Mohammed Musa Yusuf Makhtal is dedicated Somalilanders the 60 year old lived for 30 years in the UAE where he worked as a long distance driver. For the past years has resided in the northern UK town of Sheffield. Mohamed’s nationalistic sprit and passion for his homeland faded despite this extended time away from Somaliland

Mohammed is a loving father and husband and for the past five months and seven days he has traveled across Europe the Middle East and Africa through in his 2002 red Mazda covered with “Recognize Somaliland” across the sides and back. His also has pictures of his wife and children attached to the side of his car.

I stared by asking him what motivated him to make this astronomical and groundbreaking journey.  He stated that living in England he had read many books and articles about Somaliland and the information given seemed always to be distorted and incorrect. I wanted to make this journey to tell people the real story of Somaliland. I wanted to change the reality people held about this beautiful country and provide an alternative perspective. I also wanted to raise Somaliland’s profile internationally and seek international recognition. This is not something we as a national are asking for rather we are entitled to this and I wanted to show people of the world that we are struggling to be recognized and receive our rights as a sovereign nation.

Living in Europe I have often been disappointed when visiting Somaliland officials come over. They seem to spend little time campaign for international recognition rather they spend most of their energies campaigning for campaign funds for their party or personal funds for themselves, some treat the trips as holidays.  When they should be making a consertive effort to lobby for Somaliland’s international recognition  

Mohammed spoke at length about the trails and tribulations of his journey. He said across most of Europe I was fortunate enough not to have any problems when I came to turkey that is when the difficulties started. I was made to pay for all sorts of visas and taxes for the car and when I reached Saudi Arabia I was turned back twice and refused entry, despite holding a British passport.  The Saudi Arabian authorities refused me entry into the country with the car.

I decided to stop at the Saudi boarder and leave the car in a safe destination. I then flew to the UAE to visit my sons who were funding my trip. Unfortunately shortly after my arrival one of my sons was in a serious accident and was badly injured. I spent one month with him watching his recuperation and making sure he was ok.

Once he was out of danger I flew back to Saudi and continued on my journey. When I reached Jordan I had to use a ferry ship to cross over the sea and reach Egypt. The journey took about 12 hours. Then I used the Suez under path to get over to Africa.

Whilst in Sudan I had my first flat tire and my air-conditioning broke. I had to stop to get repairs done to the car but the interlude was brief and I was soon on my way again.

The best driving condition I found were between Jordan and Syria hey had good roads and was fun to drive down. The worst roads I found were between Sudan and Ethiopia the roads were a mixture of very rough and rough. Also from Looya Cada to Zelia (Somaliland) the roads were pretty poor. Its took me 3hrs to cover a 20 km area.

Mohamed drove his red Mazda for 18 hours a day he slept in his car for a few short hours per day.  He said the only time I got sick was between Sudan and Ethiopia this is an unsafe area so I did not stop to rest or eat but drove straight stopping twice to fill up with petrol. When I arrived in Addis I got really ill and had to take some medication.

What is funny is that for year I have had a long standing neck injury where in the UK I would have to take medication every few days. Apart from this one incident I did not need to take any medicine I was fit as a fiddle although I have lost a lot of weight during the process.

I asked Mohamed if he had informed the British media he said he had not but had been in contact with the BBC Somali service and Voice of America. In regards to the BBC I contacted them on three different occasions but they did not seem to want to speak to me. I left my contact details and informed them of who I was and what I was doing however they did not contact me.

Voice of America contacted me whilst I was in Cairo and interviewed me. They aired my interview which I was very grateful for as it meant Somali people across the world would know what I was doing.

During the trip people would stop and ask me what I was doing and where I was from. I would inform them about Somaliland and show them the map. They were always very interested. In Sudan I was stopped by a man who asked me which religious sect I belonged to. When I told I was not part of a sect rather I was doing this for Somaliland he thought I was wired.

When I arrived in Ethiopia I was disappointed at the welcome I received from the Somaliland ambassador this led me to believe that international recognition is not as important as it should be to our leaders.

I received a warm welcome when I came to Somaliland from Boon to Borama I was escorted by the locals. In Borma however I received some problems.  

The best reception I received inside Somaliland was at Gabiley they really made me feel welcome. I stayed there for two nights and was invited to speak at a school with three thousand students

When I arrived in Hargeisa I was very disappointed that the mayor of Hargeisa welcomed me alone I would have liked the people of Hargeisa to have been informed of my arrival. I do not want personal praise for what I have done by I want the message and gift that I bring of the aspiration for international recognition to be respected and noted.

Mohamed plans to tour the country and visit all the regions in the car.

The entire Nagaad team wishes Mohamed the best of luck in his journey

By Hodan Hassan Elmi

Nagaad Program Coordinator