AN OPEN LETTER TO US SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON
Kanini Evans Kariuki
August 07, 2009
Dear Madam,
A lot of greetings to you first. I take this golden opportunity to wish you a happy stay in Kenya during your official visit here, where you are expected for the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) talks, between US representatives and government delegations from various African countries.
You are also expected to hold a meeting on Thursday with the Somali President H.E. Sheikh Shariff over the raging conflict in Somalia.
As you know, the country has not had peace for the last 19 years, and since I am a concerned citizen of the world, besides being a media practitioner, I feel I should tell you what my thoughts are on this issue.
CIVIL WAR
Somalia entered a bloody civil war cycle that sadly culminated in the loss of hundreds of lives and internal displacement of millions, and exodus of refugees to neighboring nations, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
The unfortunate civil strife prompted man-made salvation which warranted the intervention of the American-led forces christened the Store Hope Mission, ordered by then President George Bush.
The Somalis expected complete disarmament. They had prepared themselves to surrender voluntarily.
But the Americans out rightly rejected the disarming of the Somali militia and public individuals.
It was a golden opportunity for the Somalia peace, reconciliation and state stabilization.
One thing appeared clear. It was apparent that the Americans were not ready to pacify Somalia.
POSITION
At present, it still appears that the Americans have not changed their position, even with President Obama at the helm. Surprising this is, isn´t it?
In order to solve the Somali problem, the International community should establish the law- enforcing bodies in the land, and assist the regional administrations, particularly in Punt land, to enable its authority put in place capable security agencies, courts, rehabilitation centers and a package for training the unemployed youth who are engaged in sea piracy operations.
The current Transitional Somali institutions need to be supported financially and human resources-wise, to enable them operate in a beautiful fashion of transparency and accountability.
A plan should be put in place for the qualified Somali Diaspora to return to Somalia instead of engaging foreigners who are presently working for Somalia in outside centers.
Needless to mention, there is also a number of legislators in the Transitional Somali Federal parliament who are highly qualified, and who should be positioned in Government and the cabinet to strengthen the existing institutions, besides enhancing the tenets of transparency and accountability.
Naturally, Somalis are hardworking, industrious and creative people particularly when given the opportunity of an enabling environment.
LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY
That aside, there is the much discussed issue of reinstating a legitimate authority which is capable of delivering services and securing the safety of the public, to prevent a spillover of the extremist activities to the neighboring countries of Somalia.
Seriously speaking, the security and stability of Somalia is fatally important for the whole world.
Unless otherwise, the troubled Horn of Africa nation will be a safe haven for the extremists, much to the detriment and chagrin of the whole region.
REPORTS
There are also the mind-boggling reports of Somali pirates having organized themselves to defend their sea waters after foreign nations embarked on a move of fishing illegally in the Somalia territorial waters, looting of marine resources by these foreigners and dumping of toxic waste.
Libyan strongman Muamar Gadaffi is on record praising the role of the pirates on the grounds that they were acting in defence of their resources.
WHY SHEIKH SHARIFF SHOULD QUIT
Disillusioned Somalis feel that neither the West nor East are demonstrating sympathy or compassion for the catastrophes striking them, the wanton destruction of the Somali state resources and the plight of Somali refugees dying in the high seas, deserts in the Middle East and other areas where escape tends to be impossible.
SHORTCOMINGS
It is clear that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces cannot sustain the protection of the Somali State House, let alone anything, being the Shariffs´ cabinet and some Members of parliament including the Interior minister, and other cabinet ministers, who are attached to the Radical opposition groups.
President Shariff should quit largely because he has miserably failed to reconcile the Somalis and the rebel groups, which has unfortunately resulted to countless killings of innocent people in a situation that has badly boiled into a crying shame!
He has presided over an administration that lacks experience in public politics and state management issues.
President Shariff"s advisers who include the uneducated Finance minister Sheikh Sharif Adan, lack the know-how on public finance management, a situation which has contributed to the crippling of Somalia.
PAY
The administration of ex-President Abdulahi Yusuf was notorious for failing to pay the Somali military and police their wages.
It is a pity that Shariff´s regime is repeating the same mistake. This is unacceptable!
President Shariff has failed to fast-track the establishment of efficient Supreme courts and the Judiciary.
Which is why immediate deliberation on the making of an ideal Somalia by its parliamentarians should take place in Punt land which is peaceful and trouble-free.
Although President Shariff tried to disassociate himself with the Islamic Courts groups, he is unable to create a working relationship with the TFG elites.
He has great difficulties abandoning cabinet ministers who are still attached to the rebel forces, and this is why secrets of the TFG always leak to the opposition groups.
QUALITIES
In a nutshell, the incoming Somali president must have the following qualities:
1. He should be a highly qualified and experienced politician.
2. He should be well-versed with Somali clan politics, and he should also have a vision of salvaging Somalia and dealing with the external stakeholders of the conflict.
3. He should be in a position to accommodate the opposition groups and to draw up a plan for rehabilitation of the misguided youths.
4. He should have the talents and public relations dexterity of putting on board "Somaliland" in order to restore the unity of Somalia.
5. He should have a reasonable policy of fighting the sea piracy menace, and the rehabilitation and creation of employment opportunities for the Somali sea pirates.
6. He should have the capacity of utilizing the mass media in the interest of reconciliation and harmonious co-existence.
7. He should have been involved in Somali Peace and Reconciliation conferences.
8. He should be articulate and charismatic, and a popular leader who enjoys the trust, respect and confidence of the citizenry.
A lot of greetings to you first. I take this golden opportunity to wish you a happy stay in Kenya during your official visit here, where you are expected for the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) talks, between US representatives and government delegations from various African countries.
You are also expected to hold a meeting on Thursday with the Somali President H.E. Sheikh Shariff over the raging conflict in Somalia.
As you know, the country has not had peace for the last 19 years, and since I am a concerned citizen of the world, besides being a media practitioner, I feel I should tell you what my thoughts are on this issue.
CIVIL WAR
Somalia entered a bloody civil war cycle that sadly culminated in the loss of hundreds of lives and internal displacement of millions, and exodus of refugees to neighboring nations, Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
The unfortunate civil strife prompted man-made salvation which warranted the intervention of the American-led forces christened the Store Hope Mission, ordered by then President George Bush.
The Somalis expected complete disarmament. They had prepared themselves to surrender voluntarily.
But the Americans out rightly rejected the disarming of the Somali militia and public individuals.
It was a golden opportunity for the Somalia peace, reconciliation and state stabilization.
One thing appeared clear. It was apparent that the Americans were not ready to pacify Somalia.
POSITION
At present, it still appears that the Americans have not changed their position, even with President Obama at the helm. Surprising this is, isn´t it?
In order to solve the Somali problem, the International community should establish the law- enforcing bodies in the land, and assist the regional administrations, particularly in Punt land, to enable its authority put in place capable security agencies, courts, rehabilitation centers and a package for training the unemployed youth who are engaged in sea piracy operations.
The current Transitional Somali institutions need to be supported financially and human resources-wise, to enable them operate in a beautiful fashion of transparency and accountability.
A plan should be put in place for the qualified Somali Diaspora to return to Somalia instead of engaging foreigners who are presently working for Somalia in outside centers.
Needless to mention, there is also a number of legislators in the Transitional Somali Federal parliament who are highly qualified, and who should be positioned in Government and the cabinet to strengthen the existing institutions, besides enhancing the tenets of transparency and accountability.
Naturally, Somalis are hardworking, industrious and creative people particularly when given the opportunity of an enabling environment.
LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY
That aside, there is the much discussed issue of reinstating a legitimate authority which is capable of delivering services and securing the safety of the public, to prevent a spillover of the extremist activities to the neighboring countries of Somalia.
Seriously speaking, the security and stability of Somalia is fatally important for the whole world.
Unless otherwise, the troubled Horn of Africa nation will be a safe haven for the extremists, much to the detriment and chagrin of the whole region.
REPORTS
There are also the mind-boggling reports of Somali pirates having organized themselves to defend their sea waters after foreign nations embarked on a move of fishing illegally in the Somalia territorial waters, looting of marine resources by these foreigners and dumping of toxic waste.
Libyan strongman Muamar Gadaffi is on record praising the role of the pirates on the grounds that they were acting in defence of their resources.
WHY SHEIKH SHARIFF SHOULD QUIT
Disillusioned Somalis feel that neither the West nor East are demonstrating sympathy or compassion for the catastrophes striking them, the wanton destruction of the Somali state resources and the plight of Somali refugees dying in the high seas, deserts in the Middle East and other areas where escape tends to be impossible.
SHORTCOMINGS
It is clear that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces cannot sustain the protection of the Somali State House, let alone anything, being the Shariffs´ cabinet and some Members of parliament including the Interior minister, and other cabinet ministers, who are attached to the Radical opposition groups.
President Shariff should quit largely because he has miserably failed to reconcile the Somalis and the rebel groups, which has unfortunately resulted to countless killings of innocent people in a situation that has badly boiled into a crying shame!
He has presided over an administration that lacks experience in public politics and state management issues.
President Shariff"s advisers who include the uneducated Finance minister Sheikh Sharif Adan, lack the know-how on public finance management, a situation which has contributed to the crippling of Somalia.
PAY
The administration of ex-President Abdulahi Yusuf was notorious for failing to pay the Somali military and police their wages.
It is a pity that Shariff´s regime is repeating the same mistake. This is unacceptable!
President Shariff has failed to fast-track the establishment of efficient Supreme courts and the Judiciary.
Which is why immediate deliberation on the making of an ideal Somalia by its parliamentarians should take place in Punt land which is peaceful and trouble-free.
Although President Shariff tried to disassociate himself with the Islamic Courts groups, he is unable to create a working relationship with the TFG elites.
He has great difficulties abandoning cabinet ministers who are still attached to the rebel forces, and this is why secrets of the TFG always leak to the opposition groups.
QUALITIES
In a nutshell, the incoming Somali president must have the following qualities:
1. He should be a highly qualified and experienced politician.
2. He should be well-versed with Somali clan politics, and he should also have a vision of salvaging Somalia and dealing with the external stakeholders of the conflict.
3. He should be in a position to accommodate the opposition groups and to draw up a plan for rehabilitation of the misguided youths.
4. He should have the talents and public relations dexterity of putting on board "Somaliland" in order to restore the unity of Somalia.
5. He should have a reasonable policy of fighting the sea piracy menace, and the rehabilitation and creation of employment opportunities for the Somali sea pirates.
6. He should have the capacity of utilizing the mass media in the interest of reconciliation and harmonious co-existence.
7. He should have been involved in Somali Peace and Reconciliation conferences.
8. He should be articulate and charismatic, and a popular leader who enjoys the trust, respect and confidence of the citizenry.
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