Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed: Can the people of Somalia trust him..still?

[Liibaan]

Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed: Can the people of Somalia trust him...still?

 

Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed: Can the people of Somalia trust him...still?

Sophia Tesfamariam

July 17, 2009

Much has been written and said about Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the new President of Somalia. Washington is presenting him as the "moderate" Islamist-not sure what that means anymore. In Washington politics, it looks like a "moderate" is someone that is amenable to the West, and someone who will advance western interests ahead of that of his own people, someone who is willing to get rid of, even kill, those that are opposed to it, or get in the way. The people of Somalia rallied behind the Union of Islamic Courts and Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in 2006 because the UIC brought peace to Mogadishu and other areas in Somalia, but more than that, they trusted the UIC to defend Somalia�s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the interests of the Somali people.

 

Sheikh Sharif Ahmed went from being "hunted down" by the invading Ethiopian forces in 2006 to the man the US-led international community chose to head the third externally established Transitional National Government of Somalia. On the surface, it looks like he was chosen because the US-led international community felt that he had the best chance of gaining legitimacy in Somalia, because during the brief 6-month Union of Islamic Courts takeover of Mogadishu, the UIC under his leadership, had managed to bring some semblance of normalcy to the city, had facilitated the opening up of its ports and airports for the first time in 15 years and seemed to have gained the respect of the Somali people. When the UIC ousted the CIA and Ethiopian backed Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT), that controlled Mogadishu in June 2006, the jubilant "moderate" Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told us:

 

"�We won the fight against the enemy of Islam. Mogadishu is under control of its people�"

 

With the "moderate" Sheikh Sharif Ahmed at the helm again, is Mogadishu under the control of its people? If the UIC represented the wishes of the people of Somalia back then, does the UIC, as it is constituted today, still represent the people of Somalia? Does Sheikh Sharif Ahmed represent what they want? Let us take a look at what ordinary Somalis want in their leadership.

 

After reading a series of articles written by Mr. Luqmaan Suleiman, a Somali writer, I got the sense that he represented what most Somalis wanted. In an 18 April 2008 article Mr. Suleiman expressed his sentiments about the UIC and Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. He provided a brief comparison between the two, Abdulahi Yusuf and Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, and offered his personal observations. He began his article by writing the following:

 

"�.Unfortunat ely, Somali people have been lacking both local and national good leaders for the last twenty years and the temporary leaders who are now in charge of the Somali affairs lack even minimum standard of leadership qualities. The leadership situation in Somalia was aggravated by the Tigrian occupation because no one can do something without their permission�."

 

Mr. Suleiman had this to say about Abdulahi Yusuf

 

"�He was supposed to be, look like and take a lesson from progressive leaders who lead their people with prosperity, peace and understanding. Instead Abdullahi Yusuf followed a criminal thug and a killer, communist and dictator like Meles Zenawi who is firstly half of his age and secondly led his people to destruction, abuse, torture, rape and killing. Not only that be this old man Abdullahi Yusuf for the first time in Somalia�s history brought foreigners in to Somalia�Abdul lahi Yusuf, lacks all kinds of basic qualities leadership�Hi s leadership qualities are a bad mouth, saying things without thinking, manipulator, congenital liar, irresponsible and not trustworthy, blood on his hands and psychopathic� if he is a good man he would have left politics and devoted his last day of his life to surrender Allah (swt) and ask for forgiveness for his past sins instead he is ordering the killing of innocent children, women and elders..."

 

Mr. Suleiman seems to want the same qualities in leadership that we all seek. He expects Somalia�s leaders to be honest, principled and visionary. He expects them to be selfless leaders who promote the unity of the Somali people and promote Somalia�s social, economic and political interest.

 

Now let us take a look at his impressions of Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and see if he semms to fit the bill. Mr. Suleiman wrote:

 

"�Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed possesses the qualities of a good leader. He is calm, respectable, authoritative, charismatic, multi-lingual, cooperative, compromiser, trustworthy, realistic, and optimistic, possess listening skills, patience, forgive and forget, communicator and self knowledge these and many more�Sheikh Sharif is now the leader of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia. As the leader of the opposition group, he demonstrated the abilities to deal with many well known experienced foreign politician and Journalist and convinced them that the solution of the Somali people rests the withdrawal of the Tigrean militias from Somalia and they finally accepted that view. These politician and journalist saw him during IUC and they saw him a leader whom they deal and trust�"

 

In addition to his cool demeanor, it seems that there was something else that made Mr. Suleiman choose Sheikh Sharif Ahmed over Abdulahi Yusuf. This is what he wrote:

 

"�Furthermore , he showed clearly his leader qualities during the reign of the Islamic Union Courts (IUC) which ruled Somalia for six months. With his leadership the Somali people tasted a good sense of normalcy, safe environment, with hope and prosperity. During that period, Sheikh Sharif was the face and speaker of the IUC and he showed to the world that Somalia can be restored back with an environment of progress and tranquility and safety after seventeen years of lawlessness, hunger and suffering�Not only that but he refused to sit with Transitional Government officials including the current so called President Abdullahi Yusuf and previous Prime Minister, the current Prime Minister and their Tigrian Master Meles Zenawi �"

 

Today, as I follow developments in Somalia and follow Sheikh Sharif Ahmed�s reign, I wonder if Mr. Suleiman would still approve of Sheikh Sharif Ahmed�s record. Is Sheikh Sharif Ahmed's conduct today any different than that of Abdulahi Yusuf and Ali Mohammed Ghedi? Is Sheikh Sharif Ahmed living up to the expectation of the Somali people, such as Mr. Suleiman? Can the Somali people trust Shekh Sharif Ahmed to do what is right for the Somali people or is he, like his predecessors, using the supposed presence "extremists" as a pretext to ingratiate himself with the US-led international community? As they say, a man is only as good as his word. Is he today, like Mr. Suleiman said, still "the face and speaker" for the UIC?

 

I decided to go back and take a look at what Sheikh Sharif Ahmed was saying then, and compare it to what he is saying today. The readers can judge his honesty, credibility and integrity for themselves. Let us look at the fundamental issues that were the most important to the Somali people, such as Mr. Suleiman, and see where Sheikh Sharif Ahmed stands. In addition to exercising their sovereign right to choose their own leaders, as we have heard over and over again, the Somali people do not want any foreign forces on their soil, especially Ethiopians. We also know that the Somali people want peace, stability and security in their country. Back then Sheikh Sharif Ahmed seemed to agree with the Somali people. Is Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in step with the people of Somalia or is he on a different course, dancing to a different tune? Let�s see how he stacks up.

 

Today, the western media keep reporting about the presence of "foreign fighters" in Somalia and Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has joined the chorus with his own wild accusations against those who are opposing his rule. The recent revelations about a group of young Somali men from Minnesota who went to fight alongside the Somali people explain the sudden influx of "foreigners" in Somalia. It should be recalled that as far back as 2001, there were some analysts who wrote about the presence of Afghan, Pakistani and other "foreigners" being in Somalia. They relied on intelligence provided by the minority regime in Ethiopia. It is unfortunate that Sheikh Sharif Ahmed who once called on all Somalis everywhere to resist the Ethiopian occupation with their "souls and money" and said "It is our belief that every individual in Somalia has to participate in the resistance and the defeat of the Ethiopian occupation" now wants to label those who heeded that call as "terrorists". Defending your country against foreign intervention is not terrorism.

 

Back then, when the Abdulahi Yusuf TNG claimed that Al Qaeda was in Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed was adamant about Somalia not being a haven for terrorists. In the letter delivered to the diplomatic corps in the Kenyan capital in June 2006, he said:

 

"�We share no objectives, goals or methods with groups that sponsor or support terrorism�"

 

He repeated the same thing again on 25 August 2007 saying:

 

"�There are no Al-Qaeda members in Somalia and we are not terrorists: we are simply Somalis�"

 

Unfortunately, today, he is singing a different tune. He is willing to label his own comrades in arms as being "terrorists". He is willing to betray those that gave him refuge and provided him a safe haven when he was being hunted down by Meles Zenawi�s forces. Today he is parroting Meles Zenawi�s deceptions and towing Washington�s line on "terror". Here is what the Washington Post reported on18 June 2009:

 

"�Al Qaeda considers Somalia a strategic place. They want to make it a safe haven for criminals," President Ahmed told a news conference. "This is an international war against Somalis. We ask the world to help us fight the international..."

 

Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in a Statement on 10 April 2007 said that Ethiopia wanted to "wipe Somalia off the world map", but he has had a lot more to say about Ethiopia in the last 3 years. Let us take a look at some of his statements

 

"�We want the whole world to know what's going on�The United States is encouraging Ethiopia to take over the area�" -18 June 2006 speaking to reporters in Jowhar

 

"�For any genuine Somali dialogue to take place inside the country there has to be immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops from Somalia�"-16 July 2007

 

"�Somalia is under attack and Somalis must defend their country�Anybo dy who sides with Ethiopia will be considered a traitor ...... the Islamic courts will lead the people to victory�"-21 July 2006

 

"�We do not negotiate with a government which is being helped by the enemy of Somalia�"- 22 July 2006

 

"�I call on Somalis to be ready for a holy war against an invasion from the enemy of the religion and the country�"-24 July 2006

 

"From this time on, we will wage a war against Ethiopians inside Somalia�We need anyone who can give us weapons, even a dagger." Speaking to thousands of Somalis in Mogadishu in October 2006

 

"�We are independent, we can't accept Ethiopian occupation, we are neither a risk to Ethiopia nor any other country. That means if Ethiopia invades we will defend ourselves�"-N ovember 2006

 

"�This declaration of war by Meles Zenawi against Somalia is something that shows that they also have the consent of the US�"-24 November 2006

 

"�The Ethiopian forces have massacred people in the areas they have taken�"- 26 December 2006 press conference

 

"�There is no change in the political climate as long as the Ethiopia-imposed government is in Somalia�"-30 October 2007

 

"�Our problem is not with the old prime minister or the new prime minister. Our problem is Ethiopia's occupation�"- 6 December 2007

 

"�The Ethiopian forces backing the transitional government mercilessly killed many innocent people, including the people slaughtered at the al-Hidaya mosque�"- 21 April 2008

 

"�It is our belief that every individual in Somalia has to participate in the resistance and the defeat of the Ethiopian occupation�"

 

When residents in a Somalia border town with Ethiopia recently said they saw Ethiopian troops there, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed was once again signing a different tune. He said that authorities had discussed the matter "and they have agreed that Ethiopian troops will remain inside their border."

 

Wasn�t the presence of Ethiopian forces on sovereign Somalia territories that triggered the bloody war?

 

The minority regime in Ethiopia, in justifying the 24 December 2006 invasion and occupation of Somalia claimed that the UIC was a threat to Ethiopia's security. They based their concerns mostly on media statements made by the UIC and the "moderate" Sheikh Sharif Ahmed who said in July 2006 that the UIC would:

 

"� declare jihad if the Ethiopian government refuses to withdraw their troops from Somalia�"

 

And when Ethiopia refused, on 9 October 2006, he did just that saying:

 

"�From today, I am declaring jihad against Ethiopia, which has invaded our country and taken parts of our homeland�"

 

Those of us following the developments in Somalia were surprised to hear Sheikh Sharif Ahmed�s change his stand on the presence of foreign forces in Somalia. On 27 May 2009 speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he said that AMISOM was playing an "important and needed" role in securing peace and stability in Somalia. What would that role be and how is that different from the role they were playing during the Abdulahi Yusuf rule?

 

Back then, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed said that the AU forces would be "unnecessary and counter-productive" and that they would be resisted. Let us take a look at what else he had to say back then. Sheikh Sharif Ahmed had rejected the presence of Ethiopian and African Union forces in Somalia, and had refused to recognize the Abdulahi Yusuf TNG because it was being "propped up" by Ethiopian forces and African Union forces from Uganda and Burundi.

 

On 12 June 2006 he said:

 

"�The government should stop the request of foreign troops in order for internal discussion with us to continue�Nego tiations with the government are not possible at this time because parliament could approve foreign troops�"

 

The "moderate" Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed told the Associated Press on 19 September 2006 that Somalis must fight IGAD troops saying, "They are not the owners of Somalia. Somalia belongs to Somalis". On 9 September 2006 he reiterated his opposition to the IGAD proposal saying:

 

"�We might demand from IGAD states not to have international forces intervene in Somalia�There is no need for international forces in Somalia. The problem is ended. The Somali people are living in safety and (peace)..."

 

Today, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed�s TNG is not only asking for more African Union forces it�s also calling on neighboring countries to intervene in Somalia-again. On 22 June 2009 Al Jazeera reported the request made by Somalia�s parliamentary speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur who said:

 

"�The government is weakened by the rebel forces. We ask neighbouring countries - including Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Yemen - to send troops to Somalia within 24 hours�"

 

Is this something that the people of Somalia want? Can Sheikh Sharif Ahmed�s TNG prevent a repeat of the international crimes that were committed by Ethiopian forces during the invasion and occupation of Somalia? Has he forgotten the pain and suffering that was wrought on the people of Somalia? Did he forget about the rapes and tortures of Somali girls and women? Has he forgotten about the wonton destruction, pulverization of Somali villages and the displacement of over 2 million of his compatriots because of Ethiopia�s brutality?

 

Much has been said about the formation of an "Islamic" government in Somalia and the western media have justified the extra judicial and random killings of "extremists" to prevent a "Taliban-like" government from being established in Somalia. The media must be suffering from amnesia and may have forgotten their own reports on Sheikh Sharif Ahmed who, as early as in 2005, was clear about what type of government Somalia would have and said so. On 11 February 2005 he told the Associate Press :

 

"�We are all Muslims, so we don't need any other kind of government here�"

 

On 6 June 2006, the "moderate" Sheikh Sharif Ahmed spelled out his intentions when he spoke to a crowd in Mogadishu in which he told them :

 

"�Until we get the Islamic state, we will continue with the Islamic struggle in Somalia�"

 

Today, afraid of loosing his "moderate" label, is claiming that he agreed to Islamic Sharia law to diffuse the conflict and because "the mediators asked me to introduce Islamic Sharia in the country" .

 

State Department officials such as Vicki Huddleston and Jendayi E. Frazier, with the western media in tow, made a big deal about the UIC banning of khat, a drug banned in the United States. The press reported extensively on the ban on smoking, cinemas, live music, and other activities in Somalia to paint an ugly picture of the "Islamists" and "extremists" and present them as being dangerous for Somalia. It was this image of the "Islamists" that was used to justify US and Ethiopian intervention in Somalia. As the face and voice of the UIC, the "moderate" Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has made many statements on these issues and more. Here is what the Voice of America reported on 17 November 2006 about the banning of khat:

 

"�Islamic Courts Union official Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed told reporters that anyone caught carrying, consuming, transporting, and selling the popular narcotic would be fined up to 500,000 Somali shillings, about $365�Ahmed said Somalis spend too much money on khat, harming the economy and "being a source of anti-social behavior" that is not to be tolerated under Sharia, or Islamic, law�"

 

BBC reported the following on 14 November 2006 about the ban on movies:

 

"�The Islamic courts have been attempting to control the activities of the cinemas - accusing them of fuelling crime, drug abuse and immorality� Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the chairman of the Islamic courts, says they [studios] open from early in the morning showing "scandalous movies to children even not allowed by producers in their home country"�"

 

So, here is man who called for jihad against the occupying Ethiopian forces, asked for the unconditional removal of Ethiopian forces from sovereign Somali territories, rejected AMISOM and IGASOM, banned khat and movies and believes an Islamic government with Sharia law is good for Somalia�if that makes him the "moderate", than what is it that the others are calling for that has earned them the "extremist" label? Are they not calling for the same things?

 

Sheikh Sharif Ahmed must know that being "UN recognized" does not mean much if the Somali people don�t have confidence in his leadership, if they can�t trust him to do what is right for Somalia. He must have learned some lessons from his predecessors; the people of Somalia do not like stooges. If he betrays the trust of the Somali people and his comrades in arms, he will remain as impotent as the others before him. Allow me to remind him of what he said about Ali Mohammed Ghedi, Meles Zenawi�s stooge, when he was forced to resign as Somalia�s Prime Minister in the Abdulahi Yusuf led TNG:

 

"�When the colonizer used him and finished with him, he was forced to resign�It was part of the scheme the colonizer used to capture Somalia and whoever replaces Gedi will certainly serve the colonizer�"

 

For Somalia�s sake, I hope that is not what he is also doing�

 

The rule of law must prevail over the law of the jungle!

[Polanyi]

When the colonizer used him and finished with him, he was forced to resign�It was part of the scheme the colonizer used to capture Somalia and whoever replaces Gedi will certainly serve the colonizer"

[Haatu]

I still will.