Sign in to follow this  
Xaaji Xunjuf

Somaliland unable to gain international status after 23 years

Recommended Posts

Somaliland unable to gain international status after 23 years

 

Somaliland adopted the use of its official flag in 1996.

 

Somaliland adopted the use of its official flag in 1996.

By Frank Mutulu

 

NAIROBI, Kenya – This May, Somaliland will be celebrating 23 years of self-declared independence.

 

But as Somalilanders mark another year of independent rule, the occasion will likely pass without the world noticing. Such has been the case for over a decade, because the breakaway nation is not recognized internationally.

 

Unlike the larger Somalia, it doesn’t attract media attention.

 

Somalia is made up of three zones: south-central Somalia and two breakaways, Puntland and Somaliland.

 

Somaliland is a semi-desert territory in northern Somalia that declared unilateral independence in May 1991 after the country fell into anarchy following the overthrow of then-President Muhamed Siad Barre.

 

For those who aren’t immersed into the region’s political history, it isn’t common knowledge that present-day Somaliland and Somalia were separate states before.

 

European interest in the larger Somalia was sparked by British adventurer Sir Richard Burton, who explored the region in 1854.

 

That interest grew in 1869 when the Suez Canal was opened, and Britain declared the northern Somalian coast a protectorate in 1884. It was named British Somaliland.

 

In 1889, Italy took southern Somalia, including the present capital Mogadishu, naming it Italian Somaliland.

 

On June 26, 1960, British Somaliland attained independence. It was recognized as a sovereign entity by the U.S. and 34 other countries, as well as the United Nations.

 

Former Italian Somaliland, present-day Somalia, became independent days after.

 

On July 1, 1960, the Somali Republic was formed after a voluntary merger between British Somaliland (present-day Somaliland) and Italian Somaliland (Somalia).

 

This voluntary move was meant to unite all the lands Somalis occupied in the horn region. To date, that remains a dream of the nationalists.

 

From the merger’s onset, discontent arose from the northern front, since most of power went to Mogadishu in the south.

 

In 1961, Somalilanders rejected a referendum for a unitary constitution across Somalia.

 

The relationship became strained in the 1980s when Barre sent forces to attack Somaliland, claiming the lives of an estimated 50,000 civilians.

 

Periodic internal strife continued until Barre was overthrown in 1991. Somaliland seized the opportunity and seceded immediately to chart its path, solo. The rest of Somalia remained engulfed in inter-clan rivalry and wars.

 

The breakaway state has pressed on alone and achieved important milestones.

 

Although Somalia has a functioning government now, some parts are still mired in chaos, while Somaliland is an oasis of relative peace. It has a functioning government, a flag, its own currency, defined borders and a constitution.

 

Politically, the horn breakaway state has permitted multi-party democracy and has held five national elections since 2000. Peaceful transfers of presidential power were witnessed in 2003 and again in 2010.

 

With somewhat considerable success, the government has introduced free primary education and boasts three universities, polytechnics and a number of colleges. Somaliland also has made headway in reducing child mortality.

 

It has, however, remained poor because its economy relies on diaspora remittances, livestock exports and a bit of tourism. It does not attract considerable foreign investors because it is not recognized internationally.

 

The African Union (AU) has for a long time maintained that Somaliland is part of Somalia and has not changed its stand on the illegitimacy of the independent breakaway state. The U.S. has adopted a similar standpoint.

 

Somaliland does not seek to create new boundaries, but wishes to revert to its previous status, maintaining its borders as it was when it was British Somaliland. Somaliland’s history is unlike that of other vocal separatist movements and would be unlikely to set a precedent among African territories seeking independence.

 

An AU study on the matter in 2005 confirmed in part that “the case is unique and self-justified in African political history and should not be linked to the notion of opening a Pandora’s box.”

 

The U.S., together with the international community, has spent millions of dollars in external military intervention and aid to stabilize Somalia. Such efforts have borne minimal positive results.

 

Somaliland, which shares a common background with the larger Somalia, is better placed with international backing and funding to address pacifying the horn region. No Somali pirates lurk off its shores, nor are terrorists harbored in their borders. This could be extended to Somalia.

 

“The republic of Somaliland is not different from Eritrea which had a separate history from Ethiopia, but was allowed its independence,” wrote Evarist Kagaruki, a Dar es Salaam-based political analyst.

 

“And Southern Sudan, which is historically part of the Sudan, recently decided to secede through a referendum and got international support. Now, why, one might ask, should Somaliland be treated differently? Is it because it has no oil?”

 

Kagaruki’s opinion piece appears on 18may.org, a web site dedicated to Somaliland politics.

 

With its track record of good governance and relative stability, international recognition is likely to bolster Somaliland on the path of economic growth while securing a better future for its 5 million citizens.

 

Frank Mutulu is The Atlantic Post’s East Africa Correspondent, based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Frank Mutulu Bantu brother From Kenya for your article but no matter what The proud people of Somaliland men and woman young and old will walk the path of Freedom as an independent state, long live the Somaliland republic and its afro hasmimate people.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Somaliland (and Puntland) has indeed achieved a lot and it should be commeneddd for being a region that is peaceful, stable and democratic, which is a world away from the Southern regions of the Somali Republic. And both the people, leaders and diaspora of SL deserve praise for the role that they have played in maintaining this stability and democracy, which is a source of pride for all Somalis.

 

Having said that, independence is not the most important or urgent issue that SL needs to address. If anything the 'politicians' use the issue of independence to distract the populace from the real issues of extreme poverty, hunger, disease, lack of education/health/clean water/roads/jobs/infrastucture/economic development. And independence is certainly not a panacea that will magicallt solve all these things.

 

More focus needs to be put on economic development because the current situation is appalling. Somaliland has been persuing independence for close to 25 years, or a quarter century, which is a distraction that the people cannot afford.

 

So SL needs to build on the great achievements so far by focussing on economic development and seeking closer and improved relations with PL for a mutually beneficial relationship. SL is in the long term better off as an autonomous region within the Somali Republic than outside it, because demography is destiny and the smaller a country you are, the more vulnerable and politically/economically/culturally/militarily relatively weaker you are. Independence would be a grave mistake in the long term for SL. And when I advocate for abandoning the independence agenda, I do so not because I think that a union with the southern regions will be immediately functional and beneficial, but because I can see what we can be and why it is important that we are united in the long term.

 

And let me not be misunderstood or misinterpreted. I am not calling for the disolution of Somaliland, I am not calling for Somaliland to submit itself to the corrupt and ineffective 'government' down south, I am not saying that the SFG parliament represents SL. I am saying that working together we are stronger, politically/economically/culturally and militarily. And SL has so much to teach and share with the Southern regions.

 

But as I said the achievements of SL (and PL) are commendable and are a source of pride for all Somalis.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What economy has Somalia what Somaliland needs i never understood the economic factor Somalia is as poor if not poorer than Somaliland, hadaad odhan lahayd nin jeebkisa buuxa wax ku darso waan garan laha , Qaarada Yurub in wax lala wadaago waan ogalahay wadamada latin America but what do koonfurians have to offer. If the Koonfurians want to cooperate with Somaliland based on mutual interest i say yes lets do that Europe Cooperates the Asian states cooperate. By the way this topic is Somaliland. why do you have to inject garowe into this. Independence is very important of the people of Somaliland its to correct the mistake their fathers made. Its to secure their economic prospect and the safety of their land and that of the future and that of their children and their children, nothing less than full fledged independence status for the people of Somaliland. Though i understand the Somaliland government should do all it can to make the quality of life better for the ordinary Somaliland citizen.And i believe with the little resources they have they are doing all they can, but the end goal should be the common objective of all Somalilanders young and old.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<cite>
said:</cite>

What economy has Somalia what Somaliland needs i never understood the economic factor Somalia is as poor if not poorer than Somaliland,

 

Xaaji like I said above, "when I advocate for abandoning the independence agenda, I do so not because I think that a union with the southern regions will be immediately functional and beneficial, but because I can see what we can be and why it is important that we are united in the long term." I am not talking about immediate economic benefits, but in the long term there are potentially many economic/political/military/cultural benefits and advantages that Somalis could realise if we co-operated and worked together. These benefits and advantages I refer to are related to our population size and I shall detail below the ways in which Somalis would potentially benefit if we do not split up into a 100 weak and insignificant little 'countries'.

 

1. Having a country with a larger population means:

 

- Your country represents a larger [viable] market as it has a larger consumer base which means that it is easier to attract foreign direct investment.

 

- Your country represents a larger [viable] market as it has a larger consumer base which means your domestic companies can potentially grow larger than they would be able to if your country had a smaller population, which in turn means they potentially can expand internationally and bring hard currency back into the country.

 

- If you've got a larger population you've got a larger workforce within your economy and this means that, all other things being equal, your potential economic output is higher than a country with a smaller population.

 

- A military is funded with the resources within that economy and military personnel are drawn from the populace within the country and this means that if you've got a bigger population this gives you a potential military advantage over a country with a smaller population.

 

- A country that has a large population/economy/military potentially has greater political leverage and importance in the world which means that (a) it is more likely to be able to form meaningful and mutually beneficial relations with other countries and (b) it is more likely to be able to project and defends its interests domestically, regionally and internationally.

 

2. Having a small country with a small population means:

 

- Your country represents a smaller [unviable] market as it has a small consumer base which means that it is extremely difficult to attract foreign direct investment.

 

- Your country represents a smaller [unviable] market as it has a small consumer base which means your domestic companies cannot domestically grow larger than they would be able to if your country had a larger population, which in turn means they will find it extremely difficult to expand internationally and bring hard currency back into the country.

 

- If you've got a smaller population you've got a smaller workforce within your economy and this means that, all other things being equal, your potential economic output is smaller than a country with a larger population.

 

- A military is funded with the resources within that economy and military personnel are drawn from the populace within the country and this means that if you've got a small population this gives you a military disadvantage over a country with a larger population.

 

- A country that has a small population/economy/military has less political leverage and importance in the world which means that (a) it is unlikely to be able to form meaningful and mutually beneficial relations with other countries and (b) it is unlikely to be able to project and defends its interests domestically, regionally and internationally. If you don't get those things then you should honestly not be talking about politics.

 

But all that is theoretical, let's talk about the real tangible economic opportunities and benefits.

 

- The southern regions have most of the estimated 8 million hectares of arable land in the Somali peninsula, able to grow a huge variety of crops - currently Somaliland imports agricultural produce from Ethiopia. SL companies could invest in the fertile regions in the south and transport the goods at cheap rates to the northern regions or exported abroad or processed and turned into consumer goods - without incurring import/export duties/levies/taxes.

 

- The southern regions have a larger population and represent a market to which goods and services can be sold, without incurring import/export duties/levies/taxes e.g. soaps and detergents from the detergents factories in Burao and Boorama, tinned fish from Berbera, furniture from Hargeisa, construction companies from Las Anod etc.

 

- Berbera's deep sea port can be made accessible to and import/export services sold to the cities in the central parts of the Somali republic.

 

I could go on...

 

<cite>
said:</cite>hadaad odhan lahayd nin jeebkisa buuxa wax ku darso waan garan laha , Qaarada Yurub in wax lala wadaago waan ogalahay wadamada latin America but what do koonfurians have to offer.

 

3. Let's think about that for a minute.

 

But Xaaji, laba su'aalo ayaan ku waydiin. 1.Qaarada Yurub iyo raggan jeebkoodu buuxo ee aa ka hadlaysid haddii ay sidaada u fikerayaan ma waxa aad moodaysaa in ay iyagu doonayaan inay kula macaamilaan? After all, you rule is that you shouldn't deal with anyone whom you perceive to be worse off than you at the point in time. 2. People situations and fortunes change, so although you may perceive someone to be worse off than you today, situations change, and sometimes you have to look at what is possible and not only what is currently there.

 

<cite>
said:</cite>If the Koonfurians want to cooperate with Somaliland based on mutual interest i say yes lets do that Europe Cooperates the Asian states cooperate.

 

I absolutely agree with you and that is all that I am advocating for, for Somalis to co-operate on mutual interests and with mutual respect. And I am now starting to believe that regions like Somaliland and Puntland should be more proactive in shaping and setting their agenda of co-operation both with each other and with the southern regions.

 

<cite>
said:</cite>By the way this topic is Somaliland. why do you have to inject garowe into this.

 

Because I think its relevant to the topic.

 

<cite>
said:</cite>Independence is very important of the people of Somaliland its to correct the mistake their fathers made. Its to secure their economic prospect and the safety of their land and that of the future and that of their children and their children, nothing less than full fledged independence status for the people of Somaliland. Though i understand the Somaliland government should do all it can to make the quality of life better for the ordinary Somaliland citizen. And i believe with the little resources they have they are doing all they can, but the end goal should be the common objective of all Somalilanders young and old.

 

On the issue of independence, like I said before:

 

Having said that, independence is not the most important or urgent issue that SL needs to address. If anything the ‘politicians’ use the issue of independence to distract the populace from the real issues of extreme poverty, hunger, disease, lack of education/health/clean water/roads/jobs/infrastucture/economic development. And independence is certainly not a panacea that will magicallt solve all these things.

 

More focus needs to be put on economic development because the current situation is appalling. Somaliland has been persuing independence for close to 25 years, or a quarter century, which is a distraction that the people cannot afford.

 

So SL needs to build on the great achievements so far by focussing on economic development and seeking closer and improved relations with PL for a mutually beneficial relationship. SL is in the long term better off as an autonomous region within the Somali Republic than outside it, because demography is destiny and the smaller a country you are, the more vulnerable and politically/economically/culturally/militarily relatively weaker you are. Independence would be a grave mistake in the long term for SL. And when I advocate for abandoning the independence agenda, I do so not because I think that a union with the southern regions will be immediately functional and beneficial, but because I can see what we can be and why it is important that we are united in the long term.

 

And let me not be misunderstood or misinterpreted. I am not calling for the disolution of Somaliland, I am not calling for Somaliland to submit itself to the corrupt and ineffective ‘government’ down south, I am not saying that the SFG parliament represents SL. I am saying that working together we are stronger, politically/economically/culturally and militarily. And SL has so much to teach and share with the Southern regions.

 

On most of the other things you said, I agree with you to an extent, but I differ slightly on interpretation. You see, the mistake that was made was to centre all the political and economic power in a specific part of the country which created imbalances and grievances within the country and later on led to conflict. What was needed was, clearly, local democracy and decentralisation. SL and PL can and should remain autonomous because, although their models have clear faults, they have shown that they have made local democracy work. But if the Somali people want to secure, as you say, their safety, economy and future of their land they will need to work together, pool their resources and minds and re-brand the Somali name as a whole. I do not believe that we can achieve political, economic, military success as 50 small, weak and economically and militarily unviable 'states'. We will only be dominated by our much larger neighbours, and the writing is on the wall.

 

What we need is a consortium of the northern regions to creep southwards. Instead of waiting for foreign countries, SL and PL have shown what Somalis can achieve and they have a leadership role to play in stabilising the southern regions, they have much experience and knowledge to share.

 

Together we stand, divided we fall.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
gooni   

Oday,mahadsanid waa tacliiq ama qoraal wanaagsan

 

wiilashan snm oo xaajigu usha u hayo way og yihiin runta iyo farqiga u dhaxeeya daad madheedh iyo somalia, balse lagama yaabo inay kuu garaabaan ama aad ka gar hesho, is macnays bay ka sii qaadayaan iyo weynu tashanay waaxay reer koonfurkan na daba yaacaya

 

Aragtidayda waxaa ila quman inaan maaweelino inta qaadiradu ka baxayso si aysan nooga lumin uguna yeerno ahlubayt iyo reer binihaashim madoobe.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oday Having country with a large population doesn't necessary mean that country is economical viable or has a larger Economy what u need is education and a proper handling of the human resources of the country.

 

Countries with a huge population such as Nigeria are most of the time the ordinary citizens are very poor, its never really about the population if you have 120 million people who are uneducated and are unemployed and there is no infrastructure and everything is Foreign owned there is prospect for a better future for that country. Furthermore Somalia is very undeveloped and when a country and its population are underdeveloped generates conflicts and corruption, and conflicts and large scale of corruptions prevent the necessary steps to get the economy in order.

 

Your theoretical concerns relating to regional integration of nations with shared values could be addressed but it should always be one of mutual interest it doesn't seem that way it looks good on paper but practically its really another cheat.

 

What i would suggest is a very open regionalism in reality, take for example Singapore a very very very small country with a highly based technological industrial based economy a small population qualified educated is much more viable in the long term than a big country massive land size ungovernable and its people at each others throat constant threats both Somalia and Somaliland cannot develop as one country but they could develop as two countries. The prerequisites of any sort of cooperation it has to be one of qualitative footing for both sides, Where we differ Mr Oday Somali u wan to build Somalia on the back of the hard work of Somalilanders , But Somaliland serves only her people and the scare resources it has , is only for her own people. What we could agree on is the consultative networks between Somalia and Somaliland government the various departments and academia and businesses and representatives of the civil society and exchange the value links of information and the distribution and the input of both peoples. But before any one of that could happen the political dispute needs to be resolved and that seems a a very controversial issue particularly for the Koonfurians hence why the neo functionalism i had in mind will never materialize The need for an adequate regional governance to bring together all stakeholders both Somalia and Somaliland and Djibouti will be the most difficult thing for aslong the Koonfurian want to rule Somaliland from Somalia and that they're way is the only way,, the political instability and distrust will continue for decades to come. You should not really address me or the Somalilanders they are flexible they even made the union that shows you the good will was there, you should have a word with the Koonfurians, of what they actually want and how they view the future. Because Somaliland does need Somalia , they need Somaliland.

 

Somalilanders should not eye on the few banana plantations in the south of Somalia and it should not invest there and waste its money Somalilanders from Hawd need to move to Hawassa and relocate their capital there. Somalilanders should advance their ports and eye on the massive Ethiopian market while a segment of the population invests their capital in hawassa. EPRDF is even willing to sell Farm land for what ever price is agreed on. Somaliland should sustain and develop an entrepreneurial based economy with an open market, and make sure the big corporations are properly taxed it can easily expand its sphere of influence with the right thinking and because its people are very creative.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<cite>
said:</cite>

wiilashan snm

 

I don't agree with your use of that term, unless you are using it in a historic sense, because it is if nothing else doing so is just counter productive, looking at things always from a qabil lens is not helpful, and know that qabyaalad dugsi ma leh waxay dumiso mooyaane'.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
gooni   

We can disagree something, because somalis are the first civilization on earth

also i believe snm is not qabiil waa qabyaalad itself

 

Qabiil wax ma kala qaybiyo waa qabyaalad mushkiladdu

(dugsi ma leh qabyaaladu waxay dumiso mooyaane tima cadde allah yarxam)

 

any way i dont want change the root of the topic we shall compare nigeria and somaliland or galmudug and singapore

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Tallaabo   

@ OdaySomali

I believe you have good opinion and a positive intention but let me ask you two questions.

1. What was the reason for the choice the people of Somaliland made in 1960 to give up their sovereignty in favour of a union with the South?

2. And what did they gain from that union?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<cite>
said:</cite>

Oday Having country with a large population doesn't necessary mean that country is economical viable or has a larger Economy what u need is education and a proper handling of the human resources of the country.

 

Countries with a huge population such as Nigeria are most of the time the ordinary citizens are very poor, its never really about the population if you have 120 million people who are uneducated and are unemployed and there is no infrastructure and everything is Foreign owned there is prospect for a better future for that country. Furthermore Somalia is very undeveloped and when a country and its population are underdeveloped generates conflicts and corruption, and conflicts and large scale of corruptions prevent the necessary steps to get the economy in order.

Where we differ Mr Oday Somali u wan to build Somalia on the back of the hard work of Somalilanders , But Somaliland serves only her people and the scare resources it has , is only for her own people.

 

<cite>
said:</cite>Somalilanders should not eye on the few banana plantations in the south of Somalia and it should not invest there and waste its money Somalilanders from Hawd need to move to Hawassa and relocate their capital there. Somalilanders should advance their ports and eye on the massive Ethiopian market while a segment of the population invests their capital in hawassa. EPRDF is even willing to sell Farm land for what ever price is agreed on. Somaliland should sustain and develop an entrepreneurial based economy with an open market, and make sure the big corporations are properly taxed it can easily expand its sphere of influence with the right thinking and because its people are very creative.

 

1. An existential threat

 

The reality is that today the very existence of the Somali people is at stake. And as a Somali, you should realise that if you live in a house and in that house the room next to yours is burning, you are at risk of the fire spreading to your room and if nothing else, the smoke will reduce your oxygen take if it does not suffocate you. But if the person with whom you live in house prospers, you too are more likely to prosper. The Somali people's existence is threatened in many ways and by many factors, which I will outline below:

 

- Cataclysmic environmental degradation (deforestation, desertification, drought ultimately leading to hunger and famine)

 

- Economic underdevelopment (no jobs, no income, no sustenance, no shelter, no food, no industry)

 

- Social problems (qat addicition, FGM, tahriib, unemployment, lack of education, no healthcare)

 

etc.

 

2. Risks and opportunities for Somaliland

 

Somaliland is peaceful, stable and there are functioning government institutions and all these things deserve applause and encouragement. And although Somaliland may not be facing the direct security issues that the South faces, Somaliland is facing an existential crisis of its own, related to the threats I listed above. In some areas the current Somaliland leadership has not delivered social, political and economic development to its people or more importantly security (security is wider than just immediate personal safety). The ‘politicians’ use the issue of independence to distract the populace from the real issues of extreme poverty, hunger, disease, lack of education/health/clean water/roads/jobs/infrastucture/economic development. And independence is certainly not a panacea that will magicallt solve all these things.

 

One of those areas where the Somaliland leadership has failed to deliver has been the lack of engagement, whether covert or overt, with the situation in both Puntland and South Central Somalia. Waxaa aad ka fursan waydo, horaa loo qabtaa, waa ta la yidhi. And you should realise that there are many benefits for Somaliland from engaging with North-Eastern and South-Central Somalia. I will explain how and why.

 

Let me assert that the current Somaliland strategy has not deliver social, political and economic development to its people. I would add that I think this is [partly] because Somaliland spends at least 65% of government expenditure on security, rather than devoting those limited resources to other crucial areas relating to development and public services. What this highlights to me is that by engaging with and building mutually beneficial and respectful relations with the other Somali regions - Puntland in particular - Somaliland potentially stands to gain a lot by strengthening its security. In fact, Somaliland probably has more to gain from engaing Puntland/The Sourth than it has to gain from engaging donors or foreign entities.

 

And Xaaji don't underestimate the potential wealth that lies in agriculture either (through production of tradable commodities, edible produce that improve nutrition and health and raw materials that can be processed for sale) which Somaliland can tap into by engaging with the southern regions. So call it enlightened self-interest if you like.

 

In addition, Somaliland and all Somalis alike are threatened by the arrogance, aggression and utter disregard and contempt for the Somali people and the Somali Republic from external actors involved in the Somali conflict and who seek to assert their authority over the country. And the latter is a long term threat which requires a long term solution, a threat far greater and more imminent than any threat or petty squabbling from small Somali sub-clan rivalry. Demographics are against us, for we are only a small nation compared to the 100m Ethiopians next door who are hungry for land and resources, more so than your average Somali sub-clan or group . To survive, to protect our land, our resources and our people we must work together as Somalis. This does not mean ruling each other or oppressing each other, it just means working together for danta guud and common interests.

 

But Somaliland also faces threats from within the South Central regions of Somalia, from terrorists, militias and corrupt and self-serving politicians who will sell the whole Somali peninsula out to the highest bidder. And the gravest and most costly mistake that Somaliland can make it to choose to not engage and not seek to influence events, situations (and entities) the outcomes and actions from which can immensely affect its politics, economy and security. Its a head-in-the-sand policy to is and would be ludicrous to pursue. To stop the conflict in the South Central regions is in Somailand's interests. To have strong relations with Pundland and other regions is in Somaliland's interests. To work together to mutually beneficial outcomes is in Somaliland's interests.

 

3. Let me not be misunderstood

 

And let me not be misunderstood or misinterpreted. I am not calling for the dissolution of Somaliland or Puntland, I am not calling for Somaliland or Puntland to necessarily submit themselves to the corrupt and ineffective ‘government’ down south without udertaking due diligence, preparations and putting the necessary structures in place. Nor am I saying that the SFG parliament represents SL. I am just saying that working together we are stronger, politically/economically/culturally and militarily. And SL has so much to teach and share with the Southern regions.

 

You see, the mistake that was made was to centre all the political and economic power in a specific part of the country which created imbalances and grievances within the country and later on led to conflict. What was needed was, clearly, local democracy and decentralisation. SL and PL can and should remain autonomous because, although their models have clear faults, they have shown that they have made local democracy work. But if the Somali people want to secure, as you say, their safety, economy and future of their land they will need to work together, pool their resources and minds and re-brand the Somali name as a whole. I do not believe that we can achieve political, economic, military success as 50 small, weak and economically and militarily unviable ‘states’. We will only be dominated by our much larger neighbours, and the writing is on the wall.

 

4. Build on what exists and what works

 

What we need is a consortium of the northern regions to creep southwards. Instead of waiting for foreign countries, SL and PL have shown what Somalis can achieve and they have a leadership role to play in stabilising the southern regions, they have much experience and knowledge to share. But you will note that I have not specified a system of governance or a political solution to the age-old Somali problem of power sharing. And I am not saying that Somaliland or Puntland can't be autonomous, within a Somali union, to the degree possible. I genuinely believe that the Somaliland aspirations can be accommodated within the existing Somali Republic. There are many ways in which a stable bottom-up political system can be built up, centred around existing structures such as town, city and province councils based around urban areas, which can then form so-called federal unions. Of course existing regional governments such as Somaliland and Puntland will be at an advantage as far as governing is concerned.

 

5. A slippery slope

 

But haddii la aqballo, oo ay wax sahlan oo fudud noqoto in dalka marba qaybi iska go'do, inaga (Soomaali oo dhan) ayaa halis weyn ku jirna, madaama:

 

1 - Mar hadii la kala dhaqaaqo gacalnimadu iyo xididnimadu way iska baaba'daa, due to the passage of time (see Djibouti, maanta maba soo sheegato ama haybsato Soomaali). Oo dabeedtana waxaa dhacaya in marba cadow midh midh meel cidlo ah inaga helo oo la inaga dhergo, dabeedtana haddii aynu Sooomaali nahay, sidaas ayanu ku dhamaanaynaa.

 

2 - Dalkeennu 'territorial integrity' dambe oo sharciyaysan oo caalamka oo dhan laga aqoonsanyahay/aqbalsanyahay lama hubo' inuu heli doono. Xittaa hadii taas la helo', dalalka kale' kuma qasabna inay aqbalaan xuduudo cusub iyo dowladdo cusub. Imikadan ayay Kenya baddeenna qaybo doonaysaa, dhulkeenuna wuu ku xigaa.

 

3 - After structural destruction and disintegration comes re-building and it takes a greater amount of time and effort to build something than it is takes to take something apart. So you may never achieve that utopian dream, you may never realise that vision which you aim for. And I am not talking even of tangible structural rebuilding (e.g. infrastructure) or even the building of governmental institutions, I am talking about (a) the building of links and relationships with foreign countries and the entrance and acceptance into international organisations; and (b) having built those links and entered those international organisations, being a country that counts, a country that when it speaks is heard a country that carries political/economic/military/demographic weight - and Somaliland would be none of those (whereas a united Somali Republic would have a much better shot). And I am not saying that Somaliland can't be autonomous, within a Somali union, to the degree possible.

 

4 - Smaller countries are more vulnerable, economically, politically, socially and militarily. Again let me not be misunderstood, I am not calling for the dissolution of Somaliland, I am not calling for Somaliland to submit itself to the corrupt and ineffective ‘government’ down south, I am not saying that the SFG parliament represents SL. I am just pointing out the fact that together we are stronger, politically/economically/culturally and militarily.

 

6. Hadal haan ma buuxsho

 

Together we stand, divided we fall. Hadal haan ma buuxshee, all I am saying at the end of the day is yaan xidhiidhka la goynin ee ha la adkeeyo xididada Soomaalinimo, gacalnimo, ummad-nimo iyo danta guud oo loo wada shaqaysto.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Xaaji, as for South & Central regions of the Somali Republic meelahaa jaahwareeryo badan ayaa ka jira.

 

Jaahwareeryadaas hal tusaale waxa ah wasaaradahan badan ee isku wada hawl loo magacaabayo. Howl dhab ah na lama wado, waayo hadii si daacad ah loo shaqaysanayo wax horumar ah oo ka gaar ah inta ay Turkida iyo wadamada kale ee shisheeye qabteen ayaa la arki lahaa. Jagooyinka wasiirada iyo wasaaradaha looma samayn si ay hawl u qabtaan ee waxaa loo abuuray in dad lagu qanciyo.

 

Dhibaatooyinkaa waxa sababay fikridayda ayan ka diibanaya, iniga oo khibrad gaar ah u leh:

 

1. Nidaam iyo hab xumo (no organisational structures, no systems and procedures, no internal checks and balances, no transparancy, no accountability, bad staff) taas oo saamayn weyn ku leh waxtarka/waxqabadka laan iyo haayad kasta ee dowladda.

 

2. Daacad-darro iyo musuq maasaaq oo keenaysa in shaqaalaha dowladda, wasiiradda iyo xubnaha barlamaanka qaarkood ay jeebkooda uun u shaqaysanayaan iyo sidii ay jagada loo magacaabay uga faa’iidaan lahaayeen.

 

3. Dowlad dhisidda Soomaalidu way ku jahwareereen laakiin ma aha howl aan laga bixi karin ee waa howl waqti kooban lagaga gudbi karo, hadii wadada sax ah ee la yaqaanno loo qabsado. Dowladahan la sheego ma ahan wax aan la fahmin karin, Iinta ugu weyn waxa ay dowladuhu ka kooban yihiin wasaarado ay u sareeyaan wasiiro iyo haayado dowladeed oo maamule loo magacaabo.

 

- Wasaaradahaas iyo haayadahaas waxa loo sameeya howlo ama ujeeddooyin iyo awooddo sharci ah oo qoran, kooban oo ay tahay inay fulliyaanoo, lagulana xisaabtamo.

 

- Qof kasta oo shaqaalo ahina wuxuu ku jiraa jago gaar ah, waxaana saaran masuuliyado qoran, kooban oo la kala leeyahay oo lagula xisaabtamo.

 

- Wasaaradahaas iyo haayadahaas (iyo laamaha ay ka kooban yihiin) markaas waxa ay leeyihiin nidaamyo iyo qalab u gaar ah shaqooyinkooda (organisational structures, systems and procedures, specialist tools/equipment/programs) oo ay ku fuliyaan shaqooyinkooga.

 

Markaas inagoo iminka og information kaas oo dhan, hadii aynu is waydiino:

 

- maxay ku noqotay in Villa Soomaaliya iyo goobaha kale ee ay leedahay dowladdu ay uga dhacaan weeraro, qaraxyo, ismiidaameyn etc?

- maxay ku dhacday in ay xubno ka tirsan ciidamadda dowladdu ay iyagu is dagaalaan ama shicibka wax yeelaan ama musuq maasaq lagu sheego?

- maxay ku dhacday in aysan weli jirin wasaarado ama haayado dowladeed oo dhisan oo shaqeeya, lana arko waxtarkooda?

Waxa sababay the lack of all which an effective government department/agency must have as I did list above. So these are not insurmountable problems.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OdaySomali,

 

Adeer cidina kaama akhrisanayso all this doom and gloom about Somaliland's prospects. Somaliland already faced an existential threat & survived. There is no need to live in fear, the worst is behind us. Haday Soomaliya haadaan ka dhacaysona waa yeelkadeed, iyadaa sidaa isu gashay. Ta kale, hadaad diiday Somalinimo xuduudo leh, ana Somalinimo aan xuduudo lahayn waan diiday. Markaa adaa cirka roob ku og. Somaliland works, and it is enough for us. Hadaad adigu u bukto world class education,health, economy etc, samayso yaa kugu haysta. Lakiin wax igu darso dambe ayaa dhamaatay. Stand on your own two feet. Wax noqo. Isku kalsoonow. Oohinta iyo ilmayada yaxaaskana iska yaree.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Sign in to follow this