Khatumo People Sends Message…to PM Abdiweli Sh Ahmed, by. Habon H.Abdi.

“We need your Government Help like other regions!” It was a day of celebration as an estimated thousands Khatumo State community members rallied to welcome PM Abdiweli’s nomination as prime minister of Somalia.  The peaceful march and rally was organized by the SSC civil society and diaspora Groups, with input by other individuals, community groups, organizations and numerous volunteers. Despite the Somaliland Tribal secessionist militiamen harassments in Laascaanood,Xuddun, and Ceerigaabo cities, demonstrators were in high spirits as they gathered outside of the Taleex, Laascaanood, Ceerigaabo and Buuhoodle, which served as a rally point. Many SSC community members carried Khatumo and Somali flags along with home-made signs in an effort to make a clear statement that they are opposed to the balkanization of Somalia and supporting the New Prime minister. A caravan of cars, and horses that were filled with Khatumo and Somalia flags, accompanied the walkers as they literally marched to the beat of their own drum (Jaandheer).

Additionally, passionate speeches from SSC community educators, elders, students, local political leaders and community members were given, all citing major concerns and opposition against the Somali government’s intent to negotiate unilaterally with Northern Secessionist tribal groups (Isaaqs). Among them was a class of grade 5 students from Buuhoodle, who shared a letter they wrote to PM Abdiweli. One student began…” Dear Prime Minister Abdiweli; we the grade five students from Buuhoodle School in Khatumo Sate of Somalia we do need your government education development act too”. Several students chimed in to help read the entire message which ended on this note, “we have the right to get teachers, get curriculum, and we want to our own Khatumo State government to stay in control of our security, and education because they are the ones that know what’s best for us like all other Somali children”.

It is clear that Khatumo State people is opposed to the proposed Istanbul meetingbetween the Northern tribal secessionists and Federal government for many reasons, but mainly because the SSC community has been successfully managing its own economic development and education system since the 1991s. Interim Khatumo State President, Hon. Indhosheel says the new PM has to guarantee the membership of Khatumo State in the future of Somali Federal states as we now know it. “The main dangers of the proposed Istanbul meeting are the possible loss of control over our Unity system”. Indhosheel also says the Istanbul act(s) makes no mention regarding the Unionist Sate of Khatumo.

Another area of Khatumo concern is that under the new PM administration, the federal government could appoint a Ministerial group to ensure Khatumo State get its allocated development programs from the international aid donors through Somali federal government.

“I’m proud to say that Khatumo Sate people were amongst the first to state clearly supported PM Abdiweli,” said President Indhosheel, who was among the speakers at the rally held after the march. “We have carried the message across Somalia that we will not accept the balkanization of Somalia, nor will we tolerate the arrogance of the Tribal Northern Secessionists (Somaliland).” “Khatumo, take notice,” concluded Indhosheel. “We will not allow any other tribal state (Somaliland and Puntland) to undermine our children’s education, we will not allow those tribal States to undermine our rights and we will remain united to defend the integrity of Somali Unity and our community.”

⁽¹⁾Haboon Haji Abdi: Undergraduate Student at East Africa University-Buhootle Khatumo State of Somalia