Is the ONLF Struggle an asset or a liability?

[Paragon]

Caamir:

I can envision the seething anger beneath the long-term effect of this name. I personally won't want my clan to be buried under the title of another. It is like denying my existance, which is the worst thing done to a clan society. Take the clan as an example of a nation with distinct linguistic and cultural rights?

Herein lies the crux of disappointment of the century. Skeptical minds professing to be equally struggling for the cause of Somali liberation shelter their half-hearted commitment under a single word! A word that they use to defame those whose genuine action propells the only hope of an entire region. A word that seems to magically transform into a clan name (which was in fact it was expediently coined to refer to a land by others with devient plans) and instills in them the unwavering force to dismiss the entire struggle! Lord God! If the very force with which these clanistically inclined people put into this lame argument could be channeled to the benefit of the cause!

 

I can swear that this fickle argument the skeptical lot advance has been implanted in them by colonialists and Ethiopia, in order to turn Somalis against themselves over petty semantics such as this one. But the infuriating thing is that these skeptical individuals are not clever in spotting this divisionist implanted mentality, and only become all clever when their fellow Somalis' clan name is coincidentally invoked.

 

Shame. Shame.

[Seekknowledge]

^I wouldn't say that man, we have lost a lot of somali braves in that war. They didn't die for nothing or for playing around. It was a war to liberate ******ia but has failed because of super power interventions.

 

Yes we have lost a lot of poor souls, forced to fight for what? Name one volunteer of that war. I beg you can name several dressed as women to escape the "qafaal" How can a dictator and his gang liberate others? Again the people who initiated that war escaped and left the poor teenagers (qafaal children) to fend for themselves and some are still around calling for more bloodshed while fleeing for their lives. Sounds familiar?

Who initiated that war and why? What were the terms for a cease fire? Why give up the right of that land to save ones skin? Dear nomad start asking questions at first you will be :confused: and then :mad: at the end :rolleyes:

[NASSIR]

J-11 and others, thanks for the clarification. It has helped a lot. The seeds of resistance has sprouted into sturdy tree and it is therefore imperative not to resist the intellectual debate of this important issue.I had the impression whether the semantics is a cause for concern or a matter for congratulation. Unfortunately, there is no right set of criteria to decide on both assumptions.

 

I think we can steer the struggle into win-win situation to balance obligations, minimize losses and equalize potential gains. Obviously, many fear that the word has sectarian and divisive content. It doesn't make sense to me that it is unthinkable to shed off the relics of colonialism but reasonable to stave off the challenges of a more primitive one with the same relics that divided Somalis.

 

Let us evaluate the proponents of the semantical status quo. They may say the rest of Somalis in the region have failed to participate or perhaps they may be subscribe to a general perception that their active participation will have no impact on the struggle because of their relative weakness or size as Mr. Observer argues. Even so, we should not be shortsighted in reckoning the expected benefit. It may be worth accepting marginal applicants if there is a chance that they may become a regular and reliable allies. As they say Isolationism is no longer a practical policy and the reason why people cry out for comprehension out of this aggressive attitude and mounting clannish assertiveness.

 

Another view I have is that this ethnical sense of the struggle is a tool that is manipulated. Ethno-characteristics (take the ethno as clan) is a powerful force when effectively mobilized and used as an instrument for political ends. As Dr. Hagmann who is a regional expert argues the O strengthens the incentives for the elites to financially engage their people (diaspora) both as a source of fuel for the movement and quest for potential leadership role in their territories such as power and status in case a full regional autonomy is negotiated with international actors playing a major facilitation role. Indeed this is one possible scenario intended on finding a viable political settlement with one end goal, which might be intended to save Ethiopia from increasing internal constraints towards peace and democratic reforms. Ethiopia is now very much discredited for its human rights violations and genocidal campaigns. The west is therefore getting increasingly frustrated with the draconian policies of Ethiopia and might withdraw their financial commitment.

 

I believe there has to be a comprehensive, inclusive model for the struggle. With such mindset and perceptions, our people might not succeed navigating the treacherous waters of colonial policies of Ethiopia.

 

 

Dahia, when Somalis faught for the region, they faught as one people and WSLF was the initial aggressor.

[NASSIR]

In Search of Justice and Somali Region of Ethiopia

 

By Mohamed M. Bakayr

December 29, 2007

 

The Somali region of Ethiopia has been affected by both external and internal injustices and is faced with dismal situations, some of which have been created by its own people. On one level, Ethiopia’s successive regimes have traditionally marginalized the Somali region of Ethiopia and made the region’s population peripheral to other Ethiopians; as a result, the region has remained to be one of the least developed regions of the entire country. In fact, for about one hundred years until the advent of the current administration, the Somali region had grossly been marginalized and boxed into a corner, but one may not gather from this statement that the current Ethiopian administration is a utopian one for the region’s population, far from it. Truly, all basic human necessities are in short supply in the region. For instance, more than seventy percent of the region’s population cannot gain access to potable water, let alone other basic necessities such as food and medicine. In addition to the marginalization and destitution, Ethiopia has collectively punished the region’s population for a long time. As reports compiled in this ending year indicate-- in some towns of the region, residents were murdered, maimed and raped at alarming rates-- and Ethiopian soldiers were reported to have carried out these inhumane actions inflicted on the defenceless civilians. One should not murder and maim the very people that one purports to protect and promote their conditions!

 

On the other level, there have been internal elements from within the region whose aims have been to divide and disjoint the region’s people, and prevent them from any progress they may aspire to. ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF) is a case in point. This organization is bent on dividing the region’s population on the basis of an imperialistic name, a name that doesn’t embody identities and interests of the region’s residents. The name ‘******’ was invented by a colonial system whose aim was to divide, dismember and deride the Somali people in the region, and of course, dividing the region’s population on the basis of an ‘imperialist invented name’ is outmoded and colonial mentality. It is a matter of fact that ****** clan is the biggest and most powerful Somali clan in the region, but this does not mean the region ought to be named after a clan, thereby depriving the region’s other Somali clans of their identities and ancestral roots. Hence, the name ‘******’ is discriminatory because it is not an inclusive name that can represent and reflect the inhabitants’ identities and interests.

 

Contrary to what it claims, ONLF pulls its guns on innocent civilians and terrorizes them on a regular basis. Evidences for this argument are numerous and evident in many places of the region. Oble and Dannood massacres are two examples. On April 24, 2007, ONLF, while people were asleep, launched a spiritless attack on Zhongyuan Petroleum, a Chinese oil company whose mandate was to survey whether some parts of Jarar Valley contained some kinds of crude oil.

 

In the night of April 24, 2007, 74 workers for this china owned, oil digging company were cold-bloodedly murdered in Obele town, which is 120 kilometres south of the Somali region’s capital, Jigjiga. Nine of the slain workers were Chinese, while the remaining sixty-five workers were Ethiopian labourers, thirty of whom were Somali-Ethiopians. Although ONLF took the lives of many innocent civilians in that eventful night, and took credit with the masscare, it brought great sorrows to many beleaguered families whose livelihood depended on the slain workers. Similarly, the destructive organization murdered and maimed tons of innocent people in Wardheer zone, where residents had already been plagued by successive droughts. In this zone, the organization murdered and maimed traditional chiefs, religious figures and innocent fathers, raising poverty-stricken families. These are just two examples of the organization’s atrocities in the region, but brutalities carried out by the pitiless organization and inflected on the beleaguered population in the region are numerous and cannot be contained in this short article. Unfortunately, slaying innocent people, blowing up and annihilating vehicles carrying medical supplies for needy people have become an integral part of ONLF’s behaviour.

 

Another injustice inflicted on some segments of the region’s population is how the Somali region’s current administration dispenses the region’s affairs. The administration’s indifference to some localities is, indeed, beyond imagination. Abdullahi Hassan (Lugbuur) is the region’s President; however, his regime is anything but a just system. Being the president of the region and accountable to the region’s entire inhabitants, President Lugbuur is supposed to be fair and furthering needs of the region’s different zones and segments, whether these zones and segments share tribal bonds with him or not. However, the President has discriminated against some segments of the region by distancing them from public offices and destabilizing their constituencies. In fact, President Abdullahi Hassan’s administration has been blind to compelling needs that some of the region’s towns face and experience.

 

Araarso is one of the towns that suffer from the administration’s injustice; it seems that the town has been embargoed. The town is one of Dhagaxbuur zone’s localities, but has not been able to be recognized as a full district. The town, with a population of fifty thousand, has everything that can make it a fully functioning, independent district. It has schools, medical centers, community policing services, and farming corporations. Counting on the efforts of its concerned people, whether they live locally or overseas, Araarso town has achieved huge developments, yet despite the town’s unprecedented achievement, President Abdullahi Hassan’s administration has neither recognized Araarso town nor convinced it why it cannot be recognized as an independent, fully functioning district! Apparently, it appears that the town has been bullied and pushed aside by its stronger brother. President Abdullahi Hassan and his close associates must not blind themselves to stark reality that is in front of their eyes. The stark reality is the fact that Araarso has all components that can make it a fully functioning district.

 

The Somali region of Ethiopia is suffering from both internal and external injustices, but the region may not break free from the injustices unless all the region’s inhabitants are treated equally and reminded of their shared bonds and brotherhood, and unless the region’s residents are constantly reminded of their rights that Ethiopia owes them; but despite the shortcomings of the region’s regime all peace and progress loving people must contribute to the betterment of the region’s conditions, or else the region will forever languish in dismal situations and undesirable circumstances. Likewise, the current region’s administration led by President Abdullahi Lugbuur ought to administer the region’s affairs justly and work tirelessly so as to meet the region’s different needs and concerns. Lastly, all exclusive names that can not pull all the regions’ residents together and represent their identities and interests must be shunned, for the exclusive names will weaken the Somali people in the region and widen their differences.

 

Mohamed Bakayr can be reached at:

e-Mail: mohamdbakayr@hotmail.com

[Al-Haji Abtigiis]

see my response to that editorial, below. ha ku mashquulin qabiil e ama dagaalan ama halagaa dagaalamee daa umadda. did cidhiidhi qabiil ku jira oon bigger picture'ka iyo ethiopia umuuqana ayaa jira. kuwaana anaa ku ce....!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Is the ONLF struggle an asset or a liability? A response to Wardheernews Editorial.

 

Abdullahi Dahir

(garigoan2000@yahoo.com)

December 6, 2007

 

I read your editorial on the above subject with shock and disbelief. For proponents of Somali nation unity, as you often portray yourselves, it shows how far you are detached from the present day realities and that you live in the past. Not so because you wish to see a united Somali nation, which I fervently do as well, but that you will talk of the revival of WSLF; at a time our cunning foe-Ethiopia- is doing everything to discredit the indigenous struggle as a mere extension of Somali ‘expansionist wars’; and frankly, can get away with that claim and get support from the big powers. So, be pragmatic and come to your senses; that name is a non-starter. Do not mistake me though. The transformation from the ****** label to a more inclusive one is a must!

 

One other common mistake with you seems to be that you are very wary of the domination of ******s and see a success by any organisation with that label as a threat. The arrogance and chauvinism you repeatedly stated might be there with some people, but the fact that other non-****** Somali’s have either stood aside or cooperated with the enemy hasn’t helped either. It is so unjust of you to exonerate the non-****** alliances you mentioned, which itself is a myth, from blame as a cry of sympathy for their next door kins would have helped. Is it god-given duty for the ******s to either lead or organise the rest of Somalis to resist the Ethiopian occupation? The question is why would the Issa in Diredawa readily surrender the ownership of Diredawa, or the Jijiga coalition do same for Somali towns of Babile and Chinacsani? By all accounts, the fact that an organisation is fighting by the name of a clan could not deter the other clan from fighting for its right and land in this case?

 

Just for the record, do you know all regional presidents from the ****** clan refused to agree to the land theft by the Ethiopian regime? Do you know that it was Abdi Jibril, a man from Shinile, who had signed the deal that saw Meiso going to the Oromos? Let’s be fair here!! Was there a single demonstration against the land annexed to Oromia, by any politicians from the non-****** clans? Where were the ******, Gadabursi and Issa elders and intellectuals? The biggest fuss was coming from the Ogden clan members. And credit goes to ONLF for clinging on to the claim to these territories, though with the wrong name. What would have been the fate of the Somaligalbeed dream had there not been an armed resistance to date? Would anyone have cared about our plight and marginalisation? Look what is happening in Mogadishu and how the international community has responded.

 

Contrary to the claims of the ONLF, it is pretty much clear that it is operating in the ******-inhabited areas and is exclusively from the ****** clan. So, unless you tell me that they are operating in Gashamo, Liben, Galadi and all areas you listed, they are not doing any other Somali any harm by resisting occupation in their localities. Why would the man in Liben feel that he cannot fight for his rights because in Degahbour someone is fighting in the name of ******? And what is wrong with a clan fighting for its right if the Ethiopian policy of divide and rule has worked and succeeded in turning a large section of their brothers either docile or more fearful of their kins?

 

In June 2007, when a massive anti-****** insurgency was launched by the TPLF, how did the elders in Jijiga behaved? In case you didn’t hear let me tell you. The likes of Suldan Buseiri, Sultan Mohamuud dool, Suldan Muhyadin Odowa and Suldan Abdirahman Bade organised series of meetings where they incited hatred against the ******s; whom they accused of being anti-peace and terrorist outfits. Mind you! They were not saying ONLF. They were making comments such as “…Ogadeenbaa dalka qasaya!” How many declarations in the name of this or that community did they issue? On the other side, when their brethrens were facing the wrath of an arrogant dictator who has nowadays belittled the whole Somali’s to something of ‘worthless tribalists”, did I hear a single utter of sympathy from any non-****** brothers in Somaligalbeed? NO! Including wardheernews who apparently felt the arrest of Qaran party politicians in Somaliland and the misrule of Adde Muse in Puntland warranted more attention! I am not accusing you of anything, but it was a terrible oversight on your part. Did wardheernews condemn the atrocities in its editorial?

 

Compare that to the response by the ******s. The old Somali saying goes “…gaalka dil gartiisase sii.” No one decried the silence or in many cases the wiirsi of fellow Somalis for whom that the “arrogant ******s are taught a lesson” was justifiable and enjoyable. How about that for magnanimity? This is not to incorrectly associate all non-****** citizens of complicity. There were a large number of the ordinary Somaligalbeed brothers who were equally dismayed by the summary killings meted out against their compatriots. But where were the voice of the elders, or intellectuals.

 

And what is the guarantee that when and if the name is changed to Somali …Front, which I strongly believe it should, that non-******’s will join? Can you guarantee that the sii galbeed (further west) syndrome will not transpire? Because we are all Somali’s and we judge organisations by who is on the top! So, even your noble call for a united front by all Somali’s against the Ethiopian occupation needs far more than a name change. It needs a discussion among all Somali’s and an agreement on what concerns we have, how to achieve them and with what tools? The issue of the name comes at stage of what tools to use. For the last 16 years, one clan was being killed, displaced and raped. To suggest otherwise and that all clans are equally oppressed is dishonest and disingenuous. And what has the response been from my brothers now in coalition apparently because they can’t stand my name? Collaboration and silence!!!? I can tell you there are many ******s who now feel that they should not bother about Diredawa, Jijiga, Harshin, Galadi or Liban and are content with liberating where the clan is. This because they feel if the others are oppressed then it is up to them to take up arms or if they feel the Ethiopians are fine, then they should live with them.

 

For your information, apart from the death, destruction and under-development, the ****** zones still fare better in many aspects than the submissive zones. Nearly 50% of civil servants in Jijiga, Shinile and Liben are highlanders. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS rate is much higher in these areas according to the Regional Health Bureau; which estimated the rate at 19% for Jijiga town in 2006. Coincidence? The worst aspect is the deterioration in youth morality and sense of identity. I live there. Who can guarantee that the demographic realities on the ground will not shift in favour of Ethiopia in say 10 years time from now? I foresee a situation whereby it will not be technically possible to bring these major towns to a future Somali nation. Can you bet against that?

 

Other aspect of the obsoleteness of your argument is the failure to capture the relation current clan mentality in the region has with the destruction of the Somali Republic. I have always been here in Somali-galbeed, and was spared the hatred and animosity clans developed in Somalia. But, realistically, tell me if the **** in Harshin and Gashamo will have a common agenda with the ****** in Aware at this particular time? Do you honestly believe the arrest and deportation of ****** Somali’s from Somaliland is done by a government or you see it as a clan vengeance under the facade of a measure taken for geopolitical expediency. Do I have to tell you that when **** officials run away from Jijiga, they seek refugee in Hargeisa and no one dares to bring them back to Ethiopia even if Meles insists.

 

Could a common sense of identity and unity be brought about? Certainly yes! But it needs much more than a group of the two people coming together in Jijiga. The wider issue of Somalia, Somaliland will also determine the outcome of such negotiations. You well know this. So, why take the easy route of moral appeal while you duck the hard part of how? To assume that yesterday’s zeal for Somali nationalism is still intact is either a gross error of judgement or sheer hypocrisy. The nature of the struggle has moved massively, and failure to appreciate and adapt to this dynamism is nothing but an obvious sign of intellectual obsolescence. One which ONLF is deeply immersed as manifested by its failure to either re-brand itself with more inclusive label or to discard the territorial claim to Diridhabe, Jijiga, Gashamo, Galadi, Mustahil etc. In the latter case, it would be necessary for ONLF to redefine its geographical scope of struggle; as no other clan is ready to let its territory go under a name that it doesn’t share.

 

All ******’s are Somali’s and I haven’t met one who is not pro-Somaliweyn. I am sure the ONLF fighters on the ground are fighting to join Somalia one day. Myself, I am not moved by the ONLF flag but by the blue Somali flag; of which its sight brings a shiver down my spiral. So, you see I support the ONLF as long as the ultimate aim is to join Somaliweyn. If I am ready for that, you can be sure I also regard my Somali brethrens in Somaligalbeed with dignity and affection. But, I will not mince my words here: The divergence of interests in Somalia has adversely affected them and some seem content with the status quo lest that a bigger clan may swallow them. Some have even gone to the extent of suggesting life under Ethiopia is better and have shown their contempt to the sacrifices made for Somaliweyn. The current regional president and a group of powerful youngsters in the regional government known as “Tawolde’ s Toddlers” are the proponents of this policy.

 

On the issue of differentiating ONLF from the Ogden clan, I think it is well known that the reality on the ground is different. So, if you wish to bring all Somali’s together, trying to attack the ONLF and praise the ******s on the other will not work; for the fact is all ******’s are behind the ONLF. Take them as one group and let us concentrate how to bring others on board. Hence, why not try to form a Jidwaq LF, Issa LF and Liban LF and then come under the umbrella of (Somali…) LF including the ONLF. By the way, The existence of ****** clan members who are in power and allied to the TPLF doesn’t take way from the earlier claim as it is almost universal in all struggles, past and present, that there always were and will be collaborators of the enemy.

 

To come to your argument of the ONLF atrocities, I challenge you to present an evidence of ONLF participation in clan fights in Imey, Aware, or Wardher? Unless, of course, every ****** clansman who fights with his neighbour over pasture, water or politics is ONLF! This biological association is wrong and insidious. Onto the atrocities against the ******s, I am surprised you found it necessary to compare to the Ethiopian killings. How insensitive that it came at this particular time! The Video you posted is the production of Guleed Asowe, editor of EEGGA.com. A young man in Jigjiga; whose father incidentally was also killed by the WSLF accused of being an informer. Like father like son, I am tempted to say. I challenge you to go and do a reality check on him and the credibility of his products. His mastery of forgery is a public knowledge in Jijiga; made easier by his otherwise impeccable IT and digital technology skills. Let us move on. Yes, ONLF have killed many civilians in Danot, Garbo, Gunagado and other areas. But honestly, do you know the full story and the circumstances. I, myself, lost my uncle in the raid by ONLF in Garbo. Can we really call a group of civilians armed by the government and forced to fight the ONLF as civilians anymore? Yes, we can argue whether the ONLF could have avoided pursuing them? But for Allah’s sake, if you are in the bush, fearful for your life and a militia who is likely to know better about your whereabouts is sent by the military, what are you supposed to do? Pre-empt and discourage that or continuously flee!!!

 

The important thing is that the ******s themselves do not see the ONLF as perpetrators of violence. Do you believe me if I tell you I talked to a woman who lost her husband and brother (both of them members of the local militias-i.e., Tadaaqiis) and who said… “May Allah’s mercy be on them but iyagaan kari weynay.” These ones were loyal tadaaqiis who wanted to rise to fame and fortune by killing ONLF and displaying their dead bodies in towns. But there are many more, who are simply going to fight the ONLF, under the barrel of gun. It is time to denounce Ethiopia’s use of civilians as human shields. In the face of this reality, your cry is only going to be viewed as shedding crocodile tears.

 

If you are genuinely concerned about Somali unity, why chide the western liberals for giving coverage to the atrocities; implying that ONLF is equally barbaric. Leave the judgement of who is killing the people to the victims, please. If the issue is about how inclusive the ONLF is and why not transcend beyond the clan, it is brotherly and rational criticism the ONLF leadership should duly address. But I also assure you given the bitterness among my clan and the feeling of abandonment; your article will do more damage than good. I urge you to desist from putting salt into the wounds of your brothers by such careless editorials. Now, do you have any message to the coalescing coalition in Jijiga on the current massacre in the ****** areas?!! Like, sympathise with your brothers…

 

I am a wounded Somali nationalist and a moderate, and I apologise if I offended anyone with my hysterical outburst. Let it be known that I hold Wardhernews in high regards despite my disagreement on this specific editorial. I know I have made assertions on their beliefs which are purely conjectural, and I apologise for that.

[Gar-haye]

Originally posted by Caamir:

[QB]

In Search of Justice and Somali Region of Ethiopia

 

in an effort to show the onlf in the same light as the regional administeration or the ethiopian regime, individual like this author, go in great lengths to distort facts and sometimes puropose an outright lie against this organization. consider this aurthor's only specific accusation against the onlf and you would see what i am talking about.

 

[Qoute] In the night of April 24, 2007, 74 workers for this china owned, oil digging company were cold-bloodedly murdered in Obele town, which is 120 kilometres south of the Somali region’s capital, Jigjiga. Nine of the slain workers were Chinese, while the remaining sixty-five workers were Ethiopian labourers, thirty of whom were Somali-Ethiopians

[/b]

.

not true. that was not what happened on the night of april 24, 2007. it was not sixty-five ethiopians labourers, not unless you consider ethiopian soldiers as labourers.

 

"Ethiopian officials, who confirmed that 65 government soldiers had been killed, said they were rushing reinforcements to the area and vowed to crush the rebels"1. http://******.com/ognwsapr2507.htm

 

the nine chinese oil workers died as result of an explotion, a collateral damage if you may to what was a well excuted operation.

 

Although ONLF took the lives of many innocent civilians in that eventful night, and took credit with the masscare, it brought great sorrows to many beleaguered families whose livelihood depended on the slain workers

.

 

there were many beleagured families, infact thousands and hundreds of thousands of families whose livelihood were distroyed by the very government they catering to. so i don't see how that makes their case any more sorrowful. infact one may argue they deserve this because the were facilitating a criminal act.

 

Similarly, the destructive organization murdered and maimed tons of innocent people in Wardheer zone, where residents had already been plagued by successive droughts. In this zone, the organization murdered and maimed traditional chiefs, religious figures and innocent fathers, raising poverty-stricken families.

accusation without any facts.

 

These are just two examples of the organization’s atrocities in the region,

these are just two examples that demonstrate the length that some people would go to maim this organizations gallant and victoriouse image.

 

 

 

Being the president of the region and accountable to the region’s entire inhabitants, President Lugbuur is supposed to be fair and furthering needs of the region’s different zones and segments, whether these zones and segments share tribal bonds with him or not. However, the President has discriminated against some segments of the region by distancing them from public offices and destabilizing their constituencies. In fact, President Abdullahi Hassan’s administration has been blind to compelling needs that some of the region’s towns face and experience.[/QOUTE]

 

lugbuur does not favor O tribe over other tribes. actually if you have read there "OLOLAHA CIDHIBTIRKA NABADIIDKA EE MILIINIYEMKA" you would see there plan to disfavore the O tribe in order to show them the consequences of supporting the onlf. this policy was passed in 1999.

 

http://******.com/sir151207.htm