GAROWE ONLINE EDITORIAL | Imperialism – under any pretext – has absolutely no justification and is inherently evil, immoral, and eventually leads to self-destruction.

One reads with disgust at the violent, opportunistic, and immoral call for the African Union to "occupy Somalia and rule her for 50 years" – indeed, the title of an opinion written by Mr. Jerry Okungu and published by Uganda-based New Vision newspaper.

It is more sad and heartbreaking that Mr. Okungu misuses the memory of innocent victims of the July 11 bombings that killed more than 70 people in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. Rightfully, condolences go to the people of Uganda who became victims of a regional war deeply rooted in the 20-year-old conflict raging in Somalia.

Al Shabaab, a Somalia-based militant group with ties to international terror networks, has claimed responsibility for the Kampala bombings. According to militant rhetoric, the bombings were "revenge" for Ugandan troops' presence in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, to support the Western-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al Shabaab accuses Ugandan soldiers of "massacres" against Somali civilians, a charge the Ugandan government and the African Union deny repeatedly.

There is a real war raging in southern Somalia between the international community, including UN, AU, EU, U.S., and the Al Shabaab militants who are backed by hidden regional powers who are members of and pay lip service to that very same "international community." Indeed, Uganda has been caught squarely in the middle of a long, bitter, winner-takes-all war in Somalia with various international interests colluding and colliding – depending on the ever-shifting alliances on the ground in Somalia. Naturally, every war has consequences.

In Mogadishu, there are daily bombings, indiscriminate shelling of civilian centers, and uprooting of civilians with no end in sight. No one remembers of Mogadishu's dying victims – indeed, the Somali conflict is the world's most forgotten war. Piracy – and, more recently, the Kampala bombings – have brought Somalia back on the international stage as a conflict that needs the world's attention and genuine support to the Somali people.

But to read Mr. Okungu's despicable suggestion that the African Union "occupy Somalia" is a far-fetched, hate-inspired dream. He intentionally misuses the memory of the bombing victims to bring forth his imperialist views; how absurd, a fellow African, calling for a modern-day occupation of another African country for 50 years! How easily we Africans forget the painful torments of yesteryear's colonialism.

Imperialism – under any pretext – has absolutely no justification and is inherently evil, immoral, and eventually leads to self-destruction. Somalia is a sick country and it needs prescription applied in a gentle, caring, and understanding way. Any forceful remedy will be met with an equally forceful reaction – as has been the case with the British and Italian colonizers, both of whom failed to brainwash Somalia, as was successfully done in a number of African countries through cultural imperialism.

The strength of the Somalis was and is the Islamic religion, as Somalis do not feel inferior to Europeans, as is the case with many black Africans. Mr. Okungu, in his delusional mind, forgets or ignores that Uganda is a puppet country playing another man's game of global domination. Indeed, Uganda and Burundi are acting on the orders of non-Africans who seek to deepen the endless conflicts across Africa as a means of maintaining global dominance – no matter who dies, Somali or Ugandan.

It is no secret that the Ugandan soldier deployed in Somalia gets paid higher wage than the Ugandan soldier in Uganda, not by the African Union, but by Western powers bankrolling AMISOM troops in Mogadishu. Furthermore, it is no secret that the Republic of Burundi, which just reemerged from decades of civil war, prefers to have its soldiers in Mogadishu instead of Bujumbura, where their violent tendencies are likely to cause another military coup or return the country back to civil war.

These are the facts on the ground. Mr. Okungu, and like-minded individuals, should not beat up their chests as if they are free men able to make their own decisions. Africa's undemocratic rulers, including Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki who stole an election, remain the key impediment to Africa realizing its full potential, as they are naturally subservient to geopolitical interests – even if it endangers their own countries.

Finally, Africa needs authentic governments, and not suggestions of occupying Somalia. In fact, the less foreign interference there is in Somalia, the better for Somalia and the world as a whole.

Garowe Online Editorial
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