Hiiraan Online

My name is Mahamed and I am representing Somaliland and Somalia. At the moment I am at university studying business management with property. I have just gotten a new job as a property negotiator and I am really enjoying it.

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Committed, determined and motivated.

Tell us about your country.
In the competition I want represent both Somalia and Somaliland as this is about uniting East Africans. I am actually from the Northern part of Somalia which is known as Somaliland. In 1991, after the collapse of the central government in Somalia, the main part of the territory asserted its independence as the Republic of Somaliland in May 18, 1991. It regarded itself as the successor state to the briefly independent State of Somaliland, but did not receive any international diplomatic recognition. Somaliland has its own Flag, currency, government, etc... I was there both in 2003 and 2007 and there have been massive developments there since the civil wars. There are now hospitals and universities.

Mahamed Liban.

How did you hear about Mr and Miss East Africa UK 2008?
I can't remember but I am glad I did. Right now I don't think that is relevant as I am now taking part and I am not in it to make up the numbers I want this to be something GREAT (only GOD is great). But I feel it will be an event to remember decades later.

Of the organisations you chose to work with, why did you chose to work with this one?
As far as I was aware I was taking part in a modeling contest... you know photography, building on my portfolio. But then the more time I spend with the group, the more email updates I read, the more meetings and rehearsals we took part in, the more I understood the main aim and purpose of this. It's actually a great way of getting a point across, through beauty, unity, t-shirts, colours, dance, coming together, fashion. It will appeal to people; it will attract attention... the right attention because we are not demonstrating. I am literally enjoying this and very privileged to be part of it because it's a brilliant way to raise money, get East Africa noticed.

Name 3 things you can't live without.
Food, water and shelter... lol... not sure.

Mahamed Liban.

In the next 10 years where do you see Africa?
I would actually like to change this question to "Where would I want Africa to be in the next 10 years". I wish the next generation is not the same... I wish we can make decisions for ourselves as Africans and not because Bush says or Brown offers some money. I want Africans to be civilised and developed... physically, financially, emotionally, psychologically. Hopefully Africa will not be interdependent on foreign aid, it will free of debt, well educated people including the adults.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Having come from a war torn society in which many struggled to survive, I see everything as an opportunity and I take every opportunity to develop myself and my future. I used the words determined, committed and motivated to describe myself and I am all those three. I have always wanted to be in business and running my own. I have done all sorts in the drive for success and money. Multi-level marketing, trading shares... I have tried working my up in retail, I have done modelling, I was playing semi-professional football. Right now I am enjoying my new job and property is a very wealthy industry (NOT right now) and I want to advance my participation in it. In 5 years time I want to set up my own SUCCESSFULL business within the property sector, this is something I can pursue in my country too and around the world.

What do you know about Mr & Miss East Africa UK?
This the third year that Miss East Africa is running, raising money for the underprivileged children in East Africa via a beauty pageaunt. Pauline Long- the organiser/finder/CEO has decided to have a Mr East Africa too. This is a movement with a purpose to getting people to notice East Africa, the problems and mainly trying to get our voice heard... aimed mostly at governments in East Africa.

Mahamed Liban.

If you had all the riches in the world, what would you do with your fortune?
You are obviously going to get loads and loads of answers saying I will give to the poor, but honestly talking I will give to the poor. I am not rich right now and even though I'm still a student, I still send money to families for support. But still, I am very materialistic so I will buy a few houses cars.

Getting serious now... It's not a small problem just in Africa, it's a massive problem in the developing world. The interdependence on remittance- money sent back to families, friends. These people rely on it so therefore won't do anything for themselves. With my fortunes I would try and create jobs so people can depend on themselves rather then a friend in the UK, Europe, America. We have the resources in our countries, we have the workforce, all we need is investment from Africans not British or Americans who are just there to exploit.

Source: UGPlus, July 20, 2008