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By Mohamud A. Ahmed – Cagaweyne
Eschew the Enticement of Hostility and Preserve Our Collective Destiny
In these critical times, I find it necessary to offer a solemn and impassioned caution to two prominent architects of our nation’s future, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and Dr. Abdirahman Mahdi Maaday, Chairman of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). These visionary leaders have altered the course of the Somali Region’s history, steering it toward unprecedented progress and self-determination. However, as history so often reminds us, even the most astute leaders can be ensnared in the complex web of political interests and external pressures that swirl within the intricate matrix of power. As our region arrives at a perilous crossroads, it is imperative that both leaders navigate the present with foresight and restraint, safeguarding the hard-earned achievements made thus far.
However, amidst the swirling torrents of political dialogue, one unassailable truth remains: the ONLF has consistently honored its peace accord with the federal government—an accord that Dr. Abiy Ahmed has upheld with commendable resolve. This accord, forged in the crucible of past strife, stands as a bulwark of peace, a pivotal foundation for the unprecedented progress that has taken root in the Somali Region. This once-fractured land, long weighed down by the chains of marginalization and conflict, has become a beacon of resilience, reconciliation, and renewal. While political meddling may have caused occasional tensions, including within ONLF itself, these disruptions have never threatened the very foundation of peace.
Under the sagacious leadership of both Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Dr. Maaday, the Somali Region has not merely recovered from the shadows of its turbulent history but has risen as a beacon of hope, resilience, and transformative governance. This resurgence, far-reaching in its implications, signals a new era not only for Ethiopia but for the entirety of the Horn of Africa. Their partnership, a testament to the boundless potential of visionary leadership, transcends the typical contours of political rivalry, embodying a rare alignment of purpose rooted in dialogue, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to the collective good. It stands as a powerful reminder that even the most deep-seated divisions can be reconciled when leaders rise above factionalism for the nation’s greater good.
However, history teaches us that the road to sustained progress is often fraught with peril. The extraordinary advancements we celebrate today are increasingly threatened by insidious forces seeking to unravel the fragile peace we have fought so hard to secure. These dark elements, many masquerading within our own ranks with seemingly legitimate intentions, harbor dubious motives. Others, more overt in their malevolence, desire nothing less than to see our nation engulfed in flames. In the face of such internal and external challenges, we must remain vigilant, lest we allow these malevolent actors to undo the hard-won gains that have brought us to this historic juncture.
Once erstwhile political adversaries and now political contenders within the evolving landscape of the Somali Region—where one helms the ruling Prosperity Party and the other spearheads the opposition—both Dr. Abiy and Dr. Maaday confront immense pressures from internal and external factions intent on destabilizing the tenuous equilibrium they have painstakingly constructed. These entities, exploiting historical grievances and political fissures, endeavor to ignite fresh tensions, capitalizing on divisions to undermine regional stability. Of particular concern is the escalating friction between the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the Prosperity Party, a dynamic that jeopardizes the hard-fought progress towards peace, autonomy, and effective governance. The specter of destabilization looms ominously, casting a pall not only over the Somali Region but also over Ethiopia’s southern corridor, which has thus far remained insulated from the devastation plaguing the northern regions. Should these forces remain unchecked, they possess the capacity to reverse the region’s strides toward peace, retraumatizing it into a cycle of conflict and fragmentation.
Under Dr. Abiy’s administration, the Somali Region has attained a degree of autonomy previously deemed unattainable. Whereas antecedent regimes governed with an iron fist, suppressing dissent through coercion, arrests, and displacements, the contemporary Somali Region enjoys self-governance and newfound agency. The populace now wields a legitimate voice in their administration, enshrined within Ethiopia’s constitutional framework. Over the preceding six years, the region has basked in an era of unprecedented peace, development, and social transformation. Yet, this arduously secured progress now teeters on the brink, imperiled by the machinations of those who seek to dismantle it for their own self-serving ends.
The burgeoning tensions between the ONLF and the ruling party are not isolated phenomena; they are fueled by covert agendas, both domestic and foreign. These shadow actors endeavor to disseminate the embers of discord southward, sowing chaos and strife in regions that have hitherto enjoyed relative tranquility. Their ultimate objective is to erode the stability that has facilitated the Somali Region’s flourishing, emulating the destruction inflicted upon the north. Dr. Abiy and Dr. Maaday must maintain unwavering vigilance, resisting the allure of division and the precipice of unnecessary conflict that could imperil the historic peace accord. History abounds with instances of leaders who, in moments of vulnerability, capitulated to the seduction of discord, thereby unraveling decades of progress through succumbing to ephemeral temptations.
Ethiopia’s strategic position within the Horn of Africa situates it at the nucleus of a complex geopolitical mosaic. The historical and cultural ties between Ethiopia and Somalia, particularly in the Ogaden region, are profound and enduring. This bond, transcending political demarcations, must not be severed by the machinations of those who seek to exploit differences for personal aggrandizement. Dr. Abiy has frequently articulated the profound connection between the Somali people and the Ogaden region. This unity not only fortifies Ethiopia but also serves as a bulwark against the forces of division that threaten to fragment the Horn of Africa.
Regrettably, across the border, certain actors prioritize reckless adventurism over judicious diplomacy. These individuals, aligning themselves with foreign interests, jeopardize not only the peace of the Somali Region but also the stability of the entire Horn of Africa. In this critical juncture, Ethiopian and Somali leaders must transcend personal and political grievances, exemplifying true statesmanship by prioritizing dialogue and cooperation over conflict and chaos.
The Somali Region must never be reduced to a mere instrument in the reckless ambitions of a few self-serving actors. The hard-won peace and remarkable progress witnessed over the past six years are not the product of isolated endeavors but the culmination of immense collective sacrifice, dedication, and perseverance by the people and leaders alike. The recent, adept mediation of the Somali-Afar conflict by the Federal Government stands as a testament to the efficacy of swift, constitutional leadership—leadership that, when exercised with sagacity and precision, can avert the gravest of crises. It is this paradigm of decisive governance that Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Dr. Abdirahman Mahdi Maaday must now embrace with renewed vigor, reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding the fragile peace that has enabled the region to prosper.
The southern expanse of the country must remain a bastion of peace and stability, a symbol of the unity and harmony that Ethiopia aspires to actualize. Any malevolent forces endeavoring to kindle the flames of conflict and destruction in both the South and the North must be resolutely thwarted, their insidious designs exposed and annihilated. Their dark vision, steeped in division and chaos, shall never materialize. Ethiopia’s future must not be compromised by those who thrive on discord; rather, it must be steered toward a destiny defined by solidarity, progress, and enduring tranquility.
In conclusion, I implore the Somali people in Ogaden to remain vigilant. Be wary of those who masquerade as champions of your cause yet harbor intentions of personal enrichment at your expense. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, seeking to destabilize the region under the guise of governance or opposition. Our people possess the wisdom and fortitude to discern these deceptions. Stand united, resolute, and ever watchful.
To Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Dr. Abdirahman Mahdi Maaday, I extend this counsel: The forces at play within your respective spheres of influence harbor significant risks. The pursuit of narrow, personal political ambitions in these precarious times could engender devastating consequences. Now is the epoch for steadfast leadership and vigilance.
Mohamud A. Ahmed – Cagaweyne +251900644648
Editor’s note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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Great recommendations!!!
This is a well articulated masterpiece by our peace mongering Brother Mohamud A. Ahmed. It is a timely article and I hope it will be read by everyone across the ugly ethnic lines. Brother Mohamud article makes us all feel about ourselves not only as a member of an ethnic group but as Horn of Africans. That is what every country in that region needs. Whether we admit it or not, we live in one neighborhood sharing the same religions, languages and enveloping culture.
Hats off to you Brother Mohamud! Blessings to you and your family.