Commentary

By Dalmar Kaahin, Ottawa, Canada

Throughout history, foreign forces have invaded weak and vulnerable countries where their leaders were quickly overthrown, forced to resign or went into exile as the invading military tightened its grip on the fallen nations.

However, some selfish and greedy leaders sought foreign intervention as an opportunity to advance themselves. They hoped that they might finally be parachuted into the presidential seat so they not only collaborated with foreign army but they also guided it to their own countries.  

Usually, these collaborators serve only the interest of the occupying army and may face some ill-treatment if they fail to do as instructed by the occupiers. But, no puppet leader has ever received more humiliating treatments from an occupying army than the Somali interim president, Mr. Abdillahi Yusuf.

Like many other stooges did in the past, Mr. Yusuf poured thousands of foreign troops into his country. And he hoped that his 30 years-long dream of becoming a president may be fulfilled. But has it been really fulfilled?

Recently, in Mogadishu, Mr. Yusuf had a discussion with an Ethiopian General named Gabre Heard about the Ethiopian troops disobeying the order of the Somali government.   As it seemed, it dawned on Mr. Yussuf for the first time that the indiscriminate onslaught against the Somali capital Mogadishu could endanger him, much less subdue his opponents. He told the Ethiopian General Gabre Heard to stop firing artillery at the presidential place. As a result, the Ethiopian General became infuriated and slapped Mr. Yusuf twice in the face. http://tinyurl.com/2bj59p

Human Rights often reports how the Philippine housekeepers in Saudi Arabia get slapped by the Saudi homeowners. But no one ever imagined that Mr. Yusuf who claims to be a president would be slapped-not just once but twice-in the face while in the capital of his own country.

Worse yet, initially, Mr. Yusuf deployed the Ethiopian troops to defend him from the Somali people who simply opposed the arrival of foreign forces in their country. But-paradoxically-he now seeks the protection of the African Union Mission in Somalia AMISON troops because the Ethiopian General threatens to kill Mr. Yusuf.

Amazingly, also Mr. Yusuf more often than not brags about how tough he is. And in fact, his supporters call him: "the tough military man", although there isn't a single battle that he has won decisively against the former Somali dictator Gen. Siyad Barre who ruled Somalia for 23 years. But this time the "tough guy" not only got slapped but he was also told that he would be killed by the Ethiopian General. Not to mention that Mr. Yusuf’s body guards probably stood by while their leader got battered.

In the Somali culture, getting slapped in the face is the most humiliating and the worst insult. And Mr. Yusuf just like the Philippine housekeepers, not only got slapped but he also put up with it. So much for him being a "tough military guy"!

In another development, there are reports that Ethiopia has summoned the former Somali Prime Minster Mr. Geedi to Addis Ababa. As it seems, Ethiopia sees Mr. Geedi as a staunch supporter of its policy towards Somalia so Addis Abba regime wants to replace him with Mr. Yusuf when the five-year term ends for the Somali foreign-imposed regime. http://tinyurl.com/yptpf8

In short, Mr. Yusuf poured thousands Somalia's worst enemy-the Ethiopians-into Somalia so he could rule the country with an iron fist. But now he seeks protection from the occupying army. This is a classic example of Karma. Mr. Yusuf simply reaps the fruits of his illogical thinking process. He destroyed Somalia. And now he is humiliated by the same foreign army that he brought into the country. Evidently, the Ethiopians used Mr. Yusuf and now they treat him like a housekeeper.

As for Mr. Yusuf’s submissive and subservient behavior, it is never too late to reverse his policies. At this point, it is in his best interest to step down or pull the rug out from under the Ethiopians' feet. It is time tell them to leave Somalia before they discard and toss him out like a worn-out cloth.

dalmar_k@yahoo.com