Abdimalik Oldoon– a popular journalist and a community activist- has been in jail in Somaliland for almost two years now. Oldoon has been allegedly convicted in spreading false information about the Somaliland government led by the iron fist Musse Bihi. While some others claim that Mr. Oldoon has been targeted, accused and brokered his jail by a suspicious boarding school with the name of Abarso by accusing him that he spread false propaganda about the school. In any way, Mr. Oldoon is in jail for accessing his freedom of rights by expressing his ideas and thoughts.
Oldoon is a well-known icon in all the Somali regions. He was not only a journalist but also a helper for the helpless and a voice for the voiceless. He was an outspoken man who never shied away from revealing the truth and facts behind the headlines. Mr. Oldoon always went beyond the lines to find out the burning issues concerning the ignored communities. The first time I was pressed to watch his programs was when he selflessly reported the Ethiopian massacre on JAMAC DUBBAD village and surrounding areas. This area is located in Somalia-Ethiopia border. And after local nomadic clans between the two sides fought over livestock fodder, the Ethiopian army crossed the Somali border and indiscriminately shelled the civilians while burning almost all their houses. No news network in the region reported all those events until Mr. Oldoon and his crew voluntarily reached the area and reported the facts. It was a risk-taking and life-dedicating approach as he opted to report news that all other news channels did not want to report.
However, Oldoon did not stop there as he became the first whistle blower who shaded light on the infamous JAIL OGADEN scandal where hundreds of Somali people were tortured, humiliated and abused. That disclosure alone had an incredibly enormous impact on the occupied Somali region after it prompted international condemnation and finally resulted to oust the whole regime responsible for that prison outrage.
On the other side, Mr. Oldoon has been carrying out fund raising campaigns to help the poor and most vulnerable people. His humanitarian campaigns helped thousands of people in which the Somaliland government could have been proud had it been them who provided or even contributed to his humanitarian projects. Mr. Oldoon always targeted the needy individuals and families who had no help or ignored. He became the closest relative, friend and companion to thousands of people who sent a rallying cry to the president of Somaliland to offer a pardon and release Mr. Oldoon who was their only hope of getting enough food on the table for this holy month of Ramadan.
So far that rallying call seems to have fallen into deaf ears as Mr. Oldoon still remains locked in a cell with no one taking care of his deteriorating health conditions. Hundreds of prisoners had been released from the Somaliland jails amid the outbreak of the pandemic Corona Virus, but the activist who deserved that pardon most is still in jail and suffering.
It’s really outrageous to think back what led the current Somaliland president to defect and rebel against the then Somali government in 1980s. His defection yielded the breakaway of the current unrecognized Somaliland from the greater Somalia. Bihi- the current Somaliland president cited oppressive behavior, human rights violations and denying freedoms of expressions and ideas as deriving factors of their defection and thus his regime is doing the same or worse today to Oldoon who until now has not done anything wrong except practice his rights and freedoms.
Likewise, the suspicious Abarso School, which is allegedly behind Oldoon’s strict jail sentence, accused Mr. Oldoon of spreading false reports against them. The reports in question contain controversial pictures and incidents recorded in the school which shaded light on the genuine mission of the school and the real donors of the school as well as their agenda.
What the school actually does and what is the agenda of the school’s donors is a discussion for another day but my point here lies to some of the fans of the school. Anderson Cooper, a famous CNN reporter and a well-known gay activist is one of the diehard fans of Abarso School; he paid a visit to the school several times and had offered his share of help to the school. Mr. Cooper is renowned for his outspoken and bold attitude when speaking on the cable network. He accesses his rights of expression to the fullest and yet the school he financially and morally supports is trying to oppress Oldoon for his rights of expression and ideas. We are not sure if Mr. Cooper is aware of these unfolding incidents or not but whether he does or not, his school’s actions towards Mr. Oldoon can be reflected on Contradiction at the highest level.
Finally, along the last few years, Somaliland governments have been tirelessly trying to earn an international recognition but their leaders should know that it’s basically like these small details of protecting one’s freedoms and rights which matter most under their desperate chase.
Abdimalik Muse Oldoon-The helper needs help and freedom!
Mohamed Yonis