Through the Mind’s EyeSomalis and human traitorousness [Archives:2007/1051/Community]
Maged Thabet Al-Kholidy
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Somalia is currently a battleground for a power struggle, a battle whose consequences are suffered by the civilians. Death hunts common people not only in the form of stray bullets, but also in the form of starvation and disease. Yet in case they survived, a large number of the Somalis leave their homes in search of peace, and security. Only to face a bitter and worst form of death, through the 'peace' that some of them met in the way to the possible refuge- Yemen.
Though the Somalis might have heard about life difficulties here in Yemen, they find it a good place, or maybe the only option they have. There, at least they would not be strangers because they would find many other relatives or friends who have already come to Yemen during the previous Somalia wars.
The sea is the only possible means to reach Yemen. It's the smugglers' task to take them to the coasts of Yemen. The coasts are open. The sea is open too. Guarding the coasts, is the ministry of Interior, particularly the force of the coast-guards.
Sea is naturally traitorous, and the Somalis keep this in mind when they embark on the adventure seeking a better life. Accordingly prefer to they take the risk, accepting any consequences, rather than living among the dead corpses spread everywhere in streets of their country.
Actually, they expect the traitorousness of the sea taking it as a matter of fate. But they never thought about the 'traitorous' of the human beings. The smugglers take money for transporting the poor Somalis to the Yemeni coasts. But they throw them into the sea or beat them to death to take whatever they have so that they can make more money with less expense 'if any'.
Nobody knows what happens in the sea. It is only the waves overthrowing the dead corpses and sometimes 'skeletons' to the coasts that know the truth. It, however, remains a mystery since nobody knows the fact about the real number of persons drowned in the sea in comparison with the corpses and skeletons found.
The Somalis cannot be blamed. They are refugees. Also they do not expect such inhuman behaviors. The smugglers are not to be blamed too, because they are 'inhuman' to do so and it is vain to blame such 'inhuman creatures'. The sea also cannot be blamed because it knows nothing about that and it only acts upon its nature. On the contrary, it must be appreciated for throwing out the dead corpses to the coasts and shores.
There are others who directly or indirectly participate in this catastrophe. Smuggling human beings means that many other things are smuggled. So what is the role of the coat-guards? Is it to enjoy the sea view or to fish? Does the Yemeni government accept such refugees arbitrarily? Or is there is a corporation with organizations and official institutions that order the process of such a decampment?
Though my article started with the war in Somalia, the organizations whether human-rights or peace-keeping, etc have just started investigating the causes of death for those who have gone, and what is anticipated for those who are still waiting. And finally where is the Yemeni Interior Ministry that is supposed to guard the coasts of invaders and smugglers equally.
This is not a 'complain' against any of the mentioned parts. It is a mere call for them to realize the situation so that they 'may', (only may) rescue the other refugees, save Yemen from any human or social crisis. It is not, moreover, to find out solutions in words but in deeds and must be through the mind's eye.
Majed Thabet Al-kholidy is a writer from Taiz, currently doing his M.A. at English Dep, Taiz Uni. He is an ex-editor of English Journal of the University.
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