Somalia Edges toward Peace

Mulugeta Alemu

19 August 2007

Somehow the US managed to breathe a new air of support to Somalia. No sooner than Jendayi Frazer threatened Eritrea for its unlawful support to terrorists and insurgents in Somalia than Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice communicated a high sounding message to the National Reconciliation Congress in Somalia as it enters its important second phase. For Somalia which is struggling hard to address its enormous challenges, these gestures are much needed.

Somalia still has not gotten rid of its violence. Innocent civilians and moderates are being attacked on the streets of Mogadishu. They are being terrorised by foreign trained youth extremists. Eritrean weapons were used to threaten and kill Somalia participants in the national conference. The Islamists publicly threatened anyone who wanted to participate in the conference.

But something dramatically new is happing in Somalia. The country, for the first time, is trying to deliberate upon its problems in Somali soil. Such undertaking has never been attempted since the fall of Siad Barre government in 1991. All previous peace initiatives were conceived and undertaken in foreign soils. Their outcome resulted in nothing more than opportunities for warring factions for forum shopping and soliciting foreign support.

But now Somalia is running its own National Reconciliation Congress. The first phase of the negotiation saw a measured success. The religious and clan members who participated in the conference signed up to a truce. They also designated August 1^st as a day of national forgiveness. The declaration which is signed by all important clan groups from Hawyie, Darood, Dir, the 5th tribe, Digil and Mirifle commit all participants to important outcomes. These include end of all forms of hostilities, disarmament, and rehabilitation of former militia groups and the return of confiscated property to its rightful owners.

Accountability should be an integral component of the process in Somalia. History tells us that countries handle their atrocious past differently. Some organisations, however, have initiated a smear campaign which is imbued with geopolitical servicing than any thing else. Human Rights Watch’s pamphlet is published damning the same forces that are paying so much sacrifice to protect civilians and Somali government institutions. Its document is if full of panoply of errors and politically motivated assessment. Somalis have chosen to forgive the sins committed in the past, and all actors need to respect the choice they have made and help them rebuild their country.

No doubt that bringing the conference to a successful end is a tall order. During the upcoming critical phase of the reconciliation conference, Somalis will engage in serious political dialogue that is critical for shaping the future of their countries. This expectation will only be fulfilled, however, if the international community provide its continued support. Priority should be given to the enforcement of agreements emanating form the national conference and the various provisions in resolutions by the UN Peace and Security Council, the African Union and IGAD. In this regard, the role of the US and EU member countries becomes very critical. But so far they have not taken meaningful steps. The Economist (17 August 2007) criticised the west for what it referred as clumsiness. For example, thousands of Burundi soldiers were not able to go to Somalia due to logistical and financial problems. Western countries can provide such support.

The African Union need to send the promised troops as quickly as possible. It is ironic that a regional organization which failed to raise the 8000 troops requested for Somalia is announcing to the world that it does not need non-African troop contributions for the largest hybrid force for Darfur.

Somalia is indeed edging toward peace, but a coordinated international support and assistance to the outcome of the conference is vital.