Roda Y. Mohamud, Social Sciences Major, USA
I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the various responses of certain "clique" within the Diaspora community, who themselves have their own 'hidden' political agenda on Rakiya Omar’s article. This is an issue that is close to my heart, and is precisely what prompted me to write this article.
I have never been so outraged by some of these so-called critics of Rakiya, whose blind defense of Rayale is bordering on fanaticism. On their irrational and POLITICALY motivated defense of Rayale, they have sworn an all out war against one of the most respected human right defenders in Africa and embarked on an all out mission to discredit Ms Rakiya Omar’s reputation and question her professionalism, all in the name of PROTECTING Rayale.
Let me REMIND them, that Rakiya Omar has always held, and will continue to hold, a special place in the hearts of many Somalilanders who respect and think highly of her. Many of us remembers Rakiya Omar on TV, relentlessly fighting for our rights and exposing the murderous regime in Somalia in the worldwide media.
This young, dynamic Oxford & Cambridge educated activist became a hero in the eyes of many Somalilanders, for she has come through for her people at a time that Somalilanders where feeling very vulnerable and alone in the world and in essence has taken upon her self to be their spokesperson during these trying times. She has since become a source of inspiration and a role model for many young Somalilanders, myself included.
Let me also REMIND them once again, that this report, "A Government at War With Its Own People: Testimonies About the Killings and the Conflict in the North" published in New York in January 1990, that they are trying to discredit and dismantle is, as fate would have it, the very one that was responsible for bringing the genocide of the Isaaq people to the attention of the world media and the major world donors. The report whether they like it or not, carries a lot of weight within international circles and as such should be accorded the respect it deserves. It should be thought of, as Somaliland’s own little treasure and ‘secret’ ammunition against those that committed horrendous crimes against the people of Somaliland. Instead, we have people that are trying to tear it down and make it completely obsolete!
Rakiya’s critics (or as I would like to call them ‘afmiishaaro’) would like to make us believe that this person whom we’ve trusted and respected for so long has all of sudden turned bad and tainted, simply because she went against the establishment. They have gone as far as accusing her of tribalism, and even more importantly have trivialized and questioned the credibility of the actual contents in her report, which in my view is a gross injustice to those massacred. This report is the only well researched reputable report of its kind that has systematically documented the genocide of the Isaaq people. In a later date it will be used as a source of reference to prosecute the likes of Morgan & Gani in an international tribunal. By dismissing this report and its author, and questioning its authenticity, we are in actual fact giving ammunition to our enemies and those who continue to deny our genocide. Look at it this way, if the report was wrong about Dahir Rayale (which the critics are claiming), what is stopping Gani & Morgan claiming at a later date that it was wrong about them too? Introducing doubt into this equation is all that is needed to bring a non-guilty verdict for the butchers of HARGEISA! These critics failed to understand the bigger picture and what is actually at stake, and the fact that Somaliland is bigger than Rayale, as is Rakiya Omar and her Report.
Her critics have condemned her and maliciously undermined her professionalism, simply because she did her job, she stood by her report and decided to bring the issue of human rights to the elections. Let it be known, that many Somalilanders see the actions of these critics & Af-miishaaro, as a slap in the faces of all Somalilanders, and we are not going to sacrifice our dignity and our opportunity to bring to justice those who committed crimes against us, in order to safe guard Rayale’s re-election.
Rakiya Omar is not a POLITICIAN; she’s a human rights advocate who shall continue to fight for justice for all, even if this puts her at odds against the so-called establishment and the Rayale cronies. She fought and won a bigger battle and came across more formidable adversaries. I truly doubt that Rakiya is fazed in the slightest bit by Rayale and his cronies. However, it’s the average Somalilanders like myself that are extremely upset and furious at the injustice that’s been done to her and her exemplary work, and can’t help but occasionally lash out on her behalf!
There you go, the "Silent Majority" has finally spoken.
Roda Y Mohamud
Social Sciences Major, USA
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