JEDDAH, 26 December — Somalis in the Kingdom yesterday gave their mixed response on the peace accord which was signed by the transitional government and some of its opponents in Nakuro, Kenya. Some of them said it was a breakthrough, while others said it was full of tortuous twist in searching for peaceful settlement to the crisis of Horn of Africa country.
"This long-awaited announcement of peace pact between the transitional government and warlords is a major step toward a lasting peaceful settlement in war-torn Somalia," said Dr. Said Adan Abdulle, an orthopedic consultant at Abuzinadah Hospital in Jeddah.
Ahmed Bihi, executive manager of a trading company, said, "the Somali people are afraid of this conference’s new wave of hatred and renewed fighting."
Muhammad Gheelle, a computer programmer, said, "those warlords, who boycotted the gathering, have close ties with Ethiopia. Obviously, Addis Ababa has dictated them to boycott the gathering."
The two sides agreed to renounce violence as a means of settling political differences, and to ensure cooperation with international community in the eradication of terrorism. The signatories will ask the Somali parliament to increase the number of its own members and of the council of ministers within a month.
"The meeting was a step forward to a comprehensive peace deal. I hope that all politicians, who have not attended the peace talks, will join the process of national reconciliation," said Dr. Abdulle. But Bihi has another view.
He said, "Every Somali national would like to see a united government with a full representation. But that cannot come from conferences where a group of friends meets and chats. Most probably, these people were after the accommodation and food in the 5-star hotels in Nairobi." He said that the peace talks were a failure before they began. Bihi went on to say that "most of Somali people have no hope at all."
Prominent warlords who boycotted the talks included the strongman in south-central region of Bay, Hassan Muhammad Shatigudud, South Mogadishu warlord Hussein Aidid, Muse Sudi Yallahow, who controls some areas in the capital city, and Abdullahi Yusuf of autonomous region in the northeastern region.
"Somali people are tired of the deception and rhetoric of the warlords. They take orders from Addis Ababa, who dictated their absence in talks," Gheelle said. "Ethiopia’s desire is how to disintegrate Somalia into mini-states that are weak and subject to external manipulation and pressure. Therefore, Ethiopia’s relations with Somali warlords could only undermine efforts to restore peace and normalcy in war-ravaged country."
