From time to time, there are periods often portrayed as dominated by mischievous and corrupt leaders in the Horn of Africa Region, yet beneath the surface of the hierarchical and often oppressive regimes, stories of rebellion simmer and occasionally flare into an open resistance. One such tale is that of a group of young Somalis led by Ahmed Gurey (Later known as Imam Ahmed Gurey) driven by a thirst for justice and freedom. Amidst despair, a rebellion was kindled in the most unlikely quarters of the Adal Empire of Somalis, a clandestine group of youngsters frustrated by their leaders began to meet in the outsmarts of Harar (the then Capital City of Adal Empire), – a place where they could organize themselves without the fear of the corrupt and mischievous leaders of theirs – igniting a long and bloody war plunging the region into a devastating war.
The 16th century war, known as “the Conquest of Abyssinia” between The Somalis and The Ethiopians (the then Abyssinia empire) was considered to be the bloodiest one of all time in The Horn of Africa region by all parties. Given the resemblance between what was happening then and what is taking place currently between the two countries, it’s as if history is repeating itself. At the start of 16th century war, a group of Somali youth led by Imam Ahmed Gurey, dared to fight against what they perceived as a malicious and tyrannical regime – the Adal Empire – that held their lives in a vice-like grip. But while getting ready to overthrow the leaders of their own empire, the Abyssinians attacked them, killing innocent people and plundering their livestock, knowingly or unknowingly preventing a much-needed regime change underway for the people from the people in the Adal empire.
This unprovoked attack against their people (the Somalis) by the Abyssinians forced the youngsters led by Imam Ahmed Gurey to rethink their original plan and instead take decisive decision to defend the motherland from Abyssinian aggression first and foremost. This stern judgement on behalf of the Somali people, by the youth, to protect them and their territory, in self-defense, was proven to be the beginning of a long and bloody war between the then Abyssinian empire and the Somali Empire of Adal.
Here we are today, Alshabab (The Youth-as its literal translation) adopts a more militant and an extremist stance against the Somali government partly claiming their dissatisfaction with its leaders and the governance system in the country as their motivation. However, the so-called Ethiopia – Somaliland memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has inadvertently provided a recruitment boon for Al-Shabaab by also stoking nationalist sentiments. Al-Shabaab has exploited the flagrant disregard Ethiopia has for the sovereignty of Somalia to galvanize support, portraying the MoU as an encroachment on Somali Territorial integrity.
This narrative resonates with almost all Somalis irrespective of their view towards each other, allowing Al-Shabaab to tap into heightened nationalistic passion, thereby bolstering its recruitment efforts, particularly from the youth who make up the largest portion of the Somali population. In all aspects, it is clear that Ethiopian transgression (which was unfavorable even for themselves historically) against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia today, closely mirrors that of the Abyssinian Empire in the 16th century, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to prevent history from repeating itself.
The high stakes involved in this situation means that the margin of error is slim, and any failure to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity can result in severe security, political, economic, and humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa Region. Wake up – there is no alternative for the Horn of Africa Region except peace!.
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Balal Mohamed Cusman former State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia. at: [email protected]
