By Isaac Muhammad
Prior to the civil war, the people of Somalia have been peace loving, accommodating, and friendly. Somalia was one of the most peaceful, prosperous, and powerful countries in the Horn of Africa before its sudden collapse in 1991. Despite its centralized and dictatorial administration, the country proved very powerful both militarily and economically. The historical context of the country is full of noble virtues politically, religiously, and philosophically. After the freedom fighters, “The Dervishes”, led by the great Sayid Mohamed who was known as the “Mad Mullah” by the British proved very powerful on ground assaults, Somalia became the first country in Africa to be air bombarded by the British colony. Adan Abdille Osman (Adan Ade) became Somalia’s first president in 1960 and was the first postcolonial African head of state to voluntarily step down after losing an election.
While the livestock sector was the backbone of the economy, the agriculture sector was very prosperous in banana and sugar cane, among others. Banana exports to Italy began in 1927 and gained primary importance after 1929. Because the Somali banana was known for its luscious and delectable tests, in 1927 and 1930 Italy passed laws imposing tariffs on all non-Somali bananas. These laws facilitated Somali agricultural development so that between 1929 and 1936 the area under banana cultivation increased seventeen folds to 39.75 km². Correspondingly, the sugar factory located near Giohar had an output of 4,000 tons, enough to meet about 80 percent of domestic demand; by 1957 production had reached 11,000 tons, and Somalia no longer imported sugar. The country similarly developed another sugar factory in Marerey near Jilib in the late seventies; the Mugambo irrigation project mainly focused on rice plantation. Separate from plantation factories were the Mogadishu based spaghetti, cigarettes, matches, and boat factories and the petroleum refinery. In addition, there were also the Kismayu-based meat-canning factory, modern fish factory and many more.
A country that defeated the British colony over 100 years ago, that was exporting to Europe in 1927, conducted free and fair election in 1967, in which an incumbent president lost the election and accepted the outcome. That same country is now unable to govern itself while killing its people and is monitored by foreign troops! Today, Somalia is the least peaceful, democratic, economically and militarily viable and most impoverished country in the region!
After the Arrival of the Current President
Regardless of who is to blame for Somalia’s ongoing problems, we Somalis are equally responsible for navigating and finding a lasting solution. Consequently, we must work together to find a resolution to our endless crisis. For the last 25 years, dozens of peace conferences were held to establish a functioning government. However, time after time, a new political group emerges and presents new obstacles to any potential solution. To our innocence, soul searching or power hungriness, we all fall for each new political group that arises within our political spectrum and continue to move farther from our solution.
After the election of the current president, Hassan Sheik Mohamud, the people of Somalia were exceptionally optimistic about this particular president and his government to finally deliver a much needed stabilization and the rule of law in the country. This was partly because people were tired of lawlessness and lack of security at home as well as indignity around the world. Regrettably, things did not materialize as expected. The continued persistence of Al- Shabab insurgency, the endless political in fights and the decentralization process in which federalism is expected to transpire has all proven very difficult and complex. Each clan wants to have more power than the other; each individual wants to have more authority and recognition than the other. Each political group wants to dominate the stage and prevail over the other. There seems to be no vested interest in the nation’s welfare or the known concept of “the people before the person”.
Current Situation
Despite all these obvious struggles and setbacks, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The clan based killings have stopped, and people seem to understand that they can disagree without killing one another—there is a parliament and functioning government in place to some extent, and there seems to be a roadmap to establish a Federal System . The Jubbaland state is mostly complete with its current peace conference expected to produce its official parliament members. After the previously declared six regions administration was nullified by the Federal Government; the Southwest State is now in the brainstorming stage as planned; assembly discussions continue in the city of Baidoa. As stated by the federal government and UN representative of Somalia, there is an effort to establish a Central State comprising of the Galgadud region and part of the Mudug region which is currently governed by the Galmudug Administration.
The Khatumo State recently elected Professor Ali Kalif Galayr as its president and formed a parliament. However, both Somaliland and Puntland continue to claim Khatumo as part of their respective territories and do not recognize the Khatumo Administration. Al-shabab has been weakened by the recent killings of its chief leader by the U.S. The killing of its Emir by an unmanned drone attack and the loss of its territories to the Somali Army supported by the African Union Peace Keeping Forces has weakened Al-Shabab. Thus, Al-Shabab is currently on the run and rudderless.
Way Forward
Among other issues, the federal government must interfere in the dispute between Khatumo and Somaliland, which recently escalated to extremes when the Somaliland army stormed the inauguration ceremony of Khatumo’s new President Mr. Ali Khalif Galayr. It must also complete the formation of the Federal States and wipe out Al-Shabab extremists. Finally, it must bring back the rule of law and prepare the country for a fair and free election. This will pave the way to our dreamed Somalia-a Somalia that governs itself in peace and lives with its neighbors in peace. The Somali people are humble; extremely proud, but exceedingly power loving, particularly the expats. If we all try to suit ourselves to our respective professions, ignore our inner desires that lead us to want to lead, we all would find enough space to coexist and contribute to our country’s wellbeing.
Isaac Muhammad
Email:[email protected]
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References
For the historical context and data analysis in this article, refer to the following addresses:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world–africa–14094632
http://www.country–data.com/cgi–bin/query/r–12002.html
http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-12002.html
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