Darling Somalia, the new golden child

Ten years after Black Hawk Down and chaos, the world is once again set on ‘rescuing’ Somalia. 50 states supported last week’s Somalia conference in London. William Hague re-opened a British embassy. The U.S. has pumped more than $1.5 billion worth of assistance into the country since 2009, including the $40 million pledged on Tuesday. UNDP staff are waiting to follow its new country director on his way to Mogadishu and everyone hopes that aid will produce stability which will encourage security, as the country is still considered an international battleground in the fight against al-Qaeda.

The UNDP has captured these efforts in a beautiful promotion video tellingly under the name, “A new Somalia”.

Apparently, no one wants the old Somalia back. The infighting, the piracy, the terrorism and the hopelessness. Instead of American soliders the emphasis is now on country-led and country-owned solutions. Not only has Somalia endorsed the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, but its government is touring the world this year to drum up investment and support for its slow path to recovery. However, Somalia needs to handle its natural blessings wisely and not sell out to prying international investors. (Read more by Katrina Manson on oil in the FT). 

The cracks are visible. Somalia will need to deal with its violent and chaotic past to be able to advance. Whether this comes in the form of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission such as in Sierra Leone or in the re-making of the old colonial borders such as in Sudan. Radical and brave solutions must prevail to avoid the fate of the Congo, where an oblivious international community, weak politicians and a docile population have surrendered to the iron first of civil war. I dare speak hopefully and say, there is enough wisdom and potential to create another success story. But it needs to be led from within.

Therefore I will keep quiet and hand over to Mohamud Uluso, a Somalian journalist outspoken in his support for the current government and a united Somalia.

Bold Action for a New Deal for Engagement with Fragile States

Third High Level Meeting for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding 19 April 2013.
http://www.newdeal4peace.org

Last year two distinctly divergent views emerged when Somalia established a permanent government ending 12 years of a chaotic transition period. Journalist Mohamud Uluso warned that “the future forebodes more pessimism and treachery than optimism and trustworthiness”, and yet, at the same time UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon heralded the new-found unity and pledged his support to a peaceful, democratic, stable and prosperous Somalia, stating: “we committed to a new Somali-owned and led partnership, which will work towards a compact between the Somali authorities and the international community inspired by the principles outlined in the New Deal, agreed in Busan in November 2011.” Differing interpretations on the New Deal’s effect on Somalia were central to informing these conflicting opinions.

Why do we love war?

We cannot choose who we love. True. Yet, we choose trust, stability, warmth, mutuality and respect. Not many would choose war. Or would we?

Last week I attended a discussion at The Frontline Club, a London club set up to honor those who died on the front in pursuit of journalism. It was a  discussion between Jake Wood and Charles Glass. Jake spoke about the battle he faced upon his return from Afganistan and Iraq when diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Charles Glass, whose latest book Deserter explores the widely untold stories of the British and American deserters in the Second World War.

Jake’s story, his personality, his shaking hands, the way he crumbled his speaking notes in his hands and the way he spoke openly about his condition captured the audience and me.

Can women networks promote equality?

Gender Equality? Reverse Reality. A mural at Davos 2013 by the Itinerant Museum of Art.

A Warhol-style mural appeared in Davos just before the World Economic Forum (WEF) in January. There are four men among 18 women the reverse ratio of the real representation of Davos with only 17% of female delegates. Many of the companies subject to the quota simply send exactly four men, thus avoiding the need for a woman delegate, accused The Guardian. Only 4.2 percent of Fortune 500 CEO positions are filled by women. In politics the situation is a little better. The global proportion of female political representative is about 18.4% claims a 2007 Dfid report. But are quotas and women conferences really bringing the change we need?

What it feels like to live in the Niger Delta

This is the first part of a short series about Nigeria and Oil – a topic that surfaces time and time again in the news. The community perspective on living under government focussed on getting revenues instead of serving its people.

“My lord,

We all stand before history. Appalled by the denigrating poverty of my people who live on a richly endowed land, distressed by their political marginalization and economic strangulation, angered by the devastation of their land, their ultimate heritage, anxious to preserve their right to life and to a decent living, and determined to usher to this country as a whole a fair and just democratic system which protects everyone.” 

This is an excerpt of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa’s last statement before a Nigerian military-appointed tribunal executed him in November 1995 as one of the nine leaders of the struggle of the Ogoni people. It seems that not much has changed in the past twenty years.

#Kenyadecides

a recipe to forget:
win an election
host celebratory parties

a recipe to remember:
touch a scar
look in a mirror

Which woman inspires you?

Today at work I have been asked to come up with women that inspire me. Ha! I thought, I know tons of them. Successful, strong and brave women are totally my thing. Then blank. No one came to mind… I could name quite a few men, for example Bernard Kouchner from Doctors without borders, Denis Mukwege from the DRC who didn’t get the Nobel Peace Prize but almost got shot this year, I could name the Kenyan John Githongo who revealed endemic corruption and Adam Hochschild who’s books I love. But a woman?

The first name that came to my mind was Anais Nin, whose diaries and love to Henry Miller continue to touch me. I admire Simone de Beauvoir and her honest writings. But the problem is they are dead.

When I googled the matter, Forbes top list of inspiration women sprung up and the usual suspects. Ory Okolloh, Margaret Chan and Lady Gaga. But what do I really know about these people. Am I so familiar with them that I would hand them an award for being a role model. Do they really inspire me? Who would I want to be? And what about the people who don’t make it onto the google top 10. The everyday heros of working mums, of daughters caring for their parents, of girls struggling through violence, poverty, misery?

And because I am unable to answer these questions just now, I need some more input. Who would you pick?

The person has to be progressive, imaginative, courageous, empowering, and passionate. 

Please just comment below or send me an E-mail here.