Mogadishu (Commentary ) — In July 2012 Abdi Ismail Samatar, a Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota, argued that “TFG leaders, the UN, AU and IGAD conspire to destroy Somalis’ hope for peace and an accountable government in their land”. In 2012 his brother, Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar, was a Presidential Candidate.
Today, he accused UNSOM of acting as if Somalia was “a trusteeship”. He used the phrase “reer Waqooyi” (northern people) to refer to Somaliland quota of MPs and Senators, and objected to the breakthrough at Baidoa summit. He describes the Somali President as “the man on the mountain.” He called on “people of Mogadishu to kick out UNSOM if it doesn’t change its ways.”
Professor Abdi Samatar had crossed the acceptable line of political discourse. Some media outlets such as the BBC Somali Service and VOA Somali Service interview him as a disinterested analyst. In his speech Professor Abdi Samatar used a language reminiscent of warlords’ demagoguery.
While Professor Abdi Samatar was making inflammatory remarks, the Chairman of the Upper House, Abdi Hashi, stood by. Abdi Samatar has shown a total disregard for the rule of law in Somalia. There is a difference between criticising policies and egging on citizens to be antagonistic towards UNSOM.
Somalia is still a fragile country where an irresponsible politician can resort to incitement to make a political point. Professor Abdi Samatar’s outburst sets a bad example for people who look up to him as a successful academic; it damages the reputation of his university, and will not go down well with his students. There has always been a question about the existence of Somali intelligentsia.
If a scholar, who has been writing about Somalia for almost four decades, can make unguarded remarks about political disagreements and threaten UNSOM with popular revolt, what can Somalis expect from less informed analysts? Some words such as ‘rape’ used by Professor Samatar in his speech, have no place in political arguments.
By Awil Ali Ileye
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