Somalis express mixed views on peace talks in Djibouti

[N.O.R.F]

Somalis express mixed views on peace talks in Djibouti

 

by Abdurrahman Warsameh

 

MOGADISHU, June 4 (Xinhua) -- "I hope and pray that the talks in Djibouti end in agreement between the government and the opposition so that we can once again live in peace and harmony," said Sirad Hassan, a young mother of two.

 

Responding to Somali peace talks in Djibouti, Hassan said "We are really tired of this senseless and endless war. Enough is enough."

 

Most people in the Somali capital Mogadishu have high hopes of the ongoing UN sponsored talks between the transitional government and leaders of the opposition, the Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS). The second round of the talks has started this week.

 

But some have their fears that the talks could go down the pathof the previous peace conferences held before for the warring factions of the near two decades of civil conflict.

 

Harun Isse is a senior Somali citizen who has witnessed the 18 years of civil strife in Somalia and has seen the 14 other peace conferences held before, which failed to bring long lasting peace in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation.

 

"The main problem in all these so called peace talks was that ordinary people's views were never taken into consideration," Isse told Xinhua. "The problem with these talks is that the mediators do not want to address the real issue which is the Ethiopian troops' presence in Somalia."

 

Isse says if the Ethiopian troops do not withdraw from Somalia, people will always have pretext to continue the fighting because, he said, they believe they are fighting against an occupying force.

 

 

 

The opposition members taking part in the Djibouti talks are not meeting face-to-face with government representatives with UN mediators shuttling between the two sides.

 

The opposition leaders argue that they will not talk directly with the Somali transitional government until the government side agrees to a time-table for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops.

 

Ethiopian troops have crossed into Somalia late last year to help the Somali government oust an Islamist administration that had been in control in much of southern and central Somalia.

 

Fighters of the Islamist group have since been waging relentless guerilla attacks against Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces and officials. Nearly daily attacks punctuated by roadside bombs, suicide car bombs and flare-ups of gunfights in the coastal Somali capital and other parts of the country, have become order of the day in the country.

 

Thousands of people mostly civilians have either been killed, wounded or displaced from their homes as a result of the 18 month confrontation between joint forces of Ethiopian and Somali troops and insurgent fighters.

 

The talks in Djibouti are boycotted by hard-line groups within the ARS and the armed Al-shabaab Islamist group. They say they will not negotiate with the transitional government as long as Ethiopian troops and other foreign forces are in Somali soil.

 

"I am really very pessimistic about the outcome of the talks in Djibouti since it is not participated by all the warring sides in Somalia," Faisal Hussien, a young technician in Mogadishu told Xinhua. "Even if those attending (the talks) do come to an agreement, there will be others continue fighting because foreign forces are in the country."

 

Hussien said as long as Ethiopian troops, seen as a historic enemy, are in Somalia there will be no hope for stability in the country.

 

People in the capital follow the news of the ups and downs of the Djibouti talks and do freely debate the diverging positions held by the different sides in Somalia conflict. It is usual to see groups at tea shops listening to the news on the local radios' hourly newscasts and discussing the latest developments.

 

Kulmiye Saeed, a Mogadishu resident, who was optimistic about the talks, said the fact that the two sides are willing to talk even through the UN is something that all should welcome.

 

"Like they say the journey of thousand miles starts with one step, so this may be the first step to a comprehensive peace conference that might lead to the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and the cessation of hostility and heralding of brotherhood and harmony among Somalis," said Saeed, as he sipped his cup of coffeeat a café in south Mogadishu.

 

"Peace and prosperity is possible in our beloved country of Somalia," he said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/04/content_8313207.htm

[Ducaysane]

Norf,

seriously, why do you think people are interesting your input about Djibouti conference. time and a time again you have been posting all the bad news for this conference. let people mend their fences and reach agreement. stop the hatred bro.

[N.O.R.F]

^^Can you muster up HOW you think what I have been posting about this conference and any meetings/negotiation is hatred?

 

If anything, I have been right on the money so far with regard to the conditions in place before the opposition talk to the TFG 'directly'. I mentioned the need for a timetable for withdrawal numerous times before (because I'm a realist who doesnt live in dreamland) and WALLA, the opposition ask for a timetable for withdrawal as a condition before talking to the TFG.

 

Or can I read minds?