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By Dalmar Kaahin, Ottawa, Canada
Undoubtedly, the Somali clan ideology not only brought Somalis to their knees where hunger and disease stalk them, but also foreign invaders use this wicked clan ideology as a weapon to conquer Somalia. Evidently, the recent US-Ethiopia coalition attacks against Somalis—who have simply refused parachuting a foreign-imposed Somali regime into their country—demonstrate the cunning strategies of foreign powers. Both US and Ethiopia use dirty tactics: deadly combinations of deep-seeded Somali clan ideology and terrorism myths. And the unholy coalition’s barbaric onslaught against Mogadishu, the capital, has further worsened the Somali turmoil.
The Prime Minster of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi and the US Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer—the co-conspirator of the most heinous crimes unleashed against the Somali people—have reiterated, of course without shred of evidence, that only sub-clan of Hawiye tribes, namely Ayr opposes the Ethiopians. Divide and conquer. Nothing has changed.
Although many experts argue that US is ignorant about the convoluted Somali clan ideologies, surprisingly, the United States, in effect, plays the Tribal Card—the Somalia’s Ace Card.
To make the matter worse, any other groups (non-Ayr) that also resists the Ethiopian occupation is said to belong to extremist groups. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of Somalis in Southern Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti; Ogadenia and NFD, the Somali region of Ethiopia and Kenya, agree on ONLY one thing: Ethiopian troops must leave Somalia. Then, does this mean the majority of Somalis belong to either “terrorist” groups or Ayr—a sub-clan of Hawiye tribes? Since the answer to the preceding question is no, then Meles Zenawi and Jendayi Frazer have blatantly and shamelessly lied to the world.
And to set the record straight, once and for all; due to the historical animosity between Somalia and Ethiopia, the overwhelming majority of Somalis including some of the most chauvinistic supporters of the current Somali regime want the Ethiopian troops (mainly from Tigray, the tribe of Meles Zenawi) to get out of Somalia immediately. Even some of the die-hard supporters of the TFG found the Ethiopian presence in Somalia extremely embarrassing.
Worse still, as if tribalism hasn’t taken its toll on the Somali people; Western bogus terrorism against imagined terrorists has ignited another inferno. Even, some Somali tribes that want to achieve tribal hegemony over other tribes use terrorism—a rare opportunity—as the pretext to wage war against their rivalries—the new “terrorists”. A dangerous mix: the expansion of Western imperialism—inhuman economic aggression—under the guise of fighting ghost terrorists, and the ingrained Somali clan ideologies. So the towering inferno continues to burn. How very fiendish!
The latest Somali mess was predictable; the Islamic Courts Union ICU easily fell into the diabolical traps set by US-Ethiopia coalition. The ICU echoed Jihad against foreigner invaders, and gave seven days ultimatum the Ethiopians to leave. And this is exactly what the US-Ethiopia coalition wanted. The whole event was like a “novel” with a contrived ending. The rest was history.
Meanwhile, to deceive the public, the Western media spews out— pack of transparent lies—the most palpable and laughable propaganda—a barrage of worn-out nonsensical disinformation. The media as well as the Western politicians repeatedly say that Ethiopia troops are helping the Somalis by backing up the Transitional Federal Government TFG. Forgive my ignorance, but how is that possible?
That is like saying: Israel is concerned about the well-being of the Palestinians. And that is ludicrous. By the same token, to claim Ethiopia’s onslaught is helping the Somalis is beyond stupidity. Such a ludicrous claim adds insult to injury.
It is also worth noting; although the Israel-Palestinian conflicts begun shortly after WWII, the first battle between the Somali people and the Ethiopians was reported in 1280. And whether the West accepts or not, the Somalis and the Ethiopians are sworn enemies. And historically, from Portugal, Britain, Russia, Cuba and now to US, time and again, outsiders have came to rescue Ethiopia—the “Christian island in Africa”—from the Somalis or lent it a hand to annex more Somali territory. And again foreign powers are doing exactly what they have done in the past, helping the “Christian island”. Nothing has changed! No sugarcoating needed!
Ethiopia , on the other hand, convinced itself, if US could get away with obliterating Fallujah in Iraq, from the face of the earth, why would it cause any public outcry if Mogadishu is razed to the ground. And in fact that logic worked for Ethiopia. Even better, the mighty US which vetoes any UN proposals or bends them if they conflict with the US interests, is involved in the Somali war, which means Ethiopia is not only immune to the slightest criticism, but also any legal action against its forces for waging genocides in Mogadishu would be blocked by the US. So why worry? The Ethiopians are free to do whatever they want. It is free ride!
Additionally, while the US authorities as well as the media say the 30 students killed in Virginia College amount to a massacre, ironically the U.S. does not buy that the 1500 Somali civilians slaughtered in Mogadishu by the Ethiopian forces can be considered as a massacre. Nor the hundreds of Somali civilians and their livestock massacred by US air-strikes are worthy of any news coverage. This is baffling!
Meanwhile, the TFG (also known as Tigray Founded Government), could not rule Mogadishu during the peace-time (when the Union of Islamic Courts were in charge of Somalia—the “Golden era”); so how is it possible now that the TFG would rule the battered capital after 1500 civilians were slaughtered on its behalf, and virtually everything was pulverized to dust. This beats me!
Admittedly, the Islamic Courts Union of Somalia had created heaven for the Somali people, in retrospect. The Islamic Courts were good “terrorists”! They have achieved the impossible: pacifying Mogadishu without bloodshed. As much of an oxymoron as it sounds, they were indeed peace-loving “terrorists”! And the Somalis want their “terrorists” back. The Somali “terrorists” kept law and order, built schools, fed the poor, brought justice to criminals, and cleaned up the capital. Even illegally confiscated land during the civil war was given back to its righteous owners. The ICU (“the terrorists”) were transparent, modest, peaceful, and nationalists. These are the kind of “terrorists” that Somalis need. In fact, these are the kind of “terrorists” that the whole world needs. Now another question comes to mind: is the U.S winning its war against imagined and elusive “terrorists”?
The outcome of the ill-advised US adventurous war on terror reshaped and perhaps deprogrammed the public perception towards the war. Through the eyes of billions of people around the world, where "terrorists" (Islamic Courts Union and Talibans) and "dictators"(such as Saddam Hussein) maintained law and order, US created havoc; hell on earth.
Then the burning question is: isn't Al-Qaeda doing much better job than the US or any UN recognized regimes such as Somalia? Or didn't dictators, for instance Saddam Hussein do an outstanding job whereas elected leaders like George Bush failed to exert effective authority in Iraq? This is bizarre!
Meanwhile, both the US and the EU adamantly believe the UN “recognized” TFG is the only legitimate body of authority in Somalia. This means: whether Somalis like it or not, if need be, the TFG would be shoved down their throats, even though the demise of this client regime is evident. In other words, the Somali regime is not necessarily important to serve the interest of the Somali people. In fact, the regime is no different from the Iraqi or the Afghani puppet regimes that have been parachuted into power by foreign imperialist regime—namely the US and EU.
The status quo dictates: as long as the current Somali regimes has bare minimal authority in the country, signing profitable and unbreakable oil contracts with the TFG by the imperialists—that is looting the natural resources of the Somali people—and protecting the puppet regime from the “terrorists”—the Somali people—is the only viable solution. And how to achieve this mission is irrelevant. Simply, “the end justifies the means”.
Finally, the Somali intellectuals are now convinced more than ever before, the only way forward is to eradicate tribalism and clannish ideologies, only then the Somali people would be able to fend off any foreign invasions. If racism could be eradicated, so as could tribalism.
As for the current hell in Somalia, as history would judge the invasion of Somalia was Ethiopia’s biggest blunder. It is unimaginable to have the Palestinian flag flying over Tel-Aviv. And it was even far inconceivable to have the Ethiopian flag on the rooftops of Mogadishu buildings, a year ago. But today the reality on the ground is different. The Ethiopian flag is visible in Mogadishu.
On a positive note: the unintended consequence of Ethiopia’s invasion has awakened the Somali people through out the world; indeed the invasion was a blessing in disguise. The incursion has revived the Somali nationalism.
In the end, the bogus war on terror would run its course, and the interest of the US in East Africa would vanish into thin air, but Ethiopia’s neighbor ( Somalia) would stay.
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