Awdalnews Network versus Ali Gulaid

Coexisting Peacefully On Cyber land is as an important priority for Somali Landers as promoting cohesion among the people living in all parts of what many people regard as Somaliland. The Awdalnews editorial “Awadalnews Network is not Florida and Ali Gulaid is not Michael Moore” posted on Awdalnews on July 23 has been a candid defence of the journalistic values that the Editorial Board of Awdalnews strive to uphold.
From time to time I read Ali Gulaid’s pieces on, among other issues, the budget and political development in Somaliland. His writings exemplify the boundless energy he makes use of to share his ideas with many readers including me. This is not a defence of Ali Gulaid for I don’t know him from Adam.
In the editorial I could not establish the relationship between Ali Gulaid and Somaliland Forum. Is he an agent representing the Forum? Is he communication officer for the Forum? It was very unfortunate to read emotionally charged sentences in Ali Gulaid’s letter “SL websites Ignore Forum’s Press Releases” posted on Awdalnews on July21. His use of words such as “anti government” smacks of authoritarian verbiage. Could he not rephrase his point to avoid reading like an Orwellian tract?
Having said this, Awadalnews has made a bold formulation of the identity of Somali Landers: “We see ourselves as Somalis by race and Somali Landers by nationality.” This may generate a debate. A thoughtful friend of mine has the habit of emphasising that there is no language barrier among Somalis. Yours is a logical and timely extension of that point.
Although I am offended by sentences like “The Italian South” in reference to Southern Somalia, or when you describe the Sufism based resistance of Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan (aka Mad Mullah) as “an alien Jihadist and a tyrant of modern style Talibanist with a slant of Wahhabism in his doctrine” (Correction Mutual Mistakes, 12 march), I never fail to visit Awdalnews website. (Sayid Mohamed A. Hassan was not a saint).
I regard Awdalnews website as the most engaging and interesting website. The fact that you allow readers the right to respond makes this website non tribal or non political. The charges made against Ali Gulaid (“… cynic intention of dividing Somali Landers into warring factions and creating a cyber war among Somaliland websites” are serious ones. Unless Ali Gulaid sets the record straight many people will stick with how Awdalnews editorialized about his letter. This is not an invitation to pen fight. It is about promoting useful exchange of ideas without resorting to smear campaign. Reputations may lie in ruins. How can readers trust the judgment of prolific writers if they don’t apologize about a mistake or clarify their point?
Ahmed Keyse Ali
ahmedkeyse98@hotmail.com
London, UK.