Abukar Arman Somalia's special envoy to the US, weighs in

[Amistad]

The upshot of political subjugation

 

By Abukar Arman

 

 

The IGAD resolution will embolden the very extremist elements it is intended to

subdue [AFP]

 

 

If I could think of any tactfully discreet and diplomatically clear way to describe

the outcome of the 15th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State

and Government on Somalia without compromising the essence of my message, I would

have simply chosen that approach. Therefore, going crude is the appropriate way:

 

As a patched up political charade destined to embolden the very extremist elements

that it is intended to subdue and push Somalia deep into anarchy and destruction,

the resolution passed in that session is haphazardly imprudent and wildly dangerous.

 

IGAD (the Intergovernmental Authority on Development) was right in describing

Somalia's still-raging political fire as a situation likely to pose a serious threat

to the stability of the region and perhaps beyond. However, IGAD is wrong in

hastefully approving to send troops from the "frontline states" to Somalia despite

the fact that UN Resolution 1725 bans the deployment of any troops from bordering

states. IGAD is planning to immediately send 2,000 troops and possibly add another

15,000 at a later date.

 

This, needless to say, means that Ethiopian troops would inevitably be part and

parcel of the first contingent, the latter, or all. After all, in the Horn of

Africa, in terms of military might, experience, and political clout, Ethiopia holds

unmistakable distinction that could even guarantee her the African Union Mission in

Somalia (AMISOM) command.

 

Already, in an action item that is bound to undermine the credibility of AMISOM and

confuse its command centre, IGAD directed its secretariat to open an office in

Mogadishu within 15 days. The purpose of this office is described as "[to] enable

AMISOM and IGAD [to] establish in Mogadishu an operational level coordination

mechanism to strengthen and harmonise their support to the Transitional Federal

Government [TFG] in the areas of training, establishment of command and control

structure".

 

Questionable timing

 

 

Evidently, this swift move comes at a time when in the US consensus favouring a

policy toward Somalia that is based on constructive engagement instead of the

"constructive disengagement" that was being pushed by some analysts is gaining

momentum. Unlike the failed policy of the previous administration that was entirely

based on counter-terrorism and military power, the soon to be announced policy of

the current administration is expected to rely on soft power and building

relationships.

 

More strangely, the IGAD move comes at a time when the TFG has successfully expanded

the areas that it controls in Mogadishu, and the Somali diaspora is vigorously

pushing the TFG toward dialogue and reconciliation.

 

The timing does indeed raise certain questions, if not suspicions.

 

The wounds from the brutal two year Ethiopian occupation that killed over 20,000

Somalis and gave al-Shabab its current status are still nightmarishly fresh.

 

Mind you, the current TFG is a coalition government made up of those who ushered in

Ethiopia and those who resisted the occupation. However, it is no secret that this

coalition is already hanging from a cliff as a number of cabinet members

representing the Islamist side have been killed, sacked or pressured out since the

Djibouti agreement.

 

The scale is clearly lopsided as individual ministers regardless of their competence

and productivity were unabashedly replaced in the recent controversial TFG reshuffle

while other questionable characters are awarded key positions. And as the argument

goes: two decades later, Ethiopia still micromanages Somalia's internal political

affairs as became apparent in the TFG agreement with the ever-morphing Ahlus Sunnah

wal Jamaah.

 

Understandably Ethiopia has certain security concerns; and these concerns should be

addressed through the appropriate channels. It is in the best interest of Somalia to

forge a peace treaty reflecting national and regional security threats and the

future economic opportunities with Ethiopia and other neighbours. However, Somalia

should allow no foreign entities - states or non-states - to exploit its weak

position and dictate their political wish-list to it or infringe its sovereignty.

 

Self-respect

 

In fairness however, Ethiopia is not the only potential impediment to sustaining the

Djibouti agreement and paving the way for lasting peace and reconciliation.

Bloody-handed Somalis still continue to position against one another for zero-sum

gains.

 

At the end of the day, it is the Somalis who would have to learn at this time of

great adversity to make peace with one another, and make space for one another.

 

So, internally, it is time to raise the bar, though nothing of significance could

happen until our human capacity and attitudes are profoundly improved; and that may

not happen until something extraordinary that would compel the Somali diaspora to

reconnect with its homeland emerges.

 

Meanwhile, as a profoundly brain-drained nation, Somalia is still struggling to

learn that nations, just like individuals, are treated in ways that are equal to the

self-respect that they demonstrate. And, so long as those who grab power (or are

entrusted with it) continue to fall over each other into the very condition that

ultimately humiliates their persons and subjugates their country, business will

continue as usual.

 

Finally, though arming one faction against another might create a temporary

advantage to one group or another, it does not produce a viable long-term security

and lasting peace. Therefore, continued exploitation and indeed subjugation of

Somalia can only prolong the bloodshed and misery. And under such conditions,

neither Somalia, nor the region, nor the community of nations that rely economically

on the Indian Ocean and Red Sea could benefit in the long run.

 

Abukar Arman is Somalia's special envoy to the US.

 

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily

reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.

[Amistad]

Somalia: A revered Somali cleric lauds for IGAD troop contribution to Somalia

 

Published On: Saturday, July, 10 2010 - 13:50:33

 

Mogadishu.Sunatimes- A most revered cleric in Somalia Sheik Omar Faruk has on Saturday vehemently welcomed the recent decision by IGAD member nations to urgently send 2000 peacekeepers to Somalia.

 

During a telephone interview from the holy city of Mekkah in Saudi Arabia, the cleric said that Somali government was right to ask neighboring countries for military assistance to help it restore peace and stability into the country.

 

Although the renowned cleric welcomed the move, while the Alqaeda-linked militants in Somalia accused Somali president Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed of demanding what they described "infidels" for help. Spokesman for Al shabab Sheik Ali Mahmoud Raghe on Friday said that Somali president handed the whole country over to IGAD.

 

"A Muslim government can invite every one, to help it stabilize its country, no mater whether they are infidels or not, but the importance is to look for solution" the well known cleric said.

 

He called on the Alqaeda-proxy AL shabab and Hezbal Islam extremists to lay down the army and negotiate with the legal government in Somalia which has the recognition and the support of international community.

 

The east African regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) earlier this week decided to engage more forcefully in search for a lasting peace and stability to Somalia which has been in chaos since 1991.

 

The prolonged civil strife and lawlessness in Somalia engulfed the lives of more than half a million people since the country descended into anarchy nearly 20 years ago. At least 22,000 of those were killed in the restive capital for the past three years while more than 1.5 million others fled from their homes.

 

info@sunatimes.com

[Amistad]

The article below is a response by Omar Jamal, the First secretary of the Somali Mission to the UN, to an article by Abukar Arman, the Somali special envoy to the US,published on the Al Jazeera English website.

 

Abukar Arman, the Somali special envoy to the US, alleges that the 15th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) Assembly of Heads of State and Government held this month in Ethiopia was a plot against Somalia.

 

What is conspicuously absent from his article, however, is the passionate plea from the man who appointed him: Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Somali president. The president attended the session and made his plea to the entire region.

 

He distinctly affirmed that without help, the Somali government might not be able to hold off the advance of Islamist groups on the capital.

 

What is at stake here is the survival of the Somali government, which is now besieged by Islamists and war profiteers in Mogadishu. Arman seems to ignore the fact that the only alternative to seeking assistance from IGAD and the African Union is to let al-Shabab and its likes drag an already impoverished Somali people into more agony and suffering.

 

The article further undermines the recent agreement between the Somali government and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah by calling it a tool, micromanaged by the Ethiopian government.

 

In addition to that, Arman questions the character and judgment of the recent ministerial appointees approved by the Somali president. Is he the only appointee we should all trust?

 

A new era

 

 

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Somali president, pleaded for help [EPA]

It is about time that we Somalis collectively take full responsibility for what happens in our country. We need to face facts and not attempt to shift blame for our troubles to Ethiopia or for that matter any other entities. We should all acknowledge the fact that Ethiopia has a vested interest in the region, as does Kenya and Djibouti.

 

How each of these states and a handful of other countries exercise and pursue their interests is their own prerogative. Ethiopia is, in fact, the home of the largest Somali refugee population in the region. It has treated them with hospitality and friendship.

 

It is about time we stop this long-held enmity against neighbouring countries and start a new era of cooperation and peaceful co-existence.

 

Recent history has shown that Somali people have failed to disarm and sincerely seek internal peace without support from the outside. Instead Somalia is embroiled in petty differences and barbarism rooted in clan mentality.

 

Chills run up my spine when I read the words of the Somali envoy to US. Such fractious behaviour is tantamount to an insidious and insubordinate act against the policy of the same president who appointed him. This behaviour is illustrative of the complete erosion of any sense of decency. This use of contemptuous words against the policy of the Somali government and the recent step to make the government inclusive by reaching an agreement with Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah is a breach of diplomatic code.

 

The first and most important task for the president is to use the power vested in him by the constitution to restore good governance and the rule of law. In the future, I would recommend that the envoy voice his differences through an appropriate channel rather than in the market of public opinion.

 

Omar Jamal is the first secretary of the Somali mission to the UN.

 

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.

[Sensei]

Omar Jamal should likewise restrain his scolding of a fellow gov officer in the market of public opinions. Needless to say that Arman should have learnt from the recent dismissal of Gen. McCrystal.

[Cowke]

This is just natural, that is why I think this is all getting planned for the hamari ppl. Why else would they attack uganda they know it will get the worlds attention on the urgent need in somalia.

 

Anyways qorsho dheer ba hamar ka socoto thats all I do know indhacade was right in 1 thing he said "sharmarke works with the islamist" lol.

 

Waxaa la raba in dadkas hamar la waayo wax kale ma aha. Its quite obvious that now. But what effect will this have? Why stress about hamar when the capital can be changed and live saved I just dont get it.

[Amistad]

Originally posted by Sensei:

Omar Jamal should likewise restrain his scolding of a fellow gov officer in the market of public opinions. Needless to say that Arman should have learnt from the recent dismissal of Gen. McCrystal.

Couldnt agree more, I thought those were some very odd comments for the Somalia Envoy to the US ?

[Chimera]

Well done Abukar Arman, that was a very good overview of the current quik-sand situation we are in. The majority of the people following the conflict would agree with this assessment. The sending of more rag-tag troops from similar poor regional countries will only bolster the Shabab devils, who would disintergrate in less than a year if all external meddlers stayed on the sideline and instead continued supporting the establisment/restoration of more institutions and the training of more Somali soldiers.

 

I mean four years of training in Aunt Russia and some more training by Mother Somalia was enough for us to evolve into one of Africa's most powerful fighting forces, indeed it was us who trained Burundi and South African soldiers, send troops to Samora Marchel's Mozambique, had our commandos assist the German special forces, it was the undisputed power in East Africa, infact it took a Superpower to reverse their advances. If the two-faced Soviet Union and old Somalia could pull it off, i see no reason why the US & EU would fail, unless the resurrection of a strong Somali military destroying terrorist/pirate armies is not on their agenda since it would render all of the current excuses for a foreign presence in the region obsolete, and would dramatically change the entire political dynamics of East Africa, which is an important factor our elites are to myopic at the moment to process and real-politik their way through the many road-blocks set in their path by sinister actors, by simply reconciling.

[Amistad]

- -

 

Very nice response. This may shock you but I have it on very good, upper echelon DoS authority that US Dept of State policy Makers and Shakers, and in writing ( I am tempted to post it here but will not) that current US DoS Policy, does not have Somalia Stabilization, Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Piracy/ High Criminal Acts responsibility in mind ...end comments.

 

In other words, US DoS with a small budget and with no current (read Obama) forward thinking Somalia policy will not make any financial or further political obligations to the TFG. That is reality. A U.S. stance of "Constructive Engagement" is the new Coined term, which means no more Overt Weapons shipments or military, monetary help to the TFG in light of past abuses.

 

Only Humanitarian help, which may accomplish some businessmen and community profits very slowly, but will do nothing to promote the overall economic growth of the country as a whole in the very near future.

 

Therefore I see the AU, IGAD and AMISOM must go out on their own limb, and get this thing done on their own, whatever fashion that may be.

 

I do not condone violent indiscriminate political shortsighted acts, but I do condone necessary force against an evil unwanted Wahhabi styled enemy the long standing Sufi culture of Somalia has no want of. I am speaking of course in a very Generality sense of politic.

 

Northern Blood Somalis (PL-SL) political leaders should recognize this call to duty and respond in kind, to the Cancer in the south with a Call to Arms of the People which you are famous for.

 

Meek, Argumentative & Clanish/Tribal disagreements & secessionist thinking will not make this disease in the south go away. Recognize now, that these foreign diseased al shabab miscreants are against the Northern regions as a whole. Think about combining your Forces in the North together, and Rid yourselves of the southern Cancer to heal yourselves as a Whole people.

 

End of Rant.

 

I really do not understand why the Northerners cant get their Sh_t together politically and militarily to rid themselves of their shared southern enemy, and live in combined and shared Peace?

 

P-L & S-L hate Shababies right? Why the F_ck dont you combine forces to get rid of them? Ahhh right, thats to simple Ehhh? ARS, Hizbul Islam, get rid of them and their anti-Somali thinking also.

 

Somaliland & Puntland share common enemies. Combine your resources in a smart style of new thinking and simply defeat your common enemies. Its not Rocket Science.... or cant you get your Clan & Tribal based politics together long enough to accomplish this Ends to a Means?

 

The World Body looks at Somalis as ****** for not being able to bring the Players to the Table without so much Bloodshed.