LG,
You are losing your touch, dear. This would have been a good thread had you managed to rein yourself in a little and framed your questions in a way that made them appear a tad objective. Still, let us see what we can salvage from the mess you wrote above.
Your questions seem to be directed at a vast audience (for a variety of perceived reasons). I think you would have done well to concentrate on the SL audience alone and forgot about the delusional southerners (in this case alone). Alas, since you insisted on nodding in their direction and, as a result, hinting at the rumors about Siilaanyo's alleged desire to renounce secessionism in favor of a greater Somalia, I suppose I better quote the man himself in a speech he gave in 2002.
Mr. Silanyo spoke about the principles of his party, as well as rumors which he said were spread against his party. Defending his party against speculations that KULMIYE will reunite Somalia, the chairman strongly refuted these charges, saying
“It is a natural thing that rumors or hearsay are told against an official of a party, rumors like, that guy or so-and-so, will take us to Mogadishu. But I am not the type who ever conceals his convictions. My principles were then, and now, quite clear. KULMIYE party stands and struggles for Somaliland, for which we strived for a long time. If I wanted to go to Mogadishu, I would have gone there long ago. We know each other. I warn those spreading such false information, beware, you are spreading lies against KULMIYE which stands for unity and development of Somaliland”.
Source
Now that the issue of the south is (I hope) dealt with, we have to turn our attentions to your other questions (of which there weren't that many). You ask about the man's character! Well, before I eulogise the man and extol all his brilliant virtues or damn him and criticise his political decisions, let me begin by reminding you that honest, just, innocent and principled politicians are very rare. Politics is a dirty game and only those who are adept at playing dirty could survive it as long as president Siilaanyo has. As a result, the only thing I will concede here is that the man is good at what he does. However, to claim that he is some sort of messiah or that he is as innocent as a newborn child is, well, a barefaced lie. He is a politician after all.
To talk about his SNM past serves no purpose here, likewise his previous employment as a minion for the former Somali president. The first is known to all (not fully in your case) and the second could be applied to every Somaliland citizen that once called the blue flag his/her own. Things have moved on, dear. Siilaanyo is in the news today for being elected Somaliland president and, perversely (not to mention, to your utter irritation), his past played a great part in helping him gain the SL presidency.
It is funny that you should give such advice on how the Kulmiye Party should conduct itself locally. If I did not know any better I would have sworn that you read their manifesto or attended one of Mr Siilaanyo's election speeches (he paid lip service to all that gruff about employment for the youth, healthcare and education). Yet, all this is easier said than done. The most I expect him to do (assuming he runs a tight and somewhat honest ship) is to improve the systems of governance, organise the government institutions and (maybe) improve the infrastructure of the country. Employment, health and education are, I fear, way beyond his means as long as the country remains unrecognised.
This brings us to the issue of recognition. It is understandable that you, being a southerner, might not regard it as the be-all-and-end-all of president Siilaanyo's priorities but I bet he would disagree with you there. Recognition remains vital for the overall wellbeing and progress of Somaliland. This is why I expect that this new government will double the effort of gaining such recognition and finally laying the ghost of greater Somalia to rest.
Still, let me widen the net a little and bring you in for a bit. You see, many administrations in Somalia have been copying the model of Somaliland. Makhir hastily announced their own administration a while back and banged on about taking control of their own affairs and future. SSC is doing the same today and is chaotically trying to decide their own destiny. Before that, of course, PL did the same. One could even argue that the TFG is even doing the same thing. But where all fail is in the method and emphasis rather than the idea itself. SL has been in control of its own affairs for almost twenty years. The point of doing things for "things'" sake has long been passed. The idea here is about the future. It is about catching up and keeping up with the rest of the world not with PL, SSC, Makhir, Al Shabab or the TFG. It is about moving away from pointless political discourse and moving towards building a future for the children of SL. It is about hope, ambition and giving people a reason to strive for better things. This is why the SL people cheered when their elections were peaceful and successful (even though not all of them supported Kulmiye). It was proof that all were in agreement on how to influence and pave the future of their land. It is also why all are in agreement about never returning to unruly Somalia. Because, even the most sympathetic proponent of the Somaliweyn dream knows that the world cannot stand still while the South drags its feet about sorting out its own problems (an idea that PL and the others will soon come to realise, I'm sure).
Finally, I would lovingly beg you to stop being obtuse, dear. Godane bombed Hargeisa. WAX FAHAN.
