NSPU Conference Stirs up a Hornet’s Nest

[Liibaan]

NSPU Conference Stirs up a Hornet’s Nest

 

By Mohsin

 

 

The conference held in Washington on Saturday 2 December and organized by the “Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity” (NSPU) has predictably stirred up a hornet’s nest in the secessionist camp and more so enraged their foremost bastion – the Somaliland Policy and Reconstruction institute (SOPRI). In a press release published in the secessionist websites on the eve of the conference, and under the title “Exercise in Fantasy,” SOPRI has launched a rearguard action and churned out its well-worn and hackneyed secessionist mantra, aiming to nip the conference in the bud and thereby blunt its impact. If any of the parties is engaged in an “exercise of fantasy”, it is surely SOPRI and not NSPU. The readers can judge for themselves on the basis of the following quoted extracts from SOPRI’s press release:

 

 

 

· “Somaliland’s independence ….is in conformity with the AU principle of the inviolability of the territorial integrity inherited from colonialism…”

 

The principles of the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity, as enshrined in the OAU/AU charters, are applicable to former colonies that gained independence and thereafter retained their independence. For such countries, who became members of the OAU/AU/UN, their inherited colonial borders are inviolable. Those principles however do not apply to former British Somaliland, or the former Somaliland that had independence for a couple of days in June 1960. This is for the simple reason that former independent Somaliland had, of its own free will, gave up its independence and separate existence when it joined former Italian Somaliland and became part of the united Somali Republic. It Somalia, and not former British Somaliland or former independent Somaliland, whose borders and territorial integrity are recognized by the OAU, AU, UN and all other international and regional Organizations.

 

 

 

 

Except for the secessionists, no one else will ever question the fact that former British Somaliland or former independent Somaliland had ceased to exist as a separate entity. It goes without saying that a territorial entity that does not legally exist by national or international law has no recognized borders and hence can not claim the relevant AU articles or principles relating to the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity. If these principles are applicable to the secessionist enclave around Hargeisa, as SOPRI claims, the AU and the rest of the international community would have recognized its independence long time ago. The reason why they did not do so after all these years speaks for itself. SOPRI and fellow separatists would rather close their eyes and minds to the reality and instead continue to indulge in futile make-believes and fantasies.

 

 

 

· “Somaliland’s independence is legal”

 

This is another fantasy not different from the statement in the preceding section . The fact that the secessionists have unilaterally bestowed ‘legality” upon their secession does in no way confer international legitimacy on them..

 

 

 

· The people of Somaliland refuse to be linked to, and have nothing to do with the borders inherited from Italian colonialism.

 

The memories of the secessionists are short or selective. Obviously, they want to close their minds to certain uncomfortable historical facts. But the rest of us ARE not suffering from amnesia and have not forgotten that it was the people and government of former independent Somaliland who freely initiated the union with former Italian Somaliland. If some sections of that population now want to put the clock back and reclaim their separation from the rest of Somalia, they would need to be reminded that neither Somalia nor the AU nor the UN nor the rest of the international community will countenance or sanction clan or regional secessions.. Having learned from their bitter experiences with the secessions of Biafra and Katanga, Africa and its regional organisations see any secession as only opening a Pandora Box that would de-stabilize its fragile member countries in the continent..

 

The secessionist could only achieve separation if, and only if, such an act is approved by a truly national and representative Somali government and then overwhelmingly endorsed by the Somali people in a national referendum in the country as a whole - a probability which is as remote as the dead coming back to life.

 

 

 

· Somaliland’s independence was adopted unanimously in a nationwide referendum

 

 

 

This is one of the oft-repeated lies spread around the world for the purpose of hoodwinking international opinion. The so-called referendum was conducted in the limited areas under the control of the administration based in Hargeisa. Close to half of the geographical area of former British Somaliland, comprising the regions of Sool, Eastern Sanaag and Cayn had nothing to do with this treacherous act. Little participation also took place among the Issa clan area bordering Djibouti and only some of the Awdalites in the West did so under duress. It is not as if these facts are not known to SOPRI and its followers. Rather, denial of the facts - a form self-delusion - and the dissemination of disinformation are key pillars in their secessionist strategy.

 

 

 

 

 

· “There is zero (repeat) zero constituency for unionism in the country”.

 

 

 

As mentioned in the preceding section, the totality of the people in the Sool, Eastern Sanaag and Cayn regions are solidly committed to Somali unity as do the Issa clan and the majority of Awdalites. Even within the secessionist heartland, support for the secession is far from being unanimous. Once again, these facts count for nothing for those, like SOPRI, who prefer to live in a world of make-belief and who in the end come to believe their own fantasies.

 

 

 

· “The chance of the Somali state coming back to life as remote as the Ottoman Empire coming back to existence”.

 

 

 

The inappropriate analogy drawn between the end of an empire, and the temporary absence of a Somali state only reflects another fantasy, and the nefarious wish of the secessionists to se Somalia remain stateless forever for the benefit of their recognition. Despite the bitter and long-enduring national strife – initially clan-based but subsequently perpetrated by the warlords in their fiefdoms for their personal gain - Somali unity has at no time been questioned anywhere in Somalia, North or South, except in the secessionist enclave around Hargeisa.

 

 

 

The Somali state may be temporarily dysfunctional or defunct as some may prefer to call it, but Somali unity is alive and becoming increasingly vibrant thanks to the advent of the Islamic movement. The revival of the Somali State is not a mirage as the secessionist would wish. Sooner or later, it is as sure to emerge as day follows night. All it requires is the establishment of a truly representative national government and that is on the horizon, a prospect dreaded only by two sides -: needless to say Ethiopia and the separatists like SOPRI.

 

 

 

· A civil war with catastrophic consequences is looming in the horizon [between] the forces of the Islamic Court Union (ICU) and Baidabo on the other.

 

 

 

The secessionists have cherished the Somali strife in the hope that this would benefit their recognition. They had fully exploited the mayhem caused by the warlord’s rein of terror in Mogadishu and Southern Somalia. Now that the warlords have been chased away, the secessionists are once again banking on another strife or civil war- this time between the ICU and the clique based in Baidhaba. A civil war in Somalia would entail by definition a national strife engulfing most of the country and fought along clan, ethnic or regional lines. None of that exist, or will happen in Somalia. Contrary to the wishful thinking of the secessionists, there will be no war between the ICU and the clique in Baidabo. What may happen instead is a war between Somalia and an Ethiopia that is determined to keep its puppets in Baidhabo in power. Almost all the Somalis, less the secessionists, are united in defending their country and chasing the Ethiopians and their lackeys from Somali soil.

 

 

 

· Any effort for reunification will spark a bloody confrontation of unprecedented proportion.

 

 

 

SOPRI’s blood curdling predictions are only meant for the international audience and are unlikely to materialise. The support for Somali unity has never wavered in most parts of the North West region. At a time when Islam and Somali nationalism had conquered Southern Somalia and are spreading throughout the rest of the country, not least in the North West region support for Somali unity is likely to spread to the whole North West region. This wind of change, rooted in Islam and Somali nationalism, can only win hearts and minds and serve as an antidote to the secessionists’ siege mentality - except perhaps those diehards among the Diaspora who from their safe distance in the USA or elsewhere choose to be hooked to the secession cause at any price.

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

The Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity (NSPU) is to be commended for organizing this successful conference. Some may lament the fact that the northern unionists, as organisations or individuals, are somewhat tardy with their initiative, having by default allowed SOPRI and its secessionist associates to have the field all to themselves during all these years, and to spread disinformation throughout the world unchallenged. But it is better late than never. Now that the nationalists/unionists from Northern Somalia have risen to the challenge, their initiative can only trigger an unstoppable chain reaction. Rather than being “an exercise in fantasy”, as SOPRI claims, this conference would have on the contrary achieved two important objectives: firstly, the message of the conference, and in particular the views of its prominent participants, have been broadcast over the BBC Somali Serve and disseminated in the internet. This will undoubtedly serve as catalyst to rally to the unity cause millions in Somalia, in particular in the North West region. And equally importantly, this conference, and those that will follow it, will debunk the secessionist lies and propaganda - still maintained by SOPRI - that population in the North West region as a whole fully support the secession.

 

 

 

Much as they are on opposite poles on the politics of Somalia and the North-West region, yet NSPU and SOPRI do at least share one common destiny: They will both close shops on the day Somalia’s national unity is restored- a prospect only doubted by cynics and secessionists . For NSPU, on that day, it will be a happy occasion of “mission accomplished”. For SOPRI, it is the end of the road though they still have the consolation to indulge in their delusions and fantasies – an exercise in futility? Yes

 

 

 

By Mohsin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Liibaan]

[Kamalu Diin]

Ala meesha maxaa Wajiya Xun Jooga aan Sharaf iyo Karaamo meel ay ka leeyihiin jirin..

Get loss Somaliweyn....it is dream.

[me]

^^^ Xabashow karaama xumaan iyo waji xumaan adiga un ayaa meesha la fadhiya.

 

 

NSPU is doing a great job for Somalia and Somali Unity.

[Ahmed_Guree]

Ala meesha maxaa Wajiya Xun Jooga aan Sharaf iyo Karaamo meel ay ka leeyihiin jirin..

Get loss Somaliweyn....it is dream.

 

Listen if you need more land why dont you curve it from the Gulf of Aden then i think Woqoyi Galbeed and Some parts of togdheer would be a nation free from bias and prejudice.

then Get lost somaliweyne will indeed be a dream

Pss dul daadheed hakusuxin.

[RedSea]

^what,you and the other dude are pretty weird I must say.

 

On the topic: where are the Key note speakers such as Gen.Jama Maxamed Ghalib(Jamac Yare) and Abdalla A.Hirad?

[Taliban]

Originally posted by me:

NSPU is doing a great job for Somalia and Somali Unity.

How is that? First, what was the person who named this organization "Northern Somalis for Peace and Unity" (NSPU) smoking? As the name clearly indicates, the organization is about Northern Somalis, not Southern, Eastern or Western Somalis. Why include "Northern" if it's about Somalia and Somali Unity? :confused:

 

This kind of conference is very familiar; a gathering of secular armchair wannabe "intellectuals", former useless politicians and opportunists envisaging a career a la Somalia's future Chalabi or Karzai. This conference is a followup to the one organized by the US after the ICU defeated the ARPCT, a development that highly alarmed the US and Europe.

 

So what will the conference achieve? Mark my word; Nothing. Nothing, because the organizers and participants do not live in Somalia, they live (have been living for many years, +10 years) in a different reality, they are individuals who only represent themselves not even enough number of Somalis in the cities they live.

 

What's more, why would they hold a conference about Somaliland when there's an incoming war in the horizon that will kill and displace thousands? Is the Somaliland issue more critical? Is uniting with Somaliland more important than thousands who will be killed and displaced by the TFG and their Ethiopian patron? :confused:

[Kamalu Diin]

Originally posted by Taliban:

What's more, 1) why would they hold a conference about Somaliland when there's an incoming war in the horizon that will kill and displace thousands? 2) Is the Somaliland issue more critical? 3) Is uniting with Somaliland more important than thousands who will be killed and displaced by the TFG and their Ethiopian patron? :confused:

This is first time you (Taliban) being rational. I do agree with you your first two points however the third point your are still on the USC/ICU train thus not being rational.

[NASSIR]

^Somaliland is a region in the Federal System and not a reincarnation of old colonial protectorate.

 

 

So these men's gatherring in Washigton centers on the stalemate that Somaliland’s absence from our reconciliation adds complexity to our problem because “Somaliland” is not politically independent (has yet to achieve international recognition) economically not viable (The region is desolate tract of land that lack resources, case in point is how its former colony neglected it), and not socially cohesive entity ( Sool and Sanaag populace are predominantly opposed to secession, a population that is 50% of this former geographical protectorate).

 

They are for peace and unity.

[NASSIR]

The conference was held in response to the conference held by the secessionists and it has nothing to do with the current situation in Baidabo and foreign troops.

 

The secesionists are making this case that the South is a breeding ground for terrorists and won't have a viable adminstration. They were appealing for recognition based on this premise. The NSPU tried to respond that division and misrepresention of the region's political fact that the so called "Somaliland" is limited to small areas of the old protectorate and does not represent all Northern folks. Btw, this meeting was gathered by people whose fathers hail from the North such as Sanaag and Sool regions, including representives from Awdal region.

 

As Faisal Roble and Yasmin mentioned in their interview with James Butty, VOA, they are not supporting either camp: TFG or Islamic courts, but would like them to resume the talks in Khartoum and refrain them from further conflicts. They are for peace and unity.

[Kamalu Diin]

So NSPU are entertainers of the world "waan ka sii jeedinaa caalamka in Somaliland la oqoonsado" Sidaas miyey camalkiinu noqotay... do something fruitfull please. Bal Xeerada idin dhextaala si uun yeela. iska daaya xeerada kale aad daba ordaysaan. adinka uun baa ku daali.

Get loss Somaliweyn it is dead long time ago.

[NASSIR]

No they are not entertainers but advocates of the political reality and their aim is to bring peace and unity to the North,first and then spread positive outcomes to the south.

 

"Bal Xeerada idin dhextaala si uun yeela."

 

Xeerada waa ku heshiin doona inshallah.

[Taliban]

Originally posted by Caamir:

The secesionists are making this case that the South is a breeding ground for terrorists and won't have a viable adminstration. They were appealing for recognition based on this premise.

If the US and Europe find it's in their interests to recognize Somaliland, then they will do it. Al-Qaida, terrorists, fanatics, fundamentalists, radicals, iwm will not factor. It will also not matter whatever appeals the secesionists come up with. Recognition is upto the interests of the US and Europe. Furthermore, do you think Somaliland's allegations can outsmart what the CIA and European intelligence apparatuses know about Somalia? Sxb, you surely know this farce by the NSPU is a waste of time and energy, at best diversionary from the real problems (spreading AIDS, killing, war and invasion by Ethiopia) in Somalia.

[NASSIR]

Faysal Cali Waraabe oo ka digay Maxkamadaha Islaamiga ah, Sidoo kalena sheegay in laga Hortago beesha gobolka Sanaag oo doonaaya……

 

 

 

Faysal Cali waraabe oo ah gudoomiyeha Ururka UCID ayaa wuxuu shalay carabka ku dhiftey kana digay culummo uu ku tilmaamay inay la shaqeynayaan maxkamadaha diiniga ah ee koonfurta Soomaaliya.

 

 

Wuxuu sheegay in Culumaa’udiinku ay caqabad ku yihiin dowlada woqooyi galbeed ee Soomaaliland, ay isla markaasna la doonayaan shirqool lagu damacsanyahay in looga horyimaado maamulka.

 

 

Ugu Dambeyntii wuxuu gudoomiyuhu sheegay in Beesha Gobolka Sanaag ay sameysanayaan maamul, maamulkaas oo uu ku tilmaamay mid aan dan u ahayn dowlada 'soomaaliland', wuxuuna ku baaqey in laga hortago hirgalinta maamulkaas sida ugu dhaqsiyaha badan.

 

 

Wuxuu kaloo gudoomiyuhu Cambaareeyey shir Soomaaliyeed oo ka dhacay magaalada Washington DC ee dalka Mareykanka, shirkaas oo ay soo abaabuleen Hay'ada Nabadeynta ee qiirada wadaniga ah leh ee Somali Unity.

 

 

Hadalka Faysal Waraabe ayaa wuxuu ku soo beegmay goor laba todobaad ka hor ay dowlada hoose ku qabsatey Faysal eedeeymo loo soo jeediyey in uu ahaa Basaas/Jaajuus u adeegi jirey maamulkii burburey ee Siyaad Bare waqtigii kacdoonka woqooyi galbeed, sidoo kale waxaa ay maxkamada hoose ku eedeysay inuusan heysanin wax shahaado ah oo cadeynaya inuu Engineer yahay.

 

 

Sikastaba ha ahaatee Baaqa Cambaareynta ah ee Faysal Waraabe ayaa dadka intiisa badan waxay ku tilmaameen in Gudoomiyuhu yoolka saaran uu iskaga jeedinayo dhinacyo uusan hadhow ka tukubi Karin.

 

 

 

 

 

Xusni Maxamed Farey

 

 

Hargeysa

 

 

Dhahar Online

[Kamalu Diin]

Originally posted by Taliban:

1) If the US and Europe find it's in their interests to recognize Somaliland, then they will do it. Al-Qaida, terrorists, fanatics, fundamentalists, radicals, iwm will not factor. It will also not matter whatever appeals the secesionists come up with. 2) Recognition is upto the interests of the US and Europe. Furthermore, do you think Somaliland's allegations can outsmart what the CIA and European intelligence apparatuses know about Somalia? Sxb,3) you surely know this farce by the NSPU is a waste of time and energy, at best diversionary from the real problems (spreading AIDS, killing, war and invasion by Ethiopia) in Somalia.

Taliban knows the new world order and what it takes recognition of the Euorope/ICU. Not only Taliban believes this but also USC/ICU is after Europe and USA because it seems as if Europe/USA don't care the compostion of USC/ICU and their Al-Qa'eda relationship. Keep knocking the doors USC/ICU.