Somaliland = Somali People + Their Land

[Garyaqaan2]

Somaliland = Somali People + Their Land: There is nothing to be curious about!

- Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 05:24

 

Mr. Richard Rahn’s recent article about “Curious case of Somaliland†on Washington Times contained many inaccuracies about Somaliland and its relationship to Somalia, which needs to be addressed. First and foremost, I too celebrate the democratic successes that Somaliland has had in recent years However, Somaliland’s recent democratic successes of its own, should not come at the expense of Somali Sovereignty, which Mr. Rahn completely ignores in his article.

 

 

 

It should be noted that, Somaliland was never intended to be “independent†from Somalia. The British, who controlled Northwestern Somalia (known as Somaliland), and the Italians, who controlled Northeastern Somalia (know as Puntland) including the southern part of Somalia, both agreed to grant independence on the same date July 1, 1960. In-order to facilitate the merging of the two areas into one Somalia. The British, for their own particular “British†reasons of wanting to claim they gave independence first, jumped the gun to give independence to Somaliland by four days ahead of the Italians. Nonetheless, the two areas were quickly merged reflecting the desires of the people of both areas to be one country. Now, a great number within Somali Landers strongly oppose the succession of Somaliland.

 

 

 

The desires of the people from both areas to be one nation makes perfect sense when one understands the Clan ties between the people of Somaliland and Somalia. In addition, the ties continue to be close when one understands that the current president of Puntland State adjacent to Somaliland is from Somaliland and the Current government of Somalia has provided 61 seats in its parliament for the *** Clan, which is the ruling, Clan in Somaliland.

 

 

 

In fact, some members of *** clan are pushing for independence from Somalia. In that regard, from a Clan perspective, independence makes sense. Nation-wide, internationally, and culturally it makes no sense at all and it is probably one of the reasons why no one is or should move to recognize a Somaliland State.

 

 

It is also important to note that Somaliland is not comparable to Yugoslavia or the Baltic states as Mr. Rahn states. Yugoslavia was separated due to the historical irreconcilable religious differences and extreme hatred therein. The Baltic States have distinct languages, religions, and ethnic ties from each other. More importantly, the Baltic States were independent in 1918 and only lost that independence through Soviet aggression. Somaliland and Somalia are one in culture, language and religion .

 

 

It is also very bothersome that Mr. Rahn’s has attempted to equate the current government of Somalia with the Siad Barre regime in the 70’s and 80’s The current president of Somalia, who was elected to that position on October 10th, 2004, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, was imprisoned by and fought against Siad Barre for years. President Yusuf, as president of Puntland also fought terrorism throughout the 90’s in and around Puntland. Without President Yusef’s help, Somaliland would not have had the democratic opportunities it has today.

 

 

 

It is un-fortunate that you have not read the well-known history of Dahir Riyale Kahin who is the current president of Somaliland and his relations with the dictator Siad Bare Regime. He was one of few most trusted people by the dictator for 21 years. He headed the national security force in the Northern division (Somaliland), which was the most oppressive force that helped the brutal dictator to prolong his regime against the will of the Somali people. There are charges filled against him in Europe and the United States by committing human rights violations against his owned citizens during Siad Bare Regime.

 

 

 

It is not true that the entire Somalia is in Chaos. Somalia has made great strides in the last year in reconstituting its government for the first time since 1991. It has an elected parliament, which is inclusive of all the major and minor clans including the members of the ruling clan in Somaliland. The Parliament has selected the President, Speaker of the Parliament and the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has put his cabinet together and has presented his plan of governance to the Parliament. It is currently working to establish itself in Somalia and should do so in the next month.

 

 

 

Most importantly to the United States, the Government of Somalia is very aggressive in supporting western standards in all phases of governance, economic development and fighting terrorism. Somalia is strategically located, has the strategic resources, and desire to become a great friend to the United States and Europe.

 

 

 

A year from now, even greater strides will be made and the world will appreciate the opportunity of Somalia. Accordingly, Somalia can no longer be described in terms that Mr. Rahn used in his article and because of this, when the time is right, Somalia and Somaliland will be as they were, one nation under one God.

 

Shirwac Jama

 

Shirwac12@hotmail.com

 

 

 

what is going on???? the world is changin in to adifferent direction..