Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
At first, it was reported that the factions failed to reach an agreement but in less than twenty-four hours, new agencies began to report that the TFG and the Opposition signed an agreement.
In interviews HOL have conducted with residents in Mogadishu about the agreement, many expressed optimism but qualified their optimism by adding that if the two sides have the courage to implement the agreement. This is the first and most prominent agreement between the TFG and the Opposition Alliance.
Aside from the qualified optimism expressed by the majority of Mogadishu residents, there are others who have pointed to us that several articles the agreement lack clarity and prone to misinterpretation which may lead to the failure of the agreement.
These people cite as an example Article 7(b) which reads “….the TFG will act in accordance with the decision that has already been taken by the Ethiopian Government to withdraw its troops from Somalia after the deployment of a sufficient number of UN Forces”. What number of troops will be considered sufficient troops? 100,000 or more? It is not clear, argue sceptics and that is not good enough in a country where the factions eye one another with deep suspicion.
Nevertheless, for the thousands of people who have been displaced by the war and live in make shift homes on the outskirts of Mogadishu, any agreement that brings them peace and stability is better than no agreement.
It remains to be seen whether this agreement bears fruits or becomes one more failure on the part of Somali leaders. Somalia’s leaders are notorious for putting their short-term self interest ahead of their peoples’ suffering and the destruction of their country.
Hiiraan Online