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16 decades of colonial and postcolonial rule in the Horn of Africa region were quite enough to deteriorate an African rivalry and exasperate two different but grand and glorious East African nations, namely the Afars and the Issa Somalis.
The reasons of the conflicts and the long lasting antagonism may be secondary and unimportant; however, the colonial involvement worsened the situation through false promises, utilization of naïve leaders in harmful projects, and vain hopes of prevalence and preponderance, through reticence and biases.
In the process, the main victims of the colonial policies and promises were the two rival nations, who actually find themselves in the tragic situation of a national trichotomy. The Afar Land has been divided by Abyssinia (fake ´Ethiopia´), Eritrea and Djibouti. And the Issas have found themselves divided among Somalia, Djibouti and Abyssinia.
Quite unfortunately, despite the dire circumstances that both nations have been crossing over the past decades, the proper lesson has not yet been taken, and both Afars and Issa Somalis have been even recently engaged in fratricide clashes.
In these cases, the wrong interpretation of fact encapsulates the perpetuation of the fight; even short term agreements and armistices are lost in the maelstrom of an erratic interpretation of the earlier developments.
The only real victims of this situation are the two nations who cannot get disentangled from the vicious circle of bloodshed. The most recent clashes between Afars and Issa Somalis occurred in Abyssinia last June.
The details can be found in a Press Release issued on the occasion by the Afar Human Rights Organisation (AHRO) from the part of the Afars. I have not come across an Issa version of the events that may perhaps have never been elaborated in a text. However, if a counterfeit press release were available, I would be happy to publish it and comment thereon.
The facts mentioned therein are real and deplorable but this matters little; what matters most is how the Afars and the Issa Somalis will manage not to repeat a similar phenomenon which triggers the greatest joy and the most perverse satisfaction among the real common enemies of the Afars and the Issa Somalis, namely the Amhara and Tigray Monophysitic (Tewahedo) Abyssinians.
More effort for knowledge and analysis may at times help; on the other hand, the same activity can at times destroy. And this is the point of my criticism and the way toward pacification and fraternity. Interpretation of earlier facts is a trap for the subjugated nations of Abyssinia that happen to have been engaged in fratricidal wars with other tyrannized peoples. It is therefore wise to avoid any further interpretation of earlier facts within a press release that describes recent events and developments.
In an effort of interpretation, various sentimental motives are present and exercise a role of catalyst – very negatively; they inflect the tone and the character of a text, leaving negative impressions to the ´other part´. This automatically triggers reaction, and even if the troubles and the clashes are presently concluded, the antagonism soon comes to surface again. The earlier acts are then repeated in a more violent manner under the strong impact of the meanwhile published narratives of the unnecessary interpretation.
Indicatively, I mention here the references - in the herein published press release – to the former Somali President Siad Barre and the concept of Greater Somalia; they truly add nothing to the case of the Afars whose campaign has to be exclusively based on present facts – this would be the best advocacy for their plights, and the best political approach and engagement. The main problem for the Issas, the Afars, and many other tyrannized nations of Africa is Colonialism, the nefarious English plans for Eastern Africa, and the Amhara – Tigray Monophysitic Abyssinian tyranny. Greater Somalia could have existed without occupying any part of the Afar Land, and the two peoples, the Somalis (whose part are the Issas) and the Afars could have been both independent, free and prosperous at the same time. The perversely submitted idea that the progress of the Afars is a calamity for the Somalis and vice versa is a criminal anti-African lie.
What can be done?
Political organizations, Human Rights associations, cultural societies and representatives of the social hierarchy must organize a clandestine meeting (it would otherwise be prohibited in tyrannical ´Ethiopia´) and set up a truthful national liberation agenda. This is necessary to happen among both, the Afars and the Issa Somalis. Both nations´ representatives must then select delegates who would participate in an initial key bilateral (Afar and Issa) meeting.
All issues, History involved, would be discussed, and in the end, several permanent committees would be established to focus on the common fight for independence and freedom, the existing issues of Afar – Issa relationship perturbation, the collateral damage inflicted on both nations because of their antagonism, and the steps needed to permanently cancel the troublesome phenomenon. After the completion of the deliberations in the meeting, an inspection committee would be established on bilateral basis as well; among its open end tasks would be included the implementation of the decisions taken, the permanent observation of the contacts, the exchanges and the interactions between the two oppressed and multi-divided nations, and (in case of revival of enmities) the immediate interference, coordination and conflict containment.
I publish here the Afar Human Rights Organisation Press Release, planning to further expand on the subject in future articles.
The Massacre in the Afar region, Ethiopia
Afar Human Rights Organisation Press Release June 14, 2008
A well planned military attack by contraband-led Issa-Somalis took place in Mille and Adaytu villages of the Afar Region which are situated some 530 km from the capital Addis Ababa between June 10 and June 12, 2008.
The first attack was on health team from regional health bureau who was on vaccination campaign mission to Leedi Kebele, where two government employees were massacred cold-blooded and their vehicle was confiscated.
The next raid occurred the same day in an attempt to invade the village of Adaytu, where 30 civilians were massacred and 26 wounded. More killing was also reported by the Ethiopian government army that attacked the Afars who were gathered to collect their dead.
The Afar pastoralists are reported to be victims of current drought, systematic invasion policy of Issa -Somalis as well as irresponsible government army massacre. In this regard, there is a hidden and sever human rights abuse that needs an immediate action from the international community.
The chronic conflict between Afars and Issas that was intensified since 1960 has claimed thousands of civilian lives. The nature of the conflict altered since the independence of Somalia and Djibouti, driven by the ambition of Greater Somalia. Many observers and governments in the Horn of Africa still vow the argument of the interethnic conflicts, which has its roots in pastoral gazing land.
However, this argument proved to be wrong in many aspects, where both the then Siad Barre in Somalia and the Djibouti governments wish to push the Afar pastoralists from their fertile land along the Awash Valley and occupy the territory to realize the vision of Greater Somalia.
Therewith, the Afars are prisoners in their "Regional State", which lacks a mandate to secure a peaceful existence of its nation. The TPLF regime which made Ethiopia land locked country is now depending on Djibouti for its sea outlet. Therefore, the TPLF regime is scarifying the Afar people to have a good relation with Djibouti´s Issa government since its independence 1977. Despite the number of research proposals from Addis Ababa University and the complaints from Afar elders to resolve the conflict, the TPLF regime has not yet paid any attention to determine the issue and to create a conducive environment for a peaceful coexistence between the Afars and the Issas. There have been reliable casualty reports of Afar civilians and human rights abuses in border conflict during Ethio-Eritrean war 1998 - 2000 and in current border conflict between Eritrea and Djibouti again. Afar Human Rights Organisation (AHRO) calls up on: United Nation, AU, EU, Arab league, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International to investigate human rights abuses in the Afar region.
For further inquiry and support please contact Afar Human Rights Organisation (AHRO): ahro2006@hotmail.com
Note
Picture: Afar Land typical landscape
The reasons of the conflicts and the long lasting antagonism may be secondary and unimportant; however, the colonial involvement worsened the situation through false promises, utilization of naïve leaders in harmful projects, and vain hopes of prevalence and preponderance, through reticence and biases.
In the process, the main victims of the colonial policies and promises were the two rival nations, who actually find themselves in the tragic situation of a national trichotomy. The Afar Land has been divided by Abyssinia (fake ´Ethiopia´), Eritrea and Djibouti. And the Issas have found themselves divided among Somalia, Djibouti and Abyssinia.
Quite unfortunately, despite the dire circumstances that both nations have been crossing over the past decades, the proper lesson has not yet been taken, and both Afars and Issa Somalis have been even recently engaged in fratricide clashes.
In these cases, the wrong interpretation of fact encapsulates the perpetuation of the fight; even short term agreements and armistices are lost in the maelstrom of an erratic interpretation of the earlier developments.
The only real victims of this situation are the two nations who cannot get disentangled from the vicious circle of bloodshed. The most recent clashes between Afars and Issa Somalis occurred in Abyssinia last June.
The details can be found in a Press Release issued on the occasion by the Afar Human Rights Organisation (AHRO) from the part of the Afars. I have not come across an Issa version of the events that may perhaps have never been elaborated in a text. However, if a counterfeit press release were available, I would be happy to publish it and comment thereon.
The facts mentioned therein are real and deplorable but this matters little; what matters most is how the Afars and the Issa Somalis will manage not to repeat a similar phenomenon which triggers the greatest joy and the most perverse satisfaction among the real common enemies of the Afars and the Issa Somalis, namely the Amhara and Tigray Monophysitic (Tewahedo) Abyssinians.
More effort for knowledge and analysis may at times help; on the other hand, the same activity can at times destroy. And this is the point of my criticism and the way toward pacification and fraternity. Interpretation of earlier facts is a trap for the subjugated nations of Abyssinia that happen to have been engaged in fratricidal wars with other tyrannized peoples. It is therefore wise to avoid any further interpretation of earlier facts within a press release that describes recent events and developments.
In an effort of interpretation, various sentimental motives are present and exercise a role of catalyst – very negatively; they inflect the tone and the character of a text, leaving negative impressions to the ´other part´. This automatically triggers reaction, and even if the troubles and the clashes are presently concluded, the antagonism soon comes to surface again. The earlier acts are then repeated in a more violent manner under the strong impact of the meanwhile published narratives of the unnecessary interpretation.
Indicatively, I mention here the references - in the herein published press release – to the former Somali President Siad Barre and the concept of Greater Somalia; they truly add nothing to the case of the Afars whose campaign has to be exclusively based on present facts – this would be the best advocacy for their plights, and the best political approach and engagement. The main problem for the Issas, the Afars, and many other tyrannized nations of Africa is Colonialism, the nefarious English plans for Eastern Africa, and the Amhara – Tigray Monophysitic Abyssinian tyranny. Greater Somalia could have existed without occupying any part of the Afar Land, and the two peoples, the Somalis (whose part are the Issas) and the Afars could have been both independent, free and prosperous at the same time. The perversely submitted idea that the progress of the Afars is a calamity for the Somalis and vice versa is a criminal anti-African lie.
What can be done?
Political organizations, Human Rights associations, cultural societies and representatives of the social hierarchy must organize a clandestine meeting (it would otherwise be prohibited in tyrannical ´Ethiopia´) and set up a truthful national liberation agenda. This is necessary to happen among both, the Afars and the Issa Somalis. Both nations´ representatives must then select delegates who would participate in an initial key bilateral (Afar and Issa) meeting.
All issues, History involved, would be discussed, and in the end, several permanent committees would be established to focus on the common fight for independence and freedom, the existing issues of Afar – Issa relationship perturbation, the collateral damage inflicted on both nations because of their antagonism, and the steps needed to permanently cancel the troublesome phenomenon. After the completion of the deliberations in the meeting, an inspection committee would be established on bilateral basis as well; among its open end tasks would be included the implementation of the decisions taken, the permanent observation of the contacts, the exchanges and the interactions between the two oppressed and multi-divided nations, and (in case of revival of enmities) the immediate interference, coordination and conflict containment.
I publish here the Afar Human Rights Organisation Press Release, planning to further expand on the subject in future articles.
The Massacre in the Afar region, Ethiopia
Afar Human Rights Organisation Press Release June 14, 2008
A well planned military attack by contraband-led Issa-Somalis took place in Mille and Adaytu villages of the Afar Region which are situated some 530 km from the capital Addis Ababa between June 10 and June 12, 2008.
The first attack was on health team from regional health bureau who was on vaccination campaign mission to Leedi Kebele, where two government employees were massacred cold-blooded and their vehicle was confiscated.
The next raid occurred the same day in an attempt to invade the village of Adaytu, where 30 civilians were massacred and 26 wounded. More killing was also reported by the Ethiopian government army that attacked the Afars who were gathered to collect their dead.
The Afar pastoralists are reported to be victims of current drought, systematic invasion policy of Issa -Somalis as well as irresponsible government army massacre. In this regard, there is a hidden and sever human rights abuse that needs an immediate action from the international community.
The chronic conflict between Afars and Issas that was intensified since 1960 has claimed thousands of civilian lives. The nature of the conflict altered since the independence of Somalia and Djibouti, driven by the ambition of Greater Somalia. Many observers and governments in the Horn of Africa still vow the argument of the interethnic conflicts, which has its roots in pastoral gazing land.
However, this argument proved to be wrong in many aspects, where both the then Siad Barre in Somalia and the Djibouti governments wish to push the Afar pastoralists from their fertile land along the Awash Valley and occupy the territory to realize the vision of Greater Somalia.
Therewith, the Afars are prisoners in their "Regional State", which lacks a mandate to secure a peaceful existence of its nation. The TPLF regime which made Ethiopia land locked country is now depending on Djibouti for its sea outlet. Therefore, the TPLF regime is scarifying the Afar people to have a good relation with Djibouti´s Issa government since its independence 1977. Despite the number of research proposals from Addis Ababa University and the complaints from Afar elders to resolve the conflict, the TPLF regime has not yet paid any attention to determine the issue and to create a conducive environment for a peaceful coexistence between the Afars and the Issas. There have been reliable casualty reports of Afar civilians and human rights abuses in border conflict during Ethio-Eritrean war 1998 - 2000 and in current border conflict between Eritrea and Djibouti again. Afar Human Rights Organisation (AHRO) calls up on: United Nation, AU, EU, Arab league, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International to investigate human rights abuses in the Afar region.
For further inquiry and support please contact Afar Human Rights Organisation (AHRO): ahro2006@hotmail.com
Note
Picture: Afar Land typical landscape
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