(…..and Ethiopia’s role in the eye of Somali people)
Somalia positioned in the horn of Africa has been swayed by deadly war for the last over two decades.
After the demise of the totalitarian communist president Siad Barre, the country was taken into civil war by various clan based war lords. A number of political organizations equipped with different ideologies and supported by external forces began to operate in Somalia. These include the veteran WSLF, the Issa and Gurgura Liberation Front (IGLF), Horyal (Gadabursi clan organisation), the ONLF, the Al-Ittihad al-Islam, more recently the Islamic courts which developed into Al-shebab wing and several smaller Somali political organisations. The demise of the Siad barre regime in 1991 led to the emergence of intra and inter-clan divisions. Hence, it was torn by war and its people had to endure the untold human deaths, economic failure and countless related agonies.
However, the Somalia we knew this way has been gradually getting rid of such misery mainly in the past few years.
Following the Islamic courts’ frequent jihad declaration over Ethiopia, after the call from the international community, AU, IGAD and mainly from the Somali officially authorized government and its people, Ethiopia has entered deep into Somalia to destroy the worldwide Al-Qaida linked bunch of terrorists. Having broken the back bone of the extremists in less than two weeks, Ethiopia[i] withdrew its forces after it managed creating effectively rooms for peace keepers to set foots in and mainly for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) to deal with its affairs well. Various scholars[ii] conclude that without the decisive help of Ethiopia, Somalia would have remained a save heaven for global hardliners.
As a result, the Somali people and largely the international communality have been elucidating that they are grateful of the help they sustained from Ethiopia. It can be here possible to mention so many achievements Somalia has attained so far not only in dismantling the then powerful extremists but also in crafting conducive federal working system to accommodate its various clans. Applying a working federal system for Somalia, as many political scientists coded could be part of the solution. As there is vast complain coming from the various clan leaders that they did not get enough representation in the affairs of their country, a system which can fairly house such differences was ultimately needed and that is federal system. The federal system begun to be applied after the Juba land and punt land have agreed to join on this basis before some months.
Accordingly, the federal government of Somalia is working strenuously to establish a working federal system as to accommodate all clan based differences. Thus, last weeks, lower Shebelle, Bakool, and Baidoa zones, the then stronghold of Al-shebab insurgents, have officially joined the federal system where various diplomatic corps, UN, AU, IGAD representatives and other concerned bodies based in Somalia participated in the inauguration ceremony held at Baidoa[iii] city in the presence of the president of Somali republic, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud[iv], and the newly elected president of south western regional state of Somalia, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan.
During the conference, prominent Somali stakeholders and various scholars participated in a more focused and in-depth in an objective manner and informative setting for nine months. The conference dealt for nine months ended up with the election of an interim president for the newly established region. Free and fair election of the interim president has come into reality as revealed by the participants. During the ceremony, various Somali scholars and business people and journalists confirmed that the formulation of the new state will path the way so that the country will be able to create a working federal system in a more effective way and is regarded as a progressive move. And, they said that as the process to reach in agreement was participative, it will be thriving lesson for the rest of the Somali zones, regions that are yet not joined to the process of creating federal system.
The president of the Somali republic expressed his happiness that his country is going this way and uttered his readiness to facilitate and assist such process as it is vital for Somalia’s peaceful transition. He also heartily thanked Ethiopian government and people for their unreserved positive and critical help which enabled him reach here. The interim president of the newly created state, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan said that he is ready to establish strong economic and political policies consistent with the federal system of the country so that he can capably secure the region both economically and politically. He assured the people of the state will never endure the causalities they were enduring before establishing such system under the tyrant of the insurgents. He called all people to fight for peace and wellbeing of Somalia. He said the process was entirely possible only with the help of Ethiopian brothers. “Somalia will never forget the assistance you gave us which enabled us to manage our affairs. All peace loving Somali people love and feel secured in front of them except the few who want to exploit the poor people when there is no strong security”. He said Ethiopia is on the side of the peace loving people of Somalia.
Sector three commander in chief of the Ethiopian Peace Keeping Forces under the patronage of AU (AMISON), Ethiopian Brigadier General Gebremedhn Fkadu (aka Wedi Necho[v]), said during the inauguration ceremony that Ethiopian forces in Somalia will never hesitate to help their Somali brothers and sisters until they get the peace to fruitfully establish the system they prefer. He added that Ethiopia’s assistance in whatsoever nature will continue. Ethiopia Ambassador to Somalia, Wondimu Asamnew [vi] said in his part that the creation of the new state is self-evident that Somalia is in the right truck. The country is relatively far better peaceful and is heading to federal system which can solve all kinds of problems, if managed wisely. The Ambassador Particularly stated that the areas (referring Baidoa) were save heaven for extremists before. “Establishing an administration in the area will help the local governors to sway Al-shebab. Ethiopia can also benefit from the interim administration as it is near to its border. Alshebab will not have place to attack Ethiopia if there is effective administration, he concluded”.
The lower Shebelle governor Sheikh Abdalla said we are immensely proud of the Ethiopian forces; they are well disciplined, generous and brave. “They share their ration with the people in need. They keep they people alive and optimistic that Somalia would be peaceful soon. They are doing their military mission humanly. They distribute foods for the people in need and protect the people from an attack. We are grateful for them”.
We sometime wonder what the region would look like without the Ethiopian positive and determined efforts, a journalist of Somalia who asked to remain unnamed for the sake of her [vii] security remarked.
Concluding remarks
The main reasons for Somalia to be relatively far better peaceful is that the declining acceptances of Al-sheba by the people, the reducing involvement of Eritrean regime after hit by UNSC sanction twice and the strengthening capacity of the federal government of Somalia and the contribution of AMISON forces.
It is not easy, I know, for the rest people who were bombarded by daily war reports of Somalia to believe that the country is not only recovering from war wounds but also heading to install a working federal system. In the near future, we will see a peaceful federal Somalia. The Embassies, UN, AU agencies opening their offices, and observing the people doing normal business are self-evident that the country is managing its own security and other administrative affairs.
What Somalia needs right now is investments, trade links and financial and knowledge help so that it can recuperate its ruined economy. Poverty must be beaten in Somalia and it needs the help of every one.
Ultimately, it is up to the Somali people to decide their own destiny, however.
* The author, Zeray Hailemariam, is a blogger at HornAffairs and has recently visited Somalia to participate in the event of inauguration of the interim administrator of South west interim administration, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan.
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Foot Notes:
[i] According to the Ethiopian late Prime Minister Meles report to parliament, 2009
[ii] Dr Mahari Tadelle, AU independent consultant, interview with WIC, 2014
[iii] Located 250 kilometers Southwest of Mogadishu, Baidao city has been under the brutal rule of the terrorists for five years
[iv] He was former house of speaker to Somalia and is among the prominent Somali politicians
[v] Bre. General Gebremedhn, a long time freedom fighter of TPLF, is among the prominent brave Ethiopian generals, interview with WIC
[vi] Interview with WIC, 2014
[vii] She is a young journalist living in Baidoa city who served as Al-Shebab spy
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