By Abdillahi Mohamed Saad (cabdillahi cunaye)

The main dangers to the literature and liberty are not those who sit at the center of literary universe, holding the levels of power; they are not the warlords holding the bullet, but instead an obscure group of writers without resources at the edge of a far away galaxy. Out of the many thousand lit-sites and weblogs, an army of lit-establishment flunkies, a group of insane demi-puppets focused on every positive idea, a battalion of wannabees and puppet masters of me- too-ism. To be on the clear side of the discussions, I am portrayed by Mr. Faysal dirie as having poor command of the English language and being bias. Faysal, perhaps is not the ferocity of your anger but the narrowness of your focus that causes so much angst among those who disagree with you. The Jury is out and here are some examples of the contents of his Shakespearean article:

1)2^nd paragraph, 2^nd line; reads: The author is I suspect an francophone
2)5^th paragraph, 3^rd line; reads: whereas, in un matched display of political unity
3)5^th paragraph’ 4^th line; reads: Somaliland has elected an president
4) The title of the article reads : respond to instead Of response to. Does this man understand the difference between a verb and a noun?

What kind of English is this! This is from a man who claims to be the custodian of The English correctness. This is from a man who considers himself to be closer to the English man than the average Somali. Do you know when to put “an” or “a” in front of a noun? Faysal, there are people who mastered the English language better than I did and you are not one of them. Your response is a typical clan supremacy and Methodology of ethnocentrism, which is practiced in Somaliland today. Your strategy is nothing more than shoot the messenger.

I do speak French but I do not consider myself a Francophone nor will I ever call myself a Somalilander. I am a Somali, an Awdalite, and an Idalite. I am From Bonn, Awdal not Bonn, Germany. My pledge is to the Bright Star and the blue flag.

I have never raised the issue of Djibouti politics in any of my articles at large. Dr Rabbi and other Awdalites have every right to govern Awdal, Somaliland, Somalia, Ethiopia and of course Djibouti. If these rights are denied it is something, which is worth a struggle.

As far as the Issue of voting and representations is concerned, there is an average of 200,000 voters in Hargeisa region in all the three elections. Of course, the majority of Hargeisa’s inhabitants are Isaaks, but according to the latest statistics, the Gabooyas, the Samaroons, the Daaroods, and The others make 20%, 10%, 3% and 2% respectively. Only one out Of the 20 Mps from the region is non-isaaq. Even though I hate the word non-isaaq because it is a negation of the other so-called Somali Landers. However, just take it to satisfy your ethnocentric mentality.

Faysal, no credit is due in Somaliland; none should be given to The Warlords of Hargeisa and Other war Criminals such as SNM. The massacre of Borama in 1991, which was carried out by SNM and Mingistu Forces deserve better remembrance.

Finally, we have made our share of mistakes and continue to make them. We are not postmodernists who seek to live among a blanket of lies. Literature will renew itself only if it re-offers its greatest asset: the truth. This concept has been lost in Somaliland.

Abdillahi Mohamed Saad (cabdillahi cunaye)
E-mail: [email protected]