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Everyday when I browse around the internet, I usually look for some news about Somalia. I more often than not end up in one of the Somali websites that have sprung up around the internet since the destruction of the Somali Republic. Given what is going on now in Somalia proper (excluding NFD & Western Somalia), I have always been struck by the pessimism of the Somali intelligentsia who profoundly and shamelessly propagate the notion that a state engaged in a civil war is a doomed state forever. Sufficient examples for such people are the recent conflicts within their own continent. Not so long ago, the states of Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Angola and many more were engaged in civil conflicts of either tribal, ethnical, religious or territorial nature that lasted for decades. However, all of these countries, all of these peoples, were able to solve their differences and were able pursue a common goal; the goal of total and final independence. Furthermore, if the Somali intelligentsias have spent their lives in the West since their brains pruned, then they should have taken notice of the civil wars that have occurred in Europe as recently as 1995 and for all intent purpose continue presently. Many of you, dear readers, will recall the horrific civil war that occurred in the former Yugoslavia. This conflict occurred in the backyard of Western Europe and were it not for the intervention of United States on behalf of NATO, it might have continued for perpetuity.
The proud nation of Somalia is mired in a difficult situation today. Any contemporary African Scholar will without reluctance say that Somalia is a “Failed State”. But perhaps, what these so called Scholars overlook or lack in definite scholarly intuition is the fact that many a nation has been counted out before and relegated to the dust bin of history. The persistence of the so called “International Community” to deliberately neglect, overlook, minimize, and marginalize the importance of Somalia is a failure of epic proportions. The plight of human need; the thirst, hunger, and discomfort of the flesh do not move them: neither does the longing of the soul for decency, modesty, and security give them concern. All of these years, I have watched them pivot here and there to find suitable language to describe their concern. However, their concern is neither legitimate nor tangible in the eyes of sincere. On the other hand, more negligent are the so called “Somali Scholars and Leaders” who marvel at the plight of the nomad in Sanaag suffering through years of draught or the fisherman in Merka who cannot provide for his family because of the dwindling fish stock. It’s difficult for me to understand the chorus of calamity that many a “Somali” writer or commentator espouses when it comes to the situation in Somalia. Without doubt, many of you readers have come across some articles that dampened your spirits and other articles that have lifted you up. Most of the accepted Somali “commentators” either use foreigners to justify their predictions of doom and gloom or utterly misjudge the resilience of the Somali folk. For instance, Hassan M. Abukar recently stated in an article entitled, Somalia’s High Road to Self Destruction which appeared on www.Wardheernews.com: Now you might ask: What is wrong with Mr. Abukar’s statement? On the surface, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Mr. Abukar’s statement. But forgivingly, notice the writer’s reverence of this “student’s” opinion. Mr. Abukar’s reference to a “Middle Eastern student” to reinforce his point demonstrates little respect for the Somali people. Moreover, there has been this tendency to view Somalia through the prism of a foreigner’s perspective. To illustrate the issue even more sharply, I think an example from the other extreme is necessary. Take for example, the well established support of Al-Shebab for Al-Qaeda: a foreign influence both in terms of Somali culture as well as the Muslim Religion as accepted by the majority of Somalis. These remarks without a doubt illustrate the influence of an outside ideology in our Wadaads (Sheiks) on whom the Somali people have always placed a tremendous amount of trust. The Al-Shebab see Somalia as nothing more than a place to further their agenda and they have no concern for the orphan, the wayfarer without sustenance, the downtrodden, and the hungry neighbor. Their religion certainly differs from the religion of Muhammad (SAW). Therefore, it is not difficult to understand the confusion reigning in Somalia today. On the one hand, there is an evil progeny of Iblis (Devil) who are reinventing our beautiful religion, destroying our decency, damaging our nationhood, and most importantly leading our young astray. On the other hand, what prevails of the Somali Diaspora is either an elite in cahoots with the Warlords, or an Intelligentsia who are morally, mentally, or intellectually lazy and therefore are willing to leave our people and our country to the devils to devour. Such forces can only be faced by a determined, deliberate people who on account of every obstacle placed in front of them to obstruct their path move forward with purpose and vigor. Such people do exist in Somalia today but their voices and efforts are being downed out by an unwitting alliance of the devils progeny (Al-Shabab) masquerading in Islam and an indifferent elite that proudly and fervently display such loath for the common Somali person : hence, no room to maneuver is left for the Somali masses. What is the final product of this unholy equation you might ask? Well, the aforementioned unwitting alliance of the “elite” and the “Wadaads” are the self delegated who in their mind undisputedly represent the Somali people and the Somali masses are relegated to misery and inaction. Then the prevailing question becomes; are the Somali masses resigned to this outcome? I do not think so! Farhan N. M. Gaas ________________________________________________________________ We welcome the submission of all articles for possible publication on WardheerNews.com
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