Somalia’s rough road to stability

SOMALIA will go down into the books of history as the only state in the world that survived for a decade and a half without a central government. This moment, however, was brought to an end by the election of transitional leaders, courtesy of a three-year peace and reconciliation conference in Nairobi. But one year down the line President Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf’s government is dogged by a myriad of challenges some of which have threatened to tear it apart. With international goodwill at peak, the Somali leader was given a rousing welcome during the just-concluded United Nations summit in New York. The presence of this nation at such a high profile parley signified the country’s return to the community of nations, a landmark occurrence, indeed. In this exclusive interview, Johnson Muthumbi speaks to the Kenyan Ambassador to Somali Hon. Mohammed Abdi Affey on the ongoing reconciliation initiatives whose aim is to set-up a nationally-recognized political leadership in the horn of Africa nation and bring together the warring leaders inside this fledgling government.


Mohammed Abdi Affey,
Kenya's Ambassador to Somalia

Question: Your Excellency, you have been in this peace initiative for some time, what in your own opinion are the prospects of this 14th attempt succeeding?

Answer: The Somali peace process is quite different from other initiatives that have taken place across the continent. One, this is a failed state and it will take time to bring back order and normal government operations. To say the least, however, there can be no less optimism due to the fact that this is the most inclusive peace initiative, bringing together virtually all political forces – warlords, heads of semi-autonomous regions, leaders from civil society, religious and business communities - in Somalia. I must admit to the various challenges facing this Transitional Federal Government (TFG), but its undisputable fact that we have a government in place. This is the only legitimate administration on the Somali soil.

Q. What, as an envoy, are you doing to reconcile the warring factions within President Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf’s government?

A. There is an obvious split within this government based on the interpretation and assessment on how and where to run the government, but that does not mean there is a breakdown in the attempts to form a new administration. Its only leaders with different opinions on the interpretation of the Federal Transitional Charter (the interim constitution). The challenge, I must state, is not the split or failure of the government to take off but lack of requisite financial support from the international community. This government is young and, true to say, its is not strong enough to collect revenue. Security is also a concern to the transitional leaders.

Q. What kind of assistance is Kenya extending to Yusuf’s government in its attempt to consolidate power and pacify the entire country?

A. We can only offer political support. We cannot offer material assistance. As you remember, the Somali Prime Minister (Prof. Mohammed Ali Ghedi) was recently in Kenya to witness the signing of bilateral trade and political agreement between the two nations. This pact has paved way for Kenya to participate in the reconstruction process and every other sphere of Somalia. Our professionals will, henceforth, take career positions in different areas – teaching , medicine, engineering etc. We are also closely monitoring the security situation in Mogadishu with a view to re-open the Kenyan embassy which closed down in 1990 after war broke out. Under the bilateral agreement, Kenya will offer training to 200 VIP protection personnel and 5,000 civil service staff, all depending on the successful implementation of the this treaty.

Q. Could this mean that in the future we might see a replica of the Kenyan administrative structures in Mogadishu government?

A. As the leading partner in bringing peace to this nation its our wish to remodel Somalia in the shape of Kenya. We have lived in peace since independence though our tribal backgrounds are different. This the message we are communicating to Somali people that peace and harmony among themselves is feasible despite the fact that they hail from different clans.

Q. Kenya is home to thousands of Somali refugees and a host of asylum seekers. Would you comment on this in view of the unfolding peace dispensation.

A. Again, in the bilateral agreement this issue has been factored in. We are in the process of coming up with a comprehensive repatriation programme for all Somali refuges within the Kenyan border. At the same time, we have agreed with the TFG that we will, henceforth, maintain a common policy on the management of our border.

Q. As we come the close of this chat, there have been rumors of an outbreak of a civil war pitting the President against his political rivals based in Mogadishu. Would you also comment on this.

A. Somali people are no longer interested in going back to war, they are quite fatigued. The scenario being witnessed now is just a tug between leaders fighting for political supremacy.

Q. Finally, what message do you have, first to the people of Somalia and second to their leaders?

A. There is hope. As a growing democracy, we will offer our help as much as we can. To the leaders: they have a chance to make history and put Somalia back to the community of nations. If the current group of leaders lose this chance, others will take the initiative. No one can bring peace to Somalis and no country is better placed to do it for them. This is a leadership challenge, but I want to assure this country that they can rely on us for support.

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