| Column |
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- Title: [SW Column](Shirwa M. Jama) " The Beguile column of
that Mr. Yuule"
- Posted by/on:[AMJ][Thursday, February 15, 2001]
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Opinions expressed in this column
are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of SW.
" THE BEGUILE COLUMN OF THAT
MR. YUULE"
BY SHIRWA M. JAMA
University College, London
It intensely fascinates to say the least that Mt Yuule will
expect us to believe the process that had been the result of Northwest
administration "Somaliland" had the same validity as to that
of Puntland. No offence; but it thoroughly discontents me great deal
that Mr. Yuule will take his precious time to write something that is
classically futile. An argument that has no base entirely.
"To distort the
realities in Somaliland and how its sovereignty was reclaimed in order
to refute the professor's myopic view of Puntland or the "balaayo-lands,"
as he often refers to them, raises a question of motive." If you
read my column scrupulously Mr. Yuule you would not see anything that
indicates the deformation of the reality of "Somaliland" on
the contrary it highlights the reality. What puzzles me is the fact that
Mr. Yuule is so courageous that he uses the word sovereignty at ease! I
suspect that the honourable gentleman from Boston is artless as to the
connotation of the word.
"To learn the realities on the ground, all Mr. Shirwa has to do is
visit Awdal and see it for himself. On the historical error
asserted in his message, I would like to point out that the people of
Awdal were instrumental in the Burco conference of 1991 at which all
clans and subclans of Somaliland were signatories to the re-declaration
of independence". In this he demonstrates that he is unlearned to
the fact that there are certain things which are quite wide spread that
you do not need to reason or
rationalise it. I have to admit the fact that I have not visited Awdal.
That is beside the point. "Your argument strikes me as the one of
that Professor Samatar when trying to degrade the notable Professor Ion
Lewis" However, needless to sa,y I know great deal about Awdal in
contrast to my own region. We are aware of what SNM did to people of
Awdal right after when the former dictator was ousted from Mogadishu. I
have heard numerous horror experiences that have been endured by the
people of Awdal. Wasn't the
SNM, spearheading an entire
division of Mengistu's troops, slaughtered five hundred fifty innocent
people in Borama, Dila and Zeila on February 4th, 1991? And when the SNM
had occupied, with the "philanthropic" assistance of these
troops and had inherited the ammunition dumps in the north west of
Somalia, the first step they took was a deliberate clan-cleansing
against the people of Awdal from their homes in Gebiley, Hargeisa,
Arabsiyo. To humiliate further the people of Awdal, didn't they hijack
their elders and took them first to Harar (Ethiopia) in April 1991 and
later to Burao where they were intimidated to sign a "obligatory
declaration of independence" that has been prepared directly by
"Mengistu Haile Mariam". Two ex-Ethiopian generals, violating
directly the sovereignty of the Somali State, were directing that
so-called conference at Burao. Thus, by carrying out these odious deeds
that are contrary to whatever values or culture we shared as Somalis
since the last millennium, the
SNM dealt a mortal blow to any bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood we
shared.
"It is worth taking the time to find out the facts and to separate
signatories to a process of reconciliation from how the Egal
administration governs, even if Mr. Shirwa's assertion was valid"
You fail to comprehend my points. As Sanagian Myself, I do not recognize
the legitimacy of the formation of the administration that you are
advocating for. As the great Usuuli Principle says "Maa Buniya
fasaadun Fahuwa faasid" "Whatever is built upon iniquitous is
absolutely iniquitous" hence; it does not make any difference as to
whether Hargeisa Administration is unjust or impartial. Fact that
remains is "Somaliland" was built upon intimidation and
against
the will of those reside the region.
Shall I just ask my honourable fellow, who shall he considers as the
inhabitants of Somaliland, and where are the differentiating border
between the Hargeisa and Garowe Administration? Does he think that
Dolbahante and Warsengeli are Puntlanders or otherwise?
"And I don't think he is a freedom fighter that Mr. Shirwa painted
him to be". This is one of your many erroneous claims, where have I
painted him to be a freedom fighter? I do not deny the fact that
he feels for his fellow people in Awdal and the appallingly frightful
time they have endured since 1991 and every just human being should feel
sympathetic towards these poor people.
"Professor Samatar would be jubilant if Borama was administered
from
Mogadishu". Isn't that his personal and people of Awdal's choice?
Or you are
disremembering the fact he lives in America not the So-called Somaliland
where the Egal's cohorts can intimidate everyone who does not subscribe
to their ideology?
I shall conclude, I am ecstatic to witness as Somalis exchanging ideas
without being formidable to one another. It is achievement, but let not
retire, the road before us eminently long.
__________________________________________________________________
Opinions
expressed in this column are those of the contributors and not
necessarily those of SW.
____________________________________________________________________
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