Logjam And Connundrum Are Inapt Words For Jubaland Today!!

LOGJAM AND CONNUNDRUM ARE INAPT WORDS FOR JUBALAND TODAY!!
May 1st, 2015By Asad Aliweyd
Introduction
While I was surfing the internet, I came across an article published on Wardheernews.com on April 29th, 2015 titled “Breaking up the Logjam: Realistic Options on Overcoming the Jubbaland Political Conundrum” by Faisal A. Roble. This article publicly denounces the Jubbaland Administration and its newly inaugurated parliament as irrational, illegal and unrepresentative of the people.
Mr. Roble based his argument on the Addis Ababa Agreement and the complaints of two clan leaders (Ugaas Hasi, and Ugas Baqow) which he calls the first the supreme leaders of the Gedo region. Mr. Faisal Roble’s argument is that (A) the Jubbaland Parliament doesn’t align with the Addis Ababa Agreement, (B) The parliament hasn’t optimized stakeholder’s representation, (C) The International Community conditionally endorsed the new Parliament, (D) Parliament should be an interim body that exist only 3 months, (E) That President Ahmed Madobe manipulated Parliament by having 16 seats positioned to his favor, (F) suggested adding 20 additional parliament members in order to balance the power and finally, (G) suggested to start from zero to create an entire new parliament
Simply, I respectfully disagree with Faisal’s critique, analysis and recommendations of the Jubbaland Administration and its newly inaugurated parliament. His analysis is inconsistent with the reality existing the ground. In addition, he advocates for the demolition of the infant system which will create a pandemonium and sabotage and undermine the sacrifices and aspirations of the Jubbaland administration. The Jubbaland community and stakeholders are outraged by Faisal’s commentary. The community sees his commentary as a divisive tool undermining the federal member state forever.
Furthermore, Faisal’s alternative ideas absolutely echoes what spoilers have been saying for the last two years which further divides the loving and peaceful Jubbaland community here in the diaspora and back at home. Simply, facts, truth and context matter and are very important when deciding the faith of a community’s future to embrace cohesion or division amongst international, regional and local communities.
Key Issues:
September of 2012, Kismayo falls to the hands of Somali forces and Kenyan defense forces (KDF) defeating Al- Shabab, and soon after the liberation of the city an interim local administration was established. Before these allied forces reached the Indian Ocean city, where they liberated towns and villages along the Kenya-Somali border as well as other strategic towns such Afmadow. Now let’s recall the bloodshed, the struggle, the hardship that we have endured through this process in order to be where we are now in 2015. Today, the Jubbaland community has a President, two vice Presidents, a Cabinet and a fully established Parliament with international, local and national support. This is truly a milestone of accomplishments and a major victory for the future of the Jubbaland community. This milestone is also very key to the revitalization and stabilization of Somalia that will only strengthen local, regional, national and international affairs.
Analysis:
The Somali Federal Government (SFG), UNSOM, IGAD, U.S.A, EU, AU, and Great Britain welcomed, with favorable perceptions the formation of Jubbaland, its process and assembly. Political maturity dictates an understanding the importance of having endorsements from these prestigious political organizations who all actively lead within the United Nations. This diplomatic language and analysis is key to Somalia’s future which must be realized.
IC statement “We welcome this important development. We urge the Interim Jubba Administration (IJA) to coordinate with the Federal Government of Somalia to resolve any issues arising from the process. Forming the Assembly is a positive and important step in the implementation of the August 2013 Addis Ababa Agreement and the Jubba state formation process, and in building a Federal Somalia. Ensuring a fair and inclusive process will help build a just, peaceful society that can serve as a model for the rest of the country.”
Faisal Roble’s argument was that the Addis Ababa Agreement did not follow the process. This argument is actually contrary to the positions of the federal government of Somalia (FGS) and the International community (IC) both of whom have publicly and privately endorsed Jubbaland as a role model for the newly establishing member states.
The International Community (IC) statements continue to elaborate “We urge all parties to engage in constructive consultation and reconciliation with all stakeholders, ensuring that the interests of all communities are protected”
Faisal refers to the above statement as the Jubbaland administration being conditionally supported. However, the above statement disproves what he was indicated to. Faisal should be challenged to state clans that are not represented within the new administration. The new administration represents every clan with known villages and towns or the so-called Tuulo including those that historically has been marginalized.
Addis Ababa Agreement in details:
Article one, section (1-9) calls for the establishment of an interim Administration with council and assembly representing all clans selected by clan leaders. This process was actually followed and completed by the new administration.
Article Two (10-15) calls on the management of Federal Institutions and Infrastructure- This new administration establishes a joint committee that develops formulas, a plan and strategies to move on major developments agreed upon through negotiations.
Article Three (16-19) calls on the management of security forces and militias integration- While this is not specific to the Jubbaland community, the establishment of security forces and militias will take time as the community rebuilds it’s national direction, trust and leadership forward. Discussions continue to evolve.
Article Four (20-23) calls on Reconciliation and Confidence Building- This article calls for the federal government to organize and convene, within two weeks on the reconciliation conference in Mogadishu. This to be followed by the Kismayo conference: As a result of both Mogadishu and Kismayo reconciliation meetings, two of three men who called themselves Presidents are currently part of IJA. Mr. Iftin Basto, is a senior security official, and Omar Baaley was elected second in command for the Jubbaland assembly.
Authentic reconciliation was initiated and organized by both FGS and IJA with the support of the international community. President Hassan Sheikh officially opened the reconciliation conference in Kismayo that was attended by local clan leaders including Ugaas Hashi and Ugaas Baqow. Thus, the argument that reconciliation hasn’t been done in Jubbaland is not substantiated by the facts of the matter and is a classic example of Somali’s famous phrase “Looma Dhama”.
President Ahmed Mohamed Islaam (Madoobe) was allocated 10 MPs personally, and he was not provided a single member to his sub-clan KUUMADE. Instead, he distributed those ten seats to other clans to ease their grievances. That is a classic example of the leadership of modern Somalia! Additionally, Ugaas Baqow constituency received 7-MPS; Ugaas Hashi Constituency received 19-MPs.
Almost every clan that hailed from Jubbaland received their share of MPs based on their geographic representations such towns and villages. Everything couldn’t be a 100% perfect at the current stage, and I hope we will fix what is wrong in the future elections and implement what is wright.
Recommendations & Conclusions:
Jubbaland communities around the globe ought to come together with an ambition of building a sustainable, reliable, and federal member state of Jubbaland, within the Somali federal government. Intellectuals, businessmen and diaspora are key assets and added value to our country Somalia. We must develop strategies effectively addressing current and future issues, challenges and opportunities.
FGS and International Community have a stake to facilitate democratic system that ensures inclusivity and making sure that all people are represented. It’s not a matter of blaming one another, pointing out our shortcomings, political quagmire, and blaming lack of progress of the Administration, FSG or the international community. Rather, it is our duty and responsibility as the people of the region, which includes the diaspora community to establish and facilitate our collective future forward.