My people of Togwajale:
It’s time for change
I glanced at an
article which was written in one of the Somaliland’s
website named
Long live
Somaliland regarding a demonstration. This demonstration
had taken place in Togwajale last week and I initially thought that
it was against injustice, corruption or simply against skyrocketing
food prices. That was not the case. The demonstration was based on
tribal complaints and had taken place because of opposition against
the newly nominated District Commissioner the Vice DC and their
Secretary. One of the elders narrated ‘None of the above mentioned
staff is Reer Cumar’and therefore opposed working with them. I could
not believe my eyes when I read this.
During my school time in the 1970’s Togwajale was the most tolerant
town where many Somali’s of different tribes were living side by
side without any problems. Although we as Somalilanders endured many
difficulties, such as genocide and civil war we managed to overcome
these hardships and are now pursuing one common interest. Somaliland
is most definitely enjoying the rules of law and according to the
South African academic Iqbal Jhazbhay, our country is said to be
‘Africa’s best kept secret’. Hence we can not let tribal differences
undermine our future to succeed.
We have to evaluate the personality, ability, knowledge and the
vision of that leader or official, not which tribe he or she is
from, in order for us to move forward. These officials own a great
deal of responsibility in taking care of their communities without
excluding people that are not claiming to be Reer Cumar or
Reer Yoonis.
Surely one would find it difficult to believe that
my
daughter was working in a law firm for the
former British Prime
Minister’s wife Cherie Blair. This was due to the fact that she was
given the opportunity solely based on her capability and not,
because of her ethnic background.
Modern democracies encourage equal
opportunities for all people, men, women, disabled people and the
elderly. This is the form of governing we should strive for and in
order to accomplish this objective we should ignore tribal
backgrounds.
A very important election is rising from the horizon and the
national registration is under way. Therefore I vehemently urge my
people of Togwajale and all Somalilanders to unite in our
similarities and not divide in our differences. The whole world will
be watching us and this event can be compared to the chemical litmus
paper test. However, the real test for us will be whether we as a
nation can conduct this election in peaceful and democratic manner.
Conclusively this should be a time of unity, brotherhood and change,
not a period of nepotism and tribal conflicts, since it is exactly
that that kept us backward all those years. The thoughts and poems
of the great poet
Mr. Abdillahi Suldan Timacade were always against
tribalism. So, never forget:
Dul iyo hooseba waan ugu dhigee
waa dix dhagaxeede
Anuuba damqanayee dhaguhu uma daloolaane
Dadkaan la hadlayaan baan lahayn dux iyo iimaane
Bal inay dalfoof tahay caqliga dooni laga saaraye
Wixii hore u soo daashaday dagalnaysaaye
Dugsi ma leh qabyaaladay waxay dumsi mooyaane
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Cabdillahi
Suldaan "Timacadde"
Naxariistii
Janno Fardawsa Ilaahay Ha Kaa Waraabiyo
Aamiin |
By:
Jibril Ali Akli
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