Somalia: From tension to truce: How Somalia can disarm their war-torn nation

Peace — it’s an idea not often associated with Somalia. As civil war continues to contain the nation, a blueprint for peace is slowly being pieced together. Somali expert John Siebert, explained to the Voice of Russia just how Somalia can kick start their nation’s potential peace pact.

Various measures in the future need to be taken, in order for Somalia to obtain peace throughout their war-struck nation. Security within the country stays unbalanced as al Shabaab and other groups create violent attacks in Mogadishu and in the countryside as well.

“With the international military mission, AMISOM, the Somali Government needs to provide a basic level of security without allowing a military and police response to overwhelm its thinking and meager budget,” John Siebert, Executive Director, Project Ploughshares said.

Another challenge which citizens of Somalia must acknowledge is the availability and existence of light weaponry. Siebert said to the Voice of Russia that there is a history in the Horn of Africa of coercive or forced disarmament that has proved counter-productive.

Knowing this, the locals should implement a gun control plan. This initiative would regulate who would have the right to keep guns, while electing people of local communities to confiscate weapons from those who are the main cause of violence.

Still, there are not just a select few in Somali communities who can make a change toward the better. Residents of different shapes and sizes need to be contributing to the peace-building efforts.

“Unless the people of Somalia more effectively own these developments through direct participation and fashioning the cultural affinity of changes, the country may persist in turmoil,” Siebert commented.

Providing core services like water, healthcare, and education are obvious initiatives which also need time, monetary support, and attention put toward them.

On a larger scale, a productive conversation needs to happen between the Somali government stationed in Mogadishu and officials in Puntland and Somaliland.

“There is no hope for international recognition and support for smaller entities within Somalia. They will all sink or swim together at the end of the day. This process will be incredibly difficult, but necessary,” Siebert explained.

Signatures and handshakes between different politicians in Somalia will not solve the other burden that Somalia carries on their shoulders day in and day out. Whether they are warlords or combatants, there are bound to be some who disagree with how the emerging Somali government decides to proceed with negotiation efforts.

“There are always spoilers who see greater advantage in fighting than building a new society. Spoilers need to be isolated and brought to justice, if at all possible,” Siebert commented.

On the bright side, outsiders can help influence the future of Somali in a number of ways. To illustrate Somaliland and Puntland need to have mature talks with the Somali government in restarting their national entity. Although this will take an abundance of time and an unlimited amount of creativity, it is worth a shot in an effort to rebuild Somali in a peaceful manner.

Perhaps fast tracking the peace efforts in Somalia could become a reality if the US got more actively involved, however Siebert does not think this is the best idea.

“A military response to terrorism threats has dominated USA relations with Somalia, with disastrous results for many Somalis,” Siebert said.

For now, the safest tactic for the US to stick to is to offer the nation in chaos humanitarian and development assistance throughout their ongoing transition to peace.

Focusing on peace is the most vital goal for them to accomplish.

“Keep talking with all Somalis and with your opponents no matter what the set-backs.That old saying, “war is politics by other means,” needs a counter-part, “politics must replace war on the road to peace,” Siebert gave as advice for Somalis to live by.

Somali’s future can be bright if politics, diplomacy, and law are used as key tools in executing the violence in the nation. Peace in Somalia, would lead to stable development in the nation—which would benefit its nearby neighbor Kenya.

However, before Somalia reaches their goal of peace within the nation, tough talks, and persistent steps toward disarming the trouble makers along with constant international assistance are vitally important to eradicating violence and stabilizing the nation.

Sarah Neary