Opinions
Somaliland — need to be noticed
May 7, 2010 · 25 Comments
Keeping the question of Somaliland on hold for so long is a risky strategy that has security ramifications in this age of terror.
Somaliland is a peaceful entity in an unstable region with a large Muslim population susceptible to radicalisation. The longer the world ignores its achievement, the greater the risk.
A better approach would be for the international community to offer Somaliland an interim UN membership. This would put it in a position to consolidate on its democratic credentials, to support the regional peace making process and to deny international extremist groups of a potential recruiting ground.
This is where it all began. On June 26, 1960, Somaliland gained its freedom from Britain and was recognised by the UN, including Security Council member states, within its colonial boundaries. It, then, joined on a voluntary union with Italian Somalia on July 1, 1960. The goal was to liberate all the Somalia-inhabited areas in the region such as Djibouti and parts of Kenya and Ethiopia and to unite them under a single Greater Somalia state – a vision that had brought a lot of misery to the regions in the past.
The union of the two newly independent states was mainly intended to serve as a means to an end, not an end in itself. The political realities in the region and the view of the international community had taken the end away, probably forever. Sticking to the means in the absence of an achievable goal proved difficult.
The1960 union did not provide a national cohesion. During the following three decades, people from Somaliland were treated as second-class citizens and their expression of discontent was repeatedly crushed by Italian-Somalia dominated regimes. Later, the union-state collapsed and Somaliland reclaimed its independence on May 18, 1991.
Since then, the two parts have followed dramatically different paths. The international community launched several peace processes to try to restore a government for Somalia, but continuous fighting and violence have hampered progress. For nearly 20 years, Somalia, unfortunately, does not have a credible government. Islamic extremists control now most of the country.
In Somaliland, meanwhile, a political transformation and a nation building process provided different outcome: a national constitution ratified through a referendum, a bicameral parliament comprising an elected house of representatives and a nominated house of elders, a government elected through the ballot box, political parties, security forces and provisions of basic services. All were locally initiated and locally driven.
However, Somaliland did not yet achieve recognition even though it has a broader international sympathy. And despite various developmental initiatives and a relatively strong livestock export sector, accompanied with a generous inflow of remittances, the country remains poor and unemployment is very high. But the good news is that Somaliland’s claim for statehood is in line with the charter of the African Union. In a fact-finding mission report in 2005, the African Union said that Somaliland is “historically unique and self-justified in African political history” and that the AU “should find special method of dealing with this outstanding case”.
Offering an UN membership to Somaliland would be a step in the right direction. This will send a powerful signal to the countries in and outside the region that aspirations toward democratic process would be supported.
In exchange of this, Somaliland can give valuable support. Its location on the red sea, overlooking the Gulf countries and its closeness to Somalia and Yemen, makes it strategically an important country in dealing with regional and international security. The Berbera Port on the Red Sea and the nearby military base with one of the longest runways in Africa are also among what Somaliland can offer.
By Mohamed A Omar (Inside Africa) under OPINIONS
Mohamed A Omar is the foreign secretary of Kulmiye, Somaliland’s main opposition party
Source: Khaleej Times Online | May 08, 2010
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Tags: Elections, Khaleej times, Kulmiye, Mohamed A Omar, NEC, Somaliland
Readers Comments (25)
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This foreign policy could get Kulmiye some votes, we have to utilize those assets the secretary has mentioned above. I am pro Somaliland-Gulf relations rather than Somaliland-Israel. I have changed my mind and in the long term I think the Gulf and fellow Muslims is the best strategy and working with them is more rewarding.
Kayse, you are easily changeable and inconsistant person like a chameleon! People like that have a name: unpredictable. Ilaahayow meel aad madax ka tahay ha itosin. I mean come on. One moment you support this and that. And next moment you are changing your mind. Be a man of his word, be true to yourself and have principles. Stick to what you believe in.
My friend it's not called changeable, its calle praising and welcoming every thing thats good in every individual. I dont right off people, I believe in second chance and I feel this foreign policy is one that could and should be supported, while I disapprove of Kulmiye's Unity dreams.
Any thing wrong with that?
“This is where it all began. On June 26, 1960, Somaliland gained its freedom from Britain and was recognised by the UN, including Security Council member states, within its colonial boundaries. It, then, joined on a voluntary union with Italian Somalia on July 1, 1960. The goal was to liberate all the Somalia-inhabited areas in the region such as Djibouti and parts of Kenya and Ethiopia and to unite them under a single Greater Somalia state – a vision that had brought a lot of misery to the regions in the past.”
Such political mentality behind the above excerpt from the KULMIYE release, a mentality common to all Somali Politicians, unstable, opportunistic, disloyal, reactive and ignorant, is what is wrong with the Somali people.
Somali wayner turns out to be a self hating Somali paradox at its finest :D
Nnaliye,
Somaliweyn became self-hating paradox because of lack of vision by the politicians who had the opportunity to lead the country since its independence in 1960. They failed to unite the people and end tribalism. Instead, they used tribalism to divide and conquer the Somali people. The result is what we have today. We should carry on the struggle until we overcome tribalism.
Runsheeg,
First of all, the word is 'opportunist' not opportunistic'.
Secondly, Somaliland would rather rally behind an opportunist man than a warlord.
I can’t imaging a fantasist like you who envisage an idol future like that of Somaliweyn, has the audacity to criticize a champion like Egal. I tell my friend, not even in another lifetime can you emulate the footprints of this great man who in his lifetime achieved to be the Prime minster of Somalia and the President of Somaliland. My advice to you is try little things first; enrol at your nearest school or better the army academy.
Salma, like the beautiful Salma Hayek
Opportunistic is an adjective and it means taking advantage of an opportunity, or exploiting opportunities and situations in general especially in a devious, unscrupulous, or unprincipled way. It is best to describe our clannish politicians. Opportunist is the noun. I am not expert in English though, I admit.
People of Waqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer should not rally behind opportunist or warlord. They should rally behind honest leader who puts Somali people's interest before his/hers.
Igal was an opportunistic public servant and his CV says it all, but he was not the worst Somali leader. That is not the topic here though.
Firstly, it all did not begin on June 26, 1960. Somali people are homogeneous people bonded by blood, language, culture, religion, land and economy since the start of their existence.
Secondly, to liberate Somali inhabited areas, unjustly divided 150 years ago by European Colonizers due to their colonial interests, is Somali People’s right for self-determination, a principle honoured in the UN charter.
Thirdly, what brought misery to the region is the house-negro-mentality and injustice of the Abyssinian leadership, and the political inflexibility and lack of strategic thinking by the Somali leadership. It was a strategic mistake to go to war in 1977 because Somalia could not defeat WARSO Alliance; it was also a strategic mistake to rely on armed resistance to liberate these territories. Non violent means could accomplish better results than armed one.
Fourthly, what brought misery to our Somali nation is the tribal mentality of the Somali leadership. Disintegrating Somali clans into their original clan fiefdoms will not bring peace to any one but takes us back to the dark ages. If Somalia could not exist because of tribalism, than Somaliland can get recognition but will never maintain a nation called Somaliland due to tribal divisions. Then, why waste time and effort? Why not collectively join in hands to remove tribalism out of Somali people? Something for KULMIYE Party to think about.
you just called them "unstable, opportunistic, disloyal, reactive and ignorant" and you think they will take your advice xD
Naliye,
I don't think so brother but we must keep hope alive and keep telling the truth as long as we can breathe unstill the Somali masses are politically organized to do away with tribalism and reclaim control of their destiny.
Boqoljire,
I do not hate people of Waqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer. I do care about them more than you do because I am against the clannish political ambitions of few personalities, you included, in the North who exploit the tribal divisions of our people to maintain position of power and influence so that they can serve their personal interest at the expense of the average citizen. People might not be able to see the effect of these politicians now since the south is in turmoil and they are milking the UNDP funds to finance their lavish life styles and greed capitalizing on the relative peace people there established using xeer Soomaali, but they will in the near future. I want and advocate for united Somalia that overcomes its tribal and religious divisions and uses its civil war as an opportunity to advance but not to fall back. I am just your opposite but I am confident that you will see what I see and I and you will unite against tribalism one day.
If the World communities do not recognize the oasis called Somaliland, sooner or later they will regret, and will be too late to stop the train that will pass by them.
You really think Somaliland people are ready to throw away their stability for lack of recognition, as A.M. Silanyo said" We waited 80 yours for our independence from the british, we are ready to even longer for our recognition"
Dear Mr.Kayse, see how Somaliland haters react to your patriotism and do not like you have a balanced view of the politics. People like so called run-sheeg claim they do not believe tribalism, but the only reason they dont like Somaliland is basically tribalism. Do they think that the people they are addressing are idiots and do not read between the lines.
The weapon we can use against those individuals is simple, and forceful and its just to ignore what they say. They will then realize they dont have a place in Somaliland politics.
Sxb this so called "Ruunsheeg" is one of the lost sons from Sool who sleeps one night in Garowe and the other night in Hargeisa. You cant take him serious just throw him a marduuf.
He likes to hide among us and repeat the same things in every story. Since I exposed him he stopped the "I'm from gabiley, I'm such and such" things.
Dont pay attention to him he just wants attention. Soon or later when we build the Berlin wall across the border he will permantely move to Garowe or build his own tent house in the out skirts of Hargeisa.
Runsheeg or so you call yourself. Waxba hays xiijin. Somaliland will never turn back. The ship has left the port and there is no turning back. Keep yourselves busy uniting the other four if you are interested in Somaliweyn. Quit crying after Somaliland. Ilaahayow maad dhiig oydaan. We are not interested.
Obviously the world wants to see stability in Somalia before they recognize Somaliland. The African Union and Arab League both oppose the Independence of North Somalia because of the instability in the South.
A question I have for the current government of Somaliland is ….what relationship do they have with Sharif Ahmed's UN Transitional Federal Government of Somalia?
There must have some sort of communication for many reasons. Sharif Ahmed was a great leader of the ICU in Mogadishu before the American-backed Ethiopian Occupation of South Somalia. It's no secret the ICU brought back peace to Mogadishu, they began development, cleaning up from the decades of war and were on a good path until Western powers, again, meddled into Somali affairs ending the peace.
To this day Western powers fund both sides of the war in the South and reality is Somaliland alone cannot end the problems down there. The Arab League is obviously not interested in getting involved, its easy to see taking a look at what is happening in Gaza and West Bank daily. Inshallah one day we can see peace in Somalia. & Ishallah the people of Somaliland will never turn their backs or forget what is happening down there.
"It's no secret the ICU brought back peace to Mogadishu, they began development, cleaning up from the decades of war and were on a good path until Western powers, again, meddled into Somali affairs ending the peace. "
thats why youth in the south are joining the terrorists ranks by the dozens, are you being sarcastic or do you honestly believe what your saying ?
What does Al- Shabbab recruiting youth today have to do with the actions of the ICU before the Occupation ? …..You must not be aware of what progress the ICU was making before the war and what support they had from the people of Xamar and South Somalia … you should maybe do some research and not let your ignorance question facts.
Gobaad,
I am interested in Somali Republic, not Somaliweyn for now. The ship doesn’t exist at all. The reason being is that it is not recognized and it has a severe tribal problem. It would have been another story if Somaliland is a unified and monolithic entity. The problem is SAADO CALI started singing against Somaliland now and if you remember Siad Barre Regime ended three years after she started singing against it. The new resistance against the secession led by, not Somalis from the South but people from the former British protectorate is one of the biggest obstacles.
People’s interest should come before emotions and finding solution for the tribal injustice within the Somali republic is the best way to go. Secessionism will bring perpetual conflict to the North. IT IS TIME TO THINK RATIONALLY.
That is all i am saying.
I know who you are referring to. A few remnants from Siyaad's loyalist and tribal affiliates who are scared to death about reppraisal because of what they have done. Don't worry about the north. Dabka idinkaa hurinayee demiya.
Saado cali is a tribalistic woman.Which is why she sang what she sang (inciting hatred/violence).She is diseased and diseased people, whoever and wherever they may be, should be kept FAR away from Somaliland and its people.
''The new resistance against the secession led by, not Somalis from the South but people from the former British protectorate is one of the biggest obstacles''
This ''resistance'' ,as you call it, was and is driven by the same type of diseased people-they have love and thirst for blood- who care for nothing but theirselves, their TRIBE and NOT the peace. If they wanted good for the people in general, they would want Peace. But no they are anti-peace,anti-prosperity etc. Just look at her she wants war again, what kind of people does she belong to?
contd..
People like her are flaming the fires of war, intsead of actually doing some good:- like helping the orphans, charity, building schools etc, they want the war to go on until their thirst for blood is satisfied.
They DONOT care about the people, not even the Southerners, otherwise you would see them helping out.
I used to think its possible for a solution between Somaliland and the Somalia or unity, but its crystal-clear that they cannot live in peace or let others in live in peace.