Articles

Call for Common Sense and Diaspora Counsel

Call for Common Sense and Diaspora Counsel.

By Shaacir Mataan



The union of Islamic courts and their victory of ousting the despised warlords of Mogadishu could prove to be the driving force that might eventually bring about a lasting peace to Somalia if they, that are the courts, opt to use caution and common sense.


First, the courts should take note of the failures of the defunct clan factions, mainly the USC that ousted Siad Barre, Somalia’s former dictator. These clan factions had no strategy whatsoever to fill the power vacuum and to lead Somalia to peace. The factions were in fact the ones who fashioned the callous warlords and monsters among their ranks and file. The same warmongers of these defunct groups are still around and may again re-ignite the destructive clan animosities if they are not confronted before it is too late.


The courts, by knowing that Islam being a complete religion, system and way of life that has no place for clans, nationalism and self interest, should avoid expanding and proliferating the clan based courts as the building blocks to solidify power in Mogadishu and Benadir region. Such proliferation of clan courts may work now for practical reasons but it has destructive potential if not curbed. The warmongers are overtly vying to go in with the courts as convenient means for Machiavellian ends. The warmongers and petty politicians know only how to turn tables to ignite clan animosities and ruin popular uprising. We have already seen a preview of that clan rally in Sheikh Muhyideen’s temple where some of the disgraced warlords sought sanctuary. The Clan is the bug that carves up the hearts and minds of many Somalis. And knowing the catastrophic cost of the clan system, the Islamic courts should ultimately steer clear of clan based course and should avoid associating with all clannish agitators for good.


There is already a buzz and hearsay among skeptics that the Islamic union wants to establish courts in every hamlet and canton and it may eventually create a big clan based regime under the leadership of guileless clergymen, with no governmental and public administration know-how. How that will go down is a question and an impediment the courts need to be aware of. Even if that is the aim now, then it would be wiser if the courts call and consult with Somalia’s many technocrats who idly dispersed around the corners of the world in exile and refuge. These skilled expatriates could compliment, don and tutor the candid clergy to at least carry out some clerical functions.


Second, the courts should be aware that they have both internal and external enemies. The post 9/11 world is full of pretenders with hidden agendas who associate anything positively Islamic with terrorism. The pretenders who have proven hitherto to swindle and dupe America and its intelligence agencies are still around and abound. The same punch of double-dealing warlords and their overbearing guarantors in evil are still around and abound. The same evil-doers who led the Americans to an indignity in Somalia’s counter-terrorism proxy war are still around and abound.


Even the blundering TFG in Baidoa is formulating ways to use the Islamic courts’ victory to their advantage. The useless TFG leadership has yet to renounce its call for foreign neighboring troops. The TFG have first to acknowledge the courts have done a remarkable job that they didn’t have the guts and courage to do it. Mogadishu is stabilized and it’s high time for the TFG to relocate and come to its constitutional capital. Any collusion of the TFG and its backers in other lands should set off fire alarms and the courts should be mindful of that. The courts should not forget that the same warlords they ousted were, and still some are part and parcel of the TFG. The courts should bear in mind that the president of this useless TFG, a warlord himself, is the same and still is a puppet of Ethiopia who used the terrorism card again and again. The “terrorism card” have been overplayed and used by all mendacious actors in the TFG to the point where fabrication and fraud became the blueprint to woo American support.


Now we all know that the American mulish intelligence is not up to the task and their backing of the despised warlords not only backfired but was really an embarrassing ignominy. How many cautionary correspondences have been sent to the State Department by well-meaning and sincere Somalis to caution against listening to Ethiopia and its warlord puppets? How many concerned Somali-Americans, who have both America and Somalia at heart have personally tried to appeal to the American administration? All of these gestures were ignored. America listened to jive turkey and voila, now we see the fruits of stoicism and snub. The same well meaning and conscious Somalis are still around and willing to work with the courts if they are called for. So far the Islamic courts’ willingness and openness to combine forces with free-thinking civic minded Somali intellectuals inside the country is commendable and positive. The Islamic court’s head, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed’s letter to the international community was a much needed catalyst to diffuse suspicion. However, more letters should be sent to the world-weary, wary and warring Bush Administration to reassure him that the courts are not Taliban or terrorists and Somalia is no haven for any terrorist networks. We cannot afford to incur the wrath of Uncle Sam. Iraq and Afghanistan should suffice to be our examples. Poor Somalia is already in rubble and our people are already suffering of drought and despair. The big bully shouldn’t be antagonized at our expanses. Let us leave that to the wealthy and satiated Arabs in the Gulf.


Finally, the Islamic courts should know that Somalia needs visionary leaders who are very diplomatic and very cautious. Somalia needs moderate politicians who in tune to western world. Let us do away with the familiar extremist rhetoric. This should be a note to those fanatics who spew vulgar palaver against the West. They should appreciate the fact that Somalia’s lifeline of money and talent comes from the Somalis who found safe haven in Western Europe and North America. Close to estimated Billion dollars are wired by Somalis who now call home America and Europe. The cream of the crop that is willing to come back from exile is around and abounds in the West. The courts should summon them up to counsel and use them to do business with the West since they are familiar with their ways.


Shaacir Mataan
E-mail: abaadir2002@yahoo.com

Thoughts on Togane’s tasteless tirades

Thoughts on Togane’s tasteless tirades, on the TFG's thuggish enterprise and on Ghedi’s treason talk.

Afeef – A Forewarn

To begin with this “off the cuff” musing of mine, I want to delve into the despised world of defamation. Yes I want to throw myself into that despicable world for the only reason of dressing-down certain cantankerous characters. Yes I may have in the past recommended others to refrain of the practice of character assassination and vilifications. Yes I may come across as a hypocrite here who is not practicing what he preaches as a rule. Even though as it may sound so, still I consider this intentional mission of mine below the benchmark of any principled columnist. And for that reason I do apologize to friends and foes in advance for the uncharacteristic contravention I am about to perpetuate here. Because of the sensitive stipulation and significance of the subject matter of this commentary, I deem breaking the rules of journalistic decency fit this time. “La Joojiyaana banaan, la jiifiyaana banaan.” So, I will be courageous enough to add my two cents to an already objectionable matter that created some confusion and controversy within Somali circles.

Togane’s Tribal taunts

Let us start this critical treat with the notorious Somali “B.I.G.” or should I say “Santa” - Mr. Togane (no pun intended, couldn't ignore the corpulent resemblance.)

This critique is in reaction to his reprehensible tirades and on a controversial interview he gave on Somaliweyn. It is also a retort to a previous one he had with Radio Daljir. It is as well may be another affront on his invented thesaurus-like “English poetry” he so frequently posts on Mudulood site.

In both this current interview and his crude rhymes, Togane viciously engages and blatantly insults his clansmen and their unapologetic unruliness and violent transgression. One could say there is nothing wrong with that. We “Somalis” all do challenge clans in the same ways. But here Togane is publicly blunt and abusive. He acts unlike a professor and sounds as an angry buffoon who is unhappy and homesick. In fact, he was rude and vile in his responses. Even in his writings, professor Togane is way too much impolite and offensive.

Having gone through the whole ordeal of reading Togane's prosaic piece of drivel or listening his loud voice, one comes to the conclusion that our “highly thought of” professor is either suffering a chronic malady of clannish hatred compounded with puffed-up vanity or just is an insensitive comedian with dark humor. I must admit he made me laugh in some instance while listening to his interview. His comic answers may have amused some and may have been music to the ears of so many clannish folks. The truth of matter is that Togane not only came across as a man who was eager to entertain and make his listeners laugh but as a passionate clannish bigot.

I asked myself doesn't this old chap who claims to be a cultured and distinguished scholar supposed to set good example for the rest of us, amateurs and unlettered? Why doesn’t the revered professor show some decency and refrain demonizing whole group of people. What kind of academic credit does he intend to get from writing such a hateful and vulgar words? One could dislike certain individuals from certain clan but to offend a whole clan with same of brush of such odious filth is uncivilized to say the least. One can criticize his clansmen and scold them to clean up their house and get their acts together but to be so loathsome and abrasive is uncalled especially from a literate man of stature. Again, castigating a whole clan and making such sweeping generalizations is not what you expect from a man with a scholarly designation.

I think the professor could have done his criticism politely without resorting to such vile diatribe. There is a fine line between being critical and offensive. Togane has to find a respectable way to challenge and criticize his clansmen. And let me remind our professor that Somalis don’t read and understand English let alone such disjointed “poetic” verses. I still have to figure out what is his intention of writing them. It is over my unintelligent mind. Is it to enlighten Somalis and alleviate their suffering and awful condition of backwardness? This kind of inspired line of attack is definitely counterproductive and unfruitful to cause a radical change – Hal bacaad lagu lisay!!

Some may argue that “Waano abuuris baa ka horeeysay” and that Togane is beyond hope and he may not heed to this brotherly censure. Well, a Somali adage goes that fool has chains on his sleeves. Togane’s reputation is on the table here and there is still some room for resurrecting one’s self from the ashes of infamy. I have nothing but an admiration for the old fellow and I hope he will take my rants as a constructive criticism.



Gefkii Geedi - Ghedi’s treachery tongue.

Now let us talk about the mother of all “political gaffes” from a leader who has been entrusted to the office of premiership and the task of bringing back Somalia out of its self-inflicted quagmire. We are talking about our inept TFG premier and Tigre lackey, Ali Ghedi.

In a monotonous manner of hot air and lack of judgment, Prime Minister Ghedi shot himself in the foot in an interview he gave to the Somali BBC service where he was responding directly to the listeners’ questions.

The “Gaffe” in this controversy has to do with Ghedi’s injudicious position of secessionist Somaliland’s quest for international recognition. The “Gaffe” also has to do with Ghedi’s forfeiture of the historically colonized Somali territories to his Ethiopian and Kenyan patrons. That was the day Ghedi made an effort to single-handedly bury the “Greater Somalia” or “Somaliweyn” concept. He obviously dared to carry out this act of treason in order to diplomatically please his masters in Addis and Nairobi. Well many may argue why grief about some “occupied lands” when the “free” country is undergoing a total butchery and warlords are carving it up into fiefdoms?

Many articles of protest and disapproval had been written about our prime minister’s “act of betrayal” to our sacred territorial integrity and to the “Somaliweyn” aspirations. Thus I won’t mull over in a long analytical reproach of Ghedi’s reckless political treason but he should listen to the advice of the scholars and concerned patriotic Somalis and apologize of this seditious misspeak.


The TFG twisted Treaty

Early in this month, the corrupt TFG opportunists in the Jowhar camp had signed a deal worth more than $50 million with a shady mercenary band named Topcat Marine Security. Yes, the penniless Somali government is ready to waste millions of American dollars on shooing pirates off the Somali coast. One wonders where this money is coming from and who is paying it for what? Topcat is awarded this sum to supply a punch of speed boats and to train the Somali coast guard.

A few weeks before this pact came into the fore, we all have been swamped with the sensational news of Somali pirates with some speed boasts launched from a mysterious “mother-ship”, armed with RBGs and Ak47s, attacking a luxury western cruise line bound to Kenyan tourist resort. During the past summer, there has been an increasing maritime piracy crusade in the high seas by Somali pirates. A score of ships and merchant vessels were hijacked for ransom money. Now there are some conspiracy theorists who believe the whole piracy is staged venture to draw attention for the TFG’s fight against “global terrorists” rumored to have found safe haven in the anarchy of Somalia. They say this is a smoke screen for the land locked populous Ethiopia’s ambition to have an access to Somali ports in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. In September, Peter Casini, The top man and the deal maker for in Topcat Marine Security met President Yusuf in New York. The Somali “clannish” skeptics also speculate that there is also a profit motive here for corrupt Somali officials. The outlaw “freelance” pirates are assumed to be stationed on Somalia’s northeastern enclave of Puntland and Mudugh. These are the regions where our turned warlord president hails from and also where Jurille, the TFG’s top handler for foreign dealings is from.
Peter Casini is himself a shady person with dubious business connections. He is known to have filed a series of bankruptcies. He is also rumored of having friends in the US senate and oil companies. Is it possible that there are some offshore oil interests in the Somali coast?
This is tricky business of pirate hunting is quiet mind boggling for the unsophisticated Somali mind. Thus, for now I will rest my case and see what transpires from this twisted tale of maritime security.

Somali confusion over the Cartoon Controversy

February 08, 2006 - 23:53

Around the world, Muslims’ anger is boiling over. Protests against the caricature drawings of our beloved prophet Mohammed (May peace and blessings of Almighty Allah be upon him) in Europe’ so-called “free press” is spreading up like a wildfire in the Islamic world. How could there be one uniform reaction of people in places as far flung as Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, and Indonesia, Lebanon etc, where there are geographical and racial differences? One wonders. Well, what non-Muslims are oblivious is the deeply held universal concept of Ummah, or the community of Believers. In Islam, Muslims belong to the Muslim nation. Race or ethnicity takes the back seat to the prerogative of this notion.

Sadly, the tragedy of the global Muslim outcry came close to home. In Boosaaso, a port city in the Northeastern part of Somalia, a teenage boy was crushed to death in a stampede caused by rioting mobs running from police fire.

Muslims have every reason to be angry. The average Muslim is fed up with the demeaning portrayal of our beautiful faith in western media. Fanaticism, terrorism, fundamentalism and all these negatively coined alien terms are easily associated now with Islam and is engraved in the western psyche thanks to the conceited campaign of vilification of everything Islamic by western media.

Every Muslim, whether you label him/her moderate or militant, has vowed not to sit down idle this time though. Muslims can’t take anymore the bigoted Islam-phobic invectives that have become so fashionable in the West these days.

Nevertheless the reactionary ways Muslims try to counter these provocations is absolutely wrong and problematic.

The loss of life, the mob reaction, the burning of flags, the ruining of properties, is appalling and offensive to say the least. The Muslim response everywhere is by and large bereft of rationale. The folly and foolishness of the protesters is really giving credence to the European foregone inference that Islam is violent and backward religion.

These violent actions are contrary to the sayings of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – As reported by Tirmidhi:

“Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well, you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong, you will do wrong. Rather accustom yourselves to do good, if people do good, and not to do wrong if they do evil”

Wouldn’t it have been noble to see Muslims taking heed of the last decree of this wise tradition?

Wouldn’t it have been notable to see Muslims protesting against the suicide bombings and spilling of the Muslim blood in Muslim lands?

As for the Somali religious groups, it is kind mind boggling to fathom why they don’t rally against the cold-blooded warlords and their marauding militias, the road blocks and the arbitrary confiscation of properties? Wait a second here, wasn’t it the numerous clan based Islamic courts that where taking away other people’s belongings? Every so often the Ulemma’s priorities and focus look as if they are misguided and hypocritical.

The pain and hurt caused by these wicked cartoons is beyond measure. Some may ask if you have a strong conviction in your faith, why a hypothetically “satirical” cartoon could become so offending and so upsetting. The gist of this is the sacred can be ridiculed and made fun of while the secular is sheltered of any derision.

Forget about the fact that one of cartoons was depicting Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) as the ultimate terrorist.

This is not the first time Our beloved prophet (PBUH)and our Holy Book are defamed. The American right wing fanatics like Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell said worse and more hideous slur about our prophet(pbuh) and our Sacred Quran, saying publicly that our prophet pbuh was "a possessed terrorist, and Satan wrote the Quraan"

Well, The Muslim hue and cry is not about the cartoons anymore, it is about the historical attitude and the perpetual arrogance of the West. It is the hypocrisy and the double talk. You know what I am talking about. It is the lack of development, it is the economic stagnation, and it is the suffering of the Muslim masses at the hands of authoritarian regimes, supported by the West. It is the occupation and invasion of Muslim lands by the West. It is about recounting of Muslim deaths as “collateral damage”. It is about the carnages in Fallujah, Chechnya, Palestine, Bosnia etc. Everywhere you look at; it is the Muslims who are at the receiving ends of indiscriminate bombings from suicidal fanatics and from laser-guided smart-bombs.

In Europe, It is about the Colonial past. It is the ban of Hijab in France and Holland. It is the alienation of Muslims and their reduction to second class citizens. It is the xenophobia and prevailing fear of Islam in the heart of Europe.

For us Somalis, predominantly Sunni Muslims, It is the propping up of mouthy fraud charlatans, like Ayaan Hirsi, a Somali avowed apostate, who is neither a scholar of any sort, let alone on Islam nor a captivating thinker, and whose whole claim of subjugation and escape from arranged marriage to an older man is comparable to James Frey’s (author of Million Little Pieces) fake addiction to drugs.

Like Frey, Ayaan managed to make up million little lies about her nurture. She cunningly came up with unabashed charade against Islam to be in the limelight, thus becoming the token torchbearer of European Islam-phobia. Then, As usual the European hardliners amazingly rewarded this indecorous lady to parliament seat. Somalis are fully aware that her phony allegations hold no water whatsoever. It is a fraudulent feint ala Hollywood.

Some Somalis, thanks to the Italian colonial legacy in Southern Somalia, are familiar with Cicciolina, the Hungarian born porn star. She proved that it doesn’t take that much to join into the open chambers of Europe. But unlike Miss Ayaan, Instead of spewing hatred and inciting discord among people, Cicciolina wanted to patch up things. Cicciolina in her naiveté and eccentricity had wildly proposed to sleep with Saddam to avert war in Iraq. That was the first Gulf war.

Most Somalis I know are quite confounded with the concept of freedom of speech. Is there any limitation to what one can say? What is hate mongering? What is heretical?

It has become an open season to intentionally bash and provoke Muslims all in the name and disguise of free speech. But then free speech, as we are told, is inherently the conception of the civilized and liberal west and thus the west have a free rein to interpret it as they fancy. Anti-Semitic, homophobic and racist remarks in the media are strongly shunned and opposed and are seen as an incitement. But when it comes to Muslim bashing, it is a free speech. The Jordanian newspaper Al Ghad deftly elucidates the whole hypocrisy in another cartoon.

Forget about freedom of speech, it has nothing to do with it, and not worth the paper it is written on it. It is a common courtesy to not insult the prophets of any religion. It seems like some powerful people with vested interests and hidden agendas are intentionally backing up this Islamic defamation campaign.

After September 11, Somalis became acquainted with so many encroachments of their rights. Most of them are petrified since things changed for worse. None dares to voice their anger publicly lest they became targeted and accused of terrorist sympathizers. Nevertheless, Somalis in Minnesota are very grateful to the local major newspapers; Startribune & Pioneer Press for their wise decision of sparing us of such hurt and pain and not republishing these insensitive cartoons.

As far as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Pbup) is concerned, no matter how hard they try to disrespect or insult his name; His defense is from the divine as Allah praises him in the holy Quran:

“Wa-inaka lacalaa khuliqin cathiim"

“And verily, you (O Muhammad!) Are on an exalted standard of character” – or as another English transliteration puts it:

“And Verily, You (Muhammad (PBUH) you have been created with awesome character!”

Muslim should take comfort in the fact that Allah has sent the Prophet Muhammad as a mercy to all the worlds. As the Qur'an states:

"We have not sent you but as a Messenger to all mankind”

He was the best example in humanity and we should all strive to follow his tradition of wisdom, harmony, forbearance and reason. If he would have been alive today, the prophet (pbuh) would have disregarded these bigoted decadent cartoonists. He put up with worse harassments and persecutions of Qureish tribesmen for more than a decade by just being patient and peaceful.

Definitely, the violent riots in the Muslim world and extreme sacrilegious expression in Europe calls for an honest dialogue and understanding between the Muslim world and the West.

Most Somalis muse on and on about the uncompromising convictions of extremists in both sides – the Euro-fascist islamo-phopes and the fanatical militants in the Muslim world. They deem the chasm between these radical groups, calls for this urgent need of dialogue for the sake of peace and calm to return.

And for all people in this world, of different races and religions, it is fitting to refer to Rodney King’s quote after the infamous Los Angeles riots. “Can we all get along?”

Who Wants Ghedi Dead?

Shaacir Mataan
November 12, 2005


Twice the Somali Prime Minister Ghedi visited Mogadishu and twice he has been the target of two deadly bombing attacks in which more than couple dozen lives were lost. The scale of casualties in both attacks appears to be roughly in the same range. Is that a weird coincidence or some odd arithmetic?

In the first incident in the Stadium, Ghedi imperturbably dismissed it as a hapless accident. His inconspicuous account on the accident was to the contrary of his closest allies' allegations. In Nairobi, Aideed Jr. warned that the explosion in the stadium was an intentionally calculated terrorist act. Conceivably, Ghedi was not at the time in sync with his allies' interpretation of the blast. It is worth mentioning that at the time of the explosion, in close proximity to the podium where Ghedi's was giving speech; some big shots from Mogadishu's supposed archrival camp such as Indho-Cadde, Omar Hashi and Qaybdiid were present. They too were in peril and could have perished there.

The three Mogadishu warlord stooges, Ato, Sudi and Qanyare rebuffed Ghedi's Mogadishu stopover and refused to show up or even meet with him in both occasions. These faction leaders somehow managed to distance themselves from these attacks.

In the second bombing, Aideed Jr. was with Ghedi in the same convoy and both men coincidentally escaped the purported assassination plot unscathed. However, a press conference held later, In Villa Somalia, Both the unimposing Prime Minister and his middling Deputy Prime Minister called the detonation assault as a cowardly terrorist act. Here, both Ghedi and Aideed Jr. were on the same chorus and singing the same “blame-the terrorist” gospel. Nowadays, Muslim practicing religious bearded men have become the usual suspects thanks to the American war on “terror”.

No matter whether you call it a political assassination or a terrorist attack, the unsettled issue is who wants Ghedi dead? Who are the people or groups behind these attacks? And why it is that every time Ghedi visits Mogadishu, there is a deadly threat on his life?

Folks in the professed “Fadhi-Ku-Dirir” venues are putting forward some anecdotal and unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. But they are divided and aligned with the two camps and that simply renders their speculations beside the point.

Those who oppose Ghedi have already, with some conviction, construed these attacks as staged publicity mock-up from the Jowhar camp. They argue that all of these bombings are orchestrated tactic to depict Mogadishu as dangerous violent city that is unsuitable to be the seat of the government. They compellingly point to Yusuf's publicly known desire to prove to the international community that the so-called “sharks” in Mogadishu are sadistic criminals and don't want any functioning government in Somalia. They also point out that Mogadishu has lately been a theatre of dirty war where different alien spies and clandestine operatives are lurking in the shadows to plot assassinations and hijackings all in the name of “terrorism” and “counter-terrorism”. These folks cite the death of Kate Peyton of the BBC. Mogadishu observers had linked the assassination of the BBC producer to an Ethiopian Junior officer who was in cahoots with the Ethiopian backed warlords in Jowhar. This was done, they say, to advance Jowhar’s claim that Mogadishu is a very dangerous city.

Definitely, these outrageous conspiracy theories and other far-fetched speculations are a bound. Why would Ghedi allow so many lives to be easily sacrificed for that implausible political end? Or is he another pitiless bloodthirsty warlord in disguise who doesn't give a hoot about the loss of human life as long as his selfish political objective comes into fruition? And what is his political goal anyways? Is it to change the capital from Mogadishu, the city of his birth? What has he to gain by portraying his Mogadishu rivals as terrorist nut-heads? Aren't they members of his cabinet and hail from his clan. What kind of prime minister employs terrorists as ministers? Well, we all know that, in Somalia, the only qualifications required to be part of the government is to be ruthless and to have some armed gangs.

You also have the proponents and spin-doctors in the Jowhar’s camp with their one-sided conjectures. They claim that an alliance of religious extremist elements in Mogadishu and the rival warlords were behind these accidents. The Jowhar supporters allege that some extreme Jihadists, from the defunct Al-Itihad group, are probably working with the warlords since both groups oppose Ethiopia’s involvement and backing of Ghedi and Yusuf. These pro-Jowhar pundits believe the numerous recent assassinations of high profile individuals, from the ex-Somali police force and of the civil society were carried by this fringe extreme Jihadist group. Their conspiratorial assertions also implicate some of the businessmen who own and run the numerous clan based ports in the outskirts of the city. Just think about how out of proportion this premise is. Most of those in Mogadishu, who are content with current status quo, mistrust Yusuf and see him as a threat to their political and economic interest is their reasoning. These businessmen are members of Ghedi’s immediate sub-clan and have made it known to all that their support is for Ghedi as long as he discards the ill-fated proposal of frontline states peacekeeping forces. This kind of appalling depiction from the part of Jowhar advocates should remind us that some people’s logical thinking is really founded on false pretense. Ghedi has a large influential backing in the Mogadishu business community.

One argument is forceful though. Most Mogadishu folks are dissatisfied about Ghedi's lame-duck status vis-à-vis to Yusuf's visible authority. They perceive Ghedi as an unripe “Yes-Man” just willingly kowtowing to the ceremonial president’s political whims.
Those who want genuine peace are also disenchanted with Ghedi's utter passivity to Yusuf and his Jowhar sidekick warlord, Mohammed Dhere. Warlord turned president Yusuf is regarded by many peace loving Mogadishu residents as a conflict ridden clannish figure whose divisive policies could only be contained by a strong prime minister. They say the president is an old man from the aging clannish league of bitter men who are still caught in the days of tribal enmity. The prime minister, young and educated, a celebrated new blood in the Somalia’ messy politics, was supposed to give a innovative better alternative and maybe rehabilitate these dying clannish old guard that Yusuf belongs to. However, many people are disappointed with Ghedi and see him as an ineffective novice incapable of changing the course of Somali politics.

It is true that Ghedi owes much to his startling advent into the Somali political realm to both warlord turned president Yusuf and Mohammed Dhere, the buffoon-like governor of Jowhar. Therefore, that could explain Ghedi's compliant meekness. Who wants to become ungrateful to his bosses?

What would have happened if Ghedi was killed in these violent assaults? Could his murder have led to more chaos and clan conflict in Mogadishu? Remember in Rwanda, the shooting down of the president's plane by extremists was what triggered the horrific genocide of the Tutsis. Something of that evil proportion may have not materialized but for sure the assassination of Ghedi would have created more violent reprisals and blood path between some Mogadishu clans. It is important to be clear about what is at stake if Ghedi would have been killed in these attacks. His death could have caused more dangerous effect than the perceived menace from the Jowhar camp. If Ghedi would have been killed, there is no doubt that there would have been serious unimaginable upheaval in Mogadishu. Some people are so thankful and so happy that the prime minister survived and escaped unharmed from both attempts.

Somalis say “Nin sigtay ma noolo” which could be interpreted as “one who narrowly escapes death is neither alive nor dead”. Ghedi is on familiar terms with bombings and assassination attempts by now and is fully aware that he has unforgiving enemies in Mogadishu who twice sought to murder him. I hope he avoids Mogadishu for good until a viable solution is found to unravel the current impasse between the two camps of this divided transitional warlords’ government.

Somalia’s Self-Styled Intellectuals Need To Be Free of Clan Allegiance

By Shaacir Ali Mataan

October 10, 2005



Like many of the forward-thinking but disheartened Somalis in the Diaspora who have became acquainted on how the progressive and developed intelligentsia in civilized world handle matters of public sensitivity, I have been disappointed by the heightened passion of shaming harangue, and personal accusations directed to prominent Somalis who are supposedly from the “other rival clan or faction” by some charlatans. What is worse is this kind of crying game is all based on the Somalia’s cursed clan loyalty and is perpetuated by none other than individuals with scholarly doctorate distinctions and with advanced university degrees.

As if this concentrated accusations and character assassination were not enough, it seems that much of the malice is being spawned and strewn by a group of men whose ideology is aligned with one warlord or the other but it seems that the current warlord-president’s camp is by far winning this vilification battle.

Isn’t the education of these self-appointed intellectuals demand a level of maturity that acknowledges the complexity of Somalia’s clannish system? And because of their education aren’t these educated individuals supposed to be over and above clan allegiance? Unfortunately, this is not the case as we have just read yet another piece of character assassination directed to our honorable speaker of Parliament Shari if Hassan Sheikh Aden by one of these infamous self-styled PhD holders. (Refer to the article titled: A Clueless speaker by some PhD holder)

It is worth to mention that the honorable speaker is not only the singled target here but he has such renowned men in company such as Dr.Mohamud Jama Sifir, the veteran United Nation’s diplomat and current deputy prime minister (refer to the article titled Dr. Zero and politics Duplicity), the two distinguished professors/Samatar brothers ( refer to Samatar’s destructive grand delusion) and Yusuf Garaad of the BBC (refer to Be aware of the BBC Somali Service). These notables have been the distinguished recipients of such venom from our biased ostensible critics. Another recipient of this kind of character assassination who hasn’t been spared less than his fellow friends is Dr. Ali Khalif Galaydh, the ex-prime minister of the Arta government. (refer to the recent Startribune article by none other than Omar Jamal, Minnesota self appointed Somali advocate and fervent cheerleader clansman for president Yusuf: This Somali government mustn't fail) well done Mr. Jamal by advocating the use of force to solve Somalia’s problems. It seems we haven’t learned anything from our destructive history.

It is not my intention here to defend any prominent Somali personality and I am not trying to belittle reputations of certain individuals or politicians. However, I believe that there will be time and place where each Somali will be able to give details for whatever good role he/she may have played in dismantling our primitive clannish creed. Are our self-styled intellectuals up to task? Definitely not, all they could write and compile is just a biased clannish propaganda and propping up and siding with notoriously illiterate ruthless warlord because of clan allegiance at the expense of others who oppose such a favorite warlord of theirs.

My apprehension here is that this obsession of vilification of other Somalis whether reasonable or not is not helpful at all. This kind of smear campaign has the proclivity, at this dangerous time of transition, to create more discord and division. It already impairs our hurt psyche and mocks our frail intellect. I think these so-called intellectuals and scholars should focus to find common solutions to reversing the downhill social and political destruction our country is in. I am pleading with these self-styled scholars. Concentrating such negativity solely as a means of antagonizing some and discrediting others is in no way helpful in the long run.

Honest objective discussions and differences of opinion are very relevant and constructive in formulating a way out of our nightmare but I believe that instead of the campaign of vilification, our self-styled intellectuals could best come up with encouraging and progressive ways to identify realistic options for our nation’s resurrection. I believe that today's discussions should be geared towards revisiting and repositioning of clannish sentiments and totally relinquishing this primitive clannish culture for the advancement of our people.

Let us just think about it: what and how long it would take for Somalis to regain a respectable and dignified status in the community of civilized nations if their educated class is behaving this way and is still hostage to the abysmal clan creed? What kind of society do these self-styled intellectuals envision if high academic achievement automatically makes them mouth-pieces for ruthless illiterate warlords? I hope they re-evaluate their short-sighted approach which is honestly most of us consider as more firewood to an already blistering bonfire

Somalia’s Self-Styled Intellectuals Need To Be Free of Clan Allegiance Somalia’s Self-Styled Intellectuals Need To Be Free of Clan Allegiance

Yet another anniversary Ululations for a warlord president in Minnesota

Yet another anniversary Ululations for a warlord president in Minnesota

October 8, 2005



It still seems like yesterday at about this month last year when scores of Yusuf’s supporters paraded in droves around the world and in Somalia to celebrate their warlord’s crowning as the new Somali president and savior in what turned out to be a ridiculous jamboree.

In the midst of clannish pageantry, alla-Somali style, they tried as hard as they could to win over new converts to their illusory message of the new Somali re-birth. However, it was a well known for the rest that for these cheer leaders, a resurrection of clannish ascendancy was under way and they needed to showcase it for the rest of the Somalis to witness.

What better place to do so than in the heartland of the Midwest of the great United States of America from where you can stage an exceptional charade, justify a sumptuous fanfare and get some attention? Celebrated as convivial support for the re-birth of Somalia, famous Waaberi artists whom we taught were impartial and somewhat patriotic, along with Yusuf’s immediate clansmen had organized what became known in Minneapolis as the "Cedar/Riverside ululations". Instead of winning hearts and minds of the distressed Somalis who gave up of ever seeing peaceful Somalia with a functioning government, this clannish fanfare created more mistrust and animosity between the already fractured clan oriented Somali groups in Minnesota.

The cause and background of this entire clannish jamboree was to celebrate the crowning of Yusuf as the president of Somalia and to support the Embaghati peace conference.

Aside from the exorbitant cost in financial resources to the host nation, Kenya and international community, the sheer idea of hosting yet another reconciliation conference outside Somalia was clearly an exercise in deceit and a sign of perverse logic that only served the interest of Somalia’s neighboring enemies and the appetite of the ruthless warlords forever hungry for power. But that is history now, the bogus reconciliation conference was held and the avant-garde most callous of the warlords was crowned as the leader of the pack.

Nevertheless one year after, this peace reconciliation conference is yet to be justified. Somalia is still a divided nation caught in the overwhelming burning fire of a monstrous anarchy and the merciless disregard for the dignity of human life and the rule of law.

The new warlord president and the callous warlords in his administration seem to have decided that it is in their best interest to keep things the way they are. Can there be a better policy for ruthless warlords that thrive on violence and chaos, and rule by a combination of hate and a stratagem of divide and rule? No doubt, in poor destroyed society where there is no peace and no rule of law, the public is bound to demand no accountability from a government that has neither the resources nor the vision and capability to deliver its promise of peace and stability.

The inescapable truth, however, is that it was irrational for anyone to have expected that Somali warlords could deliver on the agenda set at that Embagathi facade. They never intended to do so and never will. The perpetual appeasement of these war criminals with government and leadership positions is already inspiring other minion warlords to emerge and to take up arms and continue the merciless killing spree of innocent Somalis and continue the destruction of already ruined nation.

It is worthy to mention that in Yusuf’s inaugural speech he promised he will stop his unruly warlord-ism and lead the way to peace and stability. But words are just not enough this time around because one wonders what kind of peace will a seasoned warlord bring if he can not renounce his inherent clannish and authoritarian mindset and initiate some compromise and become example for the other war lords?

Sadly, Yusuf and his clique can not do better than keeping the Somali people ever more divided along clan lines and in a state of perpetual predicament and confusion. After one year of that eventful bogus peace conference, the Somali warlords are still bickering and they seem they can’t put aside their personal self-interest and bitterness against each other.

Somalia’s moment of reckoning is coming the hard way. It is becoming clear to all that simply making promises of peace and reconciliation is, indeed, easy especially for a group of ruthless men who are not bound by any standard of principles and human decency. Empty promises of reconciliation, coupled with a sense of desperation for peace and the fatigue of a whole nation worn out by war, ravaged by anarchy catapulted warlord Yusuf and his likes to the helm of power. It is quite evident now that almost a year after coming to power, little if anything, has changed in the devastated Somalia except the transformation of Yusuf and his cohort thugs from guerrilla warlords to new masters of the failed state of Somalia.

In Somalia today, its simply business as usual: poverty and destruction rule supreme and the promise of reconciliation and healing evaporated in thin air.

Back to the cheerleaders in cool Minnesota and other parts of the civilized world, question is what achievements would they celebrate since Yusuf’s crowning anniversary is around the corner? Would they continue flaunting and embracing clannish idiocy and regional arrogance? This question came to mind as I heard, with a total cynicism, that a new clannish jamboree is in preparation in the same Cedar/Riverside venue?

If Qaybdiid is culpable of crimes of genocide, So are Yusuf and all other Somali Warlords

If Qaybdiid is culpable of crimes of genocide, So are Yusuf and all other Somali Warlords

BY : Shaacir Mataan

October 19, 2005


In as much as it is very important for Somalis in Sweden and elsewhere in the civilized world to seek justice by asking their host nations to prosecute the notoriously known Somali warlords and hate mongers who did awful acts of war crimes during our regrettable civil war times, so must it be even more important for all Somalis to be fair in their pursuit of justice and thus should demand the extradition and persecution of all warlords regardless of their clan allegiance.

If the detention of Abdi Qaybdiid who was recently arrested for such allegations of war crimes in Sweden is so much motivated by not clannish sentiments and animosity but for genuine search of justice, so is it analogous that Abdullahi Yusuf and his cohort warlords, who now hold important positions of leadership and who are threat to the security and stability of Somalia, should also be brought to justice and be persecuted for the already recognized heinous acts of crime that they committed against the innocent people of Somalia.

Some may ask why all the fuss over the arrest of Qaybdiid? It may be a factual thing that Qaybdiid took part the power struggle between Somali clans like every other Somali Official and was probably on the conquering side of the clannish warfare that ensued after USC rebels drove out Siad Barre’s regime out of the country. Did he commit atrocities or gave orders to kill innocent civilians or belligerent rival combatants? That is not the argument here, as Swedish courts and the public will be looking into this alleged act of violence. The fuss is about because the way the arrest was done and the fact that the individuals who sought Qaybdiid’s arrest were doing it for a clannish reasons. These are individuals blinded by Somalia’s clannish loathing and extreme aversion for others who hail from a rival clan. The fuss us about that the biased clannish accusers of Qaybdiid are dedicated supporters of our current warlord-president whose record is as ugly if not even worse as that of the accused Somali police chief. It is simply because of the clannish hypocrisy behind these accusations that is problematic and worrying. This kind of clannish attitude and behavior has become the norm and expectation for certain warlord cheerleaders in the Diaspora. And it must be reigned in before it gets out of hand and creates more division and hatred in our exiled communities around the world.

If people in the Diaspora can go after those who committed atrocities and bring them to justice, then it is a recommendable undertaking that we all should applaud but we must be careful of not being so selective. We must not absolve some perpetrators of crime of guiltiness, as was the case of General Ali Samatar, The Ex –Somali Defense Minister, who had ordered the bombings of Hargeisa and killings of innocent Somalis in the North. It was ironically these same Yusuf Cheerleaders who were rallying for his defense in Minnesota, organizing meetings in support of a branded war criminal when other Somalis who lost loved ones were accusing him in Virginia because of his genocidal orders.

These Somalis who are cheering for one warlord or the other, should seriously ask themselves, is the harboring of warlords like say the ilk of Yusuf and his cohort warlord criminals really in their benefit? What would they gain from such duplicitous backing? Doesn’t their clannish lobbying send an insensitive message to other Somalis? Must clannish hypocrisy be the rule rather than something to be ashamed of? What makes the crimes of one warlord president any different from those of other warlords? These are just questions but one thing is for sure; those who support clannish warmongers are also as guilty as those they go after. If tribal ties in seeking justice are more important then there will never be any justice. Somalis hate to admit the fact that they are clannish biased punch of people, sick with tribal disease. It is now time for all clannish cheerleaders to realize ways to get rid of that disease.

No matter who lobbies for Samatar or Yusuf or Qaybdiid or Morgan or any other warlord per se, the challenge for all war criminals that participated in Somalia’s destruction is what to do after knowing that their brutal image will not simply fade away. The image of a warlord cannot go away simply by propping him up into position of leadership at the expense of the nation. A warlord is always a warlord and will remain warlord. Those who suffered cannot join in a chorus of praise of the warlords as their redeemers as some cheerleaders are doing now. All war criminals must be held accountable regardless of clannish allegiance. And for the clannish cheerleaders, they must also be despised with contempt by the rest of us who are revolted by the prolongation of our misery. The pursuit of justice is obviously thwarted here by our default clannish backwardness in Somalia. The warlords back home are free to continue their savagery with no impunity. We haven’t only given them the green light to do as they wish but we recognize them as our leaders, defenders and heroes.

True and genuine justice can come if we collectively admit our faults, respect the rights of others and respond to the impartial call to repair whatever damage we may have inflicted on ourselves and renounce our negative clannish associations. Justice is admitting of one's faults and seeking forgiveness, of deeply apologizing of our failings. But when there is a culture of impunity, a culture of arrogance, a culture of disregard for sincerity, we will never have justice. It is a fallacy to believe that we could be tribally prejudiced and discriminate of who we should bring to justice and not. Are we surprised then that we as individuals and as a nation still find it difficult to be reconciled when we are so deliberately clannish in everything we do? How can that be when the search for justice that was supposed to unite us is thwarted by our inherent clannish ignorance in meting out justice to one another?

We must do away with being the clannish accomplices of warlords since it makes all our clannish enterprise as criminal as those warlords we harbor, even if the intention is to let the bygones be bygones in the spirit of reconciliation and peace. To persecute and bring justice to those who expelled us of our homes, killed our people, destroyed our nation, a change not founded by tribalism, but with new mentality based on social change must take place and it must start within the Somali Diaspora communities. This new change must be free in its conduct of our primitive clannish malevolence and must emulate the civil and enlightened ways of our host nations.

Somalis in the Diaspora are presented with a golden chance to help shape our country’s future positively. That is why after these tumultuous years of death, refuge, anxiety, horror and carnage, we should work out seeking a better Somalia. We must turn a blind eye to those clannish divisions that make us predisposed to repeating the gaffes of yesterday. Gaining or losing one’s voice in transitional warlord government’s support or opposition shouldn’t be based on matters of clannish blind loyalty but on principles and ideologies. Indeed, we have to transcend the boundaries of personal attacks, smear campaigns or clannish distractions. We must transcend the warlords and their divisive schemes. It is time especially for all educated Somalis to throw out this rotten bunch of clannish cheerleaders who perpetuate the politics of division and hate amongst us and replace them with nationalistic youthful and educated individuals.

Remembering One Of Somalia’s Slain Peace-Lady: Starlin Arush

Remembering One Of Somalia’s Slain Peace-Lady: Starlin Arush

October 23, 2005
After more than fifteen years of civil war, in which some of the most horrendous atrocities were committed against innocent civilians, Somalia looks like as it is predisposed to violence and chaos forever. It has almost become an inescapable reality for many Somalis that a culture of violence had engulfed us and that everyone of us is either affected by it or to some extent is involved in it.

One of the many negative consequences of this calamity has to do with how some Somalis internalized their painful hopelessness as a result of the civil war that is still looming over us. During this time of transition and confusion, what is even more alarming is the lack of confidence of how we view ourselves, of how we seem to lack self esteem, of how we are holding very low opinion of ourselves as a people not capable of making any positive change. That could be the reason why so many of us are still trapped in perpetuating the clannish culture of divisiveness and disarray and cheering for the callous warlords.

Oftentimes we have the habit and conviction of saying in a sweeping fashion that we, Somalis, are no good for nothing! Oftentimes we engage debates sometimes heated, sometimes soul searching, with our friends and others of what we have became and what is wrong with us. Most people gave up on Somalia and are apparently frustrated by the awful turn of events back home. There are many of us who fell into the trap of despair and therefore believe all Somalis are wicked and clannish and that we are all responsible for the destruction of our country. Maybe that is why so many of us feel hopeless and powerless to effect any positive change.

However, a fact obscured under our despair and misery is many untold uplifting stories of courage, kindness and humanity done by few unsung Somali heroes and heroines. At the height of the Somali carnage, few brave men and women stood up and did great acts of courage. Along our Somali lunacy, we had become familiar with some benevolent peace activists like Elman Ahmed, Abdulkadir Yahye, Starlin Arush and many others. These brave souls, may Allah have mercy on them, took honorable yet perilous positions; bravely risking their personal lives just to make a difference in the lives of the suffering Somali people.

Because of the exemplary lives they led in championing the cause of peace and hope, these brave souls must be exalted and always venerated. Their fate, albeit tragic, must also be reflected on. It is worthy to remind ourselves that these heroic Somalis have all been victims of merciless targeted assassinations. Only in Somalia, it is ironically where a peace activist is rewarded with a guerrilla bullet and warmonger is rewarded with a government position. What does that tell you about our vicious culture of self-destruction? Peace apparently takes the backseat and violence is seen as an act of gallantry and pride.

In spirit of remembering our fallen heroes and heroines, the purpose of this brief article is to pay homage to one such luminary role model of hope and peace. One such peace activist and humanitarian worker was Starlin Arush. Starlin was amongst these great Somali giants who stood up to make a change in the lives of people and was she determined to help the defenseless suffering people!

Starlin gave up so much comfort and luxury in her life to work voluntarily for her people. Her activism started while in sojourn in Italy. In late 1980’s Starlin took a break from her college and was an active member of the city of Turin’s local government. She was a treasured advocate for North African migrant workers, Filipino and Somali domestic helpers and was well connected to the Turin’s progressive parties. Starlin lobbied the Italian parliament to pass laws that will allow Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrants to be eligible for a preferential treatment in order to become Italian citizens due to Italy’s colonial legacy in the Horn of Africa.

But a more important call came from home. Her country of birth was in flames. She gave up her medical studies and political career in Turin. She had no hesitations but to return back to her roots and to the city of her birth, Merka. With the help of Italian Charities, Starlin immediately founded the COSV organization. She fed the starving poor during the famine years, founded orphanages and clinics for mothers and babies, freed hostages, urged young men to put down the gun and take the pen. She organized soccer tournaments in the midst of fighting and was member of the Somali Olympic Committee.
Starlin was always in defiance of the chaos and violence going around her. He spirit and enthusiasm could not be brought down by anyone or anything. She was well known for her spirited perseverance during Somalia’s plunge into brutality especially the times when the civil war was at its height. Starlin equally stood up to warlords, tribal chauvinists and religious fanatics. No matter the situation at the time, Starlin believed that people must hold fast to their civility and not abandon the Somali culture of dignity and decency. She believed in grassroots activism by solving conflicts through local consensus and in a peaceful manner. Starlin shunned the concept of tribalism and was an avid nationalist who believed tribalism had no place in building a modern nation.

Starlin was born in the city of Merka on March 3, 1957 and her life was cut short three years ago when she was killed in Nairobi, on a very tragic day, October 24, 2002. At the time she was attending the Somali peace conference in Kenya as a member of the civil society. She was murdered by thugs and died at the young age of 45. That day we lost another selfless Somali who was a beacon of hope. History will always remember those who died for the good cause of peace and hope.

Giving a tribute and remembering Starlin Arush and other peace activists like her has a symbolic significance at these difficult times in our history. The courage and honor that these brave souls, like Starlin, has bestowed on us without doubt is a profound revolt to the ruthless warlords who are still amassing weapons to create more havoc and destruction in our country. Starlin’s remembering exemplifies that she is still a role model to many who are determined to follow her footsteps. Her memory signifies the triumph of good over evil. Hopefully, one day there will emerge so many peace-lords instead of warlords in the land of Somalia.

But let us not dwell on the sadness of this tribute. Amongst us are few courageous men and women who are still with us, still striving to make some positive changes. The Somali professors founding institution of higher learning in different parts of the country, the women organizations repairing hospitals and clinics, the Somali doctors who refused to abandon their people and remained home instead of driving Taxis in major world metropolitan cities or consuming Qat leaves in darker places, the elders who worked out a viable peace in the North and other elders who are still tirelessly trying to resolve conflicts in the South, the numerous human rights groups advocating for minorities and the unarmed, all deserve to be encouraged and supported. The great Somali artists, playwrights, poets and novelists such as Nurridin Farah, Mohammed Ibrahim Hadrawi, Abdi Muhummed Amin and satirist extraordinaire Amin Amir to name few also deserve our respect for their positive uplifting messages of hope and peace. Another exemplary heroine that is worth of our praise is Fatima Jibrell for her efforts of protecting the environment and our arable land. Let all us pray for these individuals that they escape the bullet of the ruthless militias and the wrath of the callous warlords. Let us all emulate these deceased and living legends for their courageous stance to effect some changes in these very trying times and in a difficult situations.

One day, we will have not few but so many brave men and women who will continue the work of peace and hope. One day, Somalis will understand bravery is not about hating and killing your Somali brother and sister but to work for the betterment of your own people. One day there will be so many brave men and women, who will strive to become peace activists, doctors, nurses, environmentalists and teachers. And that day, I am sure the likes of Starlin will take a peak of a peaceful Somalia from heaven and rejoice and say, we haven’t sacrificed our lives for nothing, our death was not indeed in vain. And for Starlin her rejoice would be that the city of Merka will not only be known for Aw-Cismaanka festival but for it becoming the city of peace and love. Dear Starlin, May Allah bless your soul and reward you for your generous and humanitarian work. It is three years from now when you left us.

The Failed State of Somalia and Jumping on the Terrorism Bandwagon

The Failed State of Somalia and Jumping on the Terrorism Bandwagon

December 13, 2005

According to the global policy forum -- a non-profit organization with consultative status at the United Nations -- a failed state is when:

the state apparatus is unable to uphold an effective monopoly of violence over its whole territory, lacks an effective judicial system to guard the rule of law and promulgate judgments that are internationally regarded as legitimate and sound (especially in commercial matters), is unable or unwilling to fulfill international obligations (such as in debt repayment) and cannot prevent various forms of transnational economic crime or the use of its territory for the perpetration of violence (politically motivated or otherwise) against other states in the international system.

Somalia has been described as the textbook example of a “collapsed” or “failed” state. The reason why Somalia became a failed state in early 1990s, after three decades of independence could be traced back to Cold War geopolitics in the horn of Africa, the feudal political character of Somalia’s clan structure and the lack of good leadership and governance. Somalia has been a cold war pawn for two decades before it had collapsed. However, “when cold war ended, the Somali government was left to its own devices”

Some experts argue that failed states can become a haven for extremist non-state actors, “The dangerous exports of failed states -- whether international terrorists, drug barons, or weapons arsenal smugglers -- are subject of endless discussion and concern.” (FP)
The experts contend that some criminal elements do usually take advantage of the lack of strong government that can control its borders and the “terrorists” always attract the disinfected, the unemployed youth to their cause.

Every time a nation-state lurches toward or into failure it poses humanitarian and possible relief issues. It may also become a breeding ground for terror; the more anarchic and anomic the nation-state, the more non-state actors and the forces of terror can take opportunistic advantage of a deteriorating internal security situation to mobilize adherents, train insurgents, gain control of resources, launder funds, purchase arms, and ready themselves for assault on world order. (CIA, 2003)

Albeit the fact that the above analyses hold some credence, regrettably some Somalis with short-sighted clannish agenda have jumped to this bandwagon. Without a second thought, they have unashamedly petitioned the international community in order to label their opponents as terrorists. In their clannish psychosis and convictions, some have tried hard to depict Mogadishu, the Somali capital as the ultimate hideout of violent terrorists.

One thing we all know is the fact that these Somalis don’t have the intellectual knack and academic propensity to grasp thoroughly what this correlation between terrorist and failed states in actuality signify. However one thing we all know is that these clannish and phony lobbyists are unqualified scouts for the current TFG faction sheltered in the provincial small city of Jowhar. Their hard slog to sway public opinion against their fellow Somalis is inspired by clan allegiance. However, what the Somali clannish charlatans don’t know is that U.S. policymakers are mindful of how this “terrorist-card” have been overplayed. The U.S administration is aware how some “third world” detractors are brashly striving to capitalize on the so-called “war on terror” and how they using it as a channel to gain special favors from the U.S.

Disappointed with the Doctor.

Unfortunately, our tongue-tied UN representative, Ambassador Elmi Duale also followed suit and stumbled in the same trap of his partisan benefactors in Jowhar. In his succinct NPR responses and the MIC forum, Ambassador Elmi has reiterated that Somalia has become a passage and base for international terrorists. Dr. Duale - whose thirty years of impeccable record as a medical doctor and whose humanitarian work with the United Nations and the World Health Organization is laudable and unparalleled- is now keenly kowtowing and acquiescing to the divisive clannish policies of a ruthless warlord, whose thirty years of belligerent record of sectarian hostility and tyranny, had contributed to the destruction of our beloved nation. It is distressing to see educated Somalis, like Dr. Duale, without demur turning out to be the accessories for ruthless empty-headed warlord.

Also, in his short sojourn in Minnesota, the Somali representative has been in guarded get-togethers with the Cedar/Riverside cheerleaders of warlord-turned president Yusuf. Dr. Duale instead of meeting with the Somali intellectuals, professionals, students, youth and balanced members of the community had opted out to please the regionally enthused clannish devotees. This letdown is not what you expect from a man whose charitable impressive career is an inspiration to many of the future generations. In spite of everything, our well-regarded doctor and ambassador has chance to mend his unintentional faux pas.

Confused about Jendayi Comments

There has been some confusion among Somali clan trailblazers of the recent pronouncement of Dr. Jendayi Frazier of the U. S. State Department. In a recently held forum organized by the Minnesota International Center, Dr. Frazier carefully stated that Somalia is now a “priority” for her administration. Somali ears hear what they perceive as pleasing to their clannish impulses and had interpreted this diplomatic and crowd-pleasing comment as a ground-breaking new American interest in Somalia. But what the Somali ears refused to hear is Dr. Jendayi Frazier’s summon for Somali warlords “to work out their differences through dialogue -- instead of armed conflict -- so stability can return.” (Star tribune)

“In U.S. diplomatic circles, mention of Somalia provokes embarrassment and avoidance behavior… the United States has minimized its involvement in Somalia and maintained a low profile.” (USIP) This is due to the disastrous U.S. operation restore hope intervention in Somalia in early 1990s.

The U.S. State Department recognizes Somalia, as a failed state but still is not actively involved in efforts to re-establish a viable government in Somalia. It is pursuing a containment policy. Apparently, the US government is convinced that its interest in the region can be taken care by its Special Forces in Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.

Furthermore, Somali ears should have listened to Senator Norm Coleman when he told the Somali crowd present in that MIC forum that Washington DC is a city of thousand competing ideas but Somalia is an afterthought. Some Somalis in their frenzied fervor are press-ganging and overwhelming the senator with tenuous fraud in order to legitimize support of their clan faction. It was a moment of mockery to the conscious Somali ears when the senator lightheartedly said that “for every two Somali you talk to, three disparate ideas will come out of such a talk.”
Once again it was a déjà vu when one of the few American officers present in the forum cautioned to a Somali crowd that most officials are well acquainted with the Somali clans and their resentment of each other by now.

There is no doubt that any effort to restore governance in any a failed state would need help from the international community. True that there is a need for the United States to help Somalia but peace in Somalia can only come within. We, Somalis will have to find a solution to our problems. Then we could all lobby together to our representatives to seek some support for rebuilding our shattered home country. We Somalis have to come up with revolutionary ways to get rid of the ruthless warlords.

“The warlords have neither an ideology nor a political agenda. Their actions are solely driven by the pursuit of illicit enrichment and war booty. The individual fiefdoms they have carved out are used as a base for the exploitation of confiscated properties, plantations, ports and airports, as well as for drug trafficking, the issuance of fishing licenses for foreign concerns and for arms trade.” (GPF)

We are now at crossroads and we shouldn’t lapse back to aberrations of yesteryears. We cannot afford any more to pursue the same old tenets of clannish division and pride. We in the Diaspora have to find pioneering ways in developing consensus on a peaceful political framework among the warring groups back home. We shouldn’t prop up one warlord and demonize others. They are all the same.
Instead of siding with the warmongers, we in the Diaspora need to support the members of the civil society. These groups usually need technical assistance and funds to rebuild civic institutions from the grassroots. It is the Somali civil society organizations such as doctors, teachers, women groups, peace activists and entrepreneurs who are trying to rebuild and rehabilitate the basic social infrastructure. The warlords know only how to destroy and maim. But for the sake of peace and reconciliation, I know that most peace loving Somalis are willing to exercise some restraint and give the current warlords at the helm of leadership the benefit of the doubt.

Bye Bye Jowhar,Hello Kismaayo!!

Bye Bye Jowhar,Hello Kismaayo!!

December 25, 2005



“Nin qab weyniyo nimaan uba qabin, is qaniinee, ha is qadariyeen”

Mohammed Dhere has lately embarked on a political mission to patch up things with his rivals in Mogadishu and beyond. In the past few days, we all heard about the new peace treaty between the governors of the two fertile Shabelle regions. As the sources from the Jowhar grapevines want us to believe, the pact was initiated by none other than the madcap himself, the indisputable landlord of Yusuf and Ghedi, His Excellency Mohammed Dhere.

There are also accounts from reliable sources that he had been making calls to Mogadishu powerbrokers and had some constructive consultations with Muse Sudi. Is this late maneuvering of Mr. Dhere, a political maturity? Or could it all be construed as the customary shifting alliances of the chameleon warlords of Somalia? It seems that the governor has reservations about Yusuf’s courting of Hiiraale. There is something anomalous about this much-hyped Kismayo talks between the warlords? The usual spin-doctors of Fadhi-ku-dirir venues are putting together new-fangled hypothesis about Yusuf’s longing to base his seat in Kismayo. It is rumored that Yusuf’s close interlocutors had in the past campaigned for the patronage of Hiiraale. So it goes that if Yusuf wants to make up with his ilk why should Mohammed Dhere alienate his kinfolk? What kind of covert ruse has come to the fore that forced Mohamed Dhere to look for alliance elsewhere? What compelled him to craft this political realignment and tactical repositioning?

As soon as we heard about this new truce between the Shabelle governors, both the president his protégé premier and large numbers of his cohorts were off to Yusuf’s homelands of Boosaaso and Garoowe. And lo and behold, Mohammed Dhere didn’t rest and let them off the hook. He come up with the litmus test, fired the one million dollar question after them. He challenged both Yusuf and Ghedi to define the difference between Indhocade, the lower Shabelle boss and Hiiraale, the Juba Valley ruler since in Mr.Dhere’s logic; both men are from the same central region of Galgaduud. He wondered why one is considered as a man of peace and the other is seen as a defiant pariah?

Mohammed Dhere made these exigent remarks in retaliation of the recent comments of Abdalle Deeroow, the constitution minister -- another one of those lame portfolios of Ghedi’s inflated cabinet -- who ironically doesn’t hail the regions in the covenant. But thanks to Somalia’s clannish raison d’être; the conventional wisdom dictates Deeroow to question and protest of this peace accord.

So it is said and written somewhere in the Somalia’s half-baked constitution that Mr. Deeroow is at liberty to represent the “natives” of Lower Shabelle. Here the inhabitants of Shabelle are hypothetically from the minister’s clan grouping. Forget the fact that Deeroow is from Bay and is a persona-non-grata in his own constituency. See the irony of Somalia’s nonsensical clan adherence!

But that was not the only reason the chief of Jowhar made his provocative discourse. The cynics are wondering was this ultimatum of Mohamed Dhere a masked eviction of the TFG or one of his spur-of-the moment invectives. Some people have been arguing for quite sometime that because of their stubborn nature and strong personality, both the Jowhar governor and the warlord-turned president would sooner or later be at odds. Now that the writings are on the wall, their falling out of each other is about to happen. The short honeymoon between Yusuf and Dhere is about to come to an end. As they say “marry in haste, repent at leisure” Yusuf is now in search of a new temporary capita. What a better place to set sights other than the port city of Kismayo. Bye Bye Dheere ... Hello Hiiraale!

The stubbornness of the Somali warlords, their shifting alliances and their political opportunism may seem so inexplicable to most outsiders but not to the suffering populace of Somalia.