SomaliNet Forums

Disclaimer: I am not try to be inflammatory; just asking an honest question that popped into my head following my observations.

Let's be real; no one has shown more support for Kenya's presence and the IGAD project than Ogaden. This support has even sometimes manifested in ways that could seem to some Somalis as "treasonous" and "fifth column". Now I have heard before the backhand quip "you are not even from Somalia" when addressing markedly taken Ogaden positions in Somalia---the best recent example I can give is the Mogadishu warlords charging some of the fighters for the ICU were Ogaden who are not Somali. I remember Guhad speak passionately against that a number of times.

The reality is those kinds of statements, while under the surface, were never embraced in mainstream Somalia discussions which accepted Ogaden as people of Somalia. Today, I honestly see a change. I see people who do not consider Ogaden as rer Somalia and who label them treasonous, someone even called them "fifth column" which is to say their entire citizenship in Somalia faces backlash. There has been a consideration that saw Ogaden as fellow pan-Somali citizens and allowed the Ogaden born in Jigjiga to work in Mogadishu as a national. For the first time, I see Somalis of Somalia who seriously categorize Ogaden as "the other", a foreigner.

If the IGAD project fails and/or Kenya leave, will the Ogaden presence in Somalia and consideration as a citizens of it have received a huge blow in the psychology and understanding of the Somalia national identity?

Dan-

It is a folly to sacrifice the future for the present especially when the present needs so much to chart.

Dan-

It is a folly to sacrifice the future for the present especially when the present needs so much to chart.

It's not like OG is the only clan to reside outside of Somalia. what's this nonsense? Besides, don't we all agree that it doesn't matter where one is born and that nationality doesn't necessarily constitute somalinimo but rather being somali is is a right that inherently belongs to us all? So the question is what constitutes somalinimo? If you say Nationality and that only people who were born in Somalia are considered Somali, then why do we NOT consider the bantus and the cadads Somali who've been living in Somalia for generations? If not, then you agree with me and that regardless of where one is born, one is still somali and still has as much rights as anyone born in or out of somalia.

Elite I agree with you 100%. I think you misunderstood. In this issue, I think people have observed the Kenyan presence in Somalia (I honestly think only the Ogaden and maybe some Majerten are favorable to the issue of Kenya in Somalia--no one else) and the Ogaden reaction sometimes even reliance for justification and have been led to bring out an issue which was in the back burner (namely Ogaden are not "rer Somalia") and make it applicable to discuss.

Truthfully, this is the first time I have seen Somalis in legitimate mainstream normal discussions outright "otherize" Ogaden as foreigners and not "rer Somalia". It makes me ask this question; are the Ogaden hurting themselves in the long-term through the psychology of what it means to be "from Somalia"

I don't think I misunderstood and I realize that you're merely trying to bring a hot topic to the panel for discussion. However, if you asses the whole argument, you'll see that there is none at all. Also, another thought worth pondering is does the philosophy apply to all other clans who have deegaans outside of Somalia, granted that they "bring Foreigners to Somalia for their own clannish purposes"? I think what somalis need to do is to open their hearts and their minds and come to the table for a solution. They need to remove the qabiil lenses with which they often use to reflect on given situations. Instead of accusing and octracizing one another, I think it'd be best to talk about all the issues we've got each other and start over. But this whole allegations and labels will not help anyone. "Ijiid aan ku jiide waa gacma daalis" Ethiopia or Kenya or any other country for that matter will bring nothing good to us. Its kinda ironic though, that we think foreigners are closer to us than we're to each other.

You have Pointed out a Valid Concern But Remember The Few Kenyan Lackeys Like Colonel,Patriot or dangirl do not represent the entire ogaden.However,the Fact that Farah macalin(kenyan),Yusuf Haji(Kenyan),Ahmed madoobe(Somali born in Ethiopia) are pushing for puppet state in jubbaland with the help of Kenyan army is a real concern and can be seen as treachery or illigitimate move.

There will be no backlash against the Ogaden, for the simple reason there is no Somali big enough to wield the whip against them.
I take the "media discussions seriously", Its a non issue.

There will be no backlash against the Ogaden, for the simple reason there is no Somali big enough to wield the whip against them.
I take the "media discussions seriously", Its a non issue.

original

Do you really think raaskamboni will hold any second the minute kenyans decide to leave.lol,they will follow thier masters to homeland.

I think you and hassan sheikh that will be gone in a heartbeat, once AMISOM leaves.
Be careful what you wish for.

In all seriousness brah......Somalia is foreign owned now, and the best thing we can do is to build up our respective capacities to govern.
Give J/Land 5 years and I can assure you there will be no Somali power able to invade the region.

All this "my pimp is better than your pimp", is demeaning to us as Somalis.

Original

Take that calaacal to khatumo section and complain about that iidoor nightmare and for the last time stop throwing that blue flag around with your dirty attitude.There will be no jubbaland until all stakeholders are satisfied with the outcome.

What your confusing with foreign labeling is actually subconscious admiration & respect. I've heard the same talks many times where the people refer to us as The Ogaden in actual trivial convos among themselves but when a friend and I talk about regions or peoples/qabiils for whatever reasons, when he wants to talk about ogadeen he'll hesitate and be like "and you know.. Your people." I'll be like who then he'll say "the ogaden" lool