UN Security Council Is Arming Somalia
Somalia’s collapse into anarchy almost two decades ago created a
uniquely explosive combination of terrorism and instability. Somalia
has become an example of failed state, corruption, civil war and
human rights violations. Somalia has poor record in human rights
record, where children and women face extreme difficult situation.
As Somalia army lacks military regulations, there are repo rts of
abuses and human rights violation at the hands of the army including
rape.
Union Forces in Somalia (AMISOM) is running the country from the
back office. The AMISOM libera ted Mogadishu from Al-Shabab
terrorists, and is training Police Forces. Somalia army are used as
‘interpreters’ for AMISOM in the newly liberated areas. Al-Shabab
adopted guerilla strategy ‘Hit-and-Run’ against AMISOM. Although,
Al-Shabab were defeated in the main cities of Somalia like
Mogadishu, but still it has massive influence. Somalia Army
(nationalized militia and tribesmen) sell their weapons to the
civilians as they are not paid regularly.
AMISOM presence in Somalia reflects from instability and violence.
Somalia will need 10-15 years to establish an army that can overtake
the duties of AMISOM. Somalia is identical to Afghanistan, where
Afghan forces are unable to take over NATO Forces after 10 years of
the invasion. Al-Shab ab and Taliban have similar principles.
Today, the liberated Somalia population are lacking discipline of
life, where majority know langua ge of gun rather than “pen”. They
need all kind of social services including clean water, schooling,
shelter, clothes, food…etc. they require major rehabilitation
program to overcome that bad memories of the civil war, particularly
the teenagers who grown up with bullets.
Somalia need the AMISOM and International community to start on
disarming the public, as there is a gun in every house. The
Anti-aircraft guns are on sale in Mogadishu streets. There should be
development programs which will create job opportunities for the
younger generations. The wea pon dealers in Mogadishu smuggled
Kalashnikovs and heavy guns into Kenya, Ethiopia and Somali land.
This soured up the crime rate in these countries. Terrorism is
another product of Somalia to the world and to neighbors including
suicide bombing in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somaliland.
The Kenyan gangs use AK47 to robe banks in the daylight. Ethiopian
tribes are fighting each other by weapons smuggled from Somalia.
Somaliland is fighting militant who receive support from Som alia..
The life in Mogadishu is coming back to normal – thanks to AMISOM –
although there are a lot to be done. After 21 years, the
streetlights are glowing; private schools are reopening; embassies
are reestablishing their office. Government of Turkey vowed to
develop the infrastructure in Mog adishu and gives university
scholarships for the Somali students.
AMISOM has done remarkable job in Somalia despite the shortfalls.
The African countries who co ntributed in AMISOM received huge
financial support from the western countries in exchange of their
soldiers in Somalia: It is business rather than humanitarian. Kenya
has plans staying in Som alia particularly Kismayo City for
oil-related interest. Kenya is playing major role in establishing
regional administration for Jubba and Gedo regions. AMISOM, also, is
ending security threat of Al-Shabab against the western countries
(UK & USA). The western nations agreed on dismantling Al-Shabab via
AMISOM and acknowledged the danger.
However, the UN Security Council, suddenly, lifted weapons embargo
that was imposed on Somalia many years ago. This triggered many
questions: Why UN Security Council lifted the embargo now while
Somalia need restructuring and humanitarian aid. Who is behind such
move. These questions are lingering the mind, so let analyze
one-by-one.
It is obvious that Somalia need peace building and reconciliation
between tribes, who fought each other last 21 years. The AMISOM and
international community must create jobs to the Somalians by
building their skills through vocational training. The living
standard of the normal Somalian must improve, which will reduce the
violence and terrorism. Today, the Somalian citizen has nothing to
lose because he is hungry, naked and don’t see bright future. The
reconciliation between the Somali tribes is very important because
long-lasting peace cannot be achieved in Somalia without creation of
trust between tribesmen. AMISOM and Government in Mogadishu must
work on teaching public the importance of respecting ‘Law&Order’ .
UN Security Council is profiting the weapon dealers instead of
understanding the real need of the Somalians. There are enough
weapons in Somalia as everyone is armed. Bakara Market in Mogadi shu
is famous market for heavy/light weapons in last 20 years.
Unfortunately, the new weapons, sponsored by the UN Security
Council, will go into the hands of the terrorists, pirates and
tribesm en, which will terminate the glimpse of hope towards
stability.
Somalia will need more sophisticated weapons than permitted light
ones to build an army. AMISOM came necessary military equipment
inside Somalia – during the embargo. This illustrates that UN
Security Council is either wants to create another chaos or want to
profit the weapon dealers!
Al-Shabab has undercover agents (Sleeper Cells) inside Somalia Army
and security agencies. Recent suicide-bomber at the front gate of
Villa Somalia was member of Somalia’s National Secur ity Agency (NSA).
Al-Shabab claimed the responsibility of the attack. The
suicide-bomber was one of such ‘Sleeper Cells’. Somalia’s Minister
of Information confirmed that NSA newly recruited the bomber.
Somalia MP Mr. Abdulaziz Xidig confirmed that Al-Shabab members
(Sleeper Cells) are part of rece nt army brigade sent to Kismayo City
to restore order. According to the MP Mr. Xidig, Al-Shabab are
enemies within government departments. This illustrates a serious
gap in Somalia security agencies. Somalia’s semi-autonomous region
of Puntland rejected the decision lifting the weapons embargo, and
expressed similar concerns of the MP.
About the port city of Kismayo, there is serious tribal conflict
that led recent fighting between pr o- and anti-government tribes.
The government in Mogadishu is giving sides between tribes, and even
rejects the on-going conference intended to create semi-autonomous
region for Kismayo. This region will be similar to Puntland and
adopt federal system with Mogadishu government.
There are severe tribal conflict in the port city of Kismayo, where
Mogadishu government is giving sides. Some of the tribes in Kismayo
city rejected the government proposed solution, and even the city,
recently, witnessed fighting between pro-government and
Anti-government tribes. It will be possible that government in
Mogadishu to supply the newly imported light weapons to som e tribes
in Kismayo which will enflame more civil war.
UN Security Council must know that extra weapons in Somalia will
create more violence and instab ility in the region, and the weapons
will cross into the neighboring countries. The neighboring
Som aliland expressed concerns over the UN Security Council decision.
The elected Somaliland Preside nt Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Siilaanyo
expressed disappointment over the decision and described as “Pouring
more fuel into violence in Somalia”.
By\ Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
Email:
az.almutairi@yahoo.com
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