Volume 4

Number 1

The African Star

An on-line publication for the certificate  and degree  in journalism distance education program

 

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An analysis of the conflict between the opposition forces and the Somali Transitional Federal Government

 Mohamed Mire Ahmed

East African University

Puntland
 

The capital of Somalia Mogadishu hasn’t had a single night of peace, stability and with out the noise of open fire between two or more gunmen, since January 1991, which was the collapse date of last Somalia government.

 In early 1991 the biggest issue of conflict was the search of Presidential post done by warlords Aideed & Ali Mahdi, the second conflict was the increase of warlords that divided sub-clan fiefdoms.

 The third phase of Somali conflict was warlords joined together to stand against , the Arta Government formed in Djibouti, which they finally forced to cease functioning in capital Mogadishu.

 The fourth phase Somali Transitional Federal government landed Baidoa, this phase resulted the increase of oppositional parties of Transitional Federal Government, which captured Somali capital of Mogadishu, aimed to strongly find Negotiation point since they control capital of Mogadishu.

 The fifth phase was the wars that lasted 5 months, raised by Islamic Courts, this group of Islamists attracted the public eye of Somalia, especially the southern part of the country. Since they brought clam situation in capital Mogadishu and fought all the warlords that retaliated security of the capital and its residents in the last 16 years. Unfortunately they started wars against Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopia, who originally recognized as Terrorism. And finally collapsed after wars they had with TNG and Ethiopia.

 The sixth phase was the entrance of federal Government and Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu, and all the government officials finally agreed to start working in the capital, but the government faced resistance groups and some times heavy wars against the government troops and Ethiopians as well.

 The important Question to mention is, who are the resistance groups fighting with the government? What are objectives of these groups? Do they have same objectives or they have different objectives, but joined to fight against TNG? Who are their leaders? What is role of both collapsed warlord and Islamic Courts in this war?

All these questions and many others are making busy on the heads Somali politicians and international community, who desire to revive the country of Somalia.

 It is clear that these opposition groups don’t have monotonous political aims and objectives, so after we observe the flow of motion in Mogadishu we can realize that these oppositions contain following groups:

1.      The former warlords, that worn clan slogans, and demand opportunity to regain their previous power and against the government.

2.      Islamic courts that started gorilla resistance, after they failed the strategic war between them and the TNG backed by Ethiopian troops.

3.      Private companies, used to print illegally Notes of Somali shilling, which are against national government. And remember the wealthy they have gained during the anarchy situation.

4.      Drug dealer companies that plant drugs in the area of Merca, who will never allow any government and return of law and order.

5.      Foreign interventions, like Ethiopia, Eritrea, Arab league and American Government that Bombed Southern border between Somalia and Kenya and claimed Terrorism groups have sheltered the Area.

All these groups have activities in Mogadishu and will never allow the Government to settle down and control the country. At the same time these groups will not inter open war against the TNG, but will shoot in the most populated areas of the capital due to their military incapability, this is also disaster to the community life in Mogadishu because they will be the victims of war that die, when both sides  open fire.