DDS Officials Visit to Europe and the Diaspora Reception-Analysis
Its historic visit or is it? The current visit of DDS officials in Europe has created quite some excitement in the Somali State Diaspora community, both the pro-government and the Opposition. Whether they are in Europe, in the Scandinavian, or in North America, the Diaspora community was engaged in a lively heated debate since the first day the DDS officials led by Abdifatax Sheikh Abdullahi, head of the ruling party SPDP, landed in Stockholm, Sweden. Before the DDS officials left the country, they were not sure what to expect from the Diaspora community. They had some serious reservation and some were even fearful of the encounter. The Diaspora community was also divided: the opposition was up in arms and even went as far as calling for their heads, while the majority was confused and didn’t know what to do. They were absorbed in self debate; whether to meet or not to meet with these officials. The majority were willing to listen but didn’t want to give the impression of supporting what some believed were irresponsible and deficient leaders. Both sides were hopeful of the encounter but didn’t have any clue how it will play out or the outcome. On the other side, were the Ethiopian embassies in Stockholm, Sweden and London, working tirelessly to host conferences and meetings between the communities and the officials without any embarrassments. The goal of the trip was first and foremost, to expose the DDS officials to both their critics and supporters. The second goal was to engage, inform and win the hearts and souls of the Diaspora community which has significant impact on the Somali regional government-socially and politically. The third goal was to open and create a doubt in the minds of the Diaspora community about the ONLF, an armed group currently engaged in the region.
As it turned out, the trip was very successful. The Diaspora community was engaged and participated beyond the expectation of both the organizing Ethiopian embassies and the visiting DDS officials. Both the DDS officials and the embassies were pleasantly surprised with the overwhelming participation, and support of the Diaspora. The Diaspora community engaged fiercely the DDS officials but their engagement were professional, and civil. They put forth their ideas and suggestion. They were critical but it was constructive criticisms. On the other side, the DDS officials were prepared. The presented the region in away the Diaspora community was not expecting. The most surprising aspect and perhaps the major reason they won the hearts and minds of the Diaspora community, was that they didn’t run away from their shortcomings. They took responsibility, they accepted blame and they didn’t always make a rosy picture of the region or exaggerate to the extent where they could undermine their credibility. In short, they didn’t back down from challenging the Diaspora community but they didn’t act innocent either. They were direct and forthright with the Diaspora community. They challenged the Diaspora community to participate in the development of the region and they accepted the challenge to govern the region wisely and effectively and grow up as leaders from petty politics.
A completely new environment emerged from this trip. The Diaspora community emerged from this experience with new perspective and enthusiasm toward the Somali state. The DDS leaders were delighted with the experience. Their perception about the Diaspora have changed as one of them explains to me, “ I had my doubts and didn’t know what to expect. But honestly, none of us imagined the kind of support, appreciation, admiration directed at us. People asked tough question but did so in a respectful manner. Waxaan dareemay ilbaxnimada dadka qurbaha jooga runtii hadaan kula kaftamo. They really care about the region and they want us to govern well, they want to support us. That is all they were asking us, which is all they were telling us, govern well, work hard for your people and wishing us do well. My thinking has changed about the Diaspora community.” Indeed, both sides thinking and attitude toward each other has changed. The same was true about the participants from the Diaspora side. Their attitude has changed as demonstrated by one of the participants of the London meeting explained to me this way. “My expectation was not great initially and I was very reserved. But I warmed up to them in the question and answer session. They were honest and truthful in their answers. They didn’t pretend things that didn’t exist. I think they knew that people were aware of what was going on in the region so they didn’t try to exaggerate things. Cabdifatah looked presidential in my opinion. He appears very smart and intelligent. He was very eloquent in his presentation. He looked a real leader in my eyes and it gave me reassurance about the region. After all they are not all terrible or horrible whatever you want to call them. Cabdi Iley didn’t appear as eloquent in his talking but he appeared honest and truthful. He appears some who is nationalist, someone who really cares about the region and is ready to whatever is necessary to fight those causing insecurity in the region. He doesn’t appear to be an apologist to the ONLF or its supporters and I liked that. To me, I didn’t see what I read about him who was someone who is crazy, blood thirsty or murderer. The only thing peharps I sensed was may be someone who doesn’t deliberate often on his decisions ama fudayd yar.”
There was one obvious looser in this trip, the ONLF and its supporters. They miscalculated initially and widely over reacted in Stockholm. Their attack on an innocent participant in the first meeting in Stockholm generated a great deal of debate, controversy and condemnation. It emboldened many and discredited the ONLF and its supporters in the eyes of many. In other words, it turned off many. The Ethiopian embassies also shut off the ONLF and its supporters and completely neutralized whatever impact they would have in the discussion. A telling story was the 20 or so ONLF supporters demonstrating in front of the Ethiopian embassy in London and the more than 300 people who flocked to the embassy to participate in the meetings. It was very clear that after the Stockholm incident, very few ONLF supporter and sympathizers wanted to participate or engage in demonstration. This was very surprising and was contrary to the expectation of many including the DDS officials who feared some ugly scenes out of the ONLF camp.
There is no question the DDS official’s trip to Europe was beyond successful. It has achieved more than the desired goals and it has opened the channels of communication. It has also given a much needed good will and unexpected support to the DDS government at the moment. It is not a vote of confidence but it has given the DDS officials and the Da’ud administration a much needed window in which they can cultivate the trust and earn the confidence of the Diaspora community to fully participate and peacefully engage the development of the Somali regional state. What is to be seen is whether this was a one time public relation on the part of the DDS and whether they are seriously willing to govern and govern effectively. The Somali Diaspora communities have higher standard for governing because of their experience living in well governed societies and will most likely deploy a show me first attitude. They will need convincing and it will take time before they flock into the region and invest their hard earned money, but, I believe, the first obstacle of suspicion has been broken. This was a great idea from the Da’ud administration, a decision which took gut and determination. But, it should be an opportunity not wasted. The Da’ud administration should continue this marketing of the region to the Diaspora community, but, above all, it should do the hard part-governing, and governing effectively. That will be the ultimate marketing of the region to the Diaspora community, and the best tool to fight and disband the opposition.
Farhan Mohamud,
Kilil5 Online.
VOA 13pm GMT
IslamOnline
