S.A.N.U   Banadiri political party

Somali African National Union

   12 October, 2002           To: All WHO are interested on Somalia

Let   IGAD  Cancel  the  word  "OTHERS"

 As we know , the Igad  regional organization is organizing a so called reconciliation meeting  for the   Somalis in Eldoret, Kenya, on October 15,2002, It seems that IGAD is turning away from the internationally accepted value of respecting the human being , whether he/she belongs to a minority group or majority. While nominating some somalis as "OTHERS". Igad has already decided to differentiate the people as members and non-members of the Somali nation.  

 According to the news coming from well informed source , nearer to the organizers of the so called Somali reconciliation meeting, the participants will be divided in to (4) four major groups  plus the "OTHERS" in contradiction to ( article, 2) of the Universal Declaration of  Human Rights, which says:  "No distinction shall be made on the bases of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty".

It is painful that the word OTHERS is still being used since the first meeting between the Somalis , held in JABUTI  in 1991. It is also strange that the word is accepted and propagated by international organizations,  like Igad, which had to be careful not to create more hatred and humiliation.

 As it's said , history repeats it self. It is well known that the outcome of the first Jabuti  meeting was more fighting and destruction. And the cause for that was the denial of the rights of big part of the Somali people, including the Benaadiris.

And again , the latest and well publicized conference for the Somalis , held in Arta, JABUTI bouti, 2000, brought nothing else than conflicts. The Benaadiri community was treated badly during both meetings. In the last one, some members of Benaadiri politicians were deported  by the government of JABUTI, when requested fair treatment and division of participants in the conference. The deportees were thrown on a plane to Mogadishu. But fortunately , with God's assistance, on their transit rout through Hargeisa airport they were well received by the authority in SOMALILAND, which treated them in a humanly and brotherly manner.

In conclusion, we request the international community and organizations, such as, UNO, Arab League, African Union, European Union and USA, as well as other Human rights agencies , interested on Somalia to cancel the word "OTHERS" to be used as a title for a group  or groups  in Somalia, and to give due rights to those who prefer the peaceful cohabitation in Somalia, like the Benaadiri Community.

Your collaboration would be very much appreciated.

Best Regards

Dr.Abdulkadir Sufi (Muriidigolf )
Vice Chairman of  SANU
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.geocities.com/sanubanadiri