The Somali National Reconciliation Conference has overcome many
developments, since its inception 15th October 2002 that, run counter to the expectations
and desires of the Somali people to see
peace return to the country. The conference remains the longest ever to try and find a
lasting solution for the Somali conflict, which has totally disintegrated and collapsed of
all Constitutional organs of the Somali State.
The peace process continued over a number of months in three different phases and at the
end, in a very historical occasion, attended by largest number of IGAD Heads of States,
IGAD Partners Forum (IPF-donor group) and representatives around the world, was elected in
a landslide victory, Col. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, as the next President of the Transitional
Federal Republic of Somalia. It was a defining moment in Somalia’s history at this
decisive and concluding step of the conference, before an anxious crowd, who have
witnessed the casting of votes in a transparent manner and who have waited for than 15
hours for the results to be announced. Certainly, Col. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed won the
Presidency in the second round, according to the Provisional Charter for a simple majority
over his two main rivals and it was not necessary to go into the third round.
The New President faces many challenges including, but not limited to put the Somali
people together and decree the process of institutional reforms, democratization of Somali
Society and re-establish viable institutions back on track. However, the most pressing
issue for the New President is to appoint a Prime Minister with best credentials, who has
not big guns like himself but who is capable to construct of a viable Somali State with
appropriate, all-inclusive and durable structures and institutions for a decentralized
unity and reconciliation government. The New President to choose a Prime Minister must
consider first and foremost the necessary qualifications of the designate Prime Minister
to fill this important leadership role and must be a new clean face, who understands his
country’s needs and can earn all the important National and International support and
confidence. The New Prime Minister also must not be tainted by the excesses of obnoxious
political past of the previous regime and by the bloody civil war.
Nevertheless, many Somali Clans are lining up, unrealistically for the Prime
Minister’s position, since the conference is based on power-sharing to develop the
broadest support and to ensure a balanced representation of al Somali Clans in the New
Government. Thus, the Prime Minister’s position should go to Hawiye, especially to
the two constituent sub-clans of Hawiye Mudulood and Haber-Gedir and thus, for the New
President to determine the desired outcome of this peace process and to put in place a
political structure that, has something to attach itself in, the New President must
appoint Abgaal for Minister. In my view, this has to be the conventional wisdom or the
tacit agreement, where major sub-clans, in the country share the power and this qualifies
Abgaal to be the Prime Minister within Hawiye. In this regard, I deem it necessary to
clarify that, the Prime Minister should not come from Haber-Gedir, since the New President
and Haber-Gedir are both from Mudug Region, shaking the foundation of regional balance,
necessary for the new government and also, Haber-Gedir has just finished the Presidency in
which Abgaal has supported and they should accept the rotation of power-sharing within
Hawiye.
We all remember the unholy alliance (i.e., MATAANEYNTA WALAALAHA MUDUG) of the New
President and Gen. Mohamed Farah Aideed, which led later to the formation of the ill-fated
SAL-BALAAR Government (i.e., BIG BOTTOM) and gave the late General a free hand to wage a
war against Mudulood and not to worry another front in Mudug. Unfortunately, Abgaal and
other peace loving Hawiye Sub-clans went to Bari, Gal-Gaduud and Garbahaarey to denounce
the civil war and extended their apologies to Darood for the wrongs committed against
them. Without Abgaal withdrawing from the civil war the situation could have spelled
catastrophic for Darood and as result gained control of Gedo Region and Lower and Middle
Jubba.
For Abgaal Prime Minister, he should extend an olive branch to Haber-Gedir to assure a
peaceful co-existence of the two sub-clans that the era of conflict, political rivalries,
wanton killings of innocent civilians and destruction of the country is past gone.
Consequently, Haber-Gedir is called upon to play a constructive role, without creating
fresh complications to wreck havoc in the Somali peace, oblige the outcome of the
conference and support the Abgaal Prime Minister; showing peaceful intentions and goodwill
overtures expressing both hope and realism, unlike past anarchic tendencies to stifle
democracy and to bring peace and national reconciliation to Somalia.
Finally, the Abgaal Prime Minister should accommodate Haber-Gedir fairly in the Government
and show readiness to make policy change, offering strings of unilateral sacrifices and
concessions to create favorable political climate conducive to identify greater
cooperative efforts between Abgaal and Haber-Gedir.
Dr. Abdi Mohamed Ulusso (Black)
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