Somalia's eldest son.

 

Somalia's eldest son was born in 1998 during a challenging period. Yet, he showed signs of self-sufficiency and independence at an early age. He wasn't the eldest offspring, as his father had illegitimate children before him, but he was the first lawful-born son, and the choices of his other siblings inspired him to go differently. He isolated himself from his parents and siblings at a distance and built a life for himself and many others. He educated himself and established fruitful relationships with many. While Somalia struggled with crisis and civil conflict, neither did he participate in it or try to help resolve it, nor did he join hands or partner with his illegitimate siblings. Instead, he occupied himself with his business and home affairs. Although he had suffered a bit of civil unrest with his newfound empire, it wasn't as bad, and he swiftly passed it. He introduced an excellent system to sell his goats and cows to the Arabs and how to preserve water during the rain. He didn't care much for fish and seafood despite their abundance. 

It was clear to everyone else in the family that this guy was going places. The charming attitude and the ability to administer and establish the rule of law with limited resources amazed the world, and his parent- Somalia- couldn't be prouder. When your parents become proud of you, others start praising you and show more care and appreciation, often leading to pride, ego, and self-belief. In an interview in 2013, he stated, "I am the mother of federalism, and I should be treated accordingly." He was the mother of federalism, and there is no arguing that, but the way he stated it in a room full of his children shocked many that always believed he was a sweet guy. 

When his parents got their act together in 2012, he was pleased about it, and he immediately jumped into trying to help organize the rest of the siblings to become one happy family again. He even helped his parents raise the lastborn; he showed him the robes and how to become a man, although later, their relationship deteriorated into an unstable one. This was the start of his negative attitude period. No matter what good he did, he felt unappreciated, and in most crucial family matters, he always felt overstepped. "I'm the best of the best in the family, and I'm the most educated; I am the only one who can fix my family; hell, I'm even the most good-looking; why can't my parents and the rest of the world view me how I see my self"? To this day, he views himself as he doesn't need anyone and that everyone needs him. 

Five siblings, all grown and organized, are now with their parents with the ambition and the sole goal of establishing everlasting peace and a prosperous nation in their lands. In the last family gathering, when the parent asked, "Which one of you should be the leader?" Our friend, the eldest son, exited the meeting room with frustration and anger, with no explanation. Later when calmed down and asked why did he act that way? He replied," The leadership shouldn't go to a vote. It's always me, and you knew that, Dad, but instead, you chose to embarrass me in front of my brothers. This privileged mentality that he is above all and better than the rest brings him many problems to date, and no one can advise him against them. Many believe it's in his DNA to feel above all. 

It's always good to have high goals and ambitions, but they must be realistic and reachable. His dreams were often beyond reach and led to many unsettling family situations, like when he showed blind support to his younger brother, who was not talking to his parents at the time to annoy his father. But the craziest idea among his crazy ideas is attempting to break the status quo and change what he had practiced and taught his three sons for the past 20 years without using the proper channels and resources 

Today at 25, his biggest challenge is convincing his three sons to accept the change he wants to introduce. A change that affects the balance of power to some. His youngest son (Isse) is convinced this change is part of a plan to eradicate him and rip him off his piece of the pie. To the extent that he is ready to arm himself to get his portion of the pie. In an interview with the media, he stated, "Aint nobody taking my piece of the pie, it's my time, and I have been waiting patiently for my turn. I want to make myself clear to my parents and the world, imma get mine, believe that." His English comes from his time as a taxi driver in Chicago. 

To sum up. We don't know what his youngest son Isse will do knowing what he is capable of, but it's evident that the father is insisting on and implementing his change and the new ways of life. History teaches us that such conflicts result in failure and create more significant problems. In the end, if the interest of the individual is greater than the interest of all, society will fail to prosper. 

Salman Hassan Haji, Ph.D.