Friday, November 19, 2010

Isaqia: Is It SSC Or PSS-Demystifying Common Deceptions


Article originally Punlished by Isaqiapress.com

Throughout history, the art of misleading the public takes differentshapes and approaches but rarely disinformation introduces new tactics. People keep recycling old stale lies. Now, in the Somali world creating new regions out of thin air, hijacking the wishes of the silent majority, and suffocating them with an oversized pillow is the name of the game. That is, the more regions that a warlord claims to have under his thumb, the more bargaining chips on his table. And the democratic republic of Isaqia now battles against a violent group named SSC led by an American and a Canadian warmongers who want to use the “SSC” region as a bargaining chip. But is it really SSC or PSS?
What is SSC? You may ask. SSC supposedly stands for Sool, Sanag, and “Cayn” regions in Isaqia. But Isaqia has six regions and Cayn is not one of them. Isaqia territory comprises: Awdal, Hargeisa, Sahil, Togdheer, Sool, and Sanag regions. So where does Cayn comefrom? This is a mysterious region that is found neither in Isaqia’s map nor in former Somalia’s.
Demystifying the Cayn region, however, requires little efforts. Cayn region was created by none other than the former Puntland leader, Col. Abdullahi Yussuf. Col. Yussuf, a master of deception and clan manipulation, first echoed the creation of Harti Kingdom (Harti: Majerten, Warsangeli, and Dhulbahante).
Second, he laid claims to parts of Isaqia where Dhulbahante and Warsangeli tribes inhabit. That is, parts of Sool and Sanag regions. He then, created a new region called Cayn and convinced Dhulbahante tribes that they now control more regions and resources than ever before.
But, like anything else, the Harti Kingdom ran its course: that is, Warsangali and Dhulbahante tribes not only fought against Puntland (dominated by Majerten), but also some of them switched allegiances to Isaqia. However, some Dhulbahante tribes that inhabit the mystery region of Cayn insisted on keeping its legitimacy as a province in order to get support either from the Isaqia government or from the International community.
Now, lets’ shed some light on Sool region; the majority of the region is inhabited by Dhulbahante tribes. But a large chunk of it including the second capital, Caynabo, is also settled by non-Dhulbahante tribes, namely Isaaq, Fiqishini and others who are all pro-Isaqia. That is not to say that all Dhulbahant tribes oppose Isaqia either. In fact, without the support of some
of the Dhulbahante tribes that remain loyal to Isaqia, the government could have never maintained law and order in the province.
Dhulbahante tribes also settled in parts of Sanag region. Additionally, Sanag is home to both Isaaq and Warsangali tribes. The capital of Sanag, Erigabo, which is of course under Isaqia government’s control, boasts its multi-tribe
residents and remains a testimonial to Isaqia tribes’ willingness to co-exist peacefully.
It is now clear beyond a shadow of doubt that the Dhulbahante tribes inhabit parts of Sool, Sanag, and the town of Buhodle in Togdheer region. Now, Buhodle is supposedly the capital of the mysterious region of Cayn. On the other hand,
Warsangli tribes exclusively settle in the eastern parts of Sanag region. So what is SSC? Who does it represent?
The truth is there is no such a thing called: Sool, Sanag, and Cayn (SSC) regions; but there is Sool and Sanag. And Dhulbahant tribes live in Parts of Sool and Sanag PSS. So in reality the true name should be PSS, not SSC.
Additionally, PSS claims to represent Dhulbahante tribes who oppose Isaqia’s independence. But neither all Dhulbahante tribe oppose Isaqia nor support PSS’ bloodshed approach to tackle issues. Then, who is behind the violent PSS group? Read more about the PSS’ violent campaigns against peaceful Isaqia:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/4458
The PSS was groomed in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2009 for the purpose of waging a deadly war against Isaqia security force in PSS regions. It is led by Suleman Essa Ahmed (Hagal tosiye), an American from Columbus, Ohio, and Col. Ali Sabarey, a Canadian from Toronto. Militarily, the PSS group secretly aligns itself with Alshabab and openly deals with the Somali regime. For financial support, the PSS solely depends on the Diaspora communities that hail from the
PSS areas.
Some of the Diaspora communities remain ignorant about the reality on the ground and are still locked up in a hostile eggshell—the same hostility that drove them from their land two decades ago. Evidently, some Diasporas instead of sending money back home to rebuild schools and hospitals send grim warnings and their desire to incinerate some Isaqia tribes.
In his poem, one of the bloodthirsty Diaspora members states, “Waayahan maan dagaalamin…Laas Caanood waxaan geynayaa guuto xoog badane, Iidoor intaanan ku gubin maad iskaga guurtid…or I haven’t fought for a while….I will deploy a
strong brigade to Las Annod, so why don’t Isaaq tribes leave [the city] before I
engulf them with fire.” Listen to the poem here: http://tinyurl.com/38bfla9
But is it really the “Idoors” (Isaaqs) that are occupying Las Annod, the provincial capital of Sool region? In October 2010, while in Isaqia, I made a daring trip to Las Annod to see it for myself who is in charge of the city and its environs. I also visited Buhodle town. Half way through my trip, as apprehensive as ever, I whispered to myself, “Ever heard the saying: curiosity killed the cat? Maybe the cat has already travelled too far…”, nonetheless; I continued my journey and arrived Las Annod without a hitch. To my dismay, I couldn’t find a single “Idoor” occupying the city. Instead, I came across Isaqia troops, police forces, and politicians who all hail from Dhulbahante tribes. After staying in Las Annod for a couple of nights and feeling as comfortable as I felt in Burao, in Togdheer province where I lived, jokingly, I asked an elderly man, “Why don’t you kick out those “Idoors” occupying your land, sir?” As dumbfounded as he was, he asked me, “Where are they?” I cringed and shrugged my shoulders and responded, “I don’t know but I heard that Idoors not only occupy Dhulbahante land but also commit horrendous atrocities against the locals.” Laughing hysterically, he asked me one question that ended my silly conversation. He said, “If that was the case, do you think you would be sitting
here today?”
Similarly, on my way to Buhodle we passed through a number of Dhulbahante villages. And I could not find the bloody “Iidoors”, so evasive they are, knowing that I was on my way, they perhaps disappeared into the jungle. (But no
worries, I will catch the son of guns next time!) Again, to my disappointment, all I found was security forces who hail from the area.
Meanwhile, despite the PSS’ violent campaigns, the new Isaqia President, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo vowed to reach out the population in PSS areas and address their grievances. And shortly after he took office, he delivered his
promise by sending a high-level delegations that included the Ministers of Defense, Justice, Interior, and the second speaker of the parliament and others politicians to the region. Shortly, a well-organized peace conference was held
in Widh Widh village where the local tribes agreed to lay down their weapons and cooperate with the government. Isaqia, on its part, agreed to compensate the families of those who lost their lives when the PSS rebels attack Isaqia troops in Widh Widh area. Isaqia also agreed to pay all damages inflicted on Widh Widh village. This is the first time in the history of all the Somali societies that a government agreed to pay compensations. Indeed, Isaqia
instills pride in its people.
But while Mr. Silanyo is determined to reach out every group and diffuse hostilities, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are gearing up to arm the PSS rebels. And concerned Somali officials warned against the growing relationship between
Alshabab and PSS. Read my upcoming article entitled, “Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya Welcome Violent Rebels against Isaqia”.
To sum up, to avoid obscuring the facts on the ground, the Media should adopt the use of the acronym PSS instead of SSC because PSS gives the true picture. Distorting the situation in PSS regions and pouring thousands of dollars into
the region, not for rebuilding schools and hospitals, but for waging a ware against the security forces will inevitably transform the region into the new Mogadishu of Isaqia. The Diaspora communities instead of sending money to
engulf the region, they should visit it and see it for themselves that the resources wasted on wars could have developed their region’s economy. The locals need schools, hospitals, and clean water, not wars and destructions.
Historically, geographically, and culturally the inhabitants of PSS regions share more in common with the rest of Isaqia people than they do with Somalia’s.
But Col. Abdullahi Yussuf’s failed tribal kingdom, Somali regimes desire to break Isaqia into feuding clans, power-hungry individuals and naïve Diaspora communities from PSS regions, have transformed the area into a battle ground.
Luckily, the new Isaqia President, Mr. Silanyo’s efforts to reach out disgruntle locals and the International community’s refusal to segment Isaqia territory could, finally, bring a lasting peace into the PSS region.
Dalmar Kaahin
dalmar_k@yahoo.com
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Abdirahman Warsame is the Executive Director of the Terror Free Somalia Foundation.a national grassroots organization that opposes terrorism and supports democracy in Africa. regular contributor American Thinker http://www.americanthinker.com/abdirahman_warsame/ . .Pajamas Media and .other American conservative organization   

1 comment:

  1. Where did the money go after Erigavo local government sold it's vintage post office for a mere $70,000
    http://www.medeshivalley.com/2013/11/where-did-revenue-from-sale-of-erigavo.html

    ReplyDelete