SOMALIA - REACTION TO OBAMA WIN

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002562 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PINS SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - REACTION TO OBAMA WIN -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. Somali contacts expressed deep admiration for the United States in the aftermath of the November 5 U.S. election. A wide range of Somalia Unit contacts called and wrote to congratulate the United States on a peaceful and historic election. Contacts' comments ranged from statements of esteem for the United States' having voted on the two candidates' qualifications rather than ethnicity to hope that Somalia could likewise overcome years of adverse conditions to end the 18-year conflict in their own country. End summary. -------------- -------------- Historic Election, A Sign That All Things Are Possible -------------- -------------- ¶2. The Somalia Unit received a wide range of positive messages and calls in the aftermath of President-elect Obama's November 5 electoral win. Many messages, including Lul Sharmarke, Director of HornAfrik Radio, simply praised the fact that the American people were once again able to conduct a peaceful election, unlike Somalia, in which the citizens exercised their right to choose a leader. A contact with the Coalition of Grassroots Women's Organizations (COGWO) reported women in Mogadishu weeping. ¶3. A Somali businessman in Nairobi was among those who wrote to congratulate the American people on making "remarkable and unforgettable history" in electing an African-American president. On the same note, Sharif Hassan Sheikh and Professor Abdurahman Ibbi of the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia congratulated the American people for voting on the qualifications of the person, contrasting that with Somalia's practice of basing all elections on the 4.5 formula. (Note: This formula balances representation of Somalia's four main clans with its minority clans. End note.) Other contacts cited the election as a "demonstration of true democracy" and an example of putting one's country ahead of the individual. ¶4. Still other contacts noted that if the United States, which they maintain is far less homogeneous than Somalia, can overcome decades of racial discord, Somalia should be able to overcome decades of violent conflict. The Transitional Federal Government's Deputy Prime Minster, Ahmed Abdisalam Aden, told us America's vote showed us "all things are possible." ¶5. Comment: The unsolicited and emotionally-charged comments from our contacts were interesting and useful demonstrations of the hopes they have for their country. We also found their unsolicited comments to be yet another example of the vigor with which Somalis track events beyond their borders. End comment. RANNEBERGER