SYL (Somali Youth League) which is to date a symbol of national pride for all Somalis was established in 1943 in Mogadishu under the name SYC (Somali Youth Club). In 1947 it was renamed SYL. SYL consisted of thirteen young men whose education was no more than elementary school. However, despite their level of education their policies were progressive and could even be adopted in today’s Somalia. For example, clannishness was banned whereas today even government positions are divided on clan basis. They sought universal education for all and wanted to write the Somali language. SYL wanted to protect the interest of the Somali people and above all sought independence and unification for all Somalis. The SYL founders and members of the party, which within three years of its establishment numbered over 25,000, were true patriots who were prepared to give up their lives for their country and people. However, because of the level of their patriotism, Somalis did not consider their mistakes disastrous.
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In fact, the first mistake that the SYL committed was after WWII when the British Government communicated to the SYL its desire to keep Somalia under British trusteeship for five to ten years. And if that was acceptable to the SYL, then Somalia’s five parts would be united. The SYL at first agreed to this proposal but later when a delegation from the US, the Soviet Union, Britain and France came to verify this claim, the SYL made it clear that Somalia did not want a trusteeship of neither Britain nor Italy but preferred a trusteeship under the four governments that came to verify the Somali desire. SYL’s decision disappointed the British and Somalia to this date remains as the colonial powers divided it. SYL were patriotic youth and the mistake they committed was due to their political inexperience.
As today’s youth and intellectuals what is the lesson we can learn from that history?
First of all, today we are more experienced and better educated than the SYL youth due to the current circumstances. Therefore, we must understand the world is today based on interests “give and take” and that one does not get all they want without giving something up. However, before we get to the rest of the world their interest, we must first reconcile amongst ourselves as Somalis? How do we overcome clan and ideological problems?
What we have in common as Somalis is far greater than the differences we have. When we understand this much then we can look at the regional issue (Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti) which needs us not only to deal with it alone but also to look at other players that are using Somalia as a plying field. The interests of these other players vary but what they have in common is the problems they bring to Somalia in order to achieve their own interests. These players include Egypt, Italy, Libya, Qatar, Sudan, Iran and Eritrea.
It is also worth asking how can we improve the relations between Somalia and Europe, America, Australia and Asia some of which even colonized Somalia. We shouldn’t stick to one position and say that we will not have any relations with those who colonized us – which is a position that some maintain. We should learn the lesson of WWII Europe and its experience with the war and compare that to where they stand today. For example, Germany inflicted heavy loses on France and Russia but they have moved on. Today Germany has strong ties with both France and the Russian Federation. Particularly Germany and France are members of the same union and have strong economic and commercial relations.
It is in our interest to have good relations with those who even colonized us and take advantage of the goodwill they have shown us when we Somalis caused our own destruction. Another example is Arabs and the Israelis who fought historically today recognize each other. After all we know that the countries that colonized us and others welcomed our people who became refugees in their countries and did for us things that the countries we thought were our brethren, namely the Arab and the Islamic world did not always do for us.
Therefore, the events of the past few weeks inspire us that Somalis can make up and work together if we use our brains. The recent Djibouti meeting organized by the United Nations is a good example where both the government and the opposition had no conditions that could jeopardize the talks. In addition, neither the opposition nor the government accused each other of siding with Ethiopia or Eritrea. Instead both sides put priority on the interest of Somalia and focused on what is good for us. There is recognition that the solution is not at gun point but in a brotherly atmosphere and understanding.
The second part of the Djibouti talks between the government and the opposition is planned for early June. Would Djibouti be able to play the role that Qatar played in the Lebanese politics where the past few weeks there was increasing instability however, following the Doha talks a President was elected and the situation went back to normal?
In any case Somalia needs its intellectuals, experienced, youth, women (whom I believe are more patriotic than men) and educated people to get together to discuss the restoration of their collapsed state and their future of their country like SYL did half a century ago.
Dr. Cadceed Warsame
