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EDITORIAL
A few days after her death, Somalilanders are still in a state of shock and grief over the killing of Annalena Tonelli, 60, last Sunday evening. The humanitarian worker who devoted more than 30 years of her life to helping Somalis in need, was born in Forli’, northern Italy. Annalena’s strong commitment took her to work with isolated people and places, disabled children and victims of killer diseases such as TB and HIV/AIDS. Her humanity and dedication to helping the poorest of the poor knew no boundaries.
Annalena Tonelli was a lawyer by training, but she quit her law practice and left her own country to help the poor and the sick. She did not do it for a day, or two, or a short a period, but for years, until her violent death last Sunday evening. Nothing seemed to stop Annalena from helping others. Cultural, linguistic, and climatic barriers could not stop her. She always adjusted without complaint.
She surprised Somalis who are used to a life of continuous struggle with her perseverance and courage. By leading a simple life, just like most people here do, Annalena won the respect and trust of Somalilanders. Her humility was almost legendary. She never acted as the benefactor she was. Instead, she treated the beneficiaries of her assistance with love and respect. No wonder that at the TB hospital and the school for deaf children, two projects she had founded in Borama, patients and pupils were still unable to come terms with her sudden departure.
In Somaliland, Annalena Tonelli provided voice and hope for the deaf, those with eye problems, and the victims of TB and HIV/AIDS. But it will be a terrible mistake and betrayal, if her violent death is allowed to bring to an abrupt end the journey of love and compassion that she began in Wajeer over 30 years ago. Now that she is gone, Annalena’s departure should inspire hope, not despair. The best tribute that one could possibly pay to Annalena is to make sure that the institutions she had founded, continue to provide the same level of services, if not more, to the needy. Her death has bestowed special moral responsibility on the government and people of Somaliland to continue her interventions for the alleviation of TB, HIV/AIDS, FGM and blindness.
The international community also has a stake in keeping Annalena's legacy alive because she was a symbol of fruitful cooperation between Somaliland and the international community. Therefore, the international community should support the efforts of Somalilanders to keep Annalena's dream alive.
Somaliland's police must not leave any stone unturned in the process of investigating this murder case. The government must be aware that, because of the high-profile nature of this case, many people want to know the true motives behind this heinous crime, whether it was an isolated case or part of an organized effort.
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