Somali 78-year old: ‘I wish I had not lived this long’

[Paragon]

Somali 78-year old: ‘I wish I had not lived this long’

 

 

Adan Malin Omar wishes being dead before seeing own home destroyed by Somali government.

 

 

MOGADISHU - Adan Malin Omar, 78, who fought for Somalia's independence from Italy in the 1950s, survived the 16-year civil war and did not leave his home in the Abdiaziz district of north Mogadishu, even at the height of the violence.

 

 

However, he is now displaced, being one of 450 families whose homes were demolished by the local government in Mogadishu. His house was partially destroyed in June and he and his wife are sheltering in what is left of his home of 50 years. He spoke to IRIN on 10 July:

 

 

"I have lived in the same place since before independence [1960]. My children were born here and so were my grandchildren. We have survived the artillery attacks of Ali Mahdi and Aidid [two 1990s warlords]. All that and the lootings did not dislodge us.

 

 

"Our house was looted many times by different militias.

 

 

"Through it all we remained here and endured for one reason only, not to be homeless. After all we have been through, now they have put us on the street.

 

 

"For the first time in my life, I know what it feels like not have a home and to sleep under makeshift shelter.

 

 

"We are being told that this [the demolition] is being done for security reasons but we know it is not true. It is being done for money.

 

 

"My wife and I are very old and we are reduced to sitting in the rubble of our home. We have no strength to go anywhere, so we just sit here and they are circling us like vultures.

 

 

"At night we sleep in what used to be our compound. We will never leave this place alive. We will die first.

 

 

“How can you tell me that the house I owned and lived in for 50 years is no longer mine? Every government recognised my right until now.

 

 

“I fought for this country's independence and this is how they repay me. I sometimes I wish I had not lived this long, then I would not have to see this.”

 

 

© IRIN

 

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=26851

[Dhagax-Tuur]

Sad, real sad. No other word. But one thing strikes me is how this man has his dignity and honour when most of us have lost it centuries back. I understand he's aged, but he is veteran and he is doesn't want to leave his home. Quite something, given that most of us leave the country at the drop of a hat. It is like, "give me any reason, i would leave the hell-hole that is Somalia."

 

My friends, he is the last few of a strong-willed and dignified generation. Allaha u fududeeyo.

[money]

This is so sad - Aan ooyee ilbaabka ii xira. Maybe least we could do is help him with some fundraise and buy him a home in Hargeisa. This is what happens when people like warlord Mohammed Dheer and warlord Yusuf are in power.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Mooryaaan Max'ed Dheere and his maafiyo waxaan camal ka suurowdo inay ku dhaqaaqaan. Waxaan maafiyada ah ayaa dowlad sheeganaayo. Shuud.

 

Walaahi ciilnimo ku dileyso xataa.

[Lois Lane]

Abdillah, your right, theres something truly dignified in fighting till the end for what you believe in.

 

Theres men like this old man and then theres men that would gladly hand over our country to vultures and centuries old ennemies.

 

Truly Sad.