IGAD’s Somalia Resolution: Meddling, Unlawful and Dangerous

by Abdirashid K. Hashi
Sunday, November 02, 2008

 

IGAD’s highly intrusive “declaration” on Somalia is more detrimental to the strategic interests of Somalia than the combined perils of the Ethiopian military intervention, the Al-Qaeda infiltration, and the rampant high seas piracy!

 

Left unchallenged, IGAD’s pronouncements on Somalia could reverberate negatively in Somalia for years to come. On October 28, 2008, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti and Sudan, under the cloak of IGAD, instructed the weak but internationally recognized Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia (TFIs) to:

 

• Disband the current government and appoint a new cabinet within 15 days;
• Establish administration for the Somali capital within 15 days;
• Draft a new constitution, enact electoral & parties law within 6 months,
• Submit “progress reports” to the IGAD Council of Ministers every 2 months!

IGAD further decided to establish a “facilitator” whose task would be to “monitor” the implementation of the above directives. IGAD has further stated that it is determined to takeover Somali reconciliation efforts and institutional building from the able hand of the United Nations. IGAD’s resolutions further asked the TFG, the Alliance, and the UN envoy to modify the terms of the Djibouti agreement and its timeline (i.e. the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops and the formation of government of national unity!).  

 

It is very important to highlight the fact that the Extraordinary meeting of IGAD’s Heads of State and Government was held at the time when the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia was well on his way to usher a historic reconciliation in Somalia. Everyone knows that Ambassador Ould-Abdallah was able, on October 26, 2008 (two days before IGAD’s seditious summit) to convince the warring Somali factions (the TFG and Alliance) to sign a ceasefire, agree on the withdrawal date of the Ethiopian troops, and create a government of national unity.

 

The question that needs to be raised here is what is IGAD trying to fix here, and more importantly, why embark on a broad daylight coup d'état against the successful UN envoy?  In addition, why is the international community and the UN in particular, silent about Ethiopia / IGAD’s latest subversive ploy?

 

It is clear Ethiopia is using IGAD as a springboard, and hopes to achieve through this entity, what its military intervention failed to accomplish in Somalia.

 

The demeaning and unlawful IGAD pronouncements are, however, not what should scare Somalis. What should trouble Somalis is the unprecedented abdication of responsibly by the bed-ridden but internationally recognized TFIs.  Likewise, Somalis should be concerned about the apparent complacency of many Somali politicians (including the Djibouti based Alliance leadership), as well the deafening silence of the Diaspora intellectuals about the gathering storm in the form of IGAD resolution.

 

In nutshell, what the IGAD resolution aims at is to do away with diplomatic niceties and dismantle the already compromised but legally relevant political independence and national sovereignty of Somalia.

 

TFIs Openly Caves In

 

Article 6A of the IGAD Charter outlines the guiding principles of the organization. It states that IGAD member States “solemnly reaffirm their commitment to the following principles: a) The sovereign equality of all Member States; b) Non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States.”

 

If ordering the Somali government to dissolve itself and report to IGAD bimonthly is not meddling, then what is it?

 

What is more astounding is TFG Prime Minister’s response to the humiliation of IGAD. He has stated submissively that he would implement IGAD “directives!” I wonder why he would not make clear to his IGAD counterparts, (after all the men who issued the diktats have titles similar to his!), that the notion of foreigners instructing a sovereign nation blatantly violates the basic principles of international relations as well as the sacred provisions of the Charters of the UN, IGAD and Somalia.

 

The latest IGAD communiqué validates two sad and deadly realities: (a) that Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti and Sudan consider Somalia NOT an equal IGAD member State, (b) that, the Transitional Federal Institutions are incapacitated and unfit to protect the national interest of Somalia. (Abdullahi Yusuf was present when Meles penned the edicts, Nur Adde told the world he wants to meet the IGAD deadline! and members of the Transitional Parliament are still mute).

 

IGAD Resolutions are unlawful and Dangerous for Somalia

 

Somali nationalists must categorically reject IGAD resolutions. The provisions of the Declaration of the 13^th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government are menacing danger for Somalia. They are also unlawful.

 

The two Sharrifs, who are unfortunately agitating to join the subjugated, demoralized and practically defunct TFG, should think twice about such a risky adventure.

 

Joining forces with the TFG whose President, Prime Minister and Parliament failed to understand and appreciate the sacred principles of political independence and national sovereignty is an ill-advised move, albeit, threat to the national interest of Somalia.

 

The two Sharrifs should know, even if their Alliance takes the post of the TFG Presidency or the post of the Premiership plus the entire TFG cabinet, that they might not be able to let loose the Ethiopian / IGAD grip of the Somalia file. In addition, if they come into power under IGAD plans, then they might end up being the ones delivering the bimonthly IGAD mandated Progress Report! The proposed IGAD facilitator could well be Col. Gebre – of course this time with a title such as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary! 

 

I would strongly advise the Alliance leadership to consider convening an Extraordinary Summit for Somali nationalists and accept the council and input of informed Somalis.

 

What is at stake is the interest of a nation and anything short of sober deliberation and inclusive consultation is disservice to the nation and deliration of duty.  

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Abdirashid K. Hashi

Is a Somali-Canadian writer and formerly

 Deputy Chief of Cabinet, Somali Prime Minister‘s Office

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