12/02/06
Farhan Aynte - Nairobi, Kenya    

In Somalia, we have been witnessing over the past several Months a new power is emerging in South & Central zonal. The situation has taken further Twist with victory of Islamic Union Court's. when long-standing fight between Islamist courts and greedy War-lords who appointed themselves "The Alliance for Restoration of Peace and Counter Terrorism (ARPCT) , beck up by US . few days of hard battle street, the Islamist had defeated the claimed war-lords, then fled the City to elsewhere in country. Islamist Courts received more popular support from any aspect of the local community and continued to control large amount of territory in way they defied even their expectation, not only have they pacified one of the most dangerous Cities in the world, they also seem to have moderated their message. Shortly Afterwards, the Islamist Courts formulate themselves some sort of structure, perhaps, government body. Islamists seem to be trying to increase public support by softening their views, at least officially, organizing street cleanup, hopefully, preparing democratic election. Beyond that, they sent a latter to United Nation pledging to support democratic rule. Whatever the case, Islamic Union Courts have restored peace, stability, Law & order. Within a weeks, Mogadishu's port and Airport, which had been essentially closed for more then a decade, were opened for business which would be also lead them another key success for its legacy. They have established themselves as main force in Somalia political struggle. Islamist leader are operating almost in campaign mode, visiting schools, banning public cinemas, but, boys are allowed to play soccer, girls can go schools, overseeing a mini building boom, recruiting elderly policemen to don faded uniforms that they have not worn for years and return to works.

Despite the dramatic change, they utterly accepted to negotiate with current limping transitional federal government in Khartum. The Khartum government had a clear objective to this meeting which was to shore up the government by providing a meeting to set down by face-to-face base with ICU, presumably re-unifying both side, or at least to come over each group way out which they can contribute to the country. In fact, Sudan government had played enormous role, and express its withstanding to support Somali people as neutralize partner.. Obviously, they will look at what has had happen upon their treaty and what needs to be done again. Moreover, they captured along coast of Kismayu, as peacemakers as they quoted with no conflict. Actually , Kismayu was to be consider the second largest seaport after Mogadishu, and it was strategic point for TFG on landing African peacekeeping troops into Somalia. So that, Islamists were afraid the city might be use that strategy. Perhaps, it might be one step forward for its power. However, TFG is getting more recognize then ICU at international level. But, apparently they failed to save the country and brought beck law & order to country. Indeed, the government was not established Somalis people, it's a government that founded non-Somalis, and that is where the TFG has hampered to move the rest of the country.

United State Of America, the most dominate power in the world, have deep concerns over the advancing courts in the country. A few day after dominating much of throughout Mogadishu. Bush Administration announce that it will convene an international meeting to discuss political development in Somalia. The Group had duped "International Contact Group", lead by United State it self bottom up Tanzania. State Department spokesman Mr. McCormark said, the group will promote concerted action and coordination to support current government {head by Abdulahi Yusuf}. Since then, United State remains anxious about the prospect of growth fundamental Islamic ideology and they were skeptical quite time that there is growing Al-Qeade inside Somalia and continues to assert that Islamist are sheltering Al-Qeada terrorist. Indeed, some of high ranked persons were on the top of its list of searching terrorist in CIA. The suicide attack against Interim president Mr. Abdualahi Yusuf, in Baido on last Monday only reinforce that suspicion, though ICU side had clearly deny any involvement in that assassination. On other hand, Mr. Sheikh Sharif, chairman of ICU had strongly oppose any harboring of Al-Qeada members in early interview with IrinNews told: These are false accusations. During the fighting with the faction leaders any foreigners fighting with us would have been apparent. The Somali people are distinctive people and any outsider would stand out in the crowd .

What Does Islamic Courts Wants!

When people talk about Islamist Courts today they inevitably mention its unique and phenomenon power. If you look at any gathering today anywhere in Somalis people, Islamist courts are on the top issue. Webrelief.org is broad-based website mainly focusing on Humanitarian affairs posted its Website that this group of Islamist Courts has brought relatively peace to the country. They also underlined the major failure for the War-lords gained. They reported, it doesn't matter if its black cat or white cat, "as long as it can catch the mice, its good cat". Regardless, its ideology or radicalism. We have to consider the suffering people who live desperately. Almost 1.5 Million people are in need for food, shelter. So that, as Humanitarian workers we have to think about how can we access into that people. It was a couple weeks ago, 9/9/2006 on Saturday, when Humanitarian assistance resume into Mogadishu after long time absent, and some of international staff including Humanitarian coordinator in Somalia, Mr. Eric Laroch, along side with some of Nordics counters notably Norway the 3 largest donor in Somalia have landed at Mogadishu International Airport. They promised that they will resuming its implementation assistance projects. Nevertheless, this development may provide a desperately needed window of opportunity with greater and safety access.

Mr. Shikh Sharif Ahmed, head of Islamic Courts Union, who gave early a conclusive interview with IrinNew.org told: it's possible that the structure of any government is not all that important, but what is important is that it gives the people what they want; that is based in justice, is broad-based and effective. And he added, that is what we think is important for the country. No doubt, we saw some signs on that commitment, even though, we do not adopt all of its properly.

Inevitably, the growth of Islamist looms for some people who do not want to join the revolution, neither the new era. I hope, you would not assume war even conflict, but merely to note that there is likely to be tension between radical Islamist & secularist.

A recent interview give Mr. Hassan Dahir Awees widely popular reading Magazine Al-sharqul-Awsat and now publish at hiiraan.com said; we want to have sort of government body without having to endure bureaucracy and routine, and build up the circle of Shura (Consultation in Islam) and to widen for the people to be asked their opinion in all matters concerning them.

He also acknowledge the existing of Transitional Federal Government and willingness to incorporate with them. He pressed, after fascinating question which was; will the president be safe in Mogadishu? He responded; we publicly and officially vow that they will not be harmed.

It shows another positive signs for their dedication to approach everywhere they could reach out, even, at personal level. Many of my colleagues told me their perception towards this new era; " we have seen over the last decade efforts for the International community want to recreate and to build genuine government outside the country, non of those attempts had pass through. Unlike to this one, no effort from the International community is being made, no International conferences were held, its a new era, a era of peace.

International community had reacted different views, some were relatively good responded and positive action including Gulf Arab. They offered support to help them both technically and financial aspect in order to have international relation. Some delegates from ICU were recently visited to Libya as they received an official invitation from Col: Qaddfi, among those Shikh Sharif, Mr. Awees as they were representing the two forum of Islamic courts comprised. it was another viable step ahead, towards international relationship.

There are many who criticize Islamist Courts path, because of its mutual policy, which went through dramatic transformation. They argue that Islamist were not using appropriate manner in terms of political maneuver and leadership. They making early predication, that Islamist no longer to exist. Some are saying, this cannot last, they will crash, they couldn't keep up this way. So far, non of this prognosis has come true. While, Islamist are facing internal problem on the side of leadership, lack of functional legal institutions, poor of sufficient resource, off course, lack of human resource and many others.

The recent ceremony of the handover of the entire Lower Shabble region, which was held Afgoi 30Miles inland, on 30the Sep, granted another milestone for the safety and salvaging dozen of people who live that region under-condition. The Daily Nation one of the most popular Magazine here in Nairobi, publish on article titled " Notorious leader give up him self" meant that from today, there will no suspicion at all, it drew some pictures and diagrams indicating that the cohesiveness of all Somali people. We don't want to create inequality, nor disproportionate, all we want is that full participation on the rebuilding process at every level. Quoted one of respected elder in Afogi.

There is general feeling which indicating that biasing some of war-lords who suppose to be eliminated as they did, are still remain on board. Obviously, this kind of tension could be critical in some way, but ICU are up to them to tackle through its diplomacy. But, of all those alleged ICUs would make good progress.

No doubt, its deserve much credit for its ability and manage the country's development. Their emerging power is based on the example of their own model, and the strength of their power. I guess, Islamist do want to occupy a territory with out clear objective and clear mandate. But, the facts the matter is that, they are nearly controlling 70perecent of the entire country.