The last time a conference of this kind took place was before 130 years or more.  Most of the people had a high expectation for this conference and wished that it would solve so many problems and disadvantages facing Awadal. There was no doubt that the conference has happened at a turbulent time due to uncertain future of Somalia and its politics as well as disturbances in Awdal.

The Government of Somalia, neighbouring countries, Awdal people, and the people of Northern Somalia were all watching at the outcome of this conference.  All those are considered stakeholders because Gadabuursi people are citizens in all those regions and countries. Some of the neighbouring countries have their own interest in the peace of the region.  Before anything else, we have to understand the players of the conference and what we think their demands are.

At this conference there are four competing forces with different agendas:

RELIGIOUS CLERICS 

This group dominates the daily life of the people and wants their voice should be heard seriously. These clerks have a lot of influence on the people and on any decision making body. Without their support and consent, any decisions taken would fail. 

They have played a great role in the conference and in the outcome of the meeting.  They breach peace but honestly they are searching for control of the peace in their own terms. I do not want to talk about their real agenda at this time of the game and would like to reserve for future analysis.

TRIBAL LEADERS:

The Tribal Leaders were leading the conference and were supposed to come up with long living outcomes. The focus was to unite Gadabuursi and set the agenda for that goal. However it turned out that a hidden agenda surfaced in the last moments of the conference. Tribal leaders represent their tribes’ interest. But that responsibility is taken over by their special interest because they have no source of income and their tribes do not support them financially. They get some handouts from the Government and for this reason their decision is influenced. Politically they compete for that handout and they are always looking over their shoulders. They are not free for their opinions and decisions. So they cannot afford to lose the handouts.

POLITICIANS. 

Off course, politicians represent the governing party and they cannot breach their loyalty. They are the worst among the Gadabuursi people. If they lose their jobs in the government, they cannot afford to take care of their needs as well as their families’. They have to think twice before they reach any decision. Most of the times they come to these meetings with their decision already made through the advice of their boss. So their agenda is automatically pro-government and try to avert any decision contrary to that and to their benefits.

Having categorised the agendas of the leaders of the conference, the outcome of the conference needs the attention of Awdal peoples. They announced 10 outcomes from the five days Conference. 

Unequivocal Support of Somaliland. The First Priority was declaration of an unequivocal Support and Recognition of Somaliland and its Administration and ended with LONG LIVE SOMALILAND

THE REST OF THE OUTRCOMES WERE SECONADARY:

Unity of Gadabuusri peoples. 

Peace in the region and neighbourly coexistence.

Regional Development – Economic, Social, Environmental

Unanimous Support of the Sultans’ demands which they previously sought from Siilaanyo

To Leave Regional Boarders as left by Britain 

It seems that the agenda of the conference has been predetermined and destined. The Gadabuursi people had other priorities. These priorities were explained in the document put forward by the Sultans to Siilaanyo. The document explained in details the demands of Awdal peoples. The Awdal people have been given the middle finger (the F-word symbolism) by Siilaanyo and his propaganda Minster (Cukuse). The propaganda minster has finalized that request with absolute "NO” when he and Siilaanyo came to know that the conference has ended in their favour and with the unequivocal support from the conference. This ended the little hope the people were awaiting for.

Unity among Gadabuursi peoples has been always controversial and unreachable and still shaking. Unity is always the priority for any community which has a common interest whether that interest is defence, economical, and political. Without unity of the community, each member of that community is in danger of marginalisation and its rights and demands are not respected.  It seems unity is sidelined by special interest groups in the conference. The unity was not there in the first place at the start of the conference. The people are still divided and who knows when a compromise is reached. It is doubted that this will ever be reached.

About the peace and neighbourly coexistence, the Gadabuursi has been always the vanguard of peace in the region. Gadabuursi has travelled extra mile in order to keep the peace and endure because of it. They suffered million times for the sake of peace. They were killed in the cities, butchered on the roads and in their homes and still never diminished seeking peace. Instead they are suppressed beyond any standard. Sultans and politicians are still talking about peace. What peace are they talking about?  The answer to this question rests on them. The participants of that conference claimed they unanimously support the written demands given to SIilaanyo. That document was thrown into the garbage bin as Siilaanyo’s propaganda minster stated that the fate of that document was signed by the Sultans during Siilaanyo’s visit in the region.  Siilanyo and his comrades knew the outcome before the conference started. When you listen to all the speeches from Borama, Hageisa, and beyond, you see that Siilaanyo and his comrades are celebrating and bombarding compliments on the Sultans, religious leaders, and politicians.

The Youth and women of all ages were not represented in that conference. Their rights and views were not respected. They were not invited to voice their concerns and to contribute to the unity, peace, and development addressed in the conference. The Youth are the most anxious and ambitious group and who are always sidelined by the Religious Clerics, tribal leaders, and politicians.

The conference has shown the true colours of the leaders and politicians of Awdal people. The people of the region and beyond have been lied to and misled. A precious opportunity has gone with wind. All expectations of the people are buried in GEB.

By Mohamed Mousa