Turkey to host three-way talks with presidents of Somalia, Somaliland

[Siciid1986]

Somaliland-Somalia Dialogue

" A position letter" 8 April, 2013

 

Somaliland has accepted an invitation from the Turkish government to participate in talks with Somalia in Istanbul on 13 April within the framework agreed in June 2012 at Chevening (UK), and subsequently signed in Dubai on 28 June 2012 at Heads of State level. The Dialogue is of potential benefit to Somaliland. In the short term, it could enable the parties to reach bilateral agreements in areas of cooperation such as security and trade, which will benefit the people in both countries. And in the long term, it would provide an international diplomatic process through which Somaliland could obtain its status as a recognised state. Meanwhile, the process will give Somaliland a means of injecting its views into regional and international discussions on issues which directly affect Somaliland. The government is convinced that participating in the Dialogue is necessary to promote Somaliland's national interests.

Details

On 13 April, the Turkish government will convene a meeting in Istanbul between delegations from Somaliland and Somalia led by President Ahmed Silanyo and President Hassan Sheikh, respectively. The event will represent a resumption of the Dialogue initiated by Somaliland and the TFG at Chevening House in the UK on 21 June 2012. The Dialogue is supported by the wider international community and originated from a decision taken by the London Conference on Somalia in February 2012, which "recognized the need for the international community to support any dialogue that Somaliland and the TFG or its replacement may agree to establish in order to clarify their future relations." The inclusion of this paragraph in the final communiqué was at Somaliland's suggestion.

Engaging in the Somaliland-Somalia Dialogue serves several functions. First, Somaliland's security and prosperity require friendly and cooperative relations with all its neighbours, including Somalia. Despite their differences, Somaliland and Somalia have many shared interests.

After more than twenty years of severed relations, the Dialogue will allow Somaliland and Somalia to negotiate on a range of practical measures which can potentially benefit both sides.

These could include matters such as cooperating in the fight against terrorism, piracy, serious crime, illegal fishing and the dumping of toxic waste at sea; and encouraging international aid, trade and investment.

Reaching agreements on these practical issues will also help rebuild trust between Hargeisa and Mogadishu, which could make it easier to clarify Somaliland's relationship with Somalia by negotiation. Furthermore, the Dialogue could provide a much-needed, internationally accepted diplomatic process through which Somaliland could secure Mogadishu's endorsement of Somaliland's independent status. Such endorsement would make it easier for the international community to recognize Somaliland. And there is an international consensus supporting this process. At a minimum, engaging in the Dialogue will show the international community that Somaliland is willing to talk to Somalia about its position. But Somaliland will continue to pursue its search for recognition. It is ultimately up to the people of Somaliland to decide their future.

While recognition remains on the table, the Dialogue would provide Somaliland with a mechanism to influence regional and international discussion which could potentially impact Somaliland's development, security, stability, and territorial integrity. The lifting of the UN arms embargo, AMISOM's displacement of al-Shabaab northwards, the claim in the Somali draft constitution to Somaliland, the possible declaration of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and the distribution of UN assistance represent only some of the issues in which Somaliland and Somalia's interests are intertwined. The Dialogue will provide a peaceful means for Somaliland and Somalia to address these issues directly and on equal footing.

In sum, the Somaliland-Somalia Dialogue has the potential to usher in a period of trust- building and cooperation that could lay the foundations for an agreement over future relations between the two countries. While caution and vigilance are necessary to ensure that the Dialogue serves the best interests of the people of Somaliland, our country enjoys a strong record of governance and democracy and must not shy away from asserting its influence. Somaliland must have the courage to go out into the world and express its views and needs using the diplomatic tools available to it. The Dialogue process represents an historic opportunity for Somaliland to do that.

The government is therefore convinced that participating in the Dialogue is necessary to promote Somaliland's national interests and to keep Somaliland on course for recognition as an independent state.

[ElPunto]

Ace of Spadez;936915 wrote:

Then if these talks are not going to go anywhere why bother?

 

Somaliland is strategically playing for the long haul. On their side, they have possession of the territory they claim minus a few hamlets. By paying lip service to these talks to get aid they will get to improve their economy and infrastructure and thereby strengthening Somaliland as a country. So far it has been able to resist the perils of accepting such aid by informing the UK, it will not attend the May 7th conference despite the UK’s repeated requests for Somaliland be present. It will also get the world involved in the Somaliland-Somalia impasse. This is crucial in getting Somaliland to thwart off any diplomatic pressure Somalia may have attempted by putting this conflict out there for all to witness in the international community.

 

Somalia on the other hand doesn’t have the luxury of a strategy. They’re too busy putting out too many fires and need one less problem to deal with. They’d happily defer any serious talks with Somaliland so they can focus on the more imminent issues like Federalism, Jubaland, Al-Shabaab, creating an army, government institutions etc.

 

The way these talks are structured, foreshadow what is to come. Ngonge & Odweyne are spot on to highlight the nuances of how these talks have started and are proceeding. Anyone who doesn’t understand the precedents that are being set with these talks and how the narrative has been changed forever is simply deluding themselves.

I don't understand what Somaliland playing for the 'long haul' has to do with eventual acheivement of secession. Possession of territories and peace and development hasn't seemed to matter to the IC for the last 20 years. I don't see how spinning the UK snub - the one country that knows the most about Somaliland and is the best positioned to press the IC for recognition - as somehow positive. There has been no credible case made in this thread that Somaliland goes into these talks with some advantage.

 

Neither side has any inherent advantage to these talks - but the longer this process drags on the more advantageous it will be to the Somali Federal government as it builds it institutions, economy and diplomatic relations.

[Ace of Spadez]

ElPunto, clearly the advantages are on Somaliland’s side. In fact many people including Oodweyne, Mr. Mohamed Hashi believe there is no need to even talk to Somalia as it is giving Somalia a platform to equate itself with Somaliland who is light years ahead in terms of good governance and social & human evolution.

 

Nevertheless, in the past Somaliland has put a lot of emphasis on controlling the territory of its country. Now it is time to discuss Somaliland’s plight in the international arena. The fact Somalia has agreed to turn the clock back to 1960 by having direct talks between Somaliland on one hand and Somalia on the other screams capitulation. The weakness of Somalia is pretty evident unless you are not privy to the foreign occupation of Somalia by Ugandan, Ethiopian & Kenyan. It has its hands full. Yet, it cannot formally declare it has recognized Somaliland, because it’s very existence rests on looking like it can deliver unity not only for within the borders of Somalia, but also in the former Somali Republic.

 

In the mean time, both sides are working on strengthening their position, and biding their time. I don’t agree as time passes it will be Somalia’s advantage for it has already gave away everything except for the kitchen sink in these preparatory talks the international community is a witness to.