Somalia: A perfect illustration of ‘a contained State’ in this contemporary world.
Containment is a useful concept in an international system. Mostly, it is used against an entity that is difficult to defeat. And entities that can neither be eliminated nor negotiated with through any form of peace accords. This contained entity could be a sovereign country or an organisation, which has no base in an individual territory.
Containment aims to prevent spreading threats from such entity, and enhances security in countries that have adopted the measure. And of course it is not a final policy which affirms that it may bring an end, or in fact offer a solution, to the problem that is caused by such an entity. Hence, deterring these threats is what encourages foreign states to adopt a containment policy.
In order for any sovereign country to be part of, and a positive participant, in an international system, first and foremost, it has to be a responsible member in the international community. Responsibility may only be observed when there is a regime that is able to hold a ‘monopoly on violence’ within that given sovereign boundary. In the international community the interests of one country are intrinsically tied to the interests of the other country. The lack of a viable central government in Somalia is not only a problem for Somalis within its borders rather it becomes an international problem. The fact is that today’s Somalis lack of central government since 1991 is the principle cause for the uncontrollable threats that emerges from it.
Thus these threats were taken very seriously as they spread around the world because they are not only a threat to Somalis but also to the international community. Some of the facts on the ground that lead our containment arguments are: Lack of real partnership with the international community and deficiency of Somali politicians who are incapable of settling their differences at the negotiating table.Given these realities the external actors are arguing for containment and the international community does not have any real choices to find other alternatives.
It seems that neither the current regime nor its predecessors have taken their responsibilities seriously, and they have never acknowledged that they have failed to do so. Hence, Somalia lacks a competent regime that is able to enforce the law of land to have a level playing field for its citizens. The responsibility to establish a strong and fair regime now is solely upon the shoulders of Somali people, both those inside the country and in the Diaspora. Ordinary Somali people’s hope of bringing peace and prosperity into their territory has faded away.Their wishes of for this stability are becoming unattainable because there are two other forces to contend with. Pirates and the home grown extremism of Al Shabaab is the result of this policy that leaves the Somali people completely helpless.
The pirates and to a degree the extremism owes its existence to the warlords that ruled with impunity because the politicians were incapable of justly uniting the divided people. On top of that these inept and dishonest, politicians were not able to understand the external forces that were coming into play in the post 9-11 world.
Therefore, geopolitical entities, neighbouring states, and the international community have decisively interfered into the affairs of the Somali people. In the aftermath of the realisation of the threats of which this country possesses, the decision to protect their territory and citizens against threats that emerges in such a lawless state was taken.For this reason such threats were contained inside its boundary. Borders were shut for the people that needed to migrate into the neighbouring countries, and those who are given shelter are arrested and punished if they are suspected in planning for the destabilisation their host countries.
Somali citizens have suffered and are continually suffering under these circumstances, whether they are in the country or in refugee camps and around the world. Their demand of peace was denied by their own people. They were put in a containment box by the people whom they supported yesterday without hesitation, and the people they entrusted to ensure their very protection and guarantee their survival.
Unfortunately, I am, as a writer of this article, not able to provide a definite solution to this long existent predicament, but the only suggestion that I may share with my fellow Somali people is that it is a time to deter complaining to others and take the responsibility of our actions. And be realistic to realise that we, the people of this country, may merely be able to give peace and a fair system to our people and country, and also able to penetrate this containment and forge positive relations with our international partners.
