Mohamed Said Maweel Duale,
early 20s, one of the nicest young men I have met in Hargeisa, was violently
killed yesterday!!
Always smiling, very polite and helpful. I met
him when I took up my current job and had to travel to El-Afweyn to implement
an SMS feedback system. We took 2 cars and he was driving the second car with
some security people. We drove for 2 days, spending the night in Burao.
Whenever we took a break
from driving, he would come over to our car, chat with us, joke and make us
laugh. When we got to El-Afweyn, he would spend the evenings with us at the
compound, even tho his family is from there and he could have left after work.
He would stay till late, always laughing and joking. He was an easy and
pleasant person to hangout with. He was a young good soul and a hardworking. He
started working as a freelance driver for NGOS since his late teens, bright and
focused beyond his years. Unlike most people I met during the trip, he never
interfered in my personal business or asked what clan I was. Instead, he gave
me his personal mobile number, said he is native of the city and to call him if
I needed anything.
Mohamed was working in the Ainabo
district office of the DRC. At 5pm yesterday, he was asked to drive to a place
not far from the office to help another colleague whose car got stuck. About
25km outside Ainabo, a place called Goosoweyne, where the roads to El-Afweyn,
Ainabo and Burao meet, he was ambushed by pro-Khatumo state militias. We don’t
know more details beyond the fact that he was violently killed, along with a
friend he was driving with, his car and personal belonging taken by the
militias. When staff at the Ainabo office got worried because he was late, they
called his phone. To their shock, the militias picked it up and told them they
have killed Mohamed and his friend and said where they dumped their bodies!!!
This looks like a random and
horrible crime against 2 innocent, kind and very young men, all because of
political division between Somaliland and Khatumo state. Doesn’t make sense and
am heartbroken for him, his friend and their families.
I am not writing this to incite hatred or violence against Khatumo State supporters or add to the already dangerous tension between Khatumo State and Somaliland. I am writing because this regional violence has finally claimed someone I know, liked, and respected. And I know he is not the first or the last victim. Claim your rights to political independence or separation but what rights can you claim if you are taking innocent lives in the name of a struggle for freedom? This applies not only to Khatumo State, but to Somaliland, Puntland and rest of Somalia.
I've known people killed senselessly, caught in the cross fire, and it's painful to think what these young mens' families are going through. May he and his friend rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteTell me about it, we see too much violence in this part of the world. I have a feeling Mohamed will rest in peace, he is probably gathering fans up there with his jokes.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad and sobering. It infuriates me to know that some old, greedy people are behind this and they use geogrpahy, clannish ties, and other BS to convince people that killing their own is what's needed for "the cause." It has never been about clans, tribes, lands, countries, people, or religions--just the power, wealth, and glory the influence & control over these entities bring. When a young man dies, I weep for two reasons; the young life that was not lived and enjoyed and the potential of greatness the world will never see that now rots under the earth.
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