A response to: "With leaders like these, who needs enemies"

A response to: "With leaders like these, who needs enemies"



My years of browsing through Somali political commentaries taught me that strange statements are to be expected but by no means I could phantom that a fellow Lascanoders could take offense of the reestablishment of peace in my hometown. At the onset of his last article With leaders like these, who needs enemies, Siadist ringleader Mohsin Mahad regrets " the present deceptive calm in the SSC regions."

Let the reader unfamiliar with Sool affairs be reminded that after years of Puntland presence, locals in Lascanood decided to chase away Cadde Musse militia. And since then, the unthinkable happened in my hometown; the city whose landmark was the hordes of armed men roaming the streets and the daily interclan killings is today an oasis of calm and peace. Following the example of fellow Somalilanders, Lascanoders have decided to turn in the weapons to the newly founded police and to settle their differences through the nascent and highly successful system court put in place by Somaliland backed new authorities.

In all fairness, anyone had the opportunity to see that Somaliland haters are increasingly turning desperate in their futile effort to derail Somaliland recognition bid. Case in point, Somaliland haters prime meeting place (Wardheernews.com) published a 1994 Qaybe article. Seizing up on the opportunity, Siadist Mohsin Mahad defended Wardheernews decision to reprint the article stating that

"Those refutable home truths stood the test of time and remain as valid today as they were when he first made them at that time. And it is this reminding that makes then today an anathema in secessionist circles."

Fair enough but we all know that Qaybe has since embraced Somaliland cause and to denigrate the Lascanood most senior politician, Mohsin Mahad contends that

"Qaybe has always been a solitary lonely figure in every sense of the word with no grassroots back-up in his native home ground."

Waar manaa walaan mise Cadan ayaa laga heesayaa. If Qaybe has always been a loser and opportunist with no following in Lascanood (as Siadist Mohsin Mahad says), why then his 1994 comments deserves merit and republishing.

Back to the main point, while desperate comments were to be expected from the ever-shrinking ranks of Pro-Puntland Lascanoders as a mean of to encourage bonding among them, one has to wonder why on earth could someone wish bloodshed upon his homeland? Doesn’t Mohsin Mahad think that Lascanoders finally deserve peace and stability? One thing is for Pro Puntland Lascanoders to push civilians out my hometown by broadcasting Puntland army silly sabre rattling, another is to openly call for a major deflagration inside your hometown.

At the core of every Pro Puntland Lascanoders lies the belief that SSC regions should be socialized to accept their dehumanization; how can you otherwise conceive that none of Mohsin Mahad clique objected when Lascanood was submitted to economic exploitation from Puntland when as the same time Lascanoders were either killed in Garowe jails or serving as Yey foot soldiers. Equating unrest with honor has led Lascanood into the abyss. Why Mohsin Mahad clique do not respond when Lascanoders are subject to daily belittling, when Puntland even denied that colonel Deyr IskaToos was a member of its army (less that three months after he was named by decree to the deputy army chairman)? Why is Mohsin relying on Puntland counteroffensive when they are insulting they highest ranking SSC officer among their ranks?

Sadly the bizarre beliefs permeating this culture that violence and chronic under development are natural in Lascanood will require time and patience before they are eliminated. Fortunately Lascanoders have hit this long road.

Mohamed Sougal
mohamedsougal@yahoo.com