Neither the TFG nor the Alliance of Re-liberation can seriously bring about a peaceful settlement in Somalia.

by Mohamed Abdi Abdulle – Qujuc
Wednesday, May 14, 2008

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This piece of writing is in response to the Djibouti conference: An Opportunity that Should Not Be Missed by Dr. Abdirashid Elmi, published on Hiiraan online.

First of all, thank you for your very well written article. Your sincere appeal to the opposing sides to demonstrate care for the people of Somalia by accelerating the peace process and dropping any pre-conditions that might hinder a peaceful settlement of the Somali conflict is indeed well considered.

Secondly, since the current meeting between the opposing sides is taking place in Djibouti, one might argue that such a meeting has little chance of producing any fruitful solutions, and that neither TFG nor the Alliance’s representatives’ have any real ability to reach decisions independent from their backers (Ethiopia and Eritrea). Thus, the situation may indeed obscure any hope of arriving at a genuine peace settlement for Somalia.

That said, one must realize that TFG has no military strength to defend itself against Islamic Courts and Alshabab onslaughts. It is for that reason that the Ethiopian troops have become the de-facto TFG army and are now stationed in almost every corner, city and town in the country. Thus, Ethiopia has become not only the lifeblood of TFG, but it is also the source of its existence; moreover, to continue to exist, TFG must adhere to the demands and conditions dictated by its Ethiopian master. I believe the TFG delegations in Djibouti cannot speak their minds or make the right decisions, and any accord reached must be approved beforehand by the Ethiopian government. Similarly, the Alliance of Re-Liberation Somalia has no option but to remain loyal and commit to Asmara’s terms and prerequisites if the Alliance wants to stay and continue to use its base in Eritrea and be accommodated by the Asmara regime. Eritrea has been the only country of note that seated and supported the Alliance of Re-Liberation of Somalia. Also, it is worth to mention that Eritrea hosts scores of other rebellions that opposed or wished to harm and weaken Eritrea’s archenemy, Ethiopia. Therefore, it is definitely heartbreaking for many ordinary Somalis to be confronted by the reality conveyed in these situations; however, these are the realities on the ground, and no wishful thinking can change the fact that TFG and the Alliance of Re-Liberation Somalia are the marionettes that turned Somalia into a playground for Ethiopia and Eritrea. Indeed, even if the opposing sides do talk with each other, no tangible results are expected since both opposing parties carry foreign terms and conditions which have absolutely have no vested interests in Somalia’s restoration as a nation. Eritrea or Ethiopia also may not support any genuine peace settlement achieved at this meeting if the terms of that peace do not conform with their agendas or correspond with the so-called interests of their national security strategies.

Right now, the only thing our people require is the immediate cessation of hostilities between the warring sides. Further, this must be followed immediately by the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and the pacification of extremist Islamic elements in Somalia; clearly, extremism will do absolutely no good for Somalia. The genuine peaceful solutions for which the Somali people long can only be reached if:
a)      International community put a pressure on Ethiopia and Eritrea to stop interfering Somali internal affairs and be told to take their discord to somewhere else.
b)      Broad national reconciliation conference is be held inside Somalia to allow Somalis solve their problems independently from any other foreign interference so that Somalis can make right decisions that are truly accommodating for the restoration of Somalia.
c)      Full support from international community for making such conference to happen.

Mohamed Abdi Abdulle – Qujuc
Toronto, Ontario
[email protected]

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