By Mohamed Sougal

Dear Garaad,

It is a common and sad well known fact that the region of Sool region is the least developed parcel of Somaliland. While an intensive study would be worthwile, among all the diverse causes explaining why the situation in Sool is more desperate than ever, leadership remains the elephant in the room. For the Lascanood native that I am, you are, dear Garaad, predisposed to hearing my lamentations on this matter.

Like all Lascanooders abroad, I was extremely thrilled by your crowning last year; who else that you could build intergenerational bridges in Somaliland and at the same time get the diaspora more involved in the rebuilding of our region. Our region were facing pressing issues and it took a man of vision and great influence to bring about the changes we all needed.

However, almost immediately my hopes were dashed by the fact that Puntland authorities ruined your installation by creating a tug of war with Somaliland and the former ICU. You could hear some small-town politicians from Garowe bullying your hosts; no elders from Hargeisa, no political talks... Those that deemed the burial of our late Garaad unworthy of their presence were adding insult to injury by shamefully politicizing this multi-century traditional ceremony. Your answer, dear Garaad, to this total lack of ceremonialism, was to say the least, completely appalling. Instead of notifying and summoning the Garowe schizophrenic dictator, you folded like a cheap bag. Moreover, a week later, you embarked on an embarrassing region tour with a no name Puntland minister, making yourself the receiving end of a cheap propaganda stunt.

Granted, dear Garaad, Sool is particularly hospitable to political intrigues and divided loyalties since many resident subscribe to different administrations. However, you had the advantage of first hand knowledge and the guiding principles of our former Garaad. Nothing else could have given outward testimony to the value of the late Garaad leader than the fact he kept both Puntland and Somaliland political manoeuvres at bay, while keeping bridges open. Unfortunately, there is considerable doubt and much discussion as to whether you could hold this tenuous balance, and observe in a way this strange power taboos inherited by our Garaad. Our leaders have always have been referred to by their admirers as visionary and beyond politicians and there is plenty of evidence to support this point.

Dear Garaad, this subservient attitude you have towards Puntland had let to become sadly, dear Garaad, the hostage of the ProSomaliweyn faction of our people. Your ten month long visit abroad became a happening for all disgruntled Siadist languishing on Abdillahi Yusuf waiting list for a future diplomatic postings. While your predecessor, a dynamo of a man, would have lived the life of a recluse and fought with considerable energy and determination to address Buhoodle and Cagaare crisis, your decided to visit endless towns (sometimes only an hour apart) when we needed you the most.

Dear Garaad, Ninkii tiisa Daryeela tukale ku dara. Our people need not to worry about displaying huge Somali flags in community centers, but to solve pragmatically our problems.

Hope your take the lead.

With my utmost respect

Mohamed Sougal

http://soolsomaliland.blogspot.com/