“Daawanaayow Waa Dalkaagii”

Holding the Khaatumo-2 conference in Taleex was not accidental but carefully considered and a well planed choice. As most Somalis know, the historic city of Taleex was the Capitol of the Darwish liberation forces led by Sayid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan until it was bombed and destroyed by the British Royal Air Forces in 1920. Ninety-one years later, Taleex witnessed another historic moment and became the rebirth place of Somali unity and the people of Khatumo State once again are proud to find that the unity blood-cell in their DNA is still alive and active. I am not going to spend more time on the history of Darawish and their struggle against the old colonial powers such as Britain, Italy and Abyssinia because the history tells itself.

The autonomous Khatumo State of Somalia that was recently established in Taleex for the people of SSC regions in particular and most importantly for foothold of Somali unity in general, was the outcome of the conference. The people of SSC not only strongly believe in Greater Somalia with its full territorial integrity but they also bled for it and lost their beloved sons and daughters for what they hold dear: free and united Somalia.

However, the creation of Khatumo State was not only finding a small regional administration for SSC but also to have a bigger stake or more say in defending the nation’s territorial integrity from the secessionist ideology and forces at the international stages such as the UN, EGAD, AU, Arab League and other governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Sadly, while Khaatumo State and its residents are putting their lives and properties on the line and suffering from loss of lives for this noble cause of Somali unity, the Somalis from the other regions of the country are just sitting and watching quietly! I wonder what is holding them back. Why the rest of Somalis who share this value of unity and Greater Somalia are not doing anything or at least not showing any form of support and solidarity with their fellow unionists of Khartumo ?

Where are the other patriotic Somalia citizens? Where are the Somali intellectuals, academics, religious leaders, civic leaders, students and youths? Even the Transitional Federal Government has failed time and again to at least criticize the secessionist’s repeated incursions against Buuhoodle residents who are devoted supporters of the TFG and its leaders. Even though it isn’t an option for Khatumo and its people to be satisfied with less than a united Somalia, one could imagine God forbid though, if Khatumo State agrees the secessionist with their ill-fated separatist ideology and accepts the dismemberment of the North from the South. I believe because of the strategic location of this region (Khatumo), the interest of the historic Somali enemies and most importantly the current situation of Somalia, it wouldn’t take that long for the separatist to secure the full recognition of the sovereignty that they were seeking for the last twenty years.

Finally, the silence of Somali-Weyn worries SSC brothers and sisters because they alone are not enough to defend our beloved Somalia from the division and the destruction that separatists are advocating day and night tirelessly. Therefore, I’m appealing to my patriotic fellow Somalis, men and women, and urging them to think for a moment of Somali unity and the danger that it faces today and to show support of any kind for those who not only rejected the idea of dividing the country but vowed to fight and die for its unity, and loudly and clearly said “over our dead body” for Somali division.

Defending this noble cause is an obligation on every Somali no matter what region you were born in, what tribe you belong to or what place you’re living in, because after all we are all Somalis and Somalia is for Somalis, (somaliya soomali baa leh). So, if you believe in Somali unity deep in your heart, let your fellow Reer-Khaatumo hear your voice and have your support now! Soomaliya Hanoolaato.

Khadar Ahmednoor Boss.

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