From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Fri Jul 16 2010 - 16:57:25 EDT
Africa needs authentic governments, not occupation of Somalia
Jul 16, 2010 - 7:08:16 PM
GAROWE ONLINE EDITORIAL | Imperialism - under any pretext - has absolutely
no justification and is inherently evil, immoral, and eventually leads to
self-destruction.
One reads with disgust at the violent, opportunistic, and immoral call for
the African Union to "occupy Somalia and rule her for 50 years" - indeed,
the title of an opinion written by
<http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/20/725891> Mr. Jerry Okungu and published by
Uganda-based New Vision newspaper.
It is more sad and heartbreaking that Mr. Okungu misuses the memory of
innocent victims of the July 11 bombings that killed more than 70 people in
Kampala, the Ugandan capital. Rightfully, condolences go to the people of
Uganda who became victims of a regional war deeply rooted in the 20-year-old
conflict raging in Somalia.
Al Shabaab, a Somalia-based militant group with ties to international terror
networks, has claimed responsibility for the Kampala bombings. According to
militant rhetoric, the bombings were "revenge" for Ugandan troops' presence
in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, to support the Western-backed Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al Shabaab accuses Ugandan soldiers of
"massacres" against Somali civilians, a charge the Ugandan government and
the African Union deny repeatedly.
There is a real war raging in southern Somalia between the international
community, including UN, AU, EU, U.S., and the Al Shabaab militants who are
backed by hidden regional powers who are members of and pay lip service to
that very same "international community." Indeed, Uganda has been caught
squarely in the middle of a long, bitter, winner-takes-all war in Somalia
with various international interests colluding and colliding - depending on
the ever-shifting alliances on the ground in Somalia. Naturally, every war
has consequences.
In Mogadishu, there are daily bombings, indiscriminate shelling of civilian
centers, and uprooting of civilians with no end in sight. No one remembers
of Mogadishu's dying victims - indeed, the Somali conflict is the world's
most forgotten war. Piracy - and, more recently, the Kampala bombings - have
brought Somalia back on the international stage as a conflict that needs the
world's attention and genuine support to the Somali people.
But to read Mr. Okungu's despicable suggestion that the African Union
"occupy Somalia" is a far-fetched, hate-inspired dream. He intentionally
misuses the memory of the bombing victims to bring forth his imperialist
views; how absurd, a fellow African, calling for a modern-day occupation of
another African country for 50 years! How easily we Africans forget the
painful torments of yesteryear's colonialism.
Imperialism - under any pretext - has absolutely no justification and is
inherently evil, immoral, and eventually leads to self-destruction. Somalia
is a sick country and it needs prescription applied in a gentle, caring, and
understanding way. Any forceful remedy will be met with an equally forceful
reaction - as has been the case with the British and Italian colonizers,
both of whom failed to brainwash Somalia, as was successfully done in a
number of African countries through cultural imperialism.
The strength of the Somalis was and is the Islamic religion, as Somalis do
not feel inferior to Europeans, as is the case with many black Africans. Mr.
Okungu, in his delusional mind, forgets or ignores that Uganda is a puppet
country playing another man's game of global domination. Indeed, Uganda and
Burundi are acting on the orders of non-Africans who seek to deepen the
endless conflicts across Africa as a means of maintaining global dominance -
no matter who dies, Somali or Ugandan.
It is no secret that the Ugandan soldier deployed in Somalia gets paid
higher wage than the Ugandan soldier in Uganda, not by the African Union,
but by Western powers bankrolling AMISOM troops in Mogadishu. Furthermore,
it is no secret that the Republic of Burundi, which just reemerged from
decades of civil war, prefers to have its soldiers in Mogadishu instead of
Bujumbura, where their violent tendencies are likely to cause another
military coup or return the country back to civil war.
These are the facts on the ground. Mr. Okungu, and like-minded individuals,
should not beat up their chests as if they are free men able to make their
own decisions. Africa's undemocratic rulers, including Kenyan President Mwai
Kibaki who stole an election, remain the key impediment to Africa realizing
its full potential, as they are naturally subservient to geopolitical
interests - even if it endangers their own countries.
Finally, Africa needs authentic governments, and not suggestions of
occupying Somalia. In fact, the less foreign interference there is in
Somalia, the better for Somalia and the world as a whole.
Garowe Online Editorial
Comments/Questions/Concerns/Letters to the Editor:
<mailto:editorial@garoweonline.com> editorial@garoweonline.com
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----