Somaliland
Somaliland: President departs for Ethiopia
February 6, 2012 · 16 Comments
HARGEISA — Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo left the country Monday leading a delegation to the Ethiopian capital for talks with senior officials.
Silanyo spoke briefly with members of the press before at Egal International airport before his announced departure. “The purpose of my trip to Ethiopia is to discuss with our neighbor issues relating to bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said. The President further stated in the course of his trip he will hold high-level talks senior government members including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
President Silanyo noted that Ethiopia was a friend and a neighbor to Somaliland and that the two countries shared common interest in the areas of economy and security developments in the region. He went on to say that the two people equally shared a well-founded friendship. He did not reveal further details of the scheduled talks but analyst believe security will be on top of the agenda and the port of Berbera.
The President was asked whether relations between the two Horn of Africa countries was strained by recent reports that police loyal to Somali Regional State of Ethiopia were involved in a tribal skirmishes with Somaliland army in Buhoodle.
President Silanyo reconfirmed the warm ties between Hargeisa and Addis Ababa and added that relations were in the right track. Commenting on the recent armed conformations in Buhoodle, the president reiterated that his administration was determined to sit down with anyone who has genuine grievances. He further called upon that such matters be solved through dialogue and mediation.
The President is scheduled to return on Wednesday after wrapping up his two-day visit to the Ancient country. He is accompanied by Interior Minister Mohamed Nor Arale, Presidential Affairs Minister Hirsi Ali Haji, Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omar and first Lady Amina-Waris Sh. Mohamed Jirde.
Somalilandpress
Biggest English-Somali news portal
Monday, Feb 6, 2012
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By Mo Guled
Tags: Ethiopia, President Ahmed Siilaanyo, Somaliland, Somalilandpress
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While Ethiopia has been calling itself for the last 21 years, as a friend of Somaliland, it has failed to recognize her friend as a nation.
The are a lot of Somalilanders who use to be pro-Ethiopia who are asking themselves now whether Ethiopia is playing a double games when it comes to Somalia / Somaliland issues. One thing is clear, our friend the Ethiopian has to know that, there is no way Somaliland people will ever go back to failed union with Somalia. And Ethiopia whether it like it or not, need Somaliland as Somaliland needs them.Therefore, it would have been a win, win situation if Ethiopia without any string attached recognize Somaliland.I hope Ethiopia will realize, this very important move and do the right thing.
Everyone is playing their own games, and no one should be trusted outright! That is the only lasting rule in the world period let alone politics. The only thing we have complete control over is our own actions and I am sorry to say but the previous Somaliland administrations were not trying hard enough for recognition and although this administration is doing its best it could do better.
In the end our recognition lies with us not anyone else. The world can ignore us all they want but how long can that last? As long as we keep our house inorder no one can break it, that is the secret!
The President must talk tough with Mr. Zinawi, like late President Egal who once told him point-blank, he told him that with both liberated our countries from dictators in the name of liberation movements, and Ethiopia must treat my country as such, otherwise, the Somali irredentism will wake up once again and you will be in trouble. Ethiopia must realize that without Somaliland in this part of the world, their security is at risk.
Ethiopians at large [people] believe deep inside, that if Somalia comes back from self inflected mayhem, they will again lounge war against Ethiopia and will leave them, hence, it's Mr. Zinawi interest to see beyond his nose and swiftly recognize Somaliland.
I foresee, that the international community are now pressing Ethiopian and some other African countries to bring Somaliland out of the cool, and this London Conference is the beginning of that endeavor.
President Silaanyo does not know how to talk to Ethiopians. When he was head of the S-N-M movement, he failed to win over Ethiopia, today is no different. He is not a politician, just a nice friendly man who is good for hanging out with.
Somaliland needs a ruthless, fearless, strong minded leader who knows how to play his cards right. Right now, I cant think of a single leader.
The Ethiopians want to hear deals, how you can keep Mogadishu weak and in the process help yourself (if your Ethio friendly) and Ethiopia grow. If you cant talk that, don't waste your time with Meles.
Meles wants to hear how Mogadishu can be kept in the chaos it is now and to be honest Silanyo wont do that. He will talk like this "Ato Meles thanks for receiving me. As you know Somaliland 1960 June bla bla…I opened few NGOs, closed few others, our security is TOP TOP and TOP (beentaa)"…
Then Meles will be thinking to himself "mmmhhh Ata aram" mohahahahahaha…
Silanyo has to come to Addis Ababa with a ball game and a master plan not the usual talk. Meles knows Somaliland more than most Somalis do. He does not need a history lesson, dont insult him, he is a decorated PhD holder now mohahahaha seriously!
I'm from Ethiopia and I know exactly how to deal with Amhara and Tigrays. Silanyo has to come out with guns blazing. Egal was a politician, he knew what to say to everyone including Addis.
The talk has to be around the topic of Somalia, ONLF, al shabaab, Berbera corridor and enrolling at least 1000 Somaliland troops into Ethiopian military colleges…this will benefit both nations because Ethiopia will not have to worry about East any more. Just focus on Eritrea, Southern Somalia and those Rastafarian bushmen (ONLF).
Kayse dear Shanba cayn yaa caynii lool ..Mohahahaha …Wow this time you giving us students more
tougher tests like your friend Lain Bisset! of the UFO UOH!.
Cheers.
I hope the top agenda on this meeting between the two leaders will be boarder security and war against terrorism in the horn of Africa.
The Ethiopian policy all along was and is still is we are not going to be the first or the last to recognise Somaliland. Our president should show Meles a way out of this predicament. Suggest to him that we understand his point however there is a way out. convince your colony Djibouti to recognise Somaliland.
The problem solved. You are not the first and we hope you are not the last either. I hope Meles gives this proposal a thoughtful consideration.
my dear countrymen and my beloved mothers and sisters in Somaliland must stop to obsessed with the word recognition from other nations. We must learn from history like China who survived for many years without being recognised by West. We should endeavour with the little resources we have to build the country, strength our national army, eductae our boys and girls and especially to be able to communicate in English and other languages. We must not always depend on Arab countries, We must establish ties with Irann Turkey, India, Malysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Our foreing affairs minister needs to travel to those coutries and explain our position. Our county is reach in minerals, gas and oil. Negotiating with foreign company to extract oiul on basis of equal sharing in the revenue. We do not wish to see our oil stolen and our peoiple who are so ppor deprived their gift from Alah. Transparency must the order of the day in running our country. Corruption has destroyed former regime of the military opressors of Somalia.
We are not obsessed with recognition. We survived for the last 20 years and we can survive for another 20 years without recognition. The point is it is our right to be recognised. You mentioned China. China did not sit idle waiting for recognition. They worked hard like we are doing now to be a member of the family of nations. They lobbied the newly independent African countries. They lobbied the non-aligned countries. They lobbied the South American countries. They did not leave any stone unturned until they reached their goal. That is what Somaliland is doing. If the Arab countries do not listen to our pleas for recognition I know one country that will listen to our pleas favourably. That is a card we do not want to play right now.
It is all about access to the sea. While Somali businessmen and traders pay taxes, Ethiopia wants all goods headed to Ethiopia to be exempted from taxes. The Ethiopian representative in Hargeisa argued that his government can not accept that goods imported through Berbera to be taxed at all. He said taxing these goods in Berbera means that the goods will be taxed twice since they are also taxed in Ethiopia. In essence, Ethiopian citizens must enjoy more rights for Berbera port than Somali people.
Now the question is, what is Silanyo telling to people with that twisted logic? How will he satisfy the unacceptable demand of Meles Zenawi and his desire to make Berbera his own port? Somaliland sold everything that is precious in order to secure recognition even from the traditional enemies of Somalia. But what Somaliland does not realize is, after losing access to Asmera, Ethiopia wants a port of it's own. Nothing less. And the long-term objective of Ethiopia is to make the whole of Somalia not Somaliland only a new addition of Ethiopia's peoples and nationalities. Silanyo, don't lose your shirt.
Allemagan,
I don't understand whats with you southern Somalis and your fear of Ethiopia…for God sake Ethiopia is the very one housing the very people your so called government has displaced. If Somalis see two Ethiopians in Mogadishu they freak out and harass them while hundreds of thousands of Somalis call Addis Ababa home and millions are escorted all over eastern parts of Ethiopia from Dire Dawa to Jigjiga to Moyale.
You fear of Ethiopia is not shared by Somalilanders, you game of portraying Ethiopia as the regional boogeyman will not work. Instead of using fear tactics, force, fake union slogans and messages—-you should focus your energy on fixing your own homes.
You talk about Somaliland and Ethiopia day in and day out but you cant even unify two suburbs in Mogadishu, for example one side is occupied by Abgaals and the other by Habar Gedir and the two often exchange fire…South Mogadishu vs North….
Who you trying to lie to?
Berbera is Somaliland port and Somaliland will do as it wishes with it. Ethiopia is our second home. When Somalia attacks and tries to exterminate the Somaliland population—Ethiopia will be there to stop you and open its doors for Somalilanders. We know who is the real enemy of Somaliland.
If offering the port to Ethiopia means security so our kids are not eating by Somali cannibals from Somalia—–I think its great investment and one that deserves applaud.
Kayse, my comment was intended to be read and rebutted by Somalis not by Ethiopians. Obviously your reaction is what would normally be expected by an Abyssinian or their stooges to justify Ethiopia's desire to use someone else's sear port for free and by intimidation. There is no country or region in the world that will accept that another country uses its sea ports without paying a penny. And by the way, how come a country without an outlet to the sea have something called an Ethiopian Shipping lines? Where do these tall ships dock at and lay anchor?
Allemagan
There are ports all around Ethiopia. Ethiopia is using port of Djibouti, which is a very a sophisticated port and sufficient for the current demand . Southern and western Ethiopia is also working on using Ports in Kenya. Northern Ethiopia is using port of Sudan and soon Assab will be open.
Guled, why you sounding like Djibouti Port is an Ethiopian port. Djibouti is a Somali territory but show me where are all the around Ethiopian ports. Man get real. These Abyssinians are sick in the head and can never tell that which is their own from what belongs to others.
Allemagan
As I stated above, Ethiopia is using Port of Djibouti, Port of Sudan, Port of Kenya that will soon be serving south Sudan and also the Berbera port. Ethiopia is paying for the service that the mentioned Ports are providing. Let me ask you something, what is southern Somalia doing with its longest coast in Africa? Djibouti is earning close to a billion dollar from its port services. This is strictly economics as such, medieval politics has no place in it.
Ethio-samolianland relationship is unthinkable. we Ethiopian are with your side than other countries. to be recognized you have to hard work . we know Somalian is separated from Somalian . we are bonded with economic, community relationship and politician history. somalianland it doesn't only Ethiopian but other country too. long live Samolianland and Ethiopian.