Debunking Common Fallacies about Who Abandoned Somali Unity

[Jacaylbaro]

Dear Mohamed Heebaan,

I read your opinion entitled, “The Somaliland Agenda and its Inherent Vulnerability”, posted on wardheernews site.

 

The thing is: there are a couple of fallacies in your argument, which make your article unworthy reading.

 

First, you have portrayed that the **** tribes of Somaliland, from the get go, wanted to abandon Somalia. You are wrong. Remember, when the United Somali Congress (USC) and the Somali (not Somaliland) National Movement (SNM) were in Ethiopia they agreed that each rebel to capture its respective area, disarm the population, and restore law and order. And then, the USC and the SNM leaders would form a government.

 

But all those hopes were dashed to the ground as the USC went on a rampage of revenge and looted civilian properties. Worse yet, when Ali Mahdi hijacked the leadership and inaugurated himself as the new president of Somalia without the USC and the SNM’s approvals, it was clear to SNM that south Somalia would have a long way before it settles down. As such, the north [somaliland] announced its independence on May 1991.

 

Second fallacy in your argument is that Isaqs have been successful by a sheer luck. No one can deny the help of Allaha, but the collective efforts of not just the Isaqs but other Somaliland tribes, such as Gudabiirsay, Issa, ***********, Warsangali and others, wasn’t based on luck. It was a painstaking mediation that lasted for years and cost millions of dollars; from Erigabo, to Burao, to Hargeisa, and finally to Boramo, a conference after a conference, gradually, the northerners built enough trust to disarm themselves and establish a viable state.

 

Additionally, your claims that Sool region is not an **** territory explains that you don’t know much about the region, so I won’t debate with you in that case. But just for your own information read my article: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/202046

My point is far from showing you that Sool province is also home to **** and Fiqishini tribes, but my argument is to shed some light on the common misconception that people have.

 

As for your divisive strategy to disintegrate Somaliland into feuding tribes, what shocks me is people like you are critical of Somaliland, no matter what it does, or what it achieves, and wish to undermine it, yet your family lives there and enjoys peace and stability.

 

Truth is: today, you and I are grateful that our families live in Somaliland, not in Somalia.

 

Wanting to reunite with Somalia and opposing Somaliland’s quest for independence is one thing, dismantling Somaliland into feuding tribes, in order to resurrect Somalia is entirely something else—a villain strategy.

 

Also, what amazes me is while the world leaders are congratulating Somaliland for its successful elections and keeping peace and stability, some Somalis like you are almost cursing and dividing it.

 

Instead of dividing Somaliland into clan X, clan Y, and clan Z, what have you done for the poor people in the north that are struggling economically. What have you positively contributed to alleviate their struggle?

 

Besides, whether Somaliland gains its independence or stays with Somalia is not something that you and I could decide, but we control what we say and how we express ourselves.

 

Instead of writing all over the place: **** this, **** that…Somaliland this…Somaliland that, a vomit-worth, overused cliché, why not be creative. Think of progress, a way of helping our people and making their lands prosperous regardless of whether they want to be part of Somaliland, Somalia, or China for that matter.

 

By the way, contrary to your claims, “inherent vulnerability of Somaliland”, Somaliland has passed every vulnerable situation that anyone could imagine. And Somaliland is here to stay, so you may as well get use to it!

 

Thank you,

 

Dalmar Kaahin