by Noor Mohamed Nunow
Monday, March 31, 2014
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves”. (Quran: verse 13: 11).
Once a great poet and writer said: “No Army Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come”. The idea of federalism has been conceived by the people of South West State of Somalia decades ago (in the 1940s) even before Somalia became an independent state. Ever since then, every attempt to turn this grand dream into a reality has been sabotaged in different ways by different forces. The Mbaghati conference of 2002-2004 adopted Federalism in its Transitional Federal Charter despite fierce oppositions from many quarters. It took the subsequent Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of President Abdullahi Yussuf and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed close to eight years to establish the current provisional federal constitution of Somalia and the formation of the Somali Federal Government.
For the first time, decades later, federalism has been constitutionally entrenched in the Somali political system and the dream of the people of SWSS, who have suffered many years of political marginalization, land expropriation, famine and war, was now more than ever achievable. With this in mind, the people of SWSS have established an all-inclusive federal state consisting of six regions after more than one year of painstaking deliberations, consultations, reconciliation and consensus building among all the major stakeholders of the regions. This Baidoa process was unique in the sense that it was hundred percent locally initiated, locally driven and locally sponsored. There was totally no outside support whatsoever.
Paradoxically, no sooner had the process culminated into the democratic election of a president and his deputy than the government, UN, and IGAD came out ferociously in opposition of the SWSS. This was utterly preposterous and completely nonsensical considering that the SWSS was established within the framework of the constitution. According to article 49(6) “two or more regions may merge to establish a federal member state”. Furthermore, article 49 of the constitution which deals with federalism does not give the federal government any power to create federal states. It is up to the people to determine their own political destiny.
As if the fierce rhetoric from Mogadishu was not enough, the Mogadishu government sent spoilers led by puppet Sharif Hassan hoping to divide the people and force down their throat a three state region. This was a gross miscalculation and underestimation of the will of the people because the extraordinary event that followed in reaction to the coming of Sharif Hassan, ironically, sealed the fate of SWSS in many ways. The people of Baidoa have sent a message to the world and to whoever was doubting their resolve to defend what is rightfully theirs. Consequently, there has already been a shift in mindset and perception of the government. For instance a senior government minister described the self-appointment of Sharif Hassan’s brother as a ‘joke’ and he admitted that eventually the will of the majority will prevail. Also, at the time of writing this piece, president Hassan Sheikh is in Baidoa. Although I doubt the intention of the government, this development is significant because the government now realizes that they can no longer ignore the power of the people whether they agree or disagree.
I am very aware that the SWSS will be challenged by those whose agenda is the perpetuation of selfish clan domination and land expropriation. I am aware that our resolve, resilience and unity will be tested. I am aware that the journey ahead is long with many obstacles on the way. Nevertheless, I am very optimistic and confidence that the idea of SWSS is unstoppable.
I have confidence in the rich political experience, maturity, restraint and sincerity of the top leadership. I have confidence in the wisdom of the council of elders (Golaha Guurtida) led by Ugaas Hassan Shure. I have confidence in the courage and the grass root mobilization skills of the council of ministers led by Mr. Abdifatah Ibrahim Geessay. I have confidence in the intellectual, political and material support of the SWSS diaspora community (Jaaliyadaha Dibada). Most importantly, I have confidence in the courageous and patriotic spirit of the men, women and children of Baidoa who have demonstrated that they are ready to put their life on the line in the defense of their dignity and freedom. When you take all these into consideration you see the determination of a people who are willing to change their condition and Allah will help them in this quest. Let us all take part in this noble cause of liberation.
Noor Mohamed Nunow
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In honor of Mujahid Hassan Adan Keerow
For four long days, the people of SWSS in Baidoa took to the streets in their thousands protesting against the evil forces led by Sharif Hassan. Forces that wanted to undermine their right to self-determination and rob them of their future. Among them was a little known young boy, Hassan Adan Keerow.
For three consecutive mornings, young Hassanow joined on the frontlines of the protests clad in the beautiful flag of the SWSS. Full of energy and unwavering patriotic spirit he marched to defend what he believed in passionately as the right of his people to live in dignity and freedom from oppression.
On the third day, as the mass demonstrations reached their zenith and as stubbornly the leader of the evil group with the devil agenda refused to leave Baidoa in complete lack of intelligent judgment regarding the reality on the ground, a callous and ignorant bodyguard of Sharif Hassan shot Hassanow, not once but four times, on the abdomen. Hassanow was a 15 year old boy who was unarmed and who pose no threat to anyone. Hassanow was rushed to Baidoa Regional Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
Consequently, the young Hassanow becomes the first Martyr to have paid the ultimate price for his country. As much as his departure is unimaginably painful and heartbreaking for all of us, his mother was full of tremendous patience (sabr) and said that she was proud of her son who laid down his life for his people and country. Mujahid Hassanow was accorded a state funeral befitting a hero and attended by thousands of people, elders and leaders of SWSS. A day of mourning will be held in his memory and a statue and a school will be built in his honor.
Mujahid Hassanow Eden Keerow is a hero worth commemoration and honor in numerous ways. At such a tender age of 15, he has demonstrated what courage, sacrifice, selflessness, patriotism and leadership means. He set a good example to both the young and the not so young about the need to stand up for dignity and to resist further oppression and injustices of his people. At such young age, he fathomed that some point in our lives we are confronted with challenges that test our own people’s future existence and be challenged to make a choice. Many at times, our flight instinct overpowers our fight instinct and we choose to recoil, not to stand up and not to sacrifice anything. Many do not have in them to act selflessly. Nevertheless, Mujahid Hassanow was tremendously courageous and did understand what Sharif Hassan, who can be his grandfather, did not understand. While Mujahid Hassan epitomizes the millions of the people of SWSS who are motivated by patriotism, nationalism and the vision to end the decades of oppression, Sharif Hassan represents the very few motivated by purely blind, irrational quest to usurp power for self-serving purposes. That is why history will remember Mujahid Hassan as a young individual who has touched our conscience and hearts deeply and whose image has become emblematic of the struggle of dignity and freedom from injustice. Mujahid Hassan will definitely assume heroic status and be immortalized in SWSS history books.
We cannot bring our martyr back to life but we have to unite all of us in ensuring that his vision is realized and sacrifice is not in vain. We all owe him to continue marching foreword and appreciate the honor he has brought for his people. Mujahid hassanow may not with us but he has earned his place in history and will forever live in our collective memories as the first HERO of SWSS.
Noor Mohamed