Federation is the only realistic Option for Somaliland.

[Shinbir Majabe]

With the US officially reaffirming the recognition of President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud’s government as the legitimate and sole representative of Somalia after twenty long years of civil strife and political wilderness, the secessionist entity of Somaliland that failed dismally to muster any meaningful support for its futile exercise for international recognition has now been given one last diplomatic lifeline: to federate with Somalia or face a slow death and total irrelevance. In the Q&A session that followed president Mahmoud’s reception at the US State Department, the outgoing secretary Hillary Clinton had confirmed that the infamous dual track policy that seemed to favor the secessionists at one stage is now dead in the water, ultimately delivering a hammer blow to the secessionists’ elusive international recognition.

The writing was always on the wall for the secessionists, except the SNM elites in Hargeisa and elsewhere in the former British Protectorate have adopted no-hear, no-see policy on the international law to the point of delusion that Ismail Omar Geulleh of Djibouti had ridiculed them in his interview with the Indian Ocean Newsletter by saying this: “they [the secessionists] put the cart before the horse”. To put President Geulleh’s remarks in plain and simple English, the secessionists have got their priorities spectacularly wrong.

 

Their unrealistic and rather hopeless quest for international recognition has become an obsession to the point that even their own people have now lost faith in them that they don’t take them seriously anymore. Who will blame them? What is more ironic about the secessionists is the fact that Hargeisa is teeming with men and women of high diplomatic stature and experience who are well versed on the international law, but unfortunately the men with guns in their midst have taken them for a ride and put the entire population on straitjacket.

 

The long-awaited US recognition of Somalia comes on the backdrop of events that started last year with the endorsement of the United National Security Council that Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and its unity (oneness) is sacred in resolution 10768. Unless secessionists are living in cloud cuckoo land, which indeed most of their politicians were living in the past twenty years, even the optimists in their midst should now hold up their hands and say enough is enough; it is all over. Even the diehard secessionist, Faisal Ali Waraabe, who infamously said that the boy born in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) is preferable to him [somaliland] to the boy born in Mudug, has finally lost hope and relayed the doom news from Washington DC to his fellow politicians that the chance of “Somaliland” getting diplomatic recognition is dead and needs to be given a decent burial, even if his blame was directed at Ahmed Silanyo, the secessionist’s president.

 

Political pundits, including the author of this article believe the odds of Somaliland getting international recognition is comparable to winning the Euro Millions (a transnational lottery played in seven European countries) where the chance of landing the jackpot (the highest prize) is an astounding 1 in 76,275,360 (one in seventy six millions). Recognition is as hard as this, and this is perhaps why Fowzia Yusuf Haji Aden, the current Foreign Minister of Somalia and former aspirant for the top office of the secessionists, has jumped this stricken ship. To see the measure of desperation in the secessionist enclave, Fowzia has recently been mobbed by secessionist admirers in her latest stopover in Berbera airport en route to Mogadishu, whilst Mohamed Abdillahi Oomar, who previously held the same portfolio under the Transitional National Government of Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, was cruelly refused to attend the funeral of his beloved father for being part of Somalia setup. Somalia’s new foreigner minister is considered by many as lucky because she changed course at the right time.

 

How often you heard from their politicians that the green shoots of recognition is around the corner and that Hargeisa and Burao will soon become little Dubai or Kuwait city overnight? Well, this could have been achieved, though not in the same scale as the aforementioned cities, had secessionist politicians stayed true to their Somali-ness and declared Hargeisa as the capital of Somalia following the collapse of the Somali state in early 1991 when clan militias have ousted Siyad Barre from power. Should secessionists used their heads rather than their hearts, Hargeisa and Burao could have prospered than they are today and subsequently Somalia might have been in a better position economically, politically and financially than it is today in what could have been a win-win situation for all Somalis.

 

Saca Faarsa tegay,

Soddon maalintuu qado,

sandulluu ku iman.

 

The above-mentioned Somali adage roughly translates: a strayed cow that refuses to drink with the rest of the herd will eventually come back after being thirsty for thirty days. The fact that the secessionists are more than willing to sit down with their fellow brothers that they so much despised in the past speaks volumes about their lack of understanding in the international politics. Not so long ago, when warlords were tearing Mogadishu residents into shreds, the secessionists thought everything was wrapped up for them at the expense of their fellow Somalis. Now it is their turn to face the music. What a turnaround of fortunes!

 

The British government, which is about to host a conference scheduled to take place in May this year, should thread very carefully on the issue of Somali unity as the secessionists in Hargeisa has neither the moral authority nor the mandate to represent the people of northern Somalia, except their own constituencies. The people of Northern Somalia, notably those from Awdal, SSC and Makhir have their own representatives in Awdalstate, Khatumo State of Somalia and Makhari State. As a former colonial master, the British government should know the history of northern Somalia better than anyone else. Let us remind everyone, including the May conference hosts that the unionist communities in the aforementioned regions are the very same people who formed United Somali party (USP) in late 1959 to ensure they remain part and parcel of the big Somali family, a noble principle they hold dearly to this date.

 

Even twenty years of lawlessness in Somalia as well as SNM hegemony and transgression in their lands could not dent their desire and aspirations to remain part of Somalia. They withstood everything the secessionists could throw at them, even when their cities and towns were razed to the ground, their properties vandalized and their men and women slaughtered by the ruthless clan militia of SNM. To this day, the people of Hudun, part of SSC territory, are threatened by the clannish army of Somaliland.

 

It will be folly, therefore, for the British government to extend a red carpet to the SNM-led secessionists who, in reality, represent nobody but themselves and exclude representatives of unionist communities such as Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar and Dr. Ali Khalif Galaydh from the upcoming May conference scheduled to take place in London. These prominent figures in Somali politics from northern regions of Somalia should be given an opportunity to represent their people in Awdal and SCC territories respectively as well as the Somalis in general. As for the secessionists, they tried all they could to get international legitimacy i.e. recognition but failed miserably. In light of the latest US recognition of Somalia, which will soon be followed by the rest of the international community, the repetition of the same failed policies in the past twenty years will only result in the secessionists’ continued isolation and political wilderness. Federation is the only realistic option open to them. The question on everyone’s lip, therefore, is this: will they learn from their past mistakes, or simply continue pursuing the same failed polices of secession? Only time will tell.

 

Mohamed F Yabarag

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Mr nails and coffin loooool aka Yabarag:D

[The Sage]

^^^ You would think they would be running out nails by now lol

 

Taiwan has a better shot federating with the PRC than SL does

[Taleexi]

Staying with the rest of Somalis is not a bad choice.

[walaalkis]

Taleexi;913642 wrote:

Staying with the rest of Somalis is not a bad choice.

It's soon or later that they realize this lalaland dream will never come true and it's just waste of time.

It's time to abandon the plan A and back to PLAN B.

[Somalia]

No one should force them to do anything, they should remain in limbo, that should be the policy towards this region.

[Miyir]

walaalkis;913647 wrote:

It's soon or later that they realize this lalaland dream will never come true and it's just waste of time.

It's time to abandon the plan A and back to PLAN B.

 

There was never a plan B unfortunately that makes scary, people really believe this.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

^^ damn right Somaliland statehood now tomorrow the day after till the the day the world ends , every nation fights for their dignity and independence to live in freedom justice , and Somaliland will continue to exist as an independent state. If the Kurds are fighting more than 70 years, the Eritreans fought more than 30 years the south sudanese fought more than 50 years. Reer Somali galbeed fighting for more than 129 years. I think Somaliland is having it real easy because they control their future, long live.

[Homunculus]

Kurds, Eritrians, South Sudanese, Somalilanders. One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong. Somalilanders don't have any grounds for separation, they are not a unique ethnic group or religion. If every tribe wants a separate country then Africa would have 3000 countries. Yeah we know that you suffered from a brutal regime but you were not the only ones who suffered and the SNM wasn't a peaceful group either since they themselves committed atrocities against the peaceful people in Sanaag.

[Mintid Farayar]

Possession is nine-tenths of the law

 

Some find it hard to understand this concept in the 'power' game...

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Homunculus;913705 wrote:

Kurds, Eritrians, South Sudanese, Somalilanders. One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong. Somalilanders don't have any grounds for separation, they are not a unique ethnic group or religion. If every tribe wants a separate country then Africa would have 3000 countries. Yeah we know that you suffered from a brutal regime but you were not the only ones who suffered and the SNM wasn't a peaceful group either since they themselves committed atrocities against the peaceful people in Sanaag.

Somaliland was a separate country of its own in 1960 they gained independence like any other nation of Africa, its people were were classed as second class citizens after a hasted union and occupied for more than 30 years. The union was rejected just after the union in 1961 They gained their independence after a long war and ever since lived in peace and stability, Somalilanders are a unique group with a unique culture political culture and distinct history and national identity. similar to all those others who fought for independence. And if you come with Somali, no one can base a statehood national identity on a lose identity called Somali,because what is Somali. what makes one Somali. its similar to the lose identity of the Arabs. Our next door neighbors the Djiboutians are Somalis for what ever that means. If a lose identity as that of Somali or Arab unites people. the Eritreans would have not fought a war to be separate from their linguistic kin in tigray whom they share the same religion language with but they consider Tigray not their identity. Similar to the lose albanian identity when the Kosovons gained independence one would think they would unite with their Kin in Albania but this was not the case ask you're self why because Albanian is not their identity Kosovon is.

[Homunculus]

Xaaji Xunjuf;913713 wrote:

And if you come with Somali, no one can base a statehood national identity on a lose identity called Somali,because what is Somali. what makes one Somali. its similar to the lose identity of the Arabs. Our next door neighbors the Djiboutians are Somalis for what ever that means. If a lose identity as that of Somali or Arab unites people. the Eritreans would have not fought a war to be separate from their linguistic kin in tigray whom they share the same religion language with but they consider Tigray not their identity. Similar to the lose albanian identity when the Kosovons gained independence one would think they would unite with their Kin in Albania but this was not the case ask you're self why because Albanian is not their identity Kosovon is.

You're simplifying things as usual. Kosovo is a unique case, an ethnic group suffering from genocide and ethnic cleansing separating from their Serb oppressors. After gaining their independence its up to them to have their country or unite with Albania. Somaliland is an arbitrary country with borders based on colonial rule, there is nothing unique about Somalilanders that differentiate them from the people in the South so they made the logical choice and formed one country. If you had the foresight you could have called yourselves something else instead of "Somaliland" and invented a basis for separation, but you just want your own country for clannish reasons. What makes me a "Somalilander"? Where is this identity you speak about? Is it the British colonial rule or a concept beyond my comprehension?

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

All of Africa is based on colonial boundaries Somaliland is not not an exception, you act if the Koonfurians created their own boundaries. But the truth is Somalilanders had little or no dealings with the koonfurians prior to union in 1960. It had its distinct history it was part of the ottoman Empire and in mid evil times it had its own Muslim Emirates. The whole interaction with the Koonfurians was because of the short union of 30 years and now everything went back to where it was before the union.carabtu waxay tidha Kulu sheyin yerciu ila aslihi. There are minority serbs part of kosovo they identify themselves as Kosovans and even Bosnians their national identity is Kosovon. The historical identity of the people in the context of national identity can never be compared to a lose identity that associates some people. For example Bosnia and Herzegovina they were converted to islam by the ottomans and they have serbs Croats being part of the same country. These people were inter related tradionally for centuries lived in the region long before the creation of the former Yugoslavia and unintentionally they developed a close kinship despite their different tribal origin but were united by faith close social economical relations between the various people under the Bosnian ottoman province. The same with the Eritreans of hamasien akele guzay Seraye the highland Christians speak the tigrinya language like their close counterparts in the tigray province of Ethiopia dance even a similar way and even follow the same Orthodox Tewahedo Church. But their national being is Eritrean they feel closer to the muslim lowlands up the sudan border because they share the same history traditions and country.You should read a topic in the camel milk section what is Somalinimo no one can came with a clear answer. What about the Afghans once being part of the Persian Empire even though some deeply know that some pashtun tribes trace their origin back to Persian fore fathers particularly the Qizilbash and the daris during Achaemenid era of Persia.Today they consider themselves Afghan and not Persians.

[Taleexi]

XX: Somalia is a unitary state as we and the rest of the world know it. The chances of reversing to how it was in 1960 is very slim if not impossible at all. The choices are very clear, the scramble of Somalia where every clan has its clan state or the nation stays together where genuine reconciliation committees bridge the gap in our fractured societies. Clearly, some zealots have been programming your lot for quite some time therefore, it is very hard for you to accept the reality insofar Makhir and Khatumo folks are concerned. They opted out to be part of your experimentation exercise - You always refer to colonial boundaries, don't you understand political evolution, the border between former colonies ceased to exist in 1960, rectifying it is insanity. In particular, only one clan of the north wants it is even worse. My State, California, used to be part of Mexico at once, the chances of it going back to Mexico are what?... !, In sum, the longer you stay in isolation, the longer you don't only lose political leverage in Somali political arena but the longer you leave your kids with social scars where they only even resort to and feel comfortable with one clan off-springs. Saaxiib, I see social problems in the horizon.

[Somalia]

Taleexi, Maakhir maxaa isku dejisaa?