Alsharq Al Awsat gets things wrong on Somalia
The international London based, Alsharq Al Awsat newspaper, released a report (1.8.2010 edition) on an alleged 'Secret memo' which it claimed had been signed by President Sheikh Sharif of the TFG in Cairo. The memo was supposed to have been written by a group of Somali religious scholars at the request of the TFG, and suggested that the TFG should negotiate with Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups without informing any western countries. The alleged memo claimed that although the western countries offer material aid and moral support to Somalia, their involvement in Somalia affairs made the process of reconciliation with the opposition more difficult. The memo claimed that "most opposition forces do not trust” western nations and this is why they were not prepared to stop fighting the TFG or prepared to join it. It suggests that bringing the opposition closer is more important than the support given by western countries. The memo therefore suggests the TFG should ally itself with the Arab League and with Islamic States notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Sudan, and consult with them before taking any new political initiative. It goes on to raise issues related to Somaliland and Puntland and the question of unity of Somalia, and calls on the TFG to refrain from diplomatic relations with countries that have any security and political relations with those two administrations. It also calls for the revival of the concept of “Greater Somalia”, and in reference to the agreement between Ahlu Suna wal Jama’a and the TFG, it even alleges that Ahlu Suna opposes efforts of the TFG to negotiate with any other opposition groups.
Not surprisingly, the TFG has quickly identified this piece of cheap propaganda as a fictitious document. Indeed, this bogus "Strategy Memo" is similar to other forged documents issued in the past. It is not even worth comment except to underline that it is an entirely fabricated document; and as a statement from the TFG underlined, neither the TFG nor the Somali President had anything to do with it at all.
The fabrication of such a document, of course, raises a question as to why it has been drawn up and released at this time. One reason, presumably, is that it was intended to create a rift within the TFG leadership established after the agreement between Ahlu Suna wal Jama’a and the TFG on 15th March. Another has been to try to create suspicion between the TFG and its partners on the ground fighting against the scourge of terrorism. Thirdly, it appears intended to create misunderstandings between the region and those in the Gulf countries who have been trying to assist the TFG and the people of Somalia to make progress against terrorism.
It’s clear from the outset that these aims will not succeed. Such cheap propaganda isn’t going to deter IGAD, the AU or the international community from doing whatever is necessary to ensure success in Somalia. This has been underlined in the last few days indeed as the TFG and Ahlu Suna wal Jama’a have been involved in a round of discussions in Addis Ababa, following an earlier meeting in Mogadishu in April. The meeting was to evaluate the progress made in implementation of their historic agreement on 15th March. The discussions, 13th -18th August, agreed on the consolidation of administrative units in areas controlled by them, and on further efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab on the ground, including the mobilisation of their human and material resources for joint operations in various parts of the country. The meeting was also attended by the new UN SRSG, Ambassador Mahiga, the IGAD Facilitator for Somalia Peace and Reconciliation and representatives from the AU Commission. The TFG delegation, composed of seven ministers was led by Defence Minister, Dr. Abubakr Osman, while Ahlu Suna’s nine-member delegation was led by Sheikh Mohamed Hefow, Chairperson of Ahlu Suna’s Executive Committee.