The pursuit of a Utopian State is not a priority for Somalia right now

Al Shabaab has done it again. They killed some more people today. For them, the end justifies the means. It doesn’t matter how many innocent people, Muslims or otherwise, get killed. For as long as their goal is to establish an Islamic Khalifate, then anything and everything even the most reprehensible is lawful for them. In their neo-Kharijite interpretation of Islam, anybody who espouses a different opinion other than theirs is an apostate. I wish they had left it there. But, they don’t. They have now perfected the art of killing the so called apostates and of course, their ‘sympathizers’.

Which makes me wonder whether the African Union troops are indeed sympathisers or there to keep the peace. Yes, that elusive peace that Somalis haven’t known for close to two decades. In fact, we have a whole generation that has grown up in Somalia in the post ’91 era that do not know how that much sought after commodity looks like. To them, peace probably is a myth that is found in some ancient fables. It is for this lot that the African Union, and indeed IGAD, is concerned for.

However, the would have been saviours of Somalia are sadly being seen as invaders. Key of the groups that do not see eye to eye with the AMISOM troops is al Shabaab. Al Shabaab thinks that no one should stop them in their attempts at arrogating themselves the powers to lord over Somalis. They obviously, and rightly so, do not have any justifications for their actions. If, indeed, theirs was a holy one, then what do we make of the other militant groups espousing Islam, as well? Who, between al Shabaab, Hizb ul Islam and Ahl al Sunnah wal Jamaa, is based on the correct Islamic approach? With so much diversity of ideology, who are the real Muslims and who aren’t? And, does that make Sheikh Sharif an apostate?

Anyway, if indeed al Shabaab had their way, and for some reason brought all Somalis under an oppressive regime, for theirs is a clearly misinterpreted version of my Islam, what would happen to the other groups? Would they stop the killings and wanton destruction, for salvation has finally come? In my opinion, they wont. Because, each faction thinks the other is wrong and that theirs is the only correct way. It is for this reason that Somalis need to ask themselves, those who benignly or out rightly support these militias, whether the actions of these groups are acceptable.

If, ultimately, the victory of al Shabaab would not translate to peace for Somalis, then why don’t they, beginning from now, seek other methods that would make Somalia more secure and peaceful? Supposing that that eventuality becomes true, would it be good for Somalia? Wouldn’t the international community treat Somalia as a pariah state? Would that be good for ordinary Somalis?

Luckily, alternatives abound. It doesn’t necessarily need to be achieved by the barrel of a gun. And, the earliest Somalis dissuaded anyone from taking arms, either against the current government or other equally armed groups, the better. It is for that reason that I support the largely powerless government of Sheikh Shariff. The least that Somalia needs right now is an armed group that isn’t there to keep the peace but, rather, make it even more elusive.

Somalis need to think of the post ’91 generation, and for their sake, make Somalia a safe and secure country. Somalis also need to think of how to establish state institutions and remove Somalia from the unenviable position of being the world’s worst failed state. Doesn’t the fact that Somalia performs poorly on almost all human developmental indicators prick the conscious of these militias and their supporters?

Ironically, the same group that thinks that the worst enemy of Somalia, and of course Islam, is the West forgets that Somalia entirely depends on the West for her survival, directly or indirectly. Save for the dogged Somali businesspeople, the rest of the population are either already in the West, eking a living there, or entirely depend on humanitarian institutions largely funded from the West, for their livelihood. Even among the businesspeople, it is arguable the proportion that truly made money without any relationship with the West. Thus, for this reason, besides the keeping of peace, they need to be ashamed and put down their arms. Somalia can not afford any more bloodshed.

Also, Somalia can only compete with her neighbours, some of whom are her own sworn enemies, by having a strong government. Such a strong government can only be achieved once all militias, whether justified in their cause or not, put down their arms. And, in the pursuit of a Utopian State, the perpetrators of the never ending carnage should remember that, once their goal is achieved, they would need a well educated labour force. Indeed, all kinds of professionals are needed in Somalia now and in future. The bottom-line, therefore, is that Somalia can only be brought back to the civilised world once the guns are put down, especially the ones against the government. Somalis need to remember that the government needs not be perfect for it to be effective and supported. They need to concentrate only on the strengths of the existing government, while trying to build on its weaknesses.