Published By:
Dr. Abdi Ulusso
Executive Director
Somali Council for Refugees
(416) - 249 4553
dr.ulusso@attcanada.net |
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Ali Mahdi
was a successful businessman, owner of a high class Hotel,
owner of one of the largest import and exports companies for
food stuff and building materials; and run biggest spare parts
store in the capital.
He finished
High School and received two years Public Health Diploma from
Egypt. He worked in the Ministry of Health in the Mosquito
Eradication Project (Anti-malaria) and latter became Director
of the Department.
He was
elected to Somali parliament in 1968 and became its youngest
member. In addition, he was a member of the Mogadishu Manifest,
a political document, initiated by the well-known lawyer and
human rights activist the Dr. Ismail Giumale (sub-clan-Mudulood)
that laid the groundwork the first internal political opposition
group in the country.
Ali Mahdi
belongs to Mudulood (Hawiye), sub-clan Abgaal one of the larger
sub-clans in Somalia if not the largest. Mudulood comprises
a confederation of Abgaal Cismaan, Moobleyn Cismaan, Wacdaan
Cismaan, Ujeejeen, Hilibi and Elaawaay Cismaan. Mudulood scattered
dwellings extent along the coast up to Kismaayo area, but
its recognized communal land extends from Jasiira about 20
Kilometers south of Mogadishu up to Faax east of Xaradheere
district in Mudug.
With coastal
line over 500 Kilometers and an irrigated land of 200 kilometers
along both banks of Shabeele River from north of Afgooye district
up to Fiidoow north of Mahadaay district. Mudulood is the
only Hawiye sub-clan never dominated by other forces, while
Habergedir, Sheekhaal and Murusade were under Majeerteen (Darood-Harti)
domination of Cali Yuusuf based in Hobyo; whom did Mudulood
at GEED GAALAMADOOW eventually defeat. Habergedir and others
were freed from Ali Yuusuf's rule. Whereas, Xawaadle, Gugundhabe
and Gaal-jecel were under the control of Cagadhiig based in
Belet-weyn who was representing Syaid Moxamed Cabdulle Xassan.
This is
the source of inspiration for Mudulood that defeated external
forces all the time and no major national event has happened
without its active participation. The contemporary notable
Mudulood individuals include: the first Somali President Aden
Abdulle Osman, the first Commander of the armed forces Gen.
Daud Abdulle Hersi, a decorated war hero and the architect
of 21st October Revolution Gen. Salad Gaveire Kadie, Gen.
Hussein Kulmie Afrah, the man behind the social and economic
success of Siad Barre's regime and Dr. Ismail Giumale Ossoble,
a human rights lawyer.
During
the struggle against Siyaad Barre's regime a scattered resistance
has erupted throughout the country in 1977, SNM in the north,
SSDF in the central regions and SPM in the far south. However,
none of them has succeeded in ousting the dictator and only
then when Mudulood led the Mogadishu uprising in 1990 and
comprised 9 of the attacking frontlines in the city out of
12 combatants, was crushed the military machine of Siad Barre
in 30 days. It is a historical fact that, the first the three
successive USC commanders in exile were Mudulood; including
Col. Muhidin Moallim (Muxidiin Badar) the man who started
the armed uprising of Hawiye and as a result most of Mudulood
territory was freed six months before the central regions.
In reminiscing their victory against Siyaad Barre in their
traditional Somali Shirib Mudulood said, "ADOO KOR SAARAN
KAARA WEYN MA KAAGA TUURAY KARABIIN".
Whereas,
the elusive General Mohamed Farah Aideed (Habergedir-Hawiye)
arrived in Mogadishu along 14 people as a staff after 5 days
when Siad Barre has already fled the city. Mudulood did not
only bore the brunt of the uprising, the decisive battle against
Siad taking place in the Capital and the outskirts inhabited
them, but have financed the war and paid the expenses of then
incoming Hawiye gunmen who latter joined the fight and couldn't
sustain their own expenses or look after their wounded Furthermore,
during Siad Barre's campaign in the north, Mudulood rejected
the drafting of armies intended for the replenishment and
deployment to northern war front.
And even,
Mudulood pilots best in Somalia refused to drop bombs fleeing
Isaaq civilians in the north and some fled their planes to
the neighboring country in protest. The Mudulood denounced
Siad Barre's brutal and mass massacre and destruction meted
out to the people of Isaaq and said," DALKAAGA DAAFAC DIIDIMAA
ISAAQSE KU DUUL DOONIMA". On January 27, 1991 the United Somali
Congress (USC), which drew mainly its support largely from
Hawiye successfully ousted Siad Barre and promised multi-party
democracy, free elections and form of regional, district clan
autonomy.
As result,
the USC appointed a caretaker government, headed by Ali Mahdi,
one of its members, who heavily financed the group during
the struggle and long time opponent of Siad Barre as President
to fill the power vacuum. Soon after his appointment Ali Mahdi
has taken impressive steps to bring together all Somali people
for common cause. He invited all the opposition groups and
leaders to achieve national unity and to participate in establishing
a true democratic consultation and arranging the restoration
of democratically elected government. Latter that year, in
July 15-21, 1991 conference held in Djibouti, was participated
by all major Clans in Somalia and has agreed unanimously to
elect Mr. Ali Mahdi as interim President for two years.
However,
SNM did not participate because Ali Mahdi in his first public
speech he didn't give them credit for their struggle to oust
Siad Barre from north. General Aideed (Habergedir) through
clan compromise became USC faction leader and soon after withdraws
support from an accord to end disputes among Hawiye Clan that
he signed previously before its implementation.
It became
unavoidable for Mudulood to defend two governments formed
in Djibouti and agreed by the majority of all Somali Clans.
Unfortunately, all Hawiye sub-clans, and many other sub-clans
of Darood, Isaaq, and Digil & Mirifle (with the exception
of Mareexaan) sided with General Aideed and attacked Mudulood
but couldn't defeat and drive them out of Mogadishu. His dream
for control of the country, particularly the capital city
of Mogadishu led to economic breakdown and collapse of governmental
authority in the country.
Ever
since the General's sub-clan became the most important source
of instability in Somalia, killing millions either by bullet
or by starving; as well destruction of the infrastructure
and looting of public and private properties. Despite the
bad blood between them Ali Mahdi never tried to take revenge
on him but only contained Gen. Aideed assuring his defeat
in all endeavors.
Ali Mahdi
said no to genocide against Darood Clan, risked his own live
to save Gen. Mohamed Abshir from USC hand in Kismaayo and
helped the defeat of Gen. Aideed when he became impossible
in Lower Jubba and Gedo. In addition, Ali Mahdi provided safe
haven, even though they were still at war with Mudulood the
women, children and elderly of Murusade and Hawadle when the
Gen.
Aideed
attacked them without provocation, but never joined them in
the fight. In addition, Ali Mahdi never stopped to speak out
about Habergedir and their illegal occupation and subjugation
of other clans, but always refused to take advantage of Habergedir
in many occasions and resisted to wage a war against them.
The current Djibouti Peace Process did not address the issue
of whether to reinstate Mr. Ali Mahdi as a President or not,
since the Clans participating the conference in Djibouti have
previously elected him and this was a big mistake.
He has
the qualities of a leader, always showing restraint, and measured
response when needed and not angry and revengeful. He alone
can establish democratic justice, freedom, equality, dialogue
and rule of law. He has a deep interest in peace and national
reconciliation and all Somalis owed to him to elect as their
President. It will be a good will gesture on their part and
would facilitate lasting peace, reconciliation and restoration
of national unity and stability in Somalia It is incumbent
upon Hawiye and in particular Habergidir sub-clan to endorse
Mr. Ali Mahdi for the Presidency, since they are solely responsible
for the demise of his government. He is also the most qualified
of the current want to be "Presidents" whether they are remnants
of Siad Barre's regime or born again Moslems.
He was
the first faction leader to attend the Djibouti Peace Conference
and encouraged all Somali people to rally their support for
unity and stability. He also, sought their public positive
response and blessing the initiative and efforts of Hon: Ismail
Omer Ghelle, the President of Djibouti. Of the forty and over
candidates, the most surprising is Abdiqaasim Salada, a born
again Moslem, the longest serving member of Siad Barre's regime
and who has close family ties with those who are flooding
illegal counterfeit money in the country. Maybe he can buy
votes with counterfeit money to reap rewards as a means to
gain popularity.
He was
the last Minister of Interior of Siad Barre and most of the
atrocities committed by the regime were under his watch and
Isaaq mass graves are still fresh. He even called USC fighters
bunch of thugs and thieves and fought against them. I urge
Hawiye and especially Habergidir sub-clan to give up their
race for the Presidency and relinquish their ambitions and
rally behind Mr. Ali Mahdi who made it possible for them to
attend the Djibouti Peace Conference. No one Somali is willing
to reward aggression and easily forget the excesses of Habergedir.
I am afraid
there will be a big question mark at the Djibouti conference,
whether Mudulood will accept if Habergidir is elected President
and this could pose a real threat to the whole peace process
as we all know and many months of " negotiations" will go
up in flames.
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