An Open Letter to Johnnie Carson

[Taleexi]

An Open Letter to Johnnie Carson

Assistant Secretary for African Affairs : Stirring Hornet's Nest in "Somaliland"

By Osman Hassan

Northern Somalia Unionist Movement

Nov. 08, 2010

 

Mr. Assistant Secretary

 

We are writing to you as the Northern Somalia Unionist Movement (NSUM), whose members are mainly from the regions of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC), in NW Somalia (former British Somaliland). The absence of a functioning Somali government since the collapse of the Somali State in 1991 has led to the formation of a plethora of organisations dealing with various burning issues that are of particular concern to the whole country or to specific regions or clans. Our movement, for its part, is dedicated to conflict prevention and resolution in our own region and above all the defence of Somalia's unity in the face of one clan which, through its hegemony, occupation and use of force, is imposing its unilateral declaration of secession on all the other peace-loving unionist clans in the region.

 

All Somalis believe, other than the secessionists, that the only sustainable solution for Somalia's long-standing conflict is one that seeks to bring about a united, democratic, federal state that could live at peace with itself and also with its neighbours. Any other policy pursued by outsiders, be it the USA or others, that is not consonant with these objectives, is bound to backfire as happened in the past, with detrimental consequences for Somalia as well as for outsiders, including the USA.

 

Turning to your vision for our country, we have learned- both with optimism and trepidation- of your briefing on Somalia on September 24th in which you enunciated your government's two-track policy towards our country: one directed at the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), and the second aimed at the self-proclaimed self-administering northern regions of Puntland and "Somaliland". It is the track towards "Somaliland" which is of particular interest or concern to those who of us who hail from the area. Before we air the pros and cons of your new initiative, it is essential that you are under no illusion about what this "Somaliland" you are about to engage actually constitutes.

 

 

Read more

 

Source: WDN

[NASSIR]

Great piece. NSUM is doing a good job. Ninkii seexda saciisu dibi dhaley bay Somalidu tiraahdaa. More lobbying in Washington and London is also needed by our twin communities in Sool & Sanaag.

[Taleexi]

NASSIR: Indeed that is the case. Somali history revisionists must be dealt with in unison. Clearly, Somali people have more things in common than those they differ but those who want to balkanize the state, oppress others with different opinions, and ruin the glue that binds our social fabric, we should not take lightly the threat they pose to our unity. We should leave no stone unturned unless every Somali's dignity is protected, and his/her inalienable rights are honored.

[Jacaylbaro]

Carson knows the reality and one letter from an armchair warrior don't change anything.

[Mintid Farayar]

Here's the ending quote from this anti-Somaliland editorial:

Last but not least, the USA has considerable financial and diplomatic leverage at its disposal to persuade the secessionists, if it so wished, to take their place in the new federal Somalia where each clan/region is guaranteed their autonomy. It is in everybody's interest that you do so. Please accept Mr. Under Secretary, the assurances of our highest considerations. Yours Sincerely Osman Hassan Spokesperson, NSUM

 

Lately, what I've found most interesting about the anti-Somaliland brigades is the lack of all hope of effecting change through their own actions and the continuous appeals to outside powers to reverse Somaliland's declaration of independence and separation.

 

The writer shows this absence of hope in the following quote about the SSC/Khusuusi militia:

 

In case you may not be aware, a low-level armed struggle is already underway in the SSC regions and unless the secessionist occupation ends, it could dangerously escalate, not only sucking in Puntland or its member kindred clans but most likely the Islamists.

 

He attempts to use the 'Boogeyman' of unnamed "Islamists" to spur the U.S. towards helping his cause.

 

Unfortunately, for the writer, the U.S. and other donors are tired of the same old Somali cliches and empty promises of the last 20 years. Donor nations have gotten to the point where they're only interested in verifiable actions and results. As Johnnie Carson diplomatically stated in his presentation at CSIS, only Somaliland has shown results. Puntland has been included in the dual track approach only by virtue of its location as a front-line region against the encroaching Shabaab. Mr. Carson was long in his presentation on the deteriorating democratic space in Puntland, especially in the critical 'freedom of expression' areas and press freedoms.

[AYOUB]

Please accept Mr. Under Secretary, the assurances of our highest considerations. Yours Sincerely Osman Hassan Spokesperson, NSUM

Nice one Osman, whoever you are.