Unparalleled unity in Asmara

[BiLaaL]

The Somali Congress for Liberation and Reconstitution is currently in its third day. Let us examine some of the more important themes coming out of Asmara.

 

It is no secret that all sections of Somali society, including supporters of the TFG, are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Asmara Congress. Apart from conjuring up a military strategy aimed at dispelling Ethiopian troops out of Somalia; the agenda of the Congress include plans to establish a formal organisation with a formal structure complete with a set of principles and policy positions.

 

Adopting a military strategy is at the top of the conference agenda. In military terms, the occupiers have taken bold steps aimed at solidifying their positions. From that perspective, outcomes from this conference and indeed the event itself shall provide the resistance with a political dose of life. The TFG (administration of traitors) cannot keep hiding behind Ethiopian generals for ever. The resistance as well as the occupiers understand well that the stakes have never been higher.

 

While most concentrate on potential outcomes, the real significance of the Congress appears to lie not in the eventual outcomes but in its aims and in the diversity of the participants. I say this because the Asmara conference is the only one where delegates are representing their country instead of their tribe. Delegates in Asmara have been at pains to highlight this crucial point. In fact, all the delegates have attacked tribal politics and vowed their enmity to it. It is due to this sentiment that this congress heralds a new era for Somali politics. Tectonic plates have been drawn between the tribal and the non-tribal politician. This is a significant shift.

 

SOL critics may argue that the unity emanating from Asmara is a classic case of unity in adversity – i.e. directly attributable to the Ethiopian occupation, which in effect forces the delegates to unite, rather than genuine unity on the part of the delegates. This may be so, but given the myriad and hypocritical world of Somali tribalism – the unity being displayed in Asmara is unique in the recent history of Somali politics.

 

Let us delve a little deeper into this shift away from tribal politics. Is this shift a natural consequence of being under occupation or is there a more fundamental reason underlying it? If there is a more fundamental reason underpinning this change – what might that be?

 

Before addressing these questions, let us not forget that most of the delegates in Asmara, with the exception of the UIC, were at one time or other themselves tribal politicians. In the words of Hussein Aidid, most delegates are not 'angels'. When one considers this point, the drastic realignment and shift in emphasis underway in Asmara becomes even more remarkable.

 

Whatever their backgrounds, these men all share one admirable characteristic – that of refusing to sleep while their country suffers under Ethiopian occupation. They are men who have prioritised their nation above that of their tribe.

 

Critics may wish to raise further questions. Have these men really united for the sake of their country? Apart from the common theme of rejecting foreign occupation, what exactly is behind the unparalleled unity emerging from Asmara?

 

A short discourse on tribal politics and its role in the chaos of the last seventeen years may help shed light on some of the preceding questions.

 

Tribal politicians (mostly former warlords) – are popularly described as those who’ve made careers out of deceiving their otherwise well-meaning clans. They have had catastrophic impact on the lives of millions of Somalis. For over a decade, tribal politicians, from a host of tribes, have been selling an idea that is bankrupt and totally at odds with Somali culture. The idea in question is, of course, that of organising governance around tribes and sub-tribes instead of governance on state level.

 

A sad and often neglected part of tribal politics is that, in most cases, tribal politicians act independently of their tribes. No tribe would have allowed the chaos of the last seventeen years. They simply acted independently of and without due regard for the wishes of their tribes. Their tribes offered them sober words of advice but they would not pay heed.

 

Over time, the methodology of tribal politics, as most Somalis will attest to, has proven itself a fallible methodology. Most recently, its practitioners have taken the brazen step of directly conspiring with our country’s arch enemy; hence the occupation.

 

Considering the foregoing, the answers to our previous questions become somewhat clearer. The unity emanating from the delegates in Asmara as well as the apparent shift from tribal to non-partisan, national politics – is all a reaction to the wishes of a delusional and dissatisfied Somali public. In short, the Somali people have had enough of tribal politics. From now on, any aspiring leader whose platform includes even a hint of tribalism will be shunned by the Somali public. The delegates in Asmara, like all good politicians, have sensed this and are simply reacting to it. Here lies the gist of the matter.

 

If the organisational structure and policy positions put forth by the delegates in Asmara is anything to go by; the end of tyrannical tribal politicians and with it tribal politics is nigh.

 

The most significant outcome of the talks underway in Asmara, in my view, will not be a coherent and solid military strategy, as important as that is, but rather the introduction of a new brand of politics. One which is free of tribalism. This new brand of politics, coupled with a population largely convinced of the shortcomings of tribal politics – shall combine to deprive any future tribal politician of the opportunity to mislead and thereby undermine our unity.

 

It is regrettable that it took foreign occupation to awaken us but one thing is certain – Somalia’s addiction to tribal politics is sure to wane thanks largely to the audacity and commitment shown by the delegates in Asmara.

[Jacaylbaro]

This is still theory that is lacking the backing practice ......

 

Let's just wait and see what comes out from that meeting.

[BiLaaL]

^I agree. We'll have to wait for the final outcome. Still, one has to acknowledge that the early signs are very positive.

[Jacaylbaro]

It is early to say that ..... let's wait and see the practical things. We always see sweet words on papers.

[Baashi]

The clear-eyed observers of Somali scene will take issue with your positive enthusiasm. To say that the participants hail from different clan background and hence the unity milestone, a rare political milestone, is within reach is to put it mildly quite naïve. If clan diversity is a yardstick we use in order to forecast the success or lack thereof of of political gathering then one has to weigh in the fact that last two grand gatherings were “majestic” in terms of its unparalleled clan diversity. Yet they both failed big time.

 

That said, I’m holding on to a every bit of hope that the Asmara group get their act together in a way that position them as a an opposition group with clear game plan and a one that’s open to negotiated settlement.

[Che -Guevara]

This is going to falter like all other Somali gatherings.

[RedSea]

Mr. che,

 

maxaad waxaas urajaynaysaa?

 

This is an attempt to free your country from the evil hands. So uducee in ay guulaystaan, niyad xumo meesha ha lasoo istaagin laakin.

 

 

Thanks folks for the insight.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

This is an attempt to free your country from the evil hands.

Baddacase, waa our country, duqa. To asaga, adiga iyo anigaba Soomaaliya, the currently occupied Soomaaliya, waa dalkeena.

[Jacaylbaro]

He is from Somaliland .... fahan ujeedada

[Che -Guevara]

My country will be free. I just don't think these will be people that's gonna do it.

[Fabregas]

We might aswell wait for the Mahdi then!

[me]

^ The mahdi has arrived.

[RedSea]

MMA I very well know that, laakin I was going for the sense that this country 'is his' and thus he shouldn't downplay the effort.

 

Che,

 

Then who will sxb?

[Kashafa]

Originally posted by -:

This is going to falter like all other Somali gatherings.

Simply because you said so ? Or is it simply because you wish it to be so ? Whatever the case, the lions of the Muqaawama are not seeking your blessings and permission in order to liberate Somalia. And when Somalia is liberated and cleansed from Xabashi and Dhabo-dhilif filth, please feel free to consult Nitpickers Guide to Life: How to to be a Perennial Pessimist, so that you can continue to complain about pornographic cinemas being closed down(Human rights violation) or narcotics being banned(Pursuit of happiness violation).

 

Nin rag oo ilaahay kaa dhigay, labac-labac-aan iska dhaaf. Your country is under occupation and patriotic men and women of honour are sacrificing their lives in order to free it. Yet you prattle on how Somalia is doomed and seize on any possible setback as sign the sky is falling.

 

I know,I know, you're entitled to your freedom of speech. Just gets annoying sometimes. No offense meant.

[NGONGE]

Yet another of those stuff and nonsense threads. Still, one shouldn't pour cold water on the hopes of others. As you were..