Commiseration from uncommiserated

Commiseration from uncommiserated; By: Prof. Abdi Ali Jama.

Tears are flowing not from eyes as apparent to you, but, deep, deep from my heart, for I am so sympathetic and empathetic to my Syrian brethren.  Apart from plethora of common denominators we have, Humanity is the biggest bond, which enables you to enter into the poignant feelings that certain people are experiencing at some point in time especially when struggling to get back their stolen basic god-given human rights from a tyrant like,  Bashar –al--asad and his  cronies.

Syrian revolt is part and parcel of Arab spring. The virtually deposed tyrant president-- Bashar al asad—is trying hard to survive from Arab spring blow like Arab Kingdoms, but Syrians cannot accept to leave behind in dictatorship. No way would Syrians live under dictatorship while Egyptians enjoy freedom. Kingdom is kingdom and is exceptional but all misnomers who called their countries republics must go for good and forever!!!!!Because there is no place for a hybrid political system in the world history: a Republican country that son inherits power!!!!

I wish Somalia were part of Arab spring.  I pondered that it would have been better for us. Our revolt against tyrant Siyad Barre happened two decades ago in cold war era when geopolitics and international power balance were quite distinct from the circumstances that are prevailing today, which is more conducive to Arab spring whereas unfortunately all odds went against us in those days. New world order of sole super power proved to be favorable to nations seeking freedom from totalitarian regimes. For instance, for those of you who remember the unforgettable days of SNM struggle against dictator Siad Barre, even USA which claims to be mother of democracy would ironically give military assistance to Siad Barre regime for geopolitical cold war reasons. This shows how far cold war animosity transcended the values and principles of the super power countries. By the way, Western countries do compromise their ethical principles in certain situations. This was precisely a case in point.

In addition to that, Arab dictators like Saddam Hussein used to give financial and millitary aid to Siad Barre regime in his combat against his own people while Arab citizens were not aware of the reality or even less interested because there were no live TV channels or social media back those days, which could had brought the reality to world attention overriding censorship of regimes as they do today. Thanks to technology that fostered TV channels and social media with mobile camera that helped the world follow, minute by minute, what is happening in countries that are witnessing Arab spring.  Siad Barre bombarded ruthlessly the second biggest capital—Hargeisa--to ruins, the same way Bashar al asad is doing right now to Alepo. The only difference is that Alepo is constantly covered by the social media that did not exist back then. The other two favorable things that Syrians have, but we did not, are international support and domino effect of Arab spring phenomenon that inspires them and gives them moral support. In other words, they are not all alone whereas we had gone lonely and alone in that difficult journey.  Even our southern brothers, whom we share every thing did not respond until too late, let alone the rest of the world including Arab countries.

With out hyperbole, only Somalilanders can sensationally empathize whenever televisions show thousands of tents stretched in horizon at the Turkish or Jordanian border where Syrian refugees are helplessly pouring into-- in large numbers-- day and night.  This recalls me the biggest refugee camp of Somalilanders at Ethiopian border, Dul’ad that was really very much like the scenes T.V channels broadcast 24 hours except that ours were not brought to world attention, thanks not-- to cold war, technology and most importantly, our uprising not coincided with Arab spring!!!! Timing seems to be shared by all the non-thanked things. Is that what they call good luck or bad luck?!!! . I think so, if something like that is out there in the first place. Somalia might not even have split into Somaliland and Somalia. Mogadisho might not have experienced the mayhem and bloodshed it has unfairly witnessed. I would blame that wicked guy you cal itl bad luck or misfortune, if it exists in the first place!!!!!! I am saying to myself as I write this article: had Mogadisho people occupied Sayidka square or Tarabunka like Egyptians did in Tahrir square, when Hargeisa people took to the streets throwing stones in1982, Somali state might have been salvaged with far less cost, knowing the fact that there is no such thing as free lunch.

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