By Farid Omar,
Somali-Canadians joined Somalis from across the world in voicing their vehement opposition to the June 9th Kampala Accord, which observers say undermines the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) and infringes on Somalia’s national sovereignty.
In direct contravention of Somalia’s transitional charter, the controversial and illegal accord extends the mandates of the Somali President, Speaker and Parliament till August 2012 when elections will be held and called for the resignation of the Prime Minister within 30 days. Struck behind the scenes without any prior consultation with the Somali parliament, the dubious deal is a total mockery of the democratic aspirations of the Somali people.
The architects of the Kampala Accord, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and the UN special representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, claim it was meant to resolve long standing political wrangles between President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden. But the accord, which has orchestrated the removal of popular Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, is a backward step for the nation and will likely plunge war-torn Somalia into deeper crisis.
A close examination of the full text of the agreement reveals that the accord has transferred Somalia’s sovereignty to the seven - member East African regional grouping, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the international community. The most contentious clauses read as follows:
“Both Government and Parliament shall work together with the international community to establish a road-map with benchmarks, timelines and compliance mechanisms for the implementation of the priority tasks”.
“The Heads of State of the Region (IGAD and EAC) shall constitute a Political Bureau with participation of the UN (UNPOS) and the AU, similar to the Burundi Regional Peace Initiative. The Bureau shall oversee and monitor compliance of the TFIs with agreed benchmarks and timelines to implement the transitional tasks and to advance the Somali Peace Process”.
“The international partners and the Regional Bureau reserve the right to evoke appropriate measures with consequences to ensure compliance with the benchmarks and timelines by the TFIs including the application of appropriate sanctions against spoilers.”
Based on the above, it is clear that for the first time in the history of modern international relations, the sovereignty of a nation has arbitrarily been transferred to foreign powers with the UN playing a direct role in such a sinister move.
Like their fellow countrymen across the world, Somali-Canadians reacted angrily to the Kampala Accord. In a well-attended event organized by Somali youth activists in Toronto, hundreds of concerned Somali-Canadians converged at the Days Inn Hotel located at Wilson Avenue West on Saturday, June 18th, to denounce the Kampala Accord and pledge their support for the deposed Prime Minister.
The PM, who was forced to resign, was seen by Somalis as the best hope moving forward, having made significant security gains against the insurgency as well as gaining the trust of the Somali public through his direct and concerted consultations with civil society groups.
Protests broke out in Mogadishu and globally as Somalis took to the streets and held public forums to condemn the Accord and rallying their support behind Farmajo, the first head of state who had obtained important results in twenty years. His removal has only precipitated the ongoing power struggle between the two Shariffs with latest reports coming out of Mogadishu pointing to a fresh row between the president and the speaker. Analysts fear that this mindless power struggle may wipe out Farmajo’s gains and actually provide the Al-Shabab insurgency with a bonanza and regain all the grounds it lost in the military offensive under the Farmajo government.
Outraged Somali-Canadians were unequivocal in their condemnation of the Kampala Accord. “From a Somali stand point, this is tantamount to modern day colonialism” said Adifatah Warsame Maroyare, a youth activist and one of the organizers of the Toronto event. “The so-called international community is complicit in this. On one hand, they preach the virtues of democracy, on the other hand, they practice hypocrisy” said Abifatah.
Abdifatah, a prominent co-ordinator of the Centre for Youth Development and Mentoring Services that provides academic, social and recreational supports for at risk youth, further noted that it was “the Western world that has contributed to state collapse in Somalia in the first place and is still meddling in the internal affairs of the country” labeling Somalis “pirates”, “terrorists” and “anarchists” and “not allowing Somalia to stand on its feet.”
While the young generation was detached from Somalia’s state of affairs in the past, Abdifatah is of the view that there is now a growing sense of awakening among the Somali youth who are demanding positive change in Somalia free from external meddling.
“The youth and Somalis in general are taking action against the ongoing infringement of Somalia’s sovereignty. The reactionary elites who are financed by UN dollars have sold out the country. They indulge in expensive overseas trips in the oil-rich Gulf countries and western capitals often lavishing in five star hotels” said Abdifatah. The prominent youth activist called for Somalis across the world to “rise above clannish politics and confront those responsible for the ongoing mayhem in Somalia”.
His views were echoed by Somalis artists, Nakruma and Daleys who urged the global Somali community to take back their country from external forces that are reigning havoc on the their belegurerd nation saying that the “Somali artists will always support the Somali people and lend voice to their struggles.”
“Down with the Kampala Accord! Down with Mahiga” chanted Nakruma on the stage in reference to the UN Special Representative to Somalia, who is directly complicit in the ongoing destabilization of the country. As part of the artistic and cultural component of the evening program, the celebrated Somali divas led the enthusiastic crowd in singing the Somali national anthem and patriotic songs in a scene awash with blue and white, the national colours of the Somali flag.
Abdijabar, a youth activist seen as a rising star in the Somali-Canadian Community and a potential future leader for Somalia, doled out humorous rhymes correctly depicting the reality of Somalia’s state of affairs today.
The Mississauga-born master rhymer rocked the house highlighting Somalia’s past greatness and its current nadir status “our ancestors were free and uncolonized. But in today’s reality, our people are dispersed with a serious case of mistaken identity” rhymed Abdijabar to a thundering applause from the floor.
Khadijah Ali, a radio host and youth activist, said that the deposed Prime Minister “was a competent leader who placed Somalia’s national interests above external agendas”. The York University Social Work major also noted that “Prime Minister Farmajo had given Somalia a second chance. The country has suffered for far too long and we don’t want another 20 years of anarchy. Farmajo’s vision represents a true hope and the best way forward for Somalia”.
Professor Mohamed Siyyad Togane, a Somali scholar and poet known for his stern rebukes, called the gathering “ a historic event” saying that Somalis must be willing “to shed blood, sweat and tears” to re-take their country. Professor Togane said he flew all the way from Montreal to join Somali-Canadians in Toronto to express their outright opposition to the Kampala Accord.
“Rebuilding Somalia requires sacrifices from its people. For the last 20 years, we were moving in circles. Farmajo initiated a viable process for the country and the people of Somalia rallied behind him” said Professor Togane who recited a powerful poem titled “Enough”, which portrayed Prime Ministers who came before Farmajo as “tools” employed as a “fifth column” by a UN system bent on keeping Somalia down.
Professor Togane also highlighted how Somalia was directly governed from Nairobi by foreign UN personnel, observing that Farmajo was determined to relocate the UNDP office to Mogadishu.
“Farmajo, an emerging national hero, said hello no. We won’t go to Nairobi. Come to Mogadishu” said Togane.
“No more Nairobbery” chanted Togane in a philosophical reference to the Kenyan capital where Somalis believe their country’s sovereignty is being stolen and dismembered by external actors operating within an increasingly unpopular , corrupt and inept UN establishment.
Hibaq Guelleh, a Somali youth activist, told participants that the Somali people are a homogeneous entity “who share common identity, culture, language and religion and yet caught in a turmoil.” She emphasized the fact that each concerned Somali has “an important role to play to ensure Somalia takes its rightful place in the world” and called for “a tribal-free, united and prosperous Somalia”.
“We are tired of tribal-minded leaders, warlords and power hungry individuals. Somalia needs practical solutions and it can only be built by Somalis themselves.” said Hibaq.
She also underscored the greatness of Somali youth pointing to the fact that it was “the Somali Youth League (SYL) initially comprising of 13 youthful leaders who gave independence to Somalia,” reminding the public of the contributions of Somali freedom fighters the likes of Sayyid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, Hawo Tako etc. “Let’s help our brothers and sisters back in Somalia. And by the will of God, let’s move swiftly but together.”
Shadya Yasin, a longtime youth leader, poet, performer and organizer said “Somali things should be done Somali way”. Noting that the situation affecting Somalis is traumatizing, Shadya provided grim statistics on the Somali humanitarian crisis with “1.6 million refugees living in desperation and continually on the move, 1.5 million of internally displaced people inside Somalia (half the Toronto population) and 2.2 Million people classified as living in need and concern.”
“Imagine being born and growing up in a refugee camp. Imagine getting married in a refugee camp, giving birth to a boy or girl in a refugee camp. That’s the reality facing our people”. Said Shadya.
“Somalis are now taking action. Similar events (in opposition to Kampala Accord) are taking place in Mogadishu and across the world. The silent are speaking again. Revolutionary events are taking place in the world today and Somalia should be no difference,” said Shadya who pledged to return to help rebuild Somalia in the near future.
“Corrupt leaders need to be stopped. Once you have no country, you have no self-esteem. Unity should be the reality of the Somali Diaspora. We need to start here to help those back in the motherland. We have to take back Somalia by ourselves. No one will give it back to us. Power to the people!” chanted Shadya to another round of thunderous applause.
Still jet-lagged from a long trip, Dubai - based civil engineer, Nasra Agil, whose visit in Canada coincided with the Toronto event, said that “Young people represent hope for Somalia” adding that she was concerned with the plight of her people.
But the young engineer offered a message of hope stating that Somalis can borrow a leaf from Dubai, U.A.E. “Twenty years ago the residents of Dubai only looked to a solitary, high standing tower that dominated its skyline. Today, Dubai has not only the tallest tower in the world but boasts of the best of the best in almost every category of development. By the same token, we can rebuild Somalia from its 20 years of anarchy to a thriving nation”. Said Nasra.
In the concluding remarks of the evening, Abdi’qani Farmajo said that the Kampala Accord effectively places Somalia under external control.
“Mahiga is not our ruler. The UN is not our ruler. Museveni is not our ruler” said Abdiq’ani who noted that the deal was aimed at “orchestrating the downfall of the PM and his government, muzzle the Somali parliament and place Somalia under direct control of (IGAD).”
“How can the UN and IGAD tell us who should rule us” queried Abdi’qani who pointed to a Nairobi –based cabal of UN opportunists who have turned Somalia into a profit-making venture, raking in millions in donor funds while perpetuating and prolonging the suffering of the Somali people.
Rightfully describing this cabal as the “Lords of Poverty” Abdi’qani observed how the manipulation of Somalia by these external forces has turned the country into the third largest refugee producing nation in the world after Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The largest refugee camp in the world is located in Dadaab Kenya. With a capacity of 60,000 people, this camp is home to 450, 000 Somali refugees who live in squalid conditions. Somalia is also home to the largest camp for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) while 1 out of 7 babies born in Somalia die before reaching age 5” said Abdi’qani, adding that disruptive external forces have contributed to societal disintegration in Somalia.
“No one wants Somalia to develop. External forces have conspired to destroy Somalia. Only Somalis can resolve Somalia’s crisis. The Diaspora should play a role to fight for Somalia. If we want freedom and liberty, we must fight for it” concluded Abdi’qani.
For Somali-Canadians, the fight to wrestle control of their beloved nation from external forces continues and many have pledged to from the rank and file of this important struggle.
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