Monday July 5, 2021
PHOTO/VIA: PDRC
Mogadishu (HOL) - Yusuf Osman Abdulle (Yusuf Sha'ir), a well-known Somali poet based in the breakaway Somaliland has accepted to join a panel of Somali-language experts recently appointed by Somalia's education ministry.
The team will work on enhancing the Somali language which is spoken by more than 20 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya.
Sha'ir's name had been widely circulated on social media as a potential nominee, with many wondering whether he would accept the position.
Speaking to the local media, the poet confirmed that he had accepted the offer saying he would likely serve the Somali government as a volunteer.
"They (the education ministry) told me that they had introduced two lists: 19 members of the official committee and five experts, including me," he said. "They told me they had made me an honorary member and that I may not be paid."
Sha'ir stated that his work had nothing to do with politics.
"I have not seen any political issues here, and I have not been in contact with the government, and if there is anything more, we will know," he said.
Somaliland, a breakaway region in northern Somalia, has previously arrested individuals hailing from the area who had served in Somalia's federal government.