EU may arrest other Kradzic like war criminals if French's pledge materializes

Fikirka Xora ah (USA) - The news for the arrest of the notorious mass murderer, the architect of Sreprenica genocide and ultra nationalist Mr. Kradzic has brought some sort of comfort to many still waiting justice Bosnians.

Some of them have already given up the idea that European led justice system would have the strength to muscle Serbia to give up Kradzic. But the condition to force Serbia to cough up Kradzic or forget about joining the European Union has proven to be difficult choice for Belgrade leadership.

After seeing how other former Eastern Block states economic situation has changed dramatically upon becoming EU members, the new pragmatic Serbian government has realized the need to change course and have chosen to be part of the new world. It was reported that as soon as he is sworn, the new prime minister has ordered the arrest of Kradzic and others that were accused of crimes and wanted by the Hague.

A senior Serbian officer close to the Prime Minister's Office that wished not to be identified confirmed to the media the main reason behind the government's quick action to arrest Kradzik is to be their desire to improve relations with Europe and pave the way for talks of future EU membership.

He said that his government has seeing how some of his neighboring countries are already more prosperous with access to not only rich markets and purchasing powers, but their unemployed citizens found jobs and generated income. Thus, he said, "that increased revenues for these countries to invest social programs such as health care, education and infrastructure." Well, then the choice was obvious; Kradzic is not worth the trouble of loosing all those economic incentives.

Some news organizations have also speculated that to soften its image, Belgrade would like the world to see it as a moderate emerging democracy, contrary to the hardliner predecessors, in order to boost the diplomatic credit. Their efforts to gain more respect and heal the past may have also influenced the government's decision to extradite Mr. Kradzic.

The world has accused Serbia for harboring many war crime fugitives and the arrest of Kradzic is a step forward. But if Belgrade wants to improve relations with the Muslim world, it must round up the other high profile Bosnian war crimes officials that are hiding in its backyard.

The Kradzic's arrest has reminded Somalis their war criminals at large. "Each time news about war crimes is in the headlines", said a Somali expatriate living in USA sighting the Kradzic's arrest, " I'm reminded how oblivious my people are about the need to bring justice to the heads of the regime that killed thousands of innocent people ." He explained his believes that how Somali people will never get stability until they deal with the question of war crimes.

"I'm not convinced that Somali people will ever trust each other and can even have an honest dialogue about their future as long as some of them are protecting those who had killed thousands of innocent people, there must be a justice for the innocent victims", he added.

The French government vowed to get involved with the 'Somali affairs" by opening human rights and war crimes office in Paris, and to help fight the pirates, this week. This may be a glimpse of hope for millions of Somalis that have, for the last two decades, longed for justice.

President Sarkozy brought new momentum and energy to EU and wants to leave a legacy that actually produces results. Since he is controversial politician that is not satisfied with the diplomacy, business as usual politiking, he may surprise us to help Somalis bring war crimes to long overdue justice. But that is if and only if Somalis are willing to work together to heal the wounds of the past and pave the way for future coexistence.

Will any Somali war criminal ever be hold accountable? Who is a war crime in the eyes of a Somali person? how long would tribes and clan politics protect someone that committed crimes against humanity? What would be acceptable form of dealing with this nightmare?

Somaliland: When a culture of peace takes root

CAN you imagine a place swarming with beggars and jobless people yet just adjacent there are stalls and stalls of money in banknotes including American dollars, British pounds and so forth in the open with no policemen around to secure those stalls of money?

“This phenomenon you see is a result of the fruits in a situation where a culture of peace takes roots. People have experienced so much suffering and deprivation as a result of war and occupation that they are sub-consciously not prepared to act in a manner that would jeopardise the well-being of others,”

Makwaia wa KUHENGA is a Senior Journalist and Author recently on a visit to Somaliland. To read more, click or visit this URL : http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/magazine/?id=5660

Re-emergence of 26 June Celebration. Is there a new Pan Somalism sentiment?

Fikirka Xorta ah ( USA) - It is said many times, in so many ways that Somaliland people are not only forgiving but have the highest tolerance among the Somali Ethnic population in the East Africa/Horn of Africa.

This argument was (again) in part of a debate I read and heard in this weekend. A heated discussion took us in a roller coaster off topic longer then usual Somali way of exchanging ideas with passion and counter argument with vengeance. The forum of the debate was mainly secret and exclusive members only email group that has a somewhat forwarded and clear name of "Sons of Somaliland" but usually go by (among themselves) "Concerned to Prevent" or "Almost Genocide".

The group mostly debate about the current political, social and economic situation of Somaliland and neighboring countries. Daily topics change depending on the headlines and current events, but half of the time is usually devoted to sort through reports and researches assigned to different teams.

One particular team has just concluded their finding on a "possibility of war with Somalia" scenario that was assigned a month earlier. Policy recommendations and guidelines for the government were eloquently delivered. Separate high secret implementation points/plans that were for members only were dissected and distributed with the usual full warning (reminding the group the bonds that tie their fate together).

After going through the motions, it is time to open the forum for discussion. Because of the timing and the news coming out of Somaliland, the topic of the day was chosen to be the 26 June and most members have naturally agreed to examine and express their opinion.

Several News agencies reports about the subject were posted. One of the headlines read in Somali "Madaxtooyada Somaliland oo looga debbaal degay 26 Juun markii u horraysay in ka badan 17 sannadood." Basicly that Somaliland President allowed the celebration of the 26 June for the first time in more then 17 years in the Presidential Palace.

Within minutes you can feel the reaction of some people. This subject has touched the nerve or the core existence of this secret association. Even though the debate was about the 26 June, the current Somaliland Administration and UCID Party of Somaliland that had, also, hosted similar celebration event for the day in question, received the wrath of the majority of the members.

The President and the UCID Party were accused of confusing the population by resurrecting June 26 Day to diminish the importance of May 18 (The contemporary Somaliland Day). Both were criticized for not having clear objectives and obvious message to Somaliland people except pleasing a particular interest group that may vote for them in the next election. Kulmiye Party of Somaliland has somehow escaped the blame and got praised couple of times by some members.

The direction this dialogue was going was very concerned to the current discussion mediators. Because this particular group (in their Bylaws) has already agreed to put aside any partisan and personal political issues, they were worried that the fervor may exacerbate to uncontrollable different level that is contrary to the objective of the group. The Mediators have tried to steer the discussion from blame to solution. They have eventually succeeded to reach an agreement on points to follow up with assigned team. But boy, this has opened a Pandora Box.

The fragility of the Somaliland Political Institutions that can't withstand the political manipulation by the current administration and some what less intense but equal out come by UCID party was clear to all members. The question that disturbed the emotions of those participants was; is there a new Pan Somalism Sentiment that would disrupt the lives of Somalilanders and would have the muscle to threaten the State itself?

No one had the real answer and for the next month and so every member will still ponder the question until they do their own research or get the report back from the team assigned to do so. But the reality is that the politicians from Somalia proper as well as Somaliland ones from time to time use or evoke the subject of Somali nationalism depending on their short political gain of the year. Never knowing, or worrying about how this will play in the general population. Or even never have the clue that some nutzo/wacko but effective and right minded groups exist. Those groups may call or may not call themselves names such as "Concerned to Prevent" but they are watching politicians' moves and digesting their motives with counter measure that you would never expect from a Somali group.

The way this group is organized, funded and managed is beyond my wildest imaginations. Somalis usually love to talk with less action, but this group and their secretive below the radar activities is what had amazed me personally. Writing this about them would, I'm sure, damage my relationship with them. it would also result limited access to the participation of their most sensitive discussions in the future. But, hey, who could resist sharing such an interesting piece of information with his audience.

Enough said about the group, what about the rest of the Somali people? Is 26 June relevant to today's political climate? What would Somalis gain/loose if they totally forget about 26 June? How would this affect the patriotism sentiment and or nationalists' feeling? And most of all;
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Is Pan Somalism dead or a threat to Somaliland existence? Why all of a sudden 26 June is important to some people? Share your thoughts with the readers.

Why Current President and his Adminsitration are failing Somaliland?

Fikirka Xorta ah - Well, to begin with Somaliland is in a political cross road. The only positive news is that the members of the Diaspora elite are going back to participate: the upcoming elections by declaring their candidacy, economic boom by investing huge needed capital along with new ideas, and by bringing their foreign born children to teach them about the culture.

On the other hand, the country is in one of the worst drought ever recorded. Average citizen is struggling to survive with less. There are no jobs. No humanitarian relief and support in sight or coming from outside world. Which made people uneasy about the future.

The Country is also in an election mood. Some of the politicians are gearing up to exploit their weak and frail constituents by; adopting clan tactics, bribes and empty promises.

Instead of waiting the rain season to make any big decision, however, the current government has, also, chosen to add more fuel to the fire by redistricting the land and creating more regions along clan and tribal allegiances.

This government action will have the potential to create more competition among clans. It will damage the peoples already fragile trust about their government. It is, or will be seen by future historians, one of the worst legacies the current administration would be leaving behind.

Such actions would clearly demonstrate the failed policies this administration has adopted lately. It emphasizes how Rayale, instead of providing services that ease the hardship of citizens’ daily lives; when they needed the most by coming up plans that craft more healing and unity, has chosen to utilize divisions and fear mongering way of ruling.

The 'clan Politics" is the most distractive force that has destroyed our brethren Somalis in Mogadishu. The Current Administration is playing with fire.

Off course, some would agree that there are areas that would benefit a separate administrative regions because of their population density and rapid growth of their cities such as Gabiley. But doubling the entire country's regions from 6 to 12 without years of study and a budget to hire new civil servants, buy equipments and dissect plans to manage these regions will eventually be confusing to an already devastated and traumatized nation.

A contributor to a Somali website that is usually critical to Somaliland's existence got it part write this week in his Ed/Op article titled, "Rayaale has got his sums wrong again". The article went further explaining the reasons why the government is wrong and the bad consequences that will follow. Click here to read the article: http://www.somalipressreview.com/view.php?articleid=328

The Somaliland Administration’s management style has focused lately in only one area: How to divide and rule clans? How to master the clan politics to further advance the current leadership’s quest to remain power? How to exploit the meager resources of the nation?

Local papers are reporting that some Somaliland Ministers are abusing the public offices by accepting bribes and making deals with foreign corrupt companies. Take a look at the Somaliland Times’ coverage and “detailed facts” about the actions of the Minister of Minerals and Natural Resources of Somaliland: http://www.somalipressreview.com/view.php?articleid=328

Contrary to what is happening inside Somaliland, the world has been looking at this poor nation a better keen eye that it has long deserved. There are 'highly visible' delegates coming from superpower nations. There are new voices added to the call for making Somaliland a member of the “international community”. US, mainly interested, of course, the port of Berbera, is leading the way. Even though The Somaliland government is tight lipped and refused to elaborate the nature of the deal it made with the US Government, sources close to the administration is painting a somewhat positive picture; the only encouraging report so far.

The outside world is watching and the reputation of Somaliland and the "credit" that it has built over the years as a transparent, democratic, and multiparty system above clan lines are in jeopardy, if not already damaged. The current Administration has created mess and every step forward it makes; unfortunately, it makes two backward steps with dire consequences.

It is time for change! We can no longer accept what is happening to the nation and the administration is loosing whatever little vision of leadership it has mastered in the past. To survive and move forward; New leadership! New blood! And new vision! Is what Somaliland needs.

Change is necessary, but, how could we make a smooth transition while preserving our peace and stability? Share your say with our readers.