Part II: my trip to Somalia

     During my trip to Mogadishu and Marka, I came across a number of Somali scholars still in Somalia. The vast majority of Somali scholars either left the country or were killed: and there are also many still in refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.

     On my recent trip, I had the honor to meet Professor Yusuf Cali Xasan, also known as Abja, who teaches at the Wabi Shabelle Biology Institute, based in Mogadishu. The Institute is located in Barkaha Market, which has seen a great deal of heavy fighting. As a result of recent clashes between Somalis and Ethiopians, the Institute has been bombed, with some students being injured. Furthermore, Abja’s salary is uncertain, and he does not make enough money to support his family. The Islamists are opposed to schools that teach subjects un-connected to religion. Further to this, the students are not allowed to take their textbooks outside, as these Islamists are opposed to the texts.

     Dr. Abdulahi Hussein Omar, also known as Gududow, is an irrigation agronomist for CARE International located in the lower Shabelle Region of Somalia. He was my school mate when I was a young man at the Somali National University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. He has given his life to help his country and local farmers. Dr. Mohamed Buube, known as Mr. English, is a Malaria Etymologist, at the Lower Shabelle Region. He, too, has sacrificed a great deal to the betterment of his country. In spite of the armed conflict, these men have gone to great lengths for the benefit of others, and should be lauded for their courageous efforts.

     In a recent situation regarding Somali politics, the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government, Mohamed Ali Ghedi, came to the fore. Originally trained as a veterinary doctor, he has now been the Prime Minister of Somalia for the past three years. During that time his duty was to re-introduce peace and a stabilized government to Somalia. Instead, he absconded to Kenya with a great deal of money from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the EU that should have been used for the betterment of the country of Somalia.

     Unfortunately, Somalia has been bereft of good leadership, such as been given by Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Since 1960, Somalia has had both disappointing and divisive leadership. There has been a lack of transparent and accountable governance in Somalia, and therefore, ordinary citizens have been suffering the consequences. I have high hopes for the Somali Transitional Government, including President Abdulahi Yusuef and his Cabinet to bring Somalia into peace and harmony and respect for human rights issues. The international community has to support the Transitional Government in bringing peace and stability to Somalia.

Part I of this article by Aweis Issa from October 2007