My reflection on “the three-day of Annual Peace Learning Conference organized by PDRC”.
On 21-23st September, I have attended eagerly the Annual Peace Learning Conference orchestrated by Puntland Development and Research Center PDRC in Garowe, Puntland. The conference was attended more than two hundred delegates including policy-makers, academicians, think-tanks, research institutions, civil society members, traditional elders, religious leaders, women and youth organizations, across the world, from East/Horn of Africa, Middle East, Northern America and the rest. More than 17 research papers and presentations were presented. The first day of the conference was amazing where vibrant and value-added presentations and keynote speeches were delivered by enormous polymath and towering figures.
As the conference was the first of its kind, many real experiences were heard and heeded. Several successful reconciliations and conflict resolutions processes were shared by the first hands, especially Galkayo, Dhusamareb and others.
The second Day of the conference was also mesmerizing and captivating where we went to Arlo Park at the outskirt of Garowe for tour. We offered our Jumca Prayer, had an organic and staple food for Somalis, and engaged in a Panel Discussion on “The Horn of Africa Integration” theme where giant gentlemen and insightful audience have attended. In this eye-catching session, we have talked about whether Integration among the East/Horn of Africa states, is a useful, or win-lose to the respected countries. Some commentators, including have raised whether Somalia will be a beneficial or loser for the integration.
From my end, I reminded the panelists and the audience, the Horn of Africa Integration Project pioneered by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy, president Afwerki of Eritrea, and Somalia’s former president Farmajo. In hindsight, apart from the ephemeral politics, the lofty ambitions and the empty speeches, Somalia did not benefit from that bloc. Somalia’s aspirations to join the East Africa Community, could be the same. To link it to the session, the much-touted Horn of Integration, is not useful Somalia at this level as Somalia is yet struggling to stabilize the country, does not have competitive population compare to the East Africa countries, maybe in the long-run; otherwise, it could be “Inviting Vegetarians to Barbecue”.
The third and the final day of the conference was full of joyful moments, presented timely significant papers and presentations including “Transitional Justice Initiative as a Panacea for the Protracted Conflicts in Somalia: The case of Galkayo” which I presented myself. While representing the East African Institute for Peace and Governance, I along with my co-worker Roble Idle, we shared with the rest our experience as institution, especially working in the insecure city of Mogadishu. At the end of the conference, we engaged in networking, group and individual photos.
I say thanks to the energetic and vibrant PDRC team for the warm welcoming, hospitality and reception.
Anwar Abdifatah Bashir. Executive Director of East African Institute for Peace and Governance and Senior Lecturer at the Somali National University.
