Somalia: Peace under the Somalia's Tree

Interview with Muhyadin Ahmed Roble from AfricaNews on 7/6/2010

Somalia is one of the several African nations marking 50th anniversary of
independence this year. However, it remains a dangerous place to live while
other countries thrive. A prominent peace activist said the troubled nation
can feel peace when the locals realize the need to sit under the tree to iron
issues out. AfricaNews Somalia expert Muhyadin Ahmed Roble spoke to
Professor Abdurahman M. Abdullahi (Baadiyow), who is the Chairman of the
Board of Trustees of Mogadishu University on the way forward for the horn of
Africa. He is a prominent peace activist and scholar. He writes on variety of
issues, particularly on Islam and its modern development in Somalia.
AfricaNews: Somalia is 50 years old, how do you feel?
Prof Abdurahman: Well, it is refreshing to witness the 50th anniversary of a
state that collapsed 20 years ago. I celebrate alone in my room silently
redden with anguish and frustration. I celebrate in recollecting my memory
on my journey of life since early childhood in 1960 when I was 6 years old. I
celebrate ashamed and grieved that my generation failed to save Somalia.
AfricaNews: How do you see the country 50 years on?
Prof Abdurahman: When we talk about Somalia, we must have in mind
different regions of Somalia. The country is indeed divided. The south where
Mogadishu is located is the epicenter of conflict and is in shambles. Somalia
became a theartre of the cold war, civil war and global war on terrorism. Our
youngsters were recruited to fight and died without any cause; and they
were denied education and jobs. On the brighter side, Somalis are learning
fast through their contact in different countries where many of them
migrated. Somalis are becoming self-reliant and entrepreneurs all over the
world.
AfricaNews: How can you compare July, 1960 and now?
Prof Abdurahman: The difference is between hope and hopelessness;
between democratic country and country ruled by guns; between unified
people and fragmented and divided country. It is not comparable in that
sense; however, Somalis have more resource and potentials today than
1960.

AfricaNews: What can Somalia show after 50 years of independence?

Prof Abdurahman: Somalia is a showcase of the failure of post-colonial state
in Africa; the state imposed from top against the culture and social norms of
the people, and the state and elites that do not belong to the aspiration of
their people. Somalia can also show the resilience and audacity of the
traditional African society and their social networks and its survivability.
AfricaNews: Is Somalia yet a sovereign government?
Prof Abdurahman: A sort of, but not in the true sense. The central state does
not control its border, does not provide minimum security, and does not
collect tax except from Mogadishu Sea and Airports. So, what kind of
sovereignty is that? We have to find fine lines between true sovereignty and
quasi-sovereignty.
AfricaNews: What caused the instability in Somalia?
Prof Abdurahman: This is indeed very complex question but there are certain
factors involved. The internal factors including dictatorship, lack of freedom
and divided opposition. In addition to that Ethiopian and recently Eritrea
factors can also be taken into account. Moreover, the open space of Somalia
became attractive to terrorist groups after 9/11 and wrong policies and
approaches deteriorated the situation.
AfricaNews: 20 years after, what can Somalis learn from the civil war?
Prof Abdurahman: They can learn a lot. Now the government imposed on the
people by foreign countries is malfunctioning. The use of international forces
alone will not solve Somali problems. Peace can only thrive when
communities sit under the tree, discus their own issues and solve it in their
own way. Puntland and Somaliland are very good example of such bottom-up
community owned reconciliation and state-building approach.
AfricaNews: Where are Somalis heading now?
Prof Abdurahman: Only Allah (GOD) knows. Nobody can predict how things
will develop in Somalia. It is unpredictable but the picture is gloomy in the
short period. The current transitional Government is heading to nowhere and
its leaders are working on plan B which is what to do after. The al-Shabaab
may take over, the only obstacle for them is the presence of the African
forces in Mogadishu.
AfricaNews: What kind of government does Somalia need?

Prof Abdurahman: The kind of government is not an issue. It should be a

government that people accept and agree upon and it should be working for
them. It is not an ideal state and should not necessarily follow other models.
That government should be capable of restoring law and order and consider
all Somalis to be equal citizens. It should be a government for people and by
the people.
AfricaNews: How can the people change?
Prof Abdurahman: Changes could be made in so many ways. The Quran said
Verily God does change mens condition unless they change what is in their
heart.
Therefore, change begins with the change of the heart and way of thinking,
change through education and raising capacity, change through better
organizations, social and political, change through decent economic
ventures, change of the elite culture and so on. Finally, it is the will of the
people and dedicated leaders who can make a change doable in Somalia.
AfricaNews: Is Somalia a failed state?
Prof Abdurahman: It does not need to be called in such way; it is failed and
then failed. The people of Somalia did not fail, the state failed. It is failed and
will not return unless new approach and new thinking is developed outside of
the traditional state-building box and outside driven modality.