Somalia commemorates 77th anniversary of SYL amid endless divisions

GAROWE - Leaders from different political spectrum showered praises to defunct Somalia Youth League [SYL], an ideological nationalistic movement, which defined the country's politics during colonial and post-colonial periods under the leadership of Yasin Haji Osman.

Had it been operation today, SYL would have celebrated its 77th birthday, and perhaps the oldest post-independence Africa political party. Initially, it was called Somalia Youth Club, mainly comprising of youngsters from the Horn of Africa nation.

During the first national elections after independence, held on 30 March 1964, the SYL won an absolute majority of 69 of the 123 parliamentary seats. The remaining seats were divided among 11 parties. 

Five years from then, in general elections held in March 1969, the ruling SYL led by Mohammed Ibrahim Egal returned to power. However, in the same year, then President of Somalia Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was assassinated. 

A military coup quickly ensued, with Siad Barre now assuming leadership. Barre's Supreme Revolutionary Council [SRC] subsequently renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic, arrested members of the former government, banned political parties.

While the military regime was toppled in 1991, Somalia has struggled with inter-clan conflicts and violent extremism, which have technically made it impossible for the country to establish a functional government without resistance.

But the SYL ideologies have continued to inspire both young and old Somalis, who usually set aside their differences annually to commemorate the movement, which was the first-ever political party within the war-torn nation.

At Villa Somalia on Friday, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo urged residents to "reflect" on the good deeds by the movement and "build" a strong cohesive Somalia instead of "dragging the country to unnecessary chaos".

He added: "The nationalistic spirit should define our deeds. We have made mistakes over years as a nation but it's time we reconcile our minds and appreciate the Reality by supporting the government".

Similar messages unitary were issued by government critics who hailed the timeless philosophies of the SYL, some calling for resuscitation of the defunct movement for the sake of instilling the spirit of nationhood in Somalia.

"We can bury our differences are focus on the philosophies of SYL, which was a uniting figure in Somalia," said Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, adding that "it is not always late, we can push together". 

"I would like to salute the memory of these patriots. We remember their determination for the liberty and dignity of their nation, their devotion to Somali unity, and their commitment to seek independent democratic state," added Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, the leader of Wadajir party.

At the infant stages, SYL constituted of 13 members who spread its manifesto across Somalia, which would gain its independence in 1960. At some point, the party was the only solid vehicle for one to secure a political seat in Somalia.

The party enjoyed strong grassroots support due to the high number of recruiters across the country, some who voluntarily funded its activities, observed Faowzi Osman, whose grandfather Mohamed Abdirahman was a financier.

But despite its popularity among many Somalis, SYL is blamed by certain quarters of allegedly perpetuating impunity and seclusion in the country, thus working against its nationalistic mantra.

"Had the SYL been a movement for unity, justice and equality, it would have treated Somaliland fairly and Somalia, in general, would have been in better shape," former Somali envoy Mohamed Osman Omer said in 2012.

"In fact, the SYL has caused more harm than good to Somali national interest at the top of which the union of the first two of the Somali territories under the foreign rule which deserved the sacrifice of personal interest to safeguard it," adds Mohamed Abdullahi Duale, a government critic.

In Mogadishu, the country has collected many artifacts that are stored in the national museum, some which include photos of founding members of the SYL. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is a frequent visitor to the museum.

Somalia is expected to hold elections later on this year, in which Farmajo is expecting a solid competition from his predecessors Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who recently founded Forum for National Parties [FNP].

GAROWE ONLINE