| The vice chairman of ESDF congratulates president Abdi Mohamud Omar, by Zakariye M. Omar Ugas |
I would like to take this apportunity to congratulate both the Federal Goverment of Ethiopia and government of the somali regional state for their successful 4th general election victory this year. As 1st Vice-Chairman, I congratulate you on behalf of the Ethiopian Somali Diaspora Forum in the United Kingdom(ESDF-UK) and in my Personal Capacity as an Ethiopian Citizen. Please accept our best regards as we wish you many happy returns for yourselves and for the Country in years to come.
I would also like to stress my appreciation of the commendable deeds by the organizations participating in the Peace Negotiations. One can not do without mentioning the role played by UWSLF and the extent to which it contributed positively into the peace process which is considered not only remarkable but hugely impressive by any standards as well. Apparently they clicked and connected with all sections of society in the regional state, smoothly and with such an ease. The ONLF factions are most welcome too, as they have rightly opted to pursue their objectives in a peaceful manner.
Although negotiations between the government and the ONLF factions seem to be at an early stage now, we understand that the process is smooth and in progress. This talks should hopefully bear positive results, sooner rather than later, Insha Allah. Sadly all my above mentioned euphoria starts to dissipate when I realise and think about the ONLF contingency which todate remains outside the perimeters of the peace process.
I believe, we are in no position to consider ourselves to have come out of the woods yet, unless we succeed in bringing the remaining groups to the negotiations table.Here both the government and the ONLF could help easing any existing deadlocks that obstructed the commencement of the peace process in the past. As a matter of fact, both sides know it very well, that the only way forward, to resolve this tragic situation is by means of peacefull negotiations.
Having said that, nowadays, as the intensity of violence begins to subside gradually, in the somali regional state we seem to detect in Jigjiga some positive party politics, the transfer of power from one adminstration to another always proved to be somewhat cumbersome if not hazardous at times.
Not this time! Not at all! We saw this time some amazing pictures about the events in the power transfer. Two young men, the president-elect mr Abdi Mahamud Omar, and the former president mr Da’ud Mahamed Ali, holding hands in jubilation. The sight was truely heart warming. Politics has finally come to the somalistate of ethiopia, albeit some degree of latency,anyway, good things come to those who wait for it.
Indeed we have waited long enough to deserve some feel-good-factor in our regional state in the form of good political windfall. But good politics, in turn calls for a sound and well planned economic and social development strategy where people are made to feature as its main beneficiaries. Moreover it is imperative to establish and develop robust institutions to serve effectively in the best interest of the general public, Institution that are free from corruption malpractice, favouratism and the chronic excesses of the pervasive somali clan maladies.
Finally to create healthy and vibrant society requires the promotion and observation of some basic democratic values and principles and respect for human rights. Needless to say these principles, values and rights are all firmly enshrined in our constitution. All we need to do is respect and promote them. In conclusion, i would like you to share with me, the following prayer:
‘’O’ Allah! Give us the strength to change
What can possibly be changed.
The courage to accept and live with
What can’t be possibly changed.
and the wisdom to distinguish the
one from the other. Amin’’
By Zakariye Mohamed Omar Ugas
1st Vice-Chairman
Ethiopian Somali Diaspora Forum
omar.hussein2010@yahoo.com |
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