Somalis:Are you are aware of your state in the world-within and outside Somalia?

[Khadra Ahmed]

Introduction

Somalis with different passports, long-time residents of several European counties, are being deported to Somalia.

 

Norway and Denmark, small countries that have Somali populations of 36,000 and 20,000, are intending to deport Somalis. In both cases the UN urged them not to. Denmark has now thought twice about this practice. Prior to this we saw counties such as Finland, The Netherlands and Canada deport Somalis. It wasn’t too long ago that Saudi Arabia deported 12,000 Somali migrants. Somali refugees in Kenya are being repatriated by the thousands. When the Dadaab refugee closes, in spite of stark criticism form the international community; the goal is to repatriate 250,000 Somali refugees. On top of that, Kenya is intending to create a wall along the Somali border to keep its borders safe. Somalia is currently hosting 2 million IDPs. The war and crisis in Yemen have increased the influx of Yemeni and Somali refugees.

 

The reasons why Somalis are deported differ. In Norway the main reason is fraud connected to ID-papers, in Canada and the UK, severe criminal cases are on the list. For others it may be rejected asylum applications, illegal immigration or overstaying of visas. Irrespective of their status in their counties of arrival, wether working migrants, refugees, asylum seekers- that’s not what’s ought to cause an outcry.

 

It’s the very essence of the issue. Being sent back to a Somalia, a country that for two decades have topped the list as the most corrupt nations on earth, the worst country to birth a child and where the poverty and mass unemployment soars. It’s almost understandable in the case of Saudi Arabia or Kenya. For western counties where Somalis have lived, worked and payed taxes up to 5, 10 or 15 years, it’s almost incomprehensible. If counties, abroad that is, can send home citizens, then truly we are not much of citizens. Our rights are violated and we appear as worthless and superfluous citizens, whose value is rather low.

 

Why are countries all over the world closing their doors at our faces?

In the year of 2016 we witnessed a gradual, but steady shift in majority liberal democracies who have taken an turn towards the right. Country after country has witnessed rise of the right-wing parties in government, and also a right-wing populism in society. Populism has altered the political face of Europe. With the spread of anti-immigration, anti-establishment and nationalistic slogans, 2016 became the year when western counties competed to have the toughest immigration laws. Brexit and the Trump-victory were also blows in the face of liberal democracy. As a result of a series of terror attacks throughout the West, some also committed by Somalis, the social atmosphere towards Muslims and refugees has changed drastically. The refugee crisis scared local populations and several countries closed their borders. Along with this, racially and religiously motivated assaults towards Muslims also increased. Though elections in Austria demonstrated the slight exaggeration of right wing populism, they indeed underscored that right wing populism is a force to be reckoned with, irrespective of country.

 

Somalis and their national issues of various sorts have tired the international community. For 25 years Somalis and the international community have waited for an end to the atrocities and the political lockdown. Our presence has burdened the nations where we today are alleged citizens. High-end meetings, top-summits and local negotiations have not put an end to the increasing flow of Somali refugees. The world seems fed up with Somalis, and also seems to be running out of patience for the pending consummation of political cohesion in Somalia.

 

What will deported Somalis face once they’re sent back to Somalia?

The Somali economic reality is not very promising. Its deeply tragic and frankly saddening to watch our leaders not even being bothered by the enormous challenges at hand. Not one single Somali leader have criticised the deportation of Somalis or the reparations from Kenya in a way that have resulted in change of policy from Kenya or our international allies. If young, unemployed Somali youngsters are being brainwashed by Al Shabab at a low threshold, imagine young Somali men form the west, unemployed, some unable to speak the language, some out-of-touch with the social clues and childishly naïve- wouldn’t they be an easy target for Al Shabab? I believe so.

 

The deported and the repatriated refugees will have to fight over food, water, accommodation, health care and education alongside the locals. Its hard imagining them having any dignity in such a situation. The challenges we are facing both within Somalia and outside Somalia are of our own making and of the distorted political will of our leaders. Somali authorities should never have accepted accepting any refugees without having a minimum standard of accommodation, health services and education opportunities, if not for the coming refugees, at least for the ones they are already hosting.

 

Truth of the matter is, it’s only going to be harder living in the West. The sooner we put in place a plan, a feasible and practical plan to get Somalia straight, politically and economically, the better for all of us. For that to even being, we need leaders that are coherent, consistent and dedicated. As the diaspora we should hold Somali leaders accountable for the policies they put in place and for the ones they fail to put in place. Additionally, being a part of the diaspora or the locals, wherever in Somalia, we ought to do our fair share of the job. There rests a significant amount of responsibility on our shoulders as well, young and old alike. We can all participate, write, sing, work- either manner- fulfill your share of the obligation upon you towards Somalia.

 

Three appeals for the newly established parliament and president

1- To create proper policies, domestically and foreign politically, to meet the challenges Somalis and Somalia is facing in these times of hardship.

2- If Somalia is truly what you leaders portray it to be, an alleged safe haven, then prove it. If not: if you are not able to secure our lives, property and safety, say it loud and clear.

Stop feeding the international community and your people lies of Somalia being better than what it is. It most certainly isn’t, stop making yourself and us look like fools out here.

3- If you are not fit to lead the county- wholeheartedly, truthfully and thoroughly- step down.

 

 

Khadra Yasien Ahmed- student

 

 

[Che -Guevara]

Thanks for posting this.

 

I think we are beginning to know or rather being forced to confront the seriousness of our situation. I have always thought we were running away from our troubles instead of facing them, that's why we allowed the country to be taken over by warlords, hostile neighbors and religious fanatics. It was easier to flee!

 

But now the walls are closing on us and fleeing is no longer an option. Even in the good old USA, things look shaky and for first time in my life here, I am forced to explore other options, I have thought where I want to put down roots. Should I leave the US, Africa, perhaps? But I see the treatment of Somalis in South Africa, Kenya and other places. Their lives and properties are subjects to the whims of local thugs and corrupt governments.

 

The only place where I will feel free from threats is my homeland. But we need to fight for it. We cannot keep running on forever.

 

Khadra, I assume you are young, being student and all. It's good to see the young realizing precarious situation we are in.

[Che -Guevara]

Oodweyne,

 

Glad to hear you are involved and eventually retiring there. Patriotism and loyalty to the state are good but I have always believed the troubles since our independence have masked the actual issues that are undermining us. Extreme poverty, ignorance and injustice combined with leaders that have no imagination; these are the true culprits. It does not help we have populace that are willing victims. The only thing they are left with is false pride and imaginary noble ancestors.

 

Our original sin is inflicting injustice on our most vulnerable citizens (Madhiban, Jareer weyne and all other "minority" clans through out Somali lands), that's not to diminish the crimes bigger clans committed against each other. At least bigger clans were/are in position to fight back.

 

And then there's our views on Somali women whose efforts sustained the Somali nation for the last thirty years yet they are denied of their rights as citizens.

 

Lastly extreme poverty and ignorance had and will continue undermining every institution we build. Our leaders run to rob the country and they get away with it knowing their ignorant clansmen will protect them to the very end.

 

Having said all that, I do believe overwhelming majority of the Somalis are good people. They just need to adjust to today's reality, see their leaders who they are and educate themselves to free themselves tribal ignorance and create the conditions for inclusive prosperity.

 

The fragmentation of Somalia has ironically led to one benefit. That's no one tribe can blame another tribe for their misfortune. Any leadership failure in Somaliland, Puntland, and other places cannot blamed onto others.

 

How is Burco? I was afraid Hargeysa was becoming Mogadishu of the 60s, 70s and 80s. It grew at the expense of every village, town and city in the country. Somalia was in a way a city state.