How Do You Hold Onto Dignity When the World Insists on Tearing You Apart?
In the dust of ancient lands, where rivers of history flow deeply into the Horn of Africa, the Somali Region of Ethiopia finds itself at a crossroads. Here, dignity is not a birthright—it is a treasure, fought for, held in trembling hands, and constantly at risk of slipping through fingers worn thin by endless struggle. The question is whispered among elders, murmured in the silence of barren fields, and shouted in the chambers of power: How do you hold onto dignity when forces beyond you attempt to pull it apart?
The answer lies in the story of a people whose resilience is etched in the rocks and whose fate is written in the stars. A story that today dances on the precipice of possibility, where the forces of history collide once more. The Somali Region has long been a pawn on the chessboard of regional powers, yet it now finds itself in a delicate position, fighting for self-rule while caught in the web of global interests.
At the heart of this storm are three pivotal actors: the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Ethiopian government under Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, and the ever-present specter of external powers that circle like vultures over the wounded. The future, fragile and precious, hangs in the balance.
The Liberator’s Gambit: Dr. Abiy Ahmed and the Unfolding of Autonomy
Across Ethiopia, the figure of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed shimmers with contradictions, refracted through a myriad of regional lenses. To some, he embodies chaos—a ruler whose tenure has unleashed waves of turmoil and tyranny, a man whose hands, they claim, are stained with the blood of civil strife. For these critics, Abiy’s legacy is shadowed by the pain of a nation fractured, a reflection of Ethiopia’s deep-seated discord. But in the Somali Region, that vision of him bends into something entirely different, something almost luminous.
Here, in this land long weighed down by marginalization, Dr. Abiy Ahmed emerges not as a tyrant but as a liberator. He is seen as the herald of dignity, a leader who opened doors that had for decades been sealed shut. Under his watch, the Somali Region was offered a rare glimpse of true autonomy and self-rule, an opportunity that generations had only dreamed of. The region’s past, marred by brutal oppression and exclusion at the hands of previous Ethiopian governments, now stands in stark contrast to the reforms Dr. Abiy introduced. Where once the region's identity had been suffocated, Abiy extended an olive branch, choosing dialogue over violence, peace over the endless drums of war.
Abiy’s vision, encapsulated in his philosophy of Medemer—the unity forged from diversity—promised a new way forward, a way in which the Somali Region could become a beacon of political harmony. If this vision had fully blossomed, the Somali Region could have stood as a shining example to the rest of the country. Under his leadership, the long-strangled hopes for political freedom were suddenly, miraculously, within reach. The iron-fisted regimes of the past, which had long stifled the region's voice, appeared to loosen their grip, letting in the first light of a new dawn. Even the ONLF, once the defiant voice of resistance, was welcomed into the folds of political discourse—a gesture laden with the fragile, yet potent, promise of peace.
?
Yet, despite this unprecedented opportunity, the region has faltered. The path to self-governance, while opened, has not been fully walked. Internal fractures among its leaders, compounded by the meddling hands of external forces, have muddled the realization of true autonomy. Though Dr. Abiy Ahmed held the door open, the region’s steps toward freedom have been tentative, hindered by mistrust, clan rivalries, and miscommunication between the opposition and the SPP.
For too long, the Ogadenis—central to the Somali Region’s political life—have been misjudged by successive governments. Seen through the lens of fatigue and prejudice, their political aspirations were dismissed as destined for failure. This grave oversight ignored the true depth and vitality of the Ogadenis as a people, reducing them to a misunderstood tribe on the margins. But in truth, they are the heart and pulse of the Somali Region, shaping its destiny time and time again. To misread their significance is to misunderstand the essence of governance in this region.
Abiy must tread carefully to avoid falling into the same traps of those who came before—of viewing the Ogadenis as mere hardliners or secessionists. Their role is far more nuanced, and any leader who seeks lasting peace must engage with their political aspirations not with weariness but with wisdom, not with suspicion, but with respect. The Ogadenis are not just another tribe—they are the key to the region's future, and to truly unlock the promise of peace, they must be understood for their vibrant and pivotal political force.
ONLF: From War to Peace, Yet Teetering on the Edge
The ONLF’s history is one of defiance, born from a time when Ethiopian regimes ruled with cruelty, their policies grinding down the identity of ethnic Somalis. What began as a rebellion for autonomy became a blood-stained struggle for existence. Through years of armed conflict, the ONLF was the region’s shield against assimilation, its fighters the sentinels of Somali dignity and identity.
When Prime Minister Abiy extended the olive branch, offering political discourse instead of bullets, the ONLF stood at a crossroads. It could continue its battle or embrace the fragile peace on offer. The ONLF chose the path of dialogue, a decision written not in ink but in the hard-won resolve of a movement weary of war.
But even peace carries its own dangers. In the shadows, forces, both domestic and foreign, seek to unravel the tenuous accord. Egypt, with its eyes on the Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), views the unrest of Somalia and the Somali Region as a pressure point, a means to weaken Ethiopia in the broader geopolitical game. Through dark forces, these external players have the power to entice the ONLF back to conflict and dismantle the peace built through sacrifice.
The peace accord between the ONLF and the Ethiopian government is no mere document—it is a covenant, a beacon of hope for a region that has long known only conflict. To tear it apart would not only undo years of progress but open the floodgates for further external manipulation. Egypt and other actors are waiting to exploit any missteps, and the ONLF cannot afford to falter.
A Dance of Mistrust: President Mustafa and the ONLF
The Somali Region stands at a critical juncture. President Mustafa, an important figure in regional governance, and the ONLF must come together in unity. Yet, divisions linger, and mistrust festers. The leadership of the region cannot afford to be divided at a time when the stakes are so high. Without open dialogue and cooperation, they risk playing into the hands of foreign powers eager to destabilize Ethiopia for their gain.
The words of wise elders echo in this moment: No one should gamble with the lives of the people. Yet the specter of disunity looms. President Mustafa and the ONLF must engage in honest, open discussions, for without unity, all that has been built could come crashing down. Neither side can afford to undermine the other, for only through mutual respect can the region protect the fragile peace it has attained.
Trust is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Prime Minister Abiy’s engagement with the region depends on this trust, and without it, the autonomy that the Somali Region craves will slip away like sand through fingers. The region’s leaders must rise to the occasion, casting aside the rivalries that have long divided them and embracing the common good.
A Battle for Influence: Regional Powers in the Somali Region
As the Somali Region wrestles with its internal struggles, external forces loom like vultures circling above vulnerable prey. In the turbulent winds of the Horn of Africa, the Gulf States, particularly the UAE, and Qatar, have funneled resources into the region, seeking to deepen their foothold in the geopolitical chess game that spans Somalia and Ethiopia. Yet, these investments are far from altruistic; they arrive with invisible strings tied to agendas that extend beyond mere aid. In a fierce dispute with Ethiopia over the Nile’s waters, Egypt watches closely, viewing the unrest in Somalia and the Somali Region as fertile ground to exploit, a pressure point in its ongoing struggle. And then there is Eritrea, whose perpetual interference in regional affairs is a source of constant unrest. Its hand, already outstretched in neighboring conflicts, may soon reach into the Somali Region, stirring up yet more chaos in an already fragile landscape.
The strategic value of the Somali Region cannot be overstated. It is a prize, coveted for its resources and its proximity to key maritime routes. However, the price of allowing these foreign actors to interfere is high. Their meddling threatens to destabilize not only the region but all of Ethiopia. The ONLF and the Somali Region must resist these temptations, for to allow external powers to manipulate their affairs would be to surrender the dignity they have fought for. The peace accord must be protected at all costs—it is the region’s only safeguard against a return to the chaos of the past.
The Diaspora: Between Misinformation and Responsibility
Far from home, the Somali diaspora watches with bated breath, their hearts still tied to the land of their ancestors. But distance breeds misinformation, and conflicting narratives spread across social media like wildfire. The diaspora, unwittingly or not, has the power to fan the flames of division.
Now, more than ever, the diaspora must be vigilant. They must discern truth from fiction, supporting the peace process rather than falling prey to external narratives that threaten to tear the region apart. The role of the diaspora is critical—they must advocate for unity, not division, and lend their support to the region’s leaders in navigating this treacherous path.
Holding Onto Dignity: A Fragile, Precious Future
At this crossroads, the Somali Region faces a choice that will define its future. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has offered the region a historic opportunity for self-rule, an opportunity unlike anything seen before. Yet, the realization of this autonomy does not rest on Abiy’s shoulders alone. It depends on the region’s leaders and their ability to rise above their divisions and seize the moment.
The peace accord is more than a political agreement—it is the embodiment of the region’s dignity, the fruit of decades of struggle and sacrifice. To abandon it would be to abandon the very identity the region has fought to preserve.
In the end, dignity in the Somali Region will not be won through opposition to the liberator who offered self-rule. It will be achieved through the responsible exercise of that autonomy, through unity in the face of external and internal threats. Only then can the Somali Region emerge from the shadows, a dignified and autonomous part of Ethiopia’s future, holding onto its dignity like a flame, flickering but unextinguished.
?
Mohamud A. Ahmed – Cagaweyne
+251900644648