the Djibouti Peace
Initiative - 08 Feb 2000 - Aideed
Although no one seems to know as of yet what the Guled peace
initiative is all about, the pieces of information that are coming out of this agenda
appear hopeful. What are the signs of hope? Well, there is an effort to bring Somalis back
together. The unity of Somalia is not compromised by this agenda. There is a sign that
power will be decentralized making it difficult for a small cult to terrorize the nation.
The agenda is calling for international support to fund both the process of peace as well
as the reconstruction of the nation. There is a provision for dealing with potential
trouble makers- people whose interests (short-term) lie in disrupting any peace process
and in perpetuating chaos and lawlessness. In short, rumor has it that Guled’s agenda
represents the best and perhaps one of the last attempts to recreate our nation. What are
the concerns ? First, the idea of creating a parliament, a President and an MP in such a
short time (by May) appears unrealistic. It would have been more cautious if it adopted a
gradual empowerment of the people starting in the regions and gradually expanding it to
the national level. Second, although there is a provision for dealing with individual
leaders who refuse to go along with this agenda, there is no clear plan for dealing with
regions or factions that refuse to accept the deal (perhaps this is in the detail). Third,
what if some regions refuse the peace process, what then happens to those who accept it.
There is no talk about a provision that would allow these regions to go on with their
lives by providing them with regional state recognition, access to international funds and
security arrangements. Lastly, there is no mention in the rumors that are coming out of
the this agenda with respect to true reconciliation. There needs to be a reconciliation
commission that should address pre-civil war property ownership, crimes against humanity
before and after the civil war, etc. For eaxmple, if one can not reclaim his/her property
in South Mogadishu, that would be a sign of no true reconciliation. Let us all hope for
the best. Somalia deserves a break. Aidid