Counting down to when I get to fly back home to the good lands of Britain, I miss home. Looking forward to resting, spending quality time with family and friends and a break from the mayhem known as Somalia.
Another disaster struck the country today as militias reported to have links to Al-Shabab waged a war against Puntland security forces not too far from the Bosaso side of Puntland. Fighting ensued throughout most part of the morning coming to a halt in the early afternoon but casualties continued to mount, most of them civilians.
I did a crossfire discussion based on this latest incident which followed up on several security related incidents that were occurring in Puntland and given the fact that Al-shabab has spread its wings towards Uganda and more locally Puntland, it is undeniable that they are a force truly underestimated by most authorities. Furthermore the untold story of Al-shabab is that they have a lot of support from many Somalis, especially those living in the areas under their control where they have secured its peace and stability.
We often overlook the fact that when a people haven't had any sense of stability for almost 20 years, they'll appreciate the minute things we take for granted such as the ability to go to the market and buy food without fearing a grenade landing on your head, children going to school and establishing a means to support your family whether it is trading in the local market or having a farm whose produce you can sell. The chopping of limbs and terrorist attacks is what we see whereas those on the ground have a different image of Al-Shabab. This is where they have masses of support and that's where the real danger can come from as a civilian upheaval is one of the most detrimental things that can happen especially if it is in support of a group like Al-Shabab.
Gearing up to go back to school I have been studying for the GRE exam which I am due to take this coming Saturday. I've been studying for the past three months so I am somewhat confident but I can feel the build-up of butterflies in my stomach as the exam date draws closer.
Wish me luck:)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
living the night owl lifestyle..
These days I seem to be permanently fixed on the night shift, working during the night and sleeping during the day. I find myself answering emails at 3am and updating my facebook status at similar times. The tricky day is Friday when I have to switch back to day shift reporting to work at 7am when I finished at 1am! I come back home feeling like an overcooked chicken lol. But the good thing is my bodyclock is now getting some sort of regularity whereas before it was totally discombombulated( as in all over the place).
Workwise South Africa has dominated much of our coverage lately. Football fever has finally worn off and although my team did make it to the finals, the boys unfortunately failed to close the deal. I still give them thumbs up for getting that far and reigning unbeaten for 25 games on a row.
The reality on the ground now is that security in South Africa is back to normal and xenophobia is feared to resurface with many immigrant business owners closing their shops down after receiving threats from local criminals. Many Africans fear for their lives as some South Africans have recently become known for killing African immigrants they consider are reaping off the resources of their country. This hatred-filled targeted killing has now reached another level where locals are willing to kill anyone as long as it is financially profitable for them.
Just last week 2 Somali shop owners were slaughtered in the Capetown area by local men who were apparently paid by Bengali rival business owners. Witnesses said the victims had cheaper prices than other businesses and refused to put their prices up.
It is a sad phenomenon.
On a more personal I was listening to a story the other day that left my mind with some food for thought; A young Saudi man survived falling off the 7th floor of a building without a scratch. As he got up he felt like the luckiest man on earth. He felt if he had survived that kind of an incident, he was meant to live a long, flourishing life. As his thoughts were filled with happiness, relief and an overwhelming sense of joy, he continued on his way crossing a two-way road without looking at both sides...He was struck by a car coming from his left and died on the spot.
Perhaps death doesn't cross our minds that often so I wanted to share this with you for those of you that contemplate.
Workwise South Africa has dominated much of our coverage lately. Football fever has finally worn off and although my team did make it to the finals, the boys unfortunately failed to close the deal. I still give them thumbs up for getting that far and reigning unbeaten for 25 games on a row.
The reality on the ground now is that security in South Africa is back to normal and xenophobia is feared to resurface with many immigrant business owners closing their shops down after receiving threats from local criminals. Many Africans fear for their lives as some South Africans have recently become known for killing African immigrants they consider are reaping off the resources of their country. This hatred-filled targeted killing has now reached another level where locals are willing to kill anyone as long as it is financially profitable for them.
Just last week 2 Somali shop owners were slaughtered in the Capetown area by local men who were apparently paid by Bengali rival business owners. Witnesses said the victims had cheaper prices than other businesses and refused to put their prices up.
It is a sad phenomenon.
On a more personal I was listening to a story the other day that left my mind with some food for thought; A young Saudi man survived falling off the 7th floor of a building without a scratch. As he got up he felt like the luckiest man on earth. He felt if he had survived that kind of an incident, he was meant to live a long, flourishing life. As his thoughts were filled with happiness, relief and an overwhelming sense of joy, he continued on his way crossing a two-way road without looking at both sides...He was struck by a car coming from his left and died on the spot.
Perhaps death doesn't cross our minds that often so I wanted to share this with you for those of you that contemplate.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Somalia is fifty years old
Today Somalis all over the world celebrate the day they gained their independence from Italy and Britain in 1960 and joined to form the Republic of Somalia. To mark this occassion we at the VOA Somalia service have been preparing historical programs of Somalia's history over the past fifty years from the educational, social, political and economical perspective. I prepared the education part and have uploaded it above.
With that I bid all my fellow Somalis a very happy anniversary and may things improve for those in the country.
With that I bid all my fellow Somalis a very happy anniversary and may things improve for those in the country.
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