NSUM - Mahiga must Go!

[Mintid Farayar]

Mahiga Must Go

Osman Hassan

Northern Somali Unionist Movement

(NSUM)

December 07, 2011

Since the collapse of the State, Somalia has been a dumping ground for successive mediocre Special Representatives of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (SRSG). Almost all failed in their mission but at least left no everlasting damage after their departure to the country's most important aspect- its unity. Augustine Mahiga, the current SRSG, was seen until now to belong to that mould. A jolly affable former Tanzanian diplomat and erstwhile UN staff, he exudes that quintessential Swahili penchant for la Dolce Vita (good life and fun-loving) and an irresistible urge to ingratiate himself with all and sundry, unionists or secessionists, by telling them what they like to hear.

Mahiga's posting to Somalia as SRSG offered him the best of both worlds: to be based in Nairobi and be part of its international and diplomatic high society and yet to be so close to his home town, Dar Es Salaam. Otherwise, his exposure to Somalia, the country to which he is technically assigned, is limited to rare fleeting appearances at Mogadishu airport where he would meet his Somali counterparts in the TFG. Much as he is another failed SRSG despite his appearances to the contrary, Somalis nonetheless had tolerated his shortcomings until now for the simple reason that he was not better or worse than his predecessors. The fact that he is from a country in the region (Tanzania) for which Somalis hold much empathy was hitherto in his favour.

Mahiga has now done to Somalia what no other SRSG before him has done: call for the break-up of Somalia by advocating the recognition of Somaliland. This is precisely what he did on a visit to Hargeisa, the capital of the one-clan secessionist enclave, on December 4th, reportedly in the presence of IGAD officials and British diplomats based in Addis Ababa. This is an incomprehensible action from any Senior UN staff and more so from Mahiga whose trade mark is risk aversion that could in anyway upset his applecart.

Calling for the break-up of the very country he was supposed to revive and nourish its unity is contrary to his clear-cut mandate and could technically cost him his job. What he did is not an oversight or temporary lapse of judgement on his part. He knows that neither he nor the United Nations for that matter has any power to recognise Somaliland or any other country. That domain is the exclusive prerogative of sovereign member countries.

The question that arises is why the normally affable, innocuous and prudent Mahiga should take leave of his senses and embark on this risky gamble that in theory could anger the TFG and ask for his removal? A number of factors, singly or collectively, could explain Mahiga's action and calculations: First, those who follow Somaliland's relentless campaign to gain recognition and its readiness to bribe corrupt African leaders, including Somali ones, or officials heading regional organisations, such as the AU or IGAD, may rightly or wrongly conclude that Mahiga might have fallen for Somaliland's irresistible and lavish inducements. This perception, admittedly, is a long shot but it is also plausible. Mahiga after all is no saint. He is part of his African milieu where taking bribes by African presidents, government leaders and his own peers, is part of the prevailing African conventional wisdom.

What Mahiga has done is more likely to be at the behest of some countries who want him to serve as a Trojan horse to facilitate Somaliland's recognition on the understanding that he would be shielded from any punitive action from his boss, Ban ki Moon, and also from the TFG. The USA and EU member countries had in the past predicated their recognition of Somaliland on a prior lead from the AU and its member countries. Mahiga's call for Somaliland's' recognition could therefore be disingenuously construed by IGAD (and AU) members as getting the seal of approval from the horse's mouth and could therefore feel free to recognise Somaliland.

Mahiga knows that there is no way he could keep his post as SRSG for Somalia if an annoyed TFG would declare him persona non grata or simply refuse to work with him. What therefore persuaded him and the countries pushing him was the knowledge that there would be no adverse backlash from the TFG, counting on its total indifference to Somalia's unity and their preoccupation with feathering their own nests as their departure from office draws inexorably closer. All the evidence of course supports Mahiga and his backers' calculations.

The complete absence of reaction from the entire TFG echelon, after several days since Mahiga made the call for Somaliland's recognition, comes on the heels of a TFG minister who recently advocated Somaliland's recognition without any reprimand from his bosses, let alone losing his job. The conclusions outsiders can reasonably draw are clear: first is the absence of a true Somali government despite the sham TFG claim to be the "internationally recognised government"; secondly, the TFG, far from defending Somalia's unity, may indeed be condoning its break-up willy-nilly. It is these facts which serve as incentives for outside interventions in Somalia, notably neighbouring countries, and also explain the treacherous betrayal of the UN's own country representative.

More ominously, Mahiga's call is not an isolated one-off affair. It is part of a concerted attack on Somalia in which neighbouring countries have been given the green light to invade it with western military, financial and intelligence support. The aim is not only the break-up of Somalia into its pre-independence constituent parts but also to carve up the south (former Italian Somaliland) into antagonistic Bantustans at loggerheads with one another and bonded to their respective protégés (Ethiopia and Kenya) and for all practical purposes beyond the jurisdiction of the central Somali government. Since in all probability a successor government to the TFG could turn out to be less pliant and accommodating, the break-up and balkanisation of Som……..

 

 

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_11/Dec/Osman/07_Mahiga_must_go.html

[A_Khadar]

The foo must be gone long ago.

[Carafaat]

NSUM only cares about Somaliland. What Mahiga and other UN officials have done in Somalia or Moqdisho they dont care.

 

Quite ironic for those pretending to care about Somalia.

[Mintid Farayar]

A_Khadar;763763 wrote:

The foo must be gone long ago.

 

And will it make a difference? The next rep will visit all corners, compare, and come to the same conclusion. Let's be realistic on this:

1- none of us (Somalis) have the power to replace the UN Rep

2- Recognition/non-recognition is not in the hands of multi-lateral organizations (i.e. UN)

 

But the prevailing good governance in Somaliland is harder to cover up these days. These are the positive side effects of the increasing international presence in Somaliland.

[A_Khadar]

But the prevailing good governance in Somaliland is harder to cover up these days. These are the positive side effects of the increasing international presence in Somaliland.

Where did you get this info about the good governance in s/l? Also define what is the good governance mean?

[Saalax]

Carafaat;763767 wrote:

NSUM only cares about Somaliland. What Mahiga and other UN officials have done in Somalia or Moqdisho they dont care.

 

Quite ironic for those pretending to care about Somalia.

 

[A_Khadar]

Carafaat;763767 wrote:

NSUM only cares about Somaliland. What Mahiga and other UN officials have done in Somalia or Moqdisho they dont care.

 

Quite ironic for those pretending to care about Somalia.

You wrong up there, they don't even care about somaliland.

[Mintid Farayar]

The radicalization of the NSUM diaspora will eventually burn itself out. They will eventually come home, just like the Samater brothers. The SL gov't just has to concentrate on keeping the intercommunal peace internally - a challenging task among poor, aggressive 'geeljireyaal'.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Mintid Farayar;763780 wrote:

The radicalization of the NSUM diaspora will eventually burn itself out. They will eventually come home, just like the Samater brothers. The SL gov't just has to concentrate on keeping the intercommunal peace internally - a challenging task among poor, aggressive 'geeljireyaal'.

With a strong Guurti leadership assisting the Govt i think the Somaliland government can pull it off with the help of Allah.

[A_Khadar]

Mintid Farayar;763780 wrote:

The radicalization of the NSUM diaspora will eventually burn itself out. They will eventually come home, just like the Samater brothers. The SL gov't just has to concentrate on keeping the intercommunal peace internally - a challenging task among poor, aggressive 'geeljireyaal'.

You jumped of the question? Bring some help to your claims. Peace was the only over rated claim that s/l used and that is a history now.. Anything else?

[Mintid Farayar]

A_Khadar;763782 wrote:

You jumped of the question? Bring some help to your claims. Peace was the only over rated claim that s/l used and that is a history now.. Anything else?

Either you don't read most of what's been written internationally about Somaliland for the last 10-15 years or you're overcome by your partisanship regarding the Sool issue.

 

What's the point of posting tons of articles about Somaliland's good governance when we've all read them throughout the years??

I'm not 'Duke'.

 

I recognize your opposition to Somaliland and its claim of the Sool community but let's try to be realistic when it comes to its accomplishments in a harsh environment. Denying them doesn't do justice to your cause.

 

****Corrected a typo

[xiinfaniin]

Mahiga did not call the recognition of Somaliland (at least in the purported video, which I watched).

 

I think the protest is unwarranted. I also understand that separatists like Mintid Farayar are desperate for publicity.

 

Praising peace and stability of a Somali region is not akin to recognizing or breaking Somalia apart it.

[A_Khadar]

Mintid Farayar;763788 wrote:

Either you don't read most of what's been written internationally about Somaliland for the last 10-15 years or you're overcome by your bipartisanship regarding the Sool issue.

 

What's the point of posting tons of articles about Somaliland's good governance when we've all read them throughout the years??

I'm not 'Duke'.

 

I recognize your opposition to Somaliland and its claim of the Sool community but let's try to be realistic when it comes to its accomplishments in a harsh environment. Denying them doesn't do justice to your cause.

I still have to see the proof of the self governance you claimed. In your explaination if that is THE one in comparison with South somalia, oh yeah well you have it then it's a great governance.. I have aware of the facts on the ground, and I am not denying the place is better condition than Mogadishu but wrong to say there is a self governance.. At least claim that people do their things without the mentioning of government..

[A_Khadar]

xiinfaniin;763800 wrote:

Mahiga did not call the recognition of Somaliland (at least in the purported video, which I watched).

 

I think the protest is unwarranted. I also understand that separatists like Mintid Farayar are desperate for publicity.

 

Praising peace and stability of a Somali region is not akin to recognizing or breaking Somalia apart it.

Xiin even that peace and stability is no longer the case..

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

A_Khadar;763803 wrote:

Xiin even that peace and stability is no longer the case..

Just because people get killed just like every where else in the world it does not mean there is no peace and stability my friend