Dear Mr. President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed,

One cannot help but notice that there is something telling in the eyes of the Somali people, who have seen too much aggression (gardarro), bloodshed, destruction, and animosity.

All of us feel as if we have fallen in a deep, dark abyss from which there is no escape. On nearly every corner of the Mogadishu streets one may find evidence of unwanted death and destruction, from the blood streaming along the roads, to the sudden shelling and shootings, to the bewilderment and terror apparent on the faces of the people.

While one man's death may be delayed, another man makes his final journey. Countless warmongers lurk threateningly behind every yard.

The Somali people are experiencing a profound sadness and a deep humility, and anger and agitation, as well as sorrow and grief, also cloud the memories of us all. Each one of us has lost a husband or a wife, a brother or a sister, a son or a daughter, a father or a mother, or a neighbor. Intellectuals, politicians, reporters who have been involved in the search for truth and peace, and elders involved with the peace negotiation process have also been targeted.
 

The essential question before us is this: Why do the Somalis kill each other and not live in peace? Interestingly, in a number of important ways, Somalia is unlike several of its neighboring countries, Ethiopia and Kenya.. Somalia is perhaps 99% Muslim and its people share a common culture and largely are comprised of a single, homogeneous ethnic group with the same language. Ethiopia and Kenya are significantly more diverse along these dimensions. So why is there so much violence and so little peace in a nation such as Somalia which is so homogenous? The answer is that there is nearly zero tolerance for diversity among the Somalis. Instead of acceptance of and respect for differences, one finds provocations of violence, mockery of and obstruction of nomadic icons.
 

Over the last eighteen years, besides political differences, Somalis have experienced obvious differences in tribes, traditions, dress and religious interpretations that have led to many problems for Somalia. Thus, in promoting a message of respect, harmony, and peace amidst these differences, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, you should recognize the various and diverse perspectives and strive to find common ground.
 

In sum, we Somali citizens firmly believe that the one and only genuine desire of the people of Somalia is to play a positive role in helping Somalis with diplomacy leading to peace. A focus on achieving peace should be a moral imperative for all stakeholders, from the most moderate to the most extreme religious groups. President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in the name of peace for Somalia, you should honor a strategy that focuses upon creating a political culture of inclusion, rather than resorting to a strategy of exclusion. You must trust that we would like to see you succeed in building a sustainable peace.

Many would like to see your efforts work. As the proverb wisely says, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…," which means, "cadowgaaga caano mac baa la siiya." This is the best way of winning and restoring a credible peace and of ending violence in Somalia.

Omar Ahmed, M. A.