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Opinion 

PUNLANDERS: NO PEACE NO PROGRESS & NO LIFE 

Posted to the Web   April 09, 2002

By

Omar ahmed

oosaaf@hotmail.com   

PUNLANDERS: NO PEACE NO PROGRESS & NO LIFE 

For the first time, to my surprise, I have had the chance to meet with members of Puntland Peace Mission (PPM) in a remarkable civil society gathering in Galkaio, Somalia couple of days ago. 

A group of Puntlanders have been touring throughout the major cities of the region with the slogan of promoting peace, preventing further conflict and proposing a new reconciliation initiative in a region that has long been assumed a model for all Somalia. Indeed, all Puntlanders should realize the fact that without peace communal progress can not be achieved and no continuity of normal life will exist. 

Keeping this in mind, it is appropriate that the peace mission envisioned by a well to do individuals from Puntland, is right in- principle and it is propitious moment for the Puntlanders to search a peace as the fear of deepening split is great. 

It is high time for peace and every one should support it, for the sake of the future and reviving the prospect of rekindling the hope that Puntland had before the political split and the peace it enjoyed. In this regard, it is also appropriate to know that peace should not be considered as a privilege, it is rather a Godly prescribed human-right that is a just for every human being who should live in peace without fear. 

Therefore, it is a right for the all the citizens of Somalia in general and in Puntland as well to get the peace they deserve, the peace they want, which is their right in absolute terms. 

We can all get reasons and rhymes of supporting and rallying behind one leader or the other and at the same time, flay his opponents and depict as the worst evil. 

But, that is not the solution and will only exacerbate the existing phenomena of factionalism, which is unwarranted and will doom our people. Thus, I ask in this historical moment, would it not be wise to promotethe peace mission in the process? Would it not be wise as well, to appreciate the efforts made by respected Puntlanders? 

Would it not be wise to appreciate the efforts of the international community specially those who have been actively engaged in capacity building programs in Puntland. 

This peace mission is probably the first of its kind in which intellectuals are raising the torch for peace. I read that their first trip of visiting all the Puntland districts was warmly received and welcomed by all the communities and the existing leaders of both traditional and political spectra. 

From what I could also realize, this peace mission encourages a grass-root approach among the community, it unites the traditional leaders or Isimos in their effort of searching for peace and engages them to play a better and a positive role in the peace building process in their unity. 

The interests of the business community are not vested in factionalism, but rather in more stable society and a bigger market as factionalism marginelizes their market potential in territory wise and population. Therefore, this mission seems to sending a message to the business community as well and educating them in abstaining from supporting factionalism. 

The civil society and the NGO groups are also important groups. 

They can not be left out as they have a direct relationship to the communities and have tremendous influence in every level of the society. Their pivotal role in peace bridging seems well engaged in the peace process in a positive sense. 

To this end, the Diaspora Puntlanders are probably the missing ingredients of the peace wagon though some are taking a leading role. 

These groups are mainly ill informed, as they seem to be, about the realities on the ground. In many cases, they unnecessarily perpetuate the factionalism in their unfettered campaigns of supporting one leader or the other. 

You folks this is not what Puntland needs today. Today Puntland needs to hear only unifying words and support for peace and you should mature to avoiding in promoting any thing that divides ourpeople. Combining all these efforts and realizing what is at stake, the envisioned peace is reachable and I believe that the mission of peace is predestined to succeed with the blessings of God. Let us pray that the beacons of hope that was shining once in Puntland to be rekindled once again and our people to enjoy peace and tranquility and progress to a better future. 

Let us learn from our neighbors of Somaliland and how they are living in peace and progressing towards better future. We should strive to abreast them, so we are not left in a never-ending saga of chaos. Let us unite our efforts and support this noble mission and God's willing, together, we shall succeed. God blesses you all. 

By Omar Sharif 

oosaaf@hotmail.com



The opinions contained in this article are solely those of the writer, and in no way, form or shape represent the editorial opinions of AllPuntland.com

Please direct all questions on the above article to Omar oosaaf@hotmail.com

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