The Pitfalls of Historical Revisionism Excess...M. Awale

It is one of those painful moments when putting the pen and paper together becomes real struggle. Try to put historical veracities and according various sources or competing interest in prospective, and you have intractable challenge at hand.

All of sudden a myriad of mind-boggling questions come into mind. Questions like what sorts of history and according to whom? Why bother at all? Or why not stick with useful, mutual topics rather than wasting time and energy on controversial topics, etc.?

“ Ka hadh baan lahaa howsha iyo dhibkeedabakolka aan habeen qudha hurdo gama u seexdabasaw hees wal-waaleed hablo iima qaadaan…” Somali foklore Song by M. Ahmed Kuluc

In reality, there no such ideal peace of mind and rational debating stance in the world and circumstances we live today. No matter how hard one tries to desist, avoid and tip-toe around controversial issues, someone else will give a rude awakening by rubbing on his/her nose the most repugnant argument and through least appealing approach.

Now, let me get straight to the sticky point regarding with few comments and heresy made by some Awdalites on Col A/ rahman Toldiid’s history–the controversial figure — in a flawed attempt to polish his resume. Definitely an insensitive argument entitled Abdirahman Aw Ali — from Coast to Coast Candidate by Mohamed Ali of Ottawa is the one that comes in mind among many. The said notes are all about his murky past and qualification for the vice post of Kulmiye party.

In this particular instance the author, with all due respect, argues that by virtue by of being snm veteran, Mr. Farah is entitled to get the post, and thus possibly the vice president of SL if and IF Kulmiye wins forthcoming election. I have no qualms about his candidacy, be it for party or VP post, since SL is functional democratic system. Further, though I fail to see the rat race and significance of the post, I think any other candidate from the region except him deserves to be given the shot for the simple reason that none of others carries controversial baggage as A/rahman does or at least all other contenders are first timers with no prior failure track record in the office.

What bothers most, though, is the author’s quasi-messianic tone of the man’s dubious past and principals. No shred evidence of other merit and strength were cited. No mention of his past failure in the same post let alone new vision of political and socio-economic platform. No mention of his checkred track of record or accountability in the height of civil war, which many believe that he single-handedly engineered those pogroms in Awdal. Nothing matters about opinion, hearts and minds of majority of the Awdalites, the very same populace he desperately needs to court their votes.

To the author, all it needed for the candidacy is as being ex officio member of particular organization. Candidate needs only to flash old warlord card here and there while still staying in loyal with his close comrades in Hargeisa. And by implicit, the rest of the task will fall in line in way or another.

Few months ago, A/rahman uttered the most shocking but also candid words about where his loyalty and future political interest lies with, and they are not obviously with Awdal or with the rest of SL public. Asked where he belongs in interview by journalist in Europe, he said that he belongs to no specific region, people nor party but to snm tribe, whatever that means.

I don’t want to irate anyone with redundancy but unless someone is amnesiac or post-90s born generation, most people know bit about the ex-colonel’s history and misdeeds, what he stands for, what he aspires to and how he come to political scene. Citizens forgave but not forget it. People don’t mind to be among their revered sons, if he wishes to remain one. On the other hand, they don’t want an overbearing thug that stalks after their psyche for generations to come. Sorry to revisit this topic but Kulmiye’s political machine and its die-hard camp have chosen some how to recycle it perpetually.

Author wrote, among other things, “Hon. Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah, the son of Awdal …a helper of every one who needs his support, a savior for Samorone in its darkest days.” Whether he is savior or beta noire character, I will leave for the reader and the kin of innocent victims who lost their lives and limps to judge it. But all I can say now is that historical events should be left for credible historians to decipher without tempering with much emotions and short-term politicking scenarios. Moreover, the history of Awdal and its people’s have outlasted from centuries of socio-political upheavals, foreign conquest and oppression, and possibility many others difficulties are still on the road. History of Awdal is bigger than solo or trio of self-serving personalities who are masquerading as being holier-than-thou saviors.

Crux of the issue is aside whether the identity he prescribes to is agreeable or not as everyone has a right to associate with whom feels indebted to. Also whether or no the mentioned organization has involved some controversy in the past is irrelevant. Most people recovered from past wounds of the internecine. Citizens buried in the hatchet and that is particularly true since Borama’s peace convention of the ‘90s.

Various actors moved on which resulted in the current phase of the party system However, the important questions are: can he represent for the best interest and aspiration of Awdale people right now? Do A/rahman and cohort believe democratic ideals, free and election or…? If so, why he think he can get way with both ways? Why Kulmiye’s enigmatic leadership is obsessed with the known, divisive cards now and then? One can’t help but wonder why.

Overall, I don’t want to revisit this topic, but I believe that historical events and its facts should be better left for competent folks to deal with. There isn’t such thing as ‘correct and corrupt-free’ version. Every historical incident has two or more angles, many competing interest and legacies, and , at times, element of criminality. To indulge otherwise puts us on slippery slope of revisionism quagmire, which serves the best interest of no one.

Mohamed A. Awale

Email: Moe-awale@hotmail

Source: Harowo