by Abdulkadir Mohamed Diesow
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Dear friends,
UN Envoy to Somalia Ambassador Mahiga |
I know that some of you will not like the contents of this open letter. But, it is national and truth pains.
Somalis are discontent with ongoing projects on reconciliation outside Somalia. There had been more than 16 Somali reconciliation meetings, of which the first meeting was held in Ethiopia in March1993.
All these meetings were organized by the United Nations Organization. The sole envoy for Somalia, who had really been very serious on bringing peace and stability into Somalia, was Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoon. Indeed he was very cincereful in Somalia’s civil war. He set up a roadmap for stopping the bloodshed in Somalia, and began his initiatives at a grassroots level, where he had made local tours and met with the different sections of the society. Each and everyone had welcomed his efforts.
Unfortunately, Ambassador Sahnoon’s roadmap did not satisfy to his immediate boss at the time. Sahnoon when he found that his roadmap had been rejected, he resigned from his post as the UN Envoy for Somalia early in 1990s. He wrote a book titles as “The Missed Opportunity.” Ambassador Mahiga needs to be equipped with the diplomatic experience of Mohamed Sahnoon, before he tries to be involved in Somali affairs.
Now, as for the high level consultative meeting in Nairobi, on 12th & 13th April, the UN envoy for Somalia brought together Al- Sunna Wal Jama, Gal Mudug, Puntland & the TFP. Earlier, when he went to Hargeisa for the invitation of the meeting to Somaliland. The Somaliland government rejected to take part. Al – Shabaab also rejected, he did not either invite Xubin &, Xeeb State, Hiiraan State, Hiiraan & Midland State, Somali Central State, Galgudud State, Waax & Waadi State, Jubba & Jazira State & Al – zania State. On the other hand, the Somali government has rejected to take part in that meeting.
Henceforth, isn’t it ridicules to fund a meeting in which the rival parties are not invited, but invite non rival parties? To elaborate further; the Imbagati I & Djibouti I of 2004 & 2009 respectively, the outcome was the TFG based on what the Somalis had agreed “4.5” power sharing. Al- Sunna Wal Jama, Gal Mudug & Puntland are part in the current TFG & TFP.
The government of Djibouti, an IGAD State member, had downplayed the so called high level consultative meeting in Nairobi.
During Mahiga’s last visit in Mogadishu, delivering his invitations to the President, the PM. & the Speaker of Somalia (UN Envoy has divided Somali government into three different authorities as lands of authorities).
He was asked whether there was misunderstanding between him and the parliament. Mr. Mahiga replied: “there was misunderstanding. But, I have met with the Speaker & some MPs, there is no more misunderstanding.” Yes, he met with the Speaker, but not with the parliament, neither he met with the Standing Committee and/or the Parliamentary Committees. Once again, the same MPs took part in Nairobi meeting.
In this scenario, one can argue that the UN Envoy for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga is merely mending ribs in the sky.
Furthermore, the ambassador said in a press conference: “with or without the Somali government, the high level consultative meeting will take place in Nairobi.” These words were harsh, unpleasant and very much resemble to the words of George W. Bush, when he said; “With or without UN support we attack Iraq.” Apparently this gesture indicates that he does not respect the Somali government. Perhaps, he has been marginalized by a deadline to utilize funds for the meeting and forced him to say these words, regardless his diplomacy.
I would like to share with Ambassador Mahiga; Somalia is very much tired of “Imperial Partioning” in the nineteenth century and currently self- Partioning. It is the sole nation divided once into five parts. Today, it is Partioning by itself into "authorities of lands" as Somaliland, Puntland, Jubbaland, etc, nowadays changed into “Regional Sates” of Somaliland, Puntaland, Gal Mudug, Xubin & Xeeb, Hiiraan, Bay & Bakool, you name it …These are originated the former clan based Somali faction groups in early 1990s, as SNM, SPM, SDM, USC, etc.
Henceforth, my advice to the ambassador is that he must not be another catalyst and facilitator for the Somali Partioning and deepen its situation.
The current Somali government under the premiership of Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” is committed and got the will to bring some changes in Somalia. It is the first government after the collapse of Somali central government in 1991 to produce a budget approved by the parliament. It is working hard on revenue collection mainly from Mogadishu harbor & airport, fight against corruption and began paying salaries to soldiers, civil servants and politicians for the last three months.
Most of the current cabinet members came from Diaspora, highly educated, and like to share their experiences with their nation. Mogadishu City Council began city cleaning, road repairs and put lightening back on some roads. Although the Mayor of Mogadishu, Mr. Tarzan has not been invited to the high level consultative meeting in mind.
The government had made some success in their fight against Al – Shaba insurgents and regained some areas in Mogadishu, Buulo Hawo, Dhoobley & other areas. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Ambassador Mahiga is trying to turn off that light, and the Somalis won’t let him do so.
In conclusion, it is the first in Somali history for the last two decades that Somali leaders can say “No!” Congratulations to President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo”, his government and Somali MPs who were against Nairobi meeting. I would also like to express my regards to Professor Ali Jimale Ahmed who refused to be dictated for the Somali affairs, when he was offered earlier to the post of Somali prime minister.
This signals that Somalis are on stepping stones towards their sovereignty, nationality, solving their problems locally without foreign influence and follow to peace restoring models of their fellow citizens of Somaliland and Puntland.
I congratulate my colleagues and fellow citizens in The Nordic Union of Somali Peace and Development Organizations in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden who have expressed similar concerns and supported the Somali government decision of not taking part in the meeting.
As for the international community, Somalis did not and will not forget the international support for the Somali people. The efforts on how to restore law and order in Somalia. Somalis do fully understand international assistances are collected from international community tax payers, and they appreciate for their assistance ever since the collapse of Somali central government in 1991.
They honor the international community’s commitments and efforts in peace building for Somali. These assistances are in the memories of the Somali people.
The importance is that the international community has to double check where their assistances go. Count their coin twice, and must not accept to be spent on unnecessary meetings, while Somalis are dying for starvation, thirsty and malnutrition.
Finally, I conclude my open letter to Ambassador Augustine P/ Mahiga and the international community with the following:
“He, who does not thank to mankind, does not thank to Almighty God!”
The Sunna of Prophet Mohamed (Peace be Upon Him)
And
“Libaax nin ganay iyo nin galaday kala og!”
(A lion knows who its friend is & who its foe is)
A Somali proverb
Let the World be in peace & unity!
Abdulkadir Mohamed Diesow