Intervention in Somalia must adopt local solution

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Saturday, February 25, 2012

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Foreign intervention has played a large part in the destruction of Somalia. Since the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991, and the subsequent slide into anarchy, outsiders have had a hand in entrenching the warlord-ism, corruption and clan divisions that have held down this ‘failed state’ for two decades.

Intervention has also succeeded in bringing order amid chaos or averting terrible tragedies: The retaking of Mogadishu from Al Shabaab last year and the belated action to stem deaths in the southern Somalia famine are examples.

Thus, the international community should be careful how it forces open the ‘window of opportunity’ provided by what appears to be the imminent seizure of significant Al Shabaab territory by forces controlled by, or allied to, the country’s Transitional Federal Government.

Whether it was on the side of corrupt politicians or radical Islamists, whether by Al-Qaeda and other exponents of global jihad or by Western governments and their allies, intervention was most harmful when it ignored the desires of Somalis in favour of other agenda. As world leaders act to finish off the terror-linked militants in Somalia and address its other problems, they should not impose unwanted solutions on Somalis.

The London Conference held on Wednesday was expected to lead to co-ordinated international action to address political, security, justice, stability, humanitarian and piracy problems in Somalia.

It focused on the underlying causes of instability, as well as the symptoms – famine, refugees, piracy and terrorism. The international community, agreed "to inject new momentum into the political process; to strengthen the African Union Mission in Somalia, (Amisom), and help Somalia develop its own security forces; to help build stability; and to step up action to tackle pirates and terrorists".

We applaud the fact that one of the key resolutions was to ensure Somali political leadership is accountable to the people, who will ultimately determine what happens to their nation.

There will be no extensions to the Transitional Federal Government, whose mandate ends in August.

Instead, Somalia will be expected to embark on a political process that is "inclusive and representative". This at a time Al Shabaab and related terror groups are on the back-foot, dislodged from many of their strongholds including, most recently, the town of Baidoa.

Key militants are reported to be moving towards bastions like Kismayu in preparation for a final stand. The forces massed against them have just received a major boost in the form of increased funding and a strengthened mandate from the UN.

Given their recent ‘merger’ with Al Qaeda, it is clear Al Shabaab is preparing for life after they lose the towns and territory they hold. As with the capital Mogadishu, from which they withdrew last year, they have begun a terror bombing campaign in Baidoa.

Their future as a guerrilla force using terror tactics can be nipped in the bud by continued efforts to win the hearts and minds of ordinary Somalis.

TFG negotiations with ‘nationalistic’ elements of the terror group that can be separated from the ‘internationalist’ jihadi element may also be something the international community has to live with, to avoid the mistakes made in 2006 in dealing with the Islamic Courts Union.

Another conference on Somalia is planned for Istanbul, Turkey, at a later date. If it is to report success on the measures agreed this week, the international community should honour its commitments to Amisom, the TFG and other players whose contribution is necessary to ensure the Somali people get the change they want.

Finally, it is time for the international community to take the step of moving their representatives into the country to help with the ongoing change.

Last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula told the UN that Kenya’s ambassador to Somalia will soon move from Nairobi to Mogadishu to join the Turkish ambassador who is living there.

We urge other countries with Nairobi-based representatives to Somalia to do the same.This will be a simple symbolic reminder of the world’s resolve to understand Somalia’s problems and help its people solve them.

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