Djibouti (HAN) April 21, 2005 -Our Regional IGAD Political observers note that underlying tensions remain in Somalia. The clash between the political factions within Somalia could also become sharper in the next few months as a cabinet warlords and seasoned Somali politicians jostle for ministerial positions in the new groups within the government. The question is whether these events are leading to the milestone that everybody in Somalia wants to reach next -- the creation of a united federal state and vibrant democracy in the country.
Is federal Somalia, which has languished in a state of utter lawlessness for 35 years, getting safer or worst? "Everyone agrees that the newly- elected Somali President has a strong personality and enjoys the trust of his people. We need a powerful father figure to lead the nation at this critical historical juncture," Somalia's Ambassador to Egypt Abdullah Hassan Mahmoud told Al-Ahram Weekly.
"I am very optimistic about the country's future. For the first time in years there is consensus in the country about the leadership. All the various Somali tribes and clans participated and had their say including Somaliland and Puntland. No warlord disputes the results of the Somali legislators' choice except USC cabinet warlords. This is an unprecedented development," the Somali ambassador to Cairo told the Weekly.
How Somalis See Mr. Abdullahi’s Presidency after 6 months of thrown
There was optimism before Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed’s inauguration as the Somali president, which disappears soon afterwards throughout the Somalis inside the country and outside. This is due to, conference has leaned on the S.R.R.C side who are pro-Ethiopia; those who follow Somali politics had predicted that Mr. Abdullahi Yususf would gain his long time dream (call me honour president) for the conference’s outcome; I heard several times Mr. Yusuf’s speech saying: ‘if you (Somalis) do not allow me to be a president, you will not live in peace’; Ethiopian role in Somalia has been very clear as a whole, particularly at the conference; Ethiopia thinks it may reach its objectives towards Somalia through Mr. Yusuf’s alliance known as SRRC formed by itself; Ethiopia and Somali warlords who have strong ties with Ethiopia including Mr.Yusuf, have repeatedly claimed that there are terrorist organizations in Somali, which totally is false; Ethiopia has historically sabotaged 13 previous Somali peace talks. Ethiopian always says: “we are in a war on terrorist”. Somalia is nothing to do with terrorist. Ethiopia tries to put Somali sovereignty at danger. Therefore, Ethiopia would not be an impartial (neutral) in Somali situation.