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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS17.08.2010 :: Somalia came under the rule of Siad Barre in 1969 in a bloodless coup
Somalia came under the rule of Siad Barre in 1969, in a bloodless coup. The declaration goals of his regime included: To end tribalism, nepotism, corruption and misrule.
However in the course of his rule, he did the following:- 1. He manipulated clans. 2. Civil servants attended military science classes. 3. Special courts were created outside the judicial system. 4. Overhauled the regional local government and created smaller local government unit, ostensibly, in order to bring governments closer to the people. 5. The ministry of the information and National guidance was created to bring out correct messages to the people. Clanism was condemned although practiced. 6. Siad Barre cultivated a personality cult.
However when he invaded and over ran the Orgaden Region of Ethiopia, the Soviet Union changed sides and supported and supplied Arms and Advisers to Ethiopia. He later became an ally of the west especially USA.
Somali troops left Orgaden in bad shape. The local government Units he created made different clans and sub clans owe allegiance to him directly.
As his regime grew more unpopular he unleashed the Red Berets who spread terror and fear among the cowed populace.
Factionalism based on clans took root and his inner circles ossified around his brother, his son a Col. and his first wife who had built her own circle of influence through patronage. After the fall of Siad Barre, Somalia fell apart and various attempts to bring peace to the country have not worked.
The most famous one was by the UN peace keepers where USA soldiers were killed in Mogadishu thus forcing a quick withdrawal. The Somalis like any other proud but disjointed nation hate foreign forces.
The best example was the TPDF in 1979 who were given a warm welcome by Ugandans during and after the over throw of Amin. However, a few months later they were hated. Mwalimu, ever wise, withdrew his forces, and left Ugandans to sort their matters out. Somalia has a land mass of 637.000 Sq Km, a population of about 9 million, a coast line of more than 3300 Km long, and temperatures of between 30 and 40 degrees. It has semi arid and desert areas and is sparely populated. Where people are faced with seemingly insurmountable problems, they became easy prey for religious manipulating persons, tribalism or clanism as the case may be, and prey to fortune seekers promising easy way out of misery and poverty, other than through sweat and hard work.
This brings me to the question, should Ugandan troops be in Somalia? There is nothing wrong in one brother or sister coming to assist another in time of trouble. However,
First, of all find out what caused that trouble.
Second, ensure that before you help, you won't be infected or bring the problem to your own family. Somalia is not the only Country in Africa that is in bad shape, to put mildly, after the long rule is of a strong man. We have Ivory Coast or Congo and now Guinea after the death of Gen. Conteh, and things could not hold.
Thirdly, ensure that you are assisting ought of your own convictions and not at someone else's behest
Fourth, that you have support of your own people. Remember; when people come into power objective conditions make them adjust. NRM/A was viewed as a Marxist revolutionary organization tuned to the then East. Where is it today?
Frelimo was openly Marxist. It tried to overwhelm Renano. But they were wise enough to change course and accommodate Renano. Now Mozambique is at Peace and an investment, destination. ANC and Mzee Mandela were viewed as communist terrorists that would throw the last white man over the Cape into the Ocean. Compare the above with the situation in Afghanistan when USSR invaded it, and now NATO the most lethal force in all maner, weaponry, propaganda. What about Iraq and the coalition of the willing and famous statement that you are either for or against us.
Compare the policy on Rwanda where Rwanda forces sorted it out with some assistance, with DR Congo where attempts to ran to Kinshasa were halted near the mineral rich Mbuji mai by Angola and Zimbabwe forces.
If it is an AU force let it be AU, in out look, composition and back up support. There was an old saying of Rwogamungabo, meaning when you are at war to prove what a brave fighter you, are you move out the formation and advance forward to the enemy alone. The old wise Baganda, Luo e.t.c sayings, never completed such sayings, leaving it to you, to see the obvious. Let us concentrate on training the Somalise to be their own Liberators.
Let the Somalise take charge whether we like their "fighting" propaganda or not. Let us support a Government in Somalia that is on the ground and all over the Country and popular, or at least, covers sufficient territory and support from which it can expand. It may take time but it will work.
Above all let us do all that is possible to ensure that what befell Somalia, does not happen else where.
Prevention is better than cure. A stitch in time.
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