The Rise and Fall of the TNG

Somalia is without a government since they ousted the former military regime of Siad Barre in 1991. Since then the country has been in chaos, civil war, and the home of looters, warlords, and international terrorists.

More than one hundred fifty thousand Somalis have lost their lives and at least Two million Somalis are misplaced and left the country.

After the Somali State and dignity was traded to a mad land, 13 conferences variously hosted or convened by US, UN, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, failed to make any progress. In 1999, the Djibouti president Mr. Geele took a burden that seemed so easy at the time when he told the UN assembly that he would convene and host a Djibouti peace process.

Mr. Geele wanted to start the process from bottom-up, and emphasize the need of federal system as a governmental form for the re-integration of the Somali people, but things were diverted from it's original direction when he put in charge of the process to the warlords, collaborators of the warlords and criminals of the former ministers and generals who caused all of this.

The Djibouti peace talks, lasting from May to August 2000 and attended by over 2000 delegates appointed a 250- seat transitional assembly, which by name elected Abdulqasim Salat Hassan as interim president.

According to the peace talk participants, the peace plan became power struggle and pick and choose plan.

There was considerable optimism that the new president would be able to re-establish a central government in Somalia and end the chaos and violence with which the country has become synonymous.

The Djibouti initiative, however, has been criticized for not achieving its original aims. None of the principal warlords, who oppose the initiative, were present at the conference and their absence diminishes the chances of a successful reconciliation - which could easily be derailed by their armed militias. Nor were there any representatives from the self-ruling areas of Puntland and Somaliland. Some believe that the new initiative is merely an attempt by Geele to secure a pro-Djibouti government and profit from international praise. That believes was backed by reliable sources that indicate that the Djibouti Tycoon Mr. Borre played a big role on the election of Mr. Qaasim, by spending Five million dollars on bribes and some of the participants received money and gifts. The timing is right when President Ismael Omar Geelle appears to be strengthening his power by constraining the opposition through detention without trial and curbing the media's freedom. Djibouti is crippling with poverty and 40 per cent unemployment threatens social stability. Djibouti's main import is Qat, the narcotic of the region, which is grown in southeastern Ethiopia. The average family in Djibouti spends 20 per cent of its income on Qat. That is according to Jane's Information Group.

According to a parliament member, Mr. Mohamed Omar Habeb (Mohamed Dheere) who has declared his opposition to the transitional government and left to vacate his position in the Transitional National Government (TNG) because of what he called miss appropriation of funds, mismanagement of some of the members, and corruption in the assembly.

Mr. Mohamed Dheere denounced his support of the TNG and accused Mr. Qaasim for playing the clan card, which he favors, his clan's men. On his radio interview Mr. Mohamed Dheere stated that there are 45 parliament members, which is an accounted to no one and doesn't represent any group, he said their only job is to pass the vote for the favor of Mr. Qasim. He also accused the TNG for not keeping their promise and their charters.

According to the SDC and SSC sources in Mogadishu " Serious difference have emerged between Mr. Abdi qaasin Salat Hassan and his Minster of interior Mr. Dahir Mohamed Shiekh (Dayah). A number of the TNG members defected including Col. Omar Haji Masala and Bashir Farah Kaahiye and more TNG members are also planing to defect.

SDC, SSC, and the rest of international communities are predicting the rise and fall of the shadowy government of Mr. Qasim, when the new authorities work from Hotels and hire gunmen for protection and loosing their grip of the power of the city they inhabit (Mogadishu). Not to mention the threat they have from the leaders of over eight Somali factions who are meeting in Awasa (Ethiopia) to find out how they could put aside their differences and create a joint forum and establish an administration in Somalia.

Reports say this is the first time that Somali factions have come together to oppose the TNG which was formed in Djibouti last year, and they resolved their difference report added.

The TNG with grasp of its last breath started poisoning and working to draw the conflict the peaceful Puntald State by organizing anti Puntland propaganda and programs that undermine the stability of the region.

Somali Support Committee as the rest of the good conscious Somali people are displeased by the government made in Djibouti of Mr. Qasim. SSC will support, work closely and welcomes all those who sincerely are working to get back their lost dignity and state as the rest of the Somali's inside and outside the country.

SDC and SSC are closely monitoring the outcome of the faction leaders meeting in Ethiopia and hopes will have fruitful conclusion by advocating the regional autonomy and federalism.

Finally, we call upon the international communities and the UN not to fall victim to the tricky mishaps of the corrupted so called leaders of Mr. Qasim and his followers, thus rewarding the peaceful self ruling States like Puntland and Somaliland.

Mohamed Abdullahi Founder and Chairman of Somali Support Committee and the Somali Development Council

Non Governmental Organizations created to help examine the long- term political solutions and economic initiatives in Somalia Contact: ssc-sdc@hotmail.com