Taming Somaliland: The Battle Ahead

[Abtigiis]

Good news is coming from the South. The trial period will soon be over, to give way to a sedentary government, at least for four years. It is optimistic to celebrate, but the battle of assembling the missing blocks in the indecipherable Soduku of Statehood in Somalia is about to be won. The Eureka moment is near, best epitomized by Firdhiye’s (Faroole) espousal of broad nationalist vision, over and above denominational tomfooleries. But any impending victory is partial. Any fiesta of triumph is hasty. For half of the state we seek to rebuild is missing, sulking in the North. The victory of getting the south work again is not a full conquest; it is ammunition to get ready for the final battle. But the question remains how do we reclaim and bring Somaliland back to the Somalia fold? Here, I offer some ideas.

 

Anyone who thinks the aspersions I heap on the secessionists is counter-productive, and will only force them to get entrenched in their extremist pursuit of clan statehood, is either too young or too disconnected from the reality in the ground. For a broken hymen of a widower cannot be shattered anew, no matter hard a lustful lover pushes. The secessionists have already gone far, and belligerent or beseeching words are not going to change anything. The game-changer is not appeal to their conscience, to obsolete Somalinimo brotherhood, or assurances of mutual progress this time around. Nor is it fretful salvos and lamentations against them.

 

The Somaliland project has the appeal of delivering goodies to those who espouse it. Contrary to how it started, it is no more about ending oppression and fighting marginalization. It is about hegemony, economic rents, diplomatic tourism, ministerial portfolios, and easy white-collar jobs. Unthinking clan urchins fed this nirvana of abundance for two decades are unlikely to look for a re-union that has the potential to stifle this dream through forbidding reality. Reality, which is not about economic depression to be experienced, absent jobs, or arrested social and democratic development. These are guaranteed through the vast markets and opportunities the south offers. But the fake ‘Ambassadors’ of ‘Somaliland’, “foreign Ministers”, “Representatives” will reduce. Some will still be Ambassadors, Ministers and commissioners, but as part of the political elite and civil service of Somalia.

 

To make the dreamers regain sense, a series of political and diplomatic maneuvers will have to be taken by a resurgent Somalia. Politically, (1) support the unionists in Somaliland (Awdal, SSC, Salal). (2) Provide strong financial and political muscle to the unionists from the recalcitrant clan, and enable these politicians to appeal to their fellow clansmen. There is no shortage of these genuine Somali unionists. (3) Institute an employment programme that will give priority to the youth and intellectuals from Somaliland, in the Somalia state Ministries and Agencies (including diplomatic missions). (4) Provide lucrative franchises and monopolies for big businessmen from Somaliland in South Somalia. (5) Embark on a diplomatic offensive and ensure all States do not entertain any travel documents other than those issues by the Foreign Ministry and Immigration authorities in Somalia. (6) mount a coherent propaganda campaign that emphasize the benefits of unity and disseminate it through popular Somali and foreign media (7) Use religious leaders to also spread the message through sermons in Mosques and the media (8) Create Somali artists and musicians forum and provide adequate funding to them: this should be led by artists from Somaliland as much as possible (9) give scholarships and educational opportunities to students from Somaliland ( disproportionately) to expel any fears about marginalization (10) include in the national plan and give priority to big projects in Somaliland, such as, upgrading of Egal international airport, Berbera port, new Universities, etc

 

These actions will not change every poisoned mind, but the incurable minds will be pushed to the margins of the society. A shrinking euphoria about impending clan statehood will make the sensible to embrace unity and benefit from it. But there will always be a venomous minority who keep on talking vitriol and will try to stop the winds of change. These will be the Ku Klux Klan the SNM experiment would have yielded. They will be dealt with by the law and courts and will be finally cleansed.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

So abtigis wants more disunity based on clan division to achieve unity Between Somaliland and Somalia throught the newely approved 4.5 for another 4 years. If it was up to Abtigis he would fight against Somaliland using his Kikuyo Army as he is doing in the lower Juba. Its been 20 years people need to move on and wake up and smell the Coffee or should i say smell the canjera. The irony a secessionist from Ethiopia who at the same time supports Ethiopian troops in Somalia.

[Saalax]

If Somalia provides direct support for anti Somaliland groups Somaliland can do the same and provide support for

unruly anti Somalia groups within Somalia to destroy it within. Two can play the game.

[Che -Guevara]

Abtigiis,,,You want a state within state and affirmative action at the expense of everyone else. This is hardly recipe for successful restoration of Somalia.

[Abtigiis]

Saalax;767323 wrote:

If Somalia provides direct support for anti Somaliland groups Somaliland can do the same and provide support for

unruly anti Somalia groups within Somalia to destroy it within. Two can play the game.

In truth, It can't! It hasn't been able to do this when South Somalia was in paralysis. It can urge Godane and Aghani to elevate the level of terror, but that will be sucidal. It will weaken somaliland in the international arena (whose endorsement they covete). There are no other groups they can influence in the South.

 

Che, affirmative action is a must in the initial phase at least.

[STOIC]

AT&T,

Is this your new avalanche of visual propaganda to support a country with no pulse? Leave that for the likes of the fake-doctor-in residence. You want me to believe Somalia has finally found its pulse in Garowe? I never thought the spectacle put together in Garowe will give you hope in the former Somalia union.All over a sudden the TFG has found the moral rectitude to lead Somalia? Somalia divisive and factious politics is superior over a calm and progressive Somaliland? I doubt your dream will critically register with people who have been independent for almost twenty years.It will take alot than what you put down (which most of it they are already enjoying it in their own back yard) to cross over the psychological barrier between the south and the North.

[Abtigiis]

Right Honourable Stoic,

 

Do you know the level of unemployment, destitution, tahriib-bound youth, and food insecurity in Somaliland? When was the last time you visted this land?

 

Do you take visting landers like Alpha and Ibtisam's cozy sojourn in Ambassador and Mansoor Hotels as representative of life in Somaliland?

 

Don't you think a diplomatic isolation will force the youth to flock to Mogadishu to get new passports? Don't you think the businessmen will want to do something more than 'air-to-air' contraband trade from Arabia?

 

What does the land of Somaliland produce? Nothing. Tomatoes go from Jigjiga!

[Che -Guevara]

Abtagiis...You are better courting pro-Somali regions than trying to appeal to Hargeysa and unless Somalia is on solid foundation, any effort will be futile.

[Saalax]

Abtigiis it's not that hard to find morally corrupt politicians, armed men from south/central Somalia who are willing to do a agenda to paralyze Somalia for in exchange of dollars. If Somalia tries to interfere in the affairs of it's neighbours especially after 20 years of warlordism,anarchy and lawlessness.

[Abtigiis]

Che, of course somalia has to stand up first for somaliland to sit down!

 

SSC, Awdal, Salal and the sizeable Gab.oo.ye community will flock to Mogadishu in no time, and that will make the SNM nude.

 

The affirmative action kicks in at that stage so that they don't come in just out of desperation and lack of any alternative. It is a way of giving them an honourable entry strategy. Also to kill any ill-feeling and resentment.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Saalax;767334 wrote:

Abtigiis it's not that hard to find morally corrupt politicians, armed men from south/central Somalia who are willing to do a agenda to paralyze Somalia for in exchange of dollars. If Somalia tries to interfere in the affairs of it's neighbours especially after 20 years of warlordism,anarchy and lawlessness.

Every one in Somalia wants to create a clan state for his tribal homeland and they know where they can find new political support and a platform.Tribal Chiefs from Bosaaso are already running towards hargeysa can you imagine if Somaliland puts in some effort.

[Somalia]

Saalax;767323 wrote:

If Somalia provides direct support for anti Somaliland groups Somaliland can do the same and provide support for

unruly anti Somalia groups within Somalia to destroy it within.

Two can play the game.

Hahahahhahaa

[Abtigiis]

Xaaji Xunjuf;767342 wrote:

Every one in Somalia wants to create a clan state for his tribal homeland and they know where they can find new political support and a platform.Tribal Chiefs from Bosaaso are already running towards hargeysa can you imagine if Somaliland puts in some effort.

Faroole's (Firdhiye) politics gave brith to the Bossaaso elders seeking support from Hargeisa. When Mogadishu stands, it offers a more hospitable sanctury to them. They can get reprieve from Firdhiye's taunts, and they could live their somalinimo dream. A double gain. All any disgruntled somali politician has to do will be to denounce regional leaders he doesn't like and go to Mogadishu and embrace the broader animal.

[Carafaat]

Abtigiis;767320 wrote:

 

To make the dreamers regain sense, a series of political and diplomatic maneuvers will have to be taken by a resurgent Somalia. Politically, (1) support the unionists in Somaliland (Awdal, SSC, Salal). (2) Provide strong financial and political muscle to the unionists from the recalcitrant clan, and enable these politicians to appeal to their fellow clansmen. There is no shortage of these genuine Somali unionists. (3) Institute an employment programme that will give priority to the youth and intellectuals from Somaliland, in the Somalia state Ministries and Agencies (including diplomatic missions). (4) Provide lucrative franchises and monopolies for big businessmen from Somaliland in South Somalia. (5) Embark on a diplomatic offensive and ensure all States do not entertain any travel documents other than those issues by the Foreign Ministry and Immigration authorities in Somalia. (6) mount a coherent propaganda campaign that emphasize the benefits of unity and disseminate it through popular Somali and foreign media (7) Use religious leaders to also spread the message through sermons in Mosques and the media (8) Create Somali artists and musicians forum and provide adequate funding to them: this should be led by artists from Somaliland as much as possible (9) give scholarships and educational opportunities to students from Somaliland ( disproportionately) to expel any fears about marginalization (10) include in the national plan and give priority to big projects in Somaliland, such as, upgrading of Egal international airport, Berbera port, new Universities, etc

 

These actions will not change every poisoned mind, but the incurable minds will be pushed to the margins of the society.

Abtigiis, actually this plan could work to create disunity in Somaliland. But what you forget is that its not in the interest of most people from Somalia. Why would they wanna share the pie with Somalilanders who are already better off.

[General Duke]

Somaliland will change it's stance and the unionist will rise when they see a clear alternative in Mogadishu and the rest of Somalia.