Carmichael Man Speaks on Famine in Somalia

Q & A with Fuad Abdalla Abdo Fitini

BySeth Sandronsky

 

Fuad Abdalla Abdo Fitini, 55, is a computer network engineer who has lived in Carmichael since August 2008. He was born in Burao in Somaliland in eastern Africa, part of Somalia.

Fitini arrived in the U.S. as a foreign student in January 1980, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the State University of New York-Long Island and a bachelor’s degree in information technology from DeVry University. He returned to Somaliland in November 1985.

Somalia’s drought, famine and war are exacting a grim toll on its youngest residents. According to UNICEF, 50 percent of children in Somalia are malnourished. The United Nations refugee agency said an average of 100 children five years old and under have died during the past 90 days. Fitini spoke with Carmichael Patch about himself and conditions in Somalia via email and phone recently.

Carmichael Patch: What brought you to the U.S.?

Fuad Abdalla Abdo Fitini: Back home it was difficult to enroll in Somalia’s few colleges. To get a seat in any college you have to be related to those who are in the “Who is Who list.” The main reason for this was there were 25,000 high school graduates trying to enroll in three colleges which can accept about 500 students each.

CP: What is the most important thing for Patch readers to know about the current drought, famine and war in Somalia?

FAAF: Our main problem is lack of honest and patriotic leaders. Somalia has a lot of natural resources which can contribute to development of the country as well as great weather averaging 75 degrees through the whole year which can also contribute to our development a great deal.

We have the largest sea coast in Africa (approximately 3,000 miles). We are also one of the leading livestock exporters in Africa. Underground natural resources including oil and uranium were discovered a long time ago.

Therefore, with all these, our people should not be in this situation. Our country has been robbed by greedy selfish individuals I don’t call them leaders because if they were leaders at least they would make some progress. As you know for about 20 years there was no successful central government in Somalia.

CP: If you have communicated with family and friends, what are they saying about the crisis in Somalia?

FAAF: Somaliland, where I came from, is seeking recognition from the international community for reclaiming their sovereignty back from Somalia after the unification of July 1, 1960. Then, Somaliland and Somalia gained their independence from Britain and Italy, respectively. Somalilanders are not having the problems that are happening in the southern part of Somalia. Factions are fighting and people are dying. I have no one to communicate (with) in order to get any information about the situation. But these people who are suffering are my fellow Somalis and their situation upsets me.

CP: What were the conditions of life and work in Somali, especially for farmers and fishers, before the current emergency?

FAAF: Everything collapsed after the civil war started 1990. Killings, bombings and kidnappings became normal procedures. I believe the current situation is like putting the final nail in the coffin.

CP: Who is al-Shabab, “The Youth,” resistance movement in Somalia?

FAAF: After the collapse of the old regime of Mr. Siyad Barre in 1991, everybody is trying to take over the country so he can be the future dictator whether they are linked to tribes, warlords or religious groups like al-Shabab.

CP: What is al-Shabab’s conflict with Somalia’s transitional government?

FAAF: Al-Shabab wants to rule Somalia and make it an Islamist state. The transitional government wants to establish a democratic system.

CP: What is the role of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and You Tube in Somalia now?

FAAF: All are mostly non-existent because those who mostly use these sites can not. Kids who were 1-10 years old in 1990 have not gone to school because of the civil war (1990-now).

CP: How many Somali-Americans live in Carmichael?

FAAF: I think about 20-25 Somali-American families live in the Sacramento region and maybe around four families in Carmichael.

CP: How can people learn more about and get involved with Somalia relief and solidarity activity?

FAAF: By going to the websites of ABC or CNN. But I am unaware of Somalia relief agencies. (A New York Times list of aid groups helping famine victims in east Africa is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/03/world/africa/03famine-how-to-help.html?ref=africa).