Al-Shabaab Peace Deal

Al-Shabaab Peace Deal

The level of peace dramatically influences the development of any country because when people are guaranteed of their safety, they are more productive in every sector they are engaged in. Establishing a state that is in ultimate understanding between different ethnic and religious groups, should be the core objective of any government as this is the base of any economic advancement of a state. Take a look at the countries that have constant wars and conflicts and their economic development; one can spot the gap created by fear and terror inflicted on people through regular gunshots and exploding bombs. When a country realizes the importance of peace among its citizens and its contribution towards economic growth and development, it invests more of its resources in trying to establish a conducive environment by holding peace talks, deals and treaties with the rebelling groups. The following paper explains why it is essential and high time that the Somali government hold peace talks and conventions with the Al-Shabaab. To do this, I sample some of the recent peace deals that have been held such as the Taliban and USA peace deal, the Colombian government and the FARC rebel peace deal, and the Ethiopian government and the ONLF peace deal.

By late April 2021, the US government and its allies (NATO) will call off all their troops from Afghanistan following a peace treaty that was signed in Qatar between the US government and the Taliban government. The terms of the deal were that the Taliban administration is to neither help nor shelter terrorists as well as engage in peace negotiations with the US-backed Afghan government and in return, the US will gradually withdraw its twelve thousand service members in the country (Beggin, 2020). The deal is not only a significant step in achieving economic stability in Afghanistan but also ending the most protracted America’s conflict that has been experienced for over twenty years. The Ethiopian government also signed an agreement recently with the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebels from its Somali region even though it had been officially declared as a terrorist group by the state (Maasho, 2018). According to Reuters (ADDIS ABABA), the treaty demands that both parties would halt hostilities and the rebels will express their political interests, obligations and demands through peaceful ways.

The Colombian government finally came to an understanding with the FARC in  2016  after years of continuous conflicts. Even though it took Colombia five years of direct negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, it was an essential step in stopping conflicts and war that has lasted for the past fifty years. The talks presented a framework for transforming and sustainable Colombia, tackling disparities in land rights, agricultural development, illicit drugs, political participation, victim security and the establishment of a comprehensive transitional justice system (Blunt, & Cardin, 2017). Most importantly, negotiators have found a way to stop a reversion to conflict through demilitarization, disarmament and resettlement of the previous FARC forces.

From all these peace treaties and the advancement that is anticipated to bring in the affected states, it is high time for talks between the Somalian government and the terror group after years of war and instability in the country. Although Al-Shabaab still controls a few rural areas, the newly elected president of Somali Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo, has brought light to the nation after showing interest in opening talks with the group. Since the militants had two issues that they wanted the government to address, that is converting the land to an Islamic state with sharia law and the exit of all troops from the country (Ingiriis, 2018). As the government has already delivered on the first issue, the withdrawal of the Amisom forces is the only demand the group needs, and this can be agreed upon and achieved in less than five years through peaceful talks. This step will guarantee the country an economic advancement due to the political stability that will enhance productivity among the citizens as well as attract foreign investors and partners.

References

Beggin, R.(2020). The US and Taliban sign agreement meant to end America’s longest war

Asian Survey, 57(6), 981-1007.

Blunt, R. D., & Cardin, B. L. (2017). A Roadmap for US Engagement with Colombia. Atlantic Council.

Ingiriis, M. H. (2018). From Al-Itihaad to Al-Shabaab: how the Ethiopian intervention and the ‘War on Terror Exacerbated the conflict in Somalia. Third World Quarterly, 39(11), 2033-2052.

Maasho, A. (2018). Ethiopia signs peace deal with rebels from the gas-rich region. [online] Ethiopia signs peace deal with rebels from the gas-rich region. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-politics/ethiopia-signs-peace-deal-with-rebels-from-gas-rich-region-idUSKCN1MV0YO [Accessed 19 Feb. 2020].