Remembering the altar of our struggle: Dr. Mohamed Siraad Dollal

[Abdulladiif Al-Fiqih]

^What do you know about their leadership? None. Get informed Qalbi Dhagax before you talk about something you know nothing about.

 

 

They need to die with their soldiers intey meelaha gabban lahaayeen

I am not saying they should not fight sxb but did you know these four guys were alone not far away from Dhagaxbuur? Alone? Isn't that a suicidal and irresponsible?

 

Hadii ay iyagga oo ciidankooda kagarabdagaalaya dhiman lahaayeen waxkahadal ah malahaateen taasi. War nimankani reero baas ood ********** ah ayeey heshiisiinayeen reerihii uunbaana soo jaajuusey wax ciidan ahna hal wiilbaa lasocdey .

[Sir-Qalbi-Adeyg]

^ Not much, but they haven't been that successful in making the struggle a somali struggle rather than a 'o.ganden' struggle. Is the ONLF completely financed by o.gaden diaspora or are there others involved?

 

Here a map of Somalia, showing that ONLF only control the areas of shilaabo.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47 /Somali_land_2007_05_18.png

[Kamaavi]

Reading Mr. Qalbi's's post I came to the conclusion

that he is both disillusioned and a careless fellow.

Instead of pondering what can be done for O'gadenya

today he went on hopeless literature assault

against one of the very few organizations

that are doing SOMETHING today.

 

For one thing, ONLF is NOT an exclusive club as Mr. Qalbi

suggests, anyone who wishes to participate in the

organization and whose family resides in the O'gaden

can become a member, secondly, ONLF is not a secret

cult in which ,Its military operation is kept untold

instead nearly every military victory is posted on the

internet and other media outlets. A prime example is this.

 

Reading the below passage from Mr. Qalbi attempt at

literature script was interesting.

 

 

What has the ONLF achieved? besides singing, and dancing

like some brain-dead monkies.

 

These guys are quite possibly the most useless resistance

movement in the history of resistance movements.

 

They have done no such thing, and somali's from other

groups in somali galbeed don't want anything to do with

the ONLF primates, those are the facts.

 

Is the ONLF completely financed by o.gaden diaspora

or are there others involved?

 

Is there any city under their control? no.

 

They are nothing more than tuugo who go around terrorizing

somali villages.

 

ONLF has been unsuccessful for years and have no made

any gains simply because the rebel movement is a narrow

minded clan movement.

 

ONLF will continue to be nothing more than a nuisance

to the ethiopian regime.

 

They haven't been that successful in making the struggle

a somali struggle rather than a 'o.ganden' struggle.

 

They are interested in clan pride and hegemony like

typical somali's.

 

It’s really laughable to hear such ridiculous statements,

especially coming from a supposedly well educated

fellow. Such statements are expected from people who

have mentally become cuckoo or who are desperate.

 

It was equally laughable at how Mr. Qalbi foolishly

tried to connect the dots between singing,

dancing-luxury life-style and the ONLF.

 

First , any one with his state of mind will agree

that the Ethiopians are the # one enemy of Ogadeens

for centuries, and they are responsible the suffering

of our people .

 

Secondly, any one who is man enough to sacrifice their

life unlike most of us by taking arms against the enemy

is a hero and needs to be supported and backed regardless

of what they call them selves.

 

Mind you ONLF is an independent organization in which

its officers are drawn from the masses in the Ogadeens.

 

It’s also helpful to remember that admired today by any

person who sides with the Oppressed and fights for

Freedom are the valiant fighters of the Ogadeens National

Liberation Front (ONLF).

 

Their great efforts and heroic deeds are all an Ogadeeni

can possibly count on today; if O'gaden will become

a free and independent country, this will be mainly

due to the determined fight of the ONLF.

 

However, if ONLF was/is built clanism or more ever

if they did not know how their people are suffering

as Mr. Qalbi would care to tell us it would have annihilated

long time ago by itself.

 

Again, mind you, ONLF is an Organization united by an ideology,

not a tribe. It's members belong all kind of Somali

tribes, even though O'gadeen tribe is the majority,

but that doesn't mean ONLF belongs to only O'gadeen tribe.

 

Having said that, there are those of us who think

beyond tribal line. Therefore, perhaps Mr. Qalbi should

double check his bold proclamations and then reflects on it.

 

The writings of Mr. Qalbi look desperate. Instead

of posting and posturing solutions to our problems

he went on a time wasting exercise of writing up silly,

confused, and wet rough draft. Lets just hope that his

colleagues don’t read what he wrote.

 

 

The citizens of O'gadenia pray for the social deviants-

Jeesto.

[Sir-Qalbi-Adeyg]

^ You haven't provided anything other than your emotional opinion, are most of the top leadership of ONLF all from one clan? correct? why is it some somali groups are more willing to colloborate with ethiopians than work with ONLF? they clearly feel ONLF is not for their best interest, and ONLF must do something about that, number one solution changing the name and giving leadership positions to somali's from different clans that live in somali galbeed. Once you come up with broad and somali strategy of dealing with ethiopians, then everyone will support it. But right now, from the looks of things, ONLF just seems like a typical rag tag clan militias. Hell, I'm willing to donate some money and support the cause if it was organized and inclusive group.

[Che -Guevara]

^What have you done to free Somaligalbeed, and can't why other Somalis come up with broad and somali strategy of dealing with ethiopians.

[Sir-Qalbi-Adeyg]

Originally posted by Che -Guevara:

^What have

you

done to free Somaligalbeed, and can't why

other Somalis

come up with broad and

somali strategy

of dealing with ethiopians.

Unfortunately, my immediete family doesn't live there, so i'm not affected as much. But as I said, I'm always willing to contribute if asked. Why don't you give us some suggestions on what the average jaamac can do?

[Che -Guevara]

^Organize Somalis who believe in the cause, and build bridges with those that are actually doing waging the struggles.Alot of time, the lack of trust and misunderstanding comes from not mingling and talking with each other. You could help through fund raising, lobbying politicians, and pressuring media to expose the crimes committed against our ppl.

 

For Non-Ocaden Somalis, instead of whining about the name, organize,and join the struggle.....sit down with ONLF to discuss the future including the name issue?

 

Quick q, do other Somalis ever sit down with ONLF horta?

[Nephissa]

He will always be our hero and always in our thoughts. A brave soul, indeed! Allaha Yarhamu Rahameeen.

[Kamaavi]

It is crucial to notate that

the O'gaden National Liberation

Front-ONLF has done everything in

their power to unshackle the chains

of occupation and oppression in the

O'gaden region. These men and women

are not only engaged in a military

war against the unconstitutional

government of Ethiopia , but also a

political one.

 

Decolonization is a painful and

difficult process that requires

more than using force and weapons

to defend and emancipate a country.

The O'gaden war between Somalia and

Ethiopia is a great example as to why

a political war is just as decisive

as a military one.

 

The ONLF is establishing

prominent relationships,

connecting with influential

countries, and declaring our

independence to the world both

on and off the battlefield.

The exclusive right to control

a government, a country and its

people requires more than a

successful military machine; it

requires the use of tactics and

strategy to gain and establish a

powerful relationship with

influential countries, and

organizations within the

international community.

 

The fate of O'gadenia rests on the ONLF,

and its success will not be measured by

how well they fight to make it sovereign,

but also how well they fight to keep

its sovereign. Their interaction with

other countries and organizations today

will ensure their success against

outside influences tomorrow!

 

Mr.Qalbi is in a state of confusion,

hence why he believes that:

ONLF is like a typical rag tag clan militias

When the ONLF is in fact strategizing

on a course of action that will lead us

to our victory beyond the battleground.

You can’t have a house with just a roof,

the same way you can’t have sovereignty

with only military conquest.

 

The fate of our region is contingent

on more than one pillar, and how we

establish these pillars will determine

our success in either thriving like Kosovo

or failing like Somaliland!

 

It is also essential to stress that

the ONLF may not wish for a "broad

and somali strategy of dealing with

ethiopians, in which everyone will

support it" as he would like us to

believe, they ARE moving the coveted

self-determination ideal forward

with out standing advancement that

put many military strategies

and tactics to shame! It doesn’t

take a genius to acknowledge

the accomplishments attained by

the ONLF with their prevailing

policies and proceedings.

 

I honestly believe he is ill equipped

with the fundamental knowledge

and wisdom required to write about

the ONLF or their objectives. His

thoughts and ideas are the consequence

of bias and prejudice information

that arose from limited research and

sources. Individuals who are informed

on the platform of the ONLF and politics

in general, would have been too ashamed

to ask the questions that were asked by

Mr.Qalbi. An individual who goes

out of his way to incorporate words like

“broad and Somali stategy” should know

better than bringing silly arguments

which are based on fallacious garbage

that lacks candor and dependability

like:

They are nothing more than tuugo who go around terrorizing somali villages.

He has proven his knowledge of the

English language, but when will he

prove his knowledge of politics and

the guiding principles of common sense?.

I’m interested in knowing when

we stopped blaming the perpetrators

of these crimes, and started blaming

the only individuals in the region

(and the world) who sought to do

something about these crimes?

The stup!dity of that particular

statement almost deterred me from

responding to his posts.

 

When it comes to the problems in the region,

he holds a doctorate in listing them,

but when it comes to listing beneficial solutions

as a means of overcoming these problems,

he proves to be limited. These limitations

are confirmed by a few more inane and idiotic

questions like:

why is it some somali groups are more willing

to colloborate with ethiopians than work with ONLF?”

And What has the ONLF achieved?

The ONLF is the only body making a

difference in the region, and since

he is in opposition to their policy

and tactics, why doesn't he devise

different methods and means to liberate

our people? What is standing in his way?

It’s obvious he thinks he can do a better

job than the ONLF, so why doesn’t he?

Why did he insist on writing this geberidh

one line posts, when he should have spent

his time writing a policy

devoted to the liberation of our region?

I have decided that he is all talk and

no action!

 

He needs to start contributing to the cause

sitting behind a screen criticing those who

have is not good enough!

 

His lack of contribution lost him the

credibilty to speak of our region and

behalf of the population in the region,

not to mention the integrity to question

the ONLF and their policies!

 

number one solution changing the name and giving

leadership positions to somali's from different clans

that live in somali galbeed

^^Is the last opinion Mr.QAlbi got

and it is the one that shines light on his

posts a whole. The people and their

unfortunate circumstance is not the issue,

nor the resonthat inspires him to post.

The name of the region is the princible

rreason he chose to bore us with these

opinions and ideas. The ONLF is not the

heart of the argument, as was once

perceived but what that O in the name i

represents. The term O'gaden has been

depicted as a malignat tumor in the

minusculminds of men and women who

continou to elevate its significance

above the heartbreaking condition in

our oppressed torn region. As always,

I'm fighting the urge to throw up!

 

He uses unification as grounds to defend his opinion

on account of changing the name of the region from

O'gadenia to “something more unifying”. For some strange

reason, I was under the impression that oppression

was a better reason for unification than what a region

outside our control was dubbed. What could I have

been thinking? How silly of me! Lets entertain this

idea for a minute and articulate changing the name

from O'gadenia to little Somalia . Is it lawful? Geographically

renaming a state that is outside your control is as

effective as renaming a child who doesn’t belong to you.

 

As of today, O'gadenia is under the control of Ethiopia,

and renaming it is out of the question. The name was

given to the region by colonial powers, and it is because

of colonial powers that forbid us from changing it.

Since we’re exploring possibilities, let’s argue that

Meles Zenawi was kind enough to allow the ONLF--who

happen to be at war with him--to change the name of a

region that is undergoing genocide; what will change?

Will we miraculously become independent? Will those

who stood on the sideline under the guise of exclusion

immediately join us to defend the struggle and forward

the liberation movement? What guarantee do we have

that changing the name will result in a unification

that should have been formed under the banner of ending

oppression? The population as a whole is suffering

from the same tyranny and enduring the same problems

despite their tribe, gender and age. So if unification

was implausible under the umbrella of liberation and freedom

for ALL, why is it plausible under the umbrella of altering

the name? You are welcome to argue that the regime is

targeting a single tribe, the ONLF was created for the

sole purpose of that tribe, and the other tribes who live

there are unaffected by the campaign of cruelty and

oppression that is unleashed in the region. Changing

the name in order to inspire other groups to join the

single-tribal cause would then make sense; doing so would

actually make his argument practical, not to mention

credible. However, this is not the case. Other groups

in the region are suffering as much as the O'gaden

tribe and the name is not the cause of this oppression;

the right to exist in a region controlled by a tyrant is.

The more we stop seeing the name as some kind of a magic

pill that will result in a astonishing victory, the more

we’ll be able to unite under one cause and free the region

from a demented dictator in Addis Ababa. I wonder

which is more important to him and his ilk, the oppression

or the name. Ultimately, Mr.Qalbi's judgment to change

the name of the region for the purpose of unity makes him

naive and his argument impractical.

 

He dedicates an entire posts to tribalism. He makes an

issue out of the fact that the ONLF is predominantly

supported by the O'gaden tribe and how this tribe is

the backbone of the organization. It is true that

the majority of the population in the region is O'gaden

(hence the name). It is also true that the ONLF is

predominantly O'gaden, and so are their supporters.

What does this have to do with anything? This is as ridiculous

as commenting on the predominant race in the U.S population

and the government as a means to discredit the Obama

administration. He concludes in his last post with

Hell, I'm willing to donate some money and support

the cause if it was organized and inclusive group.

What is that he could do for the cause when out

of one side of his mouth he says he is willing

to support ONLF but the RESULTS of the policies he

supports give victory to Ethiopians, victory to Isticmaarka

aan ku jirno? Even worse in fact is the tone of his position.

In terms of tone he obviously supports almost everyone

who opposes O'gadens' positions in the world. Matterr

of fact , I never hear him here condem the mindless

killing led by Tigre and to that handling of innocent

civilian to the Wayane. If someone asks he will say he

opposes it but its always half hearted and after he has

been questioned about it. The ONLF welcomesindividuals

who are interested in making a difference in the region,

despite their tribe, gender or age! One indication

that an individual is intellectually deficient is when

he starts using inadequate premise to defend a hopeless

conclusion. What a waste of time!

 

During the revolutionary war, Americans were divided

into different ethnic groups but chose to unite to fight

a revolutionary war despite these differences. They won

their war, not because George Washington begged or bribed

them, but because their desire to become independent

overpowered their desire to sit back and wait for an

official invitation. If our civilians do not wish to

join forces with the ONLF to end an undignified subjection,

then that is their problem. I refuse to entertain

the idea of bribing these individuals to make a difference

in their OWN lives! The last time I checked, God did not

give the ONLF a direct order to come to the rescue of

the Somali population in the region. These men and women

CHOSE to transform the region and to dramatically

change the situation for the betterment of their people!

Their representation should not be mistaken for an attempt

to dissolve the people of their responsibilities;

each man is responsible for himself and his family!

If individuals in the region refuse to contribute

to the cause, then whatever fate befalls them is their own doing.

 

The ONLF is doing their part, when will Mr.Qalbi and those like

him join the fight? When will the unjustified criticism

end and the resourcefulness begin? I am sick and tired of

hearing condescending demands from raving id!ots whose only

contribution to the region is to deplete Meles Zenawi of

war crimes. Their obsession with the name given to the

region is sickening and their assertion for speaking

on behalf of the people in the region is insulting.

The people in the O'gaden want individuals who comprehend

their struggle to speak for them, not individuals

who pretend to understand their struggle as a method of

attack against the ONLF. Mr.Qalbi is using the people in

the region as an excuse to show aggression towards the

ONLF, not because of their policies, but because of the

intimidation the name that was given to the region presents.

He and others like him harbor the mistaken belief that

the ONLF is responsible for giving birth to a name that

was given to the region more than a hundred years before

the ONLF came into existence. The ONLF derives its name

from the region. The O represents the region and its inhabitants;

it does not represent the O'gaden tribe! The sooner

individuals like Mr.Qalbi act in accordance with the governing

laws of logic and reason, the better! I want to judge the

individuals like Mr.Qalbi as rational and sensible beings,

and until they give me a reason to, I can’t afford to

see them as anything more than the product.

[Sir-Qalbi-Adeyg]

^ Clearly one of us is more invested in this argument than the other, but alas you have not brought forth anything of substance. I didn't read much of what you wrote, but on the issue of a name change. You should know that the name "ONLF" is relatively new and the movement started in the 80's from what I've read.

 

Before that, it was the WSLF(western somali liberation front) that was the biggest and most successful rebel movement in the somali galbeed region, granted they were supported by somalias government at the time. But the point is, the name can be changed and the structure of the organization needs to be changed as well to a more inclusive movement. There is no one restricting the ONLF to keep the name the same, but they choose to because they see somali galbeed region as their 'land' and not somali land.

 

That's the point of contention here, it's the prevailing attitudes of O people in the region and diaspora, and largely the ONLF leadership etc and the way the movement has largely driven a wedge between somali people. Now you can say, these other somali groups should not be concerned about the name but about the occupation of their land.

 

This is true from a logical standpoint, but the problem is these people are human and for them to get involved in large numbers, there needs to be proper incentive and they need to know that their voices will matter. They don't want to replace one occupier(ethiopia) with another( ONLF), whether that occupier is your fellow somali is largely irrelevant to them.

[Kamaavi]

Stating that to gain Independence the people have to be

united is one thing, but claiming that O'gaden population

are composed of different tribes and they will not have

independence is so wrong, far away from the reality.

By saying so, you are ignoring many respected Somali

communities in the region who fight for their freedom

more than the O'gaden tribe does. Somali people in O'gaden

are one and live side by side. They are not enemy to

one another. There are few occasional skirmishes

between communities started by those who work for the

enemy and It's the black colonial power who are using the

tribalism card to their advantage by commanding its stooges

to stir trouble between close communities but they mainly

fail because people know that their real enemy is the black

colonial 'Gumaysi' and the 'Gumaysi' alone!!

 

There are hundreds of Somalis across clan lines who fight and die

in O'gadenia every day to liberate their land from black

colonial power.The sacrifice , the suffering is enormous,

and the reason they fight is for one and one goal which

is just to liberate their land from the the colonial power.

 

Please try to understand the Somali liberation movements

specialy in the O'gaden Somali region, not from the prism of

tribal affliation, but in the light of humanity, and Somali people.

 

Your last point that you raised is timely, but I am not sure

how serious you are to follow through it. In other words,

the subject matter is critical and it requires a lot of maturity and

sensitivity. I am not saying that you are going to offend some

one, hardly. What I am saying is, such issues require our

collective sober analysis and much deeper soul searching.

This is not something we can cure with emotionally

charged comments based on our fears and prejudices.

Most of all, we should not use such issues to launch our

ignorance or our arrogance.

 

Now, allow me to go back to your original point:

They don't want to replace one occupier(ethiopia) with another( ONLF), whether that occupier is your fellow somali is largely irrelevant to them.

Here, you seem to be critical of O'gaden and non-O'gaden

politcal/armed organization. Do you believe they are

all O'gaden Somalis?If so what rights do they have as

nationals? How much do you know about their life style

besides festival dances? How many high level pro-ONLF and

pro-Ethiopian government officials do you know that represent

them from either side? What is their grievances to begin with?

 

But before you ponder such questions let me lay down some

background as to why simple problems are blown out of

proportion and why we are having a hard time resolving

simple conflicts and identifying the root cause. This

is not particularly O'gaden or none O'gaden issue but it seems

to be much bigger than that and it is affecting the whole Somali

nation. And what is that expected of us?

 

First, it is paramount to recognize that the region's

current problem is a political problem and it requires a

political solution. But a political solution demands maturity,

flexibility, sensitivity, tolerance, and trust. Equally there

has to be a conducive atmosphere for such engagement to

foster. But in our situation we know such thing do not exitst.

So if we do not have a political solution for a political

problem, then what is that we need to do? What alternative

methods do we have in the absence of politcal solution?

A question we need to ask our self.

 

Second, in most communities, there are those who command

great respect and trust of their fellow citizens. Such icons

serve as conduits or medium to establish communication

between two warring parties. These are elders, religious

leaders, respected individuals who serve as negotiators

and facilitators. But in today's Somali nation, such people

do not exist. If they do, they have already left the country and

they are watching like the rest of us from the other side of the fence.

We also know the pro-Ethiopian government parties are allergic to anyone who has

influence/respect from the people and they do not

recognize or acknowledge any body to be an authority

figure. It is always their way or the highway. Thus,

in the absence of such great men, how do we ensure

that concerns and grievances are addressed?

How do we reapproach differences?

 

Third, in todays Somali nation justice is one of the endangered

species. But nowadays, justice has become synonymous

with revenge. Generation of young men and women who are

abused, tortured, neglected, enslaved, and humiliated

for long time are eagerly waiting for their “justice”.

Thus, the current system created a generation of collective

victim mentality. Young men and women, when given the

opportunity they will not hesitate to take revenge.

Problems are individualized, personalized, made between

sects and regions, to create the seed of mistrust

and dishormony. So, instead of addressing the main issues,

we are witnessing a compartmentalized problems. So how do

you break such cycles of victim mentality and refocus those

in bondage to create a velvet or orange revolution?

Instead of individualizing the problems how do you make them

see the big picture?

 

Fourth, war and blood shed are not new to O'gaden

Somalis. Every house hold bears the brunt scars it left

behind for many decades. They know the destruction

in life and property it brings. No one abhors war more

than O'gaden Somalis. Many young and old Ogadeens who had

enough of it, are crossing the border in droves and never

looked back agian. Thus, someone who came from such

background, what would cause them to point a gun at their

country men? Some one who abhors war, why would they think

they could find peace with a gun? Those carry the gun,

why wouldn't they just cross the border and disappear

like the rest? Do you think this is some thing extraordinary

or just simply power play? I do believe it is more than

just carrying a gun.

 

It is easy to point a finger and condemn any armed wing

or opposition groups but it is hard to place your self

in their shoes. That is why I said it is going to require

more than emotional reactions. And most of all, no one is

advocating for war. But it would be helpfull for all of us,

to discover, what would drive some one to kill his brothers.

This is not something you did not know about, but I am

trying to put things in prespective.

 

At the same time, think about methods of conflict

resolution and what should be our roll ? should we inflame

the situation more or act as mediums? It is all up to us.

 

Thanks-

 

Jeesto.

[The Zack]

Hadal ay ka jeedisay tacsidii aabaheed Dr.Dolaal Gabadhiisa Sagal halkan ka akhriso:

 

Kobtan Guji

[MZanzi]

Allaha unaxariisto ,,aamiin

 

 

PS, QALBI Adeyg adiga bahasha qaybalada la dhaho weey kugu fogaatay ee biinso inta so qaadatid booloshan qabyaalada ah oo qalbiga kaaga qufulan iska DABCI

[Sir-Qalbi-Adeyg]

^ Qabyaalad yaa ka hadlaya chiefette? Does critizing ONLF mean critizing the o clan? no. Let's stop with this pointless sensitivities and be able to discuss any important topic without accusing people of having grudges.