MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 11 2012 (Garowe Online) – Yusuf Garaad
Omar a veteran journalist, gave an exclusive interview to Radio Garowe where he
stated that he is leaving the BBC to throw his hat in the upcoming elections
for parliament and President, Garowe Online reports.
Yusuf has been working in journalism for the past 30 years
and has been working with BBC Somali for the last 12 years, speaking with Radio
Garowe said that he has enough insight given his extensive career covering
Somalia.
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| Yusuf Garaad Omar |
“I might not be a politician but as a journalist covering Somalia
I have been seeing and hearing about the plight of Somalia for the past 20
years and I’ve been interviewing top officials from the Somali government over
the years and have seen were they have done well and where they have gone wrong,”
said Yusuf.
Yusuf arrived in Mogadishu on Friday after leaving the BBC
last week, although Yusuf has not officially announced his running for
President, reports indicate that he is a prominent candidate in the Hiil Qaran
political party. Radio Garowe asked if he had ambitions to become Hiil Qaran’s
leader and president elect.
“I’m not in the Hiil Qaran party; I do have many colleagues
in that political party, but I’m currently not in that party. I just want to
change the current situation Somalia is in, if I will run for office or member of
parliament, I still haven’t decided but my goal for now is to go back to
Somalia and to assist in rebuilding the country,” said Yusuf Garaad.
“The problems facing Somali youth in terms of unemployment
and poor education the problems facing the large amount of underprivileged Somalis
is what I want to change,” added Garaad.
Adan Soyaal our Radio Garowe interviewer, asked Mr. Garaad
what he would do to curb the series of attacks on journalists working in
Somalia.
“Since I have been a journalist for most of my natural life
these killings have seriously touched me. However you cannot solve cases on
emotion but you need solid investigations that organize the community and
journalists so they can speak to authorities freely, and discuss their issues,”
said Garaad.
Mr. Soyaal asked Yusuf what his first steps would be when he
arrives in Somalia.
“My first step is consultation; I will consult other Somalis
if my ideas can be turned in to solid solutions for Somalis and where I need to
change my approach to help my people. Maybe even a political adviser to the
President elect.
“However my profession is journalism so one of my ideas is
that I could teach at one of the many schools and universities across Somalia,”
said Mr. Garaad.
Garaad’s return to Somalia has ignited many supporters, who
have been listening to the famous journalist over the past years and his
supporters believe he should throw his hat in the upcoming presidential elections.
GAROWE ONLINE
