Sheikhnur Ali – A Young Somali Thinker’s Viewpoint on Somalia

In an earlier article entitled ‘When the Somali Youth comes to the forefront’, we published the first part of the interview we had with Sheikhnur Ali, a young US - Somali student and free thinker, who expanded on his turbulent life experience from Mogadishu to various Somali provinces, then through Mogadishu to Cairo, and finally America. In the present article, we publish the second part of the interview.
 
– What is the main problem of the Somali political life now?
 
Sheikhnur Ali – Right now the problem of Somali political life evolves around the Transitional Federal Government (TFG); their agenda involves deliberate criminal activities of all sorts. From them nothing good ensues for Somalia, no positive change for the Somali people, only hardship.

Let’s be real, and tell the truth. This criminal government has done nothing to protect my beloved residents of Mogadishu, who have been exposed to terrible and traumatic experiences. Every day innocent civilians are being killed in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia because of the actions the criminal soldiers of TFG and their Abyssinian allies, tyrant Zenawi’s thuggish soldiers.

Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed - TFG Criminal in-Chief

What I don’t understand is this incredible situation, why this criminal TFG helps the displaced people who left the city, but they criticized the dragging of the Ethiopian soldiers in the streets of Mogadishu. A few weeks ago, the head of the criminal government, Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed, a guy who is exclusively absorbed by his personal financial interests, said the following: "When two elephants fight, the grass suffers".

Well, this quote is truly very interesting; we should ask this criminal and selfish puppet of premier as regards the meaning because to every person with common sense it sounds as a hint to two people fighting in a city; in this case, it’s the civilians who suffer and are often massacred. 

What a fascist quote and what a dump comment that helped him make a fool of himself!

This statement made by the TFG Criminal in-Chief consists in an unacceptable blow and offense in the face of the numerous Somali civilians killed in the recent fighting in Mogadishu. I would recommend this president to demonstrate a due concern and attitude, and to present his apologies for the ill-fated and erratic comment. 

- You, Mr. Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed, go back to Mogadishu, and hold a press conference there to submit your apology to your people. Try to and show them whether you can serve the Somali Nation and the people, and how you can manage to drive the Ethiopian armed forces out of Somalia. Talk to your own brothers.

Not a single official of the criminal TFG has even shown real concern for the people who are being killed in the recent Fight of Mogadishu, and this tells us that this is a puppet government serving only other countries’ interest. In addition, they were not able to make the violence cease.

The totalitarian TFG intends to shut down the private sector, as these criminals have in mind to impose a state-run model of economy. Criminal Yusuf’s last speech triggered a general outrage as it helped us understand that his intensions are to impose a state-run type of economy in order to control all the private sector, and consolidate TFG illegitimate rule.

In addition to the prevailing clannism and the existence of the TFG, a forthcoming strife about Oil is another problem we currently face in Somalia. Chinese companies want to exploit the rich Oil resources of Somalia, and I believe they may rekindle every feeling of rivalry among Somalis.

As America shows a great interest for the Horn of Africa region, I believe the day is close when Bush will see China’s interest to exploit the Somali Oil as a threat for US interests. I find therefore plausible for two political groups to be shaped, one linked with China and another with the US. The very beginning of this situation has already occurred as the TFG Criminal in-Chief singed a contract with China, something the former TFG criminal prime minister didn’t agree with. That is why the two guys relations broke up. Oil wars will herald major disasters in Somalia.

– Many people allover the world believe that the Somalis turned out to be a nation of Islamists and fanatics; do you think this is true?
    
Sheikhnur Ali – Somalia is known as a nation of poets and this title is key to correct understanding the Somalis. Right now, one of the commonly shared values among Somalis is Islam, and that’s play part in our daily live. Somalia is not nation of Islamists, not at all. I believe Islam represents a solution for most of Somalia’s problems, but is not time to have an Islamic state. The average people in Somalia acted incorrectly in their attitude toward the next. I am convinced that they first need to forgive one another, and open a new Chapter in the History of Somalia. It must be a chapter of Justice, Love, and Peace – not a chapter of revenge. 

The Somalis are not Islamists.

The problem in Somalia is that there are few people who are currently diffusing the ideology of Salafism and Wahhabism, through the vehicle of the UIC. They have done a great job in bringing peace to southern Somalia, but they should stay in the capital, and draft a Constitution for the city to draw respect for the Law and the Elder. Unfortunately, they deiced to use gun rather than pen, and they paid a heavy price for this.  

We are having a problem with Salafism and Wahhabi extremism in Somalia, due to Saudi money flow aimed at promoting this ideology; however, I am confident that this attempt will not work in Somalia. This ideology is a threat against  Somalia, it should be and will be rejected.

The establishment of an Islamic state in Somalia needs to be agreed by all the Somalis, and even more importantly, it must promote the correct teaching of Islam. However, if some Somalis want to impose Wahhabist ideas, they should know in advance that this will not work. The reason is that only extremely few Somalis would agree with their ideas, while the rest would reject it. This already happened in 2006 - 2007 and the UIC paid the price for it.  

At this point, I want to add that another mistake of the UIC government was that they wanted to ban Sufism in Somalia and this would contravene ages old traditions deeply embedded in the Somali culture. Quite interestingly, most of the UIC leaders were Sufi, before they adhered to Salafism and the Wahhabist ideology. 

Personally, I believe that, as Islam is a way of life, the government – any government I mean – should not interefere, let alone enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic laws. It is not up to a government to instruct citizens how to follow religious rules and practices; on the contrary, it is up to an individual to decide on how to follow the Islamic code, because Allah will judge the individual behavior and how a certain individual interprets Islamic values to him/herself. 

I do believe Islamic laws will bring stability to Somalia because most citizens will follow these laws. Opposite to what I envision, the Islamic Courts of Justice did not legislate and stipulate the correct Islamic laws as most of the Judges did not have a specific degree on the subject. As they had not been trained on how to enforce the Islamic law, and rather contributed to confusion, and I think there lies the danger. Furthermore, most Judges stipulated Islamic laws of dubious content and purpose.

How different is the History of Islamic Law, and how differently was the Law interpreted in the Golden Age of Islam!

To sum up, right now the Somali society is far from having a chance to properly achieve an Islamic state, due to different ideas that have flowed to Somalia.

– Would you describe in details for our readers the Somali political spectrum; in the South, in Puntland, in Maakhir, in Somaliland, in Ogaden and in the Diaspora.

Sheikhnur Ali – In the South, well known political leaders have been silent and the vacuum has been filled by some warlords who undeservedly occupied the position of those leaders. Most warlords don’t know anything about politics, but they use the clan factor in order to obtain political gain. Also, in the south there is the rule of gun, because most warlords wanted to control some land, willing to increase their criminal activities.

Puntland, Somaliland, Ogaden

In Puntland, the political is clam area, but most of them discriminate against the rest of Somalia, and they are more heavily depending on clan social structures. Most of the people in Puntland hate the South of Somalia, and there is a rivalry because of what happened in 1990. Puntland government is corrupted, and their government is rather pro-‘Ethiopian’ than pro-Somalia.

Somaliland is a peace place, and the political process is better than in most other areas of Somalia, as they sat together and decided to impose law and order. This is a good idea, but Somaliland should bring their ideas to the rest of Somalia, and help form a National Unity. I believe that Somalia needs Somaliland because they are part of the History of Somalia.

Ogaden is part of the Greater Somalia, but the political process is flip-flopping, because some Ogadeni leaders are in favour of the Ethiopian government, and some are not. I hope to see concord prevailing among them first so they be able to finally solve the conflict at last. Every Somali’s duty is to support the Cause of Ogaden, as that land, Somalia West, is a real national treasure for all Somalis. 

The Somali Diaspora

The Somali Diaspora is unfortunately bringing more problems to the conflict, because most of them send money to support the various clan militias. In Minnesota where live many Somalis, it is hard to see unity because every person wants to promote something for his own clan, and not for the country. Each clan has formed its own community, their own shopping malls where most of them shop as their fellow clan members own various stores. You will find real tension among Somali clans in the heart of Minnesota, as if this part of America is Somali territory. As a matter of fact, most of them are more ignorant than the Somalis left back home. It is an outrage to attest this reality, but I live with it every day in Minnesota. In addition, these people are divided on the issue of the Somali government because some of them support the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), whereas others do not.  

I believe that all the Somalis should sit together, and discuss the current problems of Somalia, thus finding a solution. I am trying to bring together some original Somali nationalists who are determined to bring change in Somalia.

– Are there pro-Western Somalis?
 
Sheikhnur Ali – Yes, there are Somalis who are pro-Western but most of them live by now in the West. I am personally neither pro-Western or anti-Western; I am more pro-Justice and pro-Peace.

– What is the weight of the original Somali nationalists who reject clannism and avoid to confront ignorance? In numbers and in impact on the political decision making?

Sheikhnur Ali – I think it is zero; actually, the blame for the conflict should be put on them because they sending money to clan militias in an effort to arm them against other clan militias and potentially exterminate those they identify as their enemies. I am convinced that the Diaspora Somalis are - politically speaking - not smart at all; actually, I believe that they don’t have the experience of political life, living abroad, and this makes them dumper than any political leader in Somalia. Certainly, among them there are many very well-educated and well-cultured, refined Somalis who became renowned for their scholarly and academic capacities; however, this does not empower them to effectively contribute to the current conflict resolution. The Somali youth are far better equipped and truly capable of change, as most of them are tired of the clannish political environment that is detrimental to Somalia’s national interest.

US Somalia policy: failed

– To what extent are you happy with the American foreign policy in the case of Somalia?

Sheikhnur Ali – I am not happy at all; the reason is due to the fact that the current US administration does not want to see Somalia to have a honest government. Quite paradoxically, America has been silent for many long years. Now that the Chinese started expressing a vivid interest for Somalia’s natural resources, the Americans are back in an effort to best serve their endangered interests.

In my opinion, the answer is as simple as the fact that the United States has everything to gain from a stable Somalia and from the formation of a broad-based and all-inclusive government at Mogadishu, whereas Meles Zenawi’s Tigray-ruled Ethiopian government has everything to lose from a similar development. 

America is looking for Oil and military base in Somalia, but this will not work because their policy is based on hypocrisy, and they tend to divide the Somali people, which is counterproductive for their interests. Consequently, the American policy will not bring Democracy in Somalia; on the contrary, following their misperception of Somalia, they are bound to bring about only clannish dictators in Somalia, and quite unfortunately, this is the truth. Only indicatively, I note here that they currently support a person, I mean the TFG ‘president’, who is merely a warlord, and his activities consist in a long record of Crimes against the Mankind.

I believe that once President Bush leaves the office, the American policy has strong chances to change, as the next president will bring about a great change in the US foreign policy.  

– Is there in Somalia a long colonial shadow? To what extent is the present situation due to the quadripartite colonial (French, English, Italian and Abyssinian) division of Somalia?

Sheikhnur Ali – The colonial shadow does not cover Somalia anymore. The problem for most of the Somalis us the Abyssinian government that is fully committed into its plan of dividing Somalia – which corresponds to their interests. The Abyssinian governments traditionally don’t want to see a strong Somalia, as they fear that Somalia will take Ogaden back. However, this is inevitable; it’s going to happen sooner or later.

– How do you find secessionist Somaliland president Rayaale’s policies of submission to the Meles Zenawi’s Tigray tyranny’s needs? Do you think that 3.5 million of Somalis secluded in Somaliland are happy with them?

Sheikhnur Ali – Meles Zenawi wants to use the port of Berbera port for free, in replacement of Massawa and Asab, two harbours in the Red Sea that he lost since Eritrea’s independence. I think most Somalilanders are not happy with that, but the Somaliland government is using Meles Zenawi as cover against Puntland.

Saudi funded Salafist and Wahhabist extremists: the Threat

– To what extent is Islamic extremism limited in the Somali South? What is your evaluation? Are Islamic extremists in Puntland? In Somaliland? In Ogaden? In Abyssinia, among the Amhara and Tigray Muslims?

Sheikhnur Ali – I don’t see Islamic extremism in South, but I see Salafist and Wahhabist extremists who want to impose their ideas on the rest of the Somalis. As I already said, this will not work because most of the Somalis reject their ideas. To some extent this problem is mainly a Saudi money flow, as the Saudis due to their persistent attacks against Sufism, and their effort to diffuse Salafism and Wahhabism in Somalia, brought extremism.

Salafism and Wahhabism are the real threat Somalia is facing today. As a matter of fact, Al-Itihad is today the only group in Somalia to diffuse extremist ideas, and they can be found everywhere in Somalia from South to North.

– Many Somalis from Somaliland complain about the treatment they had at the times of the late Somali President Siad Bare. They insist on the fact they were then persecuted, and kept out of the administration of the country. Do you agree with this?

Sheikhnur Ali – I think it was a bad treatment, and Siad Bare saw them as a threat due to their political skills. They were smarter than him in politics.

– What is your opinion about the Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity? Their opponents reproach to them sort of tribal policy, stating that there are not Isaaq members among them; how do you evaluate this opinion?

Sheikhnur Ali – I think that in Somaliland, they don’t have tribal policy issues; there is a central governmental policy, and they enforced Law and Order. The only people who reject them are the government of Puntland; however, the Somalis of the South, and more particularly the Hawiye, have a link with Somaliland, and there is no internal conflict between them. In 1992, in the conference held in Djibouti, which was attended by the late great Somali statesman Aden Abdulle Osman and his former prime minister, the USC chose an Isaaq for president, but this was rejected by some other groups. In Somaliland, there are some other clans beyond the Isaaq.

We will publish Mr. Sheikhnur Ali’s last part of interview in a forthcoming article.

Note
Picture: The Somali Youth acquired great passion, great vision, and great feelings through their terrible exposure to adversities. A youth shouts as tyres burn on a street in Mogadishu October 28, 2007.
http://adikmaisarah.blogspot.com/2007/10/somalias-prime-minister-ali-mohamed.html