Somalia: The state of siege continues without any glimmer of hope

By Dr Omar Abdurahman (PhD)

Somalia has been under siege by the military dictatorship and the various militant factions that followed after. The struggle against the military rule placed severe and continued stress on the relationship between and within clans. In the end it led to a splintering and internecine struggle and explosive clashes among would-be leaders who shared lack of national consciousness. Our peaceful People are subjected to violence. This resulted in the collapse and cessation of the nation-state known as Somalia.

 Somalia collapsed into war and anarchy not because of the wanton aggression and destruction of human life and property of the ill-advised, but also the lack of concern of well-meaning people. Dissidence in the Somali clan context has always been viewed with alarm and rage. The dissident encountered vicious reaction from the establishment. S/he is regarded as a traitor to the cause. The only resemblance to dissidence was shown by those who can afford the luxury to clash with the repressive authority because they were basically protected by it.

 This has in the end denied what is best in the Somali characterized by generosity, compassion and reverence to the good and revealed that side of the clannish Somali characterized by fear, suspicion, arrogance and narrow-mindedness. The widespread notion of homogeneity is shown to be based a false reading of the reality. Instead division has been much more in evidence than unity, not only during the last four decades of hostility, but also during much of the last century. Conflict has been the norm and peace an exceptional episode now and then.

 So, our struggle is essentially a struggle against ignorance, lies and the denial of justice. It is not just a struggle aimed at the liberation of people from the domination of a small crocked and psychotic individual, but also a struggle for the liberation of the Somali from the ideology in which he has come to destroy himself.

Bardera, the site of the most famous religious community in Somalia, has become known as the city of death and suffering in the 1990’s. While the direct killing and violence has somewhat subsided, the harassment of the population continues unabated. The ideals of Sheikh Ibrahim Hassan Yabbarow of social harmony and cooperation did not die with him and are more needed today than ever. The struggle to liberate people from the most humiliating forms of exploitation and degradation in all its form ( economic, social, political, cultural and spiritual) will continue until we achieve what Sheikh Ibrahim and fellows have propagated i.e. the principles of love and cooperation of people of different clans on the basis of equality. I admire the brotherhood of Baardheere community for it exemplifies resistance to the hopelessness and because in it something unselfish has survived, not only for baardherians, but for all Somali people.

 It is a negative approach to use fear to prevent people from questioning the myths and false indoctrination. Whatever difference there maybe we are equal (I hope) in our love of our unhappy country. My compassion is with those suffered on account of their clan or lack of one (there are many indeed) and their adherence to the principle that everybody should be allowed to help determine the future of our unhappy country.

webmaster@baardhere.com