The first time I saw what happened on October 7, 2023, I was having my morning coffee. A large number of photos, tweets, and retweets were streaming in my feeds on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Hamas fighters breached the fences around the Gaza Strip. I was watching all day as the events unfolded before my eyes. I was terrified not only about what was happening but also about what was to come.

My fears were not only about the aftermath of the assault but also about the retaliation from Israel, which I was sure would be brutal. My fears have become the reality we are seeing today. The constant reports of mass killings of children, women, and the elderly from Gaza  are heartbreaking.

No one could have imagined the extent of the attack and the results of the Israeli retaliation. Approximately 1,400 Israelis were killed in and around the territories surrounding the Gaza Strip after Hamas fighters and a number of Gazans managed to break through the physical and digital defenses of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). After the Israeli forces retook the territories swamped by Hamas fighters, they began to bombard and assault the Strip, which is home to 2 million Palestinians. The IDF inflicted very painful and unfathomable damage in the Strip, killing tens of thousands of civilians and causing large-scale destruction of houses and infrastructure.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for close to a century. Both peoples have lived in these territories for centuries under different ruling empires, mandates, and later on states, despite the non-existence of a universally recognized Palestinian state. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Palestinian territories were ruled by the British Empire.

After World War II and the Holocaust, Jews accelerated their quest to establish their own state in the Middle East to protect their population. Numerous wars have been fought over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the most notable ones were in 1948, 1954, 1967, and 1973.

Arab states have tried numerous times to defeat the Israeli state, but each attempt did not go as planned. I believe Arab states did not plan to free Palestinian territories in their wars against Israel. These wars were often used by Arab dictators to distract their populations from the mismanagement and repression that they were conducting internally in their countries. The Palestinian issue was used as a rallying flag for many decades, and yet Palestinians find themselves in a very precarious situation today.

After Arab states were either forced to remain quiet, like Algeria and Syria, or signed peace treaties with Israel like Egypt, UAE, Morroco and Bahrain, Iran remained the only challenge that Israel faces. The history of Iranian-Israeli relations is fascinating. The Shah’s regime in Iran had a cordial relationship with Israel before the Iranian Revolution. Both countries had diplomatic contacts and collaborated on a number of scientific and medical studies. Israel, in collaboration with the U.S., even helped Iran establish its nuclear infrastructure for peaceful energy use.

After the Iranian Revolution, the relationship ruptured, and animosity between the two countries increased, with Iran helping to establish organizations that are hostile to Israel, such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias in Iraq-after Saddam fell. These organizations served as forward defense bases for Iran. There was a deterrence situation in the Middle East between Iran and Israel for decades, but that deterrence was shattered on October 7, 2023.

Hamas was established in Gaza as a result of Palestinian frustration over the lack of a rightful state and disillusionment with the Palestinian Authority. Hamas evolved into a sizable military force with capabilities such as manufacturing missiles and recruiting thousands of armed men and women. They also ruled the Gaza Strip.

The organization decided to conduct the October 7 operation primarily because Israel managed to sign peace treaties with a few Arab states under the umbrella of the Abraham Accords. These Arab states dropped the prerequisite condition of the Arab League, which was that no peace treaty with Israel would be established until a Palestinian state was formed based on the territories before the 1967 war.

Hamas felt that the Palestinian issue would soon be ignored unless they did something so spectacular that the issue would once again be in the spotlight. The biggest prize of these treaties would have been the one between Saudi Arabia and Israel, so to prevent that, Hamas conducted the October 7 operation. The attack shattered the illusion of Israeli invincibility and showcased the hubris and overconfidence of the Israeli intelligence community. This failure will haunt the Israelis for years to come. The attack resulted in the highest number of Israeli deaths in a single incident since the Holocaust. The destruction inflicted on the Strip was far greater, with tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and a total blockade of the city that resulted in starvation and blackouts.

Hamas was among the organizations that Iran supported with finances, weaponry, and training. It is not known if Hamas shared their attack plan, but what they did in that attack paved the way for shattering the deterrence and enabled direct confrontation between Israel and Iran through bombing and missile strikes in their respective territories.

Iran, despite its economic weaknesses due to long-term sanctions, managed to build a formidable military and weapons manufacturing infrastructure, producing ballistic missiles and sophisticated drones that made it possible for Iran to defend itself and inflict significant damage on Israeli cities and towns. Israel, with U.S. support, built a strong air force armed with the latest fighter jets and air defense systems such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling.

The era of Arab supremacy has long gone, with Iraq, Syria, and Egypt absent from the strategic decisions made for the region. Turkey, Israel, and Iran are now the dominant players in the Middle East.

The result of the October 7 attack by Hamas will be remembered as a turning point for the Middle East in which Arabs will be either forced to recognize the Israeli state or become isolated. The expansion of the Abraham Accords will soon continue, with Syria and Saudi Arabia beginning to plan negotiations for peace treaties with Israel. With Arab power fading and Iran’s weakness, the prospects of establishing a Palestinian state are further away than ever before, but granting Palestinians their rightful state will be one of the cornerstones for a peaceful Middle East.

Amin Jamal 
amiinjamal25@gmail.com

Partnership Agreements to Avoid Accountability.In the midst of national and international efforts to save Somalia from sliding into civilstrife and anarchy because of political deadlock and increased threats from terrorist
group Al Shabab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, paradoxically ordered his State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to write a letter to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) and the Head of the African Union Transition Mission for Somalia (UNTMIS) for immediate end of the C6+ international Platform established under international partnership agreements to coordinate the
international support for political, security, and development needs of Somalia.

The subtle objective of this inopportune action is to shift the focus from the most critical issue of holding national dialogue conference among the Somali political stakeholders
to resolve current political and governance turmoil.

Through the C6+ platform, Somalia, the typical fragile state in the world, has received substantial international support in terms of security, budget support, conflict resolution,debt relief, humanitarian assistance, diplomatic and political support as well as protection and respect of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence.

The office of the SRSG plays the central role of coordinating international support and of facilitating the resolutions of political crises that frequently endanger the stability and peaceful transfer of power by the end of each political cycle.

The Minister’s letter states that “the C6+ as a tool of external political coordination  both outdated and counterproductive. It is not aligned with the principles of partnership, mutual respect, and national ownership that underpin Somalia’s relations with the international community today. Moreover, it’s continued international reference in international discourse gives the misleading impression that Somalia remains under externally driven political guidance, which unjustly undermines the legitimacy and maturity of our democratic institutions.”

First, it’s inaccurate that C6+ is only a tool of external political coordination. Second, the Minister’s claim that Somalia has functioning constitutional institutions with democratic maturity is truly laughable, debunked by the call of President Hassan for national dialogue to address the current political deadlock and by the indicting press statement issued by the Opposition Alliance – the Somali Salvation Council. President Hassan is
accused of abusive of power, corruption, nepotism, incompetence, human rights violations, dismantlement of state institutions, and unlawful amendment of the constitution and election system.

The Minister’s claim insults the intelligence of anyone familiar with the political and security situation of Somalia. Since 1991, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia have never been violated. The basic problem is the absence of national government capable of uniting and governing the entire country. In general, the C6+ Coordination Platform among international partners represents the last resort to diffuse political crises that continually develop among Somali political elite for access and exercise of state power.

Therefore, the letter aims to bully the international partners after taking common position against President Hassan’sdisastrous dictatorial policies that threw Somalia into deeper crises and conflicts, urging
him to engage the opposition and regional states.

It’s suspected that the idea of the letter emerged from a reported split among International Partners, particularly from the wild lone view of the European Union Ambassador Karin Johansson to Somalia, who siding with President Hassan, reportedly scolded other members of the International Partners “not to undermine the authority of Villa Somalia (the President).” It’s not clear the justification behind the outlandish view of
the EU Ambassador after witnessing over the last 3 years the clear deterioration of the political and security situation of Somalia.

The Minister’s letter grossly misrepresents the political, security, economic, and social situation of the country. It ignores the crises Somalia finds itself and the urgent need for
international intervention. Finally, it fails to recognize that the fundamental principles guiding the foreign Aid are based on effective and efficient coordination to avoidduplication and on the promotion of ownership and alignment for the benefit of recipientcountries.

The foreign Aid to fragile States is more complex because of the weak capacities of national Institutions. Donors, accountable to their taxpayers and aid
beneficiaries, scrutinize recipient’s policies for better use of aid resources.

The letter is also part of campaign to force the international partners to accomplice president Hassan’s strategy of power grab and personal rule. On June 10, 2025, WardheerNews published a piece under the title “Ex-Hirshabelle Leader Cosoble Launches Baseless Tirade Against UN Envoy,” criticizing former President of Hirshabelle State Abdullahi Ali Ossoble, who is member of President Hassan Sheik’sPolitical Party, for his unsubstantiated accusations against the SRSG James Swan.

ExPresident Ossoble alleged that James Swan has become the mouthpiece [spokesman] for the Council for the Salvation of the Somali People, a prominent Opposition Alliance.
He also accused the opposition for “standing in front of foreigners every morning.” The motto of president Hassan is “either accept my domination or you are an enemy with norights.”

It’s unfortunate that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation failed to impress President Hassan that Somalia is under Chapter VII of UN Charter and the protocol of Peace and Security of the African Union. For that reason, Somalia is supported under multiple coordination frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCF), C6+ framework (Ethiopia, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union (AU), The European Union (EU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)), the Quintet framework for development and security (Qatar, Turkey, UAE, USA, UK) , Troop Contributing Countries (Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, AU and IGAD),

IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict Affected Countries, WB Somalia Multi Partner Fund, African Development Bank), UN Security Council for peace and security maintenance, Debt Relief framework (Paris Club), and many other frameworks. In addition, the Ministry of foreign affairs fails to recognize that C6+ is the result of 2017 London international “New Partnership” and “Security Pact” to support Somalia until it gains selfgoverning capacity.

In his book “Adkeysi,” Presidential Candidate and member of the federal parliament Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame reported dispute over sovereignty claim between Somali leaders that included Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari (AUN), Omar Abdirashid, Sharif Xassan, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas Abdikarim Guled, Ahmed Madobe and former SRSG Nicholas Key. Late Speaker Jawari (AUN)
argued that Somalia is a sovereign state that can solve its internal political disagreements without external pressure or intervention and the UN should stop pressuring Somali leaders, giving them space and time.

In response, Ambassador Nicholas said: “Aniga meeshaan waxaan ku jooga awoodda Golaha Ammaanka ee Qarammada Midoobay oo ay waajibadkiisa ka mid tahay ilaalinta nabadda iyo xasillonida adduunka, laakin markii aad gaartaan in aadan u baahan in Golaha Ammaanka uusan idiin soo dirin Ergay Gaar ah, markii aad askarta ajnabiga ah ee idiin   ilaalineysa ka maarantaan oo kuwo Soomali ah isku aamintaan, markii aad canshurtiinaaad dowladdiina ku maammulataaan, markii aad xuduudaha iyo gobannimada dalkiina  ilaashaan kartaan- markaas ayaad sidaas ila hadli kartaa guddoomiye! Waxay aheyddaqiiqad weji gabax leh oo runta la is taabsiiyey (bogga 226-227) In rough translation,

“I’m here on the authority of the UN Security Council which has the responsibility of protection of the world peace and security, but when you achieve a level that you don’t need UN Security Council sending Special Envoy to you, that you don’t need foreign troops protecting you and you trust the protection of Somali security forces, your tax revenue are enough to maintain the running of your government, when you can protect and defend your borders and independence, then you can talk to me like that Mr. Speaker.! It was a moment of embarrassment and bluntness. Somalia has been repeatedly urged to achieve sovereign capability by the end of 2024, but unfortunately, after thorough assessment conducted in collaboration with the Federal government, it has been agreed that Somalia needs at least 6 more years to stand on its feet.

All Partnerships were renewed. It’s inconceivable that the President and the Minister forgot that arrangement. Today, Somalia runs the risk of not only not making progress but losing the small gains made over the last decade, including the
acceptance of the shared constitution. It’s flabbergasting that President Hassan who experienced such embarrassment probably in 2015 and who during his years of opposition had repeatedly appealed to the International Community to play its role in the resolution of the disputes between the federal government and the opposition, conveniently chose to claim sovereignty and democratic maturity to reject the C6+ mediation efforts to resolve current political concerns. Somali leaders have embarrassed themselves and tarnished the honor and dignity of the Somali people. It’s absolutely incredible the level of stupidity andimmorality of the Somali leaders.

Today the Somali people are reminded Albert Einstein’s statement, which is: “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” The statement encourages everyone to act and stop the harm inflicted on Somalia by dishonest, incompetent Somali leaders.

Dr. Mohamud M Uluso
MohamudUluso@Gmail.Com

Jun 08 (Jowhar)-During my time at university, I saw the current president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, working with members of his political party—previously known as the Peace and Development Party (PDP) but now called the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP)—cleaning streets and addressing the public about the need for a government that serves the interests of the people. In 2012, HSM got the opportunity to serve as president. I was elated, as I thought he would be much better than the previous leaders, who had dictatorial tendencies and little academic background. My hope diminished after I saw him stray from the core principles he preached before his first term. The little hope I had for him was crushed when I realized he was not coming up with an impactful agenda to save the country during his second term.

Somalia went through decades of bad governance and clan rivalry, which ultimately led to a vicious civil war and toxic Islamic extremism. I was born in Mogadishu, grew up there, and studied my primary and secondary education during the civil war and the ensuing chaos. My level of knowledge was quite limited before I left for university outside the country. I read extensively about Somali politics, politicians, and famous personalities, and I came to understand that the majority of these individuals are not positioned to serve as the leaders needed to extract the country from the mess it has been in for decades.

There is one politician whom I see differently: Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, a current member of parliament. He was born in Buleburte in 1968 and came from a humble upbringing, with a father from a military background and a housewife mother. According to his book “Adkeysi,” AAW was raised by parents who instilled early discipline and a readiness for hard work. After his father’s death due to liver failure in 1983, AAW was solely supported by his hardworking mother, who started a business to raise him and his brothers properly.

When I first learned about AAW, he was a minister in the TFG, and I didn’t know much about him. Like many Somalis in the public, I received information about his so-called treason, claiming he sold part of the Somali sea in exchange for dollars. If you do not read widely and only know Somali language, you are more likely to be fed conspiracy theories, fake news, and fabricated information. At the time, it seemed to me that he was capable of such actions, like many other Somalis. However, after getting to know him, I now see him as one of the best politicians I admire. People call him an idealist, suggesting he thinks he lives in the US or the EU, but I see him as someone with better positive qualities than many of his peers. In his book, he narrates how his father shaped his values of transparency, truthfulness, and the pursuit of knowledge. His father joined the military and, after teaching himself to read, was assigned to office-based military work.

Growing up in Mogadishu, people lived in horror, and I was afraid my parents would be harmed. The country was in total chaos. After the warlords were defeated, we came under a more sinister and violent extremist rule. Many of my close friends died in battles instigated by the extremists. Although I was not very interested in politics, I felt that the conditions in the country were unbearable and that there had to be a way out. When the TFG led by Abdullahi Yusuf came to Mogadishu, people did not realize it was a turning point. Without this move, the country would have become a haven for Islamists from around the world, bringing their intolerance, rigidity, and dogmatic ideology. I completely agree with AAW when he mentions in his book that the Islamists’ “Islam is a solution” slogan, without a deep understanding of the processes and technicalities involved, contributed to worsening the already tragic situation in the country.

I have always loved my country and still do, with its unique traits of homogeneity and the positive history of a “sense of community” (I borrowed this term from AAW’s book). It has great potential to bounce back and improve if it receives the good leadership it needs. I was truly surprised when I read his book, realizing that a Somali politician understands deeply what ails our country. When AAW narrated the absence of empathy and recognition of vulnerability among our people, and how Somalis transformed from empathetic, supportive saviors to individuals filled with rage, non-empathetic, scarred, and emotionally rigid, it resonated with how I felt about it.

The book by Ian Bremmer called “J Curve” stipulates that for a closed country (ruled by dictators, kings, or oligarchs) to become open (governed by democratic institutions with checks and balances), it must first experience chaos and lawlessness. The severity of destruction depends on existing bureaucratic institutions, literacy levels, and the extent of the rulers’ grip on the closed system. Somalia, under the rule of Siad Barre, he not only ruled with an iron fist but also facilitated the total destruction of the country’s institutions, paving the way for the emergence of warlords who looted, murdered, and pillaged the country’s resources. The Islamists, with their dogmatic views on governance and ignorance of the country’s history, along with AAW’s mention of their fabricated conspiracy theories about the West being the source of our mayhem, only added fuel to the fire of the crisis.

The civil war and subsequent violence ripped the country apart, causing mistrust among Somali clans. The goodwill for centralized governance is far from materializing. I have always believed that federalism is the only solution, as the country lacks a transitional justice system where victims and perpetrators of the civil war are brought together, truth-seeking commissions are created, and murderers are either forgiven or prosecuted. Given the old grudges and mistrust, it would be difficult for clans to agree on one centralized government. I also learned that AAW suggested the idea of federalism two decades ago in London.

My friends argue that we need democracy; many politicians, including AAW, also preach the need for democratic governance under the federal system. However, according to Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson (who were awarded last year’s Nobel Prize in Economics for their work on institutions and their role in economic prosperity) in their book “Narrow Corridor: States, Societies, and the Fate of Liberty,” democratic systems are not free from danger. They argue that for democratic institutions to function unimpeded, citizens must be more involved and organize to create unions and parties to ensure elected officials never abuse their powers. Thomas Hobbes and others proposed the idea of a Leviathan—a powerful government that maintains law and order—while subsequent thinkers warned against an overly powerful government that could abuse its power and infringe on civil liberties. The struggle to establish democratic governance has never been easy or straightforward; centuries of effort have been spent achieving it. Creating democratic institutions with checks and balances is the first step and can be relatively easy, but what is more important—and also difficult—is ensuring these institutions continue to exist and function as required without interference.

Do we need a democratic system in our country? I believe yes. Am I satisfied with the existing federal system? I would say relatively yes. However, I am not satisfied with the idea of making money through government positions. There is still a long way to go to establish a well-functioning federal system. To reach that goal, public mobilization is essential. Abdirahman Abdishakur’s message is well received by the elite—those with university degrees and a certain level of literacy. But the majority of the public consumes prepared propaganda messages spread on social media. To counteract these fake messages, politicians like AAW need to engage the public and use messages based on the existing needs that the public thinks about daily. Living conditions such as acquiring basic needs—food, water, and shelter—have become elusive. Most Somali people do not realize that politics is the suitable tool to address these existing maladies, so I suggest that the messages AAW shares with the public should connect good governance and a democratic federal system with improving the living conditions of citizens.

I have been thinking about writing this piece, but I have been disappointed with Somali politics for a very long time. However, getting to know Abdirahman Abdishakur more instills a spark of hope that we may one day have intelligent, knowledgeable, and kind leaders who can guide us out of the mess of piracy, extremism, cruelty, poverty, and transactional governance towards progress in law and order, economic prosperity, and civic liberty.

Amin Jamal 
amiinjamal25@gmail.com