Delegations from Somalia and North Western State of Somalia Gather in Jigjiga for Somali Regional State Anniversary
Jigjiga (AX) – On a bright Thursday morning, amidst the buzz and hum of anticipation in the air, delegations from Somalia’s Federal Government and the self-declared independent state of North Western State of Somalia touched down in the bustling town of Jigjiga. Their arrival coincided with the celebrations marking the anniversary of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, a festivity as eagerly awaited as a tickled hangover of nostalgia intertwined with hope.
This gathering was no small affair. At the heart of it were notable figures such as Deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala, and the Deputy Minister of Petroleum, both traversing the skies to arrive at the animated Garaad Wiil-Waal Airport in Jigjiga. You could say they were received with the warmth equaled by the Ethiopian sun itself.
Meanwhile, percolating away from the limelight yet equally significant was North Western State of Somalia’s posse, led by none other than the industrious Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ali Hamud Jibriil, alongside the crusading Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Abdullahi Jama. Their journey took a pit stop at the border town of Wajaale – a way station where handshakes became a universal language – before their eventual sojourn to Jigjiga.
Why all the hullabaloo, you ask? Well, the Somali Regional State is celebrating its anniversary on January 23, a date stamped with significance back in 1993 when the region, cradled by the Ethiopian motherland, officially came into being. This has become a communal affair, drawing in not only regional figureheads but also members of the far-flung Somali diaspora – people with sand in their shoes, yearning for the rhythm of home.
Tracing back along memory lane, the genesis of the Somali Regional State had its epicenter in the city of Godey, led by the trailblazing Abdullahi Mohamed Sa’adi, the state’s inaugural helmsman. However, as the pages of history turned, the capital found a permanent resting place in Jigjiga, which today serves as the region’s bustling nerve center, a bee buzzing with endless activity.
Beyond the formalities, these gatherings are more like social mixers for policymakers and diplomats – a chance to grab a cup of Ethiopian coffee while hashing out weightier issues under the hazy sunlight. The jovial atmosphere is tinged with the solemn understanding that these dialogues hold the keys to regional cohesion and harmony. After all, isn’t it the ordinary folks on the streets who feel the ripple of political decisions?
Amidst the clamor of cultural performances and ceremonious speeches, one can’t help but reflect: what defines the enduring bonds between these regions, separated by history yet intertwined by the thread of a shared legacy? From the soulful tunes performed under the expansive desert sky to the hearty feasts laid upon robust wooden tables, these celebrations serve both as a nostalgic remembrance and a hopeful gaze towards collaborative futures.
And so, the attendees immerse themselves in the revelry, between the pomp and circumstance and the subtly woven diplomatic parleys that take place over a meal or a heartfelt chat. As Jigjiga gaily mirrors the lively soul of its visitors, one is reminded of a whimsical thought: in the grand tapestry of life, it’s these shared stories and moments of genuine connection that weave the most vibrant patterns.
For all their political gravitas, these meetings are still peppered with good-natured banter and the odd playful jest – perhaps an attestation that diplomacy doesn’t always need to be ‘all work and no play’. There’s a charm in the way humanity permeates these corridors of power, bringing warmth to the most official of gatherings.
As the sun begins to set, painting the sky with hues only the African dusk could evoke, the diplomats and leaders steadily blend into the tapestry of Jigjiga’s annual celebrations, handshakes cementing promises and perhaps, just perhaps, a brighter tomorrow.
Report By Axadle
