Gedo is the most blessed land in Somalia
Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:32 pm
Gedo is probably more peaceful today than anywhere else in Somalia yet the Gedo diaspora community does not visit their towns and cities nearly as much as diaspora communities from other regions in Somalia. What could have possibly caused this ‘problem’ and how can we fix it. Is there a general lack of interest for the region by its diaspora community and if so what could have possibly caused this. The furthest anyone from this region living outside of Africa will go to get to Gedo is Nairobi. It is a sad thing but it is the truth and it is something that needs to be addressed.
I would like the to see more people visit the region in particular and Somalia in general and more money being infused into the local economy. One of the problems I have noticed that may contribute to this lack of interest of interest for the diaspora community to go back to the region has to do with the residents of Gedo region. Whenever I personally attempted to go back to visit Gedo myself, the response from my relatives and friends back home has always been “why”? They would ask me why I would want to visit a place like Somalia. They would try to discourage me as much as possible from going to Gedo.
It is not that they believe that my life would actually be in danger in Gedo as it is currently the most peaceful region in Somalia but because everyone wants to leave Somalia and someone wanting to come back to a place they themselves want to flee does not just make sense in their sense. At least that is what I think is causing to react in such manner to I disclosing my desire to visit there to them. All the young Somali teenagers and some of adults want to leave Somalia for the west. They don’t know much about the west but they do know that they have relatives who are able to come and visit them and they want the same thing. They don’t understand the greater ramifications of their actions in discouraging their relatives from visiting the region.
Another issue that may be contributing to the lack of tourists in the region may have to do with the foreign policy of western nations concerning Somalia. Gedo happens to be among the regions currently controlled by Al Shabab and because of that any Somali native from this region who desires to visit his relatives will risk being labelled an Al Shabab supporter or a terrorist. Many young men and women are discouraged by their parents and relatives from going back to Somalia to either visit there or just vacation because of this fear. It is unfortunate and a price the region has to pay because of bad politics that does not benefit any.
All in all, I want to encourage the people of Gedo to go back home and visit your region. Contribute to the rebuilding of the town and cities. Infuse money into the local economy by spending your hard earned money there instead of Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Invest there by building hotels, hospitals, schools and other organizations that will provide much needed services to our people. Anyone who wants to visit Gedo is also welcome to do so and don’t believe all the negative propaganda about the region being unsafe. It is more safe than most major cities in the United States
I would like the to see more people visit the region in particular and Somalia in general and more money being infused into the local economy. One of the problems I have noticed that may contribute to this lack of interest of interest for the diaspora community to go back to the region has to do with the residents of Gedo region. Whenever I personally attempted to go back to visit Gedo myself, the response from my relatives and friends back home has always been “why”? They would ask me why I would want to visit a place like Somalia. They would try to discourage me as much as possible from going to Gedo.
It is not that they believe that my life would actually be in danger in Gedo as it is currently the most peaceful region in Somalia but because everyone wants to leave Somalia and someone wanting to come back to a place they themselves want to flee does not just make sense in their sense. At least that is what I think is causing to react in such manner to I disclosing my desire to visit there to them. All the young Somali teenagers and some of adults want to leave Somalia for the west. They don’t know much about the west but they do know that they have relatives who are able to come and visit them and they want the same thing. They don’t understand the greater ramifications of their actions in discouraging their relatives from visiting the region.
Another issue that may be contributing to the lack of tourists in the region may have to do with the foreign policy of western nations concerning Somalia. Gedo happens to be among the regions currently controlled by Al Shabab and because of that any Somali native from this region who desires to visit his relatives will risk being labelled an Al Shabab supporter or a terrorist. Many young men and women are discouraged by their parents and relatives from going back to Somalia to either visit there or just vacation because of this fear. It is unfortunate and a price the region has to pay because of bad politics that does not benefit any.
All in all, I want to encourage the people of Gedo to go back home and visit your region. Contribute to the rebuilding of the town and cities. Infuse money into the local economy by spending your hard earned money there instead of Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Invest there by building hotels, hospitals, schools and other organizations that will provide much needed services to our people. Anyone who wants to visit Gedo is also welcome to do so and don’t believe all the negative propaganda about the region being unsafe. It is more safe than most major cities in the United States
