Time for Somaliland to re-envision itself in a changing Somalia

[Mr. Somalia]

The people of Somaliland – a separatist republic in northwest Somalia – have been here before. The dictatorial tendencies of President Dahir Riyale, Somaliland’s leader since 2003, are undoubtedly practices he learned from his former master, Gen. Mohamed Siad Barre, whose 21-year military rule in Somalia ignited the Horn of Africa country’s enduring civil war. Somaliland’s separatist leaders, who unilaterally declared independence following the Barre regime’s collapse in 1991, have entertained the Somaliland people with fallacies of international recognition and democratic governance. And so the Somaliland public supported separatism, hopeful that international recognition will pour in financial assistance and help recover the troubled economy. They even supported a war of aggression against Somalis in Sool region – in 2007, when Somaliland troops violently took control of the key town of Las Anod in a military development that saw 50,000 civilians flee to safety.

 

There is no question that Somaliland people have been held hostage by a leadership with deep ties to the collapsed Barre regime – starting with Mr. Riyale, himself a senior officer in the regime’s notorious NSS secret police, which specialized in suppressing domestic dissent. The lie told to the Somaliland public, time and again, has been that Somaliland declared independence following the Barre regime’s unjust bombardment of Hargeisa and Burao. There is even a MiG-21 jet sitting as a war-time monument in Hargeisa, forever reminding locals of a war from 20 years ago, as corruption and the undemocratic practices of the Riyale regime are overlooked. Indeed, Somaliland’s president, who was elected in a close contest in 2003, has remained in power far longer – in part due to a constitutional complexity. But an easier argument could be made that Somaliland natives have allowed Mr. Riyale and his henchmen to abuse public trust for years because they fear shattering the “Somaliland independence dream” that has been founded on and solely depends on the existence of a stable government in Hargeisa.

 

That Mr. Riyale sent soldiers to seize parliament to prevent meaningful political discourse on Aug. 29 marks a turning point in Somaliland’s contemporary history. Here is a region that long considered itself to be a model state for African democracy; today, its leader is directly engaged in the abusive and corrupt practices of the average African dictator.

 

The people of Somaliland must re-envision their region in a changing Somalia. The cheap idea that Somaliland is “peaceful” while Somalia is “chaotic” has reached an eventual dead-end. The Somaliland people must make difficult choices in the coming days and weeks. Mr. Riyale’s very presence in office is an offense to democracy. Yet, without him, simmering clan hostilities that showed its ugly face in the mid-1990s in Burao could re-emerge, potentially threatening peace and stability in the region.

 

Re-envisioning Somaliland will require brave Somalis willing to face reality. But can Hargeisa allow freedom of thought in today's state of fear-mongering?

 

Garowe Online Editorial

[Jacaylbaro]

Let the Faroole boys keep dreaming in their website ....... I thought they were fed up with Somalia last time i checked.

 

 

contradiction at its best ..............

[Mr. Somalia]

^^^

 

Just admit it, JB!

 

Somaliland has taken a turn for the worst! Through inept leadership, failed hopes and like a pitiful model that not only walked down the runway, but took a piss and kept on walking anyway, Somaliland has been reduced to a big pile of steaming sh1t that only a handful of faithful band of roaches would warm up to, if that.

 

So what has actually happened?

 

Riyaale, the moron president, has reduced the government of this clan enclave to nothing but an abused concubine, completely destroyed, not only politically, but in all facets of life. The fear of Somalilanders overcoming their weaknesses and forming a united front against his leadership, is what is called for. Nobody should follow a dictator, which is what he has proved to be.

 

Sorry JB, but fulaynimada jooji. If your goal really is to let Hargaysa become a dictator's domain, then congrats old man, you are doing the right thing. But Somaliland has got to progress, and not take a step back in time like the Said Barre days.

 

It's time to change. So don't turtle yourself into a corner and give into this mediocre individual, Riyaale, who has no clue what he is doing. It's time for you to be brave and confront this guy!

[General Duke]

^^^A major rethink is in order, JB like all the other Mugged ones is in denail.

[MoonLight1]

I wonder what the landers will nick name Dahir riyale, if Siyaad was Afweyne, then Rayaale should be called Sanweyne.

[UZTAAD]

the photo and the name (sanwayne) is very funny.

[NGONGE]

Originally posted by MoonLight1:

I wonder what the landers will nick name Dahir riyale, if Siyaad was Afweyne, then Rayaale should be called Sanweyne.

They already have a name for him, saaxib. They call him 'the seat warmer'.

[Taleexi]

Xagga eray bixinta Riyaaye reer Hargeysa uga biqi mooye balse their admin is at the crossroads once again and that is where one would hope for a soft landing.

[MoonLight1]

Ngonge how do you transilate Seat warmer into somali, eerrrr SALBALAAR?

[wacdaraha_aduunka]

Salbalaar teedi wey dhamaatay laakin if Riyaale pulls this one off it will seriously nail the coffin on the so called Somaliland Project for good. I already see this exercise as the election of the Governor of Waqooyi Galbeed and not as a presidential one

[AfricaOwn]

The garowe boys want to see exactly what? Remove Riyaale and insert another Seperatist for a President? . What are you guys moaning about really? A dictator? You guys are giving Riyaale too much credit..His not a one man show

[Mr. Somalia]

^^^

 

Well, separatist or not, what matters most NOW, is that the will of the people be respected. The people are fed up with Riyaale, and rightfully so, therefore it is time he left office peacefully.

 

Am sure these folks concur...

[AfricaOwn]

Originally posted by Mr. Somalia:

^^^

 

Well, separatist or not, what matters most NOW, is that the will of the people be respected. The people are fed up with Riyaale, and rightfully so, therefore it is time he left office peacefully.

 

Am sure these folks concur...

The will of MY people are none of your concern..

[Mr. Somalia]

^^^

Desperate cry from somebody who sulks like a baby, and who's also very irrelevant in the affairs of northwest Somalia.

[Jacaylbaro]