Residents of Hiiraan must capitalize this window of opportunity by holding a reconciliation conference to establish an administration
Hiiraan Online Editorial
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Peace can only be understood as a phase in a conflict cycle and as a long-term process with a set of challenges. It is in this context that we urge the people of the Hiiraan region to capitalize the current opportunity created by the withdrawal of Al-Shabab from the city of Beletwein and unite around the need to establish lasting security and a system of governance for the people of Hiiraan.
We understand that people may label us of supporting the notion of dual–track approach as promoted by the USA, or the concept of building from the bottom up or even the cynics may accuse us of breaking up the nation or creating more fiefdoms; a far-fetched of what this editorial piece aims to achieve.
In contrast, this editorial piece supports the unity of Somalia and in that spirit of unity urges the people of Hiiraan to consolidate peace by capitalizing this window of opportunity and to set the foundation for a process that will pave the way for durable peace throughout the country, and that is what this editorial piece is striving to achieve and not to further complicate the current crises in Somalia by not following suite the tsunami of emerging states. Arguably, the dual-track policy is intended to serve the interest of the USA and not the Somali interest and will adversely affect the Somali conflict and consequently will prolong the Somali crisis
First Somali President Aden Abdulle Osman (1), First Somali Prime Minister Abdullahi Isse Mohamud (2) and the first offical opposition leader Sheikh Ali Jumale Barale (3)
Just to put into a historical context, the region of Hiiraan is blessed immensely with leaders of high caliber and immeasurable qualities, as the first President Adan Abdulle Osman, the first Prime Minister Abdullahi Isse Mohamud and the first official opposition leader Sheikh Ali Jumale Barale in post independent Somalia all hail from the region of Hiiraan and it is in that spirit we appeal to the people of the region of Hiiraan to unite in making the region a peaceful region for all.
In light of the above, we propose the following:
1. We urge the people of Hiiraan to resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue and negotiations.
2. We urge the TFG to remain neutral and not to name any administration to Hiiraan, and to let the people of Hiiraan decide their fate as mandated by the Transitional Federal Charter.
3. We urge all contending groups to call for a general reconciliation conference to be held soon in the city of Beletweine in order for the people to elect an administration of their own choice without any interference and influence from outside.
4. We urge the elders, the intellectuals the educated elites, the religious scholars, the peacebuilding practitioners, women’s groups and all stakeholders to mediate a process of reconciliation among all the different clans in the region
And finally, please give peace a chance and grasp this opportunity and do not let this opportunity slip away, You should take advantage of all the resources at your disposal including human resources to advance the interest and wellbeing of residents of the region who have been yearning for peace for the last two decades and please keep in mind that united you can move mountains and when you unite and use your wisdom you shall be able to create an environment conducive for peace.