The art of warlordism in Somalia

Ahmed Raghe
Saturday, September 06, 2008

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The warlord phenomena started with the demise of the Somali state 18 years ago when a modern state with modern army, police force and judiciary system collapsed on the eve of 1991 new year; leading to the ousting of long time dictator. The vacuum left by the previous government created the first few warlords by year 1991. These were top brass army officers who led the tribal militias that toppled the Siad Barre regime and therefore claimed to wear his mantle. The number of warlords at that time was very few and the scope was purely political- to gain political power through gun point and perhaps misgovern Somalia another two decades just as Barre has done. They wasted precious time, jostling and wrestling for dominance. That was phase one and the first drop of the rainfall.

Another group, the business community who were watching from the sidelines, jumped into the political arena and snatched the bone of contention under the nose of the military officers. The prospect of going to the Villa of Somalia has allured many. Somalia was crumbling and each warlord wanted to pick up one of the pieces. By year 1992, the warlord army officers realised they had potential contenders to deal with- the rich business tycoons who were equally determined to share the spoils. The second group of warlords (the business tycoons) was born to add fuel to the fire.

The above two camps have officially erected the pillars of the evil and destructive art of warlordism in Somalia by end of 1992. The two warlord groups locked horns in a bloody conflict where neither side could win. By year 1995, the number of warlords was still very limited to a few antagonistic and powerful strongmen- Army generals vs tycoons. Despite their wickedness and destructive behaviour, their agenda was confined to access power and weapons. By this period warlordism was an alien and evil trade to many ordinary Somalis. It represented a cheap and reckless manner to come to power. "Only degenerates and lunatics were therefore so bad to resort to such repugnant and weird occupation,"

However, the worst was still to come. By year 1996, at a time when the former two groups were grappling with each other, the flood gates of warlordism were opened- Warlordism has proved to be an easy way to access scare resources and riches. It was no longer an instrument to gain political power only, but rather a means to earn a living! Thugs of all sorts, have invested in this art- the art of gaining one's ends by violence, threats and physical coerce.

In addition, the religious community was dragged into the bitter conflict that devastated the whole country! In 1996, a 3ard group of warlords were mushrooming in all over Somalia. Ambitious clerics camouflaged in religion were emerging in almost every region of the lawless country, promising they will clean the country off the evil warlord culture. However, they seem nothing more than a new breed of warlords. Now, the number of warlord mullahs exceeds than the combined number of secular warlords in Somalia and this fact should ring the warning bell:

Yet, this trade (warlordism) has reached its peak by expanding into new horizons- sea piracy has evolved in Somalia creating the infrastructure of a new mafia system. This system is nothing else, but warlordism disguised and polsihed. Notorious warlords renamed themselves as businessmen, purchased the speed boats and hired the thugs necessary to run the business. The proceeds are reinvested as warlordism (the mother of sea piracy) takes new turns and twists.

Some analysts define sea piracy as the "highest stage of warlordism." They contend that when a warlord exhausts all resources inland, he then turns to the sea as a last resort. That is exactly, what is happening in Southern Somalia, particularly in the Puntland outonomous region, where resources are geared to the sea piracy trade by figures in high places!

So, the trade develops with alarming speed to the effect that people from all walks of live are dreaming and attempting to get a share of the spoils. With the injection of such huge resources, Somalia will continue anarchic and the horn water ways jeopardised.

Ahmed Raghe Hassan
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