Somalis must know what is right for them?
By Ibrahim A. Ibrahim*
August 5, 2006 — The unfortunate nation of Somalia’s fate will be decided by Somali’s themselves, if they really and truly have learned lessons from their past 15 years of chaos and lawlessness. This can be true though only if they are able to identify who is who, in the arena of political tenure. So far the week government of prime minister Gedi seems is lucking to think beyond the current statues of the nation, and is trying to seek or depend fully on foreign assistance. Foreign assistance in Somalia is more complicated than it seems. Somalis being proud people by nature, are not bowing to any kind of foreign interference. Unfortunately, PM Gedi have chosen the wrong neighbor “Ethiopia” to rely on. History, tells that Ethiopia and Somalia has gone in full-fledged wars at least twice. Both times, the then two superpowers, USA and USSR, changed hands on assisting the one against the other. A proxy war of East verses West. Somali’s hatred to Ethiopia was at its highest level then. The war ended but the reason for the war never been solved. Both countries still have not yet demarcated their disputed borders officially. In short with this kind of background is Ethiopia vowing to intervene in Somalia. Ethiopian authorities are trying to justify their intervention, in two different at times contradicting reasons.
1. They claim to be invited by the government of Somalia.
2. They claim that the Islamic Council is a “terrorist group,” and want to defend Ethiopia from them. In fact one of the senior members of the regime in Ethiopia quoted as saying we will “crush” them.
Regardless of their reasoning Ethiopia’s main goal is to please the USA, regardless of the effects and suffer of its people, and all the region, that endure in consequence of their adventurous action.
Members of IGAD have a historic responsibility to tackle this task, in a manner that benefits the owners of the case the Somali people. Djibouti for its part has done what it can in its capacity. Tried to bring a government under Mr. Salad, which did not bare fruits that intended to, due to interventions from Ethiopia. Kenya on its part have accommodate for so long to create the current government, which most believe Ethiopia played a big roll simply for its own benefits rather than for the benefit of the Somali people. However, the government was so weak to even enter the capital city “Mogadishu.” Eritrea, for its part shy to complicate the issue was absent from playing its roll, although the UN have accused its involvement on armament shipment, which Eritrea challenged the world body to provide any proof.
Recently, Eritrea suggested the following believed to be constructive working paper:
“1. External Military Intervention: Any external military intervention will further polarize the political realities of Somalia and induce greater conflagration. Ethiopia ‘s military intervention, under whatever guise or justification, is particularly dangerous both for reasons of historical animosity and because of the events of the past few years. Ethiopia must therefore cease its intermittent military intervention and withdraw the forces that it has deployed in the past few days.
2. Linkages with International Terrorism: The portrayal of developments in Somalia in terms of the global war on terrorism is factually untenable and politically imprudent. Indeed, the overarching national cause of the Somali people should not otherwise be reduced to or lumped together with this singular concern. It must be acknowledged that US support to the warlords under the rubric of fighting terrorism was a factor of complication. Some regional and local actors have also found this portrayal convenient to camouflage other ulterior motives.
3. Lifting of Arms Embargo: A recent call by some forces for a selective lifting of the UN embargo on arms is unbalanced, misguided and fraught with dangerous consequences. Indeed, this can only imperil the political process of reconciliation and durable political arrangement in Somalia . Appropriate adjustments can be contemplated when there is irreversible progress in the political arrangement giving rise to national institutions that have credible legitimacy and popular support.
4. Political Processes of National Reconciliation: The daunting problem in Somalia is essentially an internal political problem that must be solved through negotiations between Somali political forces. The role of the international community in peace must be focused on facilitating and promoting these negotiations through appropriate forums and mechanisms.
5. Territorial Disputes: The current situation in Somalia is raising the specter of territorial claims and disputes between Somalia and its neighbors. Territorial disputes and claims can only be settled by strict adherence to the sanctity of colonial boundaries, and the international community should adopt this stance firmly and unequivocally.”
Sudan, is currently playing a roll which is hoped to be constructive, by hosting the fragile meeting of the Islam Court and the weak government of Mr. Gedi.
It is up to the Somali people first and for-most to think for their own self and for their people to take the right path. If the world community was ignoring the chaotic Somalia for the last 15 years, what is the reason now, with all these interest when peace is about to flourish? Is that sincere? Do they really care about the people and the nation building of Somalia? Well, it is a big question, which the Somali and only them have to respond.
* Ibrahim A. Ibrahim is a former Bank of Eritrea Administrator.He Currently residing in USA. He can be reached at [email protected]