Overcoming Obstacles

The current president of Somalia MR Yusuf has over come many obstacles. Yusus was a young Somali military officer in 1969 when Somalia became communist and he defied a government order to carry on communist agenda .therefore the government has jailed him from 1969-1976.He was then released, and sent to the war between the Ethiopia and Somalia. The government was hoping that he may be killed, but he came back, and immediately tried to overthrow the government. He failed, but escaped capture. However his comrades were caught and killed by the government.

Yusuf went to Ethiopia. Where he was set up a base, for an anti government. known as Somali Salvation Democratic. He started army groups against Somalia, and radio propaganda. Yusuf was the most hated man by the regime that time. Nevertheless the Somali government and the Ethiopians agreed to stop all aggression on both sides and formed mutual relationship. Therefore the Ethiopian government jailed Yusuf starting in 1998 and released him in 1991.

Unfortunately when Yusuf came out of prison Somalia was in civil war. However he moved to the eastern region of Somalia where he set up a autonomous administration, of Puntland. At that time, the rest of Somalia was dominated by warlords, It was unorganized mainly in the south, except for little enclave in the north which was relatively clam. There were many attempts to settle Somali problem by the world the community who tried but failed. However a long reconciliation started in Kenya in 2002 while the negotiation were under way and other groups was fragmented Yusuf already had a political base and he could lobby the international community and within Somalis who finally repaid him byelecting him current president of Somalia for 2004.

Harvesting Festival

The harvest festival usually takes place in southern Somalia in July. The method of farming is still in a primitive stage and it is hard labor. Therefore, people of the village get together and work on one farm at the time. That operation is known as Goob.

During Goob strong men pick up sorghum and Maize seeds and dumped them into big wells which they have dug into the ground called Bukaar. After that, they cover the holes for cement so that they can protect from rain, animals and thieves. While the men are doing heavy work, boys and girls wrap up the stalks and put them on the open field to sell. Meanwhile women prepare the food for the festival.

When the works has been complete, all the people of the village get together again and start celebrating. They start morning about 9am and finish about 5pm. Strong men will wrestle, race and ride horses. Finally there are prizes to pay each and every individual winner. Those prizes could be Somali Shiling or could be Sack of sorghum or maize. That is how we celebrate the harvest in southern Somalia. Since I have left in Somalia I missed the celebration of harvesting festival and working together for Goob.