A look back at 2022: Perspectives and Reflections

 

 

Wars and Lives lost

In Ethiopia, a significant peace deal mediated by the African Union was finally reached by the warring parties. The Ethiopian government and the rebellious northern regional state agreed to immediate ceasefire and unconditional access to humanitarian assistance, but only after disastrous consequences were inflicted on millions of people  in the Tigray region. The eighteen-month-old civil war claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians as well ascombatants; and basically rendered the entire population in Tigray at risk and vulnerable. 

 

Though bloody and more deadly than the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the war in Ethiopia received much less international attention and media coverage. International media houses, biased as always, while extensively covering Ukraine through almost uninterrupted coverage, gave a blind eye to the  suffering, plight and horrendous conflict in an already volatile region

 

2022 will mark resumption of an all-out international war involving Russia and Ukraine. The Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022, marked not only heavy and deadly military confrontation, pitting Russia against Ukraine but also triggered hike in global food prices. Prices of basic commodities incredibly skyrocketed, effectively complicating lives to millions of people around the world, more so in the developing countries.

 

The war in Ukraine, now in its tenth month, shows no sign of de-escalation, but increasingly unfolds its brutal face. Two things that clearly came out from the military confrontation of these two former Soviet member states are both failure of Russia to run over Ukraine in weeks and the barrage of the west to punish Russia by bringing economy to its knees. 

 

COP 27

Many people in the world, mainly in the developing countries are threatened by the climate change and associated effects. Pakistan, for instance, experienced torrential rains this year, where 33 million people were severely affected by excessive downpours which saw the death of 1700 people, displacement of 7 more million and loss of $30 billion worth properties. According to UNICEF, 127,000 schools in those affected regions were either destroyed or partially damaged by the floods, putting millions of school-age children in submerged villages out of education. In Nigeria, heavy rains and subsequent floods destroyed the livelihoods of millions of people who are already in compromised living conditions exacerbated by the shaky and vastly changing security dynamics. In the Horn of Africa, failure of successive rains continued to threaten the livelihoods. In countries like Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, food security is still a major concern. Alternating droughts and floods pose serious threat and makes the lives of people so susceptible to climate induced shocks. 

 

Leaders around the world gathered in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November, attending UN organized COP 27 to seemingly find a solution to climate-related shocks. After a prolonged and sometimes dragged negotiations between the rich countries that are emitting the most fossil fuels and developing nations suffering from the adverse effects of climate change, a breakthrough has been made on this front. A long overdue rapprochement through creation of a loss and damage fund is agreed upon for the first time to possibly compensate most vulnerable nations impacted by the effects of climate change. Nevertheless, it will only remain effective if all are committed and serious about their responsibilities and pledges. 

 

FIFA World Cup

FiFA world cup 2022 was successfully concluded in Qatar just weeks ago. The final match pitted France against Argentina. Argentine won 4-2 on penalties after a roller-coaster 3-3 draw of exceptional drama in a bid to secure world title in 36 years. FIFA reported that in addition to 3.4 million spectators of the cumulative stadium attendance, one million visitors travelled to Qatar to watch the matches.

 

Qatar, the tiny but rich nation in the Gulf delivered the world’s most prestigious football tournament in style and many already dubbed it simply the best world cup ever. This comes in sharp contrast to critics’ attack on Qatar, mostly on non-football related issues. Morocco are the other history-makers in this tournament as they reached semifinals. Their outstanding performance makes them the first African team to reach that stage. Their overall performance was splendid and quite solid. 

 

Elections

 

Horn of Africa

Somalia, the Horn of Africa nation saw a peaceful transfer of power in May after Hassan Sh. Mohamoud secured victory. Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, the former president of Somalia has made a strong comeback, defeating the incumbent president Mohamed Abdilahi Farmaajo in a three-rounded indirect election. Mr. Mohamoud, a former president campaigned for a peaceful Somalia that is at peace with the rest of the world. His predecessor, President Farmajo has significantly contributed to state-building and recovery of the country, but his defeat also means an end to politics of polarization, a distinct trademark of his reign.

 

In Somaliland, election-related dispute dominated the political landscape throughout the year. Opposition parties argued the legal mandate of the government comes to an end in November, but the Guurti extended the mandate of the government for two more years and shockingly their own for five years! Mandate extension is slowly becoming part of Somaliland political hallmark but seriously undermining the hardly achieved democratic gains. Opposition parties immediately rebuffed this and called for peaceful protests. However, what meant to be peaceful demonstrationturned bloody as government forces killed five unarmed civilians. Also, as I write this review, situation in Las-Anod is tensed after angry protestors took to streets. Security forces shot dead three more protesting civilians. Protests are enshrined in the constitution and shouldn’t warrant such excessive and repressive response. In addition, there is a long-held and deep-rooted grievance that if not carefully addressed,  could explode to full military confrontation.   

 

With regard to elections, although new political associations came into being, consensus is still missing and lots of uncertainties hover around the way forward. 

 

An unfortunate inferno swept through Waaheen central market, the largest market in Hargeisa and destroyed so many livelihoods. It was so sad and heart-breaking to see such fire engulfing in Waaheen, bulldozing millions-worth properties with little or non-existent fire fighting regime. Similarly, fire erupted in Mogadishu and Garisa markets, though much smaller in scale. The very way in which markets are structured and operationalized, often with little or no access, makes them prone to such disasters. 

 

However, the aftermath of Waaheen market fire created a sense of solidarity, a crucial component for recovery and modernization. It’s highly likely that the market will rise again better and brighter. 

 

UK

Rishi Sunak became Britain's first none-white and youngest PM in October. He took over after two consecutive resignations from his predecessors in less than eight weeks. Before him, Lis Truzz, rendered her resignation only after 45 days since she won her party leadership. This comes after an ill-advised economic policy that almost crippled the economy. Earlier in September, Boris Johnson was forced to resign as well, following string of scandals that triggered scores of resignations and walk outs. 

 

Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain also passed away in September at the age of 96. She has been in reign for 70 years, making her the longest reigning monarchy in UK. Her son, Charles, also the longest heir-since he was three-eventually became King Charles III. 

 

Kenya

In Kenya, August 9th  general election results were announced and William Ruto garnered 50.49% of the total votes cast while Raila Odinga also managed to get 48.85%. Unlike the election result disputes in 2017, 2013, and the bloody 2007 riots, this time, the reaction was largely peaceful despite Raila Odinga’s rebuttal of the announced results. Raila as deviant as ever, termed the results null and void but called for a court of law to squash it.

 

Hustlers’ vs dynasties narratives dominated Kenya’s political landscape or otherwise negotiated democracy in the run up to general elections in August 2022. William Ruto, the son of a peasant, banking his earlier humble background presented himself as the leader of millions of hustlers, while he and his camp projected their opponents the sons of former powerful leaders (Raila,Uhuru and Gedion Moi) as dynasties; and Raila specifically as a state project. 

 

As the Supreme Court in Kenya upheld William Ruto's presidential election victory, Raila Odinga’s fifth unsuccessful attempt to cling to the highest office was confirmed. 

 

In Brazil, former president, the leftist labor leader, Lula Da Silva won in the runoff election in November. The incumbent, Bolsanaro remained numb for days before quietly starting handover procedures. 

 

Loss of a legend

Mohamed I lbrahim Warsame aka Hadrawi, an iconic figure in Somali literature; a towering personality and arguably the most famous Somali poet passed on in August. Hadrawi, a household name, remained a symbol and a giant for Somali literature and language. A firm believer of local values and indigenous solutions, the great poet moved back to his hometown, Buroa, where he spent most of his time approximately for the past three decades. Hadrawi left this world, albeit physically, but his legacy will stay alive as long as there is a breathing Somali on this earth. May Allah grant him Jannah

 

Finally, from a personal perspective, the year has been great for me. I had made a steady progress in multiple fronts. I, therefore, remain indebted to the almighty Allah for granting me countless bounties, in which I remain not only mindful but grateful as well. I also look forward to equally peaceful, progressive and prosperous year. 

 

By: Abdirahman Adan Mohamoud 

E-mail: abdirahman.adan@gmail.com