Somalia’s Farcical Reconciliation

EDITORIAL

Unable or unwilling to deal with the countless severe problems facing them, Somalia’s politicians have resorted to creating a fictitious world arranged to their own liking. A good example is the oft-delayed so-called Somali reconciliation conference that is supposed to take place in Mogadishu in June. Instead of focusing on bringing together the real antagonists in Somalia’s conflict and helping them reach a workable solution to their problems, Abdillahi Yusuf, Ali Geedi and Ali Mahdi have opted to bring together carefully selected tribal elders who would rubber stamp their agenda. Things have already gotten so farcical that Ali Mahdi is talking about inviting elders and sultans from Somaliland to participate in his Mogadishu jamboree. What kind of insanity is this? Can anyone in his right mind believe that Abdillahi Yusuf, Ali Geedi and Ali Mahdi are going to do anything for Somaliland when they have failed so miserably in fixing their own problems. It is precisely this sort of foolhardy, the total lack of common sense, let alone a sense of realism that resulted in their cities, towns and villages being occupied and bombarded by foreign troops. After all that happened, you would think that their first priority would be how to get their house in order, but no, they would rather waste their time poking their noses in Somaliland’s affairs.

Most Somalis know Abdillahi Yusuf, Ali Geedi and Ali Mahdi only too well and are not surprised by their most recent gimmicks. What is really surprising is American diplomats who are putting the weight and prestige of their country behind such characters, thus irreparably damaging their country’s reputation in the eyes of the overwhelming majority of Somalis. Take for example, the United States’ new special envoy to Somalia, Mr. John Yates. When Yates was asked by the VOA if Somaliland was going to participate in the Mogadishu reconciliation conference, he answered it was unlikely, but then added, “Some Somalilanders may participate through the clan-based selection of delegates.” Now if Mr. Yates were a neutral observer his answer would have been understandable. But since he had made it clear that his mission is to support the nominal Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), and since his government contributed financially towards this conference, his comment takes more ominous hue, namely, that he does not object to the inclusion of Somaliland elders in this conference, which means he does not object to the destabilization of Somaliland. This is really unfortunate, and it is difficult to see how it serves the vital interests of the United States.

Somalis already know that Abdillahi Yusuf, Ali Mahdi and Ali Geedi are warlords and political charlatans who perpetuate and feast on the miseries of their own people. Many Somalis are wondering if the United States really cares about democracy, human rights and good governance as it often claims, why is it supporting odious characters like Abdillahi Yusuf, Ali Geedi and Ali Mahdi?

Source: Somaliland Times

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