The role of the Somali Diaspora in the liberation and reconstruction

[Jamster]

The role of the Somali Diaspora in the liberation and reconstruction

of their country

 

By Amb. Mohamed Sharif Mohamud

September 19, 2007

 

 

(This is a summary of a statement made at the Somali Diaspora Conference held in London, on 27-28 August)

 

The war of attrition waged by Ethiopia against the Somali Republic, since the secession of hostilities in 1977-78 continued unabatedly. Its direct encroachment and persistent presence in Somalia since 1990 is a well documented fact. Backed by its proxies such as S.O.D.A .F, U.S.C., S.N.M and others, Ethiopia embarked on a systematic policy of dismantlement of the Somali State, its institutions, public utilities and services and its economic infrastructure. This was associated with arming and manipulating tribal militias of every kind for no purpose other than undermining the unity, morale, dignity, pride of the Somali nation, its self confidence and its image among the community of nations. This was followed by a well-designed plan of decimation, fragmentation and the cantonisation of the Somali Republic to be put under the tutelage of the Tigray regime.

 

Kenya, true to her long-standing traditional strategic alliance against Somalia stipulated with Ethiopia since the sixties of the last century, was actively involved. That is why, the former President of Kenya Arab Moi had stated in a lecture at the American Defence University in September 2000, when he bluntly said ‘The Somali conflict is fuelled by the neighbouring countries, because these countries suspect that if Somalia becomes reunited and prosperous, it might reclaim territories’. The recent war of aggression waged by Ethiopia and Kenya financed and supported by the United States, is a further illustration that the destruction of the Somali state was a conspiracy of a wider international dimension.

 

By sponsoring and manipulating the reconciliation process held in Nairobi in 2002, these neighbouring countries, succeeded in 2004 to forge the constitutional framework for the eradication of the Somali national state and to reduce it to tiny tribal Bantustans. This is the essence of the formula of the T.F.G headed by a warlord who had proved credentials of subservience to the Ethiopian annexationist strategy.

 

The Somali Diaspora by virtue of its sheer number, power derived of its educational and economic strength can play a decisive role in the liberation of the homeland and the reconstruction of the of the Somali state.

 

The Somali Diaspora is estimated at 1,5 million, of which 350,000 reside in North America, 150, 000 in the United Kingdom, 40,000 in Holland, 10,000 in Australia and 3,000 in Italy. The remaining live in Arab countries, Africa, Asia and other western European countries.

 

The Somalis who hold the citizenship of the countries of their residence are 500,000. The annual remittances to their motherland is estimated to one billion dollars .

 

Among the Somali Diaspora are a considerable number of highly qualified educated, professionals of every kind, skilled manpower and very successful businessmen. They can contribute in an effective manner to liberate their country from the Ethiopian occupation and to reconstruct the Somali State.

 

To achieve this goal, they should establish, an organisation, which represents, unites, speaks on their behalf in one voice, and directs their forces and resources for the common good of their communities and the general interest of their country. In short an organisation that reflects their national solidarity and concretises their common will power.

 

• This organisation can help the Somalis to integrate in their new countries, raise their awareness of their rights and their political power, overcome their difficulties and vulnerabilities caused by racism, marginalisation, unemployment, under-achievement and crime. It is also of paramount importance that this organisation should help the Somalis to form a political constituency to take part in the electoral process, thus assert their political weight and their bargaining power;

• Identifying their interests with those of the similar groups who face similar challenges such as blacks, Arabs and other oppressed peoples and make alliances with them for the common good;

• The creation of a political force and a pressure group (lobby), to persuade the public opinion and the governments concerned of the justice of the Somali cause;

• Extension of support by all means possible to the liberation of the motherland;

• Conservation of Somali cultural heritage, identity, language, arts and maintain bridges of communication with the mother country;

• Undertaking the reconstruction of the Somali state, its institutions and its public services;

 

The political, economic and entrepreneurial force in the hands of the Somali Diaspora is enormous and invaluable, provided it is organised and institutionalised.

 

The Somali Diaspora benefiting from living in highly advanced communities, economically, technologically and financially can facilitate for investment institutions and developmental agencies to explore the national resources of their country and build its economic infrastructure. Their expertise and professional skills can be made available to fill the gap of lack of human resources in their country of origin and can provide with an enlightened political leadership, which is a sine qua non for good governance.

 

Drawing from the experiences gained in developed societies where systems of governments are of a superior quality, they could contribute to implant them in their country of origin, so that the rules of social harmony, democratic principles, accountability, checks and balances could prevail and sustained economic and social progress be secured.

 

What has been already accomplished by the Somali Diaspora in the field of telecommunications, airlines, exchange and transfer of money and mass media, to cite just few examples are a commendable feat, which must be applauded and imitated. These companies are highly successful, efficient and responded to highly needed services for a martyr nation. They rendered their vital services nation-wide and challenged every barrier of division based on clannish or regionalism.

 

The Somali Diaspora can achieve more if they just can exploit their power for the interest of their communities and for their own country. This power is their collective will power incorporated in an enlightened and representative organisation.

 

 

By Amb. Mohamed Sharif Mohamud

E-Mail:m.sharif@homechoice.co.uk

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Maqaal aad u wanaagsan.

[rudy-Diiriye]

that said, there are major problems with diaspora stock. Have u notice that every one in the disapora hangs around and associates mostly with their clan. Older generations that remember were not like that. u can probably smell the clan cheerleaders in this from very easily. And the sad thing is, they dont understand that this really a big shame and pulls down their credibility, as well as, that of their clan.

 

also, every org created these days are done by jobless wanna be clan pushers! they collect the money and disappear. every one here can name such crocked orgs.

 

i believe we are not still there to standup united as one community... but i can smell it.