The Fallacy of Foriegn Benevolence

[xiinfaniin]

Che, despite its shortcomings and conditions that surround it, the TFG you lament is a great improvement from where things were prior to 2004. Prior to this entity, majority of Somali lands were under the control of ruthless warlords. Criticizing TFG on the grounds of incompetence is justifiable but it must be put int eh context of the large narrative awoowe. How easy it is to forget the days of Mogadishu warlords and strongmen, the spaaro schemes and other criminal enterprises that reigned supreme in most of our lands. What you have in the TFG is majority of Somali stakeholders collectively represented in one political arrangement by which the world has a leverage and influence to provide guidance and financial help. The problem is not necessarily TFG incompetence and lack of accountability for both characteristics are built in by design. But the problem is the world not helping. Indeed the world is taking advantage of the TFG's weakness and limited political legitimacy. The solution shall never be to do away with the only national arrangement Somalis have today for that would be extremely foolish thing to do. The solution in my opinion is to improve it by bringing other stakeholders aboard with the TFG and transition the country from this transitional status. We have to start somewhere awoowe. TFG is that somewhere. And remember without TFG, Turkey would not have a platform to operate and do all the wonderful things they did.

 

Now the challenges facing TFG are many. 1) Alshabaab, 2) world that is not helping build its capacity, 3) Somali stakeholders scheming against it to disrupt and derail it. AMISOM have helped by enabling TFG leaders to operate in Mogadishu, and by neutralizing Alshabaab threat in the capital. Where they came short, and that is primarily due to the world not doing its part, is to effectively help Somalis grow capacity to govern and develop security organs to maintain stability in areas they control. I am largely in agreement with your stance on foreign intervention. But this 'zero progress' report of yours is in clear conflict with the realtiy on the ground. We need to build on what we have thus far achieved, not destroy it in a mere nationalistic exuberance.

 

My opposition to Kenya's invasion is largely due to it having the potential to introduce another complicating factor into the political landscape of the south, posing clear threat to the TFG arrangement. Foreign packed political entity that lack the relative cohesion of the TFG is not good for Somalia. Some are supporting the invasion and Azania project in the name of fighting alshabaab. Others, noticeably Puntland leadership, are supporting it in the hope that this new entity will solidify Somalia's Federal nature. I think both are mistaken. For the fact that the Kenyan army will lose men and treasure will itself produce a layer that will be hard to get rid off.

 

No question that TFG is poorly orchestrated and implemented. Its incompetence and lack of accountability are real challenges. But the way going forward should be to improve it and use it as a vehicle to bring Somalia back. Disrupting it by introducing new political layers is not helpful and will take Somalia back.