By FarhanAbdi Suleiman (Oday)
“President Egal was one of
the most lucid leaders of Africa and the horn, a man who left us with hope and
inspiration”
In any nation, there are
citizens who recall and appreciate the life day’s legacy of the people who
contribute the good cause and make difference to the lives of others. The
people of Somaliland reacted with shock as the news of death was announced as 3
may, Friday afternoon in 2002. And this month is the month which will mark one
of our saddest and hideous turning points in our lives. Each of us will
remember that moment; the bad news comes to where we were and what we were
doing.
Mr. Egal was stalwart
pillar in the existence of the Republic of Somaliland, and he always has a man
who promotes peace and democracy where choes is the dominant factor. He was
sociable person who injected new meanings and dignity in to the veins of
Somalilanders. His veracity and deep commitment to principles in which he
believed made him an exceptional figure in the political spectrum. And if ever
somebody was to be given the title of humanity and good nature, then he was the
soul of it.
He showed by example what
can be achieved through the hands of people. I can testify to his success, to
his process of disarmament and reintegration. His government had taken on the
task of collecting weapons from private hands and possessions. Heavy arms were
surrendered to the government in 1994. Then, the clan militias and SNM fighters
were recruited in the national army. Substantial numbers of militia were
registered with the government and they took their role as military, police and
custodian force in a bid to restore law and order and sustain peace.
In fact the disarmament
and re-integration brought considerable progress in social transformation and
as well as creating a better life for the people in Somaliland. This DDR
process has initiated a more stable environment that passes the ex-combatants
into a new life of making civilian. In the provision of Disarmament the
government started for supporting war widows, physically and mentally disabled
and handicapped persons to access social services. Somaliland’s Disarmament
Demobilization and Re-integration became one of the best managed and effective
DDR processes that were implemented in Africa.
President Egal has left us
a proud legacy and has placed our country irrevocably on the road to progress.
That was why Somaliland has accomplished a viable progress and phenomenal
development in political, educational and democratization without substantial
foreign aid and as well as set a true example for many societies and countries
around the world which are internationally recognized and receives more
extensive support to the world communities. He was one of the most lucid
leaders of Africa and the horn, a man who left us with hope and inspiration.
Men like Egal are so rare,
that when they leave the world, they leave behind a living legacy. When the
history of this country is written for the future generations every young
person will have to say we lost a kind, thoughtful and gentle father. And all
the young, that grew for many years of his era would understand, his is not
only a hero but a legend that bring unity among the Somaliland community.
At last, we have a great
pain for the loss of our lucid leader. And the fact that he had passed away
does not mean he departed from our lives. The passage of time has not healed
our hearts and as life and memory last, we will remember you and you will
remain deep in our living memories for the rest of our lives. May his legacy
remain as a guiding light to the brothers and sisters of beautiful Somaliland!
May Allah rest his soul and give peace in Jannah
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