I’m aeronautical. I studied at the Pozzuoli Academy in 1989 as an official pilot student and I stayed for 4 years. It was a beautiful and very formative experience. Then I went to Latina as a pilot assistant, 2 years of training. We were 5 Somali pilots, I’m the only one left. And I am very proud to have been instructed by Italian military pilots and grateful, because Italy has given me the opportunity to become a pilot myself, completing one of the most selective activities in Europe. When the civil war broke out, I was unable to return to Somalia, where I only returned when conditions improved a little ”.
Pilot Colonel Ibrahim Mohamed trained in the Italian Air Force, so he shared his life with our soldiers. And he’s Somali. His is one of those stories that can help us understand the bond that binds the two countries, a bond of fraternal affection. And it is told like this, without filters, without bad faith or interpretations, as it is, beautiful in its simplicity. We met him at the Italian compound of EUTM-S.
” When I returned home, I worked with the Italian ambassador for two years and, seeing potential in me, they sent me again to your country to study at the Army’s Foreign Language School in Perugia (SLEE) and to follow other courses, with the highest score among foreigners. Then, again, the IASD Higher Studies Institute for Defense in January 2018. I studied in a prestigious place with Italian, American, British colonels and generals etc … and I met two of my colleagues from the Academy of Pozzuoli. Those 2 years spent in Italy, between 2017 and 2018 were great and not only for my personal satisfaction, but also in the context of my career, for the knowledge of military strategy, which could also be applied here …”, Says Ibrahim, whose achievements are the fruit of his ingenuity, of a rare meritocracy.
“ I spoke with some officers of the EUTM-S mission, which is important for Somalia and of which Italy has assumed command, also important for the agreements made on the security issue. They trained many Somali soldiers. This is why Italy is playing its part in building and training the Somali Armed Force. Italy has always been a friendly country. Now Somalia is going in the right direction, we are in the post-conflict phase even if there is still a lot to do. Rebuilding Somalia is a moral obligation, it is being close to a friend in times of difficulty… ”.
He did military service in Italy, he has a pilot’s license clearly visible on the collar of his jacket. “All this is a pride for me, even on an individual and social level. When people know that I went to the Academy of Pozzuoli, they respect me, because the school is prestigious, it is a bit like the Oxford of the Air Force . I still have contacts with colleagues of the time, some in the Frecce Tricolori. The Italian period for me was an unforgettable, absolute experience. And I will pass it on to my colleagues as well as to my children, one of whom, at 15, is very interested and often asks me what Italy is like. If I could have the opportunity to send him to study with you as I did I will be happy. I have always been among the Italian soldiers, I have never felt a stranger , also due to the historical ties we have between the two countries. Somalis are very grateful, because even at the time of colonialism, Italy contributed to Somalia becoming an independent state. But slowly we lost this opportunity by dividing ourselves into clans and subclans, ending up in the clutches of neighboring countries and almost begging from friendly countries.”.
There is, in these words, all the love for his land. And today there is a new awareness, even among young people. “ They learned the lessons of the civil war 25 years ago. For us it was a new phenomenon, we have seen what it means to fight even between family members. Our biggest problem is a deep tribal division among Somalis, which has intensified with the war and is one of the reasons for the delay in Somalia’s progress. Now things are changing, many Somalis come from the diasporas, from Europe or America and have understood the meaning of tribalism and the problems it creates ”.
His eyes sparkle at the idea of reconstituting the Somali Air Force, as well as the Army. “ In East Africa we had the most powerful army both militarily and economically, thanks to Italy. The Somali Air Force was supported by the Italian Air Force, with Italian instructors training our pilots on Italian aircraft such as the Savoia Marchetti and others. Before the civil war we had a fleet. I think that if we find high-level people, academics, I don’t see any obstacles, not even in rebuilding the Somali air force. Even in the new government they are looking for educated, prepared people ”.
The less beautiful thing is that Ibrahim is not working right now and, with the experience he has, it is a real waste to keep him at home, he is someone who could go to the United Nations tomorrow. ” I am sure that if I met the Somali Prime Minister, being able to speak to him and with my CV, things would change .”
They will change. Someone like Ibrahim doesn’t hold on to the corner for too long. He is educated and prepared and can teach many. Not to mention that Ibrahim speaks the Italian language very well, starting with a use of the subjunctive that many compatriots, even graduates, dream of
