“Kindly accept my meager contribution to the Awdal/Salal drought relief fund” Jamal Ali
Contributions to Awdal/Salal Drought Relief fund can be made either directly or through e-cash-ZAAD account #4587330
By: Yusuf M Hasan
BORAME (Somalilandsun) – The government has been asked to urgently consider establishing a drought relief fund.
Mr. Jamal Ali Hussein asked for the creation of such a fund during a meeting with the Awdal/Salal regions drought relief fund committee in Borame where he made a personal contribution of $5000. The youth politician said that the donation was made on a humanitarian basis thus had no political strings attached.
Mr. Jamal who commiserated with the drought affected residents of Lughaya and Gargaara districts said that despite his meager contribution, he will further support the relief fund committee by initiating a worldwide drought relief appeal.
The youthful politician who is the current though disputed leader and presidential candidate of UDUB, the main opposition political party, returned to the country last week from his base in Dar-salaam, where he acts as the Citibank country director for Tanzania.
The Awdal/Salal regions drought relief fund committee which was established last week following a meeting of traditional leaders from the area has also attracted the attention of Guurti elders, who agreed to prioritize drought relief activities during a session this week.
The drought relief fund has so far received a substantial contributions from Somalilanders of all walks of life, mostly through e-cash after the committee acquired a ZAAD account #4587330 operated by Telesom Company. Contributions beginning from $0.25 to millions can be made through the ZAAD account.
While thanking Jamal Ali On behalf of the fund’s committee Chief Abdi Egge Sal-sal, also welcomed the politician to Awdal and Salal regions where he was promised full support once the time for politicking ripens.
The chief also extended the residents appreciation for all donations made towards alleviating the four years drought that has not only devastated the livelihoods but the health of Lughaya and Gargaara districts.
Mr. Jamal Ali Hussein who was accompanied to Borame by senior politician and former minister of education Hon Hasan Haji Mahmoud “Gadweine” and other UDUB notables has since his return emphasized on the need to end wrangles with the former ruling party and turn a new leaf.
Controversy within the UDUB party that has seen a fall-out between ex-president Hon Dahir Rayale Kahin and former Vice president Ahmed Yusuf, who are party chair and deputy respectively, ensued after the party split into two factions.
The split which ultimately led to a case that was judged in favour of Hon Dahir Rayale by the high court sitting in Hargeisa recently ensued after Ahmed Yusuf Yasin fronted the Selection of Jamal of party flag bearer. The selection which was then based on criteria agreed upon by the party’s central committee resulted in presidential contender Ali Waran’ade splitting with a sizeable chunk of senior functionaries.
On his return to the country Ex-president Rayale is said to have asked party stalwarts to forget about leadership positions and concentrate on campaign for the party to secure one of the three official political party positions after imminent local council elections.
Mr. Jamal Ali who is favoured by most UDUB party adherents is the mostly likely leader to help the party regain prominence in national politics after its 2010 presidential election fiasco that saw it lose heavily to Silanyo’s Kulmiye, despite being then then ruling party.
The viability of Jamal Ali Hussein though tainted by the support of Ahmed Yusuf which most claim emanates from clan affiliation, is anticipated by most Somalilanders even those in other parties, who have shown an indication that they will vote for the youthful politician and international banker.
