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SOMALIA: WILL BARRE HIRALE’S DOCTRINE SALVAGE SOMALIA? September 19, 2005
<|hiraale.jpg||left|>Faction leader Bare Adan Shire (Hirale) whose territory includes the port city of Kismayo is one of very few who are trying to solve Somalia’s current political turmoil in peaceful means. He came to Mogadishu for talks with other members of his loose alliance who are openly beating war drums against the interim government in Jowhar.
Mogadishu strong men Mohamed Qanyare, Muse Sudi and Osman Atto who invited Mr. Hirale and others to Mogadishu said they are preparing for the ultimate battle with the devil in Jowhar and hinted imminent war between their alliance and the interim government.
Mogadishu media interpreted Mr. Hirale’s Mogadishu arrival and his attendance in a series of meetings in the city as if he were taking an active role in preparation for war against Jowhar. However, his yesterday’s interview with Mogadishu TV station, Hornafrik was conciliatory at best. He said he believes the current political standoff in Somalia can be ended in non-hostile and meaningful dialog between the two camps if we are all honest about our intentions.
Both Mogadishu and Jowhar camps are arming themselves to the teeth and are accusing each other of violating the national constitution. The international community and many Somali intellectuals tried to reconcile the president and the prime minister on one side and the speaker of the parliament and Mogadishu strong men on the other to no avail.
Mr. Hirale maintained neutrality and said repeatedly he is determined to help Somalia stand its feet many times since the new national constitution was drawn in Nairobi, Kenya last year. His non-partisan patriotic stand and advocacy for peaceful end to the situation sets him aside from the rest. He believes the best way to tackle the standoff is to select a committee from both sides of the conflict and open dialogs toward long-lasting solution. In this case culprits with no desire for national government can be pinpointed and dealt with jointly. Few bad apples on either side can derail Somalia’s slow motion to recovery. Aside from him, very few other politicians are contemplating this option.
Mogadishu strong men have their ranks in the government still and hold ministerial positions. Ironically, they do not recognize Mogadishu mayor who was, like them appointed by the prime minister.
Related:
Somalia: Kismayo at crossroads