With the coming of Oromo intellectuals to Jigjiga, a city that gave me my identity and where my roots hail from, a two-way talk is supposed to take place.
The question is whether said talks will be substantive talks. As you know, so far the Somali-Oromo talks have been nothing but tslks characterized by two unequal sides. One side is mature, well-endowed in the vernacular of scholarship, and confident because of its newly acquired political muscle.
The other side is largely young, less prepared and negatively impacted by what Crawford Young in his extensive study of Zaire calls political patronage as opposed to competent players.
Many of you contacted me about the coming of Oromo intelectuals to Jigjiga and the so-called intellectual forum underway tonight . No idea what the agenda is so far! But I am curious what they will talk about.
I saw yesterday a cryptic note by one of President Mustafa's young handlers who wrote that the event was "by invite only."
In a culture where political patronage and nepotism is the norm, the "by envite only" is a nomenculture and is synonymous to "selected cadres only." That is to say, the Somali region's heavily impacted by the Somali-Oromo Oromo conflict will not equitably heard at the conference, which makes the whole excercise futile.
Still, I would be interested to know the answers to the following question:
1. Would they address Qolaji, Awadey, Chinacsan to bring back divided Somali families together?
2. Would they discuss compensation for Somalis as Somalis have already handsomely compensated for non-Somali victims in Jigjiga multiple times?
3. Would those districts that have been hurt by the Somali-Oromo conflict play a key role in the deliberations (Moyale, Balbalyte, Chinacsani, Tuliguuleed, etc.), or this is another farce feel-good "intelectual" meeting just like the one that took place not too long ago?
My early misgivings about this so-called conference of "intellectuals" is not balanced. I see heavyweight Oromo individuals whereas Somalis will typically be handpicked from the same narrow circle as before.
Let us wait until the entire story unfolds.
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