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The Looming Danger That Africa and Int. Community Need to Confront

August 15, 2011   ·   2336221 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fthe-looming-danger-that-africa-and-int-community-need-to-confront-23362The+Looming+Danger+That+Africa+and+Int.+Community+Need+to+Confront+2011-08-16+03%3A57%3A06Mo+Guledhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D23362

The situation in the Horn of Africa is basically of that of famine and unprecedented drought affecting many countries, but when this catastrophe eases, and the Shabaab leaves the operating theater, there is another danger that I foresee coming without any doubt, unless the International Community addresses it wisely. Somaliland celebrated 20th anniversary of its reclamation of its Statehood in May, 2011 and is proud of its unique achievements that are very rare in Africa, which now faces a real danger. The current events in Somalia many have said in length, but due to the momentum that is building now due to the hidden agendas of some, this warrants us to look beyond our nose.

The denial of AU to support and acknowledge the rights of Somaliland people’s self determination was a tragic mistake and still is. In my view this could spark a new war in the already troubled Horn, unless the will of my people is seriously considered by the International Community. Now the TFG is praising itself, and they are openly boasting that, once Al Shabaab is dealt with, their main priority will focus on destabilizing Somaliland (‘THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN AFRICA), instead of concentrating on rebuilding they shattered country. This is bad news for the Horn. The signs of that bad news are already showing, when you consider the Puntland kidnapping of the Somaliland elected authorities in the Sool province of Somaliland. That was a naked aggression of serious magnitude, and in my view was a coordinated effort by TFG and Puntland.

Another unfortunate event is that of total absence of those who suppose to protect the one and only democracy in Horn, which is vulnerable in the eyes of those who believe it’s against their interest, and will subvert anytime they choose, if those who believe in democracy did not take the necessary steps to protect before its too late. Somaliland emerged confidently from Somalia’s disintegration and inter-clan conflict in 1991, and Solely built its destroyed country without any outside help. It’s the most effective working democracy that should be protected by the UN, AU and the each and every government on earth who believes the good governance and democracy in real terms.

Somaliland has all the requirements of a statehood and provides for its people with the meager income, better than many recognized existing states in the Continent of Africa, without access to resources, funding or aid from anywhere, yet the big powers who claim guardians of democracy are yet to see beyond their nose.

Somaliland new government has made concerted effort to increase my country visibility and political contacts at the international arena, but there are those who subvert every step of the way, and this proves the collective statement of the foreign ministries of the South Africa and Tanzania. Just read in between the lines, and what comes out for you will definitely be astonishing? Who’s Mr. Mahega, the Representative of UN to Somalia? He is Tanzanian who is here to destabilize Somaliland, and I believe he is the one who is behind the new development that is building now, but he and others are forgetting something, and its this: We the Somalilanders have achieved what we have today due to the peace that we cherish and the patience of our people. We believe we will emerge victorious at the end, because there are signs showing now that there is a possibility of countries heading to unilaterally recognise Somaliland, but the alarm bell I am ringing here, is what we and the international community desire to be seriously considered..

We expect from this world to support our fulfilment of many of the criteria listed in the agreements that define statehood, particularly the Montevideo Convention of 1933, or else, whoever tries to ignore the rights of our people and supports the continuation of wars in the Horn, we will meet with fierce resistance that we are renowned for, the way we have liberated our country in 1980s.

Somaliland people are expected from AU to bring back on to the table of 2005 AU fact finding mission outcome which clearly and objectively viewed the case of Somaliland should not be linked to the notion of “opening a Pandora’s box” Another mission of 2008 further says that Somaliland fulfils many of the aspects of state recognition and if recognized could be the source of stability in the Horn of Africa.

Hence, what is holding back the AU to gallantly endorse the legal divorce of Somaliland from the failed state of Somalia, or do they want to resuscitate the failed until it comes out of the long comma and encourage to destabilize Somaliland?

Finally, those who care of the stability of the Horn, must and without delay, take the right decision and allow Somaliland to be part of the international community and enjoy the the hard earn of statehood.

Omer Hussein Dualeh,
Doha – Qatar
omer.dualeh@gmail.com

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By Mo Guled

Tags: Africa, Democracy, Drought, Famine, Somalia, Somaliland, Terrorism