"Africanization" of Somalia

[Murax]

It seems since 2007 with the Ethiopians and now AMISOM there has been a great effort to "Africanize" Somalia, and eliminate any links, ties between Somalia and its Muslim Neighbors across the seas. Personally I think this is a very dangerous phenomenon. Yes We are Africans, but Africa is the biggest continent on Earth. We are Muslims, and do not practice the Christianity/indigenous belief/voodo of our Ethiopian, Kenyan, Ugandan neighbors. I really fear for the Somali identity as people being lost in the common years, due to our fragmentation compounded with the geo political war for influence taking place over Somalia (Africans Vs Arabs)

[The_Emperior5]

bantus need to stay away from somalia, why cant somalia have muslim peacekeeping forces from arab islamic countries.

[Yareey]

Carabs love their life to much, but an African life is worth close to nothing!

[zidane88]

Arabs are the weakest link.

[Shirib]

Murax,

I don't think your theory holds much. Somali isn't being lost due to this

[zidane88]

Arabs are the weakest link.

[Voltage]

Nothing wrong with being Africanized bro, we are Africans and it is the Africans that have stepped up in ending the Somali problem. Long live Africa.

[Murax]

Nothing wrong with being Africanized bro, we are Africans and it is the Africans that have stepped up in ending the Somali problem. Long live Africa.

Voltage,

I don't think people send troops to other Nations out of the "goodness of their hearts". There are financial incentives for these Countries to deploy troops in Somalia. The moment these incentives are not available they will not be there. Only Somalis can end their conflict, and this has been proven time and again that intervention will not work.

[Voltage]

Wallahi I have looked at every possible scenerio to explain why Uganda stepped up so strongly and stays committed and I have to say it is more than money. After all, the same amount of money and support provided to Uganda would be provided to all other African countries who did step. I think Museveni genuinely wants to pacify Somalia and go down in history as an African legend who stepped up to end one of Africa's most protracted civil war. Burundi is the other country that stepped up and when this was all starting, the commander of the Burundi Armed Forces was testifying infront of the U.S. Congress and he said "when we wanted to build up our army, we had to call in Somali commanders and airforce pilots to train our troops and build our airforce up, as a result our president and we in Burundi feel indebted to the strong Somali state of Africa that existed and wish to help bring back that past for our brothers". I researched and it was true, Somalia is held in high regard all around there because Somalia when it was the strongest military power in sub-Saharan Africa was instrumental in the liberation struggles and nation building of all these African states. I can get you this testimony if you want.

Also do you not remember the article Thabo Mbeki wrote a while ago in which he said "Somalia was the only nation to provide direct support to us and the supplies brought in to support the ANC was also shipped from Somali ports".

For many years afterwards Mogadishu and Somalia remained in our memories as African places of hope for us, a reliable rear base for the total liberation of Africa, including our liberation from apartheid. Indeed, in later years, others of our comrades returned to Mogadishu, this time to work with the Somali government to prepare for the clandestine infiltration into South Africa of cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe [the military wing of ANC], who would travel to apartheid South Africa by sea, secretly departing from the Somali ports”

Arabs are our brothers in religion and shared culture and history, but we are African and one of Aabe Siyaad's greatest legacy is his avowed pan-Africanism that makes our name still special among the educated class of Africa.

[eyes-only]

It seems since 2007 with the Ethiopians and now AMISOM there has been a great effort to "Africanize" Somalia, and eliminate any links, ties between Somalia and its Muslim Neighbors across the seas. Personally I think this is a very dangerous phenomenon. Yes We are Africans, but Africa is the biggest continent on Earth. We are Muslims, and do not practice the Christianity/indigenous belief/voodo of our Ethiopian, Kenyan, Ugandan neighbors. I really fear for the Somali identity as people being lost in the common years, due to our fragmentation compounded with the geo political war for influence taking place over Somalia (Africans Vs Arabs)

Does that even make any sense? Does being Muslim compromise or reduce in anyway your African heritage or does being African limit your Muslim identity? There are probably more African Muslims than Arab Muslims. How can AMISOM or any other organisation for that matter eliminate Somalia's links with other countries? Links will always exist as long as there are mutual benefits to be enjoyed.

I think it would have made more sense if you had just said being a war torn country for over a decade is affecting our ties with our old allies or will affect the future shape of our diplomatic relations with our neighbours or anyone else for that matter since we won't be able to be on a level footing with them for a long time. But in any case, I don't think you can 'Africanize' an African since by definition one is already an African.

[nomadicwarlord]

Somalia is an African State that is also part of the African Union. It is necessary for AU to lead the mediation process wherever there is a conflict in the continent. AU is the only body that answered the call. The international community preferred peacekeepers in Somalia to come from predominantly Muslim countries and guess what, No Arab country stepped up to help their so called brother in need. Arab League is a defunct organization. At least Al-Qaeda answered the call and regards Somalia a "High Priority" for all the wrong reasons though.

[AsadSL]

"Africanization" of Somalia. I have to say one of the stupidest shit Ive ever read. Ask your self this question, Where is Somalia located? What does "African" mean to you. To be African doesn't mean to belong to one particular race ethnic or Linguistic. Yes we are African because Somalia is located in Africa..And no ones trying to turn us into Bantus we are clearly Cushtic and will remain that way.

[grandpakhalif]

I thought we were Africans, your title is a contradiction in it of itself.

[Twisted_Logic]

The baseness of the Somali mentality never ceases to amaze me. We are a society that never learns from its mistakes and has a very poor ability to discern its problems. Murux is simply continuing and reliving a retarded tradition that relies of heresy, lies and emotions to measure and understand the challenges and problems that afflict our people. It is this defective and stupid habit of relying on unsubstantiated claims that hinders any chance of remedying our national tragedy.

More than he worried about the very real Arabization and neo-colonialism of our people by forces that are driven by apocalyptic thugs with visions to rule Japan, Alaska and the Solomon Islands, more than he is worried about the endless teenage daughters of our country that are forcefully being married off to foreign jihadists, more than he is worried about the alarming radicalization and exploitation of our youth, more than he is worried about the transformation of Somalia into a Jihadist factory, more than he is worried about the abduction of our country by forces that deny our liberty, that burn our national flag and independence day celebrations, more than he is worried about the sickening suicide bombings that target and massacre our educated and enlightened people, MORE THAN ALL OF THIS, this vile creature is worried about the presence of 5000 AU troops that are limited to 3 installations- namely, Villa Somalia, the Airport and the Port. If this is not a tragic misplacement of priorities, then I don't know what it.

[Twisted_Logic]

Wallahi I have looked at every possible scenerio to explain why Uganda stepped up so strongly and stays committed and I have to say it is more than money. After all, the same amount of money and support provided to Uganda would be provided to all other African countries who did step. I think Museveni genuinely wants to pacify Somalia and go down in history as an African legend who stepped up to end one of Africa's most protracted civil war. Burundi is the other country that stepped up and when this was all starting, the commander of the Burundi Armed Forces was testifying infront of the U.S. Congress and he said "when we wanted to build up our army, we had to call in Somali commanders and airforce pilots to train our troops and build our airforce up, as a result our president and we in Burundi feel indebted to the strong Somali state of Africa that existed and wish to help bring back that past for our brothers". I researched and it was true, Somalia is held in high regard all around there because Somalia when it was the strongest military power in sub-Saharan Africa was instrumental in the liberation struggles and nation building of all these African states. I can get you this testimony if you want.

Museveni is one of the few African leaders that understand the history of Somalia as a champion of the African people, and it this understanding that instills in him and other African leaders with a firm responsibility to stand by the side of the Somali problem. I never tire to say, Somalia is lucky to have visionary and bold leaders like him at the helm. In an article on Hiiraan Online, he wrote:

The neighbouring countries and the AU also have a responsibility to the people of Somalia when dealing with these murderous groups.

If the internal forces are still in formation, it is the duty of Africa to stand with the Somali people. This is the experience of Africa in the last 50 years.

Understanding and acknowledging our true friends in this dire times in the history of our people will go along way in scaling back the conflict that plagues our country. Sadly, some people will rather cover their heads in the sand, and preach none sense.