It is my objective in this article to highlight

[Deeq A.]

It is my objective in this article to highlight some of the daunting issues surrounding the recent flair of violence in the Eastern regions of Somaliland.
In my opinion, the main reason for the hostilities against the Somaliland people is deeply rooted into the fabric of the southern (Reer Koonfur) Somalia people. It is the mistrust, conspiracy laden atmosphere, and the unruly combative behavior that has plagued Somalia since the fall of Dictator Siyad Barre, that is feeding their grudge and jealousy toward the accomplishment and the successful nation building in Somaliland.
While the Southerners are engaged in a self-destructive cycle of violence, Somaliland has made long strides in reconciliation, economic recovery and the building of stable democratic institutions.
This disparity between Somalia and Somaliland is nowhere more clear than in the difference of the leadership style, conflict resolution mechanism, and the honest, peaceful negotiations to reach consensus when conflicts arise.
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Somalias development and progress is dampened by the desire to dominate one another.
To dive a little into the history,
Somaliland became independent from the British Colonial System on 26, June 1 960. Five days later it united with Italian Somaliland from the South which became independent on July 1st 1960.
After thirty years of a failed union with South Somalia, Somaliland seceded from that union in 1 991 . In a referendum held in 1997, 97% of Somalilanders voted for a new constitution as well as to uphold Somaliland’s statehood and independence.
Since Somaliland abolished the union with the South, it has held multiple municipal, parliamentary and presidential elections. I would like to emphasize here that, so far, there have been six (6) peaceful transfers of power from one president to the next in Somaliland.
The latest set of elections was held on November 13, 2024. Somalilanders have elected a new government, headed by the opposition candidate, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, from the Waddani National Party. The presidential election was coupled with the election of the National Parties which is designed to select three political parties that challenge each other for the leadership of the country.
In accordance with the Somaliland constitution, there can only be three political parties in the country.
Therefore, a certain number of entities aspiring to become political parties must go through a decadal registration and election process in which the top three contenders will be certified to participate in the electoral process, whether it is municipal, parliamentary or presidential elections. That process of registration, election and certification of the political parties repeats itself decadally.
It is an open secret that Somaliland became a beacon of hope and inspiration for many African countries as it is aspiring to attain international recognition as a sovereign state, managing its own national and international affairs. Somaliland with the meager resources it has has, thus far, played a major role in safeguarding and countering piracy off the Gulf of Aden, and the fight against international terrorism.
The achievements of the past 33 years is, however, under attack by the failed Federal Government of
Somalials attempts to disrupt Somaliland ls progress toward statehood and independence.
The current Federal government, led by Hassan Sheikh, is deliberately Stoking tribalism and civil unrest in the eastern border regions of
Somaliland, in order, to circumvent the progress in democracy and economic achievement in Somaliland.
Somalia’s motivation seems to be: “if we are sinking, you should also sink with us, too!” Therefore, the hostilities in the Sool and Sanaag region of Somaliland is nothing but an attempt to degrade and tarnish Somaliland’s image of peace and tranquility.
It is also obvious that the Federal government of Somalia is in a dire
political situation. After thirty plus years of international support, South Somalis are unable to reach any political consensus on how to govern themselves. South Somalia is backsliding into anarchy and lawlessness.
The Al-Shabaab terrorist insurgency in the country is regrouping and regaining strength, while Puntland and Jubaland regions of Somalia are growing more rebellious and disruptive. Presently, there is an open war between the forces of the Federal Government and Jubaland ls provincial military.
I hereby appeal to the international community, especially, to those who
invested time and money to support and stabilize Somalia, to see that it is high time to recognize Somaliland’s independence and statehood. The constant violence emanating from the eastern border regions with Somalia must be seen as a real threat designed to weaken and to destabilize the situation in Somaliland.

FreelanceWriter.
M Bashe A Elmigeydh
Ottawa Canada

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