Somalia: For Puntland, the future cannot be held hostage

[General Duke]

Somalia: For Puntland, the future cannot be held hostage

7 Jul 7, 2009 - 6:45:04 PM

 

SUNDAY EDITORIAL | The people of Puntland have decided their destiny. Federalism is the only option.

 

The Italian colonialists chose Mogadishu as the seat of power during the 19th century, when they conquered much of Somali-inhabited territories in the Horn of Africa region. As such, Mogadishu's status as "the" Somali capital is not sacrosanct. The bloodthirsty monsters who have transformed Mogadishu – once one of Africa's most beautiful seaside capitals – into a war zone where ordinary women and children are prey do not want Mogadishu to return to normalcy because, under normal conditions, such merciless killers would become outcasts in any civilized society.

 

The story of Mogadishu in the post-1991 era does not offer any solution to the Somali conflict. Mogadishu only offers death beds, fleeing families and brainwashed youth fighting each other over graves. A glimmer of hope flickered in 2006 when the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) overthrew the warlord-rulers, whose limitless savagery caused a civil war and led to the collapse of the Somali nation-state. The ICU used all means to secure Mogadishu's streets from the killers and the rapists, bringing the semblance of law and order to the capital's war-weary citizens who yearned for lasting peace and development. And then the Ethiopian invasion, followed by the accusations of war crimes, mass graves and mass displacement – a dreaded return to the cycle of death made notorious by the warlord-rulers of the 1990s. But after the Ethiopians withdrew, many Somalis hoped for another glimmer of hope that would end the bloodshed and restore order. More bloodshed has ensued among Somalis.

 

A war class has emerged in Mogadishu after two decades of civil war. Essentially, what you have is thousands of mercenaries changing alliances, depending on which faction has got the upper hand. Among all this, the U.N.-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) – oddly, it now calls itself the 'Government of National Unity' – remains to be an active, albeit weak faction. Its main components include former ICU officials, notorious ex-warlords and every opportunistic thug the Somali nation has ever known!

 

The Puntland administration in northern Somalia cannot be held hostage by Mogadishu. In this dangerous environment, and during these dangerous times, the international community would be ill-advised to compel Puntland to come under the authority of a Mogadishu run by murderous thugs. History tells us that the people of Puntland had a single functioning authority before the Italian colonialists came; hence, the rich political culture in Puntland where a military figure (Gen. Adde Muse) peacefully stepped down after loosing a hotly contested election to an academic (Dr. Abdirahman Farole). On a continent (Africa) plagued by election violence and military coups, the 2009 election placed Puntland at the forefront of civil governance and dedication to a new, safer future.

 

It can be stated that the international community is confused by the complex web of political alliances and history of Somalia. But in studying Puntland, the world can get access to the experiences of the Puntland people before and during the Somali civil war. For example, the first Islamist uprising in post-collapse Somalia occurred in Puntland; indeed, brothers fought each other over ideology in the cities of Garowe and Bossaso. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the architect behind the rise of the ICU in 2006, was the chief proponent of the Islamist uprising in Puntland during the early 1990s. That violent conflict was resolved through a combination of war and community dialogue.

 

As a case-study, Puntland offers the world historical references and fresh ideas in understanding the complex civil war in Somalia. Puntland has invested massively in attempting to rescue Mogadishu from the ruins of conflict and self-destruction. The people of Puntland have sacrificed their sons, properties and financial resources with the aim of erecting a strong foundation for a Transitional Federal Government (TFG). While former Puntland strongman Abdullahi Yusuf was TFG President (2004-2008), the Puntland regions suffered as the people's tax money was spent on the Mogadishu war front and public services such as security deteriorated in Puntland.

 

The people of Puntland have decided their destiny. Federalism is the only option to save Somalia. Nothing short of a federal government structure will be acceptable. Long gone are the days when a student from Puntland would travel 1,000km to attend secondary school in Mogadishu.

 

Finally, Puntland is a barrier against the menace in the south-central regions. Those who destroyed Mogadishu would not blink to destroy Puntland, Somaliland, and extend their violent reach to neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Yemen. Supporting the governance structures already in place in Puntland is by far a wiser investment than supplying weapons to the 'Government of National Unity' in Mogadishu, as the U.S. Government did a few weeks ago.

 

Bad move.

 

Garowe Online Editorial, editorial@garoweonli ne.com

[General Duke]

Puntland has made the right move.

[Meiji]

Puntland is essentially a bad-copy of Somaliland.

 

This ''hate towards Mogadishu'' will not make you better nor will it help you achieve your political goals.

 

You can not run away from Mogadishu, it is afterall your capital.

[Meiji]

Even the arguments used by the Puntland Propagandists is a copy from Somaliland Propaganda Manual:

 

''Long gone are the days when a student from Puntland would travel 1,000km to attend secondary school in Mogadishu.''

 

Sort like argument was always used by Somaliland Propagandists who said:

 

''We had to travel all the way from Hargaisa to Mogadishu to get passport and official state documents''

 

Whats next for Puntland?

 

''Bosaso is closer to Addis Abebba than to Mogadishu''?

 

 

Indeed a bad copy.

[Che -Guevara]

^Think outside box mate. Your argument is redundant and somewhat less creative, dare I say illogical.

[Meiji]

Che,

 

Explain us, what is not logical about my arguments?

 

That Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia?

 

That Puntland is copying the tactics of Somaliland?

 

What exactly?

[General Duke]

Meiji: Adeer what is your argument? The war has transformed Somalia, and we can not live in a centrist system at this time. Federalism will help the development of the regions and states and this will help the people.

 

The failures in Mogadishu are testament to your arguments. If centralism was the panacea we would be in wonderland right now and not the most failed state in the entire world.

 

Puntland is a Somali state, it welcomes all Somali’s and its stakeholders have decided to secure their homes, provide water and food for their people as well as other basic services. That’s the important issue here, we will not be held hostage by your likes dear Meiji.

[Meiji]

^^

 

My argument is that Puntland Propagandists should stop reading too much from Somaliland Propaganda Manual.

 

This love-hate relationship towards Mogadishu needs to stop.

 

You can not say that you was born in Mogadishu and that it is the capital of all Somalis, yet the next day portray the city as a cruel monster that wants to keep you hostage.

 

Make up your mind, do you want to follow the secessionist path or do you still recognize Mogadishu as your capital city and your regional admnistration as part of the Somali Republic?

[Che -Guevara]

Meiji...First, I don't know who's denying that Xamar is Somalia's capital, tell me any disputing that fact.

 

My concern here is when you water down people's needs and very real concerns to a "they hate Mogadisho", you do yourself and other a disservice. Puntland and Somaliland have real issues as far as Mogadisho is concerned. You be better served to address those issues than going on tangent about how everybody hates Mogadisho. And honestly, you keep up with this, you could be accused of hating the rest of Somalia.

 

Don't fall for the bait some people dangling in front of you, and address the issues, and present Mogadisho's own issues so others can appreciate the troubles. And remember always, we are in together despite what anybody says.

[Meiji]

Che,

 

The issues those in Hargaisa and Garowe have are no different than the issues people have in Beledweyne, Kismaanyo, Baidoba, Gaalkacyo, Dhusomareeb, Luuq etc etc.

 

They are in no special situation to demand answers to their concerns and issues.

 

All Somalis need answers, and it is our responsibility to seek those answers.

[General Duke]

Meiji: adeer, Mogadishu as we speak is in a state of war as it has been for over two decades, those who advocate for the centrist stance like yourself are living in cloud cuckoo land. If Mogadishu can not have peace in its environs how can it dictate to peaceful regions? It is the capital of the republic in name only, and the respect that is accorded to it will come when the states which cover huge land mass and people see it as unifying symbol of the republic and not a clan run militia barracks as it is today.

 

Thus adeer, one must take care of ones responsibilities, the people of Puntland are working to better themselves and that is a god given right. Yes we believe in the republic but it is a changing entity and who is to say that Hargaysa or Garowe might be the future capitals of Somalia if Mogadishu continues being pushed into the abyss.

 

My argument goes beyond this, why should Mogadishu be the capital of Somalia today? when its inhabitants have fled in waves from 1991 till today. It’s a symbol of death and destruction. Is it not time to move the Somali race forward and get a stable capital where our common interest can be met? That’s GAROWE dear lad.

[Meiji]

Duke,

 

As I said you are following in the footstepts of Somaliland Propagandists.

 

Their political line of Why should the union of 1960 still exist? is intolerable like your argument of Why should Mogadishu still be the capital of the Republic .

 

Even the arguments both SL and PL bring forward to support their political line is silly.

 

SL: '' Somali union has failed us, and it has oppressed us, Southern Somalia is symbol of death and destruction, no more union bla bla bla''

 

PL: ''Somali capital has kept us hostage, it is symbol of death and destruction, no more Mogadishu bla bla bla''.

 

 

The Somali Republic and its symbols can not be violated by selfish and clan-minded people who want to take advantage of the anarchy in and political paralysis of the Somali Republic.

[MoonLight1]

Meiji

yet the next day portray the city as a cruel monster

Is it not????

[Meiji]

^^

 

The city is as beautiful as it has always been. Its inner beauty and value is what attracts all to fight over and leads to these contenders in turning into monsters to get a piece of the gem.

[MoonLight1]

The Somali Republic and its symbols can not be violated by selfish and clan-minded people who want to take advantage of the anarchy in and political paralysis of the Somali Republic.

I am from Muqdisho, born, bred, and lived there all my life before I left few years ago, Meiji bro address your issues concerning Muqdisho which has become a cancer of no solution, the guys up north sorted their problems out and are living in peace and harmony, why can't the Muqdisho guys do the same? I am not a fan of S'land and P'land but you have to take your hat off for these people by creating an oasis of peace.

 

We should not be affraid to say, WELLDONE to them