1945-2009
"Truly God commands you to give back trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice.... " (Quran, 4:58)On 6th August 2009, we were shocked with the sudden death of a great leader, a hero who stood for justice, a defender of human rights, and fighter for transparency and accountability. I would like to honour a man who doesn´t know the meaning of fear, a man who doesn´t know the meaning of defeat, quit or surrender. I share with you a short note on the life of this hero, a drop of this giant´s life history. Ali was a founding member of Kulmiye Party of Somaliland, an Executive Committee Member and at the time of death, he was Presidential Election Campaign Manager of the Capital and enjoining provinces of Awdal and Sahil. Ali died in car accident. He was on his way to welcome Kulmiye Chairman and Presidential candidate Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, who was returning to Berbera from abroad.
To a friend Ali was a shoulder to cry on, to a foe he was a bullet ready to escape from a gun, to the poor he was a hand to feed, to the media he was tireless advocate, to oppressed he was an army to count on., to the youth he was a role model.....a man educated to the peak, employed comfortably who gave up the leisure and easy life of California for the dry, dusty, and moreover disorderly, where rule of law is yet to be established. He did that for he wanted to have his mark on the development of his beloved motherland. He believed rightly he can contribute more not only to his countrymen, but to the whole humanity in taking part of Somaliland nation building. A country totally destroyed in every aspect, economically, socially and legally, a nation below any conceivable measurement of human livelihood. The need was immense, and any contribution to its betterment was magnified beyond imagination. That touched his kind heart and his decent soul.
Ali took a lion´s share in planting the seed of democracy in Somaliland. He continued to cultivate, feed and nurture that seed to grow. That process is perpetual and needs dedication, determination and conviction. Alas that trait is rare in our countrymen, but it was abundant in Ali. He started the struggle to emancipate his people in early 1980´s when he visited home after long period abroad. On his return he had an interview with Abdillahi Haji of the BBC and he was the first who bluntly used the slanderous name of Siyad Barre in a public radio and more than once, despite a sharp opposition of Abdillahi..." He concluded if Af-weyne is not removed, there will be no Somalia". How true he was.
He was a man of principle, a visionary with talented leadership. Though never bending his longterm strategy, he was pragmatic, open to reconciliation that is needed in today´s politics. Ali believed that regular elections alone are not sufficient to create a democratic government. Other conditions must also be present: a free press, and a minimum degree of respect for political adversaries, the national institutions and the laws. Access to independent information is essential to the health of democracy. It ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices. Information also serves a checking function by ensuring that elected Representatives are accountable to the electorates, carrying out their wishes, instead of serving their personal desires.
As a professional auditor, Ali left a legacy of holding government to account. His annual analysis of national budget is the only document the public has an access to know how their hard earned tax shillings are spent. No other document is in public domain. Our government has no sense of governance to publicise national budget even in short summary, neither the Parliament did better. That role is gallantly undertaken by Ali Gulaid. I had the chance to collate this national treasure in my blog page, for public scrutiny now and in perpetuity. Under the label of "Ali Gulaid" you can browse detailed budget analysis from 2002. It is an eternal legacy that will remain for public reference.
http://samotalis.blogspot.com/search/label/ALI%20GULAIDLately I contacted Ali for his knowledgeable advice on an organisation; I thought is drastically needed for the development of the fragile institutions of our democracy. I established this organisation which is in its infancy with much of his contributions. "Somaliland Democracy Shield" a name that tells all. Ali with all his commitment to Kulmiye cause, emphasised the need that this organisation be free of party politics and geared nothing less than building a nation where rule of the law is the king, where personal freedom and liberty is well guided, where every citizen has given his or her potential ..." I advise you that this organisation should be for justice and for human rights, regardless which party is governing the nation" Ali emphasised.
With his work intact, with his vision in process, with his struggle on the horizon, Ali remains active among us, though physically absent. His ideas are discussed, debated and implemented on daily basis between generations and cross parties, and practically within Kulmiye Party that works on Ali´s agenda. I among many of his supporters am fully committed to realize his vision. Following his footsteps Insha Allah, we shall build a free society, where individuals have equal rights to reach their potential, where government is the servant of the people and not its master, a nation where peace is guarded with justice, where transparency, accountability and good governance is the guiding principles of all national institutions. That was Ali Gulaid´s dream, he paid the ultimate cost in seeking that noble objective; he gave his life for it. It is us, his fans young and old that can continue and with sure determination and conviction Insha Allah, we shall realize sooner than latter. Just hold yourself to account for the general good and get rid off selfish trash that blinds you from what is right and traps your soul with sugar coated ills that will lead you to social crime, corruption, bribery and lack of peace of mind. Worst of all, as a believer; remember if your evil deeds are not punished in this world, there is the day of judgement, when no one has the ability to hide the slightest of his deeds good or bad. Saving your self from sins of injustice will save your nation.
I am delighted to receive a number of calls from unconnected sources that want to honour Ali by giving his name to a school. That initiative came this early is a witness how this nations values Ali Gulaid, may Allah bless his soul, and may Allah guide his children and supporters to follow him in pursuit of justice and social development for all.
At this moment let me refresh your remembrance with one of his remarkable articles, appealing for recognition of Somaliland as independent and sovereign state, published in April 2002:
Somaliland Recognition Is Overdue
By Ali Gulaid, San Jose, California
Despite the historical claim to sovereignty, a decade of stability and a referendum of self-determination, Somaliland is perishing for lack of recognition. The international community has acknowledged the political progress Somaliland has made but it has withheld the coveted recognition. Somaliland is a de jure State and the claim that the unity of former Somalia (Somalia) is sacred is farcical. Somaliland was an independent constitutional state for five days (June 26, 1960 to June 30, 1960). She has enjoyed an international personality before she relinquished her sovereignty for the realization of greater Somalia. At that time, Somaliland had received an informal recognition form the United States and concluded four treaties with Great Britain and Ireland.
The former Somali Republic was a union of two states (British Somaliland and Italian Somalia) and contrary to the myth; Somaliland was never part of Somalia before the illegitimate union in 1960. The Ottoman Turks and the Egyptians colonized Somaliland before she became a British Protectorate in 1887, while Italy and others colonized Somalia. Moreover, the "Act of Union" was never signed and according to the Vienna convention on the law of treaties it fell short as a valid treaty recognizable under the international law. The people of Somaliland have genealogical lineage that they don´t share with the people of Somalia. The common language and religion have failed to overcome the clan loyalty and the culture imbued by the disparate colonial systems. The disparity in political power sharing exacerbated the irreconcilable differences.
As a result, Somaliland became disenchanted with the illegitimate "union" early on. On June 20, 1961, major parties in Somaliland boycotted the ratification of the unifying constitution. On December 9, 1961 all of the twenty-two (22) military officers, Sandhurst graduates, and the cream of Somaliland, without a single defection staged a coup to secede from the Union. On October 1962, the only two Somaliland cabinet ministers resigned from the government - the current President being one of the two - and a few days later, all the Somaliland deputies walked out of the parliament.
But it was the ethnic cleansing exacted on the people of Somaliland that compelled them to re-claim their sovereignty: once bitten, twice shy. According to Africa Watch, the Siyad Barre government killed more than fifty thousand people from Somaliland, destroyed the major cities, resulting in the flight of a million Somalilanders to Ethiopia. One U.N. expert who excavated some of the mass graveyards said, "people were chained together, women and children included…" Even though Siyad Barre died unceremoniously in exile, his agents who committed most of these heinous acts are today cabinet members and parliamentarians of the self-styled Transitional National Government (TNG), more commonly known as Arta group. It would be insensitive and callous to expect from Somaliland to embrace greater Somalia once again.
Today, Somaliland feels more akin to Ethiopia than Somalia. The treatment Ethiopia extended to the half a million refugees who left their homes when the Somali government was bombarding its own people, poisoning the water wells and destroying the major cities of Somaliland have deeply touched the people of Somaliland. Furthermore, the cultural, historical and the commercial relationships that existed between Ethiopia and Somaliland have been renewed and are flourishing.
Somalia ceased to exist as a political entity when the Siyad government collapsed in January 1991. Today, Somalia is a battleground between bandits, factions and Islamic fundamentalists, engaged in a tug of war to dethrone, destabilize and demolish each other in order to gain the upper hand. One of the determining attributes of statehood is maintaining law and order, and the Arta Group doesn´t control as much territory as Shatigadud or Yalaxaw does, and hence, has no more legitimacy than the rest of the factions. This hybrid of Islamic fundamentalists and the re-hash of Siyad cronies represent no constituency. Indeed many of the Arta group is accused of war crimes by the international community. Under these circumstances, who could sincerely fault Somaliland to re-establish her sovereignty?
Due to these atrocities, inequities and anarchy, Somaliland reclaimed her relinquished sovereignty in May 18, 1991. Today, Somaliland has a defined territory (ex-British Somaliland), permanent population and an effective independent government. According to the U.N. charter, Somaliland has fulfilled the legal requirements of statehood. Furthermore, the re-birth of Somaliland conforms to the OAU charter regarding the preservation of the colonial borders. Unlike the nominal Arta group, Somaliland has substance: a constitution, currency, flag, National anthem, passport, a legislative body, functioning judiciary and an elected government.
Additionally, recognizing Somaliland has tangible benefits for the region. The fact that Somaliland has reclaimed her sovereignty has diminished the prospects of resurrecting greater Somalia. It was just a month ago that Hussien Aideed has rekindled the aspirations of Greater Somalia including "Kilil 5". This is a commonly held sentiment among the warlords in Somalia. The Horn should take note that recognizing Somaliland is the only insurance against the re-launching of the irredentist policy of Somalia. Recognition of Somaliland by the international community will not prejudice the economic prosperity of Somalia. By all accounts, Somaliland is territorially smaller, economically weaker, more devastated and less fortunate in natural resources than Somalia.
Granted that the cabinet positions are limited, the absence of Somaliland would make the distribution and the sharing of the political power fairer among the major clans in Somalia. Assigning political positions for an uninterested party-Somaliland- would only take away from a genuine and a deserving participant. More importantly, as a recognized state, Somaliland could play a greater role in the reconciliation process of Somalia. Why discriminate against Somaliland?
Ethiopia has met the brunt of the brutality carried out in the name of Greater Somalia. The 1963 and 1977/78 savage wars should serve as a reminder of what greater Somalia entails, and if in doubt, Ethiopia should reflect upon the widely held sentiment expressed by Aideed. The menace of "Greater Somalia" didn´t spare Kenya either. The constant military attacks under the pretext of "shifta" have traumatized Kenya. The constitution of Ethiopia allows cessation on the basis of self-determination and thanks to the Ethiopian Constitution and leaders, Eritrea is an independent state today. Somalis have already acknowledged the withdrawal of Somaliland: the only legitimate leader from the former Somalia, Mr. Hasan Shatigodud, of the new administration of Southwestern Somalia has recognized the withdrawal of Somaliland. It is high time that Ethiopia and Kenya realized the facts on the ground.
The aspiration of greater Somalia is euphemism for expansionism and the sacredness of the unity of Somalia is a delusion. It is worth mentioning that Somalis aren´t the only ethnic group, dispersed over the Horn, which shares common language and religion. The Afar is another nation that is scattered over three different states (Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia). The unity of Somalia is no more sacred than that of the Afar Nation. The earlier the five-cornered star insignia of the Somali Republic banner is reconfigured, the safer the Horn will be.
In effect, the non-recognition has blocked access to bilateral and multi-lateral financial loans and grants for development. Due to this illegal sanction, Somaliland is succumbing to infant mortality, malnutrition, tuberculosis and other poverty related social-ills. This international sanction is mobilized by the Arab League namely Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Djibouti. Egyptians would like an unified, militarily strong Somali Republic in the Horn of Africa, in case Ethiopia attempts to deflect or deny the Nile water to Egypt. Saudi Arabia has designated Somalia as a satellite for her Wahabi sect, and Djibouti eyes Berbera port and the longest airfield in sub-Sahara Africa as formidable competition and a threat to her only source of income - the port of Djibouti.
Before the end of this year, Somaliland will be holding statewide multi-party elections for a new government. This coming multi-party election would end ten years of by and large peaceful traditional elections, and would usher into an era of universally accepted elections. What makes this coming election a milestone is that Somaliland has achieved all of this by herself, without the help of the international community. Recently, Somaliland held a referendum for a constitution underpinned by the withdrawal from the union and the people of Somaliland have overwhelmingly voted (97%) to withdraw from the union: certified by Initiative and Referendum Institute in Washington, D.C, independent international poll monitors. Somaliland has fulfilled the requirements of statehood once again, and the international Community has an obligation to respect the historical rights and the self-determination of the people of Somaliland. This prolonged non-recognition will not change the mind of the people of Somaliland, but it will only cause more hardship.
Somaliland is aware that the 14th Somali reconciliation conference is going to be held late April, tentatively, in Nairobi. Somaliland doesn´t envy the attention her sister-Somalia has received from the international community and wishes her good luck. Somaliland, however, has crossed the Rubicon, and says Adieu to former Somalia.....END OF THE ARTICLE
Ali was given a farewell of dignity, gathering of leaders, old and young, supporter and adversaries. We pray Allah to bless his soul, forgive him and grand him the leisure of Janatul Fardows. Condolence to Ali´s large family headed by his mother, friends, colleagues, Kulmiye party and to Somaliland, particularly to Marodijeex region he hails from. Before the concluding paragraph, I leave you with a poem translated by the master of English, Rhoda Aideed Rageh (Lafcanbe):
They have announced the death of Ali Marshal
About an overturned vehicle. Oh my sleeplessness
A shield and a protection was that departed hero
A close and valued alley who never would nudge
He was the leading anchor in public debates
He was a shady tree surrounded with nobility
An excellent orator in public forums. Guard and
Guiding knowledge for Silanyo's shoulder
He was a man of freedom however way I look
Darkness have descended Oh Herzi upon our goals
Death is inevitable yet am I feeling…… what?
For all the enemy of Somaliland is it an open field
Fault and evil perpetrators is all that left behind
Oh Allah make Jannah his abode as I wait for victory
And Make our country free for this is a place of prayer
Perseverance is the way to success Oh! My Kulmiiye.
Ali did his part and more in nation building. It is incumbent upon all of us to stand for saving our nation. It takes one person to take one little move that may open the eyes of the dormant majority. Morality and conscience ask justice. That is missing from the current status of the nation. Stand up and deliver your duty to turn the balance where it should be, for better destiny of Somaliland. Injustice is a fire that will engulf all, no region, no district and no clan will be safe. Relinquish now before it is too late. That was what Ali was doing, when fate took him to his creator. Some of us prefer to die fighting for tyranny, injustice and oppression; for corruption and enslavement of free citizens. I pray Allah not to make me and anyone I love one of them. Amiin.
Long live a democratic Somaliland where government is the servant of the people.Ahmed Hassan Arwo
President
Somaliland Democracy Shield
Samotalis@gmail.comhttp://samotalis.blogspot.com/ 
London (Jam)- Xaflad ballaadhan oo dhidibada loogu taagay urur samafal ah oo loogu magac-daray Allaah ha u naxariistee marxuum Cali Xaaji Muxumed Guuleed (Maarshaal) oo dabayaaqadii sannadkii dhammaaday ku geeriyooday shil baabuur, ayaa Axaddii toddobaadkan lagu qabtay galbeedka magaalada London ee caasimadda dalka Ingiriiska.
Intaa kadib waxa taariikh-nololeedkiisii marxuumka si qoto dheer uga hadlay Mr. Axmed Xasan Carwo oo sheegay in Cali Maarshaal ahaa geesi aan la gaban afkaarta uu aaminsan yahay oo aragti fog, isagoo tusaale u soo qaatay mar uu dib ugu soo laabtay waddanka sannadkii 1980-kii oo ay warraysatay idaacadda BBC-du isagoo Cabdilaahi Xaaji ku yidhi, "Haddii aan Afweyne laga qaban dalka iminka in aan Soomaali wax sheegtay dib loo arki doonin."
Salaad Rooble oo ka mid ah ardaydii ay marxuum Cali Maarshaal dugsiga Sheekh wada dhigan jireen oo halkaa ka hadlay, ayaa sheegay in Cali Maarshaal wakhtigii ardaynimadaba uu muujiyay kartidiisa hoggaamineed iyo hufnaanta shaqo ee uu caanka ku ahaa, isagoo arrintaas sharraxaad ka bixinayeyna waxa uu yidhi; "Cali Allaah ha u naxariistee waxa u madax ka ahaa ururkii ardayda waxaanan xasuustaa xilligaasi mar uu gumeysigii Faransiiska ay dad reer Jabuuti ah ka soo qaxeen oo Cali soo jeediyay in la sameeyo mudahraad lagu taageerayo gobanima-doonka Jabuuti oo riwaayad aradaydu dhigto, lacagta ka soo baxdana lagu caawiyo dadkaasi."
Aadan Warsame Siciid oo ka mid ah xubnihii UFFO (Hargeisa Group), ayaa isna ka qaybgalayaasha u soo jeediyay in loo duceeyay mujaahid Cali iyo iyo intii kale oo dalkan naftooda u hureyba, waxaanu tilmaamay in Cali ahaa ruux waxa uu dhaqaaqo ka midho dhaliya oo dedaal badan, dardar badanna galiyay siyaasadda Somaliland, kuna shahiiday isagoo hawshaasi qaran ku jira.
Sidoo kale waxa uu sheegay in uu ahaa Cali nin deeqsi ah aaminsan in maalka Ilaahay dadka isugu soo dhiibo, isagoo tusaale u soo qaatay in maalin uu lacag siiyay, dabadeedna weydiiyay siduu ku ogaaday inuu lacag la'a yahay, dabadeedna u sheegay in aanu wax shaaha bixin dhawrkii casho ee dambeeyay.
Gudoomiye-ku-xigeenku waxa uu ka warramay siday u taabatay geerida saaxiibkii Cali Maarshaal, taasi oo gayeynsiisay inuu go'aansado inuu siyaasadda ka fadhiisto, haseyeeshee ay go'aankiisa wax ka beddeleen guddoomiyaha KULMIYE Md. Axmed-Siilaanyo, marxuum Cali walaaladii (Xasan iyo Sahra) oo la soo hadlay, xaaskii uu ka tagay iyo inantiisa oo ku booqday cisbitaalkii uu ku jiray, waxaannu uu u soo jeediyay ka qaybgalayaashii shirka in ay taageeraan mashruucan kheyriga ah ee Cali Maarshaal Trust.
Tifaftiraha Somali Eye Mr. Khadar Dirir ayaa isna waxa uu soo bandhigay filim dukumentari ah oo uu ka duubay Cali Marshal xilligii u noolaa, kuwaas oo dadka si aad ah u taabtay oo qiiro galiyay kana tarjumayay fikradihii marxuumku aaminsanaa.
Dr.Maxamed Cabdillaahi Cumar oo ah xoghayaha arrimaha dibadda ee xisbiga KULMIYE, ayaa waxa uu si cilmiyaysan uga waramay ahmiyada ay leeyihiin ururada samofalka ahi iyo faa'iidooyinka laga heli karo. Waxa uu xusey in ummadaha adduunku dadka Cali oo kale ah ku xasuustaan siyaabo kale duwan sida taalooyin iyo goobo loogu magic-daro ama ururro samafal. Waxa uu intaasi ku ladhay in Cali dalka iyo dadka reer Somaliland u ahaa hormood oo qaranku aanu wali ka soo kaban geeridiisii, isaga oo xoghayuhu caddeeyay in xisbi ahaan afkaartii Cali Maarshaal qayb weyn ka yihiin barnaamijka siyaasadeed ee KULMIYE daah furay toddobaadkan
Marwo Yaasmiin waxay intaasiu ku dartay in ururkani ka tarjumayo afkaartii uu Allaah ha u naxariistee Cali Maarshaal aaminsanaa oo uu wax weyna ka tari doono wacyigalinta dadka iyo ku baraarujinta shacbiga habka ugu haboon ee looga hortagi karo xannuunka waalidu inta aanu meel halis ah qofka la gaadhin iyo waliba siday lagama maarmaan u tahay in bulshadeenu wax ka badasho habka ay ula dhaqmaan bukaanka qaba xannuunka waalida. Waxa kaloo ay ka wrarantay baahiyaha caafimaad-darrada ah ee Somaliland ku haysta dadka xannuunka dhimirka qaba, taas oo ay sheegtay in Cali Maarshaal Trust wax weyn ka tari doonto haddii Allaah idmo.
Weriye Khadar Xasan Cali Gaas, ayaa isna si kooban uga warramay ujeeddooyinka iyo waxyaabaha uu qaban doono ururka samafalka ee Cali Maarshaal Foundation oo ah urur kale oo ay si wadajir ah u aasaaseen carruurta uu ka tagay marxuumka iyo jaalliyadda reer Somaliland ee California ee dalka Maraykanka, kaasi oo siduu sheegay deeq waxbarasho u fidin doona ardayda rabta in ay dhigtaan Jaamacadaha Somaliland. Sidoo kalena qorshaha ugu jirto inuu daabaco buugaag heer jamacadeed ah oo dhinaca dhaqaalaha iyo miisaaniyadda ah.
