Rashid Nur makes a strong argument for Somaliland's Recognition

[Jacaylbaro]

 

 

Somaliland's representative in the U.S. says it is about time for the international community to officially recognize Somaliland as a country.

 

This comes as Somaliland this month celebrates 20 years of its breakaway from mainland Somalia.

 

On May 18, 1991, Somaliland seceded from Somalia. Although the United Nations has a presence in Somaliland, U.N. members states have yet to officially recognize it as a country.

 

Rashid Nur says it is time for the international community to recognize Somaliland because it has demonstrated stability after holding two successful elections resulting in two peaceful changes of government.

 

“This day is important for the people of Somaliland because the people of Somaliland have built a nation from practically ashes when they came back from refugee camps in Ethiopia, and in the last 20 years they have built all levels of government institutions and have had multiple successful elections,” he says.

 

Nur says the international community should also recognize Somaliland’s independence because it contributes to the peace and security of the Horn of Africa and East Africa region as a whole.

 

“It is absolutely the right time to recognize Somaliland because Somaliland significantly contributes to the peace in the region as well Somaliland contributes to the economy of the region and could contribute much more if the country is recognized,” Nur says.

 

He says Somaliland has enough resources to sustain its own independence.

 

“There are a lot of resources in Somaliland. Obviously, a lot of them have not been exploited yet. There are minerals and gas in Somaliland that have not been exploited yet. One of the biggest industries right now is livestock. Somaliland exports livestock to the Middle East and it is a significant revenue contributor,” Nur says.

 

Nur says Somaliland has other industries such as telecommunication and construction that are also providing employment. He says the economy is growing at a reasonable rate, although he concedes that unemployment remains a concern.

 

Nur says the economy could grow a lot faster if the international community recognizes the country.

 

He says Somaliland does not harbor pirates. On the contrary, Nur says Somaliland plays a crucial role in the war against international piracy.

 

“There are over 100 pirates that are in the jails of Somaliland and, if you look at all of the piracy, none of it takes place in the waters off Somaliland. Beyond that, Somaliland also has a Coast Guard that guards not only its waters, but also in the Red Sea area and has captured over 100 pirates,” Nur says.

 

Advocates for Somailand's recognition note that the former British colony gained its independence on June 26, 1960, four days before voluntarily joining the former Italian colony of Somalia to become the new Republic of Somalia. Those advocates state that Somaliland has always maintained its right to withdraw from that union.

 

 

Source: VOA

[Taleexi]

Cantarabaqash as usual.

[The Zack]

Rashid Nur makes a

strong

argument for Somaliland's Recognition

Not sure what is so strong about what he said. Everything he said has already been raised 100 times if not more.

[Degel]

Cantarabaqash as ussual.

[Jacaylbaro]

I can see he is making sense now ...

[Jiiroow Bakaal]

Bla Bla Bla the world will never recognize a new african country with already a civil war and cannot contribute to the world except refugees jaad and poverty IMF and WORLD BANK dont have money to save PIGS idinkuna meesha u soo barya tagi rabtaan

[Jacaylbaro]

Hadhow uun yaan wadno xanuun kugu dhicin adeer ,,,,,

[Jacaylbaro]

Somaliland Representative for US Mr. Rashid Nur’s Speech in Columbus

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen; happy 20th Anniversary! – I want to thank the organizers of this event; for the excellent work they have done, for inviting Somaliland Mission to join you in Columbus -Ohio and enjoy this night with you.

 

The Somaliland Identity goes back to the early colonial era during the 1800’s. One of the most important events that made this identity stronger was the Independence from the British colonial powers on June 26, 1960. Four days later we have entered a union with Somalia and the disappointment of the Somaliland people with the union contributed to the formation of stronger Somaliland identity. The most important and watershed event for Somaliland identity, and the reason for celebration, have taken place on May 18, 1991 in Burco city, at the conclusion of a national meeting the Somaliland people have declared the act of withdrawal from the union with Somalia, announced the creation of new independent nation named [somaliland], and also appointed the SNM leadership to form new government which will have mandate for two years.

 

We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the independence of Somaliland; we are celebrating the Somaliland Identity; its short history of the last 50 years, which can be characterized as the tragic 20 years, bad ten years, the ugly ten years, and the good ten years. The short history of the last 50 years have strengthened the Somaliland Identity, created a nation that can never be broken again, and have made Somaliland what it is today. We are also celebrating the hopes and dreams of Somaliland people over the years [decades and centuries] to come.

 

The 1960-1980 years – We are celebrating tonight the first 20 years; the Somaliland people have experienced both high and low in this period. The highlight was June 26, 1960 independence from Britain, followed by repeated disappointments beginning with disagreements with how the unity government was structured, followed by the failed coup staged by the Somaliland Military officers who wanted to withdraw from the union after less than 12 months in 1961, a decade of successive bad governments from Somalia, brutality, oppression and disenfranchising of the Somaliland people by Barre government. We are celebrating June 26, 1960 independence day.

 

The 1980’s years – We are celebrating tonight the 1980’s; Somaliland experienced brutal ten years of liberation wars; the people have sustained unimaginable sufferings during the liberation wars, SNM fought and won the war against a Somalia government that was 100’s of times stronger militarily, and the Somaliland people have endured terrible price for that victory. The price of victory includes loss of over hundred thousand people including children, women and men, young and old. The price of victory also includes total property loss and total destruction of cities and towns. It includes living in refugee camps in Ethiopia and suffering from starvation and deceases like malaria. It includes the sacrifices the Somaliland Diaspora has made to support the war. We are celebrating [the 20th Anniversary of Somaliland Independence] to remember and honor all of those who sacrificed their lives and property and gave Somaliland people the freedom and independence; we say to them “thank you for your sacrifices”.

 

The 1990’s years – We are celebrating tonight the May 18, 1991; when Somaliland declared independence second time and declared withdrawal from union with Somalia; this decade also gave Somaliland people an opportunity to return home from refugee camps in Ethiopia, started the process of de-mining the land, disarming SNM militia, experience the tragic civil war between Somaliland clans, succeeded to build trust and lasting peace between the clans who fought with each other either through several civil wars in 1990’s or between clans who sided with either SNM or Barre’s regime. Somaliland concluded successful tribal conferences which have been the foundation of the lasting peace in Somaliland; which took place in Berbera, Burco, Sheikh, Borama, Hargeysa, and Ceergaabo. We are celebrating May 18, 1991, the strength and courage of the Somaliland people to overcome adversity.

 

The 2000’s years – We are celebrating today the 20th Anniversary of Somaliland; we are celebrating achievements of Somaliland people to successfully built government institutions [including Local governments, parliament, Guurti, Presidential system, and independent Judiciary]. We are celebrating the democratic progress that Somaliland people have achieved, which allows them to elect their own leaders and to determine their destiny; as you know this democratic progress allowed Somaliland ten months ago a peaceful transfer of power from a sitting president to newly elected President from the opposition party; this only happened in all of Africa in three other nations. We are celebrating this incredible democratic success that far exceeded what most of recognized African nations were able to achieve, the economic progress that allowed Somaliland people to build a modestly growing free market economy. We are celebrating 20 years old nation and identity with the green, white, and red colors of its flag.

 

I want to use this opportunity to speak with our brothers in Somalia; I urge you to use the examples of Somaliland as a roadmap to achieve peace for Somalia and end for the conflict; begin to trust each other for the greater good of bringing peace to your people and to build a nation, to remember that peace can only come from within Somalia, and progress will only come with peace. We pray that our brothers from Somalia find within themselves the ability to forgive each other and build their nation; the way Somaliland has.

 

We have begun to open an office in Washington DC for Somaliland Mission in the USA. You can find all the details about this office on the web at www.somaliland.us; we’ll like to use this opportunity to ask for your help, we cannot succeed without your help. One of the ways you can help us is to register at this web site and we will be able to contact you. We need you to get in touch with your US Representative and ask them to support Somaliland. We can help you with locate your congressman or you can visit this web site; http://www.house.gov/representatives/ Somaliland Mission’s office telephone number is 202-756-4880 or email address is mission@somaliland.us. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . At Somaliland Mission web site, there is a polling question asking you to help a rally in Washington in fall of 2011. Please answer this polling question. We are doing research to have a rally in Oct 2011.

 

Somaliland Administration: Accomplishments – There are a number of things President Ahmed Silanyo’s government had achieved in the last ten months; free schools for all children up the secondary level, Strengthening government institutions, accountability through effective and high profile audits, extended the government working hours, passed telecommunication legislations that will allow Somaliland people for the first time to use one single telephone in the country, paid government employee salaries to date, convinced to move UN and other international agencies to move their basis from Nairobi to Hargeisa, engaged international community at higher diplomatic levels than ever before, increased international development aid to the country, more aggressive foreign policy engagement to increase the Somaliland profile, abolished the unconstitutional security laws including Security Committee (Guddida Nabadgelyada), elevated the sense of patriotism of the people with rallies and reception celebrations for “May 18 Independence day”, increased government revenue collection, managed to pay all government bills, increased the capacity and equipment of the security forces in the country, and maintained the peace and security of the country.

 

Somaliland Hopes & Dreams over the next 20 Years:

 

1 – Continue to improve the standard of living of the people through, education, health care, and increased employment, more significant growth in the economy (2) Maintain the peace in the country (3) Continue the democratic progress (4) Continue the effort to improve government institutions (5) building good relationships with the countries in the region (6) Achieve recognition for the Republic of Somaliland.

 

GOD BLESS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA & GOD BLESS SOMALILAND