Peacekeeper in Somalia: “I don't want to defeat Al-Shabaab. I would rather scatter them to prolong my mission,”

[Admin]

 

(The Star) - A recent trip to the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, has in fact opened my eyes to what a typical peacekeeper expects to gain from his tour of duty in Somalia.

 

There, I met a Burundian peacekeeper who had returned from Mogadishu, the Somali capital. The officer, whose name I will keep it to myself, told me that, unlike the general belief that the African Union Mission in Somalia is there to finish off Al Shabaab and pacify the country, he was there for his own benefit and that Al Shabaab’s destruction was the least of his priorities.

 

With a monthly pay of US$1200 and an extra US$500 allowance to boot, he earns more than ten Burundian and Somali soldiers each of whose monthly salary is US$50 and US$160 respectively.

 

So this peacekeeper has every pretext to fear death and plan for a happy future back home. In fact, he was already building a new house, praying that he remains in Somalia until the building is finished.

 

“I don't want to defeat Al-Shabaab. I would rather scatter them to prolong my mission,” he told me.

 

That peacekeeper’s position may not represent the view of all AU peacekeepers in Somalia who have sacrificed a lot to win the semblance of peace that now exists in that country.

 

But that should not distract us from the reality on the ground in Somalia that demonstrates the poor leadership exercised by the mission leaders who appear to lack clear-cut vision to defeat the militants and have so far did little to prepare for an exit strategy.

 

Such a laziness that could be the result of complacency could bring about disasters in the long run, especially in a country whose citizens are known for their open hatred towards foreigners on their soil.

 

And recent developments illustrate how the mission is staring what is known as the "mission creep" in the eyes, because the AU force is clueless about Somalis’ psyche, aspirations and anger.

 

A widely watched and popular satellite TV, Universal, has recently aired a string of satires about the lack of fighting prowess within the force, showing peacekeepers cowering behind a tree, while a lone Somali soldier took the bullet.

 

Another had it that the mission’s vehicles don’t stop when they cause accidents, mashing still bodies of killed people with the tyres of one car after another – of course for fear of stopping. In another show, a presenter has passionately appealed to the AU force to vacate the capital’s football stadium, saying Somalis need to have their land back.

 

It appears that the political section of the mission is doing little to advise commanders on the dangers of doing nothing on the battle front for almost one yea or of the risks of failing to nudge Somali leaders to deliver services to the citizenry.

 

Many policy makers, both local and international, are oblivious to recent changes in the country: What has been tolerable just a few years ago is unacceptable this time round.

 

Somalis expect services from their current government, the first non-transitional administration since the collapse of the country’s central government in 1991.

 

Lawmakers are now calling for the president to resign for his failure to address the insecurity in the country. When Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came to power in 2012, Somalis believed that he signaled a change because his declared that security, security and nothing but security will be his priority. Now that they got insecurity, they want him out.

 

It shouldn't be a far-fetched notion, therefore, to expect a motion against the viability of the AU mission in the near future.

 

It is really sad that, instead of planning for an exit strategy, the mission is digging in, eroding its earlier successes and reputations.

 

AMISOM's recent decision to add Ethiopian forces to the force were both mistakes of strategic and PR proportions, a bad way to lose the war on the hearts and minds of ordinary Somalis.

 

Prior to Ethiopians' inclusion, there was a lot of noise over the wisdom of enlisting Kenyan forces. To bring Ethiopians on board will only add to the exiting anti-foreign sentiments in the country. Somalis look askance at both nations.

 

We should remember that the aim of deploying peacekeepers in Somalia in 2007 was to replace Ethiopian troops who were seen by many Somalis as an invading and detested force

 

In fact, there is no plausible and strategic reasons that can compel the mission to add Ethiopian forces who, for years, operated in Somalia with or without the consent of the national government in Mogadishu but achieved little peace in areas under their control.

 

Many Somalis still recall Addis Ababa's wicked role in creating and supporting predatory warlords and factions that shattered the Somali state.

 

Ethiopia has even perpetuated the Somali conflict by undermining legitimate peace processes and imposing its own solution on the Somali people.

 

Human Rights Watch and the Amnesty International have documented atrocities committed by Ethiopian forces during their two year occupation in Somalia, such as shelling hospitals, residential areas and slaughtering people like goats. In its 2007 report, the U.N. Monitoring Group has also accused Ethiopian forces of using phosphorous bombs that melted people.

 

So sanctioning Ethiopia's presence in Somalia is simply aiding the militants to get more recruits --and they're not letting such an opportunity to pass up.

 

The Al-Qaeda-linked group's recent daring attacks on government targets in Mogadishu, particularly last month's assault on the presidential palace is a clear evidence of the extent AMISOM took its eyes off the militants.

 

The group’s 5,000-force should be no match for a 22,000-strong force. But it is one thing to have seasoned, well-paid, well-armed soldiers. It is quite another to be serious about defeating al-Shabaab.

 

To have attacks on the presidential palace almost three years after the militants were forced to withdraw from the capital is an utter disgrace to the “an African solution to African problems” notion that has become the mantra after 2011.

 

AMISOM should stop resting on its laurels and finish the job and know that the 2011's much-acclaimed victory is now a distant victory, and that militants are now pushing back against the continental mission.

 

The UN agencies in Somalia have already taken note of this latest setbacks, and now Uganda is deploying about 400 Ugandan Special Forces, known as the United Nations Guard Unit, to protect U.N. installations.

 

Rumors are also rife in Mogadishu that Somali government officials are not content with foreign peacekeepers or even happy having them as guards for fear that they may be a part of a wider web of war-profiteers.

 

That is a rude blow to a force that has sacrificed thousands of its soldiers to achieve the little peace that exits in Somalia.

 

To even suspect peacekeepers, a once loved and highly admired lot, of mischief must be the result of overstaying Somalia, whose citizens want the force to do its job and depart. Overstaying is courting disaster, so peacekeepers must leave while they're still loved.

 

Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad is a Horn of Africa specialist with Southlink Consultants.

 

Source: http://www.the-star.co.ke

http://www.somaliaonline.com/peacekeeper-in-somalia-i-dont-want-to-defeat-al-shabaab-i-would-rather-scatter-them-to-prolong-my-mission/

[Tallaabo]

This has been an open secret all along. If I were a Ugandan soldier in the AMISOM, I too would not put myself in harm's way and would also make sure that the "fight" is prolonged until I enriched my self enough to afford an early retirement.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Thats the interest of Amisom countries to prolong the conflict as long as possible, this lady is just protecting her own interst, they get a good payment.

[DoctorKenney]

It's silly for Somalia to believe that any country has it's interests at heart, except them. It isn't surprising that AMISOM wants to prolong this conflict so they can fatten their wallets.

 

The Somali Government should be using AMISOM, Turkey, the EU and the United States to fulfil their own objectives, and then discard them when their objectives have been met.

 

But to expect this President to have the political common-sense to do this is wishful thinking

[SomaliaRising]

Iam extremely anti-shisheeye, foreign terrorists and foreign gaalo. Wants them out today.

 

Let Somalis fight it out.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

If foreign troops go Alshabaab will be land lords with in 24 hours, but maybe its good for The somalis let the strongest win and dictate let nature be nature.

 

 

Doctor that would work if the SFG had the backing of all Somalis and if the SFG was mature to play their cards , dont believe the Turkish hype either they are there for their own interest to they might build a few hospitals and pave some roads, but nothing is for free.

 

[DoctorKenney]

Xaaji you'd better believe that if Al Shabaab subdues the whole of Somalia, they're coming right after your little tribal enclave as well. Don't think for a second that the Security Apparatus in Hargeisa would be able to withstand such an onslaught. So no, it's not a good thing for us, and neither is it good for your 3-City Republic you like to call "Somaliland". You'd better pray that Al Shabaab is defeated in the South

 

And yes, I know not to believe the Turkish hype. This current President is not politically mature enough to know what he's doing. I'm surprised he hasn't been forced to resign in shame yet.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Doctor i have no worries for Somaliland the biggest percentage of SL budget goes to the army insurgents from Somalia will never be a threat to somaliland even if they defeat the Somalia government and the Amisom but that scenario has no point of arguing, Alshabaab will and cannot defeat 30.000 African union troops and the AU troops can never all together defeat shabaab, the 2 will need each other. But Doctor dont you think its better for Somalia that its better if it has a clear winner shabaab or the SFG amisom, this status quo is killing Somalia if you know what i mean. By the way Somaliland has more than 3 cities i believe more than 11 main cities. The current president is not the problem, Somalis are the problem Somalis cannot compramise nor share a country nor are willing to work for the larger good if hassan is removed another president will be bashed remember people hated sharif and all wanted hassan sheikh, because they thought sharif is incompetent, the leaders of Somalia are a reflection of Somalis , u have to understand that, no need to blame hassan , hassan is under the mercy of African union troops.

 

 

[DoctorKenney]

Xaaji...you're comparing apples to oranges here. The Americans never managed to defeat Vietnam but they sure as hell caused a lot of casualties. Vietnamese soldiers died at a rate 30x higher than the number of Americans who were killed. But Vietnam still "won" the war.

 

For Shabaab to be successful, they don't have to win ....they just have to survive. And since Shabaab is known for their hit-and-run tactics, what makes you think the Somaliland Army would be able to defeat them?

 

Shabaab recruits Americans, Canadians, Europeans, Arabs and Africans to their force. Do you REALLY believe that they won't be able to recruit people from your Tribal Enclave to wage war against it? Are you that naive?

 

Shabaab isn't stronger than the AU or any other force but they "survive" just like the Viet-Cong survived during the Vietnam War.

 

If you want to have your head in the sand and think that Shabaab wouldn't be able to conquer (or at least cause havoc) in Somaliland, then its up to you.

 

But I don't think Somalilanders would wanna live the rest of their lives wondering if they'll be killed by a suicide bomber while they're having their morning coffee.

 

Get real

[Hawdian]

" african and europeans in somaliya" we dobt want peace in sonaliya we want to stay keep the people under colonization while we kill them, afterwards we blame alshabab and call them all terrorist keep the gravy train going".

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Doctor Alshabaab is an extremist ideology its not an army or a strong entity they are just better organized than the SFG thats all. Alshabaab cannot go to areas where there is governance even in NFD kenya north eastern, they managed to go in there but they cant hold it because Kenyas army is more organized. There has been more suicide bombings in Kenya than ever in Somaliland carried out by Alshabaab, Alshabab is a threat to the entire region but not specifically to Somaliland. Alshabaab is actually more Somali than the SFG if you ask me it has more Somalis than Foreigners it has an international agenda.. Doctor how do you see the future since there will be no winner and shabaab will survive most likely like the Taliban did after 13 years of war.

[DoctorKenney]

Xaaji the only reason why they never attacked your Tribal Enclave is because they've been severely weakened by AMISOM and are too preoccupied with subduing the South. Remember, your cousin Godane is an Internationalist, and he's even threatened to attack countries as far away as the U.K. and Turkey. So what makes you think your 3-City Republic is exempt? What makes you think you're safe?

 

If Al Shabaab controls the entire Somalia....from Kismayo to Bosaso, they will have under their control territories as large as France, with millions of Somalis under their control. You really think a fanatic Shabab-controlled Somalia is going to be good for Somaliland?

 

The Taliban War in Afghanistan has spilled over into Pakistan. The War on Drugs in Mexico has spilled into the U.S.A. Not even the Americans have the power to stop the fanatical Mexican Drug Cartels from operating in California and Texas. Yet you think your Tribal Enclave can stop an Army of thousands of fanatics who will do whatever their Amiir tells them to do, including dying for their cause? What happened to your common sense?

 

Somalilanders should be concerned about the events in Somalia....;because sooner or later our troubles will come knocking on your door. And trust me it won't be pretty

 

 

And what do I think should be done in the future? Well I think the SFG should first control their territory....build up a professional army....kick out the foreigners....and then institute a moderate form of Shariah Law over Somalia.

 

Al Shababs 2 main recruiting tools is the presence of foreigners in our country and the notion that they are the only ones who want to implement the Hukm of Allah. If we take that from them, it'll be easy to negotiate with their more moderate elements and then crush the extremists

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Alsshabaab is a threat to the region yes but not specifically to SL so if they take over the entire Somalia or not it has no effect really .Godane is working on the global platform and he will do everything to make sure his organization remain relevant. But nothing to worry i mean if Somalia remain as this shabaab will just go underground and cannot be really defeated, so whats the point really for Shabaab and the SFG in the long term.

[Holac]

This is shocking. Who knew the AU actors would be so open about their plan.

[DoctorKenney]

Xaaji, if the Shabaab controls all of Somalia, then they'll come right after Somaliland, Djibouti, Yemen and any neighboring territories. They're Internationalists. What part of that don't you understand?

 

I think it would be better for your Tribal Militia to send some forces to South Somalia to help destroy Shabaab, because they're just as much your enemies as they are ours.