When the people want to replace their leaders...

[Conscious Manipulation]

Political Comment: The Georgian Coup is an example of how power and authority is taken in the Land.

 

 

 

 

On the 23rd November 2003, the veteran Georgian leader President Eduard Shevardnadze was ousted from power (in a Coup) after weeks of protests against failed parliamentary elections (which were widely criticised for serious irregularities), which ended in the storming of the parliament buildings in the capital, Tblisi. Shevardnadze resigned after opposition leaders gave him an ultimatum to quit at talks mediated by the Russians. The forced resignation of Shevardnadze was a major political upheaval in Georgia’s post-Soviet history. For many Georgians, the Shevardnadze government was unable to deliver on rampant poverty and corruption, energy crises and resolution of conflicts such as that in the breakaway region of Abkhazia. The final straw it seems was when it failed to hold democratic free and fair parliamentary elections in early November, with international observers describing the elections as being marred by “spectacular irregularities”.

 

If we look closely at such events as Shevardnadze’s downfall we can begin to understand what is necessary to bring about real change in any society.

 

Mr Shevardnadze, former Soviet Union foreign minister, was accused of mass corruption and deception. Opposition groupings had organised a public show of discontent since early-June by organising political protests right across Georgia. The opposition called for measures designed to ensure free and fair parliamentary elections in a region renowned for its electoral irregularities. Intensive coverage by independent television channels helped maintain political pressure on the Shevardnadze government and informed public opinion. Although a public show of discontent played a part in his downfall it was not the only ingredient present. The fact that Georgia was in such a desperate economic state, when once it was one of the most prosperous regions of the former Soviet Union, and came to be known as its “fruit basket” was a decisive factor in getting the elite such as businessmen and professional people to support his overthrow. There was pressure from other quarters as well, not least the U.S., who made it known that they were “deeply disappointed” with the Georgian leadership, and had lost faith in Mr Shevardnadze, who came to be seen as a weak leader unable to bring stability and democracy to the country which was necessary for the U.S. funded Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project to be a success. The pipeline would take Caspian sea oil from Azerbaijan to Turkey, via Georgia. But the final straw came when it was reported that some military units had joined the opposition groups in their 50,000 strong November protests soon after the elections. The Georgian defence minister was quoted as saying: “that the president was no longer in control of this tiny Caucasus nation” and that, “for now, the military would not intervene”. Rustavi-2 independent television reported the commander for the National Guard pledging loyalty to an interim president named by the opposition, and withdrawing support from Shevardnadze.

 

The Georgian example is proof that if people wish to replace their rulers, it is not an impossible task. Furthermore, we can see from these events, that the practical steps in changing a government is to build public opinion (Ra’i al-Aam), to gain influence of the elite (Ahl-ul Halli wa’L Aqd), and obtain physical support (Nussrah) from the military. Indeed these were the key elements in the Prophet (saws) work to create real change in his society, except that he (saws) not only worked to replace the rulers of his day, but he (saws) worked to replace the entire Kufr system with the system of Islam via the universal method (Sunan al-Hayat) which Muslims as well as non-Muslims can employ to bring change in society.

 

It is clear from the Seerah of the prophet (saws), that He (saws) went out openly into the society and engaged in an intellectual and political struggle. He (saws) challenged the false creeds, thoughts of the society; he (saws) also challenged the systems and the rulers in order to build a public opinion for Islam. Furthermore, the Prophet (saws) sought out the people of power who could physically establish the Islamic state for him. He (saws) approached many tribes who held the power at his time asking them to support him and establish the Deen of Islam. Eventually, the Aws and Khazraj tribes accepted his (saws) offer, and pledged allegiance to him and aided him to establish the first ever Islamic state in Daar al-Madinah, which was to be a new dawn in the era of mankind.

 

“Allah has promised, to those among you who have believed and worked righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the earth, inheritance of power, as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their Deen, the one He has chosen for them and that He will change their state of fear in which they lived to one of security and peace.” [TMQ An-Nur: 55]

 

1st Shawaal 1424 Hijri

25th November 2003 CE

[Haashim]

Many thanks C.M. Ilaahay naxariistiisa lagama quusto laakiin dadkaad la hadlaysaa waa DHAGAX DIXEED siduu yiri ALLA ha u naxariistee Suldaan Timacadde.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

CM, this is a tribal based society. A revolution against the warlords will only be seen as a tribal threat by the warlord's family.

 

In the end what you will get is a civil war.

 

In some rare cases it works, but Somalis have lost trust in one another.