- Title: [SW Country] (Abdisalam M
Issa-Salwe) Somali peace process in Djibouti should not be an
end, but a means to an end
- Posted by/on:[AAJ][28 July 2000]
Open
Letter to President Ismail Omar Guelleh
Dear
Mr President
Subject: Somali peace process in Djibouti should not
be an end, but a means to an end
Your
speech at the United Nations on 23 September 1999 was a
ground-breaking step of historical significance as it has shaken the
conscience of the international community to their ‘indifference’
to the Somali tragedy. Many Somalis, both inside and outside the
country, saw you as their long-awaited saviour.
Since
the breakdown of the Somali state in early 1991, there have been many
efforts by the international community to revitalise it. They were
unsuccessful and, generally, counter-productive. The reason for the
failure lies in the approach, because it aimed at the resuscitation of
an externally driven state structure where the local people’s
involvement is rarely sought.
Your
approach gained attention because it tries to address one of the main
reasons for previous failure: that the victims of the civil strife
should lead the peace process. This holistic approach, as you
correctly mentioned in your proposal, must be an alternative paradigm
to the Somali crisis as it is a very complex and thorny issue.
Since
your initiative is at the crossroads between proposal and
implementation, care must be given to its practicality, as it lies
poised between failure and success.
Efforts
must not be put into the formation of a national government without
first laying suitable foundations. The idea of giving priority to
government formation is exactly one of the elements which led previous
peace conferences to failure. This stance is to advocate a top-down
approach which leads to the centralisation of the Somali state. While
it contravened your own initiatives, this perspective may also
contradict the natural trend which Somali regions have been moving
since the collapse of the Somali state.
While
it is true that lack of government is one of the main causes which
perpetuate the Somali crisis, consideration must be given to the
necessary elements. The Somali Djibouti peace process should not be an
end, but a means to an end. Therefore, the solutions must be based on
the today's reality.
One
aspect which should be considered is the recent development of
institutions in Somalia. Currently, Somalia can be distinguished into
three different zones: recovery zones, transitional zones and crisis
zones. Similarly, the same classification is also used by Mr Kofi
Anan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his report to
the Security Council of 16 August 1999. Mr Anan urged that this
classification be considered for assistance in humanitarian and
rehabilitation strategic assistance (see S/1999/882, 16 August 1999).
The Secretary-General’s conclusion is based on today’s Somalia.
His recommendations range from emphasis on providing basic and
life-saving service in the zones of crisis, to the provision of
technical support for good governance and capacity-building in the
recovery zones.
From
Mr Anan’s observations, we can perceive that what the Somalis need
from the first stage of the Somali peace process in Djibouti is a
means or mechanism which can bring each of the three zones to a stage
of effective local governance. For instance, this mechanism should
help those regions in the crisis zones to move into the recovery
stage. So each may develop its own unique institutions according to
local need, within the overall framework of a federal Somali state.
Therefore,
establishment of a national committee or a national operational body
is one of the elements required at this stage. All the thorny and
divisive issues, which are being addressed by the current conference,
should be the task of this body. Taking into consideration the
existing obstacles and difficulties, practically, this body may need
at least one to two years to accomplish such complex and huge
operation (by which time the provisional or transitional mechanism
will be set to start).
In
theory, a state is developed as a response to disorder.
It tries to bring about harmony and humanisation against a
backdrop of civil strife. In
this context the state acts as an agent influencing, shaping,
informing and permeating human life with the value of civility.
Honourable
President, Somalis say, “Xoog
waxaa kugu daran kan xarigga kaa gooya” (the worst force is the one
which wastes your efforts). The Somalis’ expectation from the
current peace conference is very high. They cannot afford another loss
as this may lead to the end of the Somali nation for ever.
I
trust that you will find my suggestions helpful in your deliberations.
Participant of the Technical
Consultative Somali Peace Process Symposium
Abdisalam
M Issa-Salwe
168B
Grafton Road
London
NW5 4BA
Kentish
Town
United
Kingdom
Phone:
(44 20) 7813 1105
E-mail:
binsalwe@aol.com
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