Hiiraan Online
By Salaad Iidow Xasan (Xiis)
[email protected]
Friday, July 11, 2008
 |
Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) - Last night marked the third anniversary of the late Somalia peace activist Abdulkadir Yahya Sheik Ali who was one of the senior managers of the Centre for Research and Development (CRD) in Somalia, a non-government organization that helps Somali clans to settle their differences through negotiations and peaceful settlements.
Among the Somalis who knew him or his work, he left them with them with fond memories of his dedication and commitment for peace, reconciliation and economic development for Somalis. He particularly worked hard for the restoration law and order in Somalia.
In speeches in several conferences he attended, he addressed issues that to this day bedevil Somalia such as assassinations of innocent civilians, deforestation, and unlawful exploitation of Somalia resources as well as the lawlessness that allows anyone to export and/or import anything into Somalia including illicit drugs.
In a statement indicative of his bravery and principled position, he accused both Kenya and Ethiopia for encouraging the importation of Khat into Somalia in exchange for hard currency and valuable resources. He also accused Ethiopia of selling arms to Somali warlords to fuel the civil war.
Abdulkadir Yahya too often worked hard to raise the awareness of the people about the issues facing Somalia and empowered them with knowledge and ideas so that they can play an active role in determining their destination. It is because of these efforts, according to many who knew him; he was assassinated in July 2005
“In this city of Mogadishu where we live innocent people are killed. It has never been part of the religion and tradition of Somalis to let killers walk freely among them without holding them accountable. You are more knowledgeable about Islam than me but the situation in Somalia is now similar to the Quranic verse that says is there not amongst you one who is decent” said Abdulkadir in a discussion about solutions to Somalia’s problems organized by CRD.
It is noteworthy that many of the problems he tried so hard to help people solve such as assassination of innocent civilians continue. Indeed some of the latest victims of such assassinations include spokesman for Benadir Chamber of Commerce Abas Mohamed Du’ale, Chairman of Advancement of Education Agency, Abdulkarim Sheik Ibrahim Dhiblawe who was a businessman and Osman Ali Ahmed who was the head of UNDP office in Mogadishu.
He advised the government at the time which was operating from partially from Mogadishu but mostly from Jowhar city to embark on concrete reconciliation efforts among Somalis without which he said the government would fail.
“People are born into the clans they belong to without their will therefore no one should be harmed for belonging to a certain clan,” said Abdukadir who added that Somalia is the victim of its people and its people are the victims of circumstances not of their making.
Adulkadir Yahya had an opportunity to leave Somalia and have comfortable living overseas but he decided to live among his people and share their pain and in the process he was killed.
In many parts in the world, people are gathering today to commemorate his life and remember his selfless effort to help Somalia and Somalis.
Abdulkadir Yahya Sheik Ali was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1957. He studied in Mogadishu. He worked with the Ministry of Agriculture during Bare’s regime. He also worked for the US Embassy in Mogadishu, UNISOMII, European Union, Daryel Bulsho Guud Agency as well as being a member of Somali Sports Club. Before his death, Abdulkadir was a member of the senior management of CRD.
Additional contributions by Mohamed Amin, Hiiraan Online contributor
[email protected]