Somalia’s ‘sovereignty police’ stance only serves to hurt country’s interests

By T. Roble

Barely a week after President Mohamed Farmaajo stirred a diplomatic tiff with a close ally-Djibouti over his call for Eritrea sanctions ending, his administration is at it again this time around wading into a distant dispute between two countries over purely domestic issues.

Mogadishu appears vexed by Canada, one of its many bilateral donors over a diplomatic tussle with Saudi Arabia. Even before the two feuding countries could adequately acquaint themselves with the import of the spat, Somalia was already jumping into the fray express its support ‘for a brotherly nation.’

“The Federal Republic of Somalia makes clear that it supports its brotherly Saudi Arabia’s decision against foreign interference in its internal affairs,” a statement from the foreign affairs ministry Wednesday read in part.

Must Somalia pontificate on anything and everything to the world? Must Somalia be the Sovereignty Police of the world? The bottom line is, you do not have to open your mouth all the time to remain relevant on the global arena.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Awad defended the government position Thursday adding Somalia was only making it clear Canada should not interfere with Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty. This followed a barrage of criticisms as Somalis recalled instances of deportations of Somalis by Saudi Arabia only for Canada to accept and embrace them including the ten orphaned children who arrived in Canada January 2016 following risks of deportation from Saudi Arabia. Others even went ahead to tender apologies to the Canadian government ‘on behalf of fellow Somalis.’

Of note perhaps is that seven ministers in the current administration including the Foreign Affairs minister Awad himself are Canadian passport holders.

The morality argument over which side Somalia ought to have sided with in the ongoing dispute is for now immaterial but the 64 million dollar question is; how in the first place does this matter concern Somalia?

BILATERAL SUPPORT

It is, however, worth mention that both countries provide significant financial support to the Somali government through humanitarian support and budget injection. Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed D. Hussein, himself a Somali in April announced $18 million humanitarian support to Somalia in addition to $29 million the North American nation provided to address conflict- and drought-related humanitarian needs in Somalia in 2017.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia pledged $32 million in budget support for the financial year 2018 for Somalia after holding back last year following Mogadishu’s ‘neutral stance’ in the Gulf Crisis. Riyadh has variously in the past funded Somalia’s budget but intermittently depending on politics in Mogadishu.

FOREIGN POLICY PUZZLE

Of interest for this article is President Farmaajo’s Foreign Policy approaches which at best leaves an observer bewildered. Perhaps one consistent issue in the current administration has been diplomatic gaffes which have exposed the country to ridicule and embarrassment. One is always left asking who actually advises the President and his administration on foreign policy matters.

National Interest undergirds foreign policy and diplomatic direction of any country thus any decision regarding relations with other countries must be informed by either the need to protect or advance the interests of the country. Added to this is perceptiveness which is the ability to discern nuances and applying insight to distinguish issues, motives, interests, and positions especially in negotiating mutually acceptable solutions. Simply, it helps those in the diplomatic circle know when to open or shut their mouths.

SOVEREIGNTY POLICE

Often is the timeless advice proffered that the less you talk and engage more in listening to seek understanding the better you are able to relate with others. Such advice is either in exceptionally low supply in Villa Somalia or utterly ignored. Must Somalia pontificate on anything and everything to the world? Must Somalia be the Sovereignty Police of the world? The bottom line is, you do not have to open your mouth all the time to remain relevant on the global arena.

What therefore is the national interest the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was trying to pursue in its statement Wednesday siding with Saudi Arabia in an issue which does not even concern the closest Gulf neighbours?

Seven ministers in the current administration including the Foreign Affairs minister Awad himself are Canadian passport holders

Two things emerge out of this misguided and misinformed move. One scenario could be that the Farmaajo administration is trying to appease the Saudi Kingdom and seek atonement for the ‘sin’ of declaring a neutral stance in the Gulf Crisis. That Riyadh is ticking boxes and watching Mogadishu’s every move to decide on whether it will let loose its purse strings for budgetary pledge.

The second and disturbing scenario is that the Farmaajo administration has deliberately endeavoured to continue Somalia’s position as the lapdog which wags its tail at even at the most mundane for the dollar.

A country’s foreign policy is as effective as the people chosen to implement it and trust by the country’s leadership upon them. Exposing the President to embarrassment as was the case in Djibouti and dragging the country into unnecessary distance feuds only cumulatively serve to harm the country’s interests and advances none.