Djibouti: A Warrior Who Never Get Tired Fighting For His
People
29 March 2010
By Mohamed
Awaleh
Many Djiboutians would agree that Mr. Aden Robleh
Awaleh was and still is one of the greatest warriors
in Djiboutian history; in spite of what anybody would
think about him. Ever since the Republic of Djibouti
became independent, Mr. Awaleh has been definitely the
most genuine resistant opposition leader – alive and
well (still inside the Country). Thanks to his
inspirational leader and national hero for all time,
Mr. Mohamoud Harbi (May Allah Almighty bestow him into
the Heaven of Fardousa)
Mr. Awaleh made a mark into the history at the early
years of his life: as one of the undisputed young
anti-colonialist against, Ali Arref, the henchman of
the French colonialist or ‘the evil empire’; during
the struggle for liberty, and he later quickly joined
the FLCS as the member of the rank-and-file of the
underground movement inside the country (Front de
liberation de cote de Somali): the only Arms wing
around, back in the days, based in Somalia during the
1960’s and 1970’s.
Opposing the French colonial rule in Djibouti, he
decided to join the rebel in Somalia in 1967 and
quickly move up to the leadership position of the
‘Front for the Liberation of the Somali Coast’ (FLCS).
As a result, he was convicted of "endangering state
security" in absentia by the French authorities in
1970 and sentenced him to 27 years in prison. Mr.
Awaleh was later arrested in Somalia in 1975 by the
order of the former dictator, General and President
Mohamed Siad Barre (May Allah bless his soul) for
"anti-revolutionary" activities and spent a year in
solitary confinement there.
Three days before Djibouti became independent from
France, Jun 24, 1977, he was shot and severely wounded
by one of his ‘frere de combat’, wherever his motive
might be. His injuries caused him to be hospitalized
for a month. The revolutionary was named by the
former/first President Hassan G. Aptidon on July 15,
1977, as Minister of the Port, and he was subsequently
moved to the position of Minister of Commerce,
Transport, and Tourism in 1978. He was also elected to
the National Assembly in 1982. In 1983 and due to
consolidation of the power into the hands of the Head
of the State: Mr. Awaleh denounced the
authoritarianism of the RPP's single-party regime and
resigned from his ministerial position and party
positions. As was said later on, Mr. Awaleh claimed to
escape an assassination attempt in 1985 and fled the
Country.
After eight years of exile, though, the ex-Leader of
FLCS and former Minister, returned into the Country in
1992, and turned out to be one of the most admired
opposition leader for the second time - during the
Multi-party democracy system - imposed by the Western
governments into the African countries, particularly,
the Administration of then, the Head of the State, Mr.
Hassan G. Aptidon (May Allah rewards him into Heaven).
Mr. Aden R. Awaleh inaugurated his new political
party, PND (Partie National Democratique) or National
Democratic Party (NDP) for the first time in thirteen
years. Immediately afterwards the PND engaged the
national debate on the democratization process, and
soon clashed with the governing Party, RPP (Rensemblement
Populaire pour le Progres. The PND refused to ratify
the new Constitution. According to the party: the new
constitution, 1) endowed the commander-in-Chief an
absolute power, 2) the majority rule in parliament for
single Party is undemocratic and unacceptable, 3) the
new Constitution does not give a true independence of
the Courts over the Executive Power. And we are back
in square one: one Party rule and for one man’s show
–or ego.
Yet again, Mr. Aden R. Awaleh was put under house
arrest while the government cut the electricity and
running water into his house; since there’s no prove
that he failed to pay his utility bills; but this has
always been one of the weapon, the Djiboutian
governments use to punish his political opponents. And
the PND leader was eventually thrown into jail - when
he simply rebuked the vague system that says: keep
your mouth shot and squander wherever you could grasp
or you might as well face isolation or
ex-communication. But, Aden did not back down, and
resisted as usual with dignity. He made a promise that
he will not run away any more; he rather die what he
believes.
It seems, though, now days, Mr. Awaleh has yet to
finish the next phase of the struggle: the nation
building process, which ought to be embodied on the
democratic principles - the rule of Law - that he and
others like himself belief and help initiated the
foundation over thirty years ago, once, the Republic
of Djibouti gained its freedom as a free Nation in
Jun, 27, 1977. Having said that, three decades later,
it appears to Mr. Awaleh that the dream has been
turning into nightmare under the leadership of
President Ismael O. Guelleh. With series of
interviews, particularly the BBCsomali: “We will not
accept a change from the constitution just to satisfy
one man’s ego”, he said. The saddest part of this
predicament, Mr. Aden and other Djiboutians wondered:
would Djibouti be around for the next decade or will
collapse like Somalia? The nation they sacrificed so
much through out of their whole lives seems to be
fading away in front of their eyes.
And once again, the old revolutionary challenges and
rejected the advances of the commander-in-Chief, Mr.
Ismael O. Guelleh and the ruling Party for the
Constitution. This time, the Head of the State and his
henchmen want to extend the term limit of the
Presidency into ‘THIRD TERMES’, instead of TWO TERMS.
Most of Mr. Awaleh’s peers and colleagues, however,
think that he must be a fool to give up once again his
position and privileges: the fruits of being part of
the elites - lavish live-style enjoyed the Cabinet
Ministers or Members of Parliament like himself. Yet
fancy cars and big houses, was never been important to
the Leader. And he never advocated violence in order
to overthrow the government of the President Ismael O.
Guelleh. The world will watch closely how this time
the Djiboutians will deal this Constitutional crisis
and the end of the term of Mr. Ismael O. Guelleh in
2011
Mr. Awaleh always wanted to empower and fight for his
people; he was never in for himself. As a true
patriot, he always worries for the good of the people.
Why would he suffer that much for so long; when he
could get it easily what others would die for it:
Higher position? And all he has to be -a Mister yes.
But he chose to put his people’s interest ahead of
his. The man is a hero and must be recognized the
sacrifices that he made for his country.
©
EsinIslam.Com
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