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For many months, I have used this space to lash out at those who kept Ogadenia into its current dilemma. I have said that such lowlifes who have misled the federal government and tricked our people should not be allowed to govern Ogadenia. Instead, these characters should be tried for corruption charges. I still hold those views notwithstanding the sentiment of some people that we should keep this shadow group in Jigjiga in power because we have nothing better than them. Unfortunately, this baneful reasoning for �nothing better� was encouraged by the Prime Minister Zenawi, who seems lacking the facts on the ground in Ogadenia, essentially letting this group who are not helping both himself (the Prime Minister) or the people of Ogadenia to continue to loot the budget of the region. Their corruption and status of �yes man� is giving ONLF a leeway to influence many people who don�t see future in Jigjiga.

I have also regularly used this space to spotlight the various misdirected policies of both Zenawi�s government and Osman�s ONLF, since they both seem ignoring the need for peace in Ogadenia and shutting down the possibility to work out a deal. My primary reason has been to aid these men (Zenawi and Osman) to see those things that the majority of the people in Ogadenia expect both of them to do in their interest; what's generally good for the nation, and not just the narrow-minded and selfish interest of a few.

However, both Mr. Zenawi and Mr. Osman have come to view this serious national discourse from an adversarial perspective and, accordingly, regard this important outlet as criticism of their respective posts. Many of my readers who have emailed me about the situation in Ogadenia wrote to me that the military generals of the Ethiopian Federal army who are based in Ogadenia see themselves as divine rulers who must tell their subjects what to do. The kind of arrogant attitude that characterized the Derge and quickened Mengistu�s downfall.

So, instead of just criticizing both Zenawi�s government and Osman�s ONLF, I have decided to offer some bold, concrete yet unconventional proposals which might lift Ogadenia from this deep hole of hopelessness. While the situation in Ogadenia is not completely unique, some of its elements are bizarre enough to require unusual approach.

First of all, we all must admit that our problems have been understated. Ogadenia is in a far deeper trouble than we have been led to believe, and that the condition would require more than the people in Ogadenia can give. We will need outside assistance as well as a mortgage on the future of the region. That means, as I always say, we must change the way we do business and institute a radical paradigm that can produce the desired results. Violence is not a solution.

As a consequence of this, Prime Minister Zenawi must admit and come to grips with the stark reality that the problems in Ogadenia are overwhelming, that few elders from certain clans cannot be used as political tool and that the shadow government in Jigjiga lacks the capacity to effectively address profound problems in the region. This simple admission of truth could be the starting point that he could do to lessen burden that his actions have imposed upon our people.

Secondly, with this admission of truth, the shadow government in Jigjiga must then tender its resignation. The region would be run by central government while referendum is being implemented. Another group of �yes man� should not be brought again, we tried this nine times and it didn�t work. Meanwhile, Mr. Zenawi should not be embarrassed for this bold and courageous action. He should realize that more flexibility is a must to provide effective, democratic leadership. Zenawi must understand that such dramatic decision would bring lasting peace in the Horn of Africa for a long time to come, and, most importantly, it would relieve his nation of this stranglehold of political mess. Without Ogadenia, Ethiopia will prosper. In fact, his government will divert many resources currently used for military purpose into educational and developmental projects.

Thirdly, Ogadenia must establish Ogaden National Crisis Administration (ONCA), which will run the country right after the referendum for the next three years before general elections are held. Ogaden national crisis administration will comprise of men and women who can command international trust, individuals whose sole purpose is to breathe life back into a dying nation. As such, unprincipled characters and political leeches need not apply.

This group will consist of seven persons. One of the selected seven will become director while the other six will each be charged with social welfare, national economic birth, finance, interior affairs, oil and foreign affairs. Basic qualifications in addition to experience will include honesty, commitment to democratic principles, sacrifice, antipathy to violence, belief in market-based economic system and declaration of personal assets. The purpose of this group is to design economic birth programs and engage in intensive international discussions to facilitate the effective implementation of such programs. All of their collective energy will be totally devoted to the success of this endeavor.

Following the selection of the Ogaden National Crisis Administration (ONCA), a blue ribbon commission will be set up to identify and prioritize Ogadenia�s many economic problems. From the commission's report Ogadenia can put together a need-based package, which will be presented to the Western powers, Arab League, international financial institutions and Japan for both grants and loans.

Fourth, and central to the success of these recommendations, is the maintenance of a safe and secure economic and political environment. U.N. and other friendly governments, which would provide training for a prepared Ogaden military and police, must play this vital role. An army of at least 10,000 soldiers for guard duties at key border posts, and a police force of 2000 should be adequate. All police personnel must be at least a high school graduate or its equivalent.

With these four recommendations, it would then be incumbent upon Ogadens in the Diaspora, especially those in Europe and North America, to make the necessary investment. Once the well-established roots of corruption, incompetence and lack of security have been removed from the system and also referendum is held in Ogadenia, most Ogadens would be willing to make substantial human and capital contributions to their country's development.

A key allied ingredient, which would be critically important for the success of this project, is a determined resolve to attract as much private investments into Ogadenia as possible, especially in the oil sector. Ogadenia�s oil must be fully privatized. Such foreign investments should include various manufacturing concerns and other business entities, which would enable the ordinary citizens to be economically self-sustained. Indeed, economic empowerment has been the crucial missing link in Ogadenia and is important point to be fully recognized. The importance of a vibrant middle class in any emerging economy cannot be overemphasized.

But all of this cannot happen in Ogadenia until we disburden this of economic and political parasites and profiteers who pillage the lifeblood people in Ogadenia.
The resignation of the Jigjiga administration is not a solution for all of Ogadenia's problems. Other meaningful actions should be taken to put in place, a fair and equitable political system that values the dignity and autonomy of the individual. It would require serious commitment and sacrifice to succeed. Referendum is the only way hope could have returned to Ogadenia.

Finally, Ogadenia will need the inculcation of new social and political values, since the existing structures are an affront to humanity, and if Mr. Zenawi is not receiving this message from his advisors on Ogadenia, he must fire them right now. The current political framework in Jigjiga, seemingly appropriate on paper, has been seriously perverted by the military generals and others in the Ogadenia to make the region a place of no peace no war to the detriment of both the federal government and the Ogaden people.

Abdullahi Khalif-Gariile
[email protected]


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