THE STORY OF SOMALIA

 

from a millennial perspective

If we are to prosper and bring peace in our midst, we must first go back to history and understand where we went wrong in the first place. Unfortunately, my country Somalia is one of the case studies of the world when it mentions chaos, civil war, and terrorism. The world has played the role of foster care parent for Somalia for the last three decades, moving Somalia to a different foster parent every time she develops a new conflict with her parents. Still, Every child must grow and show signs of new developments, good and evil, and every parent must stay worried. To my generation, Somalia was born in 1991. its childhood in the 90s, and it became a teenager in 2002. 

Like a teenager, Somalia developed habits of knowing it all and talking badly to their parents and elders. By 17, she was out of control; neither her parents nor the elders could control her. Somalia developed new dangerous ambitions that required outside help. The neighbors jumped into extending a hand to help bring Somalia back to its senses by any means necessary. Common sense was no longer an option, so the neighbors and the parents took drastic measures to restore a teenager gone wild to its senses. 

As reassuring as it may sound, parents and neighbors teaming up to straighten out a 17-year-old teenager, many underestimated Somalia. Unfortunately, it's pervasive for any parent when their teenage child lashes out or acts out to look for a solution that barely solves the issue if it doesn't escalate to a worse situation. The same happened to Somalia when she developed an unrealistic and dangerous ambition, her parents rushed to find a solution through drastic measures, and the result was a physically abused child with bipolar tendencies. 

In 2012, At 23, Somalia was released from the hospital-psych ward and was free to decide her future after proving that she no longer had the teenage mentality that got her in trouble in the first place. Moreover, adult supervision was no longer necessary as Somalia improved and progressed throughout her time in the psych ward. As a result, 23year old Somalia is now free to decide what's best for her future with enough resources and backing to achieve her goals. 

I am using a typical course a human being goes through in our time as a metaphor for my country Somalia and the reality couldn't be further from each other. The chances of a 23-year-old with no adult supervision and enough resources and backing to achieve their dreams are slim to none, yet we still blame the child for not making the right choices. So instead of working on the future securing the next day, Somalia was blinded by limelights, beautiful watches, and nice clothes for the first five years of her adult life. 

In 2017, at 28, Somalia was now experienced in governance, war, and international politics and wanted to make its own decisions. Still, Somalia was at a stage where she needed experienced friends for advice and to create a network of friends, especially the surrounding neighbors, and avoid conflict. But she ignored all these realities and went in a different direction. "Mom and Dad, I am 28 years old and know what's best for me. So, please, I want to be left alone". " I have a vision, and I am confident that I can bring my vision for the future into reality if I am left alone." Soon after, the 28year old Somalia was left alone with her decisions. She attempted to run before learning how to walk first. Constructing a building from scratch is possible if you have the proper materials, tools, and knowledge; otherwise, it will fail. 

Out in the open to decide what she thinks is best for her, with no fundamental knowledge or expertise on moving forward with her business, Somalia met an Arab friend who brought more trouble to her life. She immediately fell in love with this Arab friend who carried a heavy backpack always without carefully considering her alternative options. 

This Arab friend was in an aggressive conflict with his family, and Somalia got involved in his family business. He gave her an alternative to choose him, but she showed blind and irresponsible boldness by staying friends with all. Somalia changed with the arrival of this man; she picked up unnecessary conflicts with her neighbors and showed powers she didn't possess. Nevertheless, people still wonder what was the foundation of Somalia's relations with this Arab friend. What did she see in him? More importantly, what did he see in her? 

Every relationship has ups and downs and goes through questionable trials at some point. Still, I must admit having a relationship with an Arab isn't a holding hands walk In the park or anything like that, and that's what Somalia didn't comprehend clearly. Middle Eastern men are often criticized for having a masculine control freak mentality towards their counterparts and spending wealth and money on their partners like no other. She couldn't see the misogyny and got blinded by the abuse and self-interest in the bling-bling and shiny hotel rooms and privet jets with the duffel bag in them. 

"You are in charge of your future; you don't need anyone else; you have wealth and power to realize your vision." The Arab friend talks to her constantly about how she can be all she wants alone while making other plans behind her back. Everyone could see how Somalia was behaving publicly with her Arab friend, and it was clear to her people and friends that her relationship with this Arab guy wasn't healthy. Whenever an old friend tried talking to her or advising her, she would get offended and lash out to the extent she kicked out prominent old friends from her house. 

Ultimately, any relationship established on interest and not mutual interest fails, as with Somalia. Poor Somalia had gone through tough challenges, and more yet, she never showed slowing down. Whenever she is defeated, she gets right up and makes more wrong decisions and fails again to get up to make worse choices. 

Salman Hassan Haji, Ph.D.