Somaliland: The London Conference, Good, Bad Or Indifferent,
Ahmed Kheyre
January 27, 2012
The up-coming meeting in London on tbe 23rd of February, 2012, on Somalia and the Horn of Africa is creating a lot of buzz in Somaliland and other parts of the region. The meeting which has been organised by the United Kingdom government and will be hosted by the British Prime Minister David Cameron. It is expected that at least 40 head of states, along with the UN director-General Ban-ki Moon, will attend. The President of Somaliland Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud "Siilaanyo" is also expected to attend.
There has been much debate about the value of this meeting for Somaliland, but as deputy-ambassador Chris Allan stated on his recent visit and press conference in Somaliland " Somaliland's sensitivities will be taken into consideration..this is not a meeting about the re-unification nor the separation of the former "Somali Republic", but rather to discuss the general conditions prevailing in the region...and Somaliland invaluable input as a stable, progressive and democratic region will be an asset".
Despite the words of re-assurance from the United Kingdom, many Somalilanders are sceptical about the motives of this meeting, and as one can see from these confidential documents, it is clear to see why. There still exits within the international community the fantasy that the defunct "Somali Republic" is still alive and well. Whilst in fact, it is beyond repair. The reality on the ground is far removed from the perception at these international conferences.
The words and phrases such as "National Government" and "Joint Management Board" are pipe-dreams. It has been over two decades since the overthrow of the Barre regime, yet Somalia, despite almost seventeen attempts has been unable to get its act together. In fact, things have gotten worse. Alien ideas such as piracy and terrorism have found a home in Somalia. A nation that was a secular, tolerant and inclusive country has become a hot bed of fundamentalism, intolerance and anarchy. A Pan-African country which led effort for the decolonisation of Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Angola to name a few, has become a pariah within Africa.
There are several reasons for this, a thirst for power, intolerance, ignorance, but the most obvious cause is that the communal trust between the Somali peoples in the region has died. After the civil war every Somali retreated to his hometown, region or community.
Furthermore throwing money at the situation will not change a single thing. Billions of dollars have been spent on Somalia, with nothing to show for it. Human lives, both indigenous and foreign have been sacrificed to rescue Somalia and Somalis, and still nothing changes. Somalia needs a wake-up call.
The international de-jure recognition of Somaliland is that wake-up call.
Somaliland became an independent country prior to the existence of the defunct " Somali Republic" in 1960. The voluntary union with Somalia was nullified on 18th of May, 1991. Somaliland's sovereignty was confirmed by the national referendum held in 2003. Since then Somaliland has embarked on the path of democracy, stability and progress. It has held several national elections, all considered free and fair by the international community. Somaliland has seen a peaceful transfer of power, unheard of in Africa.
Somaliland is an inclusive and tolerant nation. It has citizens of many different communities. The previous Somaliland president Dahir Riyale Kahin held office for almost a decade. He was not from the majority community in Somaliland. Some people supported him, some people opposed him. He held power and transferred power. Future Somaliland leaders will come from different communities, but they will have one thing in common. They are first and foremost Somalilanders.
Yet, despite of all these achievements, Somaliland, is being held to ransom by a union it has repudiated, that its citizens have rejected time and time again, and tied to an unelected, unrepresentative entity, that exits solely due to international life support.
Somaliland has a lot to offer at this meeting in London, but the international community should first understand, that Somaliland's sovereignty is not up for discussion. Those attending this meeting should also be aware, that it is Somalia that needs to get its house in order, and embark on a path on peace, inclusiveness, tolerance, democracy and progress.
There has been much debate about the value of this meeting for Somaliland, but as deputy-ambassador Chris Allan stated on his recent visit and press conference in Somaliland " Somaliland's sensitivities will be taken into consideration..this is not a meeting about the re-unification nor the separation of the former "Somali Republic", but rather to discuss the general conditions prevailing in the region...and Somaliland invaluable input as a stable, progressive and democratic region will be an asset".
Despite the words of re-assurance from the United Kingdom, many Somalilanders are sceptical about the motives of this meeting, and as one can see from these confidential documents, it is clear to see why. There still exits within the international community the fantasy that the defunct "Somali Republic" is still alive and well. Whilst in fact, it is beyond repair. The reality on the ground is far removed from the perception at these international conferences.
The words and phrases such as "National Government" and "Joint Management Board" are pipe-dreams. It has been over two decades since the overthrow of the Barre regime, yet Somalia, despite almost seventeen attempts has been unable to get its act together. In fact, things have gotten worse. Alien ideas such as piracy and terrorism have found a home in Somalia. A nation that was a secular, tolerant and inclusive country has become a hot bed of fundamentalism, intolerance and anarchy. A Pan-African country which led effort for the decolonisation of Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Angola to name a few, has become a pariah within Africa.
There are several reasons for this, a thirst for power, intolerance, ignorance, but the most obvious cause is that the communal trust between the Somali peoples in the region has died. After the civil war every Somali retreated to his hometown, region or community.
Furthermore throwing money at the situation will not change a single thing. Billions of dollars have been spent on Somalia, with nothing to show for it. Human lives, both indigenous and foreign have been sacrificed to rescue Somalia and Somalis, and still nothing changes. Somalia needs a wake-up call.
The international de-jure recognition of Somaliland is that wake-up call.
Somaliland became an independent country prior to the existence of the defunct " Somali Republic" in 1960. The voluntary union with Somalia was nullified on 18th of May, 1991. Somaliland's sovereignty was confirmed by the national referendum held in 2003. Since then Somaliland has embarked on the path of democracy, stability and progress. It has held several national elections, all considered free and fair by the international community. Somaliland has seen a peaceful transfer of power, unheard of in Africa.
Somaliland is an inclusive and tolerant nation. It has citizens of many different communities. The previous Somaliland president Dahir Riyale Kahin held office for almost a decade. He was not from the majority community in Somaliland. Some people supported him, some people opposed him. He held power and transferred power. Future Somaliland leaders will come from different communities, but they will have one thing in common. They are first and foremost Somalilanders.
Yet, despite of all these achievements, Somaliland, is being held to ransom by a union it has repudiated, that its citizens have rejected time and time again, and tied to an unelected, unrepresentative entity, that exits solely due to international life support.
Somaliland has a lot to offer at this meeting in London, but the international community should first understand, that Somaliland's sovereignty is not up for discussion. Those attending this meeting should also be aware, that it is Somalia that needs to get its house in order, and embark on a path on peace, inclusiveness, tolerance, democracy and progress.
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