Conflicting communiquÃ©s

macalimuu · March 5, 2005

Recently the typical clan-oriented Somali sites posted a manifestation letter written by a self-styled group of Somali intellectuals urging Somali members of the parliament to support the warlord presidentâ€™s attempts to summon the enemy troops of Ethiopia into the Somali peninsula.

Among the recognizable names of the signatories of this letter were the former prime minister of Arta, Ali Khalif ( later his name was taken out and excluded ) and some of the Somali Diaspora buffoons and charlatans such as Togane and Xoosh. A lot of people immediately pointed that the letter was a fraud and that such a group doesnâ€™t exist. No one have ever heard of any formation of Somali intellectuals without borders. It turns out that this deceptive letter was fabricated by some one in Boston (Shasna Media watch, the fanatical illusory cohorts of Ina Yeey)

The travesty of the message of this sham letter and the political view of some its signatories are obviously very inconsistent. There was also a rebuttal letter posted by awdalnews.com and now we have another letter circulating by some honorable Somalis with an opposing message and astoundingly Ali Khalif is one of the signatories this time too. however, the new letter carries a familiar point of view and sounds legitimate and credible.

Here it is:

Letter to the Somali leaders

To: His Excellency Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, President of the Republic

To: Honorable Ali Mohamed Ghedi, Prime Minister

To: Honorable Sharif Hassan Aden, President of Transitional Federal Assembly

To: the Honorable members of the Transitional Federal Assembly

We, concerned Somali citizens from all walks of life, share with our people the aspiration for a timely re-establishment of peace and stability in our country and fully support the outcome of the national reconciliation conference in Nairobi, Kenya and the faithful implementation of the accords concluded. We are grateful for the support and the commitment of the United Nations Organization, the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States and the IGAD to the Somali peace process.

However, we are deeply alarmed by the initiative of the government to invite foreign troops including contingents from the frontline states, especially Ethiopia , and the subsequent decision of the African Union Peace and Security Commission to authorize their deployment without the consent of the transitional federal assembly. The reason of our concern is based on the well known fact that some of these frontline states, particularly the latter, have been in conflict with Somalia for a long time, without concluding any settlement so far and have for the past fourteen years pursued a hostile policy to keep the civil war simmering by supporting with arms and funds some factions against others and working for the balkanization of the country.

Honorable leaders:

We find the decision to include frontline states contingents in any eventual peacekeeping mission in Somalia perilous for the national interest of an independent and sovereign Somalia and extremely counterproductive for the fragile reconciliation process initiated in Nairobi . In fact the history of the modern world is replete with examples of forces from neighboring countries, who were vicariously invited by local politicians, and who would not leave even after their missions were accomplished. A pertinent current example unfolding these days is the issue of the Syrian troops stationed in Lebanon , who are resisting the call of the Security Council of the U. N. to withdraw.

The injection of troops from frontline states into Somalia, particularly Ethiopia, is counterproductive for the fragile peace laboriously reached at after two years of negotiations, because most of the Somali people will not perceive them as neutral forces, who came in the country with a peacemaking mandate; on the contrary they will be perceived as forces of occupation and aggression who came to pursue the imperial design of Menelik, as outlined in his circular letter to the European powers. If you invited them to disarm the factions, they will do it selectively. Instead of disarming all the factions, they will rearm some, and disarm others, as they have been doing up to now; instead of calming animosity, they will fuel it, and instead of stabilizing the country, they will destabilize it In the end they will unravel the very government that invited them. There is serious chance that the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia might provoke armed resistance against them and ignite armed confrontation among Somali factions.

For the reasons outlined above we appeal to all the members of the Somali government and to the deputies of the transitional federal parliament to reject the inclusion of frontline states troops in any military support or peacekeeping mission to be eventually deployed in Somalia and stop this dreadful plan.

At the same time we want to clarify that we are not opposed for the government to pursue a policy of good neighborly relations with all the neighboring countries, based on the mutual respect of the sovereignty, the territorial integrity and non interference in the internal affairs of each state.

RECOMMENDATIONS :

1) In order to consolidate the results of the NRC we advise to pursue the goal of national reconciliation above everything else. Considering the current political condition, you should seek to move the nation from its conflict posture to brotherly accommodation. At present, we are far from this essential goal. Therefore, any action that can excite popular passion should be avoided by the leaders.

2) The president of the republic, the prime minister, the president of the assembly

the ministers and the deputies must act and operate within their institutional role as defined by the charter.

3) Initiate at once the elaboration of a national security plan to be approved by the council of ministers, debated and approved by the parliament. In this context the modality of re-establishment of the national police force, the army must be debated and defined. The role of the militias of the factions and of the regions must be negotiated and defined pending the commissioning and deployment of the national police and the national army. Disarmament, decommissioning and rehabilitation issues of the militias in a national context must be defined. Particular responsibility lies on the shoulders of the faction leaders, especially those in the Capital, for the maintenance of the security until the national police force is operational. The composition, mandate, role, rule of engagement of the envisaged IGAD, A.U., Arab League or U.N. peacekeeping mission must be clarified by the parliament.

4) We consider Mogadishu 's security, being the capital of the country, as preeminent for the functioning of the federal transitional government. Attaining security in Mogadishu only fully consolidates the Mbagathi accords and is an essential step for implementing the outcomes aiming at restoring government and national unity in Somalia . We encourage you to come up with a carefully crafted plan endorsed by the parliament in securing the nations capital.

5) The invitation of foreign troops should be considered as only one option, however the mandate of any such foreign troops should be limited to:

(a) the protection of the members of the new government and its facilities,

(b) the training of regionally balanced Somali forces for the future.

However, the disarming and the decommissioning of local militia should be carried out voluntarily and on the bases of agreements reached between the Somali factions all over the country.

6) We note with emphasis President Ismail O. Ghelle of Djibouti 's statement regarding the position of Ethiopia on deploying troops to Somalia and we welcome its careful understanding of the sensitivities surrounding the issue and the cautious position it has taken in this regard during the IGAD summit deliberations on this matter.

7) We welcome the agreement reached by Mogadishu area faction leaders to voluntarily remove their militias out of the capital city to pave the way for the arrival of the new government. We hope that you will welcome this new development and work out the details in the parliament.

8) We ask the government leaders and the members of parliament to find a lasting solution to their squabbles. They should heed the wishes of the Somali people and the international community to tow the common purpose of peace and stability. The institutions cannot accomplish much if the personalities representing them are distrustful of each other.

Signed by:

Concerned Somali citizens :

01. Abdullahi Ahmed Addow, Former Minister and Former Ambassador ( USA )

02. Ali Khalif Gallaydh, Former Prime Minister ( USA )

03. Abdulkadir Aden Abdulle, Former Minister ( USA )

04. Mohamed Ali Nur, Former Minister, MD ( USA )

05. Nur Haji Omar, Former Minister ( USA )

06. Sheikh Mohamed Omar Garyare, Muslim Scholar ( CANADA )

07. Mohamud Hassan Nur, Professor. ( USA )

08. Ali Nur Mohamed, Associate Professor ( USA )

09. Hassan Omar Mahadalle, Associate Professor ( USA )

10. Abdirashid A. Elmi, Ph.D. ( CANADA )

11. Ahmad Rashid Hanafi, Educator ( CANADA )

12. Abdinur Sheikh Mohamed, Ph.D. ( USA )

13. Abukar Dahir Osman â€œBaalleâ€ ( USA )

14. Abukar A. Arman ( USA )

15. Said Mohamud Shire â€œSuuganâ€ ( USA )

16. Said Ahmed Salah ( USA )

17. Abdurahman Sheikh Isse, ( CANADA )

18. Abucar Aden Abdulle, MD ( USA )

19. Nur Elmi Osman, Former Director, Somali Red Crescent Society ( USA )

20. Abdi Idle Shuriye, Former Director of Dept., Ministry of Commerce ( USA )

21. Abdi Ali Malin, Former Director General, Juba Valley Ministry ( USA )

22. Abdirahman Abdullahi M. â€œBadiyowâ€ ( CANADA )

23. Ali Mohamed Omar ( USA )

24. Mire Ali Siyad, MD ( USA )

25. Hassan Mohamed Sabriye ( USA )

26. Hassan Mohamed Omar ( SWEDEN )

27. Abdurahman Mohamed Ahmed, Veterinary Doctor ( USA )

28. Ahmed Ali Ulussow ( USA )

29. Mohamed Abdullah Gabeyre ( USA )

30. Abdulkadir Yalahow Hirabe ( USA )

31. Osman Mohamed Ahmed Dhegacadde ( USA )

32. Ahmed Mohamed Mahadalle ( USA )

33. Abdulqadir Ahmed Fiqi ( USA )

34 Abdurahman Ali Mohamed ( USA )

35. Ahmedweli Hilowle Mohamed ( USA )

36. Guled Artan, Ph.D. ( USA )

37. Hayle Ali Wardheere ( USA )

38. Ibrahim Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed ( USA )

39. Sadia KhalifAden ( USA )

40. Faduma Mohamud Hassan ( USA )

41. Mohamed Yusuf Afrah ( USA )

42. Ahmed Mohamud Warsheikh ( UK )

43. Ahmed Moallim Ibrahim

44. Nur Ahmed Mohamed

45. Abdurahman A. Roble

46. Mohamud Sheikh Ahmed, MD

47. Afyare Abdi Elmi ( CANADA )

48. Abdalla Hirad ( USA )

49. Fartuun Mohamed Hassan ( USA )

50. Abdalla Mohamed Hassan ( USA )

51. Mohamud Ali Gaildon ( USA )

52. Mohamed Ali Ebar (( HOLLAND )

53. Abdullahi Hassan Mahdi, Phd. ( CANADA )

54. Ahmed Ali Kheyre ( HOLLAND )

55. Mohamed Abdi Mohamed â€œGacmacaddeâ€ ( USA )

56. Mumin Abdi Barre ( USA )

57. Sharif Mohamed Stilla ( UK )

58. Mohamud Mohamed Diriye ( USA )

59. Mohamud Yusuf Garre ( UK )

60. Abukar Caddaani ( UK )

61.Mohamud Hussen Khalif ( SAUDI ARABIA )

62.Bedel Abdi Diriye ( USA )

63.Hussen Khalif Jama ( Saudi Arabia )

64.Mohamud Mohamed Yahye â€œ â€œ

65.Said Aden Abdulle ( Saudi Arabia )

Media contact person: Prof. Ali Nur Mohamed:

E-mail: somalipatriots@hotmail.com

Libaax-Sankataabte · March 5, 2005

Thanks for the clarification. You are doing a good job.

macalimuu · March 5, 2005

here is the sham letter.

The Issue of Deploying Peace Enhancing Troops in Troubled Somalia

For Immediate Release

March 2, 2005

A NATION UNDER SEIGE AND A GLIMMER OF HOPE:

The Defenders of the Status Quo versus the WILL of the Majority of the Somali Public.

Mr. Speaker and honorable Parliamentarians, it is very likely that the Executive Branch of your government, the President and the Prime minister, will soon bring a motion before you, asking you to authorize the deployment of IGAD peace enhancing forces that will protect the institutions of the fledging government and that will also train a proposed Somali army that will participate in the disarmament of all of the Somali militia in all regions. We, the under-signed, a collective of Somali intellectuals and concerned Somali citizens who hail from all regions of Somalia pray for you during your deliberations of this most difficult and historical task at this juncture of heightened sensitivity in our society. We also stress upon you that when you exercise your vote, that you do so in conformity with your conscience, bearing in mind that you have been sworn to your office and position to place the welfare of the Somali citizens before any other interest.

Because of the prevailing anarchy and lawlessness, our country is today a prime haven for terrorists, pirates, international toxic waste dumpers and war profiteering enterprises masquerading as legitimate businesses; business enterprises that do not pay taxes, that use the national infrastructure such as ports, airports, highways and hospitals and yet do not pay for these services to any national authority, that do not care about the environment or human rights and that thrive in an atmosphere of bullying and thuggery.

We understand that some Mogadishu politicians and the Mogadishu-based Islamic Courts have voiced their opposition to the deployment of the proposed IGAD Peace enhancing forces on the grounds that Ethiopia , a member of IGAD and a possible contributor to the proposed forces, has a hidden agenda to colonize Somalia .

Mr. Speaker and honorable members of Parliament, this spurious argument should not emotionally sway you because it is an argument that has neither logic nor substance. We remind you that these born-again nationalists were at one time or another, client rebels of Ethiopia and that they owe their current economic as well as political power to Ethiopia . And they are not alone because most clan-based militias have at one time or another benefited from Ethiopian patronage and tutelage. It begs then, why Ethiopia was good enough for these men back then and it is decidedly bad now. That is one question that you, honorable members, should satisfy yourselves with before you cast your vote. In the eyes of most Somalis, these Warlords are using Ethiopia as an escape goat to achieve their political agenda, which is to keep the country hostage. The public will not be swayed by their cheap maneuvers and their current behavior amounts to a classic case of shedding crocodile tears. We are certain that even if the Ethiopia were excluded from the process, these professional warlords will erect another road block (Isbaaro) on the road to peace and normalcy.

Honorable members, a second question that you should ponder upon while casting your vote is, why in the past 14 years, besides chopping the hands of poor and vulnerable individuals in Mogadishu, the Islamic courts have not stood up for the poor and the vulnerable and challenged the warmongers in some pockets of Mogadishu, or why they have failed to organize rallies to address the issues of disarmament and peace in Mogadishu in the past. Yes, it is primarily Mogadishu which is the sticking point because on February 26, 2004, the IGAD fact finding mission, which is presently touring the country, has presented a preliminary report to President Yusuf and Prime Minister Geedi to the effect that the majority of the Somalis that they have encountered in many localities of Somalia have signaled an overwhelming support for the proposed peace enhancing forces, with or without the so-called front line states, which presumably includes Ethiopia.

It is our considered opinion that these groups and others are fudging the issue and that they are using Ethiopia 's involvement in the proposed peace enhancing forces as a ruse in order to derail the completion of the peace process and the pressing agendas of the fledging Transitional Federal Government. We are not unmindful of the fact that Ethiopia may take its own political interests into account even when it is engaging in the Somali peace process. Any student of international relations, politics or the logic of History knows that countries must place their political interests before any other country and it must be expected that Ethiopia would do so. A stable and peaceful Somalia with a Central Government is, indeed, in the interest of all neighboring countries, including Ethiopia .

However , you, as the legislators of Somalia should be concerned with taking the interests of your country into account when you cast your vote. These are some profound questions that you should reflect upon on the Ethiopian question:

Honorable members, given the fact that most Somali clan-based militias have or have had some sort of client-master relationships with Ethiopia, including those who are now vocally opposing its involvement in the proposed IGAD forces, would it not be a better idea if we dealt with Ethiopia on a government-to-government basis, instead of clan-Ethiopia relationship as the current arrangements are. If your government invites Ethiopia into the process in a clear vote that is transparent to the whole world and under strict UN and AU-guaranteed conditions, then Ethiopia cannot continue the mischief that is attributed to her, because it will be subject to the spotlight of the international scrutiny.

During your deliberation, we hope you also take into account the following:

The word â€œ Somalia â€ has entered into the contemporary political lexicon as the quintessential Failed State , and for a very good reason. Our country is teeming with weapons and the Somali population is held hostage by those strong enough to own or carry weapons and who keep them in perpetual fear, poverty and in some areas serfdom. Somalia also ranks among the very lowest countries in the world on the UNDP's Human Development Index (HDI), ranking below Sierra Leone which ranks at the very lowest bottom of the HDI ladder. The mortality rate for children under five exceeds 25%; average life expectancy is estimated at 41-43 years, adult literacy rate ranges between 14-17%; primary school enrolment is 13-16%; and GNP/capita is between US $176-200.

Moreover, a United Nations' environmental report released in recent days indicates that nuclear and hazardous wastes including uranium, radioactive waste, heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury); industrial wastes, hospital wastes, and chemical wastes dumped into Somalia's shores for the last 20 years had been scattered by the recent Asian tsunami into the inland and are now infecting Somalis in coastal areas. Unless an immediate clean up and remedial action is launched, this environmental disaster is tantamount to a ticking bomb that may explode at any time, thus adversely affecting the health and well being of all Somalis for years to come.

Honorable members, you have a choice between succumbing to the pressures of the guardians of the anarchic status quo or answering the call of your government for positive change towards peace and stability. History will remember you either as those men and women who saved their nation from the chaos and lawlessness or those who failed to grasp a golden opportunity and sentenced their fellow country men to an uncertain future and a life of misery and suffering. It is your choice. Please do the right thing; and pass this important motion in the interest of the Somali citizens.

Signatories

No. Name (Country)

1.

Dr. Ali Said Faqi ( USA )

2. Ahmed Jama Hamud (Canada)

3 Abdurahman Hosh Jibri (Canada)

4. Abdulkadir Abo (Canada)

5. Catherine Michael Mariano (Canada)

6. Ms Anod Mohamed (USA)

7. Ali Bahar (USA)

8. Prof. Mohamud Siyad Togane (Canada)

9. Faisal Roble (USA)

10. Abdirizak Omar Mohamed (Canada)

11 Prof. Abdihamid Haji Mohamed (The Netherlands)

12. Prof. Abdulqadir Ismail Abdi (UK)

13. Abdiaziz Abukar Osman (USA)

14. Mohamud Dhafuuje (Canada)

15. Malaq Mukhtar Mohamed Aden (USA)

16. Col. Abdi Daad Osman (Canada)

17. Dr. Abdirashid Mohmed Shire (USA)

18. Bashir Gardaad (Canada)

19. Omar Sidow Omar (USA)

20. Abdulkadir Ali Abdi (Xurka) ( USA )

21. Avv. Abdullahi Dirie Jama ( USA )

22 Pilot Ahmed Elmi Gure ( Canada )

23. Mohamed Muhidin Omar ( USA )

24. Abdulkadir Nur Abo ( USA )

25. Aden Omar Abokor ( USA )

26. Prof. Mohamed Siyad Togane ( Canada )

27.. Abdisalaam Haji Mohamud Dhere ( UK )

28. Dr. Abdi Greek ( UK )

29. Said Ahmed Salah ( USA )

30. Suldan Said Faqi ( USA )

31. Col. Hassan Salah Naji ( Canada )

32. Col. Abdullahi Hussein Abdi Xayyi ( USA )

33 Ali Abdulkadir Mumin ( USA )

34 Bashi Hosh Jibril (Canada)

35 Ali Alio' Mohamed ( USA )

36 Ms. Sadia Mohamed Dirie ( USA )

37 Shekh Mumin Shabab ( USA )

38 Ms. Rowda Moallin ( USA)

39 Abucar Abubakar (Australia)

For media enquires and comments, please email:

Somali Intellectuals Without Borders (SIWB)

intellectualsomali@yahoo.com

macalimuu · March 5, 2005

and the rebuttal...

March 04, 2005 - 01:55

In Response to: Somali Intellectuals Without Borders

Sir*

Reading the recent letter released by this disingenuous group calling itself ï¿½Somali Intellectuals Without Borders, who should better be called by their rightful name and occupation ï¿½Traitors of Somalia Without Bordersï¿½ has really made me see not only the sickness, but the entrenched nature of clannish prejudice, and dare I say, hatred currently pervading the electronic media. This group claims that they represent ï¿½Somali Intellectualsï¿½, but which sane Somaliï¿½ let alone a grouping of intellectualsï¿½ would knowing write, with knowledge of the role that the Ethiopian regime has and continues to play illegallyï¿½ in the devastation and bloodshed in Somalia (exporting lethal weapons and killing Somali civilians) that bringing its troops ï¿½a indictable and hostile act of treason itselfï¿½would serve in the best and long term interests of the Somali nation! These men are not only blinded by their ignorance and self-serving false consciousness, but they are totally out of sync with the reality of the world and of Somalis!

Not only do the vast majority of the Somali people oppose the invasion of their country by the hostile Ethiopian regime under the guise of ï¿½peacekeepingï¿½, but they continuously protest the infringement of their sovereignty by that country. According to this modern day charlatans and fictitious scholars legalizing Ethiopian occupation and infringement on Somalia and Somali affairs- would not only end the current relationship based on ï¿½clanï¿½ with Ethiopian regime, but will also make it an all Somali-Ethiopian relationship, in other words, what they are saying is not only would Ethiopia, once allowed into Somalia proper, reconcile its domination and control beyond those select clans/warlords to all other resisting Somali communities, but that it will stop Ethiopia from doing its ï¿½mischiefï¿½ once inside ! The preposterousness of such a claim need not even be weighted, but I want to ask this simple question to these so called ï¿½scholar-charlatansï¿½:

ï¿½Why would Ethiopia, already under international scrutiny for its chronic and illegal infringement on the UN Arms Embargo on Somalia, who you acknowledge; albeit lackadaisically ï¿½ï¿½ may take its own political interests into account even when it is engaging in the Somali peace processï¿½,--which by the way does not justify its illegal military incursions and operations onto Somali soil, contravening article 2(4) of the UN Charter- stop its ï¿½Mischiefï¿½ï¿½ once rubber stamped into the country?ï¿½

The fact of the matter is Ethiopiaï¿½s interference and specially the heinous manner in which it has wholeheartedly embraced its role as ï¿½primary accomplice along with the Warlordsï¿½ for the continual genocide and lawlessness that is occurring in Somalia, is not a country that is interested in any stretch of the imagination (including the vast majority of Somalis) of cultivating a ï¿½stableï¿½ and ï¿½peacefulï¿½ Somalia. Excuse me for saying this, but what are we on the same planet, because it sure doesnï¿½t seem like it!

Despite the efforts of such malignant and deluded individuals as yourselves, abusing and mudding the Somali name and of intellectuals by aligning so outlandshingly with the criminal Ethiopian regimeï¿½not to mentioned having in your ranks such disgraced politicians and individuals as Ali Khalif Galaydh, the two of the most clannish and anti-Islam ( not to mention anti-reconciliation and peace) men as Ali Bahar and Mohamud Siyad Togane exposes you for what you are! in spite of what you may think, everyone in the International Community knows about Ethiopia, particularly the fact that it has not shied away from every opportunity in instilling strife between Somali clans and sending bountiful lethal arms; empowering like minded criminal Warlords including quite recently their chief patron, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, to dump toxic waste upon Somaliaï¿½s north-eastern shores and stifle the popular will of not only ordinary godfearing Somalis in general, but of his clansmen who voted him out of office in 2002; a nation whose deliberate actions have been so diametrically opposed to the revival of Somali statehood and nationalism; should today be accorded in your writing the role of ï¿½peacekeeper ï¿½in Somalia is not only a pathetic farce, but an insult to every literate Somali! One in which no one will ever accept!

The people of Mogadishu, like all decent Somalis all over the world, welcome the return of inclusive ï¿½constitutionalï¿½ governance. However, they in no way will welcome nor be a party to the re-colonization and a dictatorship of their country by hostile Ethiopian regime and proxy warlord- in any form or fashion whatsoever!

And Iï¿½m afraid if you SIWB or Warlord Abduallahi Yusuf thinks the days of blatant force and foreign beseeching will work in Somalia like it did among his northern eastern clan fiedom, he and you are sadly mistaken! The International Community has made its decision regarding Ethiopian forces crystal clear and they did that in 1945 with the founding of the union of independent states, the United Nations, whose Charter, specifically article 2(1) and (4) of states: " The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.ï¿½ and ï¿½All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."

So until Somalia and its sovereignty is totally abolished by International decree of law, it stands as an internationally recognized sovereign state whose borders and internal affairs must be left alone and be respected, which are inviolable to none but its own citizenry! And despite the treacherous actions of the few, the vast majority of patriotic Somalis have voiced in the tens of thousand that they do not want ï¿½Ethiopian Occupation of Somalia,ï¿½ they do not WANT SOMALIA WITHOUT BORDERS and Nothing that a warlord parliament or president or phony charlatans like yourselves write from exile will change that!

Mohamed Aden Garre

Salem, Oregon USA

adengarre@yahoo.com

macalimuu · March 5, 2005

and the credible one: