Interview of Abdurahman Abdullahi by Africa News Reporter

Exclusive: ``Peace is under Somalia’s trees``

1. Posted on Monday 5 July 2010 - 16:00

Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya

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 Qur’an said
“Verily God does change men’s 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.