Somalia’s Former President: Good Days Ahead for Somalia

Hassan6734 · August 11, 2008

By Salad Idow Hasan (Hiis), Hiiraan Online

Monday August 11, 2008

Former Somali President Abdikassim Salad Hassan

Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) – Speaking to Simb radio in Mogadishu, the former President of Somalia Mr. Abdikasim Salad Hasan discussed a number of issues including the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia, the recent accord between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) as well as possible solutions to Somalia’s problems.

When asked about the recent accord between the TFG and the opposition ARS, the former president praised the efforts for reconciliation but questioned how it would be possible to implement some articles in the accord such as the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia within 120 days.

He argued that Ethiopian troops arrived in Somalia with the support of the current US Administration led by President Bush and cast doubt that they will leave Somalia without the permission of the US.

“I would like to tell President Bush that Somalis and Americans have had long cordial relationship therefore don’t destroy that long relationship by keeping Ethiopian troops in Somalia,” said the former President who added that the objective of sending Ethiopian troops to Somalia was the killing, maiming, and displacement of thousands of innocent Somalis.

When asked about the possibility of reconciliation among Somalis if Ethiopian troops leave Somalia, the former President responded: ‘without doubt”. “Somalis are brothers [and sisters] who share common culture and religion and therefore there are no [endemic] problems among them and I am sure they solve their problems” said the former President.

Asked about how he sees the future of Somalia, he said that he is sure that one day Somalia will be prosperous and peaceful. “People now are ashamed to associate with Somalia but time will come when people would be proud to call themselves Somalis and when people come to Somalia to find jobs” said the former President who added that he would encourages Somalis to repent so that Allah helps out of their problems.

English adaptation by Mohamed Amin Ahmed, Hiiraan Online

mamin35@hiiraan.com