Jigjiga: A New Name for Coca-cola

Jigjiga: A New Name for Coca-cola

THURSDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2012 05:17 ADMINISTRATOR

By Dr. M. Ugas

I grew up in the Ogaden, and I worked there for quite some time in different capacities for various organisations and I think I know a thing or two about the clan politics and the social structure down there. “Xabaalanow xaabka iska-qaad”, today the reputation of Wardheernews Editorial has taken quite a knock following the publication of their belief that the whole struggle of the ONLF is based on blatant and naked clannish chauvinistic attitude. 

It was pretty protracted time since the struggle of the freedom of the Somali inhabited region COLONIZED by Britain, Italy and now Ethiopia has been carried out under the specious of greater Pan-Somalis, but failed to be productive. We can presume the name of the region as Ogaden was given by the colonials for whatever reason, but it became a preset trade-mark just like Coca-Cola that the world recognizes it as Ogaden whether we like it or not.  When the name of the struggle was changed from Somali to the Ogaden in 1985, it now reached its present stage that there is no Somali expansionism policy and the dream of greater Somalia, but the rights holders are struggling.

There are few assumptions that I can consider why Wardheernews editorial is trying to revolutionize the name of Coca-Cola to Jigjiga (synthesized to stand for the following emerging coalition: J for Jidwaq; I for Issaq; G for Geri; J for Jamaca; I for Issa; G for Gaboye and Gadabursi and A for Absame and all others). The most positive assumption is just the fear of the unknown, and by itself is no more than mere names of the undeniable minority clans in the Ogaden region. But, it seems that 

Wardernews editorial is ignoring the existing circumstances of the people there and their serious need to be free from the inhuman treatment of the EPRDF military and the Janjawit-like militia named Liyu-Police. It is not the right time to be comme il faut to support the Ethiopian perpetrators. It is time to think of upward mobility and human dignity.

If there is genuine ambition to bring back our big towns like Jinacsani, Babile, Dire-dewa, Moyale, Nageile, Ma’ayso, Erer, Afdam and others bordering Oromo region into our hands, joining the ONLF struggle is not like Fort Knox with gigantic security locks.

It was historically recorded the only prospect ONLF got to speak about the name that the region could be given was when they established their regional government in Dirridhabe in 1993. While ONLF had the upper hand, they didn’t dictate Ogaden to be the official name of the region. The regional parliament dominated by ONLF members elected a committee of 11 MPs where only three belonged to Ogaden tribe.  This committee was given an assignment to propose a few names and bring them back to the parliament. While this issue was in process, EPRDF dismantled the system and  forced the regional capital to be moved to Jigjiga and pushed ONLF out. 

Wardheernews Editorail is trying to take one way ticket to an unpleasant situation that doesn’t exist now. Is it a begging, a petition, an appeal  or a genuine question to ask if Dirridhabe, Babile, Jigjiga, Jinacsani, Xarshin, Gaashaamo, Awbarre, the Liban zone and many non- Ogadeni-districts be part of the agenda that ONLF is aiming to establish an independent Ogadenia? Whether ONLF’s mission is to establish an independent region, or be part of Ethiopia, the future is in the hand of the people living in the region, but do we agree that we are oppressed, killed, detained and all the rights of our poor people are denied? If so, where are the people who live in those districts whom you advocate for?  Why do you supplicate ONLF to free them? Why do you panic that Ogaden as a big tribe would annihilate those minority tribes if they became free in the name of Ogaden? Why do you accept the subjugation and such degrading human rights violation of that degree? These are just a few home truths and unpleasant facts about the reality.

Quoting Warsheernews editorial “The Somali people, who have long languished under the cruel Ethiopian occupation, deserve a better alternative to seek their freedom.  As such, reviving the more inclusive Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) is one of many alternatives at hand”. Do you forget 1977 WSLF war where Somalis were united as Pan-Somalism under the erroneous dream of  Greater Somalia? W-was standing for Western meaning Galbeed in Somali. Could Wardheernews Editorial deny that Jigjiga people opted to be called Not Galbeed, but Sii-Galbeed, just because Ogaden tribe dominated Somali Galbeed itself?  

Let me shed a light on the small video click you inserted in your article “IS THE ONLF STRUGGLE AN ASSET OR A LIABILITY? WardheerNews Editorial. December 06, 2007. I dare say shame on Wardhernews editorial!  This and many other clips have been broadcasted from Jigjiga TV under the tyranny of the regime. Wardheernews always wanted to be the right agent for the Liyu-Police and now they pressed the right button. 

You talk about the word Ogaden, Ogaden, Ogaden. It became a new disease for many Somalis. There are big and strong governments in the world whose names simply belong to a tribe, a clan or small linage and yet nobody cares about it.  For instance Russia, India, Saudi-Arabia are all names of small tribes there.

I cannot guess the reason why many care the name rather than the mission. The name Ogaden just rings the bells with the world. That is it. 

But, those who are ready to risk life and limb everyday for the sake of not buying the trade-name Ogaden, I would say it is just a rite of passage. It is a wonderful invention and marketable product down the road. To me, thinking of a new name for the struggle, by ignoring the current gloomy and sad situation of our people, is a daylight robbery, a highway robbery and an act that merely supports the EPRDF regime.  I am talking basic commonsense here, it isn’t rocket science. 

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The Author, Dr. Mahamud Ugas Can be reached at mmugas@gmail.com