by Dr. Mohamed Abbas
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Under the cloud of darkness and far from the bright light of the rule of law, Abdullahi Hassan Ali was tortured to death in Bosaso in late October this year after he came back from Yemen with some other colleagues. Perhaps his life could have been saved if he was arrested by any civilized security officials in a civilized land. But unfortunately, it was the other way round. Mr. Abdullahi fell victim to unkind, uncivilized low-minded thugs. Certainly, this was not the way he wanted to bid farewell to his precious life. May the Lord forgive his sins and bless his soul. May those who murdered him rot in hell.
To add salt to the wound, the victim’s colleague Mr. Abdi Mohamed Hassan also known as “Abdi Teerso” was extradited to Ethiopia, and the fate of his other three friends remains unknown. These young men might have been treated much better should they fly direct from Yemen to Addis Ababa! At least, there is a functioning government in Ethiopia with certain form of law enforcement in place. This assumption may seem so strange to some people, but sometimes it is better to fell victim to the main boss than to its puppet.
The victim was among five young men who, after their race in search of a better life in overseas became an abrupt halt, decided to return home in the hope of making their lives in the land of their birth. These young men were so strong in will and so firm in faith that life’s unpleasantness didn’t make them wheeze. In late October this year, they made their dangerous sea journey from Yemen to Bosaso, a city in northeastern Somalia that is a popular staging-point for those who travel to and from the Ogaden region.
Once their crammed boat safely crossed the shark-infested sea waters between Yemen and Somalia, the joyful young men thought that the adventure is over. Little did they factor in their calculation that they will be met at the port by other sharks with human face who will make them suffer in a horrible way. The five young men were arrested upon arrival by Puntland officials. They became a target not because they impose a threat to Puntland security, but just because they belong to the Ogaden clan that constitutes the backbone of the Ogaden National Liberation Front who is fighting to create an independent homeland for the Somali population dwelling in the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia.
Mr. Abdullahi was murdered unnoticed. He breathed his last in a dark cell in the city. He was buried alone. No friends or family members have attended his funeral, but the gravediggers. There were no mourners at his memorial service except his wife who was weeping from hundreds of kilometers away and whose expression of grief was aired by the Voice of America’s Somali section. Thanks to the Voice of America for exposing the plight of the Ogaden region to the world audience and for its fair and equal coverage of media towards that region, unlike the BBC Somali service whose glory days ended with the resignation of its former editor Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi.
This extremely shocking news made their way on radios and TV screens in Somalia and beyond its shores. As this is considered one of the most heinous crimes committed against a human being, all eyes have turned on Puntland and its growing shameful attitude against the innocent civilians from the Ogaden region. The most significant comments came from
“I strongly condemn this abusive and dictatorial behaviour and demand the immediate release of the prisoners. I also call for those responsible for the killing of the prisoner and intimidation of Ogadenis to be held accountable, including senior officials who authorized these measures. Failure to act quickly on this matter will have serious consequences”.
So, Why Puntland Remains Loyal to Ethiopia?
The reality on the ground reveals that Puntland is in a position where it can not count on anyone else in the region but Ethiopia to survive. Therefore, its unquestioning obedience to the regime in Addis Ababa is justifiable from their perspective. And for that reason, torturing Abdullahi Hassan Ali to death and handing over his colleague to Ethiopia meant nothing to Puntland leaders in comparison with the unwavering political and military support they receive from Ethiopia. And if you give a little heed to Somalia’s clan-based political system, your common sense will tell you that any clans-based administration that covers itself with government uniforms can become easily a means for oppression and torture such as that in Puntland.
On contrary, it is undeniable fact that the silent majority of Puntland population are against this barbaric act. But unfortunately they don’t have the means to oppose those who run the show in Puntland affairs. Whatever the case is, the civilian population in Puntland should remember that their leaders’ cruel attitude is reflecting badly on them. Remember, it is you who elected them. Your region is stable to compare with the rest of Somalia, but with such criminal acts taking place there unopposed, I have no doubt that Puntland has started its slow march to a total collapse. The time is now for the wise men in Puntland to mount a united front against those butchers who spoiled the reputation of their region and its people.
What action should be taken against Puntland butchers?
Sometimes tyranny should be fought with counter-tyranny, and this does not mean that I am calling for a violent action, but it is a human habit and natural desire to hurt those who stabbed you in the back. Nevertheless, I advise Somalis from the Ogaden region not to harm any innocent person who hails from Puntland. And whenever they want to take action, they have to differentiate butchers from innocent ones. They have to always remember the Somali wisdom that says: “a stone thrown at a culprit hits but the innocent”. If Somalis from the Ogaden region want to revenge, they have to remember that bringing Puntland butchers to the court of justice is the best revenge. Only then, the punishment will suit the crime committed.
If some readers may assume that this article is an emotional outburst from me, then tell us how else can a human being express a sorrow so deep, having in mind that torturing an innocent soul to death is so devastating to contemplate. Moreover, I am convinced that fighting against injustice is a universal value and a moral obligation.
For Puntland region to be stable, its butchers should be brought to justice. This is the main demand for peace between the Ogaden region and Puntland. This is the only way that can heal the wounded sense. Failure to do so will lead to an unprecedented conflict between Godey and Garowe, and of course, the bitter events that will come afterwards will escalate beyond control.
Dr. Mohamed Abbas
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