by Liban Obsiye
Sunday, June 26, 2016
The wind blows the ocean blue and the white star in all directions
The pole elevating the flag stands firm and proud
The star calmly rests in the sea of blue
The sea of blue guards the star from falling and drowning
The blue and the Star wave together as one
The flag of the people stands guard up high
On buildings, in streets and homes the blue and star unites
The gracious waving of the flag directs and nurtures purpose
The Blue and the Star reminds of oneness and brotherhood
Somalia is once again alive.
The flag flies proudly on the international poles
The Blue and Star squeezes itself among others at the UN
The Blue and the Star brightens up Addis Ababa
The Blue and the Star warms itself in the Gulf
The Blue and the Star forever engraved on Somali hearts.
The Flag flies proudly
But it witnessed much suffering
The flag flies proudly
But it felt the poverty of its people
The flag flies proudly
But it hides much shame
The flag flies proudly once again
Peace, progress and prosperity
The flag flies proudly
Hope, opportunity and brotherhood
The flag flies proudly
The Blue and the Star smiles on the nation
This is long overdue
Travelling across the world it struck me how proud people are of their flags. And why shouldn’t they be? The flag celebrates identity, shared history, land, Language and a common future for those who share the flag. It also reminds citizens of struggle and the high price most paid for their sovereignty.
In Somalia, despite over a quarter century civil war and the creation of many regional flags, the Blue and the Star of the People of the Federal Republic of Somalia, first lifted up high on this day in 1960, still flies proud. Ironically, despite the nation’s difficult past, it still unites each and every Somali no matter where they are.
In an age of globalization and interdependence, some critics of flags see them as archaic and divisive. The Internationalist argument is that we are all one and flags only seek to divide. However, even in an age of advancement and interdependence in all its forms, national identity, culture and nationhood is still valued by all people and States. The fact is that people belong somewhere and have unique shared history and future aspirations. There is no academic theory or idea that can take that away from them. The best evidence of this is that the flags of the world fly proudly and without interruption at the UN Head Quarters in New York despite this age of multi-level governance, increasing multilateral cooperation and regionalism.
The Somali flag must be used to its fullest effect by the Somali Federal Government to reinforce the message of unity and common purpose, especially now, as the country moves towards elections and is on the road to socio-economic recovery. This is because regardless of tribe, the people of Somalia respect and are proud of their flag. They affiliate themselves with it and even in faraway lands, they hold on to it and its memory.
Somalia’s Federal map is almost complete and the upcoming elections will certainly test the people and government’s resolve and commitment to democratic and inclusive Governance.
As each Federal State participates in the upcoming Parliamentary elections, the flag of the nation ought to fly high and proud over all public institutions, in public spaces and homes which choose to display it. This will certainly reinforce the message of the unity and collective endeavours of a nation that the world only knows and understands to be tribally divided.
If Somalia is to continue on its journey towards stability and progress, the people must unite under the flag their forefathers chose to represent their collective hopes and dreams.
Let the Blue and Star fly high above the nation and people not just today but every day.
Liban Obsiye is a senior adviser to the Somali Foreign Minister. Liban can be reached through: [email protected] @libanobsiye (twitter)