The governor of the Gabiley region, Mahamed Ahmed Abdi ( Xabiib): an ambitious, intelligent and very active young man

After finishing my early morning shift at around 4pm, which was not really an easy job because of dealing with many and different passengers some sick, old, young, and normal ones, I began another journey to meet that above mentioned very important person. With me was an experienced and very enthusiastic gentleman who lives in Wembley Park which is not far from my home. The trip didn’t take long and around 6pm on Thursday evening on the 9th of October we met that talented governor as well as some of the highly dignified Gabiley community in London. After we had soft drinks and very tasteful tea (qodaal tea) the governor began to give us general information about the newborn region which the people of that area were waiting for almost half a century. The region was officially announced on 23rd of March 2008.

As soon as he took the regional authority on the 28th of July 2008, he nominated the developing committee which composes of all different walks of the community like businessmen, elders and intellectuals of the region. The responsibility of that committee is to look, asses and fulfil the needs of the region. Also they are responsible for collection and fund raising for the region whether inside the country or abroad. The governor said: “We had the green light to go ahead from our president to build officially the national university in Gabilay.” He was very proud and delighted to have that historical project because of the many students finishing their academic secondary education and the desperate need to have a local university. The developing of the water supply has already begun and two wells with huge water reserves have been completed in Botor and they should supply the water demand to Togwajale, Kalabaydh and Gabilay. Another two wells in Geedbalad and Dameeroboob will maintained by two international agencies called Oxfom and Havayoko within two months and hopefully the water needs in the region will covered bit by bit.

He praised the hardworking people in Allaybaday district and the vast development they have reached specially in relation to the water reservations and the huge amount of fruits and other crops they grow. This should be a good example to the region particularly and to the Somaliland community as a whole. Since Gabiley region is rich in agriculture and animal husbandry, a large delegation from a UN agency called International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD) came to Gabiley and promised to do something tangible about animal husbandry, health, water and agriculture.

The governor had several meetings with the elders (cuqaal) of the region and some of them told to him: this was the first time they met each other. This governor definitely has a dream which is one to unify the people of Gabiley region whether they are elders, businessmen, intellectuals, farmers and the politicians who are divided by political parties.

Whether we support Udub, Ucid or Kulmiye let us build our region and contribute to the future of our people and their children. The governor concluded his outstanding speech. Then, we had the opportunity to ask him many questions and he replied in a calm and responsible manner. He was very eager to take advice and suggestions. The meeting ended in a nice atmosphere and an emotional climate. All in all, I saw a light at the end of tunnel and we have to support that dream because this is the leadership we have been waiting for ages.








Jibril Ali Akli
London , UK