The Physiology of a Nation at War

“War is the father of all things”
-Heraclitus (c.535-475 BC)

The fundamental lack of respect for the legitimate interests of the Somali nation is the root cause of the conflict in Somalia. For nearly two decades, we have witnessed both native Somalis and foreign interest groups wading in the murky waters of political intrigue in order to win influence in this important region of the world. Instead of allowing the Somali people to naturally solve their problems in their own time, we have witnessed successive foreign attempts at creating the obsolete and shamefully neo-colonialist idea of a centralised government for the Somali people. The question we must ask ourselves is why? Perhaps the idea of a strong central government—despite the inherent risks posed by a government of Somali Warlords—appeals to those who seek to control the political space in Somalia and, by extension, the natural resources of the Somali nation. It is beyond doubt that the Ethiopian state seeks to control the political space of the Somali nation. The potential benefits that could be derived from doing so are painfully obvious to any honourable Somali person.

It is beyond any doubt that certain political actors within Somalia are in the pay of the Ethiopian intelligence services. It is beyond any doubt that certain Somali personalities only exist to serve the interests of the TPLF rulers of Ethiopia. This is indeed shameful, however, we should not be surprised that the Ethiopian state seeks to gain advantages at the expense of the Somali nation. As far as the leadership of the Ethiopian state is concerned this is an existential matter. They seek to dominate the Somali political space, and this must be recognised as an act of gross disrespect towards the legitimate interests of Somali nation. This act is—in effect—a declaration of war.

The concept of centralised political power is alien to Somali culture. The Somali people are unique because of the poly-centric nature of their national political space. The Somali people were early pioneers of the concept of social networking. Now, the Somalis are the masters of this ethereal system of social regulation. If you have any doubts, ask how the intense war against the combined enemies of the Somali nation is being organised and sustained? If the Somali people are actually in need of political reconciliation, ask how they are able to withstand all of the hostile acts perpetrated against them? Despite the destabilising influence of the numerous foreign interventions inside Somalia, throughout the years, the noble sons and daughters of the Somali nation have managed to organise their affairs well enough to be able to resist all malevolent forces. At the present time, we see the exploitation of Somali marine resources by foreign fishing vessels. Indeed Dr. Clive Scholfield’s paper, Plundered waters: Somalia’s maritime resource insecurity, demonstrates the fact that no less than 700 non-Somali owned fishing vessels are fully engaged in unlicensed fishing in Somali national waters. It is estimated that the Somali economy loses US$300 million each year as a result of this criminal activity. Remarkably, it is evident from Dr. Schofield’s work that vessels from France, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Belize and Honduras exploit Somalia's fish stocks, and they do so with virtual impunity. Strangely, many of these very nations intend to send their naval forces to this theatre of crime in the name of fighting piracy. This hypocrisy shall not be overlooked by the people of Somalia. As far as we are concerned this is nothing more than transnational organised crime. Therefore, it must be said that with this combination of disrespect and exploitation comes nothing but injustice. We understand well the injustice of the concept of food aid meant for African nations. How can the Somali nation require food aid when the providential maritime resources of the Somali nation can sustain the theft of US$300 million worth of fish each year? It is this and other examples of international injustice that breed the resistance of the Somali people. And resistance, in all its forms, is noble when an entire nation is being treated in an unjust manner.

Can their be any wonder that the Somali nation finds itself at war at this moment in time? We certainly did not sleep walk into this situation. The mistakes of some have resulted in the suffering of many. However, we must now focus our efforts, as a nation, in order to achieve the noble goal of decisively winning this war. We cannot afford to be distracted by the base political machinations that are designed to ruin the Somali nation. We shall not achieve victory so long as certain sections of the Somali community entertain the idea of foreign mediation with respect to the concept of Somali national reconciliation. We must all recognise the fact that the quickest and easiest way to the purest form of reconciliation, if it is ever needed, is to positively identify the genuine enemies of the Somali nation. It is quite clear that the greatest strength of the Somali nation is the fact that our society is regulated by the ancient poly-centric rhythms of our culture. Therefore, so long as we do not lose this inner strength, the Somali nation shall continue to exist. However, this war is causing us to change. The Somali people have never been known as a nation of seafarers before the early part of this century. The blatant theft of Somali marine resources has spawned an entire native industry. Foreign ships are often held, and they are only released if a fee is paid. The fee goes some way to compensating the people who live on the Somali coast, now that their ability to fish has been greatly reduced. However, it must be understood that the fishermen alone cannot solve this ugly problem. Can there be any wonder that the fishermen of Somalia have developed a paramilitary capability in the light of the crimes perpetrated against them during this time of war? The physiology of the Somali nation is developing and growing as a direct result of this war. The Somali nation did not seek this war but, for the first time in generations, the Somali people are beginning to make great strides as a direct consequence of this war.

The Somali people are now conscious of the fact that they had, in the past, been too easily divided by hostile interested actors like the Ethiopian state. Now, the Somali people are aware of the fact that superficial social divisions, between Somalis, only serve the interests of the Ethiopian enemy. The Somali nation is beginning to realise, as a whole, that the enemy only seeks to prey upon the perceived weaknesses of the Somali people. These perceived weaknesses, like the apparent inability of the Somali political classes to establish a functioning central government now seem to be a manifestation of the innate genius of the Somali social conscience. Somali society can well do without a government of servile Somali warlords who only seek to serve the interests of the Ethiopian state. Somali people hate injustice, and foreign intervention in Somali national affairs is the epitome of injustice. Despite the countless kidnappings of Somali people and the mass renditions to secret prison facilities in Addis-Ababa, the Ethiopian state has failed to dominate the Somali political space. Despite the monumental deceit, hypocrisy, and treachery of the numerous foreign interventions in the internal affairs of the Somali nation, the Ethiopian state has failed to dominate the Somali political space. Despite the military aggression of the Ethiopian armed forces, heavily backed by the U.S. government, the Ethiopian state has failed to dominate the Somali political space. Indeed, this behavior has stimulated an intense military response from the very people that the Ethiopian state had intended to politically dominate.

The Somali people should feel proud of the fact that they have managed to resist the brutality unleashed by the Ethiopian state and its political sponsors. The Somali people should be very proud of the fact that they continue to reject the inefficient and linear neo-colonial model of governance, detested by the populations of all third world client states. This form of governance does not serve the interests of the people living under its rule. Such a form of government only exists to serve the interests of its political sponsors, and the interests of multinational corporations. The Somali people should be applauded for their rejection of this iniquitous and degrading system. If there is any doubt, one should take a good look at the example of Botswana. A country rich in mineral resources where the government is wholly owned by a giant mining corporation. A country with a docile government happy to host a military base that belongs to a great foreign power whilst its native people are dying by the thousand each day. Perhaps this is the way of the modern world, but the honour of the Somali nation must always be upheld. Practically speaking, this means resisting the modern day slavery represented by economic and political domination. Neo-colonialism is an unfortunate reality today, but there can be no justification for the conduct of the Ethiopian state with respect to its misguided policies towards the Somali nation. These policies have stimulated the war that is being fought in the streets of Mogadishu today, and until these policies are reversed we shall continue to hear the sad news that hundreds of Somali civilians are being killed each day. Yet it is this war that is inspiring innovation in many fields. Perhaps, before too long, we shall see the rise of a potent native military-industrial complex in Somalia that is both victorious and attentive to the needs of Somali society. After all the singularly marvelous thing about Somalia is the fact that you can always expect the unexpected.

The National Interest

"I don't believe that Somalia will become a Taliban-style state. We need to accept a few years of harsh Islamic rule and work with the authority that way."

Western Diplomat stationed in Nairobi, Kenya, November 2008.


In a frank, and rather refreshing admission, the unidentified Western diplomat went on to say, “Western governments had been guilty of viewing the Somalia problem as being too difficult to solve and not important enough to matter.” It is now becoming more apparent, with each passing day, that the Western powers have resigned themselves to accept the fact that the Somali people shall never submit to the illegitimate rule of the TFG. The dishonourable octogenarian, Cabdullahi Yusuf Axmed, President of the Somali TFG, in a rare moment of clarity, has publicly admitted that the TFG is on the verge of imploding.

Indeed, the removal of the murderous TFG is in the national interest of the Somali people. The Somali people need, more than anything else at present, the full restoration of public security. It is very evident that the TFG cannot provide the people of Somalia with this most vital of public services, therefore it is entirely legitimate that the authority of the Islamic fighters of Somalia be internationally recognised. These men have demonstrated, beyond all doubt, that they possess the capacity to restore order to any Somali settlement under their control.

There can be no satisfaction derived from the political fracturing of the Islamic groups currently active inside Somalia. The unity of the Somali nation is more important than the interests of any particular group or individual. Therefore, the Somali nation can do well without the kind of internecine violence that occurred in the city of Jowhar within the past week. The Somali Islamic resistance must be maintained as a unitary phenomenon, with the singular political objective of safeguarding the legitimate interests of the Somali nation.

The Somali people must never again become so horribly disunited that the combined enemies of the Somali nation are able to entertain the possibility of conducting acts of military aggression inside the Somali national territory. Never again must we witness the rise of a cadre of ethnic Somalis willing to collaborate with the enemies of the Somali nation. The Islamic resistance fighters of Somalia must safeguard the rights of the Somali nation by adequately confronting the scourge represented by the numerous members of the Somali community who find it all too easy to betray their nation of birth.

The formation of a strong and versatile Somali state that is truly attentive to the needs of the Somali nation is of paramount importance. Never again must we witness the sight of Somali leadership behaving in a servile and submissive manner towards the political authorities of other nations. Never again must the Somali national interest be neglected. Never again must the parasitic Warlords of Somalia be permitted to enslave the Somali people. The new Islamic rulers of Somalia must, as a matter of urgency, bring to bear the full force of the law against the criminals known to have caused so much misery and anguish inside the Somali national territory.

Finally, the new rulers of Somalia must promote and safeguard the legitimate commercial and industrial interests of the Somali nation. Never again must we witness the natural resources of Somalia being brazenly looted by multinational foreign speculators. Never again must we witness the disposal of toxic waste—from the industries of the Western world—inside the Somali national territory. We must, once and for all, reject the concept of Somali regional autonomy. The best interests of the Somali people are served by inflexible national unity. And Somali national interests must be respected above all other political considerations.

The Obamaian Express

Unfortunately, especially during the past 40 years, good judgements in the sphere of Somali public life have been, more often than not, thwarted. This is a statement of fact. We, the great Somali people, have become too easily distracted by the blinkered visions of factional leaders. In the past we have succumbed to the evil that is government predation. We have known Killerism, Gangsterism, and Warlordism. We have witnessed the rise of belligerent and armed political Islam, and the perpetration of all manner of heinous acts. However, despite the woes of our recent past, we are still united in culture. We, the ancient Somali nation, still have a noble heritage, and we must be hopeful of a brighter future. We must take heart from the good example of other nations that have known civil strife on an epic scale.

It is extraordinary that the people of the United States of America should elect a black man as their President at this time. Surely, the election of Barack H. Obama is the finest example imaginable of the democratic process, which promotes style over substance, at work. America has emphatically renewed itself, before the eyes of the world, as a result of this potentially historic moment in time. Few people could have failed to be impressed by the visible qualities, and methods, that have propelled President-elect Obama into the White House. Fewer still could have failed to be impressed by the clarion call for change made by this man. President elect Obama has a great deal to do if he and his new administration are to implement the desired changes in policy. America, and the world, has certainly needed political change in light of the monumental failures of the Bush years. The Somali nation has suffered terribly as a result of decisions made by George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, with respect to the support given by his administration to the Ethiopian government and its brutal military invasion of the Somali national territory.

Although it is true that the change of a political leader is the happiness of fools. There can be no harm in hoping for change at this time, especially if the failed and destructive policies of the Bush years can be reversed with respect to Somalia. The election of President Obama can be taken as a good example of political inclusion by all nations of the world. Democracy is a tried and tested system of government. This is another statement of fact. I would agree with Churchill when he said that democracy is the least worst form of government. I would also add that—in my opinion—Somali society, by its very nature, is inherently democratic. The Somali people are people of faith, and we have always demonstrated our strength, in the past, by standing together when called upon. The Somali people have the ability to share resources, settle conflicts, and regulate society without recourse to the legal-rationalism of the world beyond the limits of the Somali peninsula. This must be respected. We have an ancient culture and, throughout our history, we have been able to settled all matters—both great and small—by using dialogue, reaching compromise, and establishing consensus. What could be more democratic than the Argo-pastoral society of the Somalis before the rise of the dangerous hubris of the urbanised, and semi-urbanised, Somalis?

Most of our people are instinctively isolationist when it comes to the abstract concept that is Somalia. The simple truth is that the Somali nation had been comfortably isolated from the outside world for centuries before the politically significant historical events which took place inside Somalia during the 20th century. The outside world has certainly agitated and disrupted the ancient rhythms of Somali life during the past 110 years. It is clear that a Euro-centric world order has cast an enormous shadow over the history of modern Somalia. America is now the focal point of the Euro-centric cultural stream that impacts so heavily upon the non-Western world. The Somali nation cannot afford to attract the hostility of the United States of America. This is yet another statement of fact. Much has been said, and written, about a perceived clash of civilisations during the past seven years. The Bush years have been turbulent and destructive for a number of small and impoverished nations. Somalia is such a nation. Therefore, as a nation, the Somalis must quickly settle their political differences in order to be able to bring an end to the suffering of our people. We must resist Ethiopian military aggression, but we must find a way, as a nation, that allows us to engage positively with the government of the United States of America, and the rest of the world. We must certainly fight for our freedom. We must certainly fight in order to preserve our monoculture and legal poly-centrism, but the Somali nation must not remain politically isolated on the world stage. We must rebuild our reputation and regain our national self-respect. After all, if ours is an ancient nation that has somehow lost the ability to respect a unique and God given national heritage, how can we hope to command the respect of the modern nations of this world?

Everything is related to the idea of respect. Our relationships with others, our personal conduct, and our destiny hinges on respect. This is the ultimate statement of fact. The Somali nation has struggled, for over a century, with the forces of a Euro-centric world that do not respect the the customs, heritage, and faith of the Somali people. How can there ever be peace in the Somali peninsula if this lack of respect, which manifests itself in the form of the numerous historical injustices perpetrated against the Somali people, is not properly addressed? All human actions are doomed to fail without that vital component of human respect. We, the Somali people, experience enough difficulty in trying to preserve our ancient way of life. However, we must find a way to resist the effects of the corrosive disrespect being directed against the legitimate interests of the Somali nation. The Euro-centric world order must learn to accept the fact that the Somali nation will not give up its cultural heritage, for their convenience, at any price. Only once this idea is accepted, and the Somali nation is genuinely respected in this world, shall we have peace on the Somali peninsula. However we, the Somali people, must regain our national self-respect before we win the respect of a world beyond our homeland. We must resoundingly condemn all criminal deeds perpetrated against the Somali nation. We must be able to condemn crimes like those of the men who publicly executed a child in the name of religion in the port city of Kismayu in the month of October, 2008.

Only a nation that has lost all national self-respect can tolerate the disgusting excesses of any group that abuses the civilian population. There should be no distinction made between abusers, a crime is a crime whoever commits it. How can the Somali nation win the respect of the world when Somali society sees nothing wrong with the conduct of armed men such as those who brutally executed a child in Kismayu recently? The Somali way of life is both ancient and successful. All Somalis must learn to respect this. In my view, the historical process of Somali urbanisation has resulted in the development of social conditions that permit the rise of extremism of all kinds. Somali cities are where one usually finds both the collaborators of the vicious Ethiopian invaders and the belligerent armed forces of political Islam. Often, in modern Somalia, political Islam serves as a convenient smokescreen for urban criminality. Both are products of the historically unregulated process of Somali urbanisation; both are supported by people with little self-respect; and both are examples of Godless Somali extremism. With this in mind, we must also realise that the most vile extremist is he who sees the Somali nation only through the clan prism. The lowest example of a Somali intellectual is he who peddles hate in the form of Somali clan chauvinism. This is the sickness that endangers the very existence of the Somali nation. Such people are as pathetic and ridiculous as a mother who hates her children; a father who hates his children; or children who hate their siblings. We must have the strength and the ability to recognise this dreadful cancer whenever we are confronted by it. Our nation must find the strength to resist these dark forces. For we Somalis are now saddled with the ignominy of being a dysfunctional society. We must commit ourselves, and live by the knowledge that if any Somali clan suffers injury then we, the entire Somali nation, are all injured. This is vital. Few things in this world are more destructive than hate, and extremists are people who have hatred in their hearts.

Clearly, people who are prepared to kill their compatriots are people who loathe their own kind. This is a manifestation of a psychological distemper, and to loathe one's self is truly the worst of all possible psychological conditions. The various extremist groups of Somalia seem to be seeking salvation in the example of non-Somali philosophies. Few, if any, of these groups realise that genuine faith and fidelity to the ancient Somali way of life is their only true salvation. Some may look to the East and others may look to the West, but in the end they shall be forced to confront the fact that the solution to our national problem is purely internal, a solution from within, and it must be a solution based on a foundation of respect. It must be said that the modern Arab states are, for me at any rate, creations of a Euro-centric world order. They cannot represent a political model for the Somali nation. These states are client states of the West in any case. There is no legitimacy to be gained by appropriating the symbols of another nation in order to win influence amongst the people of Somalia.

The ancient ways of the Somali nation are the things that I care about the most. Somali traditions are too precious to throw away, especially if there is nothing of value to replace these traditions with. This is why I focus so much on the idea of respect for the cultural heritage of the Somali nation. The cultural heritage of the Somalis is the one thing that can truly unify the Somali people. We need to involve as many Somalis as possible in the process of preserving our cultural heritage. It does not matter which foreign culture influences our way of life, so long as we are sober enough to be able to control the process in the manner of a consciously unitary nation.

In order to move beyond our national problems effectively, we must, once more learn to genuinely love the complete splendour of the Somali nation. This means that we must return to the common ground that all Somali people had shared so harmoniously for centuries, before the destabilising and unjust impact of Euro-centric interventions had ever been experienced in the Horn of Africa. In order for the Somali nation to achieve genuine political stability, we must develop a uniquely Somali polity that is attentive to both the spiritual and temporal needs of the Somali people. This, for me, is the essence of the Obamaian Express. Perhaps many nations shall derive benefits from the possible changes being promised by this new American President. And, perhaps it is a worthwhile exercise to be a part of such a journey. Let us hope that we have witnessed an epoch changing moment.

Kritocracy

The political judgement of the ancient Somali nation has been sound, and successful, for over a thousand years. The organic development of the the polycentric legal system of the Somali nation—the Xeer Somali—has been the defining feature of Somali public life throughout the entire history of the Somali nation. The basic political structures of the Somali nation are as strong today as they have ever been. The judgement of the Somali people is as sound today as it has ever been. All that has changed is that today the Somali nation is being encouraged to abandon its unique culture and heritage for the benefit of nefarious non-Somali interest groups.The so-called Transition Federal Government of Somalia is, in essence, a non-Somali construct created for the purpose of furthering the interests of a consortium of anti-Somali powers. The TFG is an agent of foreign powers and it functions for the benefit of foreign nations at the expense of the Somali nation. Millions of Somali civilians have been displaced from their homes as a direct result of the barbaric actions of the TFG. Thousands of Somali civilians have lost their lives as a direct result of the treacherous actions of the TFG.In the last week of October 2008 we witnessed the ridiculous sight of the TFG—including the entire dysfunctional legislative body—being transplanted to the Kenyan city of Nairobi for a public dressing down at the hands of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. This event alone gives rise to some disturbing questions, including questions which shed light upon the legitimacy of the TFG, especially when the TFG of Somalia can be summoned by foreign powers at will. Surely the TFG has now formally relinquished all claims to political legitimacy. The very fact that the entire the TFG had left the national territory of the Somalia—for the pleasure of IGAD, the US, and the EU—is itself an absurdity, and surely represents a dereliction of duty, in addition to high treason, on the part of all members of the TFG.The only apparent result of the meetings in Nairobi seems to be the development of a situation where the TFG must now successfully fulfil the terms and conditions, defined by IGAD, in order for the realisation of an extension of the TFG mandate beyond October 2009. Whether or not the terms and conditions, as specified by IGAD, are fulfilled is now immaterial for the simple reason that the TFG is now visibly serving the interests of hostile foreign nations directly at the expense of the Somali people. The Somali people have suffered for decades as a direct result of foreign interventions in the internal affairs of the Somali nation.The excellent papers 'Better Off Stateless' by Peter T. Leeson, and 'Somalia After State Collapse' by Powell, Ford, and Nowrasteh eloquently demonstrate the wonderful ability of the Somali nation with respect to the specific art of making good policy judgements. With this in mind, there can be no greater insult directed at the Somali nation than the idea of the TFG requesting funding from foreign donors in order to destroy the wonderful heritage of Somali civic life. Surely an absentee government is preferable to the treacherous TFG in all of its guises.The Somali people must keep faith in their God given abilities. Foreign interventions have brought nothing but misery to the people of Somalia. Foreign interventions have repeatedly sought to destroy the ancient traditions of the Somali nation. The Somali people deserve better than the status of servile clients of a Euro-centric world order. Consequently, the real Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia must be respected in order to facilitate the survival of the ancient traditions of the Somali nation. There must be no deviation from a course that protects all of the customs, rights, heritage, and traditions of the Somali nation. There must be no distractions for—or divisions within—the real Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia. With the help of the Almighty, the re-liberation of Somalia shall be achieved. The ancient Somali nation deserves nothing less.