The city of Mogadishu plays a vital role in rebuilding and reconstituting the Somali state. The main reason is that it has one fourth of Somalia’s population. All economic and business developments, all the social services including hospitals, schools, universities and strategic seaport & airports are located in or around the capital city. If we contain the conflicts in the capital, we will find easy solutions for the problems of other parts of the country.
Since the downfall of the previous regime, there were several instances, in which Ali Mahdi and Abdiqasim attempted to install a government in Mogadishu; unfortunately, they all ended in failure, and the culprits were the Mogadishu warlords, the enemy within.
We now know by experience that, it is futile to resolve the complex issues of Mogadishu through dialogue and peaceful means. It also became an impossible mission to open and operate the main sea and airports of the Benadir region.
Despite increased business activities in Mogadishu area, law and order were almost nonexistent throughout the fourteen years of the upheaval. Execution, rape and kidnapping were the order of the day. Mogadishu remained a divided city, ruled by different factions. The media and international community only saw the chaos and anarchy that engulfed the capital city, which casts a shadow over some of the positive pictures of the other Somali regions.
All these problems and more were the direct responsibility of the so-called “Mogadishu warlords” and their thugs, who took the good citizens of Mogadishu hostage. They generate revenue from local airstrips and natural ports and collect taxes for their own selfish ends.
These cycles of events have created obstacles in rebuilding a Somali state, increased the displaced refugees and encouraged other regions to secede from the union, such as Puntland and Somaliland.
It would be fair to argue, “Why only Mogadishu warlords are the main target”. With all due respect, it is my personal conviction that other warlords, who control outside provinces, will be easily taken care of, as soon as we contain or eliminate Mogadishu warlords- but, make no mistake, it is not going to be easy to dislodge them.
Taking all the past failures and setbacks into consideration, this is how I see the newly elected administration to proceed in the coming months.
First – disarm the militias: The new government shouldn’t even think setting a base of administration in the country, unless they formalize a mechanism of disarming the thousands of militias. They should request from United Nations, regional organizations and western nations to provide international forces, combined with a selected former Somali military and police forces to disarm militias. An economic incentive & demobilization program should be initiated. What we need is a leadership that unites us- even if with brute force. Any leader, who proclaims that he has an honorable intention of restoring law and order, deserves our support and benefit of doubt regardless of his clan affiliation.
Second – resolve land & property disputes: In any civil war, warring factions have accustomed grabbing land and property from each other. It is necessary to correct all illegal possessions of property- to that end; a commission has to be appointed in conjunction with judicial system to remedy the conflicts of property and land rights.
Third – truth & reconciliation: Establish a genuine process of reconciliation all around the country with the participation of all levels of different communities from villages to traditional elders.
Fourth – Somaliland: Approach leaders & elders of Somaliland for reunion dialogue. Discussions should include considerations of Somaliland as an autonomous body with independent parliament and executive branch.
Fifth – institution building: Develop institution-building capacity, while seeking international assistance in rebuilding the hospitals, roads, schools and other social services.
Sixth – democratic elections: Implement multi-party system, freedom of speech and press. Organize free elections of a parliament.
It is a daunting task to reinvent a state that ceased to exist and was in civil war for over fourteen years. To succeed or fail will depend on the first steps taken by the newly elected leaders- this reminds me the Chinese saying “ A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step”; that first step must be disarmament.
By: Abdisalam M. Garjex "Camey"