Jim says:

I admire your sentiments, Brother Bashir, but I can't blame the Somalilanders for keeping quiet. Mahiga and his sort don't listen to the general population in any event, and don't listen to Somalilanders very often either. He dances to the UN/US/UK/IGAD/AU tune. Kenyan, Ethiopian and Ugandan government input is valued more than Somaliland input. But don't you see that the UN policies over the past few years are at the heart of the famine.

You remember well that the TFG govt was a railroad job hatched in Djibouti and the UN forced it on the Southern Somalis. Abdilahi Yussef had failed and exited. The West wanted a "moderate Islamist" to head the government in Mogadishu. The UN/US thinking was extremely shallow. That decision in Djibouti in the last days of the Bush administration (packing the Parliament) gave life to the Jihadists, and I warned the acting US Ambassador at the time, the same Jihadists that have exacerbated the drought and famine conditions in the worst ways. The US position has always been focused on real or potential terrorists, US security considerations, so humanitarian assistance took a back seat in all regions of the Somali territories. It is my understanding that thousands of "internally displaced people" and refugees from other parts of the Somali territories found a safe haven in Somaliland. I am happy that Somaliland can offer any assistance to the brothers and sisters and children from the South. Would that they had more resources to share.

Abraham says:

Dear Bashir, Somaliland is not as rich or secure or capable as much of the rest of the World. The drought affected Somaliland as much as it affected the South, but because of our stablility its effects were mitigated and the victims helped. The international community had access to every part of our country and that is way the drought did not turn nasty in Somaliland. Moreover, Somaliland does not need to open its doors to the victims of the drought as our doors and borders were never closed to them. In other words we have an open border with Somalia and people come and settle in Somaliland all the time.

Daahir says:

Help is never too late, but i agree with the writer that Somaliland's attitude toward the rest of Somalia has been separate your self from the rest of them and treat the internally displaced people as a refugees foreigners and not people who fled from some part of Somalia to another part of Somalia. The focus of Somaliland has been getting recognition and they have been trying very hard to explain to the world that they are Somalilanders and not Somalis. It may even be a political move to say we will help Somalia since Somaliland has nothing to offer nevertheless the drought victims will appreciate any help they can get from anyone.

Raage says:

Mr. Goth, with hesitation I applaud your article. Regardless of whether who the disfranchised or hungry community is, it is a basic human feeling to come to the aid of another human being in distress. I would love to use a magic wand and make these horrible experiences go away, but the reality is that there are multiple factors and more powerful forces in play here, be it Ethiopia, USA, UN, Kenya, Al-shabaab. And I have to say that when the people of Somaliland were being slaughtered by the people of the South, no one cared, so if the people and the government of Somaliland responded late to the on-going tragedy in Somalia, we have a right to be so. After all, Somalis from Somalia killed 65,0000 plus innocent Somalilanders.

saddam says:

mr goth better late than never.brother raage, sometimes we should try to forget the past even though its very hard. you forgive in order to forget.

warya says:

People also need to understand that Somaliland's infrastructure isn't strong enough to handle an additional influx of IDPs. Somaliland is still struggling to take care of all of the old IDPs not to mention the increasing inflow of Oromo and other regional groups. Now combine these factors with the all the challenges faced by the local population – water shortages and limited funds due to lack of recognition, and you get a really tough situation. Regardless, however, I still agree with Mr. Goth for pointing out the obvious truth. Somaliland should have been at the forefront in dealing with the current crisis taking place in the south.

CIMRAN C says:

If you visit most cities in Somaliland you will find a sizable communities from Somalia. And they are increasing by the day. In hargeisa the southern Somalis are almost one third of the population. Their numbers are also increasing in Burao and Borame. They come and go as they please. No restrictions were put on their way. Somaliland's silent support is not small. This country provides a save heaven and treats southerns as its own citizens and our boarders and doors are wide open for them. our schools, Markets ,hospitals and society are all there to to help. What we get at every turn instead people like the writer trying to score political points. By the way isn't pontland part of Somalia? aren't they supposed to help their brothers! Why the writer didnot mention anything about its pirates who are doing havoc to the existance of the Somali people.

akademiga says:

we owe you nothing. You should look onto your warlords who are blocking the attempts of the rest of the world in providing aid and instead raping your women and killing innocent children. The same that was being done to our women and children and maiming our men, blocking food and supplies when your demented warlord set upon on trying to wipe the Issaqs out.
memories are long.

amal says:

I'm appalled by this article to be honest. Somaliland is a poor country who is also affected by the drought yet decided to stretch her hands and give whatever they can whilst they have been hosting the refugees from Somalia for a long time without any restriction. Somalilanders alongside other southern Somalis all over the world were busy donating and collecting money for drought hit Somalia and have been very concern and sadden about the situation too. Who said it's too late? Somalia is in the midst of worst situation now and regardless of whether they have the world's attention or not Somaliand is doing its bit. Allah who was there for us in the 80's will be there for them now inshAllah.

Boqoljireh says:

Bashir Goth ha loogu dhaarto in Somaliland aanay ahayn Somalia.

Why brother Bashir did not blame Djibouti for that matter? They are not Somalis too? Because there is no IDP in Dila, he may not know how much Wanlaweyn IDP we have in Somaliland and how free they are in our country. Bashir we have been together and fighting for Somaliland when President Riyaale was in helm, what make you changed so drastically? How much we can trust you and alike? I thought you know better how our people have been maimed and masacred, and yet you blame the good-hearted Somalilanders who did not retaliate of what they have experienced.

I wonder why my countryman Mr. Goth is continuously blaming the government of Somaliland for anything even such unrealistic accusation of Somaliland ignored their bretherens.

OMAR says:

Basher goth if your true traitor to somaliland ur people dont come back keep writing u articles for xamar sake cause I believe the faqash must paid for your education hahahhahah
''''' waxan hubaa in markay dhargaan ama isracaan kashaqayn donaan sidii ay somaliland iyo dadkeed u babiin lahayeen………yadaba ha i odhan caawi kuwii aabayhay dilay anigana idhawacay…….

mahamoud says:

abaaraha iyo duruufaha adag ee ilaahay keeno waa mid diin ahaan iyo dadnima ahaanba waajib ah in la iska gargaaro. bashiir na ceeb ma aanu samayn wuxu xasuustay sidii la innoo caawiyey todobaatankii markii siyaad barre diyaaradaha innagu daad guraynayey ee uu ka damqanayey abaartii xumayd ee inna haleeshay,muslim iyo gaalba waa wax laga noxo dhibta maanta ka taagan gobolada koonfura in laga aamusaana waa danbi waa walaalaheen waa abtiyaasheen ,waa dad aan is dhalay oo maanta laga helayo dadkaa gaajaysan gabdhaheenii lagu qabay dhulkaa dhibtu ku dhacday .mahad waxan u celinayaa oo aan leehay xaalna qaado walaalkeen bashiir oo markasta ka dhawaaja waxa dadka taabanay

middlepath says:

Somaliland was always helping since the 90s. What else do the refugees live on besides the hospitality and security provided by the people of Somaliland?Even after what their country Somalia has inflicted on their cities a few years back.

Unlike neighbouring Puntland, refugees in Somaliland are not raped or looted or harmed..hardly!! There is law and order and protection even for refugees and you ask us what did Somaliland do?

Do we conveniently forget the day when a PLANE-LOAD full of Somalis were DEPORTED from Saudi Arabia and was prevented from landing onto Puntland airport and then it was allowed to land in Hargeisa's Airport after being rejected? Is Puntland not Somalia? Why did you Mr Bashir not complain about this blatant crime against Somalis in Puntland against other Somali Refugees?

I think it is utterly unjust to deny the good that the Independent Nation of Somaliland has done, considering that they want to be a separate Country that has little to nothing to do with the Mogadishu Capital.

.

middlepath says:

Somaliland always helped since the 90s.

So Mr Goth, what do you call the time when Somaliland people and its Government allowed a PLANE-LOAD full of Somalis DEPORTED from Saudi Arabia to land in Hargeisa's Airport after it was PREVENTED from landing on Puntland soil. Is Puntland not Somalia? Where is your condemnation? Where is the condemnation of Somalis aginst this blatant crime? What about the raping and looting of Refugees in Puntland? Silence?
Where was Somalinimo when Somaliland was sufferring its droughts? Is Somalia about give me only, don't take any?

What I want to ask you Mr Goth and anyone who tries to dare question the Somalinimo and Islamnimo of the Somaliland people is, 'Is Somalinimo only remembered when Mogadishu is in Danger?' If you say no, then where was the response from Somalia when Somaliland needs help.

What did Somalia do for us so far, nothing except stopping us from reaching our goals to independence and development, which even the refugees will BENEFIT from. Shameful?. Definitely.

Gobaad says:

Bashir Goth has never shied away from attacking and criticizing Isaaq time again. He played neurtral all the time that his uncle was in power and never utter a word for all the wrong thing he was doing. And now attacking the Somaliland government for not responding to drought engulfed Somalia soon enough forgetting or playing down what we went through in hands of all Somalis including the enemies within.

Saying that "… Somaliland authorities saw the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon and get their share of the limelight and international focus …" is an out right and a bold face lies. And of all people not Somalia but Somaliland merely response is for a humanitarian issue because we could not consciously watch the heart-rending images splashed around the world. If anybody seeks attention for the wrong reason, it is Bashir Goth himself!

Gacaliye says:

As to Keyse,

You misunderstand the concept of Machiavellianism. I think you need to educate yourself more about politics.

Hargeisawi-In-London says:

@Gacaliye,

For the last 21 years, we have been doing way more than our share in the way of helping your people: there are over 500,000 of your people in our towns. The UN does not pay for their education, health, security, etc; neither Ina Goth does! So, who pays for all of these services? You tell me!

Perhaps, you should get your facts right before you use abusive names.