The New Speaker: A genuine leader and trustworthy
“Good, honest work done in God’s name banished three of the greatest evils – boredom, vice, and poverty†~ Voltaire
It was in Moscow in 1992 where I had the opportunity to acquaint with Mr. Abdurahman. At that time, there were thousands and thousands of Somali refugees stranded in Moscow looking for ways to venture into west Europe in search for a new live. The living situation was harsh and austere. Many of the Somali refugees started their journey to Moscow from Syria with 2 – 3 month tourist visa and ultimately many ended up overstaying in Moscow due to depletion of their wherewithal.
They had neither any legal document for their stay nor it was admissible for them to get one after the tourist visa expired- they were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Often they exhibit their frustration and apoplectic rage in front of the Somali Embassy. But their obstreperous cries for help felt on deaf ears - neither the Somali Embassy nor the UNCHR in Moscow came to their rescue and the plight of the Somalis left to fester. Hence, Somali refugees, under no aegis of the constitution, became vulnerable to constant badgering by the security forces, thievery, robbery, and moreover gave Moscow gangs the opportunity to gloat over the Somali refugee misfortune and that resulted in a number of killings among the Somalis. The then Ambassador left the Embassy and Moscow while these Somali refugees were suffering and finding hard to condition in this contemptuous situation with no solution to their plight in site.
Gripped by harrowing stories about daily incidents Somali refugees encounter in Moscow and at this time of despondency, I and a group of individuals approached Mr.Abdurahman, who was at the time the only high official left at the Embassy, for help. Mr.Abdurahman was at his final preparation to pay visit to his family in Finland when we asked him for help. He was receptive to our plea and decided to postpone his trip to help the stranded thousands of Somalis. The majority of the Somali refugees were from the South and those who were not with me at the meeting divulged skepticism of him showing any sympathy and camaraderie as “the clan nepotism†was so fresh in the psyche of these Somali refugees.
That skepticism was dashed when in an eerie chilly (-35oC) morning in the compound of the embassy building, he stood up tall among the crowd and to the surprise of our southern brothers/ sisters pledged to leave no stone unturned in his endeavor to finding a lasting solution to their plight. It was with these words that changed the impervious attitude of both the Embassy and the UNHCR to actively involve in ameliorating the plight situation of these refugees. It was these words that made the crowd see beacon of hope and uplifted their moral - their baritone changed into a festive loud voice and the runic inscription on their faces promptly disappeared.
The division among the Somali refugees into clans was so pronounced even in this situation to make it impossible to garner a collective and forceful voice to confront with the UNHCR office but Mr. Abdurahman, through his leadership skills, punctiliously managed to form a benevolent committee among the Somalis and heralded their case at the UNHCR. He finally succeeded to woo UNHCR to be up to their responsibility of taking caring of the dire plight of the Somali refugee in Moscow. He officiated the steering committee at the Embassy office to register all Somalis to receive aid and proper legal documentation of their stay in Moscow (UNHCR identification paper).
His efforts were paid off and the refugees were housed in two big buildings and were paid allowances every month and as long as they stay in Moscow.
As the leader of that steering committee and dealing with UNHCR, I had the chance to know him and see his skillfulness and obdurate will of keeping his word. I saw in Abdurahman an unflinching integrity throughout this ordeal. I saw in him the qualities of a great leader and a skillful negotiator, problem solver, and NOT problem creator. His soft voice carries assurances and trust.
I am exulted that he was elected as the leader of my country’s parliament and hope once again he will stand up tall among the rival political parties to ennoble the chamber, uphold the law of the land, and first and for most serve the interest of our country and our people.
Mr.Abdulrahman Ciro, you have the wisdom to know but wish to remind you “Simply because opposition political parties have elected you for a cause doesn’t make that cause justâ€Â. I wish you the best and hope you work with the government on what is best for the country and the people.
Finally I say Kudos to President Dahir Rayale for showing always the needed pragmatism when stakes are high.
God Bless Somaliland
