By A.Y.K

I have been fascinated with numbers and the powers and events that they signify and I have appreciated the article of Dr. Omar Ibrahim Hussien titled: Is there a magic Number? That was published by Somaliland Times: (Saturday, 16 th February 2008 Issue 317).

Number 7 is the luckiest number. God has created the world in 7 days. There are 7 heavens and 7 hells. The week has 7 days. People born in 7 months become famous.

Months also embody other powers. Siyad Barre came to power on October 1969. While Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was elected on October 2004. PUNTLAND has attacked Somaliland on October 2004 (successfully) and 2007 (unsuccessfully). And Somaliland reclaimed its independence on May/18/1991 and President Rayale ascended to power on May 2003.

However, in my own opinion, I must present a more fascinating number. Beijing Olympics will start on August the 8th 2008. Somaliland will be recognized in the year 2008 (Insha-Allah). The largest clan in Somaliland (Issaq) is divided into 8 sub-clans. SNM invaded Burao and Hargesia in year 1988.

Nonetheless, this seems to be the year of Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Sillanyo (8 words): Presidential elections will be held on the 8th month in the year 2008. And most importantly, Mr. Sillanyo having held over the years 7 major political posts, the Presidency (if he wins) will be the 8th in line to his long career in Somali politics that he will hold. Previously, Sillanyo has served as:

1. Secretary to Prime Minister Egal 1967.
2. DG of Ministry of National Planning 1968-9.
3. Minister of Planning, Commerce & Finance: 1969-82, 1997-2000.
4. Chairman of SNM 1984-90.
5. Member of the House of Representatives of Somaliland: 1995-7.
6. Chairman of KULMIYE Political Party.
7. Opposition Leader 2003-8.

Remember also that 80 votes had officially separated Rayale and Sillanyo during the 2003 presidential election. God willing, we will watch interestingly as the events unfold in the lucky year 2008 for Somaliland and possibly for Sillanyo, too.

AYK

abdihakim365@gmail.com