Despite Ahmed Dirie’s brief public service history, he accomplished what few other man achieved in all civilizations. Ahmed Dirie revived the ever diminish Somali-esteem and pride by standing up against a brutal enemy with unfettered support from the only supper power, United States of America. At first glance, Ahmed Dirie seemed a very fragile and naïve individual as he was not a heavy build/muscular and highly educated man.

However, time and again, he has proven to be a leader of high sophistications with integrity and respect for others. In his capacity as a Somali elder (traditional leader), he represented all Somalis and Somalia very well with his nationalistic deeds and resistance against the Ethiopian aggression and occupation.

Indeed, Mr. Dirie is regarded as the Nelson Mandela & Mohandas Gandhi of Somalia. Some of the resemblances Mr. Dirie shares with Nelson Mandela & Mohandas Gandhi could be summed up to their tenaciousness and desire to help liberate their oppressed people peacefully with no regard to the price. Moreover, they, Nelson, Gandi & Dirie, didn’t only face national traitors/collaborator but also communities that was divided over how to go about the liberation of their respective countries.

For a hero to sprinkle a hope, he would not only have to work for others selflessly but risk everything including his precious life. Repeatedly, Mr. Dirie acknowledged the risk of his undertaking yet resolved and was determined to stay on the course. Of course, Ahmed Dirie lost his life defending the principles of human rights and dignity. Mr. Dirie helped establish a peaceful, grass-root, robust liberation movement and strong voice for the occupied Somalis to demand their basic human rights and freedom to choose.

When no one else couldn’t dare, he to stood up for the victims and criticize the Ethiopian occupier’s massive killings, rapes, tortures, etc, against innocent Somalis. As his close associates would tell you, he refused to be silenced with money or treats of losing his life. Rather, he chose to expose Ethiopia’s ill intended mission in Somalia contrary to the international community’s ‘it doesn’t concern us and don’t care attitude’.

Rightly so, Plato once argued “I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work”. For there is ‘no free lunch’ in the world, Somalis must not only continue with Ahmed Dirie legacy but double their efforts until it pears fruit. Somalis must unite to confront this unruly and inhuman enemy. Additionally, Somalis must demand answer from the international community, governments and non-governmental institution. In broad daylight, innocent Somalis have been indiscriminately massacred, raped and looted. The very little that survived was displaced then macerated/emaciate.

The international community has again and again failed Somalis miserably. Ernesto 'Che' Guevara was quoted to have said “If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine”. No better occasion to come out and be responsible once in a lifetime. The international community, United Nations and alike, must step up and stop the endless suffering of innocent Somalis, stop abuses of international laws and treaties, stop the suppression of the freedom of speech/freedom of the press, stop continue detention of the political prisoner without due process. Most importantly, the international community must hold responsible on all of these responsible for crimes committed against Somalis and humanity. Particularly, Ahmed Dirie’s, Melez & Abdullahi Yusuf, killer must be brought to justice.

Source:globalpolitician.com