AU mission to Somaliland says recognition overdue

[Xarago]

AU mission to Somaliland says recognition overdue

 

By FRED OLUOCH

Special Correspondent

The African Union is coming under increased pressure from the breakaway Somaliland Republic to accord it recognition.

 

This follows revelations that an AU fact-finding mission to Somaliland between April 30 and May 4, 2005, had expressed the opinion that Somaliland had been made a "pariah region" by default. It strongly recommended the country's recognition, saying that since its declaration of independence in 1991, Somaliland has been steadily laying the foundations of a democratic "modern state."

However, the report of the mission – which was appointed by former president of Mali and chairperson of the AU Commission, Alpha Oumar Konare – has been kept under wraps and is yet to be discussed by the AU executive council for possible adoption by the heads of state summit.

 

The mission also noted that the lack of recognition ties the hands of the authorities and people of Somaliland as they cannot effectively transact business with the outside world in pursuit of their reconstruction and development goals.

 

It was of the view that while it is the primary responsibility of the authorities and people of Somaliland to make efforts to acquire political recognition from the international community, the AU should be disposed to judge the case of Somaliland from an objective historical viewpoint and a moral angle vis-a-vis the aspirations of its people.

The authorities of Somaliland have successively visited the AU Commission in 2003, 2004, and early 2005, seeking an observer status for Somaliland within the AU, not only to be able to follow developments on the continent, but also to gain a platform from which the country can state its case for being recognised as a sovereign state.

 

That proposed status is based on the recognition by the Somalilanders of the inherited colonial borders at the time of independence from Britain in June 1960.

 

As a result, there is a visibly emotional attachment to the reclaimed independence and a firm determination among the people of Somaliland not to return to the failed union with Somalia, whether or not recognition is granted.

 

Somaliland – situated on the northern tip of the former greater Somalia – boycotted the two-year peace process in Nairobi that culminated in the election of President Abdullahi Yusuf in October 2004.

 

The Somaliland authorities have consistently rejected the idea of reuniting with Somalia, and recently warned that should Africa and the international community insist on Somaliland re-establishing the union, the leaders and people of Somaliland would fight to preserve their independence.

 

The mission takes this line of argument by stating that the Union established in 1960 between Somaliland and Somalia brought enormous injustice and suffering to the people of the region.

 

"The fact that the union was never ratified and also did not work to satisfaction while it lasted from 1960 to 1990, makes Somaliland's search for recognition historically unique and self-justified in African political history. As such, the AU should find a special method of dealing with this outstanding case," the report recommends.

 

Furthermore, given the acute humanitarian situation prevailing in Somaliland, the AU should mobilise financial resources to help alleviate the plight of the affected communities, especially those catering for internally displaced persons and returnees.

 

The mission set out to assess the prevailing political, socio-economic, security, humanitarian and other related issues, as well as to listen to the concerns of the leadership and people of Somaliland, and duly report back the findings and the recommendations to the AU Commission for further action. It was led by the deputy chairperson of the Commission, Patrick Mazimhaka.

 

While calling upon the interna-tional community to consider the issue of self-determination objectively, the mission noted evidence of democratic institutions sprouting among them; the constitution of Somaliland, which entrenches, among other aspects, the separation of power between the three arms of government; the balance of political forces built upon the functional co-habitation of traditional governance institutions, as embodied in the political role of clan elders and elected representatives; the existence of active opposition political parties with some capacity to influence public policy; and a budding independent press.

 

The plethora of problems confronting Somaliland in the political, socio-economic, military, humanitarian and other sectors stem from the legacy of a political union with Somalia, that malfunctioned, bringing destruction and ruin upon the population.

 

Though credit has to be given to Somaliland for promoting a democratic order within a relatively short span of time, there are gaps that need attention from both policy makers and the individual citizens. One critical gap lies in gender relations in terms of the predominance of men in the various structures, institutions and processes.

[Xarago]

We told you it will come, and now it is not only us (Somaliland citizens) that are telling but the rest of Africa.

Go ahead then where are the tribally dented individuals in SOL who think the union was a God sent decree.

[Resistance]

^^^ Gosh the arogance and sheer stupidness of the above two persons. weli maad isla fiicantihiin, just cause there is report reconmedenting Somaliland should reconginzed by the AU.

 

what makes me sad is how Somaliland is seeking to be recogized by the West, AU or UN. the same bodies that have has destroyed the nation of Somalia from within. why not seek recongination from our bothers and sisters ..somali themselves ..

 

if the of Somaliland was based on Islamic system them trust me we would have made strides in whole of Somalia .. become peacon of hope for the res of Somalia ..not the current ways of begging for recongination from those who will knock you down when you no longer serve their purpose

[Xarago]

Arogance and sheer stupidness..ouch. Let me go a lil bit step further than that, would it be wrong to say you have a disability in comprehending and presenting? No..! I would say according to your latest outburst.

Interesting you mentioned this though

those who will knock you down when you no longer serve their purpose

...walalo talk to Duke he will tell you who is good at knocking people down whe they have served their purposes...Maxamed Dhere is suffering from the syndrome now...

[Baashi]

Kix kix kax kux looooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

 

Madadaalo iyo maaweelo show halakan baaba loogu yimaadaa. Bal cagta u dhiga qaraabo.

 

Ok the mighty Somaliland with its huge economical, political, and military leverage is putting “increased pressure†on AU. You swallow such crab that easy.

 

[EDITED]

 

Oh! poor Xarago what a pity! Halkaa miyaad maraysaa qallanjo.

[ANWAR]

Originally posted by Yahoo_UK:

^^^ Gosh the arogance and sheer stupidness of the above two persons. weli maad isla fiicantihiin, just cause there is report reconmedenting Somaliland should reconginzed by the AU. what makes me sad is how Somaliland is seeking to be recogized by the West, AU or UN. the same bodies that have has destroyed the nation of Somalia from within. why not seek recongination from our bothers and sisters ..somali themselves .. if the of Somaliland was based on Islamic system them trust me we would have made strides in whole of Somalia .. become peacon of hope for the res of Somalia ..not the current ways of begging for recongination from those who will knock you down when you no longer serve their purpose

MEY ALLLAH BLESS YOU MY BOTHER'

YOU ARE A REAL PATRIOT FROM SOMALIAAA

[Suldaanka]

Caliyoow Dabuubtaadi gabay Daayinkaa wadaye

Dabaylaha xagaagee Dafliyo Daafigaa sidaye

Noo Dooji Doogiyo sidii Dararta xolaaye

Diirkiyo laftuu xulay hadduu hadal wax Daaweyne

Dadkana uma sinnee reer tolkay Dacar ku nooleeye

 

Oldman Baashaaw,

 

Awoowe, I can see you are having a hard time swallowing it, can I offer you caano geel ama biyo cad? kee kuula soo ordaa.

 

The East African - is a prominent African publication.

[Xarago]

Bisinka..wadh Bashi qalanjo marka aad tidhi cagaha ayan dhulka la wayey huuno.. .

 

When people reach certain age they loose their sense of direction and point of departure...yacni waxay noqdaan wax iska sac-sac oo kale. My sources Bashi were actually not from any of the organisations you mentioned of whom which I suspect you are a member. but it was ;

Click here huuno..!

 

As for your swipe at Somaliland being mighty politically,economically and military leverage, walalo 'lax walba shilka ay is dhigto aya lagu gowraca'. We are all that in our hearts that is why our reputation is more intact than that of the south of the border.

 

But your statement is exactly what Mr. Oodweyne was saying

Do you really want to give a heart-attack through your words in the screen to those Lot that you so eloquently describe;

, it seems you are at an early age of symptoms of a heart attack...

[Baashi]

Khatif qoryaha guro baa ka dhacday . Blame it on google and the multi-tasking effort I'm engaged in here at the office. You didn't provide the source of the article and I had to google Fred Oluoch. What I should have done is google the heading of the article instead!

 

Old age is definetely a factor in all of this shortcoming from my part . Still this is just Fred Oluoch's opinion and it is not a news.

 

Suldaan tell me the truth buddy is he one of those clever in-laws. I ask this cuz I noticed a trend...

[Suldaanka]

^^

Awoowe,

Okiyaleha inuu kaa yara dhumay waa u jeeday

 

 

"Suldaan tell me the truth buddy is he one of those clever in-laws. I ask this cuz I noticed a trend... "

 

Duqa waa duurxulaysaa maalmahan. Waxani daacayad ka badane ma in la is caaya la isku soo geed fadhiistay? Geed walba in gubtaa waa hoostaalaye.

 

Awoowe, okiyaalihi iyo cumaamaddi'ba kaa dhacee, bal macawistuun xejiso, dumarna waa joogaan goobtee.

[Baashi]

^

 

Asbax

 

Xaasha awoowe kaftan-dhable aan turxaan ku jirin weeye kaygu ee shido ha ka dhigin.

 

Does Matt Bryden and Ina Iqbal ring a bell Suldaan They are very active in promoting certain cause wouldn't you agree?

[Suldaanka]

^^Awoowe, wixii aad maqashoba ma runbaa?

 

I only hear from media from a certain clan. I never heard it from anybody else. I have no facts to either support or deny. But in anycase, these men are objective and highly qualified to be misled or used.

 

Imika ma qof kasta oo Somaliland taageera xidido ayuu leeyey ayay arinkii idinka marayaa? That is way below the belt Awoowe.

 

Awoowe, goorma ayaad indhaha aad kala qaadi doonta ood xoorka geela dhadhamindoonta? I hate to be waraabihii intuu barqo kacay ee la yidhi biriijku ka dhacay.

[Baashi]

^Marka Somaliland la aqoonsado Inta ka horeysa kaftan-dhablahaan ha inoo socdo...dee mid aan turxaan lahayn if you know what I mean.

 

Sxb nimankani waa fara baxsi guuxooda ka dheereeyey. They are known for their advocacy of dismembering Somalia. They are not Somali citizens nor are they representative of any political entity that I know of. They went well beyond their narrow and limited fields. They are more active than Ina-Riyale in attaining the scessionist's stated goal and they are indeed married to Somali from that corner. Nothing below belt swing in stating the facts awoowe.

 

Now ever heard the saying:

 

Qaraabo waa qaar danbe

[Pi]

Another internet-ku-dirir session is in full swing. As you were gentlemen. :rolleyes:

[Baashi]

^What the hek are you doing in FADHI-KU-DIRRIR crib? You got lost? Get the hell outta room before you infected with this contagious desease!