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Tuesday, November 13, 2007
How Ethiopia captured and How to liberate
Somalia.
By:
Qasim Hersi Farah, Ph.D.
Email:
qasimhersi@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION
It took a
long process for Zanawi and his guerrilla tribal warriors to
capture Somalia and get access to the longest seashore in
Africa, by changing the map of their country from a landlocked
state to semi-peninsula. In the context of this article, I will
highlight some points of the process, while many others are left
for the reader’s discretion.
Obviously,
both Somalis and Ethiopians are religious radicals and even
serious fanatics by nature. Moreover, both are religious
extremists, i.e. either in exacerbation or falling behind
religious duties. One can realize so when seeing how individuals
are always on one of the two extremes. This is nothing but the
consequence of the prolonged constant wars waged by the old
Abyssinian Empires against any tribe or individual who accepted
Islamic faith in the region in and around the Horn of Africa. In
retrospect, Somalia is the first nation that accepted Islam even
before Saudi Arabia at large. The first group that accepted
Islam were chased away from the city of Mecca –Saudi Arabia, but
immediately immigrated to the Horn of Africa, where they were
granted to political asylum by King Najashi who ruled the North
eastern parts of today’s Ethiopia. Finally, King Najashi and the
majority of his people were convinced to convert to Islamic
faith. Genealogically tracing, the area is exactly where the
majority of Somalis originated and later on emigrated from.
It is a
well known historical phenomenon that each and every King that
ruled Ethiopia since then was an Orthodox fundamentalist whose
sole standing enemy were Muslims. Thus, Ethiopians had no choice
but to engage in waging frequent genocides, property
confiscation, looting, mass distraction, forcing people into
exile and so on in order to prevent any person or tribe from
converting to Islam. As a result, there have been constant
attacks and counter attacks in the whole region, and this is the
main factor that made the two nations wildish, abhorrent,
violent, rebellious, extreme, in agony, ignorant and so on and
so forth.
HOW
TIGRENYA TRIBE OF ETHIOPIA CAPTURED SOMALIA
It is
unfortunate that both citizens of Somalia and Ethiopia have
inherited the negative aspects of their grand ancestors, which
chiefly involves attacks and counter attacks. It seems recurrent
that almost every Leader of either of the two nations
incorporates such old lifestyle of agonism, by resorting to
follow the foot steps of the previous regimes.
Following
the same steps of his predecessor, Zanawi, borrowed the
mentality of fulfilling the long standing silent promise of
marchinalising ation and pressuring others. In this part of
Zanawi’s mentality, capturing Somalia in the year of 2007 seems
no more than religious purpose. Zanawi’ himself declared so when
he was interviewed by BBC, where he openly said “Somalia can not
and will never apply one single page of the Islamic law”. This
statement shows a number of remarkable objectives including; A.
I am the only Leader for the region, B. Somalia is nothing but a
small part of my country, C. I am against Somalia because of
their decision towards Islamic law, D. I have nothing to
recognize as a government of Somalia, E. others. In short,
Zanawi’s back warded mentality says “I am against Somalis due to
their faith” in one way or another. However, there are several
other political purposes to be focused on in this article, which
may include, among others, as the following:
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To pressure and eliminate his political
opponents who get a safe-home in Southern Somalia
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To change the Ethiopian focus on his
brutal administration from local crisis to regional crisis.
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To rid off religious spiritual leaders
who have, at the same time, modern civilization towards the
contemporary world
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To turn the public eye to a new
circumstance and phenomena so that they may never get the
chance to think about his brutal leadership
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To get possible and acceptable means of
extending his artificial power throughout the region of Horn
of Africa and finally,
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To materialize the Ethiopia old dream of
bringing whole Somali territory under the rule of Ethiopia
before Somalia succeeded in its counter dream of annexing
Somali Galbeed (Ogadenia) territory in to the rest of
Somalia and shaping new map of ban Somalia (Somali weyn).
In order
to implement these kinds of old mentalities, Zanawi employed
several tactics, which can be classified as following:
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To welcome Somali refugees so as to
attract their attention during difficulty time, but involve
in removing their country from the World map.
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Issuing Ethiopian IDs to Somalis, though
their place of birth indicates any city of Somalia. This is
exactly how Barren’s government used to act since its
administration never recognized the border between Somalia
and Ethiopia as they used to call it “the Artificial Border”
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Issuing IDs by identifying intentionally
wronged place of birth, i.e. any Somali person can get
Ethiopian ID and Passport, provided he or she accepts to
claim a city or area inhabited by another clan of Somalis.
The main aim of this trick is to create or fuel recurrent
chronic conflict within the Somalia nomadic communities.
Likewise, to prove that certain clans are not majority of
the denizens.
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To spread both the Bible and the
Ethiopian constitution written in Somali language. In early
1996, a full packet of the Ethiopian constitution books
written in Somali language was found in Galway’s town of
Somalia
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To attract certain naïve individuals for
training them to lead fiefdoms of Somalia as long as they
are happy in naming for forgery power
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Distributing weapons and ammunitions to
the man-made warlords, i.e. Warlords themselves were
recruited and trained to struggle for non-existent power.
The total of the weapons and ammunitions provided by
Ethiopia during 2000-2002 only has numbered 49,898 AK,
122,879 ammunitions. The beneficiaries of these weapons were
included, among others; Yalahow, Qanyare, Mohmed dhere,
Morgan, Shatigudud, Adan Madobe, Habsade, Filish, Haran ku
naah, Bashir Rage and others. Considering in this situation,
Ethiopia did not start invading Somalia in 2007 but early
1992.
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To eliminate or at least reduce the
number of the Somali intellectuals regardless of their
educational background and field of study. In this regard,
hundreds of Somali medical doctors, human rights activists,
journalists, patriotic politicians, religious scholars, and
teachers were assassinated since 1992 and many others were
sent to unknown jails and never brought in front of
justice/trial .
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To upgrade the traditional drama of
exacerbating the precarious security situation in Somalia.
As such drama was going on, new phenomena that forced him to
increase and make it in place before its allocated time of
framework has arrived. That is the Islamic Court. He had no
choice but to take the most toughest measure of wiping them
out in order to dismantle the relative stability they
brought about,
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To send large number of untrained troops
whom none of them is from Tigrenaya tribe of Ethiopia, but
the leaders or the commanders of each and every battalion
should be Tigrenya.
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Majority of these untrained and
uncivilized troops should be collected from Ethiopian
minority classes including Muslims. The perception behind
this is clear to every one as it is to kill three birds in
one stone. i.e. to capture the whole country of Somalia
while those who are dying are hapless, helpless and hopeless
minorities as we locally call (looma ooyaan), meaning
no one will mourn for them, those who get rank promotions
for the mission they accomplished should be none but
Tigrenyan and finally the land of Somalia would
automatically go under the administration of Ethiopia for
good through gradual and semi-legal process.
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To revamp the fascism policy of clan
manipulation in order to implement the old mentality of
divide-and-rule strategy. This is one of the most viable
strategies have been applied both today as well as
yesterday. The recent invitation extended to a group of clan
elders in Mogadishu to meet with Melees Zenawi and his aides
in Addis Ababa is nothing but an attempt to strengthen clan
cleavages, fuel hatred among Somalis, and further embarrass
Zanawi’s proxies in the Transitional Federal Institutions
and assert their worthlessness. The mere fact that this
invitation was extended without any prior consultation and
coordination with the Ethiopian made coalition of Col.
Abdullahi Yusuf and Ali Ghedi, is indicative of the fact
that TFG leaders can be rendered irrelevant when needed and
even eventually altogether dumped when deemed so.
Since
early 1993, when the first reconciliation conference for the
Somali clans was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has been seeking
valid reasons to conquer the territory of Somalia and annex it
to its land-locked country in order to reach the longest
seashore in Africa one day. Among the most active lawful reasons
that she tried to convince the International Law, which mostly
became successful are:
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Pursued Act of the international law,
which means to intervene others land while chasing wanted
criminals such as daylight robbery or terrorists. Ethiopia
frequently invaded several regions of Somalia including Gedo,
Galgadud, Las’anod and some parts of the North regions with
such justification. The main objective of this Act is to
abuse International Law by invading to this powerless
country and remain therein forever by justifying that Addis
Ababa is protecting its security and rights from burglars
and terrorists waging war from lawless land
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Responsibility for fighting against the
regional Terrorist. This is quite serious project sough to
be funded by the USA while relying on both possible and
fabricated reasons. With this unilateral responsibility,
Ethiopian troops may have the justification to kill or
torture any one they wish.
-
Regional Mandate (wasiyah/ wilayah),
which authorizes to proclaim bringing back Somalia to peace
and stabilization. This is the most awkward and unlawful Act
where it shows that Somalis are nothing but unconscious or
mad people who should have some one to be responsible for as
a guardian. Through such an aggressive act of mandate, Addis
Ababa openly argues that she is always a part of the problem
and can become a part of the solution if it wishes. That is
why Addis Ababa is eager and dare to be the sole decision
maker and director for the Somali peace process and
reconciliations. In fact, almost every body knows that there
is no such dreadful conflict and misunderstanding among the
Somali clans and sub-clans, but the meaning of peace process
applied so far is only to distance peace and stability.
Whenever Ethiopian administration view that former Somali
rival clans are coming closer to each other, they endeavour
to call for peace process by inviting some nomadic
traditional men and reminding them forgotten enmities or
fuelling minor clashes.
Some of the most outstanding colonial behaviours appeared in
southern Somalia so far are included:
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All the orders administered in Southern
Somalia should come directly from Godey town of Somali
Galbeed and not even beyond. This shows that Zanawi signals
to the world that Somalia can not be even given to autonomy
administration as Zone 5, but instead can be a part of Zone
5 its self. One of the outstanding evidence that may prove
such is that today Ethiopian flag is over almost all the
important centers of the southern part of Somalia. Moreover,
that Ethiopian occupiers suggested that Somalia do not
deserve to be given another flag but only to extend that of
the zone five, so that they held it on the most important
gathering place known as Tarabunka.
-
The Ethiopian troops were given the
authority to rule the administration of Kismayu city, by
justifying that two sub-clans of Darod (Marehan and Majerten)
would never agree on which would be given the highest post
of administering power
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Ethiopian troops automatically started
ruling Afgoye, Wallanweyn, Merca and the surrounding
villages
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Ethiopian troops based on the Ministry of
Defence of Somalia. This particular act declares that the
only power exist in Somalia is that of Ethiopia and the
Ex-Somali Ministry of Defence will only remain as a military
camp under the auspice of the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence
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Any body arrested, lawfully or
unlawfully, should be taken to Addis Ababa either for trial
or for intimidation and torture.
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Those who deserve merit or demerit
awarding for the mission should be flown to Addis Ababa for
further brain washing.
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Ethiopian troops have already started
their massacre against Somali unarmed civilians by seeking
the smallest justification to do so.
-
Ethiopian troops have already resumed
their tradition of Gibir – collecting illegitimate
taxes from the civilians already suffering from hunger and
malnutrition. This tradition is a part of the old fascisms
exercised by the old empires. More worsen to hear is that
this kind of tradition was already applied by Melees through
some of the warlords he associated with. Among the most out
standing practice of this exercise is that Mohamed dhere was
sent to his home town and ordered to collect Gibir-
in a bully form even from mothers upon giving path. Should
any mother deliver a baby boy she should pay Sh.S. 100.000
of fine, but when the baby born is a girl it is acceptable
to pay Sh.So. 50.000 of fine. This is exactly a part of the
previous per-head tax paying known as “gibir”.
Mohamed dhere who is naturally barren and not expecting to
have a baby never hesitated to applied this order as long as
it is a condition to obtain weapons. Similar shock has been
going on in Bulahawo town where residents finally disserted
several times running away from Ethiopian gangs. The
invaders openly said to them ‘you must pay our daily bills
and extra pocket money for ruling you because you cannot
rule by yourself”. Add that, most of the Ethiopian wildish
troops were said to be HIV/AIDs positive and raped innocent
young girls in order to spread the virus intentionally.
Another remarkable incident was what Yalahow has been
fulfilling in the small territory of his sub-clan by judging
heavy fine upon any one who may get married or intend to
renew his/her old house. More seriously, Bashir Rage, one of
the junior Warlords was given the mandate to put weight
clock on pedestrian individuals and charge fine upon those
whose weight is more than 50 kg. by condemning them that
they have eaten extra food while others are suffering from
hunger and loss of weight.
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In terms of foreign policy, Addis Ababa
has already represented Somalia in several conventions,
agreements, principles and discussions regarding either
political or economical agendas.
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The response given to Somaliland
authority by Addis Ababa in reply of the Hargaisa’s request
of recognition, was “we would be the last government to
recognize you”. This shows how Addis Ababa is in full
confidence of that whole Somalia is under its rule in one
way or another and that she never want to loose even the
smallest part of the Somalia territory.
SHORT
TERM ACTION PLAN
Strategically, Addis Ababa is playing several cards, some times
simultaneously and some times in a gradual process. The last
card of strategy towards the targeted people of Somalia carries
out the following working plan:
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To regroup, rearm,
remobilize and strengthen the old Warlords after they have
been defeated and weakened by the Islamic Court Movement
group. This is very important for Ethiopia as it may prolong
the crisis and chaos in Somalia
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To take tough measures of
intellectual elimination with the justification of “campaign
against regional terrorism”
The
Ethiopian made up coalition known as TFG are nothing but
individuals designated to transmit the territory of Somalia to
Ethiopia through gradual, also nearly peaceful and lawful,
process. It is also consistent with Ethiopian government’s plan
that is meticulously crafted to revive the previously
warlord-controlled anarchy and bring about a gradual demise of
the Transitional Federal Institutions in preparation for the
execution of an agenda that is more sinister and ominously
dangerous. It is commonly known that the so-called President and
the Prime Minister of the TFG are nothing but pawns and puppets
of Melees, if they are not pure Ethiopian men.
SUGGESTIONS ON
HOW TO DELIBERATE
SOMALIA
In conclusion, I would humbly
like to suggest the below stated points of my view as a Somali
patriotic man who has been a Presidential Candidate two years
ago, but today the reality forced to act as a freedom fighter
starting from the scratch. My humble suggestions are based on
logical and neutral reconciliation between the two nations of
Somalia and Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa. Though my
suggestions are ignoring the current artificial power of Melees,
it gives clear signal to the future of the two neighbouring
nations and I hope that the International Community will
consider this long standing tragedy in humanity ground.
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African Union to deploy
qualitative and quantitative number of peace keeping mission
troops to all over Somali regions regardless of relative
stability or escalating violence and clashes. These troops
must be included Muslims as there is well founded religio-phobia.
Missions’ confidence and trust by the respective rival clans
can be built through collective efforts of operating all the
parts of the country at the same time
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Disarmament must be the
first and foremost objective of the African peace keeping
mission. Otherwise, Somali intellectuals and patriotic
politicians would reflect that the mission’s objective is
nothing but to refuel the Somali unrest and civil war. In
this regard, it is worth noting that majority of the Somalis
hate the Ethiopian coalition known as TFG more than any
other enemy. Therefore, any troop may try to assist the
so-called TFG will definitely meet resistant, let alone to
meet a round welcome of applaud
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Main donor countries
should sponsor the mission through the United Nations
Security Council with well planned strategy of
accountability and financial auditing
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The United Nations
security council should designate, describe, demarcate and
control all the activities of the missions
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The United Nations
Security Council should set forth clear-cut conditions of
the mission including day to day action plan, time
limitation, area limitation, responsibility, objectives,
strategies, monitoring and evaluation procedures
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The United States of
America – USA should deploy sufficient number of military
and intelligent troops at the border between Somalia and
Ethiopia. The duty of such troop would be limited to the
observing and controlling all the activities may run at the
border including terrorist activities, trespassing,
burglars, smuggling (all forms of smuggling including human
smuggling). This particular mission can easily find out
which of the two countries or nations may involve in
creating unrest and chaos in the region as they will easily
control any terrorist activity that may run in the region
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The USA should deploy some
parts of its military intelligence inside Somalia, as a main
part of the region, in order to combat against any kind of
terrorist and unlawful plans and practices
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National Social
Reconciliation followed by formation of a central government
must be held inside Somalia. This kind of social
reconciliation may inadvertently conceive and create
political reconciliation in a way easier than direct
emphasis on political reconciliation. The ownership of such
reconciliation or peace process must be in the hands and the
minds of the Somalis only. Each of the rival clans would be
ready to invest such kind of peaceful negotiation. Warlords,
Terrorists, Money-lords (those who grafted public property
or money laundered) and, those who may try to reach power by
force or intimidation must be excluded from such national
reconciliation and expected central government.
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Moderate Islamists or
religious scholars must be included in that reconciliation
as part of the Somali Intellectuals, because Somalis are in
well founded fear of their faith. Therefore, politically and
democratically aspect, there must be well founded respect,
guarantee and interest to their faith.
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Military mentality must be
reduced, if it can not be removed and eradicated, from the
Somali political visions.
WHAT LED ME TO WRITE
What forced me to write the
above horrific history in my article is not a memo of an envious
reminder but to find out the attainable means of solving the
chronic political problem of the region by knowing its roots and
derivations. It is already said that finding the problem is half
solution. I have got my first encouragement when I attended the
meeting of “Announcement of a new Ontario government initiative
to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave
Trade Act” in Toronto, Canada on 28th February 207.
Each of the most prominent persons that spoke there included the
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Hon. Mike Colle, the
Minister of Children and Family, Hon. Mary and, the first black
Cabinet member in Canada, Hon. Jean Augstine has emphasized that
without referring to the past there is no way we can solve the
current problems. The latter said that when silence persisted on
it naturalizes violence and that by focusing on the past problem
we can realize and solve the present one. As the discussions and
speeches were going on, I decided and started to write this
subjective and not objective article.
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