Editorial

Somalia’s PM Sheds Crocodile Tears for Loss of Lives in Somaliland

February 9, 2011   ·   2001442 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fsomalia%25e2%2580%2599s-pm-sheds-crocodile-tears-for-loss-of-lives-in-somaliland-20014Somalia%E2%80%99s+PM+Sheds+Crocodile+Tears+for+Loss+of+Lives+in+Somaliland2011-02-09+18%3A45%3A13Abdiqanihttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D20014

Somalia’s current Prime Minister, a former henchman of Gen. Mohammed Siad Barre’s brutal regime, Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed, better known as Farmajo, on one hand arms a violent group against Somaliland. And on the other, sheds crocodile tears for the loss of lives in Buhodle town of Togdheer province in Somaliland, where Somaliland security forces recently battled the same militia that aligns itself with Mogadishu regime—the same militia that Mr. Farmajo himself invited its leaders and welcomed them at Mogadishu’s airport.

Just few days in office, Mr. Farmajo wasted no time. He invited the bellicose PSS (SSC/NSUM) leaders. On November 11, 2010, Mr. Farmajo himself welcomed the PSS leaders at the Mogadishu airport. The PSS leaders led by Suleman Essa Ahmed (Hagal Tosiye), a Somali-American from Columbus, Ohio, and Col. Ali Sabarey, a Somali-Canadian from Toronto, also met the Somali President (or the besieged Mayor of Mogadishu) Sheikh Sharif.

This is not the first time that Sheikh Sharif not only met this violent group against Somaliland but also encouraged it [PSS] to instigate an armed struggle against Somaliland. Sheikh Sharif met the PSS/NSUM group several times, despite knowing that it conducted violent campaigns against peaceful Somaliland. Also, in the past, the PSS’ (or SSC) leader, Mr. Ahmed told the BBC that his militia received support from Somalia’s “Transitional Federal Government” (TFG). Shortly after, Somaliland’s former Foreign Minister, Abdullahi Mohamed Duale demanded an explanation from the TFG, but to no avail.

Surprisingly, a number of Somali MPs warned the Somali government against supporting the PSS (SSC) group. They exposed that the PSS group was, indeed, in Mogadishu to get military and financial aid to wage bloodshed in Somaliland. They also warned against the growing relationship between Al-Shabab and the PSS group. The MPs stated that the plan to arm the PSS was devised in President Sheikh Sharif’s office. They also vowed to send letters of protests to the United Nations and the African Peacekeeping Forces known as AMISON in Somalia.

Now, imagine if Somaliland received an Al-Shabab delegation in Hargeisa, Somaliland capital? What would be the reaction of the International community? Clearly, the Somali Transitional Government TFG is setting up booby traps to sabotage Somaliland’s progress towards democracy and peace.

Yet, no sooner did the wounds that Mr. Farmajo’s former regime inflicted on Somaliland heal than he secretly began arming a violent group bent to destabilize Somaliland. In his thesis, for his graduate degree, Mr. Farmajo, trivialized the death of over 60, 000 Somaliland people slaughtered by his former regime. He wrote, “They [Somaliland people] simply died in crossfire, not in genocide.”

Today, hypocritically, he sheds crocodile tears for the conflict in Buhodle, instigated by none other than the Al-Shabab-affiliated group named PSS (SSC) that he welcomed in Mogadishu. Mr. Famajo states, “Those areas [Buhodle and its surroundings] are part of the Somali provinces that enjoy peace and stability, and we worry about war spreading to new provinces in Somalia.” (Worry about Al-Shabab, not Somaliland.)

Well, first, Mr. Prime Minister Farmajo, you control only few neighborhoods in Mogadishu, so really, your appeal for peace is needed in your city, more than anywhere else in plant earth. Second, I don’t know whether you find solace in stuttering absurd remarks of claiming that Somaliland provinces are part of your besieged Somali regime, but you really need to understand that you cannot govern Somaliland from 1500 kilometers with a remote control. And the violence that you, hypocritical, shed tears for—not only do you condone it, but you also support it.

To sum up, reminiscing about “the good old days” of Gen. Barre’s barbaric regime and feeling nostalgic, today, Mr. Farmajo perhaps thinks there is still some unfinished business in Somaliland.

In less than three weeks in office, he infuriates Somaliland people by harboring an armed group that threatens Somaliland’s stability. And now, he appeals for peace in Somaliland, after the same violent group the he fosters attacks Somaliland security forces. His MPs warn against the PSS’ (SSC) ties with Al-Shabab. They also chastise him for supporting the PSS. So why shed crocodile tears now for Somaliland? Is Mr. Farmajo’s approach towards Somaliland a political gaffe or a calculated plot?

Dalmar Kaahin

dalmar_k@yahoo.com

 

 Email this story

By Abdiqani

Tags: Buhoodle, Somalia Prime Minster, Somaliland, Somaliland Army, Somalilandpress, ssc