The major differences between SSC SL stems from acrimonious tribal history

[Liibaan]

The major differences between SSC people and Somaliland stems from the Somalia’s acrimonious tribal history.

 

 

Las-anod; Outlined Facts

 

 

The capture of Las-anod by Somaliland along with local militia has generated mixing feelings and contradicting messages. Viewing from the lenses of Somaliland leaders and sympathizers, this capture was the most after sought victory for their entity. For most ******** people—indigenous people of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) regions—this is the beginning of an atrocious period in their territory. As for Puntland, the loss of Las-anod to Somaliland is a big threat to the existence of this tribal-based regional state.

 

Before we discuss the reality on the ground let us briefly state how Somaliland has embraced this hazy victory, and how Puntland is preparing to counter attack and recapture the city.

 

Immediately after the fall of Las-anod, the president of Somaliland, Riyale, and leaders of Somaliland opposition parties, Siilanyo and Warabe, have jointly thrown a party in the presidential square in Hargaysa and publicly praised what they have called liberation of Las-anod, what is liberation for some one is invasion for others.

 

According to Somaliland’s Jamhuuriya Newspapers, In order to further motivate Somaliland forces, traditional leaders of the Awdel region, birth place of Riyale Kahin, have devoted their monthly pay-checks to Somaliland forces fighting at the front line (Las-anod). Similarly, all employees of several Somaliland ministerial departments have sacrificed their entire quarterly salary for Somaliland fighters. These are hawkish endorsements that are conspiring civil war and ethnic displacement.

 

Even some Somaliland Civil-society organizations have rushed to glorify what could be the cause of the already looming humanitarian disaster in the region. Moreover, during SNM meeting in Hargaysa last week, friends and foes of this organization have gathered at the same place to congratulate Riyale and his latest development in Las-anod. No single Somaliland politician, traditional, or tribal leader has denounced the war, meaning the whole self-declared republic is in celebration for the capture of the city.

 

Meanwhile, Puntaland, surprisingly, has accused Eritrea and remnants of Islamic Courts of fighting alongside with Somaliland, a foolish acclamation! The president of Puntland, Adde, has publicly declared war on Somaliland and recapturing of the city by force. Leaders of Puntland warned that a sporadic civil war is imminent. The public is demanding that Puntland has to act now while Somaliland is responding with tart provocations. Somaliland and Puntland are sandwiching the city by massing their troops from the west and from the east respectively. The Situation is spinning out of control.

 

Somaliland and Puntland forces are trampling on the civilian populations in their quest to capture the city, creating displacement of tens of thousands of people, who fled from their homes to far rural areas. The disturbing news is that these people are facing famine, malnutrition and epidemic diseases as the harsh and dry winter is on the way. The other distressing news is that humanitarian and human rights organizations are not aware of that the humanitarian crisis is emerging from SSC regions of Somalia. The growing tension in SSC regions is a clear marker indicating that the chaos of Somalia has rolled toward the northern Somalia, which is an area that has enjoyed peace for the last decade.

 

The city of Las-anod is serving today as an arena of a battle of gladiators, Somaliland forces intimidating local people who are still in the city. Mobilized with armored vehicles and heavy artilleries, Somaliland forces have surrounded the city and are psychologically frightening the civilian populations. Chains of demonstrations and popular civic actions triggered by the presence of Somaliland troops in the region have being taking place on the streets of Las-anod. The primary goal of the demonstrations is the withdrawal of Somaliland troops from the SSC. Contrary to what the public is demanding, Somaliland is determined to stay on its current course.

 

In addition, one of the discouraging outcomes of the destroyed socio-economic systems of Las-anod is that thousands of young students have become susceptible to be taken as child soldiers after their schools have been completely shut down. Many of these young students are now roaming on the streets of the city, throwing stones at Somaliland troops and burning tires. Many others have set aside their books and pencils and, in turn, took guns to kill or to be killed. The future of entire generations is in jeopardy. Who will be held accountable for any probable wrongdoings done by these dislocated generations?

 

The great irony is that survivors of ethnic displacement (not long ago, people of Somaliland had been displaced and traumatized by the military regime, which ruled Somalia form 1969-1990) are eager to displace their brothers and sisters. For Somaliland leaders to claim that SSC shares colonial borders with Somaliland cannot justify military offensive stands logic on its head. It is also a great paradigm that Somali people who are under Ethiopian incursion are occupying each other. Any one who has a head on his shoulder sees that the whole Republic of Somalia is being swallowed by Ethiopia.

 

The core value of Somaliland, separating from the rest of Somalia, does not sound as the best interest for the people of SSC. In an attempt to convince Somaliland to withdraw its troops form SSC regions, traditional leaders and most SSC people have reiterated how important it is for them and for Somaliland to remain subjects of peace. The standpoint of SSC people deserves to be respected as they are proceeding to take an oath to uphold their rights. Thanks to those who are organizing the grand meeting of SSC traditional leaders in Buuhoodle. The main agenda of the meeting should be the uniting of SSC people and restoring of the hope of the region.

 

The major differences between SSC people and Somaliland stems from the Somalia’s acrimonious tribal history. Since the arrival of the British colony to Somalia in late 19th century, people of SSC have lost half of their land to the people of Togdheer and Western Sanaag. It was not a naturally evolving occurrence, when in 1954 the people of Togdheer had seized Caynabo, a former (or may be future) SSC town. It was a well planned mission performed under the shadow of the British colony. This indicates that dislocating of SSC people has been taking place for more than a century.

 

Moreover, there are some other persisting issues, which are diverging SSC people from joining Somaliland. For instance, the Independence Day, June 26th, of the British Somaliland had been changed. Memorial days have been assigned to those who had fought in the name of SNM, an armed organization that had never been popular in SSC territory. The legacy of the British Somaliland’s true freedom frontiers, Dervish revolution, SNL, USP, etc—have been blackmailed. This modified Somaliland, upon which interests of certain people are based, is not a beneficial sovereignty for the eastern regions of the former British Somaliland, masterminds of the true freedom.

 

These examples and many other unhealed historical wounds have been the dogmas, which reside in the cerebellum hemispheres of the brains of SSC people. There is no doubt that different versions of these dogmas occupy in the heads of many others. The roots of these wounds need to be diagnosed before the colonial borders of the modified British Somaliland have been secured. Therefore, not only the people of SSC are skeptical about the modified Somaliland but they are also strongly warning any grave consequences that could follow if Somaliland keeps turning deaf ears to their demands.

 

According to Puntland, let us make long story short, Puntland ought to have strong leadership that has clear and constructive agenda for the people of Puntland State. The current administration led by General Adde has inflated the economy. General Cadde has made political mistake by sacking Xaabsade, the former interior minister of Puntland. Being a prominent politician hailing from SSC region, fired and thus disappointed Xaabsade has alternated his political view and catalyzed the fall of Las-anod in the hands of his former opponents. Is he politically disadvantaged now? The time will tell.

 

Xaabsade was performing his ministerial duties, assisting the reconciliation efforts in Buuhoodle last summer, when he was sacked. If general Cadde had presented plausible reasons of why he sacked his former interior minister, the reputation of Xaabsade would have been in question today. Somalis say “Rag ciil cadaab ka doorey,” Xaabsade is a man who knows what his is doing, meaning that there should be some thing that has forced him to do what he has done. The tranquility of Puntland would be sustainable if there is a fair president who is capable of leading this tribal based administration.

 

To conclude, Somaliland has glorified displacing of tens of thousands of SSC people, who are facing hunger and diseases in the remote areas of Northern Somalia, which have no access to humanitarian assistance. Somaliland and Puntland are determined to stay on their current course, which is undermining the stability of the region. The SSC people are quite skeptical about the modified Somaliland, upon which interests of certain people are based. The rudimentary outcome of the upcoming SSC traditional leaders’ meeting in Buuhoodle should be the uniting of the SSC people.

 

By Mohamed Hassan

 

[ November 03, 2007, 02:04 AM: Message edited by: Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar ]

[rudy-Diiriye]

********* people.....now who are this ppl? do they need land...name rings a bell with ppl who need land, if they do, they can settle down any where in somali.

 

tell me them Rudy said, its ok. they got my permission. ok. kol

 

[ November 03, 2007, 01:59 AM: Message edited by: Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar ]

[Castro]

Originally posted by 'Chief:

The major differences between SSC

people

and Somaliland .....

Is just the size

 

[Liibaan]

Somalilander “The recent Somaliland victory in Las Anod seems to be a hollow one”

 

HIIRAAN: Las Anodis by a substantial majority do not want to be part of Somaliland

 

 

Blues skies thinking on somaliland borders

 

 

The recent Somaliland victory in Las Anod seems to be a hollow one.

 

 

Puntland may have been militarily defeated but by all accounts the locals simply failed to throw flowers at the liberating forces from the west as Hargeisa had hoped.

 

 

The fact that the take-over was accomplished by local Las Anodis lead by pro-Somaliland men made little difference. The victors are largely seen by the overwhelming majority of the population as self-serving individuals at best and outright traitors at worst. This is not quite fair but since when fairness mattered to the Somali?

 

 

Puntland, which ran the place since it took over in 2002 breaking a gentlemanly agreement with Somaliland that neither side takes overall control of the disputed area, failed to govern the region properly.

 

 

Locals point out that when Somaliland was in control in the 1990s, teachers and police were paid on time, streets cleaned and burglars kept at bay. Under Puntland law and order broke down, schools closed and business came to a halt.

 

 

But Somalis are not influenced by these mundanely practical things. Clan sentiment overides everything and on this overwhelmingly powerful indicator, Somaliland, largely seen as an I-clan entity, is on a losing card in Las Anod: the locals are D-clan and their loyalty lies with their D-clan brethren in Puntland.

 

 

Somaliland’s claim on Las Anod is based on the legitimate case that it was within the borders of Somaliland under colonial rule and on independence from colonial rule in 1960. Every African country claims its borders on the same colonial map.

 

 

But the fact remains that Las Anodis by a substantial majority do not want to be part of Somaliland.

 

 

But there is another fact: Las Anod does not matter to Somaliland. It does not matter economically or socially and it ruled itself out politically thus forfeiting the only card it could have played in Somaliland politics.

 

 

The solution for Somaliland is simple: let Las Anod go. It has no economic value to Somaliland and the locals are troublesome. It simply does not deserve the trouble let alone the lives of our kids. Withdraw from Las Anod now and negotiate on demarcating the border. The locals can join whoever they like.

 

 

Ahmed Mohamed

[Jacaylbaro]

waar kan chief na maalmahan oohin badanaa ,,, bismillaah

[Liibaan]

sh j,

 

Maxaad la cabadasaa, maad wacno led ku hadashid

 

soo baro sida loo hadlo

[QabiilDiid]

Muxuu u soo barnayaa sida loo hadlo, waa libaaxaa reer guryahood dhex yuuriya eh. Teeda kale waa tii la yidhi nin aan warankaagu galin, weedhaadu ma gasho..