Mohamed Sirad Dolal
| Mohamed Sirad Dolal | |
|---|---|
| Foreign Affairs Secretary of ONLF | |
|
In office 1998–2006 | |
| Preceded by | Abdirahman Mahdi |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1955 Qabri Dahar, Ogaden |
| Died | 2009 |
| Nationality | Ogadeni-British |
| Alma mater | Somali National University London School of Economics University of Leeds |
| Occupation | Academic, Political Activist |
Dr. Mohamed Sirad Dolal was an academic and a member of the central committee and executive council of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), a liberation movement in Ogaden determined to free its homeland from Ethiopia.
Early life and education
Dr. Mohamed Sirad Dolal was born and raised in Qabri Dahar, Qorahay Province, in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.
He completed his formative education in his birthplace of Qabri Dahar. He graduated from Medhane-Alem High School in Harar in 1972. He also earned Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from his undergraduate studies at the premier Somali National University (SNU) in Afgoye, Somalia. He later went onto graduate school, where he earned a Master of Arts (MA) degree at the London School of Economics (LSE) in England in 1991 and finally received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) at the University of Leeds in Leeds, England.
Career
In 1973, he started first work at Ethiopian Water Authority Agency. He left the work in June 1977, when the Ogaden War erupted in the region, at which time he joined treacherous Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF). He was wounded in the battle at Goray in 1978, from Harar, Goray is the second village close to Jigjiga after Dhagaxle, where he almost lost his right hand.
During his stay in Somalia, he was regularly involved in efforts to secede in an illegal way from Ethiopia. He also was a college lecturer and practicing social science researcher, who had frequently undertaken field trips across Somalia from Baydhaba to Bossasso, Kismayo to Mogadishu.
On January 17, 2009, Dr. Dolal’s life ended, when he was wounded, captured and executed along with several of his colleagues by Ethiopian Army in Dhanan, Ogaden.
He was based out of London, England and had been survived by his wife and six children.
Memory Poems
Ogaden heroes don’t die,
Wake up Doc ones more prove them wrong, I know you can hear me, tell them, cowards, Ogaden heroes don’t die,
My head spins in sorrow disbelieve, No human-being can dare parade a body in torment, They are shallow animals awaiting termination, Undignified of their callous exploit,
Wake up Doc ones more prove them wrong, I know you can hear me, tell them, cowards, Ogaden heroes don’t die,
Brave men like you are indispensable, A whole nation is engulfed in your loss, Our heart and soul are always with you, Forever indebted to your service,
Wake up Doc ones more prove them wrong, I know you can hear me, tell them, Cowards, Ogaden heroes don’t die,
Dead isn’t rare, it waits for us all, but a few pass the test, None can compare your lifelong mission, even, Dying your way struggling for the best,
Wake up Doc ones more prove them wrong, I know you can hear me, tell them, cowards, Ogaden heroes don’t die,
You look so peaceful lying there, Where your father Sirad Dolal rest, A hero as well, you followed his lead, True to your passion like a father and son,
Wake up Doc ones more prove them wrong, I know you can hear me, tell them, Cowards, Ogaden heroes don’t die,
Freedom solutes you, Heaven treasures you deeply, And I will miss you greatly,
“Hodeen” my friend, rest in peace, Forever until end of time,
I will tell them, Cowards, Ogaden heroes don’t die,