ku saabsan wadamada safka hore oo ciidan u dira Soomaaliya.

 

Lama garan karo in dowladda Itoobiya aqbali doonto talada labada dowladood ee Kenya iyo Jabuuti.

 

Burtinle-Online

editor@burtinle.com

[macalimuu]

hich way is the equation of Somalia's stability would go. And that is if Col. Abdullahi Yusuf and his advisers can read the line.

 

It happened to me that while I was writing this piece that the US Ambassador to Kenya Mr. William Bellamy, was quoted as saying "Our view is that the transitional government has, potentially, the means to secure its own country,". Though Ambassador Bellamy was careful to say the United States did not oppose the AU plan yet he make it clear that "There is a risk they could be a magnet for instability" .

 

Furthermore, in his last Talking Point DISARMEMENT IN STYLE Mr. M. M. Afrah supported voluntarily countrywide disarmament in style but with conditions of course. Unlike Ambassador Bellamy, M. M. Afrah witnessed first hand the carnage between UN troops and Somalia Militia, and very much opposed deployment of Ethiopian or Somali-Ethiopian troops that are currently in training camps, according to intelligence reports.

 

Both these two experts and the International Crisis Group findings with other intellectuals make it clear that Ethiopian involvement in Somalia is like adding gas to a fire that is already burning wildly. I also wonder why the Ethiopians are very keen to send their soldiers in Somalia where there is more harm in their presence than good?. Why don't they let the AU troops do the initial security work so that President Abdullahi Yusuf and his Prime Minister Ali M. Gheddi will start nation rebuilding and reconciliation, which is what they were elected for in the first place.

 

It is clear that neither President Yusuf nor Ethiopians want fresh start for Somalia crisis rather have another hidden agendas, which will devastate the whole of East Africa.

 

As Mr. Afrah pointed out the President, the Prime Minister and parliamentarians must read the mood of the people before taking any step that might cause another bloodshed and anarchy.

 

comments@banadir.com

[macalimuu]

Kenyan president due in Ethiopia for talks on Somalia, region

 

NAIROBI, March 8 (AFP) -- Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is to visit Ethiopia this week for talks with top Ethiopian and African Union officials amid controversy over the AU-authorized deployment of regional peacekeepers to lawless Somalia, officials said Tuesday.

 

The three-day visit, which begins on Wednesday, also comes as tensions have risen along the Kenya-Ethiopia border where several dozen gunmen believed to be Ethiopian rebels ambushed a Kenyan security patrol on Saturday, killing one and seriously wounding four.

 

In talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the Kenyan president will "seek ways of ensuring safety on the expansive common border, discuss the possibility of Ethiopia using the (Kenyan) port of Mombasa and ways of guaranteeing regional stability," Kibaki's office said.

 

While in Addis Ababa, Kibaki will also address the AU Commission, which last month authorized the seven-member east African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to deploy peacekeepers to Somalia to support the relocation from exile there of the country's transitional government.

 

Senior IGAD defense officials are currently planning the proposed mission whose prospects have been complicated by vehement opposition to the force from some Somali warlords.

 

IGAD comprises Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda and many in Somalia are opposed to the inclusion in the force of troops from Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya which they believe have ulterior motives in contributing

[macalimuu]

The government you have been waiting for finally arrives, but NOT in the capital as was suggested by many, including Mr. Michael Bellamy, the American Ambassador to Kenya and Western benefactor countries. Now the question is: Are you ready to welcome a government that is frightened to relocate in its own capital?

 

Prepare to ask them all the questions that have been lingering in your mind for quite sometimes. There can be an overwhelming amount of things to think about and to act upon, such as security, foreign troop deployment, your family needs, education for your children and grandchildren back home, health care and all the other daily basic necessities.

Nevertheless, we must first transcend the tribal mentality, even though the Transitional Federal Government and Parliament have been concocted on tribal basis in a foreign country.

 

For example, the thorny question is: what is the best way to disarm the gun-totting youths who control the string of makeshift roadblocks in the capital and elsewhere in the country? This question is still on the table and would continue to remain there until viable solution can be found in a country already saturated with blood and tears.

 

I have been saying all along that changes must come within and not without. This is the hottest debate since the election of President Abdullahi Yusuf and his Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gheddi and I would not be surprised if it continues in the days to come, both at home and in the Diaspora. The overwhelming majority of those of you who cast their votes strongly disagree the deployment of foreign troops in Somalia. The same goes to the people at home. Your message is clear for anyone to read: No foreign troops on our soil. It is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.

 

Victor Hugo has once written: "No army can withstand the strength of an idea when time has come." In Somalia, the moment had arrived: the moral support of the public had won the day at last.

 

In the world we live today, we are often considered as ungovernable, unworthy of sympathy, if not talkative and disdainful. Let us prove them wrong. Let us prove that we can be our own boss without other people telling us what is best for us, period. Let us remind them that we are not the first people in the world who were entangled in a civil war imbroglio, though ours appears to be a never-ending one. The Confederate and Union soldiers had turned many parts of the cotton belt in South of the United States into a living hell, which seems to pale in comparison with the wholesale massacre and the looting spree in Somalia. The bleakness was so devastating that General George Washington put full energy into his military strategy to put an end to brother killing brother once and for all, and built the United States of America from the ashes of the civil war.

 

Another example is the brutal Spanish Civil War-1936-1939. It was not only a battle against fascism, but social revolution. The result: around 25,000 people died during the first year of the civil war against the fascist dictator Franco, followed the death of about 3.3 per cent of the Spanish population with another 7.5 per cent being injured.

 

After the war, it was reported that the fascist government of Francisco Franco arranged the execution 100,000 Republican prisoners. It was estimated that another 35,000 Republicans died in concentration camps in the years that followed the civil war. A huge number of civilian populations died of malnutrition and the lack of medical care and the collapse of sanitation, and other vital services.

 

Uniting the cross-section of the fragmented Somali society can only solve the current Somalia conundrum, and as the delicate hope begins to blossom, we must move to the next hurdle-that is national reconstruction from the ashes of the civil war and put Somalia where it belonged among the community of nations.

 

The onus is on the people!

 

BY M. M. Afrah©2005

Afrah95@hotmail.com

[macalimuu]

Ethiopia’s Action Speaks Louder than Words

 

March 3, 2005

 

I read with great interest the article in the Hiiraan Website, by Mr. Nasser M. Issa, in which he asks:

 

Is Ethiopia really our number one enemy or not? Is it fair to consider all successive Ethiopian governments as our foe?

 

I believe that there has never been the notion that Ethiopia is either permanent or number one enemy of Somalia. Therefore your question: Is Ethiopia really our number one enemy or not, the answer is no. Ethiopia is our neighbour and as such, we have no choice, but to live together in the region. It is said that neighbours are not chosen, like one chooses his friends or his shirts. Ethiopia is our neighbour, therefore, our two peoples are destined to live side by side, till doomsday. Your second question, “Is it fair to consider all successive Ethiopian governments as our foe?

 

The answer to this question is, so far they were, with bold letters. But as you also said, nothing is permanent. So, the relations can be adjusted according to the situation that emerges. We have to root out the cause for this negative answer. Our conflict with Ethiopia is not based on ideology or political difference. The root cause of the problem between our two countries is classical colonial case, which needs to be solved through decolonization process, either by the African Union or the United Nations, or through peaceful and brotherly means between the two countries. And mind you, as you said “Ethiopia is the Super Power of the Horn of Africa†and hosting the headquarters of Africa Union in its territory, it shoulders more responsibility than others, in the liberation of African territories which are still in foreign domination, including the territory which Ethiopia itself occupies, namely the Western Somalia or better known as the ******.

 

We are now all part of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and with it, according to its doctrine, “Africa becomes more effective in conflict prevention and the establishment of enduring peace on the continentâ€.

 

It is wonderful, in principle, but how to achieve its objectives if there are still countries languishing under colonial rule? How can we prevent conflict if there are people who are still struggling for their freedom? How can a country that colonises another African territory claim to be working for the prevention of conflict?

 

No one can deny that Ethiopia is the oldest country in the Horn of Africa or even .of the Continent of Africa. Only Liberia can share that title with it. But as such, and as an elder brother, it should have played the role of helping other Africans who were fighting for their freedom and independence. On the contrary, Ethiopia wanted to be like the white colonialists, when on April 10, 1891, in his Circular letter to the Heads of European State Menelek of Abyssinia claimed,

 

“Ethiopian has been for fourteen centuries a Christian Island in a sea of Pagans. If Powers at a distance come forward to partition Africa between them, I do not intend to be an indifferent spectatorâ€.

 

Menelek’s statement was echoed by the British Queen Victoria’s Special Envoy, Rennell Rodd, who justified and encouraged Menelek’s colonial attitude, by saying,

 

“As a Christian African Power, his claims to a sphere of influence were better founded than those Powers whose seat of Government is in another continentâ€.

 

The same Rodd, was the man who handed over the Somali territory known as the ****** to Menelek in 1897. Britain also gave Ethiopia the Haud and Reserved Area in the fifties.

 

After more than a century, Mr. Nasser said in his article that “Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and the un-disputed superpower in the Horn of Africaâ€. Mr. Nasser’s statement is almost identical to what Mr. Rodd, the British Envoy, who gave away Somali territory to Abyssinia, said in 19th century.

 

After Menelek there was Haile Selassie, who, in a BBC broadcast on August 28, 1966, was reported to have said among other things, “I would like France to stay in the French Somali Coast forever.â€

 

Is there any change of attitude or policy by the latest two young Ethiopian leaders, Mengistu and now Meles towards Somalia? I don’t think so.

 

Eritrean people liberated themselves from of Ethiopian colonization by force. Eritrea was given to Ethiopia in 1952 by the United Nations as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean people defeating Mengistu government forces. While Meles Zenawi is in power, the people of Eritrea solidified their independence in a referendum in 1993.

 

I wonder if he wishes to impress the Somalis or to frighten us, Mr. Nasser M. Mussa claims that Ethiopia is seven times bigger than Somalia. I can only interpret his insinuation that “it is better for Somalis to stop provoking the Lion of Judahâ€. How come then, Eritrea, which is little more than half of Somalia, succeeded to defeat the “Lion†and to take its independence from Ethiopia, which would be about fourteen times bigger than it? The answer is, “the right is might†and not the other way round. The Eritreans were not given their right; they have taken it. Because “the right is not given; it is takenâ€, says a colleague of mine. The population of Eritrea is estimated about 4,447,307 (July 2004), little more than half of the Somali population. It was their will-power that gave them victory and not their number.

 

The former Soviet Union used to be called Super Power until it fell apart ten years or so ago. We have seen what happened to it. Like Ethiopia, the Soviet Union was composed of various regions, and was the first Super Power to have sent a man to the space. Despite that, the Chinese Leader, late Chairman Mao Tse Tung, used to call USSR and the USA “Paper Tigersâ€. Ten or so years ago, the world has seen USSR shredded like paper. We have seen former Yugoslavia falling apart. No one can hold people against their will or by force of gun. Besides, the normal trend is that any Empire will crumble one day.

 

The collapse of Ethiopian Empire was miraculously averted by the change of policy of “the young manâ€, Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, whose Movement, TPLF, (Tigray Peoples Liberation Front) was originally fighting for the liberation of its own region, Tigray, but instead he accepted the advise of some “friends of Ethiopia†to take the entire country when the fall of Mengistu regime became inevitable.

 

However, the possibility of Tigray breaking away from the rest of Ethiopia is included in the Constitution of the country. To prepare the ground for such an eventuality, the old Imperial system has been abolished and replaced with federal system which could be the basis for future separation of the region.

 

Article 39 The Right of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples:

 

1. Every nation, nationality or people in Ethiopia shall have the unrestricted right to self determination up to secession.

 

I am not sure if this Article was meant for the Somali region; however, the Somalis and other nations like the Oromos, will also invoke it when the right moment comes. As for the Tigray people, who were struggling for the liberation of their territory for a long time and lost many lives, are not happy with what few of their men or women are enjoying in the central Government at the expense of their nationhood.

 

I heard that it was our vote that gave Ethiopia the advantage to have the Headquarters of OAU in Addis Ababa, when the African countries had to choose between Cameroon and Ethiopia in the sixties. If that is so, it was a great political mistake. The Headquarters of the Organisation for African Unity, now African Union, should have been in a country that does not colonise territories of others. The criteria for selecting a country should have been, clean hand; especially in those days when the liberation fever was so high. How could a country, which colonised others, be part of an organization intended for decolonization of the continent?

 

Mr. Nasser also says that “it (Ethiopia) is regarded by the United States as a crucial partner in the war against terrorâ€. I ask if that is a credential. If so, it means that the United States must be satisfied with the way “the democracy†is flourishing in Ethiopia. Remember Manuel Noriega who was Panama's President from 1983 to 1989? He was a “good friend†and “partner†in the fight against what the United States did not like? He was considered "outstanding" at the SOA, (School of the Americas).But then what was his end? He was captured from Panama by American marines and imprisoned in the United States. He was convicted of “drug traffickingâ€.

 

Now-a-days modern governments base their relationship with others on the national interest of the country; but the past historic relationship is also taken into consideration. If they were at odds, for instance, the past will be part of history when the two countries eliminate the root cause of all their hostilities. If Somalis get back their territory from Ethiopia, like Egypt got back its territory from Israel, there will be no reason why Somalia and Ethiopia should not have good relationship. When the Israelis withdraw from the Palestinian territories, which is hoped to be soon, surely the two countries – Israel and Palestine – will mend their relations from mutual hatred to peaceful coexistence. That will also bring the normalization of relations between the Arab countries and Israel.

 

Here too, Israel, despite their mighty forces, strategic partner of the United States and forcefully supported by the latter, politically, economically and militarily “decided†to evacuate their settlements and to withdraw their soldiers from Palestine. Why? Because they noticed how strong it is the determination of the Palestinian people to achieve their goal. The Palestinians believe that freedom does not come on a silver plate, but with blood and sacrifice. Having seen the reality of the situation, the United States probably told Ariel Sharon that it is in the best interest and for survival of the Jewish state, to end the occupation of Palestine.

 

Regarding the foreign forces to be sent to Somalia for peace-making mission, it is only logic not to include the countries which share border with Somalia, i.e. the Frontline States. The Iraqis rejected the proposal regarding the forces from the neighbouring countries to be sent to Iraq for peace-keeping activities. And that is normal. It is normal that a mediator should enjoy the trust, respect and the support of the people to be mediated and beyond any doubt, to be a neutral.

 

I wonder if IGAD has an office that analyses the political differences and sensitivities between the member countries before taking final decision on important matter, such as deployment of forces in member countries for peace-making or peace-keeping. Did they, by any chance, study the relations between various countries in the Organization? Somalia and Ethiopia and Eritrea and Ethiopia are still at a state of war. How can a Somali let an Ethiopian soldier to come inside his house? Wouldn’t be possible that an Ethiopian soldier just shoots and kills a Somali and claims that he acted in self-defense? We are all members of the same family, but IGAD or by extension the AU surely knows that within the family there are members who are not in good terms. I do not know whether the IGAD or AU is deliberately planning for a failure, so that the Somalis could be blamed for it.

 

If I were the Ethiopian decision-maker, I would have told the Sponsors, whoever it was, that it is better that the Ethiopian forces are not included, known the sensitivity of the Somali people vis-�-vis Ethiopia. I would have excused on behalf of the country. IGAD must know that the presence of Ethiopia on Somali soil will definitely irritate the population. If that is the hidden agenda, then IGAD is inviting for a renewal of the conflict in Somalia. May the Almighty forbid that.

 

The writer of the Article “Improving ties with Ethiopia could benefit Somaliaâ€, talks of “positive signs in their dealings with Ethiopia†and says, “Both Puntland and Somaliland†have very close relationship with Ethiopiaâ€. Of course, it is true what Mr Nasser says, and reason is because the two regions are, in fact, implementing Ethiopia’s policy of dividing Somalia. They are making it easy for Ethiopia which has continuously been working for the dismemberment of our country into clan-stans, which, now-a-days is called “Federal Statesâ€. Any group which works for the balkanization of the country definitely wins the support of Ethiopia. It always had widely open hands for those Somalis who destabilized the country or oppose whoever government is in place in Somalia. Since our independence it never gave us a break. Her policy is that all those who fulfill this agenda win wholehearted support of Addis Ababa Government.

 

In the end I wish to say that what is happening in our area or in the third world where colonialism existed is not of our making. It was done by the colonial powers whose policy was to let the Africans and Asians be busy fighting each other at the end of their occupation. But today, the sad and the hard fact is that the same colonial policy is being applied by Ethiopia, an African, the host of the African Union, on the Somali territory. It has been arming the Somalis and setting against each other; dividing them and ruling them.

 

You see, no one talks about the rebuilding of the country or its development. No one speaks of the sufferings of the people and how to come out of this abyss of despair and so on. We only talk about how to destroy each other. The weapons that we use to kill each other come from same source. And no one asks why are we given the arms and ammunition which we are using them to kill each other.

 

Ethiopia used to be a land locked country before it got Eritrea under its control. Now that it has lost Eritrea it has gone back to its original shape, a land-locked country. Well, is it said “Kulli shey yarjac ilaa asluâ€! It should not be a surprise to no one, if, within the next two years, we see it going back to what it was before 1897, when, as the observers predict:

 

a) Meles will lose power in the center and retires to his own land, Tigray.

 

b) TPLF will invoke the Article 39 of the constitution that he made.

 

c) There will a referendum to secede which will approve the secession of Tigray from the rest of Ethiopia.

 

d) All others, Somali and Oromo territories and others will follow suit.

 

e) There will be a new chapter of history in the Horn of Africa.

 

A new Horn of Africa will emerge where all are friends and brothers and sisters and help each other in the interest of all the inhabitants of the region.

 

In the Middle East, the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, wants to go to history as the man who brought peace for Israel by withdrawing from Palestine. As for Meles, it is a different case, because he has to open the old file for his region, when he will be out of office. It is like being between the hammer and the hard place. Can he defend the unity of Ethiopia and at the same time to be the leader who struggled for the liberation of his own territory, Tigray? Can he tell his people that Tigray shall stay in the Ethiopia Empire if and when the group he fought against comes to power in the center? These are hypothetical questions, but I believe that nothing is static and things might change.

 

When the root cause of our conflict is removed peace will prevail. We can all benefit from it. People of the Horn of Africa will be free from fear and conflict. Borders will be open and people will travel freely to every country in the region and do business in wherever they wish. Ethiopia will be welcomed to use any port in Somalia for the benefit of the people of Somalia and that of Ethiopia.

 

For the time being, Ethiopia’s action speaks for itself.

 

Mohamed Osman Omar

 

mosman65@yahoo.com

[macalimuu]

ETHIOPIA INTEREST IN SOMALIA EXPOSED

 

The ****** basin is the area of Ethiopia's largest condensed gas deposit, namely the Caluba and Hilala gas fields.

 

Caluba gas field is located in the region some 24-Km west of Shilabo town. According to various world energy reports, Caluba stores over 76 billion cubic meter natural gas and related non-renewable minerals, that can be exploited for both local and international markets. Shilabo town is about 330 kms distance from the port town of Hobyo – South Mudug.

 

Presently, Hunt Oil an international Oil Company has concession for petroleum exploration in Ethiopia, although an increasing number of countries are involved in the exploration and survey of petroleum prospects. Also in the ****** Basin, Hunt Oil Company acquired the rights to the Genale River concession, which borders Somalia and Kenya

 

The Caluba Natural Gas Project, a joint public-private enterprise for which financing has been approved for $130.8 million in which $74.3 million comes form the International Development Association (IDA), with co-financing from African Development Bank ($27 million) and the Netherlands ($4 million).

 

http://www.seen.org/db/Dispatch?action-ProjectWidget:28-detail=1

 

The revenues form the Gas project will be controlled by the Ethiopian government with no benefits foreseen for the social development of the people of ******. It is well documented that the Ethiopian government has not invested in providing major public services (hospitals, schools and university) in the ****** region. People in this region don’t even have access to acquire licenses for commerce.

 

The main problem faced by Ethiopia in realizing the commercialization of this project is to find the most viable route to construct a pipeline toward several seaports for export purposes. Ethiopia’s intention to deploy troops to our country is to seize control of the port towns of Somalia, the closest to the gas field being Hobyo. This is also one of the reasons why the Ethiopian-backed Salebaan clan from Cadaado land-locked region of Galgaduud were fighting to take control of Hobyo port, one of the oldest ports in East Africa. The port is now in the hands of Sa’ad clan the natives of the town.

 

The military and arm supply relationship between Mr. Yusuf, Ethiopia and Yemen is connected to the Hunt Oil’s common interest in the 3 countries. Hunt Oil’s has currently acquired rights to explore the Marib Al Jawf gas fields in Yemen.

 

The Hunt Oil Co. is one of the most influential companies in the US. Mr. Ray Lee Hunt, the owner of this company has an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion and he ranked No. 92 on the 2004 “Forbes 400 Richest Americans†list. He recently made contribution to Bush’s campaign and he served as his Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board in 2001. Mr. Hunt also serves as board member of Halliburton, the world's largest providers of products and services to the entire oil and gas industries. Moreover, on November 2003, President Bush nominated Hunt Oil Co. executive Jim Oberwetter as ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

 

http://www.saudi-american-forum.org/Newsletters/SAF_Item_Of_Interest_2003_11_18.htm

 

It is evident that a US intelligence team will back Ethiopian troops when they invade Somalia in order to ensure the planned works of the Caluba oil pipeline project toward Somali ports.

 

The interest of Ethiopia is purely economic and has nothing to do with IGAD’s so-called plan to disarm the militia. The fight for the control of energy sources is the heart of the present war against Islamic people. It is up to the Somali people to negotiate contracts and seek profit sharing from the Ethiopia’s gas export revenues instead of being occupied and assimilated into the greater (Ethiopian) neo-colonialization policies.

 

 

 

Donna Somala

Donnasomala@yahoo.com