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Local Somalis, envoy in talks over U.S. policy shift
November 21, 2010 · 22 Comments
significant shift in U.S. policy on Somalia is not sitting well with some local Somalis. Now, a U.S. State Department official is in Columbus to dispel misconceptions and answer questions about the policy change and other concerns.
Robert Patterson of the U.S. State Department’s Somalia Diaspora Outreach section is hopping from meeting to meeting with Somali leaders and others.
“We’re at a critical juncture,” said Patterson, who is touring Somali communities across the United States. “We want Somalia to succeed. We want a recognized Somalia that is at peace.”
In October, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson announced that the U.S. government would engage groups beyond the transitional government in Somalia. That includes governments in the semi-autonomous regions of Somaliland and Puntland as well as groups opposed to al-Shabab, the Islamist insurgency group.
“We’ll deal with anyone except terrorists,” said J. Peter Pham, senior vice president of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, a New York-based research group.
“We will talk to who we need to talk to about how to achieve what the U.S. needs in the region, which is security and stability,” said Pham, an expert on African security issues.
Abdulkadir Ali was one of a number of local Somali leaders who met with Patterson yesterday.
Ali said he supports the new U.S. policy on its face but not if it ends up fueling more division in Somalia. He wants more explanation from the U.S. as to how it would work.
He fears that “every warlord will raise a flag and say, ‘I’m a government,’” said Ali, a community leader who recently announced his candidacy for the Somali presidency. Members of the country’s parliament elect the president.
“I believe in a single Somalia,” said Ali, a member of Darod clan who once chaired the Somali American Chamber of Commerce and now leads a youth job-training agency.
But Pham said those who fear the new policy – namely those of the Hawiye clan – want the transitional government to maintain power. President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed is a member of the Hawiye, whose members, Pham says, are the majority in Columbus.
“The country has already been balkanized,” Pham said.
But Abdinur Mohamud, a local leader who has been asked to join the new prime minister’s cabinet, said it is simply a debate between those who want a centralized government and those seeking a federal system.
“It’s the reality of the situation. It’s not based on clan interests,” said Mohamud, who recently was asked to become the Somali minister of education, culture and higher education. He is now a consultant for the Ohio Department of Education.
Patterson already has visited Somali communities in Maine, northern Virginia, Houston and Seattle, and plans to visit the communities in San Diego and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, home to the country’s largest Somali population.
Source:Dispatch
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By Mo Guled
Tags: Puntland, Somali, Somali Pirates, Somaliland, US Policy towards Somalia
Readers Comments (22)
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Whatever, the whole issues will evolve on one thing…the Somaliland vs Somalia and how the two Nations of equal terms of references..with neither having claims of legal authority over the other since the failed unified state in 1991 by which thereafter unilaterally gave the Snm Liberation the upper-hand in their fights against the ill-fated brutal Military Dictatorship of the late Gen. Barre Regime..and virtually opened the chance of modus operandi to revert to the previous Independence status quo of 26 June 1960. The Puntland issue goes with Somalia. Prof. J. Peter Pham is an expert of the different issues and their conflicting interclashes and am confident will be a great help for the US foreign Policies on the matters and affairs aforesaid.
Cheers.
If Somalis wanted to Share government with SOmaliland people. We are asking them nicely to hand over the criminals who committed the crimes in Somaliland. Then and only then we willing to consider talking with them. Secondly we are asking Somalia to settle their difference immediatelly. Thirdly Somaliland's people should given another opportunity take referendom to show their possition and if they 51% says yes then they should be let go.
i agree with you Dhagaweyne,
Dhagaweyne..why another referendum. The S/land have already passed the referendum stage remember the 97%. Secondly the S/land notwithstanding her historical background of Independence on 26 June 1960 after 84 years of British Colonial Empire, have additionally met all the conditions of the free world thus functioning as fledgling democratic Nation State far better than Puntland Piracy infested and Somalia TFG dysfunction. Thirdly can you explain what's obstracting the S/land unique stance for not getting through as fully fledged free Nation like the Somalia???. Somalia having legal binding on Somaliland is not nonsense and not an issue.
Cheers.
Correction: Somalia having legal binding on Somaliland is nonsense and not an issue.
yes i agree with you kill thos who killed the peopel of somaliland and snm.
Notice that after 20 years of mayhem, it takes a US policy shift for these folks to get riled up!. They are hanging on to the defunct "Somali Republic" and can't seem to understand that the world has moved on. They are so out of touch with the reality on the ground. I am sure US officials are just going through the motions going to all these cities, but, in all honesty these are out of step with the rest of the international community. The "Somali Republic" exists only on paper and in the history books.
The State Department must understand that there will be not Somaliland & Somalia together. Our people have choosen to go away from the mistake they made 50 years ago. The refremdum that some people talking about is already done in 2001 and 97% of our people approved to re-claim our statehood.
If US is waiting to see Somali Democratic Republic coming into being once again, they are dreaming, the end result will be another unstopable war between Somaliland & Somalia.
The best thing to do is to forget what Arabs insist US to do, and think about the relations that US will have with Somaliland which is strategically located at Horn.
Boqoljireh man…all's well said but be kind to the Arabs..they too are changing according to the new world order accords led by the Western industrialised free world…the Veto/g20 group and what have you MR. World over!. Just be cautious about the Arabs..your Somaliland may stand positive with them nowadays. Just a hunch eh?
Cheers.
To dhegaweyne. I fully support every freedom fighter in this world regardless from his origen.To be free and to decide what to do with your life is a basic fundemental princible of human rights. If US, Arabs or some other people put question bout somaliland reuniting with some devils ( I think that is a day dream.)
Go to Somaliland and find out the opinion of the people. There are 25 years old men and women who never saw or remember a so called Somali flag but only heard bad very bad things about it.— New Geration– All what they know is: Ha dhicin ha dheeliyin WELIGAA dhisnaw.
And the old generation are those who suffered and lost their beloved ones during the Evil regime of the south.
My question to you is: Are you dreaming or do you just want to waist your time for something that will never come? Grow up!
There will never be reunification. That is how Somalilanders think.
One more thing. Africa was devided into more than fifty states in 1884-5. To prevent border chaos among the african nations the borders must be the way they were devided. Italian Somali colony- French Somali colony- and don´t forget British Somaliland Protecterate. What is Puntland Somali some thing . That cann´t be found in the ATlas.
I got it Dr Muse . I loves your comment "Fasle Dr and Engineers". well, Don't you think we have to rule this time Dr. Muse. That is what most SSC wants, us running the country from Hargieysa. WE can take U.N. seat, AU seat,all the embassies and Arab League seat . We can basically represent them in the world stage, and when the money that is going to the warlords in the south comes to Somaliland we build our infrastructure. We can take everything, the president, the VP, and all the ministers. You will see them declaring independent from us.
Taking everything is exactly what make all Somali communities so divided and unworkable people. I agreed those who insisted we should have referendum its a democracy as well. Somaliland's early referedum may not be valid today's world. We don't need to hold referendum for all Somalilanders since some of our communities ara happy how the thing are right now.
Also it cheaper to hold referendum communities who has problems;therefore, Somaliland need to hold referedum on two corners commuties (Sool, Sanaag Awdal)
It maybe worthy to talk to the people in the South and ask them why do they think reunification would work. We had that over 40 years and today there is nothing left accept Somali language alphabets. S.land is run from Hegisa not Burco or Borama and if the Somali capital is move to Hargisa it will work. In my opinion, people in Eastern S.land hold the future of Somalilanders why? because they have opportunity to get help from entire Somali communities in the South since they refused to breakup Somalia. The only way we can united Somaliland communities from East-West is to revise Somaliland powersharing formule. If we all come together one last time in single table, there won't be rooms groups like SSC. Peace.
Waryaarra Dhagaweyne iyo Awdalboy sheekadinnu ma middan dhammaanba wuxubaa intaa
qoraysahane… yaab iyo yaabkis.
Cheers.
Well Eastern Somaliland communities must come Hagieysa and convince their brothers that it is better to lead Somalia from Hargieysa. They can't keep insisting because "Sl" declared indepence from Somalia in 1991 therefore there is no room for nogotiations. SSC/Sool people must come to the table first if they truly want Somalia to stay together. They must take part of the rehabilitation of our region, instead of destroying what is the left. They need joint the police, the military, and politically participate the democratization process. Even if they want revitalize the old UPS party. Even you Awdal boy have role to play as individual and as Community/state becuase we don't know hong the old" MAN " will be able to run the affairs of the country. We know who is second in command mr "Saylici". This maybe another opportunity for Awdal to run Somalialnd again.
Hope every Somalilander who happen to live in the area that State Department are planning to visit, to educate Somalis about their new engagement regarding Somalia two-way trucks, should come out and defend Somaliland and explain to America why it's to USA interest to deal with Somaliland. I do not know whether they are coming to my home town, but if they do I will be ready and participate in discusion and defend Somaliland and it's people.
Whoa, whoa, get out the way with that good ifonramiton.
Whatever you may think of American officials, these are not dumb people, they know where their bread is buttered. After 20 years of mayhem, the "Somali Republic" folks have nothing to show, zero, zilch, nothing but mayhem, anarchy, terrorism, piracy, etc. Billions have been poured into that region, and there is zero return. Meanwhil, Somaliland is stable, democratic, the government is able to provide some basic services, private enterprise is booming, the state levies taxes, people voter and change governments, governments transfer power peacefully, and so on, and so on all without major international investments, so the US sees the differences, and all these "Somali Republic" folks instead of trying to emulate Somaliland or get Somaliland's guidance, they just lose their minds.
The issue of Greater Somalia is DED, GONE, BYBY. Whos was the previous president of SOmaliland before June 2010, where did he come from? ANd know his own people want to revolt aginst the DEMOCRACY, Why ?
Why all this action happing now. Why all this tripes are complaning now that the government is in Hargisa. Why where was it at the time of Riyaleh?
The whole stroy is ISAQ is in charge sepecially HABERCHIO. End of story.
Currnelty in the UK one of the ISAQ backing UDUB party is rsing and discusing this knew plan to make Hargisa the capital of SOMALIA. They are working no formula.
SOMALILANDERS, there is a big game cooking while we are in the mood of praising SOmaliland achivemnt and dreaming of the future, we must prepare ourself for something nasty.
I ask Allah Almighty to spare us bloodshed, jelouscy and harm to SOMALILAND.
@ MOhamed. I toTally aGree With YOU, We Must preper ourself and sTand-uP agains this Flibaster.
The beginning of the end of the so-called SSC terrorist group has just started. This so called SSC is nothing but a fantasy of few Sioyad Barre remnants. All kinds of people are writing on the forum. Some of these people may be remnants of the defeated Saiyad Barre cronies. I am saying to those people. Somaliland is over 20 years old. The most powerful country in the Horn after Ethiopia. Somaliland is a Dir Republic that can't even feel the scratch of the land-locked remnants holed up in the wilderness, who only exist in cyberspace. They may be majority in one town called Las-Anod who also has significant Isaaq, Madhiban, Fiqi Shini and Ugas Laba communities. I am surprised to hear their claim to Sanaag. Where that come from. In Buuhodle, the village at the border with Ethiopia is a mixed area where they are not the majority. I didn't have the head count, but the Dhulbahante in that area is not more than If not less than the Haber Jeclo sub clans in the area. The recent cowardly cold killing of the praying innocent people in Kal-Shaale has proven that. The Habe J eclo sub clan were about to capture Buuhoole has peaceful intervention did not come very quick. The so-called SSC is an Al-shabaab affiliate joined the terrorist group out of desperation. They are very small, land-locked, can not escape the civilian non Dhulbahante public in the area. What ever this terrorist group does is a failure. if they resort to tribalism, and clearly try to wage a tribal war, they will terribly lose. The reason are: (1). They are land-locked and confirned to a small area. They are wanted by Somalilans, Ethiopia, Majiirteenyia. Their recent visit to the death town of Mogadishu is a witness. If they come under any shape, they will face a well-equipped somaliland Defense Forces (SDF), the Somaliland clan militias of all stripes. By the way there are Dulbahante Somalilanders who are loyal to their country, but they need to speak out against this small but loud terrorist group who are stopping their people from progress. They longed for the Siyad Barre forces. the so-called leader of the so-called SSC is a terrorist from Ohio who is wanted by the U.S. The day Somalilanders realize they are fighting for clannism and clan supremacy and longing for their good old Siyad Barre days. they will face the power of all Somalilanders. All the Horn of Africa DIr nations including the battle hardened SDF, Gadaboursi, Eissa, Isaaq, Akishe, Gugure, Jaarso, Bursuug, Madaluug and and others. Remeber SNM alone has terribly defated Siyad barre forces. I am warning the defeated Siyad Barre remnants the so-called SSC to stop their fantasy before disaster befalls on them. Somalilanders have a historical track record of defeating all tyrants, tribalists and forces of oppression. I am urging to lay down their few guns and surrender. Both Somaliland and Djobouti are proud Dir Republics. The next Dir Republic will be coming in the Ethiopian region 5 in the next few years.
I thought some of these Awdal supporters in Somaliland understood had more to show for than personal positions they have gained from S.land administration. Many people like myself, there is differences between administration and S.landers. Anyone who support S.land without a benefit wouldn't want to use DIR group. Somaliland is for Somalis who live there and we can't blame our misfortune on others. We can down play SSC anyway we want but the fact is they are our own people.
How can we claim their land at the same time called terrorris. As we called them these policial words, they will do the same against us, so that doesn't benefit S.land. Darod, Dir, Gaboye and many others are all our citizens;therefore, we are trying to build a inclusive country for all and don't forget the Dir groups can be found deep inside Somalia among them, Sure, Gobeys and Biyo-Maal known as Dir Konfureed. By saying S.land is own by Dir, it mean we are supporting SSC causes. Forget about Dir, Darod holds an important area in S.land. We also proving what international community fair long time that hindering S.land's recognizition by coming up Dir idea. Maybe tomorrow some one is going to tell us an Afar in Djibouti is also belong to Dir.
Awdalboy..Awdal shares borders with SL W/galbeed Regions..the problems of PSS
are in SL W/Bari Regions. Please live up to the W/galbeed problems and let the W/bari problems
take care to live up with their problems. SL has a Centralised Nation(Qaran) Govts. to take
care of the whole security issues so whatever problems the Govts. in power have the mandate
responsiblity to oversight everything at stake. Let's follow and trust the popularly elected Govt.
to act as appropriately necessary. But ofcourse the PSS terrorists must be confronted and
eliminated.
Cheers.