BRUSSELS 2010YASIN MOHAMMED YASIN

Somalization-is a geopolitical syndrome characterized by multiple long-term security, socio-political and economic breakdowns and abnormalities. In this sense, Somalization resembles other political syndromes like Afghanization, Lebanization and Balkanization.

(Khaled Fattah: Yemen Times,11.02.2008)

If Somalization is state failure and the Afars have no state of their own to speak about, how can we speak of failure of Afar state?

- The ANRS vs. share on the pie - Afars do have common clan structure, allegiance and identity that was behind the Somali state failure.

Assahyamara and Adohyamera – Lake Asel

Ankalas vs. Hamedi Siret - southern Rahayta

Debneik Weima vs. Modayto Debneik Weima vs Ba’adu Damohita of Bidu vs. Hadermo

The March 2010 Incident - several Afars were injured and an old man from the Ulutok Sheka tribe was shot dead from bullets fired by the Mahisera tribe

The killing of an Afar youth, Sulle Ali of the Mahisera tribe on January 2010

The Mahisera who got annoyed with the act of the Ulutok sought revenge and killed two people from Ulutok Sheka

By the end of April, Gewane wereda administrator, Yakud Hawino was shot and killed

Do the Afars of Gewanie choose to repeat the ugliest part of tribal warfare in the Afar history?

What factors triggered this conflict? What is the bone of contention? Who are the major players? Any hidden hands? What about the role of influential figures in

Gewanie? How does the regional government entertain the

matter? What about the future prospect in Gewanie

particular and its implication for the Afar in general?

The three major tribes within the 11 kebeles in Gewanie wereda are:

- Ali Sera (Mahisera, Ulutok Sheka, Geli’ela and Tek’eil ,…)

- Yassin Sera (Wadima ke Meysara) - Ma’aa Sera

A months and half long resolution effort since June 2005- the arbitration group led by veteran Afar leader, Habib Mohammed Yayyo

New neutral elders- Abitto Mokkie (Amibara), Elidar, Dubti, Aysiata, Mile weredas

Case of Tek’eil – Meysara- the Meysaras are found to be guilty of killing two from Tek’eil.

Case of Geli’ela- Meysara that results death of one and injuring fifteen from the Geli’ela and three from Meysara- the Meysaras are found to be guilty

Yamerendi - Meysara conflict, again the Meysara were found to be guilty of the destruction and looting of cattle

So called ‘neutral elders’ from Buri Modaytu – salary, office

urri elleyoome caxxaa: Fanak klaanah (meaning to stop kids from fighting, first remove the stick they are fighting with)

The Gutto hinna (never be pushed!)

The Afar lands are divided into number of tribal territories (Dinto) demarcated by boundaries (Dikka), which follows natural features such as rivers, hills and rocks.

The tribe as social and political unit giving an individual sense of identification , belonging, protection,  and the rights of grazing (Aloliya), rights of watering (Desso), right of using the camels, milking of one's own tribe  or using as means of transportation (Merra) whenever one is in dire need and deems it necessary.  

These Social fabrics and institutions persisted long even after the 1950s rape of the Afarland

Political consumption or Instrumentalization of knowledge about Afar’s tribal factionalism

Lease the land to private investors -eventually led to breaking down the socio-economical and political institutions of the Afar.

- youths can’t farm - clans massively indebted- developing

dependence attitude - environmental degradation- centuries-old

adaptation to the ecosystem - aggressive competitions to expand land-

political power monger- manipulating tribal cards

Thought-Provoking and Timely Warning before it takes Somali proportions

Gennile or Bax(r)itoo " yoo derabb lee sinnih abayy yee raboww !! " Meaning  "I hope my God will prove me wrong" inshallah