Somalia: Peace under the Somalia's TreeInterview with Muhyadin Ahmed Roble from AfricaNews on 7/6/2010

Somalia is one of the several African nations marking 50th anniversary of independence this year. However, it remains a dangerous place to live while other countries thrive. A prominent peace activist said the troubled nation can feel peace when the locals realize the need to sit under the tree to iron issues out. AfricaNews Somalia expert Muhyadin Ahmed Roble spoke to Professor Abdurahman M. Abdullahi (Baadiyow), who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mogadishu University on the way forward for the horn of Africa. He is a prominent peace activist and scholar. He writes on variety of issues, particularly on Islam and its modern development in Somalia.

AfricaNews: Somalia is 50 years old, how do you feel?Prof Abdurahman: Well, it is refreshing to witness the 50th anniversary of a state that collapsed 20 years ago. I celebrate alone in my room silently redden with anguish and frustration. I celebrate in recollecting my memory on my journey of life since early childhood in 1960 when I was 6 years old. I celebrate ashamed and grieved that my generation failed to save Somalia.

AfricaNews: How do you see the country 50 years on?Prof Abdurahman: When we talk about Somalia, we must have in mind different regions of Somalia. The country is indeed divided. The south where Mogadishu is located is the epicenter of conflict and is in shambles. Somalia became a theartre of the cold war, civil war and global war on terrorism. Our youngsters were recruited to fight and died without any cause; and they were denied education and jobs. On the brighter side, Somalis are learning fast through their contact in different countries where many of them migrated. Somalis are becoming self-reliant and entrepreneurs all over the world.

AfricaNews: How can you compare July, 1960 and now?Prof Abdurahman: The difference is between hope and hopelessness; between democratic country and country ruled by guns; between unified people and fragmented and divided country. It is not comparable in that sense; however, Somalis have more resource and potentials today than 1960.

AfricaNews: What can Somalia show after 50 years of independence?Prof Abdurahman: Somalia is a showcase of the failure of post-colonial state in Africa; the state imposed from top against the culture and social norms of the people, and the state and elites that do not belong to the aspiration of their people. Somalia can also show the resilience and audacity of the traditional African society and their social networks and its survivability.

AfricaNews: Is Somalia yet a sovereign government?Prof Abdurahman: A sort of, but not in the true sense. The central state does not control its border, does not provide minimum security, and does not collect tax except from Mogadishu Sea and Airports. So, what kind of sovereignty is that? We have to find fine lines between true sovereignty and quasi-sovereignty.

AfricaNews: What caused the instability in Somalia?Prof Abdurahman: This is indeed very complex question but there are certain factors involved. The internal factors including dictatorship, lack of freedom and divided opposition. In addition to that Ethiopian and recently Eritrea factors can also be taken into account. Moreover, the open space of Somalia became attractive to terrorist groups after 9/11 and wrong policies and approaches deteriorated the situation.

AfricaNews: 20 years after, what can Somalis learn from the civil war?Prof Abdurahman: They can learn a lot. Now the government imposed on the people by foreign countries is malfunctioning. The use of international forces alone will not solve Somali problems. Peace can only thrive when communities sit under the tree, discus their own issues and solve it in their own way. Puntland and Somaliland are very good example of such bottom-up community owned reconciliation and state-building approach.

AfricaNews: Where are Somalis heading now?Prof Abdurahman: Only Allah (GOD) knows. Nobody can predict how things will develop in Somalia. It is unpredictable but the picture is gloomy in the short period. The current transitional Government is heading to nowhere and its leaders are working on plan B which is what to do after. The al-Shabaab may take over, the only obstacle for them is the presence of the African forces in Mogadishu.

AfricaNews: What kind of government does Somalia need?Prof Abdurahman: The kind of government is not an issue. It should be a government that people accept and agree upon and it should be working for them. It is not an ideal state and should not necessarily follow other models. That government should be capable of restoring law and order and consider all Somalis to be equal citizens. It should be a government for people and by the people.

AfricaNews: How can the people change?Prof Abdurahman: Changes could be made in so many ways. The Quran said Verily God does change mens condition unless they change what is in their heart.

Therefore, change begins with the change of the heart and way of thinking, change through education and raising capacity, change through better organizations, social and political, change through decent economic ventures, change of the elite culture and so on. Finally, it is the will of the people and dedicated leaders who can make a change doable in Somalia.

AfricaNews: Is Somalia a failed state?Prof Abdurahman: It does not need to be called in such way; it is failed and then failed. The people of Somalia did not fail, the state failed. It is failed and will not return unless new approach and new thinking is developed outside of the traditional state-building box and outside driven modality.