From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Oct 22 2008 - 14:01:47 EDT
Leaving the Somali People to Resolve Their Issue Themselves: the Only Solution
By Staff
Oct 22, 2008, 12:07
The invasion of the sovereign state of Somalia by external forces in gross violation of all international laws and principles is a shameful chapter in the history of the world that prides itself on its civilized laws and principles and modern philosophies of human rights. The massacre, destruction and displacement of innocent civilians that ensued after the invasion that was carried out in clear violation of the principles of the right to self-determination and the rule of law are by far the worst crimes on humanity in the 21st century.
The outcome of the ill-devised invasion has so far been nothing but failure and embarrassment. For two years the world has seen and heard the news of war, turmoil and human loss coming out of Mogadishu. Having entered into a quagmire of fire to please its masters, the TPLF regime is now in desperate search for a way out.
Realizing that they are immersed deeply in an inescapable quagmire, the quarters that invaded Somalia have been making attempts to divide and weaken Somali opposition forces in a bid to cover up their failures and shake off accountability for the crimes on humanity they committed on the Somali people. It is to be recalled that the ill-conceived so-called reconciliation attempts made by external powers in Djibouti had failed without accomplishing anything because they did not include the wishes and desires of the Somali people and their political forces. Yet, apparently having learned nothing from previous experience, the same quarters are now engaged in similar futile attempts in Kenya. However, there is one fact that these quarters have been unable to recognize or refuse to recognize, i.e., the primary reason why the afore-mentioned attempts could not success is because the initiative was not taken by the Somali people and their contents did not address Somali issues.
It is to be recalled that the Government of Eritrea had two years ago warned that the invasion of Somalia by the TPLF regime and the US Administration could only lead to an inescapable quagmire and that it will entail dangerous consequences on the Horn of Africa. The Eritrean government had also pointed out that the Somali issue should and could only be resolved by the Somalis themselves. But the warnings fell on deaf ears and the illegal invasion was carried out. In their attempt to cover up the failure they sustained in their initial erroneous measure through the use of excessive military force, these forces have in the past two years committed gross crimes on humanity against the Somali people which history will never forget. The Somali experience of the past two years in particular and what the world has learned regarding the US Administration and their agents in general is that their tactic of trying to redeem one mistake by another is only a march forward to failure and destruction. Repeating in Kenya the failed attempt for so-called reconciliation in Djibouti is a clear example of the aforementioned fact.
Although the US Administration and TPLF regime refuse to face facts as they are, their most formidable challenge in Somalia is the people's own initiative for peace and reconciliation. Thus, it is clear that there is only one effective solution, i.e. to accept and respect the Somali people's choice without interference. The problem is that of the Somalis and accepting the fact that it can only be resolved by the Somalis themselves would be a wise move. The only constructive role the international community can play is to encourage and create conducive grounds for the Somali people to come together and deliberate on their differences, and more importantly to respect Somalia's territorial integrity!
Mirara Arts Association graduates 107 students
By Staff
Oct 22, 2008, 13:19
Asmara, 22 October 2008 - A total of 107 students graduated in certificate, diploma and advanced diploma from the Mirara Arts Association upon completion of 2 to 4 year course in painting.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Ministry of Education Hall, the chairperson of the Association, Mr. Berhane Abraha, explained that the association has now begun teaching students for a year which was only limited to the summer season. And as such, the number of students enrolled in the course is growing from time to time, he added.
Also speaking on the occasion, the head of cultural affairs at the Ministry of Education, Mr. Negasi Gebredingil, stressed the significance of painting in the development of culture in general and arts in particular. He further pointed out that the Ministry is doing its level best to promote education of this type.
Mr. Negasi and others handed certificates to the graduates. The Mirara Arts Association that was formed in 1998 has so far graduated about 700 students.
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