New African Order

I am writing this sitting outside a café shop in my University –Karachi, I hope that my thoughts will be taken in the spirit in which they are written – from some one who deeply loves his native African, particularly Somalia and sincerely cares about it.

Over the years, I have watched the situation in Africa, analyzed it and have come to the conclusion that the problem of Africa can be solved by the people of African themselves provided they set aside emotions and self-interest. A continent of about 922 Million people (as of 2005) facing so many dangerous from within and without, can not afford to be hostage to the whims and caprices of any one – even elected leaders.

Sitting thousands of miles away but emotionally present in Africa. I feel that the time has come for every one to rose up and confront the danger, reject revenge, put aside personal ambitions and enter into anew phase of order ( Reconciliation).

 I read the papers here of calls for power-sharing for Zimbabwean leaders. I also read about the leaders of Kenyan calling for reconciliation and ending up the crises in Zimbabwe. Kenya it self suffered such these crises of about the General election of December 2007 after Kibaki was declared re-elected as president but opposition leader, Riala Odinga, alleged electoral manipulation by Kibaki, allegedly incited civil unrest. The unrest involved ethnic violence between members of different tribes, particularly between the Kikuyu and the Luo. Eventually, a power-sharing agreement, according to which Kibaki remain President and Odinga would gain the new post of Prime minister. However it is more difficult to show generosity and tolerance by reaching out and closing the ranks, History is full of such examples.

  Let us take a great man of our time – Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison; he spoke the truth and reconciliation. Mandela sat with Pik Botha, who served as South African’s foreign minister in the last years of the apartheid era, immediately after his release and helped guide South Africa to its promising future. After black majority came to power, Mandela’s followers did not go on a rampage; they did not burn or loot, Mandela commanded respect.

Another example is of Gerald Ford who took over a divided America after the Watergate scandal and issued a presidential pardon to Richard Nixon. This was done primarily to heal the nation. Ford had America’s interests at heart. Asked if he wanted to be a great president, Ford replied “No I would  be a good president”.

In the US election, the political clash between Brack Obama and Hillary Clinton reached volcanic proportions, bitter words were exchanged, and it was more of a political boxing match. But once party’s presidential nominee, Obama and Clinton made up. And infect, he insisted her name to be on the nominee ballot at the Democratic National Convention.

  African leaders should read the History first and second should adopt this new type of power-sharing which Kenya started and even some analyst pointed it as “Kenyan type” which eventually may produce counterproductive if the leaders set aside their personal ambitions and implement it.

Somali which has not an effective central government since President Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991 should focus on what is going to its neighbor countries.

 I strongly urge both the new and old leaders of Somali to follow the Kenyan type of reconciliation and implement this type the ongoing peace conference in Djibouti. Our survival as a nation depends on the adherence to three principals; continuity with the past, open mindedness and a sense of responsibility.     

  A. SULEIMAN MOHAMED