Somali luminaries

[NGONGE]

Since this political section has been a disaster of late and almost all the threads, responses and opinions have been subjective ones. Here is a topic we can all agree on and be as prejudiced as we want. It might even turn out to be an educational topic for all. Let us compile a definitive list of all the Somali political icons across the ages. Choose a personality and give a brief description of their achievements or why you chose to include them in this list. Make it interesting and informative.

 

It’s possible that some might decide to mention a few non-political personalities. Fine, just try to give their description a slight political slant so as they fit in with the general theme of this thread.

 

I repeat, this is meant to be a subjective list not a good guy list. You can include the worst people imaginable as long as you justify their entry in your descriptions.

 

 

Come on you budding propagandists and amateur spin-doctors; let the adulation begin!

[OG_Girl]

Choose a personality and give a brief description of their achievements or why you chose to include them in this list. Make it interesting and informative.

You mean SOL personality or real so called politisions?

 

Salam

[-Serenity-]

Originally posted by OG_Girl:

You mean SOL personality or real so called politisions?

 

LOL.

 

So ur politicians for posting crap on the crappiest section?

[NGONGE]

^^^^ As much as I’m dying to hear about the greatness of all our SOL members, I’m afraid I’ll have to deny myself that great pleasure, dear.

I was talking about politicians mainly. However, any others who are not politicians but you consider to be the “stars†of Somali present and past are also worth reading about.

[OG_Girl]

LOL.

 

So ur politicians for posting crap on the crappiest section?

No not me, I am talking about other SOLer ...if crap or not is personal point of views.

 

NGONGE, All my politics info or let me say most I get from " crap" -Allow me to use Species 2610's word- posts here in SOL... Do you want me list here who I think is great?

 

Salam

[General Duke]

My first on the list is

 

Imam Ahmed Ibrahim Al Ghazi- born c. 1506 died 1543 - A religious warrior, arguably the greatest Somali who ever lived. Founder of what is modern day Somalia. At the young age of 21 he led a rebelion against Christian Abasynia which brought that entity to destruction. He conquored all of what is present day Ethiopia and even managed to fight of the Portuguese who came to the aid of the happless Ethiopians. A man of real courage and determination. He overcame great odds, united the fragmented Muslims, the Afar's, Oromo and Somali's of the region and took them to victory.

 

I belive he is an Icon that can be used to unite the Somali's, as his clan is not known his legacy belongs to all. The irony is that Ahmed Gran as he is known in Ethiopia is less known amongst the Somali's in which he is no more than a myth.

[NGONGE]

OG, like I said. It's open for all. Just give a description.

 

In fact, strike that. In your case, I would like a description of a person closer to home. Tell us about your grandfather (I’m not being sarcastic here by the way). This way, you will not have to rely on information you got from SOL.

[OG_Girl]

^^^ My grandpa is not politicians rather Historian dear .

 

Plus he is over 70s , I don't think he wishes more troubles

 

Salam

[General Duke]

My second personality is from the previous century

 

The Brilliant General Omar Samatar of Hobyo .

 

Omar Samatar was one of the generals of the liquidated sultanate of Hobyo.

He became a legend after Hobyo fell to the Italians in October 1925.

 

Sultan Ali Yusuf died in exile in Eritria but it was Omar Smatar who led the guerrilla campaign and championed the cause of independence. In November of 1925 a month after the fall of Hobyo the resistance captured Ceel Buur and successfully defended it causing heavy casualties against the fascists. In a successful ambush the head of operations Lieutenant-Colonel Splendorelli with hiss staff was killed in between Bud Bud and Buula Barde.

 

It was not until 26 December 1925 Italian troops finally overran El-Buur, and the forces of Omar Samatar were compelled to retreat to Western Somaliland. Here he warned the Abyssinians that the Italians will turn their eyes next to their kingdom, however it was not until the fascist invaded Italy did the Ethiopians remember the warning and even asked for the Generals help.

 

Omar Samatar never stopped fighting the fascists and played his pat in liberating Ethiopia. He died in 1946 without ever seeing an independent Somalia. He is regarded as a hero in Ethiopia.

By all accounts a brave, honest, hard working and dedicated fellow who inspired his followers where ever he went.

[General Duke]

Ajuraan Somali dynasty 1300-1600

 

arguably the most powerful Somali clan in history, they had a profound effect on Somalia specially the south. Their influence was far reaching they controlled large swathes and effected other parts of what is present day Somalia.

 

“15th century, the Ajuran extended their territory at the expense of the Jiddu and Galla.

The Jiddu were driven south-west as the Ajuran advanced to Kalafo on the Shebelle,

where they founded the capital of their state. From Kalafo the Ajuran moved out in

strength and forced the inter-riverine Galla to retire to Bur Hakaba. The region between

the Shebelle and Isha Baidoa was left in the hands of the Madinie, a tribe of whom little

more is known than that they were allied to the Ajuran. The Ajuran influence was

considerable and the pressure which they exerted to the south-east contributed to the

collapse of the Muzaffar dynasty of Mogadishu.†Lewis (1969: 46)

[Oda_Nobunaga]

SmithnWestern

 

I fully agree.

Omar samater is admirable.

A hero indeed.

[General Duke]

Oda, NGOONGE, JB , JUMA, HORN, Nationalist, LSK, Bashi, Sophist I am waiting for your contribution.

[Nationalist]

Here is my contribution mate!

 

Aden Abdullah Osman :

H.E. Aden Abdullah Osman was born at Belet Weyne (Hiran Region). After receiving education at State Schools, he acquired administrative experience in Government oficies.

 

He subsequently devoted himself to his own business. In Febraury 1944, he joined the Somali Youth Club (subsequently called Somali Youth League), became a member of the party's steering board and in 1946 was appointed Secreatry of the Belet Weyne section of the party.

 

In 1951 the Regional Council of Mudug designated him for the Territorial Council on which he served uninterruptedly (up to February 1956) as the representative of the S.Y.L.

 

In 1953 he was appointed Vice-President of the Territorial Council. In 1954 he became the President of the Somali Youth League and remained office untill 1956. Re-elected to the same position in May 1958, he occupied this post simultaneously with the post of the President of the Legislative Assembly until 1st July 1960.

 

In 1956, when the Territorial Council was replaced by Legislative Assembly, he was elected member of the National Assembly for Belet Weyne District at the general political elections, and in meantime the Legislative Assembly appointed him its President.

 

In the 1959 general political elections, he was again elected member of the National Assembly, which again appointed him Presedent. He maintained this post when the Legislative Assembly was converted into the Consituent Assembly.

 

In his capacity as President of the Constituent Assembly, on 1st July 1960, he proclaimed the Independence of the Somali Republic and following the unification of the northern and southern territories - former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland. The National Assembly chose him as Provisional President of the Republic for period of 1 year, and in 1961 re-elected him to the same mandate for 6 years.

 

He devoted his interest to legal, social and economic studies. Besides Somali, he speaks Italian, English and Arabic.

 

According to the Constitution of the Republic, the out-going President enjoyed life-membership of the Somali National Assembly (Article 51, paragraph 4).

 

 

Abdirashid Ali Shermake :

H.E. Abdirashid Ali Shermake was born in 1919 at Haradere in the district of Obbia. After having attended Quranic schools, he completed his elementary education 1936.

 

From 1937 to 1943 he became a trader and later a Civil Servant in the then Italian Administration. At the same time, he brought his educational standard up to Intermediate level.

 

He joined the Somali Youth League (SYL) immediately after its foundation in 1943. He entered the British Administration Civil Service in 1944.

 

He completed his secondary education in 1950-53 while still Civil Servant, and got a scholarship to the University of Rome where he graduated in political science in 1958. One year later after returing from Italy, he was elected to the then Legislative Assembly from Gardo as SYL member in 1959. He thus terminated fifteen years in the Civil Service.

 

Immediately after Independence on July 1st 1960, he was nominated by President Aden Abdullah Osman as Prime Minister, a position he held until March 1964 when the first General Elections were held. He was re-elected to Parliament from his old constituency. On August 20, 1959 he had been among the first politicians who demanded independence before the targeted date of 31st December, 1960.

 

As Prime Minister, Abdirashid travelled abroad extensively in pursuit of a non-aligned and neutral foriegn policy. Although the ruling SYL Party recommended him to be re-nominated as Prime Minister by a large majority, President Aden Abdullah Osman invited Abdirazak Haji Hussein to form a cabinet in which Abdirashid was not member.

 

 

Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal :

Hon. Mohamed was born in Odweina on August 15, 1928. He completed his primary, intermediate, and secondary education in former British Somaliland and then went to Britain for further studies where he stayed from 1950-54.

 

On June 26, 1960, when the country gained independence, Egal became the Prime Minister of Somaliland.

 

After the Union and the formation of the Somali Republic, he was nominated Minister for Defence in the Cabinet of Abdirashid Ali Shermake. After one year, Egal was nominated Minister for Education in the same Government.

 

In October 1962 Egal led a delegation to London to negotiate the NFD problem with British leaders. His delegation persuaded and obtained from the British Government a referendum in the Northern Frontier District (NFD). In the same period, he led another delegation to Kenya to organize the referendum which found 83% in favour of joining with the Somali Republic.

 

In October 1966, he joined the Somali Youth League party. Finally, he became the third Prime Minister of Somali Republic in 1967.

 

 

Abdullahi Issa Mohamud :

Hon. Abdullahi was born in 1922 at Afgoi. The second world war broke out while he was still a student. After he turmoiled of the war years, he joined the SYL from its onset. He became one of the leaders of the party and was eventually appointed Secretary-General.

 

He went to Paris and New York as an SYL delegate to proclaim the right of the Somali people to independence. After election as an SYL deputy in the political elections of 1956. Hon. Abdullahi was called in the same year to form Somalia's first Government, thus becoming the first Prime Minister.

 

Re-elected in 1959, he was re-confirmed as Premier, and held for some time also the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Grace and justice. In the Government formed after Somalia's Independence in July 1960, he was appointed Foreign Minister. In this capacity he took part in many international conventions, in particular the U.N. General Assembly and the African conferences of Lagos, Addis Abeba, Dakar and Other. In the general election of March 1964 he was returned to the National assembly as an SYL deputy for Beled Weyne.

[General Duke]

Naionalist many thanks...

 

Have there been better politicians than the above named ?. Aden Cade and the late Egal inflaunce is still felt to today. I was glad you added Abdullahi Isse who I belive was a fantastic example of an honest Somali politicain.

 

LASKAA why the long thread brother, edited it please make it more concise and readable.

[Nationalist]

Have there been better politicians than the above named ?.

Well, many Somalis from all tribes would tell you the best politician would be Abdirizaq Haji Hussein. I'll let someone else post a piece about him.