Just when the world
thought the Somali political situation could not get
worse, a new nightmare started to unfold. On October 29,
2008, five seemingly coordinated suicide attacks have,
according to Reuters, killed "25 people in Hargeisa and
another 3 in Bosasso" and wounded many more.
The Somali Diaspora
Network (SDN) unequivocally condemns these violent acts
in the strongest terms and urges restraint.
In a clear attempt to keep
Somalis divided, the ruthless criminals who perpetrated
the attacks have targeted different sites in the capital
cities of two relatively peaceful regions in northern
Somalia- "Somaliland" and "Puntland".
Such reprehensible acts naturally lead to increased
suspicions and finger-pointing, yet those who have the
most to gain in keeping Somalis divided and at war with
one another are wasting no time in exploiting the
situation to advance their interests. It came as no
surprise when the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Seyoum
Mesfin, was quick to tell the world that it was "the
work of the usual terrorists who try to create
instability".
SDN joins their Somali
brethren everywhere in offering heartfelt condolences to
the families and the loved-ones of the victims of these
atrocious acts. Furthermore, SDN urges the leadership of
Somaliland and Puntland to refrain from any
emotion-driven rhetoric or actions that could further
exacerbate the situation and radicalize more people.
Prudence, not simply
expedience, should be the key element driving the
process of conducting the investigation, deciding on an
appropriate reaction, and developing a preventive
strategy that restores and maintains peace and order.
ABOUT SOMALI DIASPORA NETWORK (SDN)
– SDN is a grass-roots organization committed to
advocate on critical policy matters pertaining to
Somali-American interest and issues of concern through
communication and information sharing, raising public
awareness, and educating the public and government
officials.
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Somali Diaspora Network (SDN)
Fax:
(703) 891-9120
Email:
contact@somalidiaspora.org
http://www.somalidiaspora.org
