Fahima Quuje Returns: Politics Has a Short Memory

Fahima Quuje Returns: Politics Has a Short Memory


Fahima Quuje’s return to Hargeisa has caused both celebration and anger.

Somaliland government officials welcomed her as a major political prize. Only a few years ago, however, she was one of the most visible supporters of the Dhulbahante-led struggle against Somaliland forces in Laascaanood. Videos showed her on the front line, and many Somalilanders also accuse her of filming or participating in the humiliation of captured Somaliland soldiers.

So while ministers welcomed her with smiles, flowers and speeches, some people were asking:

“Did everyone suddenly forget the old videos?”

In her Hargeisa speech, Fahima said circumstances had forced her to stand with her tribe after the government committed injustices against them. She insisted that the government should be held accountable for what happened and said she had nothing to apologise for.

In other words, she has returned to Somaliland—but not with an apology.

Her position appears to be:

“I am back, but I was not wrong.”

That has created an awkward situation. The government wants to present her return as a political victory, while many ordinary Somalilanders—particularly soldiers and their families—still remember her role during the war.

Fahima has changed political sides, resigned from the Waqooyi Bari parliament and returned to Somaliland, where senior officials gave her a highly public welcome.

Fahima Quuje is back—but judging by the public reaction, the argument she left behind has returned with her.


We would like to hear your take. Share your opinions in the comments.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Days and Nights

 The days and nights blend into one another, seamlessly and without bother. We walk, we talk, we plan our course yet, we remain clueless, unaware of what lies ahead. There is always a plan greater than anything we can comprehend. The Greatest of Planners arranges our affairs while we sleep. Some of these plans may trouble us, challenge us, or make little sense at first. We say life is tough, but the wisest among us know that hardship is a necessity, not a mistake. Still, the days and nights blend together quietly, effortlessly. We hurt, we hurry, we hustle. We build castles in the sky and forget that sooner or later, we all return to the same earth. “Six feet under” is a phrase we pretend doesn’t apply to us, though our hearts know the truth. We jump onto the rollercoaster of life, experiencing its exhilarating highs and its sobering lows. Yet again, the days and nights merge without hesitation. We laugh, we cry, and we carry on. Yet deep down, we resist the reality that all good t...
Read more

The Nomad– A Dying Breed

The Nomad: A Dying Breed Central Somalia – The road from Galkayo begins with tarmac but soon gives way to gravel, and eventually, to dusty paths carved out by tires and camel hooves. The vast sky above and the sparse, open terrain signal the start of nomad territory. This is the land of herders, where life has long followed the rhythm of the seasons and the slow, patient movement of livestock. Camels drift across the horizon like ancient sentinels. A few herders crouch beside thorn enclosures or guide their goats with practiced ease. The scene is timeless, but also increasingly rare. “Ten years ago, this whole area was full of tents and herds,” says Hussein, a weathered herder I meet near a shallow well. His hands are calloused, his words deliberate. “Now, even my own sons have gone to the town. They say there is nothing for them here.” Throughout my journey, this theme repeats itself. Young men and women are leaving the countryside in growing numbers, drawn to the promise of city life...
Read more

Ethiopia's Strategic Gambit

Ethiopia's Strategic Gambit: Navigating Territorial Ambitions and Political Influence in Somalia If Ethiopia indeed moves toward recognizing Somaliland's independence, the repercussions could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa significantly. Such a decision would not only affect Ethiopia's relations with Somalia but could also alter the diplomatic and strategic alignments in the region. Ethiopia's relationship with Somalia is complex, shaped by historical conflicts, territorial disputes, and strategic interests. A critical aspect of this relationship is Ethiopia's long-standing interest in accessing the sea since becoming landlocked in 1993, following Eritrea's acquisition of its coastal territory upon gaining independence. This strategic interest has sometimes been viewed as driving Ethiopia's involvement in Somali affairs, potentially including ambitions to exert influence over Somali territorial waters. Strategic Interests in Somali ...
Read more