If you trust George Bush and Kofi Anan, We trust our Suldaans and Graads
After reading the article titled “If Somalia is Divisible Somaliland is Divisible” published by Addis Tribune on May 7, 2004 and posted on Awdalnews Network, I am compelled to challenge the author’s claims. Much of the content in that article is based on the well known phenomenon called “Somaliland phobia”. Moreover, the author’s claim of *********** and Warsangeli tribes becoming like the Kurdish minority of Somaliland is laughable, and I should say that is the joke of the day. It would be worthwhile explaining why the above claims are based on an utter nonsense, but explanation would be redundant since the reader already knows the facts. If the author can distinguish *********** or Warsangeli tribes from ***** tribes, then he deserves standing obviation because such observations would be equivalent to the discoveries of an anthropologist. Don’t forget, the Kurdish people have never been in control of their land and its wealth. In addition, the Kurdish and the Iraqi Arabs are two different ethnics, and not to mention the long ethnic cleansing that the Kurdish people have experienced in Iraq.
In contrast, *********** and Warsangeli have never been mistreated, displaced or oppressed by Somaliland government. In fact, some of the top leaders in Somaliland are members of the above tribes.
Historically, apart from the tribal wars that used to erupt between the northern tribes of former Somalia, in general people in that region have demonstrated their willingness to get along with each other, and respect the Somali culture. It is needless to say that Somaliland people are homogeneous. What is more, the code of trust between the tribes, and their ability to settle their difference without foreign intervention is the backbone of much enjoyed peace and stability in that region. Of course, there is a political disagreement about the future of our country but that is beside the point and it should not be an excuse for anybody to make claims that he can not back up. The author’s attempt to divide Somaliland people by revisiting the darkest history of the nation and at the same time expressing sympathy for the victims of the civil war is a classic example of a wolf hiding in sheep’s clothing. Thanks but no thanks.
Let me quote the author “There are reports of people from the Dhulbahnte and Warsangeli tribes fleeing their homes in Hargeisa and other urban areas because of fear” I challenge you to produce your evidence and prove your assertion. The deeply implanted fear of ***** dominations or the accusations of ***** tribes intimidating other tribes is absolutely unfound.
According to the United Nations latest report, Somaliland has shown economic progress, democracy, and respect for human rights. The author’s claim is not supported by the United Nations agencies that operate in Somaliland, so how on earth did he obtain information regarding the situation in Somaliland while he is living in the heart of Canada? In deed, very recently a number of trucks that belong to ***** tribes were burned in Ethiopia by ONFL members. Also, another truck with six passengers was held for days in Buuhoodle village settled by *********** tribe.
Fortunately, through dialogue and negations, the truck and its passengers were released. Thanks to the villagers and the tribal leaders. Ironically, the ***** tribes that many feared and hated for no apparent reason are struggling to understand the lack of justifications for these attacks. It is unfair to blame ******* tribe for the genocide and unjust of Siad Bare’s regime, for the same token ***** and Somaliland are two different things. It defies common sense and logic to attack somebody’s property because the decision made by president Dahir Riyale Kahin.
Again the author says “I would like to call upon Mr. Kofi Anan, the General Secretary of the United Nations, and Mr. George W. Bush, the President of the United States, to send immediately to the region whatever it takes to prevent genocide worse than the one in Rwanda.”
First of all, George Bush has no solution for his own illegal invasion of Iraq let alone preventing an impending genocide in Somaliland. Besides, do you think the well enjoyed peace and stability in Somaliland is the effort of an American president or Mr. Kofi Anan’s intervention? Of course not, you trust George Bush, and Kofi Anan to solve non existing issue in Somaliland, but we trust our Suldaans and Garaads because the model peace that they have established in Somaliland is the one that members of the U.S congress are asking to be applied to Iraq and to southern Somalia.
Dalmar
Ottawa, Canada
dalmar_k@yahoo.com
