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Somaliland Delegation to Visit Mogadishu in Historic Trip
September 23, 2011 · 33 Comments
HARGEISA(SomalilandPress)–Somaliland plans to send a delegation to Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Saturday, in what would mark the breakaway region’s first official visit there in more than 20 years. During a news conference Thursday, Somaliland Vice President Abdirahman Saylici downplayed any political significance, saying the trip is purely humanitarian. The delegation plans to deliver money to help Somali drought and famine victims. Somaliland’s trade, industry and tourism minister, Abdirisaq Khalif, said his region’s people have raised $700,000.
A second delegation from Somaliland will visit Kenya’s massive Dadaab refugee complex near the Somali border on Saturday. Dadaab is home to more than 400,000 Somali refugees. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but is not recognized by any nation. The region runs its own affairs and has existed in relative peace and stability for two decades. Somalia, in contrast, has been wracked by 20 years of chaos and conflict since warlords overthrew dictator Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991.
source:VOA
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By Mo Guled
Tags: Dadaab, Somalia, Somaliland, Somalilandpress
Readers Comments (33)
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ahahaha will they have those small "somaliland" pin flags on their suits when they are in Mogadishu? ahahaha loool
why do those small somaliland pin flags itch you?
by the way how much have you pin flag less contributed?
we also know that your life in europe is beggarish as you live on welfare handouts not to mention funding from churches
To "funny" (the clown),
The issue is not about Somaliland or Somalia; it is about helping the starving people of Somalia. Somaliland, unlike Puntland, is speeding hundreds of thousands of dollars that it desperately needs to help the devastated people in Somalia.
“Funny”, instead of practicing your childish skills do something to help your starving people. A suggestion: commit suicide!
Jamal (Burco)
come on bro, they only raised 700,000 r u serious? the somali diaspora in Canada have raised more money then them…
That is how you know that you southerns are nothing but pieces of trash. Despite 20 years of minding our own business, taking in your displaced clansmen (who you killed, raped, starved and caused to flee), and now this aid money YOU still talk from you noises. It's really sad and funny at the same time how the EMBARRASSMENT of Somalia can talk down to others.
What do you have and what have you accomplished to talk in this fashion? There isn't 1 single region on the face of this earth or peoples that you can honestly say you are better than.
In the past, China use to be called the "sick man of Asia". The south should be called "the sick man of the WORLD"
*Correction
I meant spending instead of "speeding".
hawiyas mislead again!
Somaliland is doing the right thing. Even though there are many somalilanders in need, Somaliland knows that their brothers in the south are in more need thus decided to share whatever little goodness they have. May Allah help our starving somali children in the south and may Allah give Somalia peace.
Long live Somaliland the heart of Somalis. May Allah be with Somaliland forever
Puntland can enjoy their haram looted money from piracy. It cannot be given in charity anyway
puntland has be helping the southern somalia for a long lime.
There is always political issue rised when you get involved with somalia,even when you feed the hungry but good luck to the government and people of somaliland.
I am very happy that my countries Somaliland is allowing aid collected by our people to be distributed by a Somaliland delegation to our brotherly neighbour Somalia in this desperate situation which is affecting all nations of the Horn. However it really annoys me when some of my fellow 'Landers refer to Somalia as simply as 'the south' when it is another country of which we separated from 20 years ago. While I pray for a peaceful prosperous Somalia, Somaliland must never, EVER join them again. Who needs recognition from the world when we are free and independent because God Almighty recognized us. Allahu Akbar
As President Egal Said in the USA state dept in his last visit there: " I have never been a citizen of Somalia". People make the mistake of calling the former union "Somalia" that is completely wrong the former union was called "SOMALI REPUBLIC" not "SOMALIA". Somalia has been and is the former Italian colony. Somalia originated from Somal +ia ( ia is from the last two words of Italia).
A lot of Somaliland politicians and journalists make the mistake of calling the relinquished union Somalia and this needs to stop once and for all.
Somalinders are thankful for the donation that they are contributing to their starving brothers and sisters, but should also teach team the secret of their success and lead the the process of reconciliation.
What they do with their people and their country is their business. We are there to offer them humanitarian aid and nothing else.
The secret is there is NO SECRET! Nation building, peace and development requires 1) honesty, 2) hard work , 3) dedication and most importantly 4) blessings or tawfiq from Allah(swt). Oh and the last point can NEVER come to pass if you are constantly scheming and plotting against fellow Muslims. That you can be sure of, since many verses in the Quran state this very fact.
However, our brothers in the south seem to be looking everywhere for a miracle (US, EU, UN, AU, GCC etc) except at themselves! There is no silver bullet and if there was Somalilanders haven't found it. What we do have is guts and I never say die spirit and that unfortunately can not be taught…sorry!
What's happening these days in Somaliland, Puntland, Somalia, is it revolution or evolution.
of course Puntland and Somalia have been one country Somalia and the people of Puntland
Majeertenia will have no problem with the people of Somalia South. The TFG PM is there to
look after the interests of Puntland. However Somaliland with a different agenda is struggling
to find a way out of its complicatedly awkward political embargo. The isolationism and dry docking
since 1991 did not earn the recognition that the SL so desirably needs. Due to the failures of the
past Udub Regimes and due to the fact that much golden chances were lost, is it possible with
the Kulmiye party Admin. the trend of the previous Regimes politics are changing into dealing
with Somalia directly and if that happens then what???.
Cheers.
I have a mixed feelings about this because there are lots of needy Somalilanders, but if it is help people with a dire need, I guess I can live with it.
Its good to help other muslims in need even though somalia hasnt respected somaliland in past fifty years we will have to be more mature big brother in any situation.This visit should not be polictical one but humantarian one ands thats all.At end somalia will recognize Somaliland isnt goin anywhere.
@Somaliland#1
Let us be more sober in our debates. When since SL broke up with Somalia in 1991 cuz of
the failure and collapse of the Regime in power etc., IF the SL to this day avoided to talk to the
different Regimes in Somalia directly, how then the SL Regimes could blame the other side.
You see one way of tackling your issues is by facing your ex counterpart and thrieve for a workable
resolution to determine whether that should bring about a peaceful settlement or else.
In this case regardless of what Somalia did or does to suit its own interests could always say
well if SL does not come round to the table with us to talk about the matters of concern how then they
(SL) could label us (Somalia) with accusations!. But then of course, Somalia is now not in pretty good
shape for talks with the SL..pretty dead end for as long as the weak TFG/Amisom and Alshabab are
engaged in wars.
Somaliland has been visited by almost every major European country and many GCC delegations. How come the TFG has never bothered visiting Somaliland or contacting any of the previous SL administrations by phone? It is easy for them to fly to south sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, US and Europe to beg for aid money, but not visit Somaliland who host many of their displaced people.
Rar Xamar will always be Rar Xamar! They love power, control, money and to sit in the chair of leadership, but they aren't willing to put in the hard work required to build a nation. They like wearing suits and taking pictures with other legitimate leaders hoping the photo-op will somehow gain them respect and creditability amongst their clansmen. Robbing the country's resources and aid money is also considered a bonus!
Become president with only a high school diploma and leave a millionaire a few years later! The Somali dream :)
Somaliland has been trying to raise funds for the south and coordinate with NGOs over the past months and yet the TFG continues to have meetings with the SSC troublemakers Saleban and sabrey who are in the process of starting another war. How can someone be in such a hopeless state and still manage to cause fitnah for others.
I will never understand southerns!
@Warya
That's is the difference between us and them walalo. They have slapped us in the face whilst we stretch a hand to help. My grand father used to say never take revenge on a one who wronged you. They are planning to cause mischief whilst we are busy tying to help but ALLAH over sees everything. We will not waste our time in trying to understand them but just wish them peace.
The truth is they will never let Somaliland go because they are blinded by greed. But regardless of their wish Somaliland will get their recognition. InshAllah when they get their peace and government the international world will ask if Somaliland want to reconsider the reunion in which Somaliland will obviously say NEVER and if Somalia try to force us into the union we will FIGHT. We will never let go the sol and sanaag and fight for it too if they try to unlawfully snatch a land that Allah destined to be part of Somaliland.
ps i hope khair for the innocent women and children who are suffering in their hands, innocent people who just want to live and want peace. They had enough of war, tired of qabiil but their leaders are very greedy and corrupt
@Amal,
You have summed it up very well — the recognition of Somaliland is inevitable, one way or another. Trust me, they would not dare to attack us.
I don't want to sound miserable but common sense dictates that charity should begin at home. It is a noble effort by our government and people to raise money for the victims of the drought in Somalia, but there are hundreds of thousands for desperate people in our country who are also affected by the disaster and as result lost much of their livelihood. There are no foreign journalists to highlight their plight and no foreign governments to come to their aid. These people depend only on their Lord, the government, and fellow countrymen and therefore should always be the first inline to get our help. Somalilanders should get together and help our pastoralists by digging for them one well at a time.
Personally, I am always ready with whatever I can contribute.
@ Abraham
You are right charity begins at home but the trouble and need in the south reached CRISIS level :( The delegation would never have visited Mogadishu but they though to put differences aside at times of need. But I agree we should get together to help our country especially digging wells since water shortage is a major problem.
May Allah reward the diaspora who send money back home, majority of our people live by it. But we should get together to raise funds that can benefit in the long term. Trust me we need to put effort, there are so much things we can do instead of just going back home with sun glasses lol and back. Sometimes we can't just wait for the government for everything
Long live Somaliland
I 100% agree with you sister.
I wanted to see the reaction of Waloweyn to humanitarian assistance from Somaliland, so I switch my TV to watch the Somalia channel. You know what? Somaliland was called the regional government of Somaliland. This is the way Waloweyn expresses its gratitude.
On the other hand, I did not expect anything different from them and we do not need them to thank us, because we are doing this to satisfy Allah and not them.
Assalamualaikum,
Salam frm Malaysia. Saw a documentary of Somaliland by one of Malaysian TV channels, TV3. I am very impressed with your country. May Allah blessed Somaliland! I pray that Somalia can learn something from your people on peace and freedom. Insyallah.
I don't know why some people have a problem with the name of Somalia. All countries in the world have official names but rarely used. How often do you hear people saying Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or easier name like Yemeni Republic. These official names aren't used even by decent media like BBC or Aljazeera. It's doesn't matter where the name Somalia came, it has been common since 1960 and all somalis were fine with it. On the other hand, famine is indeed in south Somalia not all of the country. This has nothing to do with Somalia being another country or considering Somaliland within Somalia, in all cases all problems (famine, fighting etc) are in south Somalia, pure geography! Some people need to stop calaacal or whining about minor issues.
Hello all my fans and foes :)
I am in Hargeisa. So many of you have said go visit the motherland—well your wish has been granted. I live fantastic life in Hargeisa since I have been here for two months now. I drive my brand new SUV from corner to corner and at this moment I am in Sabaxareed (mobile broadband). Hargeisa is mixture of many things. You hardly see any so called government but the people here are very hard working, determined and self sufficient. There are alot of poor people but no one is starving here. Most people dine in fine restaurants or have good food at their homes.
Some people have nothing and beg. The so called government should assist this beggars first before Mogadishu.
Most teenagers chase the paper, they rent cars, work in public buses, clean wherever, do whatever, they learned the art of business.
mobile phones are cheap too, I call overseas with only $2, I can talk for 15 minutes with $2 (SomTel). Telesom is more expensive. Most teenagers here now use SomTel. You cant imagine the money telecom firms generate here…the queues are long day and night…all teenagers dressed in their finest out fit…looking for the opposite gender.
The youths attend schools in two sessions (morning and afternoon). So many schools and universities here.
Everyone is making dollar….baby….donkey carts to freaking semi trailers….Hargeisa is booming but there is NO GOVERNMENT.
If you believe there is government in Somaliland, you are day dreaming. I am here. Everything here is done by the people. This news does not even reach beyond the so called "MadaaxTooyo" because people care nothing about what Silanyo says or those among his "government".
Here is why there is no government:
1: Roads
The roads are disaster, they look like the Katrina floods if not worse. No roads nor is there road rules, almost every day someone is killed or crashed by cars and the so called "government" is no where to be found. Ordinary people use their own cars to lift the wounded or killed to hospitals. They settle disputes and if that doesnt work, it comes down to clan affiliation—no government.
Everything else is the same.
You will not see a single police or man or woman in uniform resolving a single thing. If you see one they are corrupted and useless, they will ask for "blessing" or "eid gift" aka money.
The traffic controller will ask you for license and money, I mean come on, you only suppose to direct the vehicles and people not ask for license!!!
The government (zero) only hires qat addicts and nomads to do little dirty jobs. For example they have controls in almost every major road, you see them midday chewing qat and sitting in the shed.
The ordinary people are hard workers, credit goes to them.
Somaliland has no government.
Such false words coming from "puntland