Friday September 25, 2015
By AbdiKadir A. Abdi
For quite some time now, I have found myself in
the midst of a constant battle with my own conscience over whether or not I
should say something about a number of issues relating to the plight of the
Somali people in general and particularly the seemingly ever-deteriorating
stature or prestige the Somali national was once identified with.
Although
I feel very much tempted to cast all the blame and rebuke for the tragic
debasement of the Somali identity on the hoggish self-appointed politicians we
have for leaders today, in all fairness however, part of the blame lies on the shoulders of Somali
public themselves. They are not patriotic enough. Every politician values
mostly their clans or tribes’ satisfaction. Additionally, some business men support
evil actions shamelessly and don’t want to see an effective Somali government
running the country. Furthermore, it goes without saying the so called international
community and our next door neighbours just don’t like us for one reason or
another.
Indeed, I could make a case for each of the
said issues. But I believe there are already enough people making all these
arguments with in-depth knowledge and a full understanding of the conditions on
the ground. Here’s what I would like to do instead, I want to tell you the true
perception the average Somali has, about the current government. What it’s like
for us. What the Somali people all over the globe must be feeling because I,
too, have felt it.
It
may not be what you want to hear if you’re currently holding any government
position. But I am relentlessly sickened by functionless states which are breaking
my/our beautiful country into tiny fragments. I am also aware
of the few blind supporters each of the federal states have, who, despite the countless reasons they have
to offer, get perplexed when really
challenged on the need for so many “lands”,
This
is how the increasing numbers of regional states are making us feel. Estranged
and divided in the land of our ancestors, marooned and isolated by the endless
tides of war fringed with corruption. The “wake up and lean on each other, and
support your country” which we praise in our national anthem has remained out
of reach.
“Stop
fighting each other, come back with strength and joy and be friends again”
rings hallow to our ears. Seeds of suspicion and mistrust are planted in every
corner of the country.
A
town might have two presidents at one time, each fiercely fighting just for
their own interest, power and control. The allegiance and pride to the nation is
undercut by the dark realities and formation of these ever growing regional
states.
The
richness which filled every aspect of the Somali personage, security, peace and the stories of a time when Somalia was at the
fore front of the countries having the most powerful militaries in the region are now just tales of
the past . It has become something more of a myth. The pride of the great
nation is replaced with shame and humiliation. From elders to youth now Somalis
cringe against their race wherever they live. To be a Somali is to be attached
with shame. Shamed with lawlessness, widespread corruption and violent extremism.
Shamed with poverty and the way my people live in concentrated refugee camps. Shamed
with foreign troops illegally occupying the country to take its natural
resources, as well as redrawing our well known borders.
This
could not have happened if our leaders, clan elders, and intellectuals
refrained from turning on each other. Repudiating and rejecting to reconcile
their difference for the benefit of the people and the nation.
Admittedly,
their malicious actions is just a continuation of what we are experiencing and
bearing its fruits today. The dreadful mischief has led us to be at the bottom
of the ladder.
One
only needs to look up the statistics: the worst healthcare, poor infrastructure,
lack of quality education, lowest life expectancy and highest infant mortality.
Majority of my people are wrestling with anger/depression since we are
incapable of finding an effective solution to our persistent problems. How
could we leave our own fate in the hands of faithless politicians, who spend
lavishly on weddings, expensive hotels and endless flights? While the ordinary people live in object
poverty. Predictably, this has categorically demonstrated the insensitive
nature of these individuals.
We
can easily free ourselves from the shackles we have put on our selves, and
swiftly reform the nation, if we, Somalis revive our unshakable courage,
perseverance and our loyalty to the country. Ultimately, every politician or
leader will realise the public is getting serious about corruption and want to
feel safer. These might lead to a transparent and accountable government.