Somaliland
Let Us Work Together And Focus On The Future For A Better Somaliland.
February 16, 2011 · 17 Comments
Beginning from the restoration of the Somaliland state in 1991, Somaliland has been working hard to prove to the world its ability to bring about fundamental structures and policies of a modern state. Somaliland gave first priority to peace and security. This peace and security has provided Somaliland population to enjoy law and order, uninterrupted democratic elections and freedom of expression, and above all deepening democratic culture which attracted the attention of the international community.
Somaliland put in place a system of government based on presidential model of governance with all its branches of legislative and executive. One of the main factors of the legitimacy of a modern state is the self-determination of the people. Therefore, testing the legitimacy of the Somaliland statehood, the Somaliland governments held a free and a fair referendum in 2001.
The people of Somaliland opted for the independence of Somaliland with an absolute majority of 97%. This has been followed by holding series of democratic elections, starting with 2002-municipal election 2003-presidential election, 2005-parliamentary election and 2010-second presidential election. These processes have strengthened the democratic institutions and policies of the modern state where at the same time it reduced the negative aspect of the clan systems and clan structures of the society.
Other aspect of the strength of the Somaliland modern state is the viable non-state actors ( civil society) and the Diaspora who have been playing a crucial role in the democratic process and policy-making of the country. Having all these dimensions and strengths, this nation has overcome many challenges. One of the biggest challenges was the last presidential election – the June 2010 election. The way in which the voters behaved during the election and election was implemented has shown the world the maturity and the magnanimity of the Somaliland emerging democracy. International observers witnessing the election validated the results of the election and praised the Somaliland electoral commission and the public in adopting international standards.
The winner of the 2010 election Mr. Ahmed M. M. Silanyo, the candidate of the Kulmiye Party is one of the most experienced politician in Africa. Mr Silanyo has been involved in global and African politics and development in the last forty years and a former freedom fighter who was the chairman of the Somali National Movement (SNM) in most its difficult times.
In connection to the above mentioned factors, Somaliland deserves to be recognized and take its rightful place in the community of nations, sooner than later.
On the other hand, adversaries of Somaliland have been engaged in all sorts of activities to undermine the prospect of a stable Somaliland. The conflict in some spots of the eastern parts of the country is one of these evil designs, which I am sure Somaliland will overcome. There are also ill-informed politicians who have been recently creating confusion and deliberately making misleading statements of the current situation of the country and even surprisingly revisiting the June presidential elections that President Ahmed Silanyo won with a slide majority– raising doubts about the results.
We would like to say to these politicians, this democratically-elected President and his government have worked out a vision, goal and objective to reach this vision during its mandate. This vision was mentioned in detail in the annual speech that the president made to the parliament (the House of Representatives and the Council of Elders). We would like to say to these politicians, let us work together and concentrate on the future for a better Somaliland.
The government together with the non-state actors, the Diaspora and other friends of Somaliland, is organizing an international conference in Hargeisa in July on the issue of international recognition. Influential international personalities from the mass media, international lawyers and development agents, who are friends of Somaliland will attend the conference. The conference will also focus on peace, security and the democratic process of Somaliland; issues that important for the recognition. We are expecting that the conference will produce a workable strategic recognition roadmap.
Dr Mohamed-Rashiid Shiekh Hassan
Office of International affairs and Recognition of Somaliland.
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By Abdiqani
Tags: International recognition, Somaliland, UCID
Readers Comments (17)
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Dear Dr Mohammed Rashid Sheikh Hassan,
As a supporter of you and your party UCID, I always admire your wisdom and vision for the country and even though UCID party always comes last in the election results; I feel UCID is always the winner because UCID and its supporters know how to accept a defeat and work with those who beat them on the race. This is clearly demonstrated by you and people should not react to Faisal Ali Warabe's comments.
Faisal is a passionate man who often makes some outrages comments but he only wants the best for the country. The UCID party has to reinvent itself and come up with better selling points to the people of Somaliland, right now working with the Kulmiye Administration while at the same time keeping them on the track will own UCID party a much needed respect from the public.
Your office has to support the recent iniatatives by our Foreign Minister and the local media should stop misleading the public, many are spreading false rumours.
The President has to beef up security forces in Eastern Sanaag and Sool and deal with Puntland and its many militia in many different shirts (SSC, ONLF, Al Shabab, Pirates) with an iron fist.
>Your office has to support the recent iniatatives by our Foreign Minister and the local media should stop >misleading the public, many are spreading false rumours.
To what initiatives and rumours are you referring to?
What took place in Wilton Park are facts not rumours, so please don't blame the Somaliland media for a mess Dr Mohamed A. Omer created. And I can't fathom you at all: how an earth could you refer to a calamity (that its magnitude is beyond comprehension) as an iniatitive?
I think you have either isolated yourself or your not following the events back home. The sort of rumours I am mentioning is that — some of the media have been trying to convince people that the Foreign Minister did participate in the meetings at Wilton Park. We know he did, its no big fuse, we all seen his speech–but they making it seem like he is completely denying he did go. I will give you an example of what some newspapers and websites titled their articles "Wasiirka Africa Ee Britain Oo Fashilyey Maqaamkii Ay Somaliland Kaga Qayb Gashay Shirkii Wilton Park "— Why do they need a validation from some British guy? Everyone knows he went and he did very well.
Kayse, I have not been on a desert island. On the contrary, I have been following this sad saga closely.
As to the example you have given, the issue is not about what the British minister said per se. It is about what Mohamed A. Omer said prior to the interview you were referring to.
When Dr Omer realised he was in trouble, he tried to put a positive spin on the mess he created; and to lend credence to his big "li", he tried to use the British guy as an iron-cast alibi.
The media which was determined (and rightly so in my opinion) to expose this b.. could not believe their luck when the "alibi" contradicted the "defendant's/ appellant's" statements.
In short, it is he who erred in his judgement — not the media, I am afraid.
Much better site now, love this design.
In a recognition of a job well done – so far -:) – I salute Somalilandpress
although Mr. Mahamed Rashid was respected by many, his moves after the election revealed what kind of man he really is. In may opinion, his wards are nothing more than self-interest. He follows the money no matter what and he is very smart man who wouldn't let an opportunity goes by. Within a months, he run toward the winner so he can get something for himself. Mr. Faiza Ali is actually more open and more honest about his stands. He speaks from his mind and if he makes small errors people will be ready to forgive him since he has done more for the people. I don't really know Mr. Siranyo has more experienced in African politics, yeah know that is what people says money talks. This man run away from his job and let down democracy by leaving Ucid just to fill his bocket and any good things he says about Mr. Siranyo many people won't buy it from you. Freedom fighter or whatever, now he let down democracy as well as his party. Democracy without strong appostions isn't a democracy and this man is part of the problems not the solution.
Dr Rashid has not left UCID party, he was appointed for another position which was and is still available even for the former leader Dahir Riyale, who is doing his own lobbying by the way. We have to all stand together and stand for the goal.
There is nothing wrong with his current job as the chairman of Somaliland Recognition Committee, it shows our opposition(s) and government can work together for the greater common interest.
I applaud Dr Mohamed Rashid for his relentless effort and the great work he is doing for the people of Somaliland. I find your attempt to label him an opportunistic as baseless and lauguable.
Sanag's girl
I love this new look for SomalilandPress keep up the good work. SomalilandPress is the only force against the cyber world enemies of Somalilland.
Ahmed Warsame
Kuwait City
The responsibility of the job description entrusted upon DR. Mohamed Rashid SH. Hassan
by the Kulmiye Party is so important and I can only pray and hope that DR. Mohamed and the FM
DR. Omar would be able to work together to bring about what it takes to resolve the S/Land issue
to gain the necessary recognition which should be different than the ways of the old regimes
political styles. In addition to the contents of this articulated article there's also another much betterly
articulated article on the other side by DR. Yusuf Dirir Ali which's more detailed. More than any other time
Somaliland stands good chances now and appears to be in good hands. As DR. Mohamed advocates
let us work together and focus on the future for a better Somaliland.
Cheers.
He is not from Kulmiye party, he is from UCID and he is the vice-chairman of that party. He is working with the government because Silaanyo is a smart man. He wants to use all brains to solve this kind of issue and does not want later people to blame him or Kulmiye party alone because the job is open for any of you who is confident to take up the challenge. Dr Rashid was brave enough to standup and grab the golden opportunity.
This also ensures there is good level of transparency by inviting your oppositions. This is the sort of organization Somaliland needs——no matter who you support, lets work together.
Thank you Dr. Mohammed-Rashiid. Your words inspire and encourage us to respect and the support the elected administration (even though sometimes we do not agree with its policies)
This is our country. This is our homeland. Let us all work together to develop it.
“Let us work together and concentrate on the future for a better Somaliland" – Thank you Dr. Mohammed-Rasheed. This is what we should do -all of us. But, how could we achieve it “working together”? I think the government should take the lead and make it a policy, and then set the stage. It should reach out to all stakeholders: Opposition parties, civil society, traditional leaders, intellectuals, the press and the general public. When handling matters that are very important to country, the government should show open-mindedness, tolerance and respect for opposing views. Then, it should present its case or position openly and clearly. The president should have at least monthly press conference. He should be willing to face his people and answer the tough questions – directly and honestly. Do you think then there will a chance for ill-informed politicians.
Dr. Mohamed we can agree with your position as Somalilanders committed to our country and its quest for recognition. However, the lead must come from the government of the day, and while I welcome the conference you mention, it is the simple fact that this government has not yet clearly outlined its strategy and policy regarding the securing of recognition for Somaliland. Yet, it embarked upon attending this conference in London without any discussion or debate within Parliament or outside of it. Since Somaliland's attendance placed the country on the same footing at the conference as Galmudug and Puntland, which are autonomous regions that consciously remain part and parcel of Somalia, it is not only to be expected, but right and proper, for the people of Somaliland to be dismayed, shocked and even angry at the government for taking this retrograde step unilaterally.
By all means, let us work together for our country. But let the government put its cards on the table and let those who diminish our cause and case for recognition be admonished and punished for doing so. Otherwise, working together merely means 'agree with me right or wrong'.
Somaliland haters are rouming the International Community and spreading propaganda,false accusation and unleashing their venom attacks to undermine Somaliland's progress, peace and stability. Let's counter attack them, put them in their place and work together for the common goal.
the way silyano and small group and his wife leading the somaliland is very dangrous they useing very bad tribel and returning trible war because he want to keep power in small group of his tribe and tribe of his wife he is far from fare and result will came soon this group they undermine whole people five women headed by amina waris and five men headed by hersi is leading the country in wrong road