Somalis deserve the peace that we all want to have

Ibrahim A. Ibrahim *

September 8, 2006 — “In any religion, be it Islam, Christian, Hindu, Buddhism, Judaism… and others, all without exception teaches an ethical and moral behavior to enable us achieve a lasting peace and respect among each other. Although, with out doubt people tends to interpret their own religion to justify their evil deeds, the truth always hinges on the ethical and moral rights, based on harmony and peace among each other. Of course peace starts with in once house, goes to the neighbors, to the community and the whole society.” There for there should not be any fear if the Islamists hold the power in Somalia.

Ethiopia, as it is quoted by many Ethiopian based writer’s “A nation that has never been under colony….” and “3000 years since it is established…” should have been an exemplar nation on neighborly pragmatic politics and respect of law. Here these may not be the issue, to the contrary the issue is, if Ethiopia can not be a nation that allows all of its citizens to live in peace, and harmony, with equal wealth, education, health and power distributions, how possible will that be to intervene in inter Somali politics, for the benefit of Somalis?

It is very clear, that Ethiopia’s intervention is purely to hinder the little light of peace, that is blinking at the end of the tunnel. A peaceful democratic Somalia, is viable, if it is left alone and without any external interference. The Somali citizens have endured enough suffer for more than 15 years. Neighboring countries are obliged to work for the united peaceful nation of Somalia.

The Islamic Courts Council (I.C.C.) proved itself at least in bringing peace to the territories under its rule. Ethiopian intervention to support the once weakened
Transitional Federal Government (T.G.) is not going to bring peace.
It would have been better for the regime in Addis to think a little wiser and broader. No nation in the world will allow itself to be under any proxy rule. The ill-advised intervention in Somalia, will bring more of blood shed to the neighborly nations, at the soil of the Somali people, be it with in Somalia or at the disputed lands, currently (occupied) part of Ethiopia.

Now, that Ethiopia is in deep crisis of itself, the impact may not be as the leaders in Addis hope. Recently, high ranking military officers , among them General, Colonels, Captains and others have left the regime. Most if not all have joined their comrades in the opposition. Any war against Somalia, which is very unpopular among the ranks in the Ethiopian military, will definitely accelerate the fall of the regime. An Ethiopian proverb says ” Berie Hoy Sarun Ayehna Gedelun Satay,” roughly translated to “Oh Cow, you saw the green grass but missed to think of the deep slope,” means the leaders in Ethiopia are thinking intervention in Somalia will benefit them, but are not thinking on the eventualities.The recent talks of the I.C.C and T.G. may force the Ethiopian government to change its tune.

The I.C.C came out from the talks more beneficial than that of T.G. Although, the T.G. may see it as recognition from the I.C.C. for being the legitimate government in Somalia, powerless and less influential government is simply useless. On the other hand the I.C.C. is getting recognition and respect from the ones hesitant nations. The EU and the UN are now contacting the I.C.C. That gives the prestige and upper hand on imposing their demands if a unity government is able to establish. The neighboring IGAD countries, with the exception of Eritrea and Djibouti, which they advocated for conciliatory solutions from the outset of the rise of I.C.C., Kenya, and Uganda are now in the mood of wait and see. Sudan being the broker and hosting the talk, it is understood that it is weighing for peaceful solution. That leaves Ethiopia alone on the isle with its war drum. To its dismay Ethiopia will be forced to the tune of reconciliation, only if the Somalis show how united they are when it comes to the integrity and sovereignty of their nation.

The Somalis deserve the peace that we all wants to have to ourselves.

* Ibrahim A. Ibrahim is a former Bank of Eritrea Administrator.He Currently residing in USA. He can be reached at [email protected]