Somaliland, time for some people’s diplomacy

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Somaliland, time for some people’s diplomacy

 

Posted on 08/10/2011 in Opinion

Since Somaliland’s independence in 1991 its main foreign policy objective is to achieve international legal recognition. Because Somalia no longer exists as a state and the current TFG and its predecessors did not have the legal authority from which Somaliland could reclaim its sovereignty and legal nationhood, it rather focused on campaigning and lobbying Western, African countries and international institutions for its cause. Many of these countries and international organisations now generally accept that Somaliland is a de facto State and that it has demonstrated the will, determination, cohesion, stability and political maturity that is required for

 

international recognition. This leads to many bilateral relationships and development support for Somaliland, but it did not lead to the hoped international recognition as an independent state.

 

The international campaign for recognition turned out to have other effects as well. Because Somaliland successfully distant itself from the chaos in Somalia but also distanced itself from other Somali’s. Many Somali’s in Somalia and throughout the world perceived Somaliland’s independence aspirations as hostile and counterproductive to the peace and reconciliation

 

aspirations of Somalia. Ethiopia’s early support for Somaliland’s independence added more resentment to those questioning its claim for independence. And finally, concerns of internal political division and tribal politics in Somaliland, particularly in the regions of Sool , parts of Sanaag and sometimes in the Awdal region which surfaces from time-to-time although the latter has different concerns compared to that of the first two. This has created further negative implications to Somaliland’s bid for international recognition.

 

Over the years Somaliland’s diplomatic focus shifted from Ethiopia to the Republic of Djibouti and Kenya. A positive step for gaining a balanced support in the greater region. However Somalia remains the only legal authority from which Somaliland could reclaim its sovereignty from and Somali’s from Somalia are the stakeholders who can grant Somaliland it’s wish for recognition. Somaliland needs to gain grass root support from their Somali brothers in Somalia and abroad. Somaliland to show to the Somali public that its independence aspirations and Somalinimo go hand in hand, that it has genuine desire for fraternal and friendly relations, that it is concerned with the fate of Somalia and wishes to contribute to the peace, reconciliation and development efforts in the region. Last week a Somaliland delegation led by prominent poet Mohamed Warsame Hadraawi was send to Mogadishu to deliver aid to famine stricken families. The funds were raised by the people of Somaliland in solidarity and sympathy with their starving brothers and sisters in Somalia. This kind of initiative shows goodwill to all Somali’s and above all demonstrate Somaliland’s political maturity. And with enough goodwill from the Somali’s it may one day lead to recognition by their brothers from Somalia. This kind of recognition is much more preferred and desired then recognition from any other foreign country.

 

Even though Somalia no longer exists as a state, still diplomacy towards Somalia is much needed. Traditional diplomacy, the interaction between governments, would be ineffective as the TFG mandate doesn’t have a lot of support in Somalia and its mandate is ending by next year. So this would not have the added value needed in this case. Even though the Security Council

 

Somalia representative Mahiga is lobbying Somaliland to engage in a dialogue with Somalia. But Somaliland could achieve its goals by using Public Diplomacy rather than traditional diplomacy. In international relations public diplomacy or people’s diplomacy, broadly speaking, is the communication with foreign public to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence public attitudes and perception. It is practiced through a variety of instruments and methods ranging from personal contact and media interviews to the Internet and educational exchanges. Somaliland should use Public diplomacy by effectively communicating with Somali publics around the globe through the use of mass media and through dealings with a wide range of

 

nongovernmental entities(educational institutions, religious organizations, clan and ethnic groups) and influential individuals (business people, singers, writers) for the purpose of influencing the Somali public perceptions towards Somaliland. Even through music, television, sports and other social/cultural activities could be used to promote understanding of Somaliland’s case.

 

It involves not only shaping the message that Somaliland wishes to present, but also analyzing and understanding the ways that the message is interpreted by the public and developing the tools of listening and conversation as well as the tools of persuasion. With public diplomacy Somaliland would encourage understanding; listens and engages in dialogue; objectively displays national achievements and international goodwill to a broad public. As shown last week by Hadraawi’s humanitarian visit to Moqadishu.

 

One of the most successful initiatives which embody the principles of effective public diplomacy is the creation of the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg after the second World War. It’s original purpose was to facilitate dialogue and function as a catalyzer for greater understanding between European youth who first perceived each other’s as hostile after the World War.The Centre has been established as a residential and educational training and meeting Centre for the implementation of the Council of Europe’s youth policy. The Centre hosts around 150 activities, training courses, study sessions, consultative meetings and symposia dealing with development of youth in Europe. For more than 40 years the Centre played a key role in promoting and shaping its youth’s view towards fundamental values like equality, human rights, rule of law, democracy, discrimination against minorities, social exclusion, development and the unity of the continent.

 

Public diplomacy is seen as one of the most crucial tools in the practice of diplomacy today. And by using some people diplomacy Somaliland could stre

 

ngthen its case and at the same time create better understanding, peace and cooperation among the Somali people in the Horn of Africa.

[Gabbal]

One of the most successful initiatives which embody the principles of effective public diplomacy is the creation of the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg after the second World War.

Following the devastating world wars, the western European powers theorized confederation and possibility of economic, social, and political unity would forever make the Europeans very much dependent on each other and would become a bulwark against any other armed conflict in Western Europe. Such socio-politico institutions were the vehicles used to lead to the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, and this modern day unifying European Union.

 

Ironically enough the author expects such institutions that led the diverse Europeans to unify would have the opposite effect on the homogenous Somali ethnic group. Still, he should be applauded for engaging constructive interaction rather than unsuccessful isolation and unilateralism.

[Alderman]

As long as Somaliland is a theocracy and a 'wannabe Arab' state, it will never be recognised. Just look at their flag.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Somaliland and the people of Somaliland share links with Somalia and the people of Somalia Linguistic and Cultural Links to some extend which will be the key to future understandings between our two Nations. Even though the Political culture and the two different histories the two people share cannot form some sort of obstacle that will make it impossible to cooperate on Some fields which will better the lives of our peoples. In Addition the new generation of Somaliland Djibouti and Somalia all want to make a difference and change the future and shape the political environment they are in.

 

I think the Somali version of social political institutions can open the debate break the ice of many taboo's among our societies it can bring people Closer to each other to develop new mutual interest in the horn Africa eventhought he koonfurians are not as advanced as the Somalilanders and Djiboutians but with the right mechanism.

 

I mean with these social Poltical instituition it will give the people of Somaliland Djibouti to include their methods of thinking and beliefs in all natures which can influence the behaviour of the future goverment and the majority of the Citizen in Somalia in the future indeed.

[Carafaat]

Gabbal;750440 wrote:

Following the devastating world wars, the western European powers theorized confederation and possibility of economic, social, and political unity would forever make the Europeans very much dependent on each other and would become a bulwark against any other armed conflict in Western Europe. Such socio-politico institutions were the vehicles used to lead to the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, and this modern day unifying European Union.

 

Ironically enough the author expects such institutions that led the diverse Europeans to unify would have the opposite effect on the homogenous Somali ethnic group. Still, he should be applauded for engaging constructive interaction rather than unsuccessful isolation and unilateralism.

Why would such a policy have the opposite effect on Somali's?

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

I think he said that Somalis are Homogeneous group thus it will have an opposite effect since he believes Europe are different ethnic Germans Romans Slavish and for them it worked.

[Carafaat]

Being a bit more diplomatic wouldt hurt Somali's in general. And in this case, it could even work.

[burahadeer]

Otha somalis will neva agree , ironically including Jbouti for independent SL.Although many somalis yearn for greater somalia,many oppose SL for selfish reasons as qabiil & jealousy as the case of Jbouti who believes independent Sl will dwarf it's port and the only way to halt that competition is a gov't in Mogadishu who will control Berbera (like Barre) & make easy for herself.SL has to tough it out as long as it takes.Somalis will always intermingle,do business together & cross to each otha without passports.SL can let go these few towns who want to separate;the territory that's theirs is very tiny contrary to these enlarged maps they splashing everywhere.At the end of the day realty hits them hard down inside...few villages won't make much of a difference or be a bargaining chip.

[Arafaat]

On 10/8/2011 at 6:59 PM, Xaaji Xunjuf said:

Somaliland and the people of Somaliland share links with Somalia and the people of Somalia Linguistic and Cultural Links to some extend which will be the key to future understandings between our two Nations. Even though the Political culture and the two different histories the two people share cannot form some sort of obstacle that will make it impossible to cooperate on Some fields which will better the lives of our peoples. In Addition the new generation of Somaliland Djibouti and Somalia all want to make a difference and change the future and shape the political environment they are in.

 

I think the Somali version of social political institutions can open the debate break the ice of many taboo's among our societies it can bring people Closer to each other to develop new mutual interest in the horn Africa eventhought he koonfurians are not as advanced as the Somalilanders and Djiboutians but with the right mechanism.

 

I mean with these social Poltical instituition it will give the people of Somaliland Djibouti to include their methods of thinking and beliefs in all natures which can influence the behaviour of the future goverment and the majority of the Citizen in Somalia in the future indeed.

Back in the days when Xaaji Xunjuf wasn’t a reactionary but used to respond intellectually to ideas. 

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

That was the time i believed  reasonable  koonfurians  will come to rule the bunker. But the cheese fellow is not that guy.  Somalilanders and koonfurians cannot coexist with  each other. For the time.being atleast who knows maybe  the futire.