Let Somaliland Decide Its Fate By AllAfrica

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

ANALYSIS

 

23 years after Somaliland declared independence, it is time for the rest of the world to accept that full sovereignty is the only viable solution.

 

The most important and underreported success story of the last two decades in the volatile Horn of Africa may be the emergence of Somaliland.

 

Located in the north of Somalia, Somaliland first declared independence in 1960 (before it merged with Italian Somaliland to become Somalia) and again in 1991 following the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre's military government.

 

Then, in May 2001, its independence was asserted again through a nationwide referendum that saw 97.1% of the population voting in favour of autonomy.

 

Since then, with a population of around 3.5 million, Somaliland has held free elections, drawn up a constitution, and enjoyed relative peace and stability, all without the help of heavy foreign aid. And on 18 May, the people of Somaliland celebrated the 23rd anniversary of their independence.

 

However, despite these achievements, Somaliland has struggled to gain diplomatic recognition as an independent state.

 

The West, for example, is reluctant to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state before members of the African Union (AU) do so, while the AU reiterates that one of the founding principles of the organisation was to respect the borders inherited from colonialism.

 

However, even under this pledge, the AU's argument to deny Somaliland sovereignty appears to be invalid. After all, on 26 June 1960, the territory, which had been British Somaliland, gained independence as the State of Somaliland.

 

It was only a few days later, on 1 July 1960, that Italian Somaliland also gained independence and then united with the State of Somaliland to become the Somalia we know today.

 

Indeed, in 2006, an AU fact-finding mission declared Somaliland's status to be "unique and self-justified in African policy history," and insisted that "the case should not be linked to the notion of 'opening a Pandora's box'. "

 

Furthermore, even if the AU did pledge to respect colonial borders, surely there is a way to allow Somalilanders today to decide their own political fate. If the UK can agree to hold a referendum over Scottish independence, why can't Somaliland be afforded the same opportunity?

 

 

Time for independence

 

Earlier this year, Somaliland agreed to take part in Turkish-brokered talks with the Somali government. However, it seems obvious that the two sides will not be able to agree on their future relationship through such means.

 

Mogadishu still clings to the fiction of Somaliland being a region under its own authority even though the government struggles to govern at all, while Somaliland sees itself as autonomous and is keen to stay out of the chaos in Somalia.

 

Furthermore, relations between the two sides are somewhat hostile. In the 1980s, when Somaliland secessionists were engaging in a bitter battle to break away from Somalia, the US-backed Somali dictator of the time, Siad Barre, used brutal military force to bomb the civilian population into submission.

 

The conflict saw 50,000 civilians lose their lives and major towns like Somaliland's capital Hargeisa were heavily bombarded.

 

With remarkable resilience and determination, the people of Somaliland slowly recovered from the devastation of that war, and today Hargeisa is a city reborn. However, relations between Somalia and Somaliland never fully recovered.

 

In denying Somaliland the right to decide its own political future, the international community ignores the territory's rebirth, its success in eradicating the piracy and repression that once characterised it, and its testy relationship with Mogadishu.

 

Somaliland's lack of diplomatic recognition also undermines the progress and stability it has enjoyed in recent years and prevents it from exploiting its rich coal and oil reserves since foreign energy companies are unable to trade directly with unrecognised territories.

 

Describing the reasoning behind Somaliland's vote for nationhood, President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud 'Silanyo' writes: "From 1960 to 1991, we gave unity a chance. It failed disastrously. We have now forged again our own future. We deserve the chance to fulfil our ambition."

 

Indeed, the people of Somaliland deserve a chance to decide their own political future for they can no longer tolerate years of uncertainty about their status as a nation.

 

And Somaliland's move for independence is grounded in the same principles as the declarations of autonomy by British and French-owned colonies in Africa in the 1960s.

 

23 years after Somaliland declared its self-autonomy in the aftermath of Siad Barre's fall, it is time the US, European Union and Africa do the right thing and accept the only viable and sustainable solution: an independent and sovereign Somaliland.

 

Ali Mohamed is co-founder of the Horn of Africa Freedom Foundation, a grassroots organisation located in Lewis Center, Ohio. The foundation advocates for the advancement of freedom and democratic values for the indigenous people of the Horn of Africa. He can be reached at aliadm@aol.com.

 

[SomaliaRising]

Nonsense, we wont accept a small clan to break part Somalia. War and lots of bloodshed is better than that. No recongition for ethiopianized gaaloraac.

 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

The pirates and Ethiopia not that long ago u used Ethiopians to fight a Somali clan in Mogadishu ,your biggest victory ever was riding on top of Ethiopian tanks only for Amiir Godane and Sheikh Zeylici to give you an unforgettable karbaash.

 

PS Somaliland appeal is to the international community the world leaders the AU bantu leaders who gather in addis ababa every year who dont read their own charters. Not to the effeminate pirates or those in Somalia who are under Amisom protection.

[SomaliaRising]

Your appeal has been going on for 23 years. Somalidiid are so desperate and ignorant. You dream everynight about some sort ictiraaf, in reality unionist siil aanyo accepted being regional state within Somalia. Niyoow hurtada ka kac.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Independence struggles are not easy especially if the country u used to share a union with no longer exist it was only up to 2012 when it had some sort of government though its still very fragile and has no control over the country its claims not even in Mogadishu. Defeating Somalia was very easy all u had to do is create rebel movements and the weak foundations the Somali republic was conceived on was destroyed and the mythology of pan Somalism was defeated by the SNM Followed by the SSDF and USC and SPM.

 

And today the clan federalism is being build with the help of Neighboring countries Kenya and Ethiopia. There is no Somalia as we once knew it. Somalilanders were lucky their war was only between 1981 to 1991 10 short years. In reality Somalilanders remained 21 years with Somalia. 10 years Fighting against it. President siilaanyo gave 32 years of his life to Somaliland when he joined the SNM in 1982. This man wants to leave behind a legacy. if i trust some one with Somaliland its President siilaanyo and the Kulmiye leaders because they spend years and years in the Bush and really know what it was like to fight for Somaliland. Somaliland will eventually get its recognition , but independence was created because of the will and the aspirations and the strength and the political superiority of the Somalilanders. They made Somali republic in 1960 and they broke it 1991. Now what your pirates do with your piece of your land is your interest.

 

The Somalilanders really had it really easy the Dinkas in south sudan fought 50 years the Eritreans fought 30 years The Afro hashimiates only fought 10 years. And have been living the good life since 1991 peace stability democracy and progressiveness and the people of SL have been living the quality life Hargeysa and main SL cities have grown rapidly this will only increase in the near future Somaliland tagtay oo wax noqo oo meel istaag Puntland risingow.

[DoctorKenney]

Xaaji, stop attempting to make Somaliland look like some sort of Utopia where it resembles Finland or Sweden loool. Get yourself together adeer.

 

But I would much rather support a Union of Somali Republics than forcing a Union down the throats of Reer Waqooyi/Toghdeer especially if they don't want it. That would only create resentment and could destabilize Somalia in the long run.

 

If the well-being of Somali people is what we really want (ALL Somalis, regardless of where they live), then I think letting the people decide what type of governance and political structure they want is the best route. Instead of forcing it down their throats, which is something which will surely backfire. So I'd want a loose Federalism for Somalia (Puntland, Galmudug, Hiiraan, Jubbaland, etc.), and complete/total independence for the people of Somaliland.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

I never said Somaliland is an utopia Somaliland is very poor African state it is located in a very volatile and violent region full of terrorists and pirates. And they have helped themselves they have a long way to tackle major problem such huge unemployment and some of the rural areas having no basic services. But having said that Somaliland has a future when it joins the international community because it has a strong foundation.

[Che -Guevara]

I thought they already decide their fate?

[Tallaabo]

<cite>

@Che -Guevara

said:</cite>

I thought they already decide their fate?

Only Almighty Allah decides people's fate, everything else is just a process.

[Peace Action]

<cite>

@Che -Guevara

said:</cite>

I thought they already decide their fate?

Deep down they know it is dream but the continues chaos in Mogadishu make them realize they need to keep their gains intact until the Somalis in the south come to their senses.

 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Theye. Decided their fate they want ic to support their case. Thats what they want their fate was decided in 1991.laakin as faisal puts it gaalada meyd sl daba wada

[Tillamook]

War Xaajigu bakhbakh baa ka dhamaatay

 

Saaxiib, ma illowday Somalia saddex inay idinku qabto?

 

You guys are like an estranged wife who wants a divorce, but when the judge(international community) asks you to first bring the deadbeat husband(Somalia) with you to the court, you refuse do so because you know if the husband was to testify in court then you won't have a case for the judge to issue a divorce decree.

 

Keep writing your nonsense on allAfrica all you want....this dude ain't signing dem divorce papers

 

P.S

Whatever happened to the Somaliland-Somalia talks that beesha caalamka asked you guys to take part in? I tell you Xaaji, that those talks were your only chance to work with Somalia to secede, but it is truly a pity that Mr Silanyo wasted that opportunity and used the talks instead to work with Culosow to secure a bigger political pie in the Somali federal system. Tsk tsk tsk!

[DoctorKenney]

Maybe the old married couple Somalia/Somaliland should take a break and start seeing other people

 

They'll get back together someday. True love never dies loool

[Tillamook]

No such thing sxb. This here is a monogamous relationship

 

Somaliland is forever doomed to share a bed with its farting, snoring and drooling husband

[Barwaaqo]

Ever heard of fasaq. You just need to prove- in aanad masruuf iyo mariin aanad ka helin, mudo badana kala maqnaydeen kaa sheeganaya in uu 3 kugu qabo.