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In Mogadishu, the Somali capital, there is such a war with no foreseeable end to it, for an obvious—to me at least—stalemate. Do not expect this impasse to break any time soon. The two warring sides, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and a blend of Islamist groups (Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam), seem to have neither the will nor desire to explore a peaceful way-out. Each side has stamped on the other, for self-centered advantage, a treasonous label, which automatically denies any common ground. It is very clear this war, from both sides, in Mogadishu is essentially a problem of Somalis. The Islamists, although they employ heinous terrorist tactics and have foreign Jihadists in their ranks (plus global terror groups’ affiliation), are mostly Somalis. The TFG, for its own benefit, ignores this fact by incessantly using the terror card. This, obviously, pays, from powerful corners, dividends for the TFG. The Islamists, on the other hand, dismiss the TFG as a puppet with foreign troops as its bodyguards. In such poisonous mutual demonization tactics, the problem has no longer a Somali face. Therefore, the solution would not be of Somali, as it should be. In all this, any hope for peace in our time for Somalis is becoming forever-elusive. Somalis have bled, died, humiliated, starved and thrown into the four corners of the world as a result of this unending war of 18 long years. Their capital city, the beautiful Xamar Cadeey, looks like an ancient ruins. Yet, only Somalis can end their lengthy suffering, for their problem is self-made. Do not expect the UN, AU, Arab League or others to do for Somalis what must be done by Somalis! Nor should you expect the solution from these two at deadly loggerheads in Mogadishu! They are both too deep into selfish One-upmanship, whose end result the people have not the luxury to see to it played out! What we Somalis need is a Somali third-way. A Somali peace activist group should come into the scene. I believe it is time to assemble a collection of Somalis, comprising respected and neutral to the conflict elders, clerics, women and others, whose task is to walk to both frontlines. The group should have a wide representation of all Somali regions. Their reputation should be above reproach! Upon declaring their sole intention and mission of exploring peace between the warring sides, through the various media outlets in Mogadishu, they should take to the streets with white flags and on to the places of the Islamists (around the Bakara Market) and then to Villa Somalia. Naturally, there will be a considerable risk to the lives of such brave Somalis, but these are times that call for them brave ones for the greater good of all Somalis. In order to minimize any danger to such group, there should be beforehand contacts and peace corridor secured for them (from the warring sides) in specific times for them to walk the walk! On the first meeting, the group should establish credibility and trust with each side, with no lecturing of any sort. With introductions achieved, the peace group should ask to return for more meetings, whereby they will explore a peaceful way-out of the conflict. This should lead to a possible face to face meeting of representatives of the two warring sides, with the third-way peace group always present to referee. All of it should take place on Somali territory. No need to go outside of Somalia, or the involvement of non-Somalis. In conclusion, we cannot ignore the fact we Somalis are the lead actors in this all too real, horror and gruesome movie of our dreadful lives. Suicide bombing may be a foreign concept to us, Somalis, but our children are the ones carrying it out on us. No sooner a bomber’s picture is shown than his Somali mother, father, or a childhood friend cries foul. The Al-Shabaab fighters, however misguided or influenced by outsiders on a twisted religion, are our Somali children! Making this Somali problem, by using George Bush’s black and white terms, somebody else’s is not going to solve anything! Just for once, we should recognize our problems and their solutions, however intractable, are both ours—with no outsiders to blame or be part of solving them. Let us go to work! Hassan Zaylai ________________________________________________________________ We welcome the submission of all articles for possible publication on WardheerNews.com
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