Apr 11
Ethiopian Electric Utility Bans Baati
A letter that was released four days ago from Ethiopian Electric Utility(EEU) of the Branch of Jigjiga, the capital city of the Somali region created an uproar on social media and people are reacting seriously.
The letter is about the dressing protocols of the enterprise and bans women employees in the EEU not to wearing Shiid (Baati), Baati or Shiid is a garment worn by East African women and common in the Somali peninsula that is long, usually ankle-length.
Abdikadir Rashid, current Head of the Somali Government Communication Burea who is one of the people who shared their reactions on social media lines says,‘’ This letter that is from EEU Jigjiga electric utility branch is against the culture, religion, and rights of the Somali people’’. We will not negotiate this offence and we will take the necessary measures against the organisation, Added Abdikadir.
In another reaction from Abdifatah Sheikh Bihi (PhD), current MP in the Somali regional council and former government head of several bureaus under the current government of the Somali region, said a ‘’A Brother who visited me in the hospital that I am to go under a minor surgery shared with me the letter’’. I have communicated with the general manager of the office, Khalid and I told him this is a big offence against Somali people. He told me that this letter mistakenly went out of their office and confirmed that this letter is not implemented, added Dr Bihi.
In my humble opinion, this situation needs the conscious engagement on this and talk to the Power utility officially and disclose the result of the discussion to the people of the region before this puts a rift between the people who practise the Islam religion and the enterprise and hunts the fate of this very relative peace of the region in Ethiopia, Somali region.
