lOver
the last few days we have witnessed several
articles calling for peace in some web sites (somalitalk.com
& allpuntland.com) that have been addressed to
Puntlanders, be they elderly, elite groups,
exiles, etc of both inside and outside Puntland,
Somalia. In my view, all these articles are right
to call for peace during this distressing period
in Puntland and our condolences go to the families
of the victims. But if we look from another view I
think that what we need throughout the entire of
Somalia is just actions
as
they speak louder than words.
I
think, we have been well known for many
generations that we are an oral society where each
and everyone of us enjoy in talking a lot but not
quite the same in acting, no matter if we have the
proper background and training for the arguments
concerned. In my humble opinion, here is where
Somali’s problem lies and still as fresh as even a
decade later, a nation of experts and masters in
all realms and yet unwilling to compromise all the
time regardless the problem, the people, the
place, etc. What a pity!
Anyway when I call to actions, I mean actions
mainly from the diaspora even though I agree with
everyone that peace is paramount and the basis for
everything. In addition, we have to recognise
that we are all brothers and sisters and let us
not engage in killing between one another because
after all what you lose is a sibling. I very much
believe in that we can resolve every issue through
negotiation but not otherwise. Also some quarters
of the politicians should show some sense of
respect and compromise to their people and vice
versa. Also it would be nice if we could separate
the public figures from the people they hail from
and when we are criticising them we better do only
on their policies but not insulting them. And we
have to show at the same time alternatives in
solving either the problem or improving the
situation where the people who can offer the
know-how should be left to deal with it once and
for all but not for everyone.
Actions from the Diaspora:
Is
really very sickening when you come across someone
who spent for years in one of these developed
countries that we stay in numbers who is yet
thinking as wrong as the lay people at home.
Perhaps we are either not yet learnt from the good
things of these countries in terms of expressing
views freely and judging things objectively, i.e.,
without any bias, or we lack conscience. Whatever
it is and whoever we are, we sometimes all look
not telling and facing the truth, where is that
Somali proverb that says ‘ run iyo ilkaba waa la
cadeeyaa’.
Therefore following that proverb or saying, we,
the diaspora, should realise that our country is
waiting from us by only two things, which are
knowledge and money. When I say money, I do not
mean the money we remit to our families and
friends at home but rather to generate wealth from
the countries we live in and use it later to
invest in our country. It really pleases me when
I come across a Somali people who are running good
business in overseas like shops, restaurants,
cafes etc, and so to when I see young people who
are pursuing education in every discipline one
could imagine.
The
next thing after creating this wealth is to invest
home sensibly and create jobs for the local
people, who without jobs are vulnerable to commit
any crime possible and liable to be manipulated
for something they know very little of. After
generating wealth individually, we seem to be
either lacking or ignoring to learn yet fully from
these developed countries and join ventures for
the better. Or do we not trust each other? Again
here reminds me few Somali proverbs or sayings
that indicate the importance of working as a unit
such as: gacmo wadojir beey wax ku gooyaan, far
keliya fool ma dhaqdo, iskaashato ma kufto, etc.
Therefore, I leave with the business minded people
to first unite and then set businesses up at home
and abroad. I believe in that this sort of
businesses is already underway but we need more
and more.
Also
the next thing after gaining knowledge from these
countries is to first identify people with the
same field, form a society wherever the group is
based in, explore what you can contribute at home,
plan it, and eventually return home to pass on or
implement it. If it happens that you do not find
a group, that is not end of the world but do
continue to plan for your future contribution at
home wherever it may be individually. Because I
believe in that we have enough educated people
from every part of Somalia in overseas and if most
of these people return to their districts and
regions, surely they can make a difference. And
who knows that in the not too distant future we
might as well end up of having almost every
professional in almost every corner of Somalia.
These
professionals if they ever return to, it would be
nice if they bear in mind to participate in the
community activities and sometimes sacrifice for
their time to work for the people free of charge.
A friend of mine, who is medic decided one year
ago to go back to his region to establish a small
clinic, thank god he achieved that and established
to run a decent clinic albeit small one. But what
touched me deeply is that when he told me, himself
and colleague go and work the public for free in
the general hospital two days a week for two hours
a day. Really is fantastic and deserved to be
emulated. Community participation is paramount;
we don’t have to be too selfish.
To
cut the long story short, our educated diaspora
should and can plan for the use of our
Natural Resources that god bestowed upon us but as
yet not fully exploited by the Somalis such as
Agriculture, Livestock, Minerals, Fishing, etc.
Based on these and together with our education and
experience we can have tangible businesses,
industries, schools, hospitals, universities,
transport, communication, etc; and in addition to
all these, is our nice tropical climatic
condition. We certainly can make a difference
throughout Somalia.
Once we, the diaspora, all think in this or even
better way and return home, sure we can influence
our people, whoever they are, in a nice way where
they concentrate to exploit their natural
resources and talents rather than wasting time
meaninglessly. Surely if we are serious and frank
enough we can all return home and show everything
in good
actions,
I believe all what we would receive from them is
nothing but appreciation. Yes there will be a
risk, but let us brave enough and sacrifice for
the good causes.
Conclusion :
To finish it off, I
read and article called ‘Exploring
Somalia's Natural Resources - A geological
perspective’, written by a Somali Geologist where
he presented a meeting in Canada
sponsored by
the
Som-Can Institute for Research and Development
(SCIRD)
in collaboration with
Partnership Africa Canada (PAC). By using
his knowledge and experience, he neatly
illustrated how we (Somalis) would approach in
making use of our geological resources, remember
we may have oil, together with the International
Community. To me, that is exactly the sort of way
we should fundamentally approach each and every
area that we would like to contribute to our home
country and finally act
upon it. Because these good intentions and plan
followed by actions is what Somalia and Puntland
require alongside peace. This development and
peace can only be achieved when we all work
together as honestly and respectfully as possible
no matter of our views.
I
sincerely apologise if I muddled things up,
because I belong to a different profession than
talking about this article, common sense though it
is to talk about. But hey, did we (Somalis)
forget that we are all masters and experts in
every aspect of life. Are we?
By:
Abdirashid Mohamed Shire
London
UK.
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