Somalia in Comma - Somaliland is hostage to the failed Somalia

Medeshi 25 Aug , 2008
DIPLOMATIC EMBARGO ALIENATES SOMALILAND FROM WORLD
By Abdul Aziz Al Mutari
Diplomatic impediment is hampering Self-sufficient Somaliland efforts towards statehood. Somaliland needs to do business with international community and play vital in peace and human rights restoration in the world. If no diplomatic support, Somaliland democracy will die between search of sovereignty and international stubbornness on its cause.
When the regime of Siad Barre was ousted from power in Somaliland in 1991, the long waited dream of Somalilanders was finally realized with the return of their lost integrity and prompt filling of the power vacuum left by General Mohammed Siyad Barre – the regime that destroyed the unity of the Great Somalia, which was a combination of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland after gaining independence in 1960.
In British Somaliland, the colony meant a marginal importance to the British Empire and was used merely as a logistical supply outpost for British ships sailing to India or to the Gulf of Aden. The British colonial praxis then could best be described as indirect rule and, as a result of this soft approach to indigenous political systems, the traditional order stayed largely intact.
The older and intelligent Somaliland generations signed an agreement with British in Yemen refusing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding – MoU with a foreign party on their own soil.
Following are the stipulations of the agreement:
1. Pregnant British women should not deliver their babies on Somaliland Soil, as per the understanding that the child has the right to hold the Somali nationality since he is born on Somaliland territory.
2. No British or accompanying foreigners including Indians will be allowed to bury their dead in Somaliland without obtaining a permit from the local council.
3. British citizens should not socially interact with Somalilanders including marriage.
4. British citizens should establish their own residential community separate from Somalilanders.
5. British citizens should not interfere with Somaliland´s religion, much so, propagate Christianity.
6. Educational institutions that will be established in Somaliland by British parties should gain the support of the local council.
7. British citizens should be considered as guests, not as colonizers.
8. British citizens should leave Somaliland anytime the people of Somaliland ask them to go.
These are some of the terms and conditions specified in the agreement signed between Somaliland elders and Her Excellency, the Queen of England and Wales representatives in Aden – Yemen. The agreement was written on animal skin, which still remains in the hands of the Somaliland elders today.
Our Senior Citizens who signed such an agreement with the British were either not educated or had no experience of signing high profile MoUs. Somalilanders adopted the problem solving techniques of the elders who resolved issues under the trees. The Somaliland modern democracy is nothing but a product of these traditional problem solving techniques.
After Somaliland was declared, clan leaders and elders in Somaliland gathered in a traditional meeting and proclaimed Somaliland independence in May 1991 at Burco City. Guurti (Upper House of Parliament in Somaliland) is a traditional conflict solving body in Somaliland, which has succeeded in bringing law and order in the country.
International Recognition:
Since then, Somaliland can be regarded as a democratic and stable region. With minimal foreign aid, it has managed significant progress in its effort to consolidate statehood. In a nationwide referendum held in 2001, the country introduced a new constitution with overwhelming 97% of support. In April 2003, voters were again called to the polling stations for the election of a new president. The ballots in which Dahir Riyale Kahin was elected as president were moderately free and fair. Opposition Parties Leaders Ahmed Mohammed Siiraanyo of KULMIYE and Eng. Faisal Ali Waraabe of UCID lost against Mr. Kahin in a historic, unique and democratic manner and readily accepted the result of election.
The consolidation reached a climax at the end of September 2005 when the country held parliamentary elections. International observers from South Africa, UN, I.G.A.D and AU called the elections free and fair. Furthermore, more voters turned out to elect candidates from different clans, a clear signal that Somalilanders are beginning to trust their political system. But the consolidation of statehood has so far not been followed by international recognition from the international community.
Meanwhile, the question of Somaliland's independence has created a row between the two former colonial powers of Somalia, Italy and Great Britain. Italy has strongly emphasized the importance of Somalia's unity and is subsequently supporting the T.F.G. headed by Abdullah Ahmed Yousif. Unfortunately, Britain´s support to its former colony has dwindled and sometimes rejected Somaliland´s claim of independence. Britain is the only country in the world, which is fully aware of Somaliland´s history particularly after gaining independence on the 26th of June 1960. Britain knows that over 34 countries have recognized Somaliland since its independence from the UK in 1960.
International Diplomatic Embargo on Somaliland:
Although Somaliland managed stability and continuity through its democratic policy, its foreign policy has been paralyzed by diplomatic embargo against Somaliland, where the international community realizes process, democracy and statehood in Somaliland but still remains blind and even refuses to hear the Somaliland voice of freedom. In 2007, Somaliland diplomacy started shinning after Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Charles MURIGANDE highlighted Somaliland development followed by a lecture delivered by Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Mohammed Duaale in the last AU Foreign Minister´s meeting.
I.G.A.D. is committed to Somalia's unity fearing that a successful secession of Somaliland could be misinterpreted as a precedent of other secessionist movements in East Africa. Arab countries are trying to balance Ethiopia's influence in the Horn. Yemen, for instance, supported Jama Ali Jama, a rival of Yusuf in Puntland, as Yusuf is regarded by many Somalis and Arabs as too attached to Addis Ababa. According to Arab theory, United Somalia is only a factor to balance Ethiopian military presence in east Africa, which forces them to throw the Somaliland case of independence in a dustbin. Yemen serves as an important transport hub for small arms to TGS ailing President Abdullah Yousuf Ahmed of Somalia despite a United Nations arms embargo (before it was lifted).
Furthermore, Ethiopia builds muscles of TFG President Abdullah-yey regime, with its subject of exercise being perceived as against Somaliland. The mature politics of Ethiopia was instrumental in maintaining good relations with Somaliland as well as with Yousif and the T.F.G.
Ethiopia utilizes Somaliland Ports after Djibouti and Eritrea sliced it off the coast of the red sea. Currently, Berbera Port is the only sea access to Ethiopian business and government supplies, because Somalia ports remain vicious and perilous for Ethiopian use. Djibouti, on the contrary, feels uneasy to have modern and democratic Somaliland in the region, and Djibouti doesn't want to promote a business competitor for its main source of revenues – port revenue collections is the backbone of Djibouti economy. The government of Djibouti enjoys a very peaceful border with Somaliland.

US sources, in the Economist December 2005 issue, hinted that Italy is funneling weapons to the provisional government despite a United Nations arms embargo. Britain, as the former colonial power of Somaliland, is said to develop a much more open approach to Somaliland and has repeatedly encouraged Hargeisa's process of democratization.
The United States also pursues a more open approach. The U.S. State Department announced that it "welcomes the September 29 parliamentary elections in Somaliland." Furthermore, US based Center for Strategic and International Studies issued a number of recommendations to strengthen U.S.-African policy, describing Somaliland's capital Hargiesa as a strategic location in the global war on terror and criticized the lack of a U.S. presence in the area.
Conclusion: Although Somalilanders voted for their independence and exhibited their right of self integrity, the latter is still a victim of ongoing conflict on the international diplomatic embargo. The International Community is deeply divided on the issue while I.G.A.D is unable to endorse any solution. Somaliland´s future rests to be seen besides Somalilanders commitment to continue with or without support from the international community.By Abdirahman Ali
Sources: www.somalilandpatriots.com –
The world should be fair to Somaliland
Republic of Somaliland is an unrecognized de facto sovereign state in horn of Africa.
Somaliland plays critical role in regional politics, security and stability. Somaliland neighbors enjoy warn relationship with Hargiesa Authority. Somaliland established essential statehood infrastructure that many African Countries don´t enjoy.
Somaliland implemented unique form of democracy with elected president, parliament and Municipality Council across the nation. International bodies including UN labeled Somaliland elections as free and fair elections. Somaliland practices multiparty system, having three main political parties including UDUB, the ruling party of President Dahir Riyale, UCID and KULMIYE as strong opposition party with majority in Parliament. Upper House of Parliament is called GUURTI, which have members of senior and former political leaders.
Somaliland free education is another point of self respect, up to university degree of different qualification including Medicine and Engineering. Somaliland authority provides free health care to every citizen. Somaliland major cities of Hargiesa, Boorame, Berbera, Burco, Ceerigaabo and Laascaanood enjoy free public social services including water and health care.
Somaliland foreign policy regulators utilized every opportunity to bring long waited independence from international community, but unfortunately the world doesn´t want democracy promotion in Somaliland. International community appreciates Somaliland developments and security with empty promises, no international aid donors invested Somaliland, Hargiesa authority cannot do business with international financers like World Bank and International Monetary Fund – IMF. European Union acknowledged Somaliland process after English Minister of African Affairs visited Somaliland and reported excellent administration and democracy, followed by Vice Chairman of African AU and reported the same, even advised Somaliland recognition.
IGAD member nations have interest in Somaliland, Ethiopia opening diplomatic and commercial offices in Somaliland, Ethiopian Banks operates in different parts of Somaliland, and Addis Ababa maintains excellent trade link with Hargiesa administration utilizing Gulf of Aden seaport Berbera as major sea access of Ethiopia to international community. Djibouti with its ethical relationship with Somaliland has another exceptional with Dahir Riyale regime, which led Somaliland businessmen and traders to export and import commercial goods in Djibouti.
Speaking about Somaliland will let writer enter to infinite success of stories world, and notice development loving nation disabled by international community its diplomatic embargo. Somaliland need to do business with the world, not ask aid and help. Arabian Gulf Countries paralyzed Somaliland economy after banning livestock exports to their countries due to baseless deceases, World Health Organization - WHO tested Somaliland domestic animals to GCC countries negative of Saudi government allegations. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia administration opposes Somaliland theory of independence and wants to keep Somalis together, in order to balance Ethiopian Military presence in East Africa. Military Ruler, Mohammed Siyad Barre (President of Somalia 1969-1991) with Arab support went with Ethiopia into two civil wars over Somali dominated 5th region of Ethiopia. Barre plus his colleagues believed to bring Somali speaking people under one government, which led conflict with Ethiopia and Kenya.
Somaliland today, demands fair UN, AU, EU and Arab League attention into Somaliland search of independence, and not to disappoint people who worked hard and built solid infrastructure on democratic principles.
If no International diplomatic Support:
Somaliland stability and development helped United Nation and regional countries to access Somalia security situation, Somaliland will be useful in solving instability in Southern Somalia, Somaliland with its ethical and cultural link can be utilized to achieve remarkable results more than any other nation. Somaliland united with Italian Somaliland for thirty one years, as dream of establishing greater Somalia, at time Somalis in south were not aware of importance of Somali unity. The test was failure, and proved to international community that unity between Somaliland and southern Somalia will let the country into endless chaos.
The diplomatic embargo on Somaliland may bring newborn democracy and administration back into violence like other parts of Somalia. UNHCR relocated Somali refuge camps in eastern Ethiopia back to Somaliland territory, in coordination with Somaliland Ministry of Rehabilitation; this shows the stability of Somaliland enjoys to the world. Somaliland economy and trade need international investment and partnership. Somaliland may turn to terrorist heaven if diplomatic embargo not lifted.
Somaliland people are committed to develop their country further with or without international community, only international trade partnership with Somaliland may fasten economic development in Somaliland.
Allah Bless Somaliland………… we all stand united
By Abdirahman Ahmed Ali
Sources: www.somalilandpatriots.com

Qaar ka mid ah Ururada Bulshada Rayidka ah oo walaac ka muujiyay mudo dhaafka golayaasha deegaanada

Annaga oo ah Ururada Bulshada Rayidka ah ee Madaxa-banaan waxaanu si wayn uga walaacsanahay