Faysal Roble is a Somali intellectual and a seasoned writer, but he is the epitome of Somali tribalism. He has contributed to Somali intellectual literature and participated in innumerable political and social discourses. Although I do not personally know Mr. Roble, I have read many of his articles and long essays. He critically analyzes selected topics with partiality.
Faysal Roble’s biased attitude defames his professionalism and intellectual integrity. When emphasizing his Somali patriotism and nationalistic roots, he often brags about his paternal and maternal clans (Geri and Jidwaaq), two clans with a long history of traditional Garaads (chieftainship). In his speeches and writings, he refrains from using the name Jidwaaq and uses Bartire, a sub-clan of Jidwaaq. In other words, he equates Bartire, from which his mother hails, with Geri, his paternal clan. That is the engineer’s moral conduct and integrity.
Instead of saying Jidwaaq, he elects to say Bartire, Abasguul, or Yabaree. Mr. Roble knows that these are branches, not the collective name. But it is no wonder because he is in line with those who get goosebumps when they hear the name “Jidwaaq”. During Abdi-iley’s reign, it was an indictable offence for people to use the name Jidwaaq. Like Faysal Roble, Abdi-iley liked hearing the names Abasguul, Bartire, Yabare, but not Jidwaaq. Jidwaaq branches out to Bartire and Roble ( Abasguul and Yabaree). The name Abasguul is a nickname for Roble, meaning Roble and Abasguul refer to the same person. Nonetheless, the Yabaree prefer to be called “Yabaree”, not Abasguul. The Dulmi-Diid movement, which had been simmering for many years and eventually took momentum in late 2018, dusted off the name Jidwaaq and returned it to its glory.
Faysal Roble avoids using the name Jidwaaq to belittle the clan’s weight, though he knows the clan is a force to reckon with. This clan is a reality on the ground, both in the Somali region and in Somalia. And he knows this fact, but tries to ignore it. Mr. Roble is the epitome of tribalism and is prejudiced and biased against “Jidwaaq”. Hierarchically, Bartire and Geri cannot be equated because the former is a sub-clan. Even Geri and Jidwaaq cannot be paralleled. Absame and Geri are hierarchically parallel and are first cousins.
It is unbecoming of Mr. Roble to ignore the name “Jidwaaq” and use sub-clan names. Let his tongue learn how to pronounce the name “Jidwaaq”. Jigjiga is the main base for the clan.