By Ibrahim Adam Ghalib

One early morning I went to the sitting room to take my coffee. While I was sitting I thought to open the internet to see the websites. I first opened Awdalnews if there is any exciting news. Sadly I saw a letter written by Bashir Goth leaving Awdalnews. He explained to all the audience the reason he is abandoning the site.

Awdalnews was one of the favorite sites among all the Somali websites. We used to get news, analysis and educational materials. One of these exciting piece of work was the interview of sheikh Sharif Sh Ahmed.by Bashir Goth.

Awdalnews is typically born out of a desire to meet a need and help the Somalis to get a plat form to debate, discuss and exchange views in a neutral environment. It was also one of few websites that brought many international writers to share their views with the Somalis.

As the site grows and gains strength it needs improvements from time to time to satisfy the needs of the people that visit the site. We used to question always why Awdalnews took too long to insert the pictures.

Once the site moves to its formative years problems may arise. In this respect policies and procedures should be in place with the managing team working closely with each other. Nonetheless it is not unusual for difficulties to emerge as the site matures, perhaps with new groups interested in moving the site in a direction different to the policies that is originally agreed.

A decision regarding the future and how to solve if any conflict of interest arises is not easy to solve and there will be differing points of view. In this respect one has to take decisions that will keep the credibility of the website in tact. Some times it is better to take painful decisions keeping your interest aside.

The managing team could have recognized the talent of its members like Bashir Goth and support them with opportunities for professional development. Challenge is an important part of a person’s job. In this respect Bashir Goth was always seeking opportunities to advance the website. The portfolio of Bashir as a free lance journalist recognized by the international media was an asset for Awdalnews.

An executive director like Bashir Goth who gained knowledge and responsibility through experience was a valuable asset and the problems could have been solved in an academic way far from politics.

Without bias I have taken the conclusion that Bashir was right and all the accusations came true. I have waited for some time and give a chance to Farah to explain his side of the story but nothing materialized. I have reached this conclusion on the following points;

1. Bashir Goth told us that he was seeking to upgrade the site with pictures and Farah gave a deaf ear to his request and now as soon as Bashir left the pictures are installed.

2. The other point Bashir raised was that the site should not be a mouth piece for any body. Now it looks that the site is siding the present administration and writing unfair materials against the opposition parties specially KULMIYE.

3. Bashir wrote to us that he was not publishing any materials not bearing the identity and the email of the person. Now these are printed without publishing the emails criticizing the opposition specially KULMIYE.

All the audience will agree that Awdalnews was one of the few and top Somali websites and if the site continues to be a mouth piece for any body without giving every body a fair chance, I am sure it will loose credibility. I hope my friend Farah will take this as a constructive criticism meant to correct mistakes if any. As a writer I always get criticisms some times painful but I always take it as positive keeping my emotions aside.

I hope all the people that used to write materials in Awdalnews and have made comments during the conflict will undoubtedly comment on my article.

By Ibrahim Adam Ghalib

Borama, Awdal

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