Dr. Ali S. Faqi
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The majority of the Somali public is against Alshabab. It has become apparent that Alshabab whose leaders include foreigners is the enemy number one of Somalia. Just less than a month ago, exactly on October 4, 2011, they killed 80 young Somalis who were waiting for the results of scholarships to Turkey. There is no doubt in my mind that the majority of the public would like to see Alshabab defeated.
I should also reiterate that
Kenya has every right to defend itself from Alshabab incursions, but the danger lies on
Kenya’s agenda to install Azania in the
Juba regions.
Azania is not an inclusive administration and is not supported by most of the locals in Juba regions. The formation of the Azania is a very sensitive and emotional subject and if feasible it requires full support from all stakeholders. Kismayu is the Jerusalem of Somalia and Kenya’s attempt to install Prof. Gandi’s administration will lead to a further escalation and the beginning of a new civil war that will have catastrophic consequences. Ethiopia attempted to install TFG in Mogadishu, but failed miserably.
I don’t know where Kenya got its facts, but it is clear that it has no clue about the political dynamics in Somalia. Kenya has been a good neighbor for Somalia and has so far stayed away from the dirty Somali politics; it will be wise to stay away from supporting one clan over the others if it is genuinely interested in helping Somalia.
If Kenya insists in pushing forward its military plan, my biggest concern is that indeed it may benefit Alshabab as most clans in Juba regions will not absolutely accept Azania. Always remember the Somali adage that goes “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”.
It might be easy for the Kenyan army to capture Kismayu, but once that happened, the political dynamics will change and new allies will form, thus escalating further the situation in the region.
Somalia is in need of peace, security and stability and I am 100% convinced that a stable Somalia is in the interest of the region and the entire world. Defeating Alshabab is a priority for the Somali public, but destabilizing, disenfranchising millions of people is deplorable. Injustice is the major problem in Somalia. Kenya’s involvement in the Somali injustice sends a wrong message.
Kenya, the TFG and the rest of the world should not lose the opportunity to defeat Alshabab; it is the right time, but it requires doing the right thing. Invading Somalia under the premise of hunting Alshabab and in the meantime implementing a divisive political agenda is a recipe for disaster. The government of Kenya and its public should seriously not overlook this issue. It will be an embarrassment to the Kenyans to install an administration that lacks transparency, integrity, human rights and minority agendas. Supporting Azania will be like supporting an apartheid regime.
To Prof. Gandi, here is also my two cents of advice. You are still a man who does not have a blood in his hands; please abandon your political ambition for the sake of peace and stability in Somalia. You will need to do more consultations and more discussions with the locals prior to formation of any administration. Grabbing a bunch of unemployed individuals from the streets of Nairobi who don’t have any support from their communities and making them join your administration is not a good way of building a regional government. This should be particularly clear for you as you lived most of your life in France where democracy and freedom is part of the daily life. I am skeptic about the directions you will take, but remember you are today in a position where you can either help or destroy. If you don’t heed to my call, I guarantee that thousands of innocent Somalis will be killed and Azania will remain an unrealistic dream for ever. There is only one solution for Somalia and that is dialogue, dialogue and dialogue.
Dr. Ali S. Faqi
E-mail: [email protected]