Opinions
Somaliland “Siege of Different Magnitude”, by Arab states
July 28, 2011 · 35 Comments
To All Arab Head of States, We Somalilanders whole heartedly stand with the people of
Gaza who suffered tremendously under the unfair siege imposed by the State of Israel,
and hope that it will be lifted very soon by the International Community, including Arab
governments who are having borders with Gaza, but watching this since 2007. Our
forefathers have fought in Palestine in 1946 and many have fallen defending the
Palestinian homeland against Israelis.
Likewise, the people of Somaliland are going through the same siege for past 20 years
imposed expansively by their Arab brothers and closing their eyes to the legitimate
rights of our people. When we [Arabs & Muslims] cry loud for justice and
freedom for the people of Gaza and at same time deprive the people of
Somaliland of their rights, there is something wrong somewhere.
Somaliland people are being punished for re-affirming their lost independence in 1991
after having defeated the dictator [Siyaad Barre]. The Arab States who were
independent in 1960 including Egypt, Sudan, Syria Algeria and others, have all
recognized our statehood in June, 26th 1960, and now claim that they only knew one
Somalia after the collapse of Siyaad Bare regime, while ignoring the Syrian & Egyptian
divorce in 1961 after 3 years of unity of purpose. There was no valid treaty between
Somaliland and Somalia in the first place.
After 30 years of injustice and oppression our people decided to take their destiny into
their own hands. Given the current Kos and mayhem in Somalia since the collapse of
the last blood thirsty regime, no one would envy to stay in their company. The Arab
nations spearheaded by Egypt and Saudi Arabia are trying to thrust us towards the ill-
fated unity that our people have rejected in 1961 referendum. It’s surprising that Arab
states do not have a clue about the history of Somaliland, especially Egypt who once
ruled Somaliland and Saudi Arabia who ruled from 1560 by the then Shareef of Mecca
until the Ottomans arrival to the area. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are solidly behind the
isolation of Somaliland, depriving the people of Somaliland access to the international
community.
For sure Egypt is doing this to preserve a bigger Somalia so that they can use them as
whip stick against Ethiopia who owns the source of the Blue Nile. The only Arab country
that supports the people of Somaliland and provides certain donations to our Ministry of
Health is Kuwait, and we are grateful to this, even though this help comes from the
Charity Organizations and not from the government of Kuwait, nevertheless, we thank
them.
There was few times that UAE Red Crescent has send some delegations to see how they
can help in the field of health, specially TB Hospital in capital, and eye clinic were some
Drs have done some operations at Manhal Hospital built by the Kuwaiti Red Crescent
years back. These are the only help we got from our brothers for the last 20 years,
while we have been kept isolated from different areas.
Arabs spend millions of dollars to Somalia where there is no light at the end of the
tunnel, and they continue to do even now, without even asking themselves, why
Somaliland has flourished and this people they are helping are continuing to kill
themselves? It’s ironic that, they do not understand.
Emirate of Dubai is different case, because our relations is basically business, like the
Americans says “American business is business”, and this Emirate is our only gateway
to the world, where our business community purchase their commodities and its win-
win situation, but naked from the brotherly encounter and the help our people deserve
to get from brotherly nation.
I believe arab states have to notice and pay attention to Somaliland before it’s too late
and get behind the rest of the international community who wholeheartedly support our
self determination and democracy we have been praised. Major EU countries and North
America continue to engage with Somaliland and support our democratization process,
which is very unique in this part of the world [Middle East] and the entire African
continent.
I believe it is about time that the Arab countries to join the moving train before it
reaches its destination, and engage Somaliland, because Somaliland is here to stay and
prosper in the very near future [probably before the end of 2011]. If they [Arabs]
continue to stay the course of believing that there will be a Somalia in peace and in
oneness, while wasting money and effort to achieve the unachievable, the future
relationship of Somaliland and Arab Countries will be damaged beyond repair.
There is a question I always ask myself, which is why they are doing this? Are they
waiting us to beg and do how the warlords and politicians of Somalia do? Our people are
proud people and will never do it, but ready for a different dialogue.
Sincerely,
Omer Hussein Dualeh
omer.dualeh@gmail.com
Email this story
By Mo Guled
Readers Comments (35)
Somaliland
Somaliland: Grand Opening for a New State of The Art Coca Cola Bottling Plant In Hargeisa
Hargeisa-President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (silanyo) today cut the ribbon to a new modern beverage production plant which is owned by Coca Cola Company ...
Somaliland-Ethiopia Relationship
Overpowering Gratitude Vs Vexing Misgivings By Ahmed I. Hassan Author’s Note: This is the chapter on Somaliland-Ethiopia Relationship in a book titled “Somaliland: The Legacies of Non-Recognition” which ...
SOMALIA: Turkish Airlines diverts to Nairobi after security scare in Mogadishu
MOGADISHU — A carrier operated by Turkish Airlines left its Somali passengers stranded in the wrong airport after landing in Kenya rather than their intended ...
UN envoy in Somalia concerned over violent clashes in Hargeisa
Photo: Special Representative Augustine Mahiga (UN Photo/Stuart Price) NAIROBI — The United Nations envoy in Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, today expressed concern over recent violent clashes ...
SOMALILAND: President urges citizens to uphold peace and stability
HARGEISA — The Somaliland National Independence day celebrations that was widely marked within and outside the country, had an added flavor when the State House grounds witnessed ...
Your Say
IN MEMORY OF DR. ABDISHAKUR JOWHAR – FRANZ FANON OF THE SOMALI PEOPLE*
BY BASHIR GOTH “He lit up a room. If you can imagine the sun, his face was like the sun, that smile, the arm around ...
- Somaliland media: Spreading the word
- SOMALILAND: Where is the Justice in our Justice System?
- Unionist are Dead — Long Live SOMALILAND
- Apprehending Ratco Mladic: a reminder of a war criminal working as jury
- Dr Jowhar: We lost a friend, a Hero
- GEESI LOO HANWEYNAA – A tribute to my hero Dr. Jowhar
- 10 Years after Timor’s Independence, Where Is the Justice?
- Why Hiil Qaran Party Will Not Have a Significant Impact on the Politics of Somalia
- Sunday 20 May: Join in Commemorating late Dr Jowhar
- Qurbomeer State should stop smearing the reputation of Lula A Osman
Somalia: Federalism, Division and The Dual Track Policy
OPINION | MAY 20, 2012 Photo: Alternative to federalism and Somaliland/Somalia ideology – the three branch Somalia (three branches of government in three different parts of ...
Somaliland National day – for the sake of a decent life and principle of the future
OPINION | May 18, 2012 By Abdirahman Maeeg In a wonderful day like this day, our talk should have significance from a different angle; it is an ...
it is a very intelligent and informative article mr Dualeh and I agree. As you know Abti in this world countries act after their interest what interest, what can a indepedent somaliland offer the arab world? convince them and you will win.
Long live Somaliland.
I totally agree with Las Anod Boy and Togdheerboy in that state interests is at the conerstone of this neglect, but equally to blame is uncordinated efforts of Somalilnad diaspora and dormant state that we Somalilanders in the diaspora find ourselves. Initially there was lack of astute politicians from Somaliland who are up to the job of selling Somaliland's recognition to the rest of the world. It is only now to some extent the political elite are playing a catch up game and engaging the rest of the world through economics, strenghtening neighborly relations and more mature policies. Also problematic is the lack of employing experienced political analyst who have international perspective and worked for international govermental bodis, but are retired now that we can benefit from their advice and experience or connections. What do you guys think.
abdi
you said " Initially there was lack of astute politicians from Somaliland who are up to the job of selling Somaliland's recognition to the rest of the world" I agree, just to mention the first president of somaliland and the creator of somaliland Abdirahman Tuur who declared that Somaliland had returned its nationhood 18 may 1991 then just to tell the world that he was vice president of Somalia in 1995 in Aiideeds government based in Mogadishu and that Somaliland was a province in Somalia, this is just one example which made it diffecult for the UN to take somaliland regonization serius … and then came the corrupt Riyale government 2002-2010 which was using somaliland as a private playground and never took the regonization issue serius.
I agree with you Las Anod Boy but remember open and at same time conservative muslim society that is democratic like Current Republic of Somaliland's recognition is against what Arab leaders stand for. They are all dictators and suppressors of their people. The don't want Somaliland beig touchstone or criterion of functional modern Muslim nation.
Mr. Omar Duale thanks for your wonderfull articale which is based on reality. Arabs in general know how somaliland suffered during Siyad Barre regime. They are very aware about the Somaliland strugle and the present Somaliland progress BUT they absolutly ignored the rights of our nation.
This young somaliland nation deserves respect for their achievment. My question is? Wy should Somaliland care about looser nations that dosen´t want our own existance?
I would rather prefare to share my progressive ideas with nations that well come my existance. Dosen´t matter who they are.
My advice to my fellow Somalilanders: If you want to be wise go with the wise man But not with the loosers.
Arabs are not dummies, they know the history of Somalia and the geographical territories of Somali tribes. Somaliland must do their home work if they want to search recognition from any other country because no country will violate the Somali government sovereignty. No government will recognize one tribe's wish without the will of the other tribes in Somaliland.
'without the will of the other tribes in Somailland"
Okay and WHAT tribes would that be? The SSC, who spoke on the behalf of the warring Dhulbhante, have now joined Somaliland and have agreed to work within the legal system. The conference happened in Burco and there are YOUTUBE clips to prove it. And I quote "we are all Somalilanders, but now we just need to find a way to share power and resources equally". Furthermore, Somaliland unity is improving slowly, but surely.
The HARDCORE Darood fanatics who refused to attended have split from their clansmen and are now running around killing Dhulbhante Policewomen in Las Anod. So what are you talking about?
The article says we Arabs and thats very unfortunate to say bc Arabs do not care for black people, seriously Arabs don't consider ethnic Somalis to be Arabs and to find out why yu do not need to search, You all remember when Somalis are kicked out of Libya with the rest of black Africans. Why wouldn't the writer write a letter to the president of the republic of Somalia Sheik Sharif and ask him to please recognize Somaliland as an independent State, whats wrong with that? South Sudan got its independence through peace talks with the North and the pleasing of Bashir who is a war criminal in the eyes of the west. Somalilanders need to change its attitude toward its southern brothers bc independence will not come from abroad, but through talk with your brothers and referendum.
There is a big difference between South Somalia and Khartoum in terms of commonsense and decency sadly. Khartoum has a functioning government, developed society and a sense of direction and purpose. Our southern brothers, on the other hand, prefer to run around the middle east and the world telling every country to ignore Somaliland instead of feeding their own people. The TFG can not even control a single city yet they persist on bashing Somaliland every chance they get.
Unlike the international community, Somalilanders know the true mindset of RAR Xamar and that is "Somalia is all ours and if we can't succeed you won't either" This mindset is what destroyed our country and national unity. And this Tribal envy or xaasidnimo is also what is causing the Hawiya to kill each other and Puntland to repeatedly try destabilize Somaliland.
MY WAY OR I DESTROY EVERYTHING! (mindset)…Subhanallah
Arab rulers don't care about Somalia they care about thier power over the Arab societies they suppressed. They can't see Somaliland as touchstone of modern Muslim nation.
@ Geedi. He is even able to stop Azania from forming right under his nose. Nor was he able to sort Puntland or Hiiran out. So Why would Somaliland who is an Independent country even think of the failed leader of TFG as a possible path to their recognition. Somaliland would rather approach Israel, china, India and Europe.
It's like asking him to admit the genocide he is committing against the South Somalia through his neglect. How likely is that?????
Why you are demonizing Arabs now? Did you forget yesterday when you were calling yourself Hasimates and
Changing your flags to look like Arab flag? You cannot blame them anything they know you are part of Somalia and you remain to be part of Somalia but nothing else. I know you are like chameleon.
Dear Mohamoud, please stop doing this to yourself. Hate eats your heart every moment you see Somaliland progressed, and you are part of this territory, but for obvious reasons you have hate in your heart towards your people. I am sure you are not Wanlaweyn, but Somalilander who is somehow disoriented by unknown reason. Come to the fold Mohamoud and ask your elders how sweat was our togetherness. God, the Almighty decided to give us this portion of the world to live together and that will not be changed by tribe that do not agree with the other tribe for trivial matters. Come on board my fellow citizen.
thank u so much for saying that to him ,obviously ,he's indeed a hater, who sits evry day infront of the internet cursing somaliland and it's acheivements ,and knowing that his country is in a mess,he cant change the war in his country so he's jumping on other people,if i were you i wouldnt talk because i would be embarrassed and seriously i have nothing to brag about ,this is an advice from me dont make fun of somaliland and stay out of our business becouse allah will ask you about all this you are doing,and for being a hater to a people that didn't do any thing to you.
Do not Hate Appreciate my fellow brothers. :)
Boqljireh,
Thank you for you comment and I know most of somalilanders are very noble people but few of them and the wrong leaders can disband our brotherhood and the blood relationship we have.
Thanks Mohamoud. Believe me we are one nation and one people. The best friend and cousin was killed on his way to Borame where he thought will escape from Faqash, but unfortunately he was killed on his way. I know those who kill him, but I do not hate them. It was a period that ha passed away and we have come together to forget those dark days. Hassan was a friend of all and I believe he had some friends in Borame, that is the reason he went there. I was in Hargeisa and he came to meet me, while his family were in Borame where he thought its safe for him. Hassan was someone who was loved by all Somalilanders, but unfornately was killed by people who believe that he is one of those………… ?
We shall forgive and build our country together and share the beauty of the future we cherish to reach for our country. Somaliland is here to stay for all of us dear brother and Abti.
Thank you again abti.
Boqoljireh
you said " Believe me we are one nation and one people" " We shall forgive and build our country together and share the beauty of the future we cherish to reach for our country"
I think its very wise and beautifully said, but why not say all somalis are one people and one nation? AUN to your friend Hassan may he rest in peace amen, remember somalis are being killed to this day in the south….why not say all somalis should forgive each other and build Somalia together?
beautifully said brother boqoljireh. And to somali wadani, yes all Somalis should forgive each-other but unfortunately we could not deliver the dream of Somali weyn so we might aswel build our state Somaliland together with our brothers that we share territory, blood or marital relation, culture and even dialect and remain two sisterly state just like our current sisterly state of Djabuti. Our hearts and minds will always be with our southern brothers and sisters who are being displaced by war and famine may Allah help them as major and satisfying aid can only come from Allah
What's Arab? I'm waving my Israeli flag. As the new face and generation of Somaliland, we have no connection with Arabs. The Somaliland historical claims whether be Sheikh Isahaq or Samaron or Issa is all myth.
Somalis are ancient people and existed long before Islam and the "Sheikhism" myths. We use to trade with ancient Egypt and the Somalis are same group as Abbysinians (Ethiopians & Eritreans), Berbers and Nubians.
We are ancient people who migrated from North Egypt, we were never Arabs. The Somali Arab claim was invented by Ismael the Magnificient, who ruled Egypt before the British seized the region. Ismail wanted reasons to claim Somaliland, Ethiopia and South Sudan. While he sent military into South Sudan and Egypt, he claimed Somaliland on the bases of Somalis are Arabs.
Later the same continued with Egypt because Egypt needed Somalia for proxy war against Ethiopia over the nile.
Somaliland needs to have ties with Israel.
Arabs will always be our muslim brothers and Somaliland is a arab country and will never support the zionists.
but then again what should I expect from a man who celebrates the Tigray rule over Somali Galbeed.
Kayse, the first pro-Zionist Somali I've never met. You must be confused.
Just because your bitter the Arab League wont accept Somaliland as a nation state doesn't mean we have no connection to Arabs and we should have ties to the Zionists. Your a very nationalistic guy…but don't let that blind you. Many politicians would shake hands with the devil to serve their interests… and many Somali leaders have made this mistake in the past. We pray Somaliland never makes those mistakes. Israel might want to be first to recognize Somaliland..but we won't recognize them until they free Palestine.
Kayse,
Thank you and I appreciate you knowledge of the Somali history and our origins.
Thank you again……….
Egyptian were worshiping ancient Somalis. Somalia was were mankind first civilization started from. Somalis were ruling Egypt once but not originally migrated from Egypt. Ancient Somali language is found in Egyptian pyramids and toms. Some historians believe that Somalia has more buried pyramids than any other known country. Zayla was the first sea port city of this planet.
kayse,
No doubt Somalis are ancient people but regardless of that Sheikh isahaaq banu haashim, issa, darood ismaeil, samaron dir and many more were all arabs or arab descends who came and settled in the land of somalis to spread Islam. Why do u think our language is full of Arabic and the entire Somali pensula is Muslim. Those arab men then were the real arab men who conquered the world with Islam and who spread Islam around the world. The arabs now are mainly American poppets but regardless of that they will remain to be our brothers.
and please stop this isreali none-sense sometimes i think your veiws are rather weird and odd.
Somali language is one of the very few oldest languages of this and it is older than Arabic language. The proof is Nabi Ismail was the father of Arabs and his mother's name was Hajira and some historians believe that she was from Somalia. What we call nowadays the Arabic words in Somali language were the Somali words adopted by Arabs. If we want to have future we have to learn our past.
Correction:
Somali language is on of the few oldest languages spoken in this world.
@Mohamoud
Thats quite interesting, never though of Somali words being adopted by the Arabs. I know one Yemeni woman who told me that their Arabic in Yemen has a lot of Somali words for example they say quraac for breakfast etc I think most non-somalis think somalis are arabs for having soft hair, lighter complexion when in fact Africa is a diverse continent with various complexion and looks
@lool
before you waste your energy on laughing, I don't see anyone crawling back to Somalia the failed state. If because you see mohamoud using the word Somalia when talking about somalis is because he is a unionist fanatic. I suggest to go an mind your own business
Amal,
Language doesnt define who you are. The Somali language isnt full of Arabic but Arabs borrowed Somali words just as English borrowed Latin words, does that mean the English are Latin? No, they are Anglo-Saxons.
Somalis are no Arabs, we are related to the Berbers, Nubian and the Habasha. We are the ancient Egyptians and indeed the Somali culture is full of very ancient Egyptian cultures including dance performance, literature, stories, frankincense, and other things.
For example the "saylaci" dance isnt so seylaci but ancient egyptian dance.
look at these photos for Somali/ancient Egyptian costumes; we still use these items.
Ancient Egyptian:
http://users.skynet.be/egypt/images/13511.jpg
http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/top…
Somali:
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/20045/somalia_soma… (look at the girl at the center)
http://img213.exs.cx/img213/7823/nomads7uq.jpg (the man)
Now you do your own research and look at ancient Egyptian paintings and Somali costumes/dress code, etc.
Also do more research on Ismail the magnificent, he is the one who invented the whole sheikh isahaaq, ismaeil jabarti thing.
I also forgot add this photo: http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00442/… (obama wearing Somali costume), now look at two men at the center left http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/top…
Now here is the language:
Language: Somali/Egyptian (meaning)
Ra/Ra (The sun)
Neter/Neder (divine being)
Hipo/Hibo (the sound b doe not exist in Hamitic languages – gift)
Heru/Huur (a stork)
Tuf/Tuf (spit)
Habi (the Nile)/Wabi ( a river)
Ar/Ar ( a lion)
cb/kab (shoe)
brq/biriq (lightning)
ayah/dayah (moon)
dab/dab (fire)
anka/aniga (I)
su, asu/usi (he)
Ka/Ka,Kaah (spirit)
medu/muud (liquid)
There are alot of other similarities between Somali and Egyptian other than words and vocabulary, such as syntax, grammar, and sentence morphology
DNA
When the European center of genetics took a sample of 1000 Somali men, 73% of them belong to the same group as ancient Egyptians. Somalis are no Arabs stop the silly Sheikh Isaxaaq la Bashir el sa'at myth.
I'm Isaaq and I disapprove this old myth.
thank you mister dualeh for your great interesting article,i've been reading it and i have faith when people like you try their best to let people know about how amazing somaliland is in our eyes that every thing is going to be alright and we will get the recognition as soon as possible inshallah, to the haters that hate somaliland and its acheivement that allah blessed them i tell them: please solve your problems in your country and then come talk to us,i've saw someone who wrote that : somaliland have to go to somalia to ask her to allow the recognition ,who are they ? and where shall we go ?there is no president and if so he's changing his place from time to time being afraid of the war in his country rather than solving it he's running away ….so WHERE SHOULD WE GO?forget it because we have a pride too we wont go there and ask them or beg them for anything or for letting us go and be an independent country ,so am asking you HATERS give it up because you cant do any thing about it. ;) .
oh i almost forgot our flag is not like arab's flag if so you can tell me which flag does it look like or SHUT UP for ever ,you people you dont know any thing you are just talking without knowing what the hell you are talking about ….advice from me know what are you talking about alright :p .
Kayse,
Thank you for you information about the history of Somalis. Indeed we are ancient people and our ancient history and culture is something to be proud of. However, I don't agree with for making our father to be a myth, all our lineage links to him directly. It is our culture to preserve, and know our lineage that ultimately sorts us into clans and sub clans.
Whether sheikh isahaq and the likes of him were Arabs or not it is where our lineage takes us to with his sons, and great sons and great great sons etc how can you invent such thing? and considering that our deen was spread by Arab men who settled in the lands of Somalis it is not surprising to say that some Somalis may have lineage that links to Arab men knowing that the name is passed on by the man. I believe Arabs too have Somali or east African descendants