Somaliland Parliament to forge strong relations with Ethiopia

[ansaar17]

You can't say we support our brothers in somalia and then trade with the very enemy that is destroying them.

 

thats call double standards.

 

you guys are far worse than the puntlanders in sucking up to the ethiopians.

[A.J. Timacadeh]

I think you have made the elimentary mistake made by many a person on this forum and that is to jump to a conclusion without reading the whole thread.

 

first and foremost we are not sucking up to the ethiopians. in essence what we are doing is to get the most out of the ethiopians for our own benefit. We completely and utterly disagree with what they are doing in the south to our somali brother and but we also have to think of our national interests and that is to do the best of our people in terms of getting trade from the etho's.

 

the real enemy in the south who is allowing somali's to be slayed in the south is abdulahi yusuf without whom the ethiopians would never have been able to enter somalia. so blame him for the troubles in the south and not us who oppose ethiopian presence in this south.

[rudy-Diiriye]

Here we go again! kissin the amxaar azz..uumaah!

this smells like another ms riyaale greedy hungri

shyte.

 

plz the last one heading out, grab the somali flag!! i smell xabaashi dreams coming thru...!

[Fabregas]

Timacadeh, am not talking about the public or people on sol. I know people from Burco etc went to fight against the habashis and many others felt agreived. However, one cannot deny Islamic Courts was against the general interests of Somaliland at large. Alitixaad and O.N.L.F are two of the biggest security dangers facing Somaliland. Wasn't Riyaale summoned to Adiss Ababa alongside Abdullahi Yusuf? Economic collaboration with Ethiopia is not a problem. What is a problem is the collaboration of; detaining and combating suspected Somali "terrorists" and labeling them as "o.n.l.f/altixad", in order to do the dirty work of Ethiopians.

[Jacaylbaro]

We don't want anyone to make Somaliland a base where he can do his terror acts against anyone ,,, not Ethiopia, not Djibouti and not even Somalia ,,,,,,,,,,,,, that is our policy ,, this is not a terrorism base ,,,,,

[rudy-Diiriye]

jb! sland is ruled from addis!! u aint got no

choice homie! reality check.

[Jacaylbaro]

you ain't get any reality check ,,,,,, ethos clean our toilets here ,,,,

[rudy-Diiriye]

u ever wonder why ethio's r cleaning your shyte!!

u know same shyte happened to americans in la!! now for the first time in history, the mexican son of those toilet cleaning ppl is the major of la!!

 

does that ring a bell!! hellooooo.

[Fabregas]

Terrorism could mean innoncent people who are captured and then put into Hargeysa jails just because they hail from a particular clan or say something against Ethiopia, or having a rather long beard!

 

Quote: Twenty-nine elders of the Ogden clan from Ethiopia who had been detained in November 2003 and convicted of armed conspiracy as alleged members of the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF), which was in conflict with the Ethiopian government, were acquitted on appeal by the Supreme Court in 2005. However, they remained in detention in poor health in Hargeisa prison where two died in late 2005.

[Jacaylbaro]

Well, Hargeisa is not a place where anyone will supply an army supply ,, it is not a cir toogte ,,, ppl should know that ,,,, whether ONLF, ICU, TFG or anyone else, they will be arrested if cought on such action.

[Liibaan]

The Somaliland Times 2003

Editorial

 

The Way Forward for Somaliland-Ethiopian Relations

 

When two liberation movements took power separately in Somaliland and Ethiopia in 1991, the centuries-old hostilities that hitherto held the two countries apart came to a sudden end and a new era seemed to have dawned on the peoples of both nations. But to put matters in their correct historical perspective, for many Somalilanders, peace with Ethiopia was considered a strategic objective long before the fall of Barre’s dictatorship in Jan 1991. Credit for introducing this culture of peace early on among Somalilanders should, of course, go to the SNM.

 

Though nearly a decade has passed since the SNM was in power, its peace and open-door economic policy was followed by all successive Somaliland governments since 1993. The current friendly relations between Somaliland and Ethiopia stand in stark contrast to the past when the two countries were sworn enemies. Despite the fact that both sides have come a long way in the transition from being foes to becoming friends, much more needs to be done in order to develop these bilateral ties to full maturity. Regrettably, the emerging Somaliland-Ethiopian relations seem to place emphasis only on one issue: security of border areas. There has been little effort, if any, to explore other spheres that could benefit both sides, such as trade and investment.

 

In a post-Sept 11 world, nobody should question the importance of security to the interests and well being of people on either side of the border, the region or even beyond, however even a good level of security cooperation will be hard to sustain in the long term unless reinforced by constructive engagements at the socio-economic and political fronts. The way forward for Somaliland-Ethiopian relations is to stress cooperation at least in potential economic sectors that will produce maximum benefits for the peoples of both countries. As a first step, it will be necessary to remove all kind of barriers impeding the free flow of trade between the two countries. Somaliland with an economy much less than Ethiopia’s and with no access to bilateral or multilateral aid, has no restrictions against Ethiopian entrepreneurs bringing goods into Somaliland, a policy that puts this country in a relatively huge trade deficit with its partner. Still, leaders of the two countries need to come up with policies that encourage and not constrain the enterprising spirit of business communities.

 

Ethiopia should not make its policy toward Somaliland hostage to those so-called politicians from the former Italian colony of Somalia who ritually accuse Addis Ababa of trying to dismember the already defunct “Somali Republic”. Because such accusations are politically convenient for those who make them, they will always make those accusations, regardless of what Ethiopia does. Ethiopian leaders know, and we know, that it’s the people of Somaliland who fought for reinstating the independence of their country long before the EPRDF assumed power in Ethiopia. And since neither Ethiopia nor Somaliland can escape the fact that they will always be neighbors, the interests of both countries dictate that full diplomatic relations be established between them without any further delay.

[Liibaan]

so-called somaliland Speaker Abdurahiman Mohammed Abdullahi waaba ka daray Riyaale, ka daroo dibi dhal

 

waxaan moodayey in arrimaha Mogadishu a socda in wax kabadalayaan lakiin uma muuqato oo xaaladu waa sideedii /business as usual

 

Abdirahman M. Abdillahi, Speaker of House of Representatives of Somaliland in ADDIS ABABA

 

We will not negotiate on independence, somaliland parliament speaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- "Considering the magnitude of the problem in Somalia neither the recently deployed Ugandan African Union peacekeeping forces nor the Ethiopian troops can solve the problem of Somalia", Abdirahman M. Abdillahi, Speaker of House of Representatives of Somaliland told SSI.

 

"Ceasefire and negotiations from the indigenous people of Mogadishu and entire Somalia and the government and the people of Somalia can only solve the problem," the speaker said. He added that his administrations will not in any way abandon the idea of recognition and negotiate on the independence campaign, "No politician has the authority to give a decision on this point it is the right of the Somaliland people for self determination."

 

In an exclusive interview with SSI the speaker said that dialogue between the Somalis is the only way out of destruction. Concerning the recent severe fighting in Mogadishu and reports that many Somalis have fled to Somaliland the speaker said "We want peace to come to the whole Somalia they are our neighbors."

Abdillahi said that a strong government in the south will not be a threat for the future independence of the republic of Somaliland. "We felt that the international community work to bring peace in Somalia. We are sorry for the destruction that is especially affecting the civilians. We feel sorry for the refugees many of the Somalis from Somalia are arriving in Hargeisa and we will welcome them and give them refuge", he said.

 

The speaker who is touring three eastern African countries Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda said that his parliamentary delegate is trying to start a working relation with African parliaments "We see this as a great opportunity for us we met the spokesperson .We established a parliamentary friendship committee with the Ethiopian parliament and we will expect same results in Kenya and Uganda."

In the first official parliamentary visit the parliamentary delegates which held talks with the Ethiopian president Girma Woldegiorgis and speaker of the house of People's Representatives of Ethiopia ambassador Teshome Toga will finish its tour in Uganda after three weeks.

 

"The talk with the Ethiopian president touched everything discussing many issues of mutual interest political security economic trade and people to people relationships. Our mission is to start working relations with other parliaments and as we are in a campaign for recognition of Somaliland it is a great opportunity to meet other high government officials in the three countries to discuss the case."

Regarding the fact finding committee of the African Union sent to Somalia in 2005 he said, "Some African Union members are working on that I don't want to mention names but a good number of countries are pushing forward for the agenda."

 

He said that lack of information is the major problem that many African countries are not pushing for Somaliland's independence. "Most of the African countries don't have enough information about Somalia and Somaliland I think they need more information and more campaigning."

The speaker who refrained to give details about the Ethio-Somaliland security relationships said that "I cannot confirm anything .We have a long border with Ethiopia more than a thousand kilometers .We are working closely for our mutual security in the border."

 

In a related development it was learnt that the Somaliland Parliamentary delegation held a panel discussion on seminal and timely issues with University College students at the premise of the New Generation University College. Leaders of opposition political parties were among the panelists and unanimously reiterated their determination to independence of the nascent Somaliland Republic. They said it would be possible in the near future to envisage a Greater Horn of Africa Federation with the coming up of independent entities like Ethiopia, Somaliland, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea. They further expressed their doubt as to whether the Transitional Government of Somalia could bring peace and stability to its people.

 

A number of students from Ethiopia, Somalia and Somaliland were in attendance of the panel.

 

Source The Sub-Saharan Informer

[Liibaan]

Somaliland "Addis Ababa must understand, that only the strong and sovereign Somaliland can guarantee the peaceful future for Ethiopia, and its economic interests specially in view of the Berbera Corridor."

 

Somaliland Foreign Policy

 

 

Toronto-Canada - The world moved into YOYO (you’re On Your Own). After the cold war the trade liberalization is on the rise and strong alliance become loose alliance; that every country its own to fight the national debt, deficit, employment and to keep certain economic growth.

 

Neighbourhood foreign policies have become an immediate address for every country in the world. Somaliland is not different it builds its foreign policies from grassroots of its neighbourhoods to achieve immediate stability, security and to have time for other engagements. Ethiopia has re-energized its foreign policy engagements and sees as its best interests to win the Somaliland trust for further regional stability and its economic prosperity.

 

We must count what was achieved for the now 15 year’s old Republic of Somaliland within the global world policies. The results are by all means rather meager and this for some objective reasons but also for some subjective weaknesses of the Government(s) from very beginning.

 

By objective reasons we firstly have to consider, that the security situation immediately after the proclaimed independence was not satisfactory within the country; therefore the Legitimacy of the new Government was questionable by international standards.

 

Further more, the OAU (AU) was unwilling to consider that the Sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland was a result of an genuine national revolution within the civil war in the then Somalia fearing, that this "opening of the Pandora box" would create new severe problems for whole of Africa, regarding the integrity and boundaries between the African states.

 

The then President Egal have up to some extent successfully counter-fighted such maneuvers, specially these by the Arab states under the Egyptian leadership, by

 

suit statements about the Legitimacy of Re-Proclamation of Independence and return to the Status Quo Ante, where the Republic of Somaliland was generis an independent state and internationally recognized by all the relevant subjects of the International Law.

 

Pointing to the fact, that the right for self-determination and subsequently national sovereignty could not have been "consumed" by the freely conducted unification with the Somali Republic, President Reyale has won the sympathies throughout the (Black) Africa, especially by South Africa. It was also clarified, that the return to the national boundaries of the colonial and post-colonial era was fully in accordance with the all- African- consensus of the only validity of the state boundaries defined by the colonial era.

 

It would have been necessary to assess the objective parameters of the Arab League towards Somalia and Somaliland. Instead, there was a long living Illusion that the Arabs would finally, within the "Islamic solidarity", support the justly struggle of the Somalilanders for their national sovereignty. Precious human and political resources of the new state has been wasted to persuade the "brotherly Arab states" to reconsider their stand. As a result, an anti Somaliland propaganda was initiated by the Arab block within the international community. The dictatorial regimes of Cairo and Khartoum have started a crusade against the young Somaliland democracy with always new black-mailings towards black African states, Europe and the USA "not to interfere in the matters on Horn"

 

This strategy has worked for a period of time. But with the ongoing civil war in Sudan and the fragility of the Egyptian regime this has became more difficult for them. Their latest "success" by the AU-Summit against Somaliland has to be considered as a Phyrus Victory, as their "Swan Song". A group of African states has openly sided with Somaliland and this fact has to be more exploitated in the near future. President Rayale moved away the false Arab brotherhood to their natural ally of Sub-Sahara Africa which sees Somaliland sovereignty as the only means of Horn stability. Countries in Africa and Europe are in the process of institutionalizing the Somaliland Sovereignty through parliament resolutions without Arab approvals.

 

The Strategy must take in to the consideration to utilize an US-European-(black) African Alliance for the recognition of the Independence of the Republic of Somaliland. Hard work, all over again, must be done specially in Europe. Here we have to take in to the account, that only Italy, by its postcolonial paranoia, has to be considered as an "enemy" to Somaliland. France stands "neutrally", by all means, also vis-a-vis Djibouti. Britain is the first address and it is clear, that London more and more supports the recognition, Germany, "burnt" by the own experiences by initiating the recognition of Croatia and Slovenia during the ongoing Balkan Civil Wars, is nevertheless willing to participate in any of the British initiatives, being self actively engaged in controlling of Airspace and the Maritime Routes on the Horn of Africa. This European initiative, coordinated with the efforts by South Africa and (hopefully!) Ethiopia should enable the USA, as the still major player in the Region, to engage more directly, without fears to be accused of any of "imperialistic" attitudes, specially, after wrongly being engaged in support of Mogadishu-Militias in the past.

 

Ethiopia will play a crucial role in these strategies. It has to be more persuaded to honestly play its role, not under the agenda, that "We love the Somalis so much, that we prefer to have Five of them" which up to now has meant to "have" them all weak. Somaliland has forever disassociated itself from any of "great Somalian projects", which has caused the miseries not only for the Somali People(s) in the Region, but also for their neighbors.

 

Addis Ababa must understand, that only the strong and sovereign Somaliland can guarantee the peaceful future for Ethiopia and its economic interests specially in view of the Berbera Corridor. And by all means the huge Oil-Winning-Projects in Ethiopian Fifth Region, which could go together with similar projects in Somaliland, Pipeline, with Refineries in Berbera, etc.

 

The punctual assessment of the goals and results of the Somaliland Foreign Policy has clearly showed, that the strategically important Somaliland, situated in the Gulf of Aden, near the entrance of Bab El Mandab, can play an stable role in the Region and become one of the guarantors for the Peace and Stability of the Region and the Security of International Maritime Routes towards Europe and the USA and southeasterly towards Africa, the Gulf and entire Asia. This must be clearly stated toward the friendly states. London, with its affinities towards the former Protectorate and its people, should be the starting point of such strategies, with close coordination with Berlin, then Brussels and Paris and of course, with Washington. Pretoria and Nairobi, but fore mostly Addis must be incorporated in to the new Offensive of Somaliland Foreign Policy. The vivid democracy and the rejection of political Islamism and Terrorism are the best legitimacies of the Republic of Somaliland in the concert of free Nations of the World.

The time has come for Somaliland Diaspora to exploit these capitals now.

 

God helps those who help themselves

 

 

 

Hassan Abtidon

[Jacaylbaro]

God helps those who help themselves

End of the Story ...........

[A.J. Timacadeh]

Yep well put JB