Nelson Mandela was a great world leader who will be remembered for his leadership and wisdom inAfrica. As leader of the African National Congress, he worked to bridge tribal and ethnic differences inSouth Africain-order to achieve the first democratic government in 1994.

 Waagacusub.net - While economic and social problems endure, Mandela and the ANC were victorious in setting up a positive example to other African countries. In particular,Somaliais a nation that desperately needs to learn from what Mandela and the ANC achieved for their homeland, despite all the difficulties and setbacks.

During the 1970s and 1980s the Somali people and government offered support to

the African National Congress and other liberation movements inMozambique,ZimbabweandEritreain their struggles for emancipation. This support was noted by former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki in a statementin his first weekly newsletter for 2007,Africamust helpSomalia, published on the website of his party, African National Congress (ANC).Sadly, the Somali people after the fall the Siad Barre regime still find themselves in a hapless situation of statelessness, war, corruption, and poverty.

Worst, some African countries in the region are not only indifferent to this two decades of catastrophe, but are actively benefited from fueling Somali discord. Somali leaders have not been serious about saving their nation, instead they are robbing it and selling themselves for short profit in present, while endangering the collective future.

In the end, it is not the responsibility of Mandela or the South African government to save Somali from their problems. It is the Somali people—all of the armed groups and factions, as well as civilians and Diaspora communities—who must chose a different path, a collective path of peace, cooperation and national integrity.

Yet, the passing of one of the great African leaders of the 20^thcentury may offer a much needed re-assessment for Somali in 21^stcentury to look at how each and every man and woman in this nation can work for peace, justice and development. It is for the current African leaders inAddis Ababa,Nairobi, andKampalawho are heavily invested in theSomaliacatastrophe to work with the Somali people for reconstruction and not destruction.South Africaand other Islamic nations likeTurkeyshould advocate thatSomaliabe given its own independent political process. Perhaps, if we all learn from Madiba as a role model no African will hate and kill his brother and sister. Instead, we can all love and help each other enjoy the great potential of our lands. Victory Forever to Nelson Mandela and his dream!

By 

Dr. M. Omar Hashi