SIMBA OF PUNTLAND BEST CHOICE FOR SOMALIA
Kanini Evans Kariuki
May 23, 2009
INTERNATIONALLY renown Somalia politician Awad Ahamed Ashareh seems to be the best choice for Somalia in the face of the current war that has culminated in the deaths of hundreds of civilians,destabilized the region,created hundreds of thousands of refugees,drawn in foreign armies and militants,besides spawning an unprecedented wave of piracy offshore.
He is charismatic and highly known internationally vis-a-vis the rest of the Somalia public figures and apart from commanding huge respect and confidence of his countrymen, he has the answer to the giant puzzle bedevilling Somalia.
Ashareh-the Simba (lion) of Puntland, is a great patriot with a full grasp of all the nooks and crannies of Somalia,which occupies a special place in his heart.He has the genius, zeal and zest of resolving his country's problems.....
I was studying the Somali's leading public figures and I feel that he is the right choice for Somalia in this crucial era.
Just who is this man Awad Ahamed Ashareh? What makes him tick?
Here we go.
IN Eldoret town,Rift Valley,Kenya, he was conspicuous,known and recognized by the locals for his well-maintained flowing white beards and hair, which gave him a striking resemblance to the biblical Moses.
In several other quarters of his public life, 64 – year -old Awad Ahmed Ashareh was, and is still famously referred to as, the "Simba of Puntland."
Puntland is an expansive region in Somalia where he, and the immediate former president, Abdulahi Yusuf come from. The two were close political buddies for long.
Ashareh was nicknamed "Simba of Puntland" owing to his vibrancy and ingenuity in tackling the problems afflicting the war-battered Horn of Africa nation head on,and foraging for a lasting solution to the crisis.
He is a former minister for Information and Justice and currently chairman of Information, Culture, Heritage,and Public awareness in Somalia's Transitional Federal Parliament, and an active member of the inter-parliamentary union.
Ashareh was Chairman of Puntland Constitutional Arrangement Conference which culminated in the establishment of Puntland State in August 1998. He is also a spokesperson for 12 Somali factions.
Abdulahi Yusuf resigned recently as the Somali president, paving the way for new elections in Somalia, whereupon the country's moderate Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed clinched the presidency in Djibouti last Saturday.
Somalia has been steeped in chaos and bloodshed ever since ex-president Siad Barre was deposed in a bloody coup de´etat, way back in 1991.
Instability in chaotic Somalia culminated in the convention of a Peace and Reconciliation conference which was first held in Eldoret town for several months, chaired by the late Elijah Mwangale,a veteran politician and former cabinet minister.
The symposium which was being held at the prestigious Sirikwa hotel in Eldoret town, brought together leaders of various factions in Somalia who included Ahmed Ashareh and Abdulahi Yusuf, the former president.
The conference later relocated to Nairobi where it was chaired by career diplomat Bethwel Kiplagat, after Mwangale- a known Kanu stalwart, was phased out when the former ruling party lost power to the Narc government in 2003.
While in Eldoret during the Somali Peace and Reconciliation conference, Ashareh made impressive and prolific contributions that left him showered in praises for patriotism.
In the evenings amid a cool breeze in Eldoret town at the end of the usually lengthy conferences, Ashareh would take leisurely strolls and patronize some local hotels ,where he was at peace with everybody.
He caught the attention of people in Eldoret town who threw curious glances at him, in the face of the fact that he was held in high esteem owing to his position in the society.
A widely traveled man and well-read, Ashareh, who is credited with propelling Abdullahi Yusuf to power by marshaling various Somali factions behind the ex-president, is by and large, a down-to-earth personality.
He is an eminent scholar and high-profile public official in Somalia, noted for his ebullience and charisma, particularly as a legislator in Somalia´s National Assembly.
Having fought endlessly for the restoration of peace in his home country, making him one of the most visible and notable peace crusaders, Ashareh believes that "enough is enough" in Somalia.
He greatly detests unfairness, inhumanity, malice, dishonesty and corruption,worrying vices that make him feel squeamish.
And what does he own from his long involvement in public service of Somalia?
"I do not own anything. I neither own a house nor land. I am not a grabber and I do not engage in corrupt deals", Ashareh stated in a matter-of-fact tone during an interview with this writer.
A moment of silence followed, then the focused politician added:
"This is why my countrymen and women, who occupy a special place in my heart, respect me. They know I am not a grabber, but I mean to serve them".
The articulate intellectual strongly condemned the appropriation of private property from public resources.
Ashareh has emerged as a patriot who has the interest of his people at heart.
Once during an interview with an international newspaper, he was overcome by emotion during which time he sobbed owing to the sorry state of affairs in Somalia.
And in the midst of the sobs, Ashareh quipped:
"I tell you it is a horrible situation!" The journalist interviewing him was left flabbergasted.
The no-nonsense politician has also been vigorous in championing for the restoration of law and order in Somalia as well as disarmament,besides advocating for reconciliation and dialogue.
Ashareh has also been visible in fighting against the detestable and thorny issue of sea piracy, extremism and illegal fishing in his native country.
The intellectual-cum-politician has also prioritized health care issues, s, education,employment,good governance,accountability,transparency,development,rehabilitation and reconstruction of Somalia.
Ashareh has also been in the forefront of a crusade for cordial relations in Somalia with neighboring states, and the development of economic trade and movements of peoples goods.
He admires a situation whereby state assets and accounts are safeguarded in accordance with state financial procedures and regulations.
Ashareh has also had a considerable stint as a General manager with a fish factory in Somalia and as a senior foreign trade officer.
"I am both a man and servant of the people. I will serve my citizens with commitment and dedication until they enjoy a peaceful atmosphere in Somalia. Genuine peace should exist permanently for the good of the current generation and posterity", Ashareh emphasized with finality during the interview.
He is charismatic and highly known internationally vis-a-vis the rest of the Somalia public figures and apart from commanding huge respect and confidence of his countrymen, he has the answer to the giant puzzle bedevilling Somalia.
Ashareh-the Simba (lion) of Puntland, is a great patriot with a full grasp of all the nooks and crannies of Somalia,which occupies a special place in his heart.He has the genius, zeal and zest of resolving his country's problems.....
I was studying the Somali's leading public figures and I feel that he is the right choice for Somalia in this crucial era.
Just who is this man Awad Ahamed Ashareh? What makes him tick?
Here we go.
IN Eldoret town,Rift Valley,Kenya, he was conspicuous,known and recognized by the locals for his well-maintained flowing white beards and hair, which gave him a striking resemblance to the biblical Moses.
In several other quarters of his public life, 64 – year -old Awad Ahmed Ashareh was, and is still famously referred to as, the "Simba of Puntland."
Puntland is an expansive region in Somalia where he, and the immediate former president, Abdulahi Yusuf come from. The two were close political buddies for long.
Ashareh was nicknamed "Simba of Puntland" owing to his vibrancy and ingenuity in tackling the problems afflicting the war-battered Horn of Africa nation head on,and foraging for a lasting solution to the crisis.
He is a former minister for Information and Justice and currently chairman of Information, Culture, Heritage,and Public awareness in Somalia's Transitional Federal Parliament, and an active member of the inter-parliamentary union.
Ashareh was Chairman of Puntland Constitutional Arrangement Conference which culminated in the establishment of Puntland State in August 1998. He is also a spokesperson for 12 Somali factions.
Abdulahi Yusuf resigned recently as the Somali president, paving the way for new elections in Somalia, whereupon the country's moderate Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed clinched the presidency in Djibouti last Saturday.
Somalia has been steeped in chaos and bloodshed ever since ex-president Siad Barre was deposed in a bloody coup de´etat, way back in 1991.
Instability in chaotic Somalia culminated in the convention of a Peace and Reconciliation conference which was first held in Eldoret town for several months, chaired by the late Elijah Mwangale,a veteran politician and former cabinet minister.
The symposium which was being held at the prestigious Sirikwa hotel in Eldoret town, brought together leaders of various factions in Somalia who included Ahmed Ashareh and Abdulahi Yusuf, the former president.
The conference later relocated to Nairobi where it was chaired by career diplomat Bethwel Kiplagat, after Mwangale- a known Kanu stalwart, was phased out when the former ruling party lost power to the Narc government in 2003.
While in Eldoret during the Somali Peace and Reconciliation conference, Ashareh made impressive and prolific contributions that left him showered in praises for patriotism.
In the evenings amid a cool breeze in Eldoret town at the end of the usually lengthy conferences, Ashareh would take leisurely strolls and patronize some local hotels ,where he was at peace with everybody.
He caught the attention of people in Eldoret town who threw curious glances at him, in the face of the fact that he was held in high esteem owing to his position in the society.
A widely traveled man and well-read, Ashareh, who is credited with propelling Abdullahi Yusuf to power by marshaling various Somali factions behind the ex-president, is by and large, a down-to-earth personality.
He is an eminent scholar and high-profile public official in Somalia, noted for his ebullience and charisma, particularly as a legislator in Somalia´s National Assembly.
Having fought endlessly for the restoration of peace in his home country, making him one of the most visible and notable peace crusaders, Ashareh believes that "enough is enough" in Somalia.
He greatly detests unfairness, inhumanity, malice, dishonesty and corruption,worrying vices that make him feel squeamish.
And what does he own from his long involvement in public service of Somalia?
"I do not own anything. I neither own a house nor land. I am not a grabber and I do not engage in corrupt deals", Ashareh stated in a matter-of-fact tone during an interview with this writer.
A moment of silence followed, then the focused politician added:
"This is why my countrymen and women, who occupy a special place in my heart, respect me. They know I am not a grabber, but I mean to serve them".
The articulate intellectual strongly condemned the appropriation of private property from public resources.
Ashareh has emerged as a patriot who has the interest of his people at heart.
Once during an interview with an international newspaper, he was overcome by emotion during which time he sobbed owing to the sorry state of affairs in Somalia.
And in the midst of the sobs, Ashareh quipped:
"I tell you it is a horrible situation!" The journalist interviewing him was left flabbergasted.
The no-nonsense politician has also been vigorous in championing for the restoration of law and order in Somalia as well as disarmament,besides advocating for reconciliation and dialogue.
Ashareh has also been visible in fighting against the detestable and thorny issue of sea piracy, extremism and illegal fishing in his native country.
The intellectual-cum-politician has also prioritized health care issues, s, education,employment,good governance,accountability,transparency,development,rehabilitation and reconstruction of Somalia.
Ashareh has also been in the forefront of a crusade for cordial relations in Somalia with neighboring states, and the development of economic trade and movements of peoples goods.
He admires a situation whereby state assets and accounts are safeguarded in accordance with state financial procedures and regulations.
Ashareh has also had a considerable stint as a General manager with a fish factory in Somalia and as a senior foreign trade officer.
"I am both a man and servant of the people. I will serve my citizens with commitment and dedication until they enjoy a peaceful atmosphere in Somalia. Genuine peace should exist permanently for the good of the current generation and posterity", Ashareh emphasized with finality during the interview.
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