“Implementation of a law prohibiting any form of discrimination against the rights of persons with disabilities.”
Somaliland’s Disabilities advocate Jama Ibrahim Awad has asked the President of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Abdirahman-Irro) to appoint him as the President’s adviser on Somaliland’s disability issues.
A senior scholar, Jama Ibrahim Awad, who is one of the disabled people in Somaliland, especially those who were lucky enough to get an education in the past, sent a message to the President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Adirahman-Irro) who pointed out that people with disabilities who have the same rights and rights as other people who have rights and who have full representation in the new government of national interest, as a result, Jama who is a scholar with experience and work experience of several thirty year, he kindly asked his president to appoint him as the President’s adviser on Somaliland’s disability issues. to eliminate the previous lack of connection between people with disabilities and their president.
An open letter containing the message of a senior scholar, Jama Ibrahim Awad, to the new President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi, a copy of which reached the #HayaanNews website today, in detail it reads as follows:
“Today, which is the 8th of January 2025, I am sending a message to the President of JSL, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro. Mr. President, my name is Jama Ibrahim Awed. I am one of the disabled people of JSL who were lucky enough to study early.
I have a university degree. I specialize in community development projects and the protection of human rights. I have 30 years of work experience. I have worked in International Organizations, National and Government Organizations and I have been a consultant. In addition to these jobs, campaigning for the rights of disabled people was one of my most important jobs that I worked as a volunteer during Somaliland’s existence.
In any case, since 2017, I have been part of the Wadani party led by you, devoting my time to help the Wadani party win the government of the country so that the changes I wanted come true. As a disabled person and a man with children who needs money to manage the life and education of his children, I still endured the situation of unemployment, believing that when you win the position, I will enter the good days that I expected to come.
Unfortunately, since the day we won the office, every possible way has been used to deliver my CV or my message or to meet you, which I have the right to do as other citizens have the right. Unfortunately it was not possible for me due to the discrimination we have always faced and the circumstances of my disability.
Therefore, I saw that the independent press that I am talking to today is the only way that I can convey my message to you as president. Mr. President, the message I am conveying to you here is to tell you that I will not be unemployed even for a day, a month or more after today because I am responsible for a large family with many children who need life and education. I am
In order for me to have a job opportunity to meet my children’s living and educational needs, I respectfully request you to do one of 2 things as soon as possible:
1) To appoint me as the President’s Adviser on JSL Disability issues. This is a position that we as disabled people did not have before. President Muse Bihi appointed a late one of us who passed away recently and the term of your presidency was vacant. I consider myself to be the most knowledgeable person who can work with you to make a big difference in the lives of people with disabilities during your tenure.
Mr. President, If you appoint me to this position, I will help your government to ensure the following during your tenure:
- That Somaliland fully prevent all things that cause Disability which is increasing day by day the number of people with disabilities.
- Development of quality rehabilitation and health services that enable people with disabilities to participate fully in all social, economic and political issues.
- Creating environments and facilities that people with disabilities can use as easily as others to participate in all the opportunities that exist in our country.
- Implementation of legislation prohibiting any form of discrimination against the rights of persons with disabilities.
- Development of education for disabled people so that all schools and universities in our country can accommodate disabled and non-disabled people equally in the future.
- The establishment and implementation of the Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which will be the National Agency responsible for all disability issues in the future.
- Access to justice before the law as people with disabilities will have access to lawyers who can use sign language for the hearing impaired.
- Strengthening the organizations of disabled people to advocate for their rights and help those in need.
Mr. President, I am very worried that the change that you led and I elected you will remove the position appointed by the recently deposed president, Muse Bihi Abdi. This position was a long struggle for us if we are disabled.
We consider this important position to enable us to connect with the presidency if we are disabled people. Mr. President, we are very worried that the change you led will eliminate the only position we have as disabled people, which was the President’s Commissioner for Disability Affairs. This issue became apparent to us when you recently appointed Mujahid Ali Gurey as your adviser on social issues, including disability issues.
Mr. President, do you want your social affairs advisor to be your general practitioner of all social concerns of Somaliland including health, education, justice, disability and many other issues. How can one person advise you on all these issues.
Mr. President, I recommend that you appoint me as your adviser on disability issues because I am the person who knows what the disabled need and how to deal with their issues.
- If the president does not make it possible for you and you want everyone in your government to represent the tribe as is our tradition, I am asking you to appoint me to be one of the general directors or other positions in other organizations that you will appoint in the near upcoming future. All in all, I propose to you to appoint me as one of the Director Generals of your Government to represent my Clan called “Sacadyoonis), which you have not yet appointed any position to them so far.”
Mr. Jama Ibrahim Awed.
Advocate of People with Disabilities of Somaliland
Disability Inclusion Technical Expert
Mobile: +252-634470179