As the talk of war intensifies and inevitability of another series of bloodletting this time between the forces of United Islamic Court (UIC) and the Federal Transition Government (TFG) take the stage, I am left just like many of my concern countrymen and women alike to ponder on the current state of political affair and what the country will become should the war which seem inevitable proceed.
For long Somalia has been in the epic center of political instability in the horn of Africa, since its independence in 1961 Somalia has either been in a war with its neighbors or with itself, unfortunately this fact will remain intact for sometime to come as the battle war stricken citizen of Somalia mainly north brace for a full fledge battle between the two forces. Since the tragedy event of September 11 in New York and Washington in United State, has spawned a new preemptive doctrine that is owed to this tragedy terrorist acts; its implication has travel far and wide.
Ethiopia is the only country in the continent of Africa to explore this new found doctrine and put it to practice by this year sending its troops in Somalia under the pretence of fighting terrorism that is the forces of UIC which the regime of Malez Zenawi has long claim to be a franchise of Al Qaeda in the continent and particularly in the Horn of Africa. The truth is UIC is far from being the Al Qaeda long described by its neighbor and better described as fringe of extreme with a political idea of establishing an Islamic republic in Somalia that is base in the Holy Koran and the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (SCW).
There is an old saying that the “history offers a glimpse of the future”, and no where else this cliché hold truth but in Somalia. To understand UIC we are better served looking back at the country’s shaky past. After the independent of Somalia experienced democracy under the rule of President Aden Cadde and later-on his successor Abdirashid this however prove to be brief exercise of in democracy as, Abdulrashid was killed in assassination; that signaled death of democracy and a subsequent birth of communism through to a young General by the name of Mohamed Siyad Barre who came to power through a bloodless coup in October 21 of 1969, his arrival spelled a shaky future for Somalis.
Under his leadership Somalia fought two wars with its neighbors including Kenya, although this was more of a skirmish, however the war with SomaliaÂ’s arch enemy was nothing but a full fledge war. What he is remembered for is not the war he wage on his neighbors but the war he wage against his fellow citizens mostly on the south of the country (known today as breakaway Republic of Somaliland) and reorder of the politics of the country on the tribal lines that last for 21 years and paved the way for SomaliaÂ’s current predicament that begin in 1991.
Throughout my visit in this devastated land I was reminded about the viciousness of qabil driven political culture and what it has make of this land and people, from Kismayo to Mogadishu the buildings and houses are surrounded by overgrown lawn almost eclipsing them and are riddle with patches of bullets marks and fallen mortar occupies the landscape, just like a severe case of overgrown facial hair and acne; their presence is strongly felt, however thus serve as testament to the ills and vengeance of qabil.
As this relic of former self (Mogadishu) stood still oblivious to the impeding war and the advance of Ethiopian army with its coalition of proxy local militias poised in eager to attack. flying out of the country and enjoying the serenity of the sky gazing downward on the waves beneath me that gently, calmly and carelessly hugging the beautiful shoreline, I am left to ponder if peace will ever prevail in Somalia; or the pursuit of it could be a mere trivial? A great odyssey with an indefinite destination or a quest of no consequence? The retreat of logic of reason and the application of commonsense in the subject matter in many Somalis minds means peace will remain a fleeting elusion aspired by most but hardly achievable by any mean necessary. The agony and the ills of insecurity, hate, war and senseless death shall remain with us and governance and the rule of the day is and will be forever qabil, the drug of our choice.
Could Somalia ever find peace? What do u think? Share your views.
