| Said samater once wrote “predicting
Somalia’s political alliances, is like blowing into the
ocean.” We, Somalis, all witness the roller coaster rides of
hope and misery that emanate from all these meetings/peace
conferences. But, to really understand the Somali dilemma, one
must look beyond tribalism and clan-related shifting alliances
and double-talk. One must put the Somali problem in the context
of the greater world power structure (no grandeur delusions
here). In the past, for multiple reasons, Somalis have been
manipulated and as result miss-treated by the powers that be (we
share the blame) in their worldly games. Remember, the Ottoman
empire’s interests vs those of Egypt. The
British/Italian/French interests vs those of Ethiopia. The
Christian fears vs the Islamic expansionists. The Soviet
socialism vs the American ideology of containing communism, and
so on and so on. The recent events from Djibouti peace
conference mark another turning point for Somali’s
manipulation- the Arabist vs the anglo-somali society (note:
this is not a negative commentary about the peace process
itself). The Arab world perceives Somalia as its buffer zone and
link to the Black world. We are needed when it comes to
strategizing about the Nile. We are needed when it comes to
strategizing about farms in black Africa. We are needed when it
comes to strategizing the number of votes in the UN or in the
OAU. We are need when it comes to strategizing about the
military use of the Gulf of Eden. But, how are these interests
expressed.? Mainly through our old cultural/geographic and
religious ties, and our desperate need for some cash. These ties
are exaggerated when needed and down played when necessary
(i.e., when we were refugees seeking shelter from the forces of
evil- the south Mogadishu factions). We, as Somali politicians,
also exaggerate these ties when it serves our needs (i.e.,
joining the Arab league; calling for the Arab Marshall plan to
revive Somalia; funding the X-thieves to become protectors of
Mogadishu, etc). The counter forces are equally determined to
put us under their feet The lead is now in the hands of the
Anglo-Somali society (in principal, not in personalities). The
Anglo-Somali society's interests in Somalia are not new, nor are
they friendly, but they are more intense and have access to
influential media (the New York times; BBC etc). Her majesty’s
involvement in the “other” internal world affairs in not new
or unique to Somalia. But in Somalia it is consistent in its
intensity and determination. In the past, the slogans were :
defending her majesty’s interests in the middle-east and east
Africa; protecting the Christians from the heathen nomadic
Moslems and the shiftas. The strategies were arming Ethiopians
and Kenyans better than Somalis and dividing Somalis into
spheres of interest both locally and internationally. Now this
has been slightly modified. The new strategy is demonizing Siyad
barre, his clan affiliates and any body who worked for him;
providing voice for the south Mogadishu gangsters and the
destroyers of Somalia; and educating the world through powerful
media that Somalis are actually punch of clans who have nothing
in common except (oops..) language, religion, ethnicity and
culture ?Never mind that this is precisely what it takes
in other parts of the world to define a nation. So, what is the
outcome of all of this: The seeding of the future Somali civil
war. This time, it is not about clan politics (although clan
will be utilized when it serves the purpose) but rather the
arabists (euphemistically known us the Islamic
courts/fundamentalists) against the forces of democracy and good
(also known as her majesty). The UN will be the time keeper and
the victims will always be the same?Somalis. Jamac. |