Ethiopia: Jubbaland Conference - Ethiopia's Obstruction of Somali Statehood
By Mohamud M Uluso, 13 July 2012
Opinion
http://www.pambazuka.org/images/articles/593/Issue_593_17.jpgThe Jubbaland
State Conference held in Nairobi Kenya on June 28-30, 2012, is part of the
overall web of obstruction strategy unfailingly pursued by Ethiopia to
prevent any chance for the rebirth of Somali state accountable to its people
in the foreseeable future.
The strategy is operationalized through multiple fronts, e.g., the misuse of
UN Secuirty Council rule- "the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development
(IGAD) decides to actively remain seized of the matter of Somalia", which
means Somalia remains under IGAD's jurisdiction, execution of
counter-productive reconciliation initiatives, military occupation, creation
of multiple armed factions, imposition of clan-based federalism for
establishing local dependent clienteles, promotion of unscrupulous
personalities for leadership and marginalization of responsible leaders,
hyping up of international threats emanating from Somalia by conducting
biased diplomatic campaigns.
The immediate reasons behind this ad hoc conference could be three. First,
Ethiopia strives to make the overwhelmingly rejected sub-clan-based
federalism as fait accompli after the United Nations declared unseen Draft
Constitution as a Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) on June 22, 2012.
The expected voting of the Traditional Leaders (TLs) and the National
Constituent Assembly (NCA) on the PFC is inconsequential. Second, Ethiopia
wants to strengthen its grips on Somalia's political dispensation and to
thwart all efforts for Somali Unity spearheaded by few international actors.
Parenthetically, with regard to Somali Unity, the extraordinary message of
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Somalia's National Day July 1
to the people of Somalia raises a glimmer of hope. Third, Ethiopia wants to
deepen clan antagonisms among Somalis as a source for long term political
destabilization.
Somali groups, IGAD/AU/UN, and Puntland Government issued separate
communiqués highlighting certain aspects of the outcome of the conference.
The reading of below reported IGAD/AU/UN communiqué is important because it
reveals specific information.
Jubbaland State is becoming a reality with this foundation now being adhered
to by the International Community, Regional States, and the main groups
involved. The Communiqué from the conference prepared and hosted by IGAD and
the AU with support from the UN was signed by the 5 important groups
representing the State.
1. TFG represented by the Deputy Minister Dr. Abdi Ali Hassan
(Marehan/Uurmidig)
2. Gedo Defense Forces represented by Gen Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail "Fartag"
(Marehan/Reer Ugaas Sharmarke)
3. Azania represented by Prof Mohamed Abdi Mohamed "Ghandi"
(Ogaden/Talomoge)
4. Ras Kambooni represented by Macalim Mohamed Ibrahim (Ogaden/Mohamed
Suber)
5. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamee represented by Sheikh Mohamed Yusuf Mohamud "Aw
Libaax" (Marehan/Celi)
The foundations agreed to is thus:
• Jubbaland State is to be a regional federal state under the Federal
Constitution of Somalia
• Jubbaland State is to be formed by the merger of Gedo, Lower Jubba, and
Middle Jubba Regions.
• Jubbaland State representation will be based on current state and district
partition
• Jubbaland state will have three branches of state government: Executive,
Legislative and Judicial
• Jubbaland State will united differing militias as unitary state security.
• Jubbaland State will be democratic and respects the rights of minorities.
• Jubbaland state will be based on Sharia law.
The groups will now have subsequent meetings and interactions to work out
the attainment of this plan.
Three observations are in order. (a) In accordance with the Transitional
Federal Charter (TFC) or Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC), the merger
of regions and districts is subject to popular referendum certified by
legitimate National Government and it is not the prerogative of five
individuals representing factions. (b) The participation of TFG is
immaterial because the Roadmap suspended the TFC, dismantled the
internationally recognized TFG and empowered clan entities -Puntland,
Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama (Mogadishu Faction). (c) The creation of
Jubbaland State under the PFC and under Sharia Law will breed political
turmoil and defeat the formation of Somali State.
The communiqué (agreement) of Somali participants states that Jubbaland
State will live in peace with its neighbor countries and with other regions
of Somalia. Also, it requires that the Jubbaland State should be established
before the ending of the transitional federal period scheduled on August 20,
212 and that the process for establishing the Jubbaland State must be in
conformity with the stabilization plan of IGAD and TFG, titled "Draft IGAD
Strategy on managing the territories liberated areas in Somalia." The plan
allows IGAD to manage the territory, people and politics of the three
regions with a strategy and tactics based on clan allegiance to its desired
outcome.
With no explanation, representative of Harti group did not sign the final
Communiqué. In a radio interview, a spokesman of the conference said that a
Harti group led by Gen. Mohamed Warsame Darwish, former Chief of the Somali
National Security Service (NSS) during President Abdullahi Yusuf's
government participated the conference. The Puntland Government welcomed the
establishment of Jubbaland State with mix feelings-suspicion and support.
It is not clear how the five groups planned to address the complications the
agreement generates within various communities in the regions. Influential
leaders from the five groups have already voiced their objection to the
agreement. The Wagosha Community (Somali Bantu) expressed their strongest
objection against the Jubbaland State. The history and sub clan composition
of the Jubbaland population is different from the close kinship existing in
Puntland State although all Somali communities (clans) proudly share
territory, religion, language, citizenship, solidarity, and common
aspirations.
As part of their tradition and culture, Somalis do not consider and classify
certain groups or individuals as "minorities" It is my personal view that
Somalis are aware of clan distinctions, injustices and economic disparity
but they generally disapprove minority status classification. Under the
impracticable Federalism, there will be indefinite kinds of minorities in
each village, district, and region of Somalia.
In parallel to IGAD's mismanagement of Somalia, the international community
is less concerned about what works and is best for the Somali people. The
international community is delighted to spend resources and efforts on
initiatives or experiments of their preference with the liberty to blame the
Somalis for failures and for not grasping the "golden opportunities" offered
to them. Jubbaland State is another spurious enterprise undertaken to abuse
and confuse the exhausted people of Somalia. Will the Somali Elite be able
to regain audacity, wisdom, stamina and sense of duty needed to challenge
the current debilitating approach and steer Somalia to the right direction
for the common good? Time will tell.
Received on Fri Jul 13 2012 - 10:13:18 EDT
