Opinions
London Conference on Somalia: fears and Expectations a biased report from Aljazeera
February 19, 2012 · 34 Comments
The following piece is part of our continuous coverage on the upcoming conference on Somalia in the British capital. Our policy of encouraging free and open discussion of the issues or presentations of all facts and opinions is always open to all regardless of view/political affiliation or beliefs.
OPINION | February 19, 2012
By:Dr.Yusuf Dirir
On February 16th, 2012 The Aljazeera centre for media research published a report in its Arabic website that is misleading, superficial and lacks the neutral stance that Aljazeera is known to offer to its faithful followers from all over the world. This departure from factual and unbiased information will only damage the brilliant stature and the credibility of Aljazeera. Aljazeera reporters, editors and researchers must do a thrall research and do justice to all before they embark on publishing a prejudiced and damaging report such as the one in hand. http://studies.aljazeera.net/reports/2012/02/2012216113244122683.htm
It is inaccurate to say that Somaliland got its independence from Great Britain on June 27th 1960 as the Aljazeera report indicates. Somaliland got its independence from Britain on June 26th, 1960. Furthermore, the author of the report ignores to highlight the cause of Somaliland’s recuperation of its independence from Somalia.
The people of Somaliland were militarily, politically and economically dominated and oppressed for 30 years by the people of Somalia. There was a well documented but not widely reported genocide that was perpetrated against the Somaliland people for at least ten years before the defeat of Siyaad Barre’s dictatorial regime. Thereafter, Somaliland came to the conclusion that there was no benefit for it to remain in a union with a politically doomed to failure and corruption riddled Somalia.
The Somaliland’s decision to leave the Somaliland-Somalia union was approved through a democratic national referendum that was held in 2001. This referendum took place only after the Mogadishu warlords undemocratically tried to persist in dominating Somaliland through military, economic and political intimidation subsequent to the Somaliland led defeat of Siyaad Barre’s regime and that is when Somalia warlords in Mogadishu unilaterally announced an unbalanced Somalia subjugated and made in Somalia for Somalia exclusive government and without consultation with Somaliland.
Later on, the Somalia warlords adopted a new illegal name for their state “The transitional Federal Government of Somalia” instead of the bilaterally Consensual name officially given to the Somaliland-Somalia union in July 1st, 1960 “the Somali Republic” this was again done singlehandedly by the warlords in Mogadishu with out seeking the input of Somalilanders.
Somaliland is democratic and in peace with itself and with the international community. Thanks to Somaliland, it is continuously fighting against sea pirates, terrorists and warlords and because of Somaliland; terrorism didn’t spread from Somalia to the Arabian Peninsula and to the rest of the world. Despite its meager economic capabilities, it is little known that Somaliland has even extended humanitarian aid to Somalia during the last Somalia famine.
It is an exaggeration to say that some tribes in Somaliland are forming their own administrations and Somaliland is crumbling from inside, as again incorrectly indicated by the Aljazeera report. That is very untoward and far from the truth; Somaliland has had exemplary internationally monitored multiple free and fair elections since 2001. There is no Arab country that can match Somaliland’s record in democracy and human rights. Thus, the Arab and Muslim worlds must be proud for what Somaliland has achieved without or with diminutive external help.
Apart from the State of Kuwait, which is renovating Somaliland’s airports no single Arab or Muslim country has contributed to the development of Somaliland. There where even Arab countries that participated and encouraged the genocide in Somaliland in 1980s. The planes and South African apartheid era pilots that bombarded and destroyed Somaliland cities killing hundreds of thousands of civilian mostly children, women and elderly were unfortunately funded by a sisterly Arab country.
After all these happenings and positive developments in Somaliland some Arab countries are still supporting and encouraging the dismemberment of Somaliland through media cant and giving financial support to terrorist groups, which came into being within the last few months and were organized by few power hungry individuals, who are desperately struggling to get political power through international coercion, misinformation and violent means. These few individuals badly failed to contend in the democratic multiparty political system in the Somaliland’s Political arena. These handful people who are mostly Somaliland nationals with USA citizenship were defeated both militarily and politically by the Somaliland people and their activities ceased to exist within Somaliland borders.
Somalilanders are not only the first Somali migrant community to Qatar, but are among the first Arab communities that contributed and are still contributing immensely in so many tangible ways to the development and progress of the State of Qatar and other Arabian Gulf countries.
Somalilanders acknowledge and are also natural admirers of the State of Qatar, its leadership and Aljazeera for their positive role in the pan Arab affairs and are surprised to read this biased report in Aljazeera’s website. I hope Aljazeera and the rest of the Arab media will encourage positive developments in the Arab and Muslim world such as the democracy, peace and the prosperity in Somaliland and not back the enemies of Somaliland. I hope Aljazeera and the rest of the Arab media will seek and use expert and impartial parties in their reports. The people of Somaliland and its democratically elected government deserve and ask for nothing but justice.
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" …The planes and South African apartheid era pilots that bombarded and destroyed Somaliland cities killing hundreds of thousands of civilian mostly children, women and elderly were unfortunately funded by a sisterly Arab country…"
Unfortunately that sisterly Arab country you was the United Arab Emirates!
The planes that piloted by the South Africa and Zimbabwe mercenaries were lend to Siyaad Barre by the UAE.
Nevertheless, those who are feeding Aljazeera biased information, distorting the reality and have deeply seated ill-well against Somaliland as usual are none other than those who work for Aljazeera as well as those who work in their educational Instutitions. Somalilanders resided in Qatar and were part of the Qatar's Nation building for the last 50 years and many Somalilanders were given the Qatari Nationality. It is shame that Qatar to be influenced by few hatemongers, Mediocres reporters in Aljazeera whose credibility is far from the truth. I think Aljazeera to farther its research to distinguish between is a bogus information and a genuine and fair piece of journalism report.
The Author of this misguided article is a Sudan who don't have a clue of what is happening in his country. The people of Somaliland have contributed to this country's prosperity immensely and are respected. The former Emir of Qatar use to share the blood money, when someone kills someone and the courts sentences to pay the DIYA or blood money. The current Emir likewise know more than anyone.
What Aljazeera published is absolutely biased, but those who run the show in Aljazeera are literally uninformed and they do not know anything about Somaliland. I suggest Mr. Xaabsadeh has to protest this through media in London before this conference even begins.
Correction: The Author of this article is a Somali Xamar Cad ah, and is Mr. Mohamed Al-Ameen Mohamed Al-Hadi who runs and owns the website Alshahidnewsnetwrk.com. This gentleman is based in London. Aljazeera is wrong to ask and use this kind of information by a Somali who use to work with former President of Somalia Mr. Mohamed Siyaad Barre. The co-host of this website is another Xamar Cadde who use be the personal translator for Mr. Siyaad Barre, when engaging Arabs during his tenure.
This shows us that the entire episode is conspiracy in a big way, and is meant misguide the London delegates. Our people in UK must respond properly and strongly and contact Aljazeera.
Just shows how ignorant the rest of Somalis are themselves about SL.
it is important tp mention Mr mohamed Al hadi who was born in yemen has just recently applied for somali passport. i know him personally and i have red his aritcles. he is driven by fame and have no factual in his writings.
We should bombard Aljazeera facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aljazeerachannel with our concern and tell them to be neutral in their coverage. This is very important and we should start now.
Somaliland Representative in UK must also engage Aljazeera London office, to explain why this kind of biased article is published against our country.
Well said Omer! Aljazeera is always not neutral and not good towards Africa mostly. They don't like our stability. There news always reports negative stuff to undermine us. I don't really understand their motive but they are not really good. May be they are supporter of Al-Qaeda :)
I will make sure I pass it long on facebook and twitter! Also our government should make a statement of misinformation and abuse of journalistic power to aljazeera.
I want to see Somaliland on democracy Now! I love those guys.
Somalilanders around the world your enemies are many those whom we see and those who work
in the dark shades.Lets not be naive and think that only the few words from a dodgy reporter can
damage Somaliland.Somaliland is winning.I say this with full confidence no one can destroy our
beautiful existance but,Allaah.If we are kind to each other as somalilanders and we have in our
always that our enemies are many.And let me come to Aljazeera.Aljazeera is owned by private
people and lets not engage the authorities.I think we should request President to go to Qatar
on his way back and speak to the Amir Hamad himself just as he did in Kuwait.Qatar knows
what has happened in arab world.I think they will welcome an elected President of Somaliland
and give him a wonderful welcome.I also suggest as i heard Britain is going to post 20000
British troops in Somaliland and protect Somaliland just as Djibouti is protected by the french
troops.So the sooner the come the better.
britsh troops in somaliland, protection from what that ( Stings)
Guys please here is the email address of Aljazeera Center for research, Please send as many emails as you all can. jcforstudies@aljazeera.net
Thanks
To the author,
I do not speak Arabic so please tell us the name of the author of the article so that we can identify him/her in our complain letters.
Somalia London Conference: hopes and fears
The article covers the background of the dark history of British involvement in Somalia. ; it touches the dark history of Somalia and how Britain and other colonisers betrayed the Somali people. Half the area of Kenya is Somali territory handed over by Britain. Another portion of Somali territory greater than the rest of Somalia was handed over to Ethiopia by Italy and Britain to Abyssinia. Google Calub and Hilala.
Declared goals of the conference are Somali security, political action, internal peace, defeating terror, piracy, humanitarian intervention and international involvement in the Somalia crisis.
Undeclared goals of the conference are simply about oil everywhere. It is about pre-empting the Turkish involvement and its renewed interest in Somalia, American oil interests, illegal French oil exploitation in the southern coast of Somalia in agreement with Kenya and an attempt to delimit Somalia territorial waters to 12 miles instead of 200 miles so that our resources can be had for free and legally tapped by others. The author discusses the Kenyan and Ethiopian military involvement in Somalia and their desire to weaken Somalia to eventually swallow the rest of its territory.
In addition to the above, the article delves into the recent changes in the political landscape of Somalia including the Growe conferences and the unhinging of Somaliland aspirations to become an independent state. The break out of tribal feuds and fighting in this part of Somalia is not a secret to anyone although separatists would like to keep it under wraps. In fact Khatumo State and Makhir State which lies in the east of Sanaag region have never been under the control or under the administration of Hargeisa.
Instead of trying to understand the implications of this conference on the future and the existence of Somalia as a state, separatists are crying foul because someone has dared to mention that there is trouble in Somaliland like every other spot in Somalia. Here they huff and puff and they want to print their protest boards to condemn Aljazira for mentioning the reality on the ground in Somalia and Somaliland. There is a Somali proverb that says “when a man only sees a bright spot, he will certainly miss to see a dark spot”. The only goal of separatists is to have their little enclave in a sea of mayhem. As they fight tooth and nail to realize this objective, they can never see what Somalis can lose collectively. Let us lower the pitch of the noise level and stop printing the protest placards. February twenty three is only three days away and no one knows what the future holds for Somalis everywhere. Is not the morning only that near? It is true that history repeats itself but it deals the most severe blow to ignorant nomads. As Abdishakur Jowhar wrote the other day, “the only enemy of a Somali tribe knows is the tribe next door.”
“the only enemy a Somali tribe knows is the tribe next door.” that is
Report
“the only enemy of a Somali tribe knows is the tribe next door.”
wow wise words!
somalida ayagaa is arka cadaw kawayn aa lakin jira
african markuu loo dhoofinayay slave ahaan waxaa loo adeegsan jiray qabiilada dariska la ah siera leone waxaa ku taalay meel laga dhoofin jiray slaves markaasaa qabiil dhan ladhoofiyay kadib ayaa qabiilkii dhoofin jiray ayagana ladhoofiyay! sad story
@ Somali Jecel
Sooo that is why your father sold your uncle as a slave? I'm learning a new thing a day.
To be honest with you. After much thought and deliberation about this renewed notion that Somaliland is just and Isaaq led effort. Ignoring the 20 years of other righfull memebers of the agreements that the people of Somaliland has worked on. As well as the efforts they all made despite all odds. I find that after this meeting in London if not a positive conclusion then we the Isaaq should request and fund a referendum again along with posibile re election for a President that isn't Isaaq.
I don't think it is fair on Isaaq to keep bearing the brunt of the worlds wrath. Its in human the continued denial of the Isaaq people of their right to protect their people from opportunists. Whom are world renowed for atrocities to themselves as well as others.
Its seems the world is scared to the Pirates, Kidnapers and fradualent and they legitimise and lamante this opinion as far as I am concerned.
Do Somalia know what they will loose collectively? Allemagan. Majority of what you wrote is based of irrational fear? The British gave the Somalis choices. They made their choices and now their children are blaming the British. As usual Somalis blame anything but themselves. It wasn't the British that told Somalis to kill each other. Most crimes against Somalis are by Somalis. Take note
" … The break out of tribal feuds and fighting in this part of Somalia is not a secret to anyone although separatists would like to keep it under wraps. In fact Khatumo State and Makhir State which lies in the east of Sanaag region have never been under the control or under the administration of Hargeisa."
Allemagan, it is every Walaweyn's dream to destabilize Somaliland's peace and security that when an incident occurs it is their wish that situation escalate and to become like somalia. It is a wishful thinking, we are in control. To be continued ….
… "The only goal of separatists is to have their little enclave in a sea of mayhem." I think you are about to lose your mind. I am concern you will induce a self-inflicted heart attack by getting too worked up and having you hackles up! "As they fight tooth and nail to realize this objective…", You bet, we will. No doubt about it because we are at a different era than 1960 when our naitve fathers who took our flag and freedom with a blind sisterly love to the south. We are not anything them. We have seen what happened … the death and destruction of our country and people and we sure will fight you to the tooth and nail to keep you away from our country.
It is interesting to note that the crimes of the past Somalia regime that Arabs ignored is now coming to visit them because of the dictators they have been feeding for too long. Won't be long before the majority of Arab countries are flattened to the grounds.
It is a revelation that H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar had some sort of contract of kinship and affiliation with naked Africans from the Horn of Africa. No wonder the man was deposed from rule since it is not statesman like to share blood money with nomads from another continent. This relationship with the nomads if true, must have been one of the liabilities that brought the downfall of the man.
@mohamd Allemagan
After these Arab Spring revolutions, two significant Arab powers are very much in play is to say
Qatar and S/Arabia. Which side is good enough to last long?
cheers.
@ Allemagan
This is crap yours is sickening to read. You spare no one, insulting even the dead and showing no respect to nobody is now your trade mark. The Sheikh (Allah rest his soul in peace) was a very decent person, who had great admiration for the hard-working and honest people from Somaliland. The Sheikh was not the only ruler in the Arabian Gulf that had respect for Somalilanders, but the whole Arabian Gulf leadership and peoples shared the same sentiment for Somalilander, that is before the Somalia criminals invaded the region and spread corruption not only in the Gulf, but also all over the world form eighties onwards. Thanks to Waloweeyn like Allemagan now the good Somali name is destroyed.
@Allemegan
please tell us why you guys concentrate in destroying what Somaliland has achieved instead of concentrating on solving the problems of your country -Somalia? Can we call this an envy? If I were you I would have rather preferred to put the fire in my house off instead of trying to set fire on my neighbors home. Where is all this hatred from you coming from? Just be honest and tell us why do you hate Somaliland, then we will be able to talk about the matter and then put it to rest.
Mr. Dhugtame ather,
Allemacmac is off the rails, a cheat and a liar is never going to let you know he is a cheat or a liar. Thats what we have to realise.
Everyone knows what he truly means beneath all the lies and rhetoric. No amount of prolonged comments on SomalilandPress is going to stop what really happened.
They are a disease on the somali people, and Somaliland was lucky enough to rid itself of the plague that is Allemagan and his ilk.
I have gone beyong trying to understand them. Have you watched the walking dead? its a zombie show thats how i deal with zombie fa qash shoot em in the head……..you gotta get em in the head!!!!!!
This might sound gibberish but you know:When all the Somalis have been known to have
the similar characteristics of the Irish of Europe.The former took the neckname the Black
Irish of Africa, typically the Somalilanders of Somaliland are additionally known to be also
necknamed the Greeks of the Somalis when the rest are all characteristically morons!.
Cheers.
Ismaaciil Cumar Geele (Djibouti president) is attending the conference. Look at this hilarious cartoon:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-a…
Somaliland is a shinning star, no one can hide it with their hands, perhaps from their own eyes. We need to be strong, steadfast, invest and belief in our country. No one can stand in our way to self determination. There will come a day when all Somaliland cities will be connected by rail networks (Somaliland Rail Network) and cargo trains from Berbera port will transport goods to land locked Ethiopia. There are lots of good things coming our way Insha Allaah. The future is bright …… Somaliland guul
I am more surprised over these comments than the ridiculous paper written by a person perceived to have a Doctrine.
Your continuous paranoia will lead you to destruction (if Ethiopia wont do it first). You refer to people in Somalia as complete strangers, and is continuously blaming them for what happened in the 80s, oblivious to the fact that they suffered too. These corrupted leaders and the mountain monkeys Al-kabab are the real traitors and the majority of them are speaking up against them, rather than blaming the international community (although they play a significant factor). However, the most unfortunate thing must be the increasing cooperation between Somaliland and Ethiopia, not knowing it will lead to your own destruction. Hey guys, guess what. Most of us are extremely happy there is peace, and have no want or need to disrupt that, but turning a blind eye and rejecting the notion of Somalis being the same people (both ethnically and religiously) and steady forming bonds with the enemy is outrageous.
But as history has taught us, there is always a change and no ones suffering lasts forever. Remember that Somalia has the most valuable natural resources, and its location bare more potential than the northern desserts (the harbors wont be any good when the ships comes to the Mogadishu,which they will *winkwink*), I will be saying the same thing to you as you've said to them, and see how much you can rely on Ethiopia then. .
You can be as offended as you may, I am personally so ashamed of being from Hargeysa. We come every year, but after last summer and seeing how you treat the so called "refugees", I will never go back, I spat on the ground before I left! A few good business men and women and the rest are qaad chewing dessert monkeys from the remote villages.
Not only that, the only reason why Somaliland is coming to the London conference is because they want to lobby for their own political agenda, and not find a solution to the people starving.
I went to Somalia for my thesis as it was about Economic development, and despite the places I went to not having a "proper" government, they still showed more potential than the northern parts, it made us laugh!
Soon Somaliland will only consist of Hargeysa and Burco, haha.
Pathetic guys, just pathetic!
@ Hab@r Awal
Why are you calling yourself Hab@r Awal, you are obviously not even Somalilander let alone iss@q. Why can't you at least use your real name. Somaliland wants peace for Somalia but we are bombarded by pro-Somalia unity who want to destabilize us instead of looking for their own solution. It is our right to attend to lobby and to attend for our own interest if Somalia is not wiling to help themselves except to focus on destroying Somaliland. We can only help when our right as a state is granted, not when our sovereignty and security is being attacked every day. Somalia never cease to amaze me, their concern is only Somaliland and not the suffering of their people. What a shame.
plus, there are many refugees and many southerns who are happily in Somaliland.
First of all, you are not Habar Awal nor are you from Hargeisa. Your comments says all. So, take a hike and go to your hell-hole, bloody loathesome. Good Riddance of a Bad Rubbash!
it is obvious and unambiguous that some so called international media portray and project bad image on somaliland claiming their reports are actually real and neutral , and on aljazeera report is no surprise to me personally because they are envy of any progress ever made by their brothers, MORE OVER they are foe to their follow Arab brothers let alone Somaliland that is why they will always reje
ct and jeopardize the unity among themselves,they even use to kill their citizens so no wonder if they hail the killing of others,
It's obvious that turkey & somaliland are the ones to salvage the message of prophet muhamad(s a w) of oneness of Allah(sw) in the muslim world.The stand that costed Turkey EU membership is the stand that costed somaliland recorgnition.Somaliland should lead somalis from their own cuargmire of self destruction.SOMALIS MUST BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ONE IN DEFFERENT REGION OF THE WORLD.wAs for Al jazeera,it is unfortunate that their primary objective of justice from a muslim perpective has been drowed by a sea of turburlent waves of unjust world against what it stood for.I advice Al jazeera to break camp & give another emerging persons & channels to finish the journey.Somaliland salutes for ur effort.