Opinions
Op-Ed:Somaliland must face-up to its realities
October 4, 2011 · 40 Comments
Let me first say that I’m an ardent supporter of the Republic of Somaliland who dearly wants to see Somaliland gain full international recognition as an independent sovereign state.
Secondly, I believe that Somaliland has every right to revoke its historical ‘1960 voluntary-union’ with southern Somalia and exercise too, at the same time, the right to self-determination. And also, because of the very fact that S/land has fulfilled all the legal requirements and criterions for Statehood in International Law¹: full recognition—shouldn’t have therefore been a problem for S/land!
Not to mention that S/land, as well as having—ceaselessly demonstrated to the international community its commitments to upholding regional peace and the rule of law, the war on terror and piracy, freedom of speech, countless free and fair democratic multiparty elections—since its 1991 formation should have put S/land’s recognition in the headlines.
Now, after more than two-decade and all the admirable political, social and economic achievements which S/land has become internationally acclaimed for, we still find that the international community is still reluctant to give S/land its rightful place to be amongst the nations of the world, as a fully fledged and recognised sovereign state.
Who is to blame for this ‘non-recognition’ status of S/land’s claims to an independent statehood? Is it, the international community or is it S/land who’s at fault…?
Personally, I don’t blame the international community because no single country or state that I can think of, has openly opposed or lobbied against S/land’s recognition in the international arena: whether it be Egypt, Saudi Arabia or the USA—as some would lead us to believe . Nor do I blame the regional or world-governmental bodies like the UN, Arab League, AU or IGAD.
Even though, these international world and regional governmental bodies, from the very onset of the 1991 Somali crises have always had a preference for championing—the unity of the Somali state—holding it paramount towards finding ‘a comprehensive and lasting peace’ to the Somalia peninsula.
Hence, I don’t blame the international community for not recognising S/land because the international community has made an international concerted and collective effort to let the UN, AU and IGAD initiate a comprehensive lasting peace and political solution for Somalia’s woes from the very start of its all-out crises, back in 1991.
Nor do I blame the international or regional bodies like the UN, Arab League, AU or IGAD for pursuing the unity of Somalia because of their misconceptions to what—it would mean for the rest of Somalia and the African region as a whole—if ‘S/land’ were to gain its full recognition for statehood from the international community.
I blame S/land for the status quo that we find ourselves in today! I blame the various S/land administrations, including the present government, for pursuing a dead-end foreign policy. A foreign policy, that’s been getting us—nowhere for the past two-decades, much to the international community’s bewilderment at our arrogance and persistent refusal to at least come to the table and negotiate or discuss S/land’s claims to statehood with the various Mogadishu based Somali transitional governments that have come and gone over the years! Regardless, whether these talks with Mogadishu’s TFG authorities were to fall through or produce fruitful results for an independent S/land.
Yet, we keep on seeing S/land foreign ministers jet-setting to the capitals of the world in hope of getting world recognition for S/land. And the international community never tires on telling them, time and after time—again, where and to whom—they should really be focussing their energies on—with regards, to S/land’s recognition, ie. the TFG!
It seems—past and present S/land governments are intentionally ‘oblivious’ to the opening paragraphs of the forty-odd UN Security Councils Resolutions made on Somalia since the start of the 1991 Somali crises to the present-day—which state explicitly that, “(the UN Security Council), Reaffirms its respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia.”
These very same words are resonated too, in every IGAD, AU and Arab League communiqués and statements made on Somalia since 1991 to this very day!
It’s no wonder then, that the international community is ‘always’ ever reluctant to recognise S/land, especially, whenever S/land foreign ministers start knocking at their doors for recognition—irrespective, of the massive gains and accomplishments that S/land has achieved over the years!
Tell me too—which UN-member state country that might be ‘wittingly’ inclined to recognise S/land when the ‘UN Security Council’ keeps-on pledging in every resolution it makes on the Somali crises—to uphold ‘the territorial integrity and unity of Somalia?’ The answer is none!
It’s about time that the S/land government ‘faced up to the realities on the ground’ and start seriously looking at over-hauling its ‘wild goose-chase’ foreign policy on recognition.
S/land must seek “dialogue with the TFG in Mogadishu” and start negotiating for its inevitable “separation” from the ill-fated ‘1960-union’ of the former British Somaliland and Italian Somalia which produced the Somali Republic and later, changed name to the Republic of Somalia.
Let S/land demand—from the TFG and the international community—to have an internationally observed ‘independence referendum’ held within its (former British Protectorate) borders—in similarity, mirroring, South Sudan’s referendum of Feb’2011, and led to the recent peaceful breakup of ‘Sudan’ into two independent-states in July- 2011.
Rashid M X Noor
Hargeisa.
rashidnuur@yahoo.com
Notes:
¹ Carroll, A. and Rajagopal, B (1993) ‘The Case for an Independent Somaliland’,
American University Journal of International Law and Politics, Vol. 8, No.653.
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Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Somalilandpress editorial.
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By Mo Guled
Tags: Somalia, Somaliland, Somaliland Recognition, TFG
Readers Comments (40)
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Dear Mr.Noor,
There has been in many occasions, where the victim has been blamed for the crime done against them. You are no different, you are blaming Somaliland people or government for lack of its recognition. I totally, differ from you on this thinking.
It's the world communities who are victimizing Somaliland by letting the status quo to remain for the last 20 years.
If only, one country in the world, particularly the African countries, stand up and say they will recognize Somaliland, the domino effect is unstoppable. Non, will come out to do because, they want Somalis every where to suffer. Look at South Sudan case, it was not the hard work of South Sudanese that brought them recognition but, because the world want this country to be recognized, especially the Western World. Why they don't want to do the same for Somaliland? you ask yourself.
It's the world community who are playing games and you know what, Somaliland is here to stay forever!
Yea, I think HMObsiye is right its the world fault. Its the International community fault that when war or tragic happens their there in a heart beat but they have ignored the peace and the goodness of Somaliland nation for no apparent reason.UN only works with the bad child(Somalia) and ignores the good child(Somaliland). Its true people pay more attention to evil than good in the world.Somaliland also is located in Africa which is corrupt Continent every since decolonization period.At lot dicatators and corrupt politicians in Africa and Arab
world are against Somaliland recognition because Somaliland stands for righteousness.The western world also don't want to see a muslim country prosper especially in Africa.
The previous administrations were not working hard enough, this administration is not only doing something, but also building the country give it time. Work on building relationships with out countries that are open to our ideas, and best of all open lobbying groups which we fund to get those elected to office that support Somalilands recognition! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imagine what we can do with just 40 dollars a month from Somalilands diaspora and also the governments tax revenue alone, we can support and get those elected to office in the west that support our ideas. Special interest groups all over the United States do this, we need to start one ASAP, before campaign finance reform is ever enacted in the United States which I doubt will happen anytime soon.
Its time that those that really support SOmaliland put their money where their mouth is, I am willing!
how far off you are
Far off from what exactly? You came here to comment right? Now be a good boy and make complete sentences and stay off teh vague one liners.
The Author obviously confuses the voluntary amalgamated union of 1st July 1960 between Somaliland Somalia where the two Somalis had different Post Colonial background histories. While the Author
could argue on the forty odd UNSC resolutions adopted on the Somalia crisis since 1991 to the present day
reaffirms its respect for Sovereignity, Territorial integrity, Political Independence and Unity of Somalia,
in essential general terms, the two background post Colonial histories take precedence in each
State without conditional claims on either side. Therefore, there's no justification whatsoever binding
the Somaliland legitimate case of an Independent Statehood to the Statehood of Somalia. Holding
Somaliland hostage for Somalia is therefore utterly unlawful and unconstitutional. Besides, Since
1991 to the present day, Somalia never had any elected Govts. Where by contrast Somaliland
transformed itself through democratically elected Govts. The current weak TFG supported by Amison
is engaged in wars with other dangerous factions and is not in any physical fitness to negociate with the
Somaliland on any thing at all.
Cheers.
The author has a very good point. Even in a bad divorce, the family of the partners try to force the groups to talk things through. We keep talking about the case of SSudan yet are not following their lead. Yees the TFG is weak but that is precisely why we should talk to them now. We can negotiate our divorce while they still need our support and not when they have consolidated their position. against the lunatics down south
I totally disagree with the author. He calls Somalia "Southern Somalia", this is a misnomer, Southern Somalia are the regions south of Mogadishu and the former Italian colony as a whole is called "Somalia."
The other point is, you can not negotiate with the TFG, because it has no legitimacy to negotiate on behalf of Somalia, simply because it has never been elected, hence it can not represent the people of Somalia. Somalia is an occupied land, it is run by the Ugandan mercenary officer and by Mr. Mahiga. For that reason, negotiations can only take place between equals. Somaliland is a free and democratic country, while the TFG merely controls 2 square KM.
The former Somaliland administration missed the point, where Ethiopia advised them to ask the AU to set an agenda for the discussion of Somaliland independence, but they fumbled on that one. I hope the current administration will learn from that mistake and move in the right direction.
Dear All,
It looks like you always select 'disagreements' rather than carefully reading and digesting what has been said – for many times I saw people disagreeing even with the basics in a fundamental issues.
Somaliland married Somalia with the acceptance of Somalia – and any separation is obviously coming only and only with the full acceptance of Somalia – Otherwise, we can talk and waste our valuable time by writing up some negative comments on each and every article published in here just because 'we are bored Diasporas' and we see criticizing people as the only way to spend time! If that is not our case please some body tells me different idea of why Diasporas criticize everything.
Thanks
Hassan
Asalam, Xassan well said saxiib. I'm in total agreeance with the author Rashid M X Noor. We need to start thinking of Somalia and I'll even go as far as we need to send troops to kick some al-shabaab tail. YA HEARD. Help Somalia get back on it's feet and seek recognition afterwards. That's my nickel…. Chow Mahad
Thanks Mahdi
@ Kossar
the people of Somalia could not come together and talk about their problems, what makes you think that they will come and discuss divorce with Somaliland? No politician in Somalia has the courage to agree to a divorce. They rather turn you into a Naakirad other than a divorced, I hope you know what Naakirad means.
Yusuf,
SXB You still missing the point – this doesn't mean the marriage and the Naakirad you know – it contains much more than that. please read what I said again.
Thanks
@ Kossar
I think your point is too sophisticated for most Somalilandpress readers to understand.
Good luck!!
If you think any TFG or government in mogadishu will acknoledge Somaliland sovereignity your completely insane. the people of koonfur could care less about Somaliland they see us a slave thats on the run.They will never respect you even if Somaliland is doing the right thing.The only thing Somaliland needs right now is observer status from the UN so atleast then we can take Somalia to international courts.If we get our case heard we will surely get our recognition through the high courts.Their isnt one entity that can conduct and mediate a meeting between Somaliland and Somalia.They have grown so far apart like night and day.
most Somalis donot know that Isaaq nation are bestowed with massive spiritual power, that other somali clans donot at all have. as a result, there will be always two consequences for such power. 1. After suffering for sometime, Isaaq nation will always secure an ultimate victory. 2. enemies of Isaaq will subsequently doomed for long long time to come. I wish I can explain this to those who would outright deny that spiritual phenomeen/ power of Allah granted the fair isaaq nation, but I know they already made up their mind.
If you let Sool and Awdal go and be part of somalia the somali people will support you in your indepedence, you have to regonize the will of Harti clans before Mogadishu is going to regonize your will. Will you accpet somaliland without sool and awdal?
You do not speak for neither Sool nor Awdal. Besides, Mogadisho has no a claim or a power over Somaliland, we came into the ill fated-union on our free will as a country and when thing didn't work for us we reverted to our statehood and paid a heavy price in lives and wealth. All that Mogadisho has to do now is to give us their blessings. But if they have in mind anything other that it will be impossible from their part to achieve, because Somaliland will never accept anything else.
It's funny how MJs think they know more about Somaliland than Somalilanders. This whole Awdalstate idea was created in the diaspora and all the tribal leaders of the Gadbursi are with Somaliland, but I somehow doubt your thick skull will ever accept this fact. Secondly, the people of Sool are in majority support of Somaliland and that is what has Puntland and the MJs soo scared. Their pirate region is on the verge of collapse, with Qadro declaring itself separate from Puntland, and now they wish to destabilize Somaliland.
The facts speak for themselves whether Somaliland rejoins or separates Somaliland will do so as 1 unit and there is nothing Majeertania can do about with talk or action. Finally, the only reason MJs keep chasing after Mogadishu is because of their own tribal ambitions and nothing else. You people are the least patriotic and most divisive tribe in the whole country. You hide behind the blue flag, but all you aspire for is tribal domination and INSHALLAH will never get it.
I hope this is not Rashid Garuf, our man in Washington.
In a nutshell, this guy asserts that 2 +2 is 5. He then proceeds and "proves" that 2+ 2+ 2+ 2 is 11 (instead of 10).
I mean this idiot fails on both accounts: his premises are demonstrably wrong; and what is even worse is that his conclusion is invalid :(
sld don't need the world recognition…..we need ourself and allah help….look how many african country who are part of the UN…even the 1 street gouvernment of hamar got a chari at the UN…
let SSC & Awdal join somalia & somaliland aka rer issaq is free!!!
Do you think ssc & awdal will be safe and stable if they were part of somalia ?????
What can offer them except the car bombing and mass killings?
Your so called bintiland is part of somalia , so how safe is it now???
Somaliland’s recognition rests with the AU…. How many times have we heard this phrase from labour and conservative UK prime ministers + foreign ministers and from many visiting foreign dignitaries who come to Hargeysa. We should put all our energy and resources in getting the AU to recognize Somaliland!
Good point Abdi, I couldn’t agree more.
I live in Somaliland and despite our Country being very under developed and impoverished the vast majority of people here have alot of IMAN and a large portion of them will fight to the bitter death rather than to surrender to Somalia.
We cannot force the world to recognise us, we have stated our case on a million occasions, Allah recognised us when he created us as muslims. I for one will never go to Mogadishu to ask for recognition, and insult the history of my (AHN) SNM Father, just to have My flag at the UN just like those other poor Black Africans like myself, I just wont go through that kind of humiliation, in any case I dont believe that they would recognise us anyway.
I like Abdi have put my faith in Allah, and would urge all Somalilanders to Pray to Allah to help our ever growing poor population, rather than paying money to lobby groups to speak on our behalf.
Siciid
Hargeysa, Somaliland.
Stands for Siciid Thank You Walalo!
Our recognition is not in the hands of the TFG! What is the international community going to do even if the TFG gets its act together? As long as we remain democratic and protect our borders they cant do anything to us that we cant take them to criminal court for! It is our human right to self determination, and if anyone tries to break that then You will have another war and this time its not just rag tag SNM. You are going to be dealing with a fuggin ARMY and better organized and let me tell you better funded, richer and educated Somalilanders.
Stay the course and stay democratic thats the way we get our independence.
People, the old Somali Republic is dead, finished, kaput, never to rise again. Somaliland is a de-facto state, awaiting de-jure recognition, and when the international community gives up on Somalia ( and judging by the massacre of innocent students and their parents on Tuesday) which should be any day now, then Somaliland will take its rightful place among the nations of the world. Somalilanders need to remain united, vigilant and progressive, the past is the past, learn from history, and never let it repeat itself. If recognition comes tomorrow or takes another 20 years, Somaliland will always remain Somaliland. This is the reality.
I am getting sick and tired of folks acting like they support SOmaliland or are from there and then posting this nonsense. We as a collective should demand better articles from Somalilandpress, how can you call yourself SOmalilandpress when you allow people that attact the very country you profess to support and allow them to post articles like this?
Does CNN, NPR allow Chinese etc to post or broadcast shows or articles etc that demand bring the very core of American Values and Government down?
Somalilanders pay attention to the news groups and abandon sites that dont support your people and country. It wasnt till I made a comment about not allow SOmaliland haters that lie into our comments that this Admin started to pay attention. Again I ask all of you true Somalilanders, are articles that even fly in the face of everything we and our forefathers worked so hard for to be allowed a space in our sites? Freedom of speech is one thing propaganda that is DISGUISED as a genuine article is another. SOMALILANDERS PAY ATTENTION
Bedria and Siciid, Abdi
I absolutely agree with you guys afka caano geel la idinka qabay. We cannot force the international world to recognize us nor shall we humiliate ourselves to ask weak, fake, corrupt, greedy government of Somalia who we know will not recognize us anyways. All we need is to have faith in ALLAH, stand strong, focused and united. We will succeed inshAllah bi'idnillah
Listen if you want recognition you can take togdheer and waqoyii galbeed, not Sool, Awdal and Sanaag. These region want to be unite with Somalia. I don't know why only isaaq tribe is advocating for separation rather then building our country stronger, at this time Somali people need each other they have to come togather to defeat the enemies and build strong country.
You don't represent or speak for Sool, Sanaag or Awdal because a minority cid ay ku tiirsato rabtaad tahay. It is not because you are campaigning for the love of Somaliweyn. Because only uniting Somaliland and Somali South do not form Somaliweyn. The fact of the matter is that you are scared. Simply, because you don't have where to go. You sacred of Isaaq and Hawiye because of the atrocity you have committed in both the North and South. And the only people who will benefit from the so-called Somaliweyn is the Harti. That is why you want to hide behind Somaliweyn. Get real. We know and you know that will never happen. And if you are trying to isolate Isaaq, you got it all wrong. The majority of the people in Sool, Sanaag and Awdal are happy where they are.
First of all stop using awdal my reer inabti dont want anything to do with your lot.
Its not only the Isaaq. I went to Awdal and Sanaag on my last trip to SOmaliland and those people are flying our Somaliland flag! Why are you soo against any Somalis that choose to live in a society together that isnt under your foot as some sort of non existant entity?
Lets face it reer Awdal know they have a better chance at success with Somaliland then with you lot. They have a better voice and better population statistics when it comes to voting and better government set up with SOmaliland then they would with Somalia where they would be just based on numbers alone marginalized by you lot. Your just angry because you cant get your act together and want to include them, but they are busy in Somaliland growing their youth, getting them educated, starting businesses just like every other SOmalilander. Not to mention that they had an actual president from their clan in Somaliland. Please tell me what "harti" is going to let anyone rule that isnt from their clan. You know its bs, and the folks in Awdal know it!
And since when is friggin Sanaag and Erigavo considered some sort of Harti homeland what a load of bs! There are atleast three clans that live there and you have by no means a majority. Isnt Isaaq's tomb even in Sanaag? That alone is a slap in the face if there ever was one. Muppets!
Correction:
The five main cities in Sanaag belong to Isaaq, these are Erigavo, Ceelafweeyn, Garadag, Xiis and Maydh. So what Sanaag Region are they talking about – Laasqoray town? Let them take Las qoray and its fish processing plant and leave us alone.
Asha walalo I lubs you aka I love you lol
why you reer issaq folks getting excited for? knowin the fact that majority of sanaag is under the control of puntland. only erigavo is under somaliland, but the rest badhan, laasqoray, dhahar, ceel afweyn, buraan, hadaaftimo, mindigale, xingalool, yubbe, ceelbuh, damala xagare, maydh, elaayo & gar adag is with puntland.
A zombie will never turn Cilmal Yaqiin but will rather stay as Caynal Yaqiin. SNM for sure they decide to chase a mirage called ICTIRAAF.
Lmaoooo its already gone, we were NEVER one to begin with that is a historical fact! What do the brits have to do with this. Somaliland is reclaimed by its African owners from African devils who wanted to burn it to the ground. The brits left a long time ago. Wake up warya all that imperialism fear mongering inorder to stay in power aka like qhadafi aint working!
Next thing you know you guys will be making radio broadcasts from a hole somewhere when Somaliland gains its independence at the United Nations.
Muppets!
Dear Somalilanders, Rashid did nothing wrong at all.
We must and should share and exchange ideas as a civilised people. Changing one strategy to recognition and statehood over the other is perfectly right in the rules of politics and likewise, sticking with one particular viewpoint is not odd only, but extremely wrong!
Staying in the current limbo situation (non-recognised status) for a 20 years to come ,or 100 years as our politicians sometimes naively argue is not unrealistic only, but against our own interest. The 20 years single path for us was: putting our house in order, send our Foreign Minister to here and there and sit back until recognition comes through the door and it means that we are putting all our eggs in one basket.
We need plan A, B, C, D, etc endless. We should not fancy one specific strategy to recognition. We must not adore only, but adopt any strategy that could possibly lead us to our recognition no matter where it goes through; even if it go through Mogadishu. Whether they’re weak, unelected or they control small area or large is not our business at all! We’ve made good progress in state building and establishment of peace from square one thanks to Allah, but there’s still a large amount of work to be done and many lessons to be learned over how to play and exercise politics!
“Ninkii aan u doog dhaban, biyaha looma soo daro.” Timacade.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney
Harun