Unity and Peace in Somalia: A Task for the Somali Youth

In two earlier articles, we published the parts of the interview we had with the young Somali intellectual and activist of the Diaspora, Mr. Sheikhnur Ali. For readers interested to get a complete picture of the interview, we mention here the articles, both published last December: (When the Somali Youth comes to the forefront /  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/when-the-somali-youth-comes-to-the-forefront.html; Sheikhnur Ali – A Young Somali Thinker’s Viewpoint on Somalia  /  http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sheikhnur-ali-a-young-somali-thinkers-viewpoint-on-somalia.html). 
 
In the present, last, part of the interview, Sheikhnur Ali expresses his judgment of the last president of a united Somalia, Siad Barre, and the divisive policies of the unrecognized breakaway states Somaliland and Puntland. He welcomes the emergence of the unitary autonomous state of Maakhir, and he highlights the Somali heroism and self-sacrifice as demonstrated recently in the battle of Mogadishu. He comments about the new Somali prime minister, refutes tribalism, and calls for an all Somali support to the oppressed and tyrannized Ogadenis.

Portraying Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as a great Somali nationalist leader, Sheikhnur Ali calls him to isolate any extremist Wahhabi elements that are alien to the traditionally moderate vision and practice of Islam by all the Somalis.

Closing this series, I want to comment on the earlier parts of the interview; asked to describe the reason of the enduring confusion and strife that have befallen on the Somali nation, Sheikhnur Ali immediately identified ‘clanism’ as the progenitor of all the troubles in Somalia. This clear and straight answer, I believe, demonstrates the lucidity of the Somali youth’s perception of the present critical situation of the Great Nation of the Horn of Africa. This lucidity, combined with fair judgment, is today the Somalis’ greatest assets. That’s why I believe the sooner the Somali youth comes to the forefront of the struggle for Union and Peace the best for Somalia will be.

Siad Barre

- As many still speak about Siad Barre, what is your opinion about the last president of (a united) Somalia? Was it good or bad – finally – to oust him?

Sheikhnur Ali - Siad Barre was a great Somali nationalist, who takes the credit to have put Somalia on the map; we cannot forget this. However, his mistakes led Somalia to clan conflicts. He tried to use several clans as a tool to obtain political power. Since the Hawiye formed the majority in the capital, he placed Hawiye officials in  his cabinet and the important positions of the public administration. Furthermore, he attacked the Isaaq in the Northwestern part of Somalia, and the Majerteen in the North, because they had deployed efforts to oust him from the power. I think the idea to oust him was good, but unfortunately it ended up causing a civil war in Somalia.

Siad Barre’s major mistake was his strict and inflexible ideology, as well as his partnership with Soviet Union for which he paid the price in the war against ‘Ethiopia’ in 1977. Losing the war caused Somalia a shock, and the country is still paying the price for it. As a matter of fact, the Somali army broke up, and some Somali generals left the country, created rebel groups, and thought as effective to use ‘Ethiopia’ as base to wage attacks against the Siad Barre regime. His dream and goal of a Greater Somalia will be achieved in future. 

Somaliland and Puntland

Following clashes with Puntland’s armed forces, Somaliland seems to have won a battle in Las Anod; is this an important development? Does the situation in the North turn in favor of Somaliland? Or by acting like this, is the secessionist and unrecognized country being engulfed into tribal conflicts?

Sheikhnur Ali - I think it is counterproductive for Somaliland to engage in a clash with Puntland because this will bring a new war between the Isaaq and the Darood, two clans which could stabilize Somaliland. Furthermore, Somaliland could lose power, and Puntland could take control in the North. Through this, Abdullahi Yusuf will advance in pursuit of his dream to rule Somalia. The reality is that ‘Ethiopian’ dictator Zenawi is behind these developments because they want to control the region and use Somali ports. 

Maakhir

To come back to earlier developments, how do you see the emergence of Maakhir state in the North, between Somaliland and Puntland?
 
Sheikhnur Ali - The emergence of Maakhir is a great development; they should bring their idea to discuss in an all-Somali national table, and then on a minimum basis of agreement a national government should be formed, able to represent all the Somalis from every region of Somalia.

Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed

How do you see the emergence of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as leader of the ARS in the Asmara meeting last September? Are there differences between the Islamic Courts of Justice and the newly-emerged ARS? What are your expectations in this regard? 
 
Sheikhnur Ali - Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is a great Somali nationalist leader who wants to unite all the Somalis. He is a modern person, who believes in consultation and dialogue. I believe the UIC used him in order to please the majority of the Mogadishu population who in their majority are Abgaal. Within the UIC governments, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed didn’t have any real power.
 
The Asmara meeting was great, and it would be better for ARS now to use their voice to unite the entire country; unity is important, the most urgent, the top priority. Then, from there we could wage a war against the Ethiopian forces and their puppets. In addition, I expect from Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and ARS to reject Salafism and the Wahhabist ideology. 

The battle at Mogadishu

The battle at Mogadishu, re-kindled, entered a new phase; and despite the terrible oppression, it does not end. How do you characterize this insurgence? National? Islamist? Do you expect a military defeat of the Ethiopian forces? What would the consequences be?
 
Sheikhnur Ali - I don’t see an Islamist insurgence; however, when I see some Somalis engaged in suicide attacks, I think this is new to us all, and I have to state that never in the past did Somalia experience this sort of practices for which we have to blame the extremist elements. As a matter of fact, I anticipate a military defeat of Ethiopian forces because they just cannot fight the fighters in Mogadishu; they are not trained for that. When Ethiopian forces kill a civilian, the counter-attack is immediate, and soon the city celebrates by dragging the dead bodies of Amhara and Tigray soldiers. This cannot last for long. The ultimate consequence will be the departure of the Ethiopian forces and their TFG allies from Mogadishu; otherwise they will face a massive revolution comprising the entire population of Mogadishu.

What are your expectations from the newly appointed PM? How do you view him? Do you find some legitimacy in the TFG? 
 
Sheikhnur Ali - Well, the new Prime Minister has a clean record indeed; will he be able to bring hope and peace in Mogadishu? Does he have a new strategy with respect to the immediate withdrawal of the Ethiopian occupation forces from the entire territory of Somalia? I will not give him my support until I see change taking place. Many Somalis have actually the same attitude.

The new Prime Minister will have the hard task to ensure respect for the Freedom of Press in Somalia. Since he was the Chairman of the Somali Red Crescent, he must be well prepared for introducing again all the rudimentary  social services, particularly for the internally displaced people who have been the most affected by the hostilities and the violence used by the Abyssinian army.

I cannot find any legitimacy in the TFG, as long as this ‘government’ was not elected by the people, and provenly did not serve the national interests of the Somalis. The TFG was created by the dictatorial authorities of Ethiopia in order to serve the tribal Amhara and Tigary interests in Somalia. So far, the TFG has brought hardship and violence. All my earlier assertions are corroborated in the light of real facts; the former Prime Minister in order to resign, he had to travel to Addis Ababa, and get the green light.

Ogaden and ONLF

Is there an interconnection between the deterioration in Ogaden and the Amhara – Tigray tribal invasion of Somalia?  
 
Sheikhnur Ali - Most of them don’t like one another; I don’t see an interconnection. In the future, when Ogaden land will be free, the Somalis will demonstrate a concern and will have a strong relationship with them. So far, some Tigrays have helped Somalia, whereas others are in wrong side. 

Are there analogies between Darfur and Ogaden? Is there a real fear for ethnic cleansing in Ogaden?

Sheikhnur Ali - Yes, there is ethnic cleansing in Ogaden, and it is methodically undertaken by the dictatorial ‘Ethiopian’ government that implements a policy of continuous blockade of food and aid delivery to the Ogaden people. The New York Times Report Video on the ONLF and Ogaden has shown the details of this very grave situation. The pro-‘Ethiopian’ head of the TFG should give explanations as to why the ‘Ethiopian’ government, his friends, are ceaselessly killing Ogadeni Somalis on daily basis.
 
The ONLF are doing everything to protect the people of Ogaden and they should be supported by all the Somalis and by all possible means. The world has been silent about this because some countries don’t have a particular interest in Ogaden. It is noteworthy that some countries, for instance China, paid a heavy price when their companies tried to discover and/or extract oil from Ogaden.
 
The Abyssinian Tyrant Meles Zenawi

It has been recently revealed that the tyrannical regime of the Tigray Abyssinian chieftain Meles Zenawi prepares plans for a permanent multi-division of Somalia; do you think the allegations are correct and the plans are real? If so, what do you advise as best way for the Somalis to face the challenge and defeat the Abyssinian dictator?
 
Sheikhnur Ali - Yes, Meles Zenawi plans to impose a permanent multi-division in Somalia, but most of the Hawiye don’t agree with him, viewing him as Somalia’s most malicious enemy.

So far, the only Somali tribe to have relationship with Meles Zenawi is the Majerteen clan of Darood. I would advise all Somalis to sit together, reject the present division, and work for unity. It is easy to divide, but it’s hard to unite.

The Amhara and the Tigray tribes that control ‘Ethiopia’ have been our enemy for many years; if they want peace, they should first free Ogaden and decide not to get engaged in the Somali affairs. My maternal grandmother’s uncles died in wars with the Amhara and the Tigray tribes of Abyssinia before many years in order to achieve the dream of a Greater Somalia.

National Unity in Somalia

How do you envision a National Unity of Somalia; is there a secret path to it that remained unknown to all thus far?

Sheikhnur Ali - I have a plan and several models that could be applied to bring National Unity in Somalia, but first I want to see all the Somali Youth speak out, publicize their conviction for concord, synergy, and defense of our national heritage and interests. The criminal cases of the warlords, and all those who promote self-interest, disregarding the collective, national interest, have to be wiped out of the Somali society. Every Somali Original, every Somali nationalist who rejects clanism and refutes ignorance, must come to the forefront, speak, coordinate with others, and mobilize others. I have the intention to create an Institute ‘Centralized Leadership for Somalia’; our country needs a national movement with new, young leaders able to convince all the Somalis. The liberation movement must come to the hands of the Somali Youth.

Horn of Africa and World Politics; US, Europe, Russia, China. Taking into consideration the recent deals between the unrepresentative Transitional President of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, and the Chinese state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), should we conclude that the Chinese cynical and immoral political realism will be successful in both, drastically reducing the European colonial grip over Africa, and effectively outmaneuvering Washington’s African dream?

Sheikhnur Ali - The criminal head of TFG needs money to run his ‘government’ since most of the Western governments and NGOs stopped donating money to them. China is the only government that keeps funding his government; most of the Western institutions and governments hold the TFG head as responsible for violation of human rights and freedom press. China doesn’t care about Human Rights; the Chinese just want to find Oil and exploit our country’s natural resources.

I would rather prefer to see a strong Chinese presence in Africa because the Chinese never interfere in the political process; they usually respect the decision of the African governments. China’s heavy investments in Africa are a good idea, and I believe that China is willing to help Africans build strong economies. The West brings division in Africa, whereas China brings investment. America will have no success in Africa, and US failures are already evident in Somalia, and elsewhere in Africa.   

Note
Picture: Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed embodies better than anyone else a Great Peaceful and Tolerant Future for all the Somalis.