Tehran Al-Alam Television (in Arabic) — “Where is the Truth? [Al-Haqiqah Ayn?]” program

Aired on: July 3rd 2008 2005 GMT — 49 Minutes

Discussion on ‘The division of the Somali opposition’ hosted by Husayn Izz-al-Din with guests Mr. Dawud Ali al-Sheikh Nur, Somali researcher and Mr. Abdallah al-Sheikh Ismael, TFG vice President:

[Izz al-Din] Good evening. What are the causes of the disagreement among the leaders of the Somali opposition? Why were the leaders of the coalition of the opposition divided regarding the dialogue with the transitional Somali Government? How does Ethiopia perceive these disagreements? Who benefits from the division of the brigades of the Somali opposition? What is the role of these brigades in terms of the continuous confrontations with the Government in Mogadishu? What is the horizon of the Somali national reconciliation and what is the effect of the division of the opposition on the future of the country? Would the Agreement of Djibouti put an end to the Somali conflict?

Dear viewers, these questions and other subjects about the political and security scene in Somalia form the topic of this episode of “Where Is the Truth?” Our two guests for this episode are the Somali vice Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister MP Abdallah al-Sheikh Ismael and the Somali writer Dawud Ali al-Sheikh Nur. At the beginning, what are the causes of the disagreements among the leaders of the coalition of the opposition in Somalia and what is their impact on the future of the country?

[Report] Along with the military confrontations between the brigades of the Somali opposition from one side and the forces of the transitional Government backed by the Ethiopian forces from the other, the Capital Djibouti is witnessing efforts aiming at solving the current disagreements among the leaders of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia. In this context, high officials arrived to Djibouti and although some of them were optimistic about the possibility of solving these disagreements before the 10^th of July 2008, date of the official signature of the Agreement of Djibouti for Peace in Mecca, a number of observers think that the efforts are deployed in vain because the disagreements between the two sides are deep especially after the eruption of the border crisis between Djibouti – host city of the Agreement of Peace – and Eritrea that supports the opposition. In addition, the observers consider that these disagreements threaten the execution of the Agreement especially after the rise of the divergences between the Islamic Courts after the formation of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia in Asmara, Capital of Eritrea, in September 2007.

The Youth Movement had decided to boycott the Conference and get out of the Courts but the leader of the Coalition Sheikh Sharif Ahmad who accused Eritrea of seeking to divide the Coalition and asked it to stop interfering in the internal affairs of the country considered that it was necessary to reunite the national forces in order to free the country from the Ethiopian presence. He said the Islamist would not be able to accomplish this mission alone but the Alliance itself was also subject to divisions especially after the manifestation of the efforts of mediation of the United Nations between the Somali Government and the opposition that resulted in convincing Sharif Sheikh Ahmad and Sharif Sheikh Hassan Sheikh Adam the presidents of the executive and central committees of the Alliance about the necessity of searching for diplomatic solutions that would oblige Ethiopia to withdraw its troops from Somalia after two years of battles. In addition, an agreement was concluded last month with the Somali Government stipulating the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from Somalia in four months after the arrival of international forces under the supervision of the United Nations to Somalia.

Nevertheless, Islamic leaderships of the Alliance especially Sheikh Hassan Taher Uways refused this agreement and considered that it was humiliating insisting on the persistence of the fight against the Ethiopian occupiers. On the other hand, the Somali vice Prime Minister Aided Abdallah expected that the chief of the Islamic Courts Sharif Sheikh Ahmad would have a big political role inside the current Government after the conclusion of the reconciliation in Djibouti. Regarding the reconciliation Conference in Djibouti, many people considered that it achieved important results especially the support of a part of the opposition led by Sharif Sheikh Ahmad who was the chief of the Courts and called upon the Muslim Somalis to hand over their weapons and go back to dialogue in order to stop the fights and shedding bloods, a high price paid by the Somali people day after the other.

[Izz al-Din] Welcome back dear viewers. Welcome back your Excellency and Mr. Dawud. Your Excellency, it seems we are witnessing a new political and security scene in Somalia with the division of the opposition. Furthermore, we have heard the expression “the support of a part of the opposition” so would the situation change? Would the Conference of Djibouti or the Agreement of Djibouti concluded on the 10^th of this month be challenged?

[Ismael] In the name of God, most Grateful, most Merciful. At first, I would like to thank Al-Alam Channel for this opportunity. Back to your question, we want to reach peace; in the past, we were divided for many reasons. Now we do not want to be divided concerning the choice of peace in the country. All of us want to be united about this strategic choice, the choice of peace between the Government and the opposition. We want to reach an agreement supported by the entire opposition.

[Izz al-Din] But this agreement was not supported by everybody and the road towards peace seems to be blocked…

[Ismael] The beginning is always hard; it is the beginning and seeing problems and reservations is very normal. We are optimistic about getting over this period and we will all head towards the pacific choice.

[Izz al-Din] Mr. Dawud, solidarity is required from everybody at least to rescue Somalia and save it from this blood shedding. Nowadays, is the divided opposition capable of achieving its objectives or we are facing a new impasse concerning this scene?

[Nur] At first, I would like to thank Al-Alam Channel that always cares for the issues of the Islamic World including the Somali subject. Before answering your question, I would like to tell the Arab viewers two important things about the history of the Somali people: firstly, the Somali history is not about conflicts between tribes and regions but a history of resistance against the Italian, English, French and Ethiopian occupation since 1884. This history is full of resisters and resisting political movements. In fact, the dictatorship of former President Muhammad Siyad Berry who ruled from 1969 to 1991 harmed this history and resulted in the birth of oppositions.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] You want to say that the problem with the Somali Government or the people who inherit power in Somalia is neither racial nor tribal but a problem about the leadership of the country and its foreign relations.

[Nur] Yes, of course. The second thing is that Somalia is a strategic and vital region for every country, and the importance of this region is increasing with the augmentation of the interests in it. In addition, when the United States of America became the leader of the world, after the birth of the new worldwide system and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States of America considered that it was necessary to control Somalia in order to guarantee its interests, and Ethiopia that had political interests in Somalia and wanted to control the country was with the United States of America.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Mr. Dawud I understand your speech. However, the opposition is currently divided; a group supported the transitional Government and is heading to Djibouti to sign the agreement while the other said this agreement does not comply with the Somali vision adopted by the opposition. What is your position today?

[Nur] The opposition has different viewpoints but in general it agrees upon one thing which is getting Ethiopia out. There is a disagreement about the way to get Ethiopia out of the country. Some members of the opposition considered that the solution is through negotiation and reconciliation while others think that the path is through force and weapons. They have the right to think so; we are in favour of getting the Ethiopian forces out by force and nowadays in Somalia, the Ethiopian forces are surrounded in their military camps in Mogadishu and other areas southern and central Somalia.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] You think it is easy to force it to go out through military pressure and not negotiations?

[Nur] It is easy and necessary, and not through negotiations.

[Izz al-Din] Your Excellency, what do you think about this speech? Why are you in favour of diplomatic negotiations to force what Mr. Dawud consider occupying forces out of Somalia?

[Ismael] At first, allow me to disagree with you and Mr. Dawud since you said Ethiopia is occupying Somalia. The new Ethiopia is not like old Ethiopia; the new Ethiopia is represented by a new system that welcomes at least one million displaced Somalis.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] It is not an occupying State… Then what are the Ethiopian military forces doing in Somalia?

[Ismael] Secondly, the Ethiopian military presence in Somalia is not illegitimate; it is based on the invitation of the Somali Government that wanted to be supported in order to restore the security situation. Ethiopia is ready to withdraw whenever we ask.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] However, the opposition reproaches you and the successive governments after this military presence as you call it or occupation as called by Mr. Dawud your Excellency because you relied on the strength of a foreign State against your own people. I mean at least you did not dialogue with the opposition in order to reach a compromise among each others. Instead, you relied on foreign power.

[Ismael] The armed opposition was the first side to declare that it would invade and conquer Ethiopia in order to spread Islam all over Ethiopia when there was not a single Muslim in Ethiopia.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] As if you are saying that because the opposition menaced Ethiopia, the Ethiopian troops entered Somalia.

[Ismael] Yes. In fact, several speeches were pronounced by leaders of the opposition stating that they would pray in Addis Ababa.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] But moments ago you said this entrance was upon the request of the Government.

[Ismael] Firstly, it is an aggressive statement. Secondly, it is a declaration of war. And then, who obliged Ethiopia to come to Somalia?

[Izz al-Din] Mr. Dawud, his Excellency pronounced a dangerous speech; the opposition was preparing to invade Ethiopia and that was why Ethiopia entered Somalia?

[Nur] It is only a speech. The opposition was never an obstacle facing Ethiopia. Instead, Ethiopia was present in Baidobo when the forces of the Courts were in Mogadishu. Ethiopia was the occupier through its presence in the southern areas of Somalia. Likewise, the new Ethiopia has political interests after the independence of Eritrea that is a coastal country. Therefore, it is crucial for Ethiopia to control Somalia because it wants to have access to the sea. These are the real intentions of Ethiopia, not only statements.

[Izz al-Din] But he said it is not an occupation; it is a presence upon the request of the Somali Government.

[Nur] The cause was not the request of the transitional Government; Ethiopia came because it wanted to. Why did Ethiopia not enter Somalia before the Courts? The Government was present in Baidobo and Ethiopia entered Mogadishu but the presence of Islamic Courts became its pretext.

[Izz al-Din] Okay. Your Excellency, I would like us to return to the subject. The Somali vice Prime Minister Aided Abdallah expected an important role to the chief of the Islamic Courts Sharif al-Sheikh Ahmad within the current Government. Some people considered that this speech was like a trap to the opposition and you succeeded in dividing this opposition. Consequently, the scene is temporary and not permanent.

[Ismael] Dear brother, at first a number of principles should be guaranteed in order to negotiate with any party of the opposition. This is the main objective and the principle position when starting negotiations. The image should be complete to any side that wants to enter these negotiations. The main objective that we want to achieve is the expansion of the participation and the fortification of the national unity in order to be all up to the challenge and responsibility.

[Izz al-Din] Could we say that you used the strategy of gradual gnawing of the opposition in order to reach this objective?

[Ismael] I do not explain our position this way. The harmony of the intentions is essential and I think the brothers who came to negotiate from the other side think this way.

[Izz al-Din] Mr. Dawud, moments ago you said the Somali opposition has the right to fight the Ethiopian forces in order to get them out of Somalia. Consequently, its vision is different from the one of the transitional Government. The biggest brigade of the opposition, the Islamic Courts who conquered an important part of Somalia said “we will dialogue at least to force the Ethiopian occupier to leave Somalia”. Why do you not adopt this idea?

[Nur] The majority of the opposition is against the Agreement of Djibouti because the interest of the Alliance is not guaranteed in this Agreement. The first side that has benefited from this Agreement was the transitional Government that became legitimate and the second side to benefit was Ethiopia.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] So the transitional Government succeeded in dividing you.

[Nur] It did not succeed yet. The majority of the opposition is united against this Agreement.

[Izz al-Din] But there is a divergence in viewpoints and clear disagreements between the opposition nowadays in Somalia.

[Nur] These disagreements will have no effect. Most of the opposition is united and want to carry on their resistance against the Ethiopian forces and as long as they are still present on the Somali territories there will be no national reconciliation. Ethiopia should be forced to withdraw from our country.

[Izz al-Din] Taking into consideration this situation, we are witnessing a new security and political scene that might cause the failure of this conference.

[Nur] It will fail because there are several obstacles as you all know. They have set a date for the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces but this will not happen within 120 days. The world remembers well the experience of Darfur where the Peace Keeping Forces did not come before one year.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Your Excellency, it is a real experience. You believe in the diplomatic solution and say that things are moving forward towards success while the majority of the opposition disagrees with you. What opposition is currently with you?

[Ismael] At first Sir, Somalia has suffered enough from civil wars throughout the past 17 years. The civil war is the main cause of what is currently happening in Somalia. Ethiopia was not present at that time. The causes of the civil war are internal factors separating between the compatriots and this is why a dialogue based on good intentions is needed to get out of this vicious circle of war. The main subject is putting an end to the civil war and reviving the entity of the State through re-establishing active governmental institutions. This cannot be reached but through a national dialogue and a large participation of all the categories. It cannot be achieved but through the solidarity of all the Somali people.

[Izz al-Din] Mr. Dawud, it is a clear and honest invitation.

[Nur] With all my respect to the speech of Brother Abdallah, the Somali civil war has ended long ago and initially there was no civil war among the Somalis.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] He talked about conflicts before the Ethiopian presence in Somalia. 

[Nur] These conflicts ended before the arrival of Ethiopian troops and the best era in Somalia was the era of Islamic Courts.

[Ismael, interrupting] Nothing was ended. There were successive rounds of battles.

[Nur] There was peace, security and stability for six months and the world admitted this. However, the world does not want peace in Somalia. This peace came from the Islamic Courts that unified all the Somali people under the Sharia.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] But they seized power by force.

[Nur] They did not seize power; they ousted the warlords in Mogadishu. Initially, there was no government in Mogadishu but warlords who were paid by America to assassinate Somali savants. This is why a popular revolution was born against those warlords who ruled at that time. The Islamic Courts were present at that time but they knew wars were being prepared against them; they entered the war and won against the tribal leaders.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Your Excellency, what do you think about this speech?

[Ismael] Sir, Somalia was ruled by warlords before the sudden emergence of Islamic Courts in the Capital – I say sudden because the new political Somali history is known to everybody – since 1991 until the emergence of Islamic Courts in the Capital, brigades controlled different parts of the country. With the birth of Islamic Courts in the Capital and the elimination of the tribal leaders – or the warlords according to the Courts – things radically changed.

[Izz al-Din] Do you not think that the control of the Islamic Courts at that time was based on the popular will? Do you not think that this popular will made the road easy to control Somalia?

[Ismael] The security concern of the Somali people was the main motive of the popular support of the Islamic Courts. Secondly, the peace that was in the Capital reflected the will of the Somali people. It was backed by the residents of the Capital themselves but at the same time, that peace and security was imposed through the power of weapons and oppression.

[Izz al-Din] Mr. Dawud, according to the speech of his Excellency, it seems that you have replaced the warlords with another form of warlords. Let me listen to your answer after the break. Mr. Dawud, your Excellency and dear viewers we will stop for a short break before returning to “Where Is the Truth?”

[Break]

[Izz al-Din] Welcome back dear viewers. “What are the causes of the disagreement between Somali opposition and what is their effect on the future of the country?” is the topic of this episode of “Where Is the Truth?” Our two guests for this episode are MP Abdallah al-Sheikh Ismael, Somali vice Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister and Mr. Dawud Ali al-Sheikh Nur, Somali researcher and writer. Mr. Dawud, I would like to return to you. His Excellency said you have replaced the warlords with another form of warlords and you guaranteed peace with the power of weapons. The question is: is there any difference between people who reach peace using this way with their compatriots and foreigners who come to do that?

[Nur] The warlords used to targeted the chiefs of Islamic Courts and in order to reduce their role, it was necessary to face those using weapons. In fact, the Islamic Courts reduced the role and the presence of the warlords in Mogadishu where security and stability of the Somali people was imposed. Not a single violation took place after the reduction of the role of the warlords in Mogadishu and everybody knows this. At that time, the Airport of Mogadishu was reopened after being shut down for nearly 15 years and the Seaport too. The Courts started reviving the decent living of the people.  

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Nowadays, the same Courts are asking for diplomatic negotiations through the transitional Government to make the Ethiopians withdraw while moments ago you said that weapons define your position vis-à-vis others.

[Nur] Some of the Islamic Courts considered that the solution would be reached through negotiations because of the current situation in Somalia. In reality, we can see that people are starving in Somalia and there are 1.5 million homeless people in Mogadishu that is the home of 2 million Somalis.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Then why did the opposition not remain united at least facing all these problems and files in Somalia? Instead, you were divided and became oppositions.

[Nur] We are not divided yet, however…

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] On the road towards division

[Nur] It is a form to get the so-called transitional Government involved.

[Izz al-Din] Your Excellency, the objective is not reconciliation but weakening the opposition and consequently keeping this Government in control of the country.

[Ismael] At first, let me honestly tell you that we are not responsible of what is happening among the opposition.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] But you are happy.

[Ismael] Firstly, let it be clear that we are not a side regarding what is happening among the opposition. Secondly, we do not benefit from what is happening. How would we benefit from the division of the opposition? A unified opposition is a better partner in our eyes.

[Izz al-Din] It would be easier to reach reconciliation.

[Ismael] Yes. However, there is no interest at all in the division of the opposition.                 

[Izz al-Din] Your Excellency, some people say that some official Somali leaderships recently talked about the presence of foreign American and European combatants fighting in Mogadishu against the transitional Government. It was also said they are members of Al-Qaeda. In your opinion, would the interference of Al-Qaeda in the Somali disagreements destroy the Agreement of Djibouti? Would it reinforce or create additional division among the opposition?

[Ismael] There was a constitutional vacuum in Somalia and there was no central government for a long time. Consequently, Somalia has become the country of all interferences and we cannot disregard the presence of foreign combatants in the country.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Your Excellency, why do you disregard the presence of Ethiopian interests in Somalia? I mean interests aiming at dividing the Somalis between the Government and the opposition…

[Ismael] I do not think Ethiopia plays this role. Yes, Ethiopia has interests in Somalia because it is our neighbour and what happens in Somalia affects Ethiopia too and vice-versa. In fact, there is a reciprocal effect between the two countries. Furthermore, Somalia has no military presence on the long borderline separating between the two countries. Thus, we cannot provide protection to Ethiopia and Somalia. Therefore, Ethiopia has all the right to defend its security interests because any disruption would affect its internal security.

[Izz al-Din] Does it have the right to defend its interests from Mogadishu?

[Ismael] It has the right to defend, and its presence in the Capital is different from protecting its security interests.

[Nur, interrupting] Ethiopia has a hidden agenda: it wants to control Somalia and have access to the Indian Ocean.

[Ismael] If this logic was right, Ethiopia would not have agreed on the independence of Eritrea.

[Nur] Brother Abdallah thinks that there are foreign combatants in Somalia but this is totally wrong. There are no foreigners in Somalia but the Somali people are fighting against the invading forces.

[Ismael, interrupting] Today, an article published in Al-Hayat Newspaper talked about Al-Qaeda; what do you know about the presence of Al-Qaeda in Somalia, the Arab Maghreb and Iraq?

[Nur] Before the rule of Islamic Courts, the current President Abdallah Yussef claimed that Al-Qaeda was present in Somalia in 2001. In addition, during the rule of former President Abd-al-Qasem Salad Hassan, foreign journalists accompanied him to a place where Al-Qaeda could be present but found nothing. The entire world knows that there is no Al-Qaeda but the people who are targeted are Somali Islamists.

[Ismael] In my opinion, Somalia is affected by Al-Qaeda through the presence of Al-Qaeda combatants and people who sympathize with Al-Qaeda.

[Nur, interrupting] Mr. Abdallah, there is no Al-Qaeda at all in Somalia; it is only a pretext to request the support of America. The warlords pronounced such speeches; they are not new but they are untrue.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] What about the accusations addressed to Sheikh al-Uways who leads a large military division in the opposition?

[Nur] Initially, Al-Qaeda is not present in Somalia. Sheikh Uways is a powerful Somali military man fighting against the Ethiopian occupying forces. The Ethiopians knew him during the war of 1977; he is an old warrior who sympathizes with the Islamists and this is why they are afraid of his presence in the Somali Government and they fear him. As you know, the regime in Ethiopia is Christian although more than 70% of the Ethiopian people are Muslim but the Ethiopian presidency is Christian.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Your Excellency, you pronounce these wrongs accusations to guarantee the execution of your agenda that is in opposition with the Somali vision expressed by Brother Dawud. You accuse them of being supported by foreigners especially Al-Qaeda – which was denied by Mr. Dawud – please go on.

[Ismael] I would like to ask how a movement would survive if it was not supported by foreign sides with the civil war in the country for 17 years. Where do weapons come from? Where does money come from? Where does training come from? 

[Izz al-Din] Your Excellency, who do you accuse?

[Ismael] I would like to listen to the answer of the dear brother.

[Nur] The weapons come from Ethiopia itself and the forces of the Islamic Courts attack Ethiopian military camps and confiscate the weapons. In addition, there are Somali generals who train the combatants and the Somalis know how to resist.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Brother Dawud, it is known that Asmara is currently the city of the Somali opposition. Your forces and movement are present in Eritrea. The President of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Ahmad says that Eritrea seeks to divide the Coalition and asks it to stop interfering in the internal affairs of his country and stop seeking the revival of its personal agenda in his country. How did he harmonize between the support and such speeches?

[Nur] At first, it is necessary to recognize the role of Eritrea because Eritrea welcomed the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia when the entire world refused to receive it even neighbour States like Djibouti that refused to host the Somali opposition. Eritrea welcomed this opposition and we should the kind act of Eritrea. Recently, Sheikh Ahmad apologized about the statements of some leaders in the Alliance and promised the people that they would agree among each others to settle the disagreement that is only formal.

[Izz al-Din] Your Excellency, what do you think about this speech? Did he convince you?

[Ismael] If the disagreement is about the pacific and national choice, I consider that it is a disagreement on the core of the issue and the party that will triumph will do so through its choice of peace.

[Izz al-Din] Will you ultimately reach this status?

[Ismael] It is inevitable.

[Izz al-Din] What is the way to achieve it? In a while we said that some methods resulted in hindering the pacific process because of the Ethiopian attitude.

[Ismael] We are not out of solutions at all. We are at the beginning of the road. We held only two rounds of dialogue and there will be several rounds to come. We will because we are not out of solutions yet.

[Izz al-Din] Your Excellency, after the Agreement of Djibouti, the dialogue will continue with other brigades at least regarding dropping weapons, return to dialogue and stop the operations etc. or will you use force in order to achieve this reconciliation?

[Ismael] Sir, when we talk about reconciliation with the opposition, we do not want anything for us alone; we want the participation in power and public life; we want the participation of the opposition in the administrative, security and economic institutions etc. We want a total and complete openness towards all parties of the opposition on all levels.

[Izz al-Din] Will you consider that the parties that already joined you are enough especially with the statement of the vice Prime Minister who said Sheikh Ahmad will have an important role in the Government?

[Ismael] And we will welcome everyone who joins our journey later on.

[Izz al-Din] So are you inviting Mr. Dawud?

[Ismael] Why not?

[Nur] No one of the Alliance will participate in this agent Government initially because it does not represent the Somali people. In reality, four elements form a State: people, land, regime and a force to protect it. This Government that claims to be transitional is protected by the Ethiopian forces. Initially, this Government has no legitimacy.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Thus, this Government is still an agent supported by the occupation. What popularity are you talking about your Excellency? Who represents you in Somalia nowadays?

[Ismael] We do not pretend to be more patriotic than any other citizen and we do not want anyone to recognize that we are patriotic. We know very well the interests of the Somali people.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] He accused your Government of being an agent. How do you respond your Excellency?

[Ismael] It is a national Government with national concerns and visions. It has a national responsibility and cannot be cheaply bought.

[Izz al-Din] Other people say that as a transitional Government and political forces, you agreed with Ethiopia to preserve your interests even at the expense of the country. Is it true?

[Ismael] Not on the expense of the country. I totally disagree with this speech. There are mutual interests between Somalia and Ethiopia and between the temporary federal Government and Ethiopia. I might agree with this logic but not at the expense of the country at all!

[Izz al-Din] I would like to return to the question about Sheikh Uways who said the executive council of the Alliance and the leader and member of its central committee Sheikh Sharif Ahmad are acting like a dictatorship without consulting the members of the central committee of the Alliance that has the right to agree on decisive decisions. Is it not clear evidence showing that the opposition is divided? Thus, some people think that the solutions proposed by the Agreement of Djibouti are the last salvation of Somalia…

[Nur] Of course in Asmara, the central committee of the Alliance met but the internal list was not completed and Sheikh Sharif went to negotiations without being backed by the central committee present in Asmara. Therefore, other members of the Alliance called Sheikh Sharif and told him that this way is blocked and he cannot continue to be part of this Agreement. In reality, Sheikh Sharif himself knows that this Agreement will not succeed; it is only a prolongation of time and as the Islamic Courts did in Djibouti…

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Days before the conclusion of this Agreement in Djibouti, is it possible to witness a real failure and see things returning to the current bloody drama?

[Ismael] It is a pessimistic picture. I am an optimistic human being. Knowing that everything is possible, I am still optimistic that ultimately we will conclude an agreement and we will all apply it united. Of course there are disagreements and I am personally sorry for the disagreements among the opposition that should settle these divergences in their legal, constitutional and political context. It is the concern of the opposition. As to us, we want to put an end to this crisis and vicious circle through an agreement that guarantees the peace of the Somali people and unites us all with new responsibilities.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Who is sabotaging the Agreement of Djibouti and who has an interest in doing so your Excellency?

[Ismael] The sabotage is in the interest of the enemies of peace and stability in Somalia.

[Izz al-Din] Who are the enemies of peace who do not want good in Somalia in your opinion?

[Ismael] People who refuse negotiations and the road towards peace…

[Izz al-Din] Are you accusing the opposition?

[Ismael] Not all the opposition.

[Izz al-Din] The part of the opposition that accuses you of being an agent Government that does not want peace in Somalia… Your Excellency, it seems the reciprocal accusations are remaining the same…

[Ismael] If the Government is with the strong side of the opposition, I think they form the majority.

[Izz al-Din] Your Excellency, I am running out of time. However, I have a question regarding the absence of Arab position or initiatives about Somalia. You have some reproaches about some Arab States that you accuse – without naming them – of backing the division in Somalia. How do you evaluate the Arab position your Excellency?

[Ismael] It is a very large subject.

[Izz al-Din] You seem to have a lot of reproaches.

[Ismael] Indeed, we have reproaches regarding the slow Arab reaction vis-à-vis the situation in Somalia.

[Izz al-Din] Do you think the absence of this position opened the doors for others to interfere?

[Ismael] Yes, the absence of the Arab care, the long duration of the crisis and the absence of active and perseverant initiatives frustrated the Somali people. It is an undeniable truth.

[Izz al-Din] Okay. Mr. Dawud, I will conclude the discussion with you about disagreements between the opposition and of course you have the right to comment on the Arab position. Do you not think that the division of the opposition will have negative effects? Consequently, did you not lose an asset because maybe through the solidarity of the opposition you would have accomplished your objective?

[Nur] At first, there are some positive points in this Agreement for the Alliance. Among them is the fact that the resistance was not engaged to hand over its weapons to anybody despite its agreement on stopping armed confrontations. In addition, this Agreement that was signed by Sheikh Sharif insisted on the dignity and the sovereignty of the Somali people. Now concerning the Arab role vis-à-vis the Somali subject, it was a very honourable and fruitful role but the agent Government did not…

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Where is the Arab role? Did the Government not have a positive attitude vis-à-vis this role?

[Nur] The Government itself abandoned Arab States and followed Ethiopia that is the enemy of all Arab causes.

[Izz al-Din, interrupting] Mr. Dawud Ali al-Sheikh Nur the Somali researcher and writer I would like to thank you for your participation with us in “Where Is the Truth?” to talk about the crisis and the division in Somalia. In addition, I would like to thank you MP Abdallah al-Sheikh Ismael, vice President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Somalia. Dear viewers, at the end I would like to thank you for watching our episode. We will meet in the coming episode of “Where Is the Truth?” Goodbye.