Somaliland: Gathering Storms on the Eastern Front

[Gabbal]

 

By: Guled Absiye

 

There are dangerous storms gathering momentum in the Sool and Sanaag regions of Somaliland (or of Puntland, depending upon your political bent or blood line, take your pick). Ever since Somaliland declared independence, and the Puntland state came into existence as an autonomous, self-governing entity, the people of this region were caught in the middle. They were confronted with a difficult decision: whether they should side with legal history and go with the reconstituted entity, Somaliland, which they had long been an integral part of, or follow their blood line east to Puntland. The sequence of events since shows their divided loyalties. As different politicians from the region headed in opposite directions looking out for their own personal interests, the choice between blood and historical boundary became even more difficult for the people. The difficulties this has caused to the people of Sool and Sanaag so far would be dwarfed if the gathering storm that seems to be gaining strength by the day is not managed well.

 

When Somaliland declared itself a breakaway republic, it reconstituted all the regions that used to be part of historical British Somaliland into the new republic, spreading its authority to all regions including the Sool and Sanaag regions. Some of the most prominent politicians and elders from the region became an integral part of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of Somaliland. Others, who felt left out, headed east, shopping for portfolios in the Puntland administration where they were richly rewarded with positions. Puntland expected them to bring their constituencies with them. Keeping one foot in each side became an impossible juggling act for the people of the region. The die was cast and it was only a matter of time before things came to a head.

 

In December 2002, Somaliland president, Dahir Riyaale Kahin, went to Laascanod for a visit. He thought he was visiting an integral part of his Somaliland domain. Puntland state headed by Colonel Abdillahi Yussuf had other ideas. They launched a surprise military attack on Mr. Riyaale and his delegation. He barely escaped with his life, thanks to his military escort. This assassination attempt created bad blood between Somaliland and Puntland and things went downhill since. They have been in a tug-of-war over various localities on the eastern fringes of Sool and Sanaag since, subjecting those areas to occasional tax collections by both sides.

 

The Riyaale administration appears to have shown a lot of restraint, trying so hard not to tarnish their carefully nurtured reputation as an oasis of peace, stability, and democracy amid the chaos of what used to be called Somalia. Many of his fellow Somalilanders felt he should have taken a stronger stand in securing the eastern border. Calls by the opposition parties for a robust response to what they characterized as continuous provocations by Abdillahi Yussuf in these regions were becoming louder and louder in recent months. Reported incursions into areas of eastern Sool and Sanaag by Abdillahi Yussuf’s forces and his recent declaration creating new Puntland regions out of Sool and Sanaag appear to have finally pushed Mr. Riyaale over the edge. He issued a directive in early December, 2003 asking the Somaliland people to prepare themselves, as he put it, “for the defense of the country”. The Somaliland parliament followed with passage of a motion to support his call.

A few days ago, the city of Laascanod, capital of the Sool region, fell to Puntland forces led by Puntland police Chief Abdirazak Afguduud. They took over the Somaliland regional administration office and police station, arresting some of the Somaliland regional administration officials. The winds of war between Somaliland and Puntland appear to be ominously gathering speed. Derogatory remarks to inflame passions and demonize the other side- usually a prelude dance to war- have already started on both sides. The question is, is there any chance to avoid a conflict? A conflict that could not have come at a worse time for the people of the region, at a time when they are coping with a devastating drought; a conflict that will have no winners; a conflict in which the people of Sool and Sanaag will bear the brunt of its devastation, much like their brethren in other parts of Somalia; a conflict from which the community of this region may not be able to recover for many years to come.

 

It is easy for politicians of both sides to make sanctimonious pronouncements from the comfort of their palaces and play on the tribal instincts and emotions characteristic of our people everywhere. Boqor Osman Buur-Madow, who hails from the region, issued a statement in Hargeisa in which he strongly opposed any plans designed to solve the problem of the Somaliland Eastern regions through military means. He urged that cooler heads should prevail, adding that the people and local leadership of the region should be given a chance to enable the Somaliland administration secure all its territory through peaceful means. One may recall that Boqor Osman is not new to this arena. He had been previously instrumental in the peaceful mediation between the forces of Abdillahi Yussuf and those of General Cadde Muse in Puntland. However, any positive response Boqor Osman’s call could have received in Hargeisa may have been undercut by the reported attack and takeover of the city of Laascanod by Puntland forces a few days later. This could not have happened at a worse time for him. The comments by the Puntland police chief who lead the attack on Laascanod did not help. He was quoted as saying, “if Riyaale has the capability to back up his threats, let him come to Laascanod. The Puntland forces now idle in their barracks will have something to do”. Many people think that a line has now been crossed, and a conflict is imminent. The consequences of such a conflict would be a tragedy of major proportions for all concerned.

 

Boqor Osman and other like-minded leadership of the regions concerned should be given a chance to help resolve the dispute through peaceful means. Mr. Riyaale should not respond in kind to the irresponsible dare issued by the Puntland soldier in Laascanod. A wounded pride is a small price to pay for averting what would no doubt be a tragic conflict that would bring death, destruction, and massive displacement to the people of the region. In the meantime, shrill voices that only add fuel to the fire should be avoided.

[bilan]

salaam

waxay iila muuqataa in dadka qaarkiis ay faraxsanyihiin waxa socda,usbuucan dhexdiisa meeqa article oo ku saabsan sool,sanaag iyo dagaal baa pagekan kaliya lagu daabacay,waxaan fahmi la'ahay waxa laga faa'iidayo haduu dagaal dhaco,mida kale hadii aadan goboladaas u dhalan dagaalku ku saamayn mayo,maadaama aysanahayn familkaaga cida ku dhimanaysa bro ha hurinin dabka.article kan aad soo guurisay hal dhinac buu taageersan yahay qof kale baa imaanaya oo dhanka kale raacsan,maxaan ka faa'iidaynaa?

[Saxardiid]

Originally posted by bulo:

salaam

waxay iila muuqataa in dadka qaarkiis ay faraxsanyihiin waxa socda,usbuucan dhexdiisa meeqa article oo ku saabsan sool,sanaag iyo dagaal baa pagekan kaliya lagu daabacay,waxaan fahmi la'ahay waxa laga faa'iidayo haduu dagaal dhaco,mida kale hadii aadan goboladaas u dhalan dagaalku ku saamayn mayo,maadaama aysanahayn familkaaga cida ku dhimanaysa bro ha hurinin dabka.article kan aad soo guurisay hal dhinac buu taageersan yahay qof kale baa imaanaya oo dhanka kale raacsan,maxaan ka faa'iidaynaa?

its the tradition of this section to post articales concerning somalia or somalis. so there is nothing wrong with posting this artical though its one sided. just wait to get next articale.

[Gabbal]

Bulo abaayo it is my right as an SOL member to post any article that I please, regardless of other's opinions. However, I saw fit to respond to this quote.

 

mida kale hadii aadan goboladaas u dhalan dagaalku ku saamayn mayo,maadaama aysanahayn familkaaga cida ku dhimanaysa bro ha hurinin dabka.article kan aad soo guurisay hal dhinac buu taageersan yahay qof kale baa imaanaya oo dhanka kale raacsan

I've lost more family members due to war in this year then I've lost in the last half decade, so ina eedo we should all follow the saying "look before you leap". The fault lies with assumptions Bulo, so don't assume anymore sis.

 

Second you can't tell me you're accusing this article of partisanship? The author, although undoubtably a "Somalilander", has written one of the more objective articles concerning the situation in Laas Caanood and about the hostility between "Puntland" and "Somaliland", then most news articles have. Just the first sentence lies testimony to that;

 

There are dangerous storms gathering momentum in the Sool and Sanaag regions of Somaliland (or of Puntland, depending upon your political bent or blood line, take your pick).

Bulo since you also accused me of trying to fuel the fire, because of my posting of this article, let's try to read the last paragraph;

 

Boqor Osman and other like-minded leadership of the regions concerned should be given a chance to help resolve the dispute through peaceful means. Mr. Riyaale should not respond in kind to the irresponsible dare issued by the Puntland soldier in Laascanod. A wounded pride is a small price to pay for averting what would no doubt be a tragic conflict that would bring death, destruction, and massive displacement to the people of the region. In the meantime, shrill voices that only add fuel to the fire should be avoided.

So you see sis, it was the pacifist tone of the article itself that I posted it on SOL.

[AYOUB]

Horn I agree with the 'pacifist tone' of the article, but, there is aslo another part of me that feels Col Yusuf's boys need to be taught a lesson sooner or later.

[General Duke]

Ayoub and Somalilanders are you people still day dreaming?

You huffed and buffet but did not blow the house down, The Puntland Police are still in LA and the people of the region have said a NO to Hargaysa Mafia and NSS comander RIYALE.

Somaliland's claim to SOOL is over and may sense previal because like President Yusuf stated a man from Borama claiming the sacredness of Brotosh colonial rule cannot invade Las Ano.