A new road for the mbagathi confrence

[Liqaye]

Somalia: Political Deadlock and Social bewilderment

 

Since the Somali state collapsed on January 26 1991, Somalia's political and social situation has been painfully choatic, acrimonious and lacked clear political direction. During the last 13 years, the country has faced very ugly clannish wars, tribal secessionist threats, active foreign military intervention, incompetent and visionless warlords, as well as elite politicians who tore Somali society apart and led Somalia bleeding to death. On the whole, for Somalia, it has been a picture of hopelessness, famine, political and social failures on a massive scale.

 

It is puzzling beyond comprehension how Somali Warlords, elite politicians, traditional leaders, religious leaders and intellectuals, have collectively failed to bring about or create an atmosphere of stability, national reconciliation and the relaunch of the disappeared Somali state. On the International diplomatic stage, various clans have sought and begged for whatever support in order to establish their own independent tribal homelands, complaining , rather emotionally, that they cannot continue living with the rest of Somali clans because of what had been done to their clan. Thus, on the world diplomatic platform, Somalis have become the most primitive, unruly, unpatriotic and unimaginative human beings to deal with on the planet, because of their lack of seriousness, firm political and social convictions and the ability to overcome the past and move on to the future.

 

Hence, sociologists and other social scientists may have a case to study in relation to Somali characteristics, behavioral actions and generic background. In a society where there are no much social stratifications, cultural and linguistic variations, it is shocking to understand the level of hatred and endless disputes generated among Somali society. It appears as though the fabric of Somali society has been destroyed beyond remedy in the near future. But human beings live in hope and it would be wrong to suggest otherwise.

 

Nevertheless, in the last 13 years of Somalia's political and social events, the only genuine and Somali inspired peace conference held for the sole cause of Somalia, was the one held at the District of Arte, Djibouti, in August 2000. The Republic of Djibouti , its leaders and population have done an outstanding job in relation to Somalia's national reconciliation, the relaunch of the Somali State and sincerely representing the cause of Somalia on the world state and diplomatic circles. But unfortunately, the results of that peace conference in Djibouti , where the organs of a Somali government were elected and constructed with the aim of strengthening those institutions, propagating all inclusive national reconciliation and making that government a vehicle for peace and clean governance, was squandered by the politicians and intellectuals who took those responsibilities and took an oath to make things better for Somalis and Somalia.

 

I am not going to cite details here as to how the (TNG) failed disgracefully to fulfill its obligations, but it is suffice to say that national interests, social justice and good governance were strikingly ignored and left out to the point that the (TNG) itself became embroiled in a bitter, despicable and divisive squabbling which led to eventual breakdown beyond redemption. That episode of the (TNG) inner struggle, acrimony and fighting, has brought disgrace and bad image to the Somali people at large, not to mention world impressions on the Somalis. The perception and legitimate argument here is, if the most educated and experienced Somali politicians and intellectuals are behaving like this, what would you expect the ordinary people to do.

 

Now we are at Mbagathi Pig's farm where since October 2002, the Somali peace conference has been in session on and off with no clear picture yet whether it will bear positive results or not. As things stand now with respect to this most controversial Somali attended but not led conference, is that, it is unlikely that any worthwhile or tangible results would come out of this badly managed and politically manipulated conference. As far as the conference is concerned, the Somali participants whoever they represent are bitterly divided, the IGAD states are also divided and have no credibility at all with regard to the political and social issues of Somalia proper. And with hindsight, the International Community should not have entrusted the governments of Ethiopia ad Kenya to the political and social reconciliation of Somalia, because both Governments are politically and socially tainted and very hostile on the political and social equation of Somalia.

 

Having said that, I still believe that there are some possibilities to salvage this beleaguered and disoriented peace conference provided the following measures are put in place immediately and without anymore delays: -

 

The removal of Mr. Pathuel Kiplagat as Chairperson and replace him with a Somali Statesman who could command the respects of all concerned parties

 

 

The removal of the so-called Front Line States (IGAD) from their position of

trust on Somalia's affairs and replace them with United Nations

Move the Venue of the conference from Kenya to either in Somalia or any

other neutral country

Make the peace conference genuine, all inclusive and lawful

Throw out the deceitful and unworkable 'national constitution' drafted by

Kenya & Ethiopia, for it will not be accepted by the Somalis

In conclusion, Somalia has been let down by its professional soldier officers, established politicians, intellectuals, traditional leaders, businessmen and religious scholars, after failing comprehensively to forge a common rational ground of salvaging Somalia and creating an atmosphere of stability and reconciliation in Somalia. On the whole, it has been dismal performance of duties by the above-mentioned groups. Somalia has become an International football due to indifference, unpatriotic, self-seeking, ********* and uncaring of the Somali Warlords and politicians whose daily slogans and strategy are to polarise Somali society along clan lines in order to exploit them for their own selfish ends. Thus the Somalis should be ashamed of what they have done to their people and country by giving every opportunity and pretext to Somalia's arch enemies to take advantage of Somalia's current social and political turmoil. The popular Somalis view is, any clan or politician who collaborates with Somalia's known rivals and enemies are national traitors and they must not be allowed to succeed in Somalia. The International Community must not support the further dismemberment of Somalia into clan based mini-states that wouldn't stand a chance to be viable and survive, and should wholeheartedly support Somalia's national Territorial Integrity and unity because that is the only path of keeping peace and development in East Africa.

 

 

Hassan s.a shirwa.

Couresy of ogaden .com