Obama Should Provide Recognition to Avoid Strife( the Atlantic Council)

[Wiil Cusub]

By: Henry Johnson CMC '14

Somalilandsun - A hundred Somalilanders turned their eyes to me as I took the microphone from the woman next to me. I tapped her shoulder and waited for her to finish hurling accusations at the President of Somaliland, who nervously shifted in his seat at the front of the room. "There is killing happening everywhere in that region, please stop!" The event moderator anxiously tapped his pen on the table. He gazed at me and twitched his head in the direction of the woman before cutting her off in his booming voice. "Ok, do you have a question please," he asked. She ignored him and could not stop, like a brake less car rocketing downhill. "People—women and children—are dying, anyone want to fact check, please come to me!" I mustered the courage to face her. In her glassy eyes, I saw wells of sadness and rage. I gently touched her arm holding the microphone and she surrendered it with a teary look of exhaustion. She sat down in a swirl of emerald green silk and her blue hijab no longer poked above the seated crowd. I snatched her free speech. Most of the audience looked on at me approvingly, but I was not sure if I approved of myself. Everyone now waited for a response from the president.

The president retorted, "It is absolute lies that there has been any killing in that area. People in that area live in peace; their leaders are in my government, in my ministries. It is people like you on the outside—I don't know what your motivations are—who cause the problems we are working to solve."

Even without a microphone, the woman responded contrarily. The president shouted, "Well just keep quiet then!" and nervously laughed. Her accusations roiled the audience, many young Somalilander men rose from their seats to point at the woman, calling her a liar and calling for respectful discourse. Her stand ruptured the upbeat tenor of the press conference for the President of Somaliland and his delegates. They argued why the U.S. should recognize their state, which lacks international recognition. I was assigned to run microphones at the event, hosted by my employer, the Atlantic Council—a foreign policy think tank in Washington, DC. Her searing comments, although dramatic in the setting, sprang from a basis of truth. Somaliland is locked in a tribal struggle over territory pregnant with oil.

Moments before I took her microphone away, she stated her specific allegations against the Somaliland government, which separated from greater Somalia during the upheaval following the outbreak of the Somalian civil war in 1991. She accused the president of catapulting a region in eastern Somaliland, known as Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC), into bloodshed and ethnic strife. The family of clans that predominate SSC compose only a minority demographic nationwide and many of them seek independence. Since voting patterns largely reflect tribal affiliation, most SSC clansmen wind up on the losing side of a winner-take-all system of democracy. Accordingly, they resist the domination of their homeland by an alien clan. In early 2012, clan and political leaders from SSC declared the making of a new semi-autonomous state named Khaatumo, which Somaliland has refused to recognize.[1] In addition to confronting this irredentist movement, Somaliland faces military contest for SSC from neighboring Puntland, another mini-state that broke off from Somalia in the 1990s. Puntland claims a right to SSC based on kinship ties with the tribal minority there. Somaliland, on the other hand, argues these territories fall within the former borders of British Somaliland, the former colonial protectorate used as its territorial model. The new Khaatumo state rejects the authority of both, however, and established itself in Cayn with plans to dislodge occupying armies and militias from Sool and Sanaag.

"Mr. Silanyo, since you took the office three years ago there was 1,500 people killed in Puntland, Sool, Sanaag, Cayn. That people were innocent civilian nomadic people, just like the lady here, lady Hamiya," her thickly accented voice quivered as she held up the picture of the six-year old girl she was eulogizing. "She was killed in last November when election was done in Khaatumo in Hudun. I'm pleading you today that you have to tell the truth. There's two reason why killing is happening, first you are forcing them to come with you and they say, 'No, we want to be part of Somalia.' And oil, the gas and oil that you're talking about is in Sool. I'm speaking to you now, there is killing in Hudun. I'm telling everyone here this is little Hamiya, you killed her."

 

With some background research, I corroborated many of the woman's claims. Sool and Sanaag lie on top of a large reservoir of oil, known as the Nugaal block, estimated to contain over four billion barrels of oil.[2] Control of this lucrative property has led to simmering hostility between Puntland and Somaliland for years. In late 2010, triangular fighting erupted between Somaliland armed forces, militias sponsored by the Puntland administration, and independent SSC militias. By the time all sides agreed to a cease-fire, over 100 people were reported killed and over 150,000 displaced according to a United Nations report.[3] The rise of the non-aligned Khaatumo administration has goaded Puntland and Somaliland into an alliance of convenience against Khaatumo, which threatens to seize their respective sales of the oil-rich land. In June 2012, both administrations coordinated an attack on Khaatumo political leaders and security forces.[4]

She also correctly assessed that fighting coincided with elections in the SSC territory. The Khaatumo-controlled town of Hudun, which is in Sool and on top of the Nugaal oil block, became the target of a series of offensives launched by Somaliland starting in November 2012. This is the same town where she said little Hamiya was killed. Somaliland sold the land underneath Hudun to the oil company Genel Energy the previous October. Initially, President Silanyo's administration ordered attacks on the town, leaving six dead, because "local gangs" hampered its officials from distributing ballots for local elections.[5] In a press statement, a Somaliland general claimed that the army repulsed Khaatumo militias aimed at intimidating voters.[6] More likely, Somaliland used the elections as a pretext for asserting martial law over the town. Somaliland attacked the town over nine times in the span of three months, but still has not captured it.[7]

Video of the Atlantic Council meeting was uploaded on YouTube. It garnered over 29,000 views and a slew of hateful comments. Both sides of the debate turned the YouTube commentary into a virtual bloodbath. For example, one user wrote of the president: "You dirty lier you will not take our land from us you filthy **** slave. we will go to war and drag your bodies on the streets of somalia." The **** clan is the numerically largest one in Somaliland and its members hold majorities in the electorate. These YouTube users, most likely from the disenfranchised tribes in SSC, illustrated the galling fear of **** domination. From the opposite side, someone wrote, "All those ****** haters and that ******* ****** khaatumo ***** Siilaanyo kicked your *** and he will do it again." The word "******" was first used as a term denoting regime collaborators and loyalists. It carries an ethnic meaning as well. Somalia's former dictator, Siyaad Barre, coopted the support of minority clans in the 1980s to suppress the **** clans from rebelling. "******" replicated the sound made by Barre's troops walking through mud.[8] In today's context, the term refers derisively to proponents of reunification.

This ethnically charged language provides cause for concern; escalating competition for the Nugaal oil block could lead to outright ethnic cleansing. No foreign government has diplomatically recognized Somaliland, leaving it hard pressed for economic and security support. Its diplomatic isolation drastically increases the value of land such as the Nugaal block and also reduces the costs of abusing ethnic minorities. In spite of its flaws and also because of them, the United States should recognize Somaliland. With recognition, the U.S. could potentially put an end to the conflict in SSC and utilize Somaliland's strong track record in combating regional terrorism and piracy. The U.S. could benefit from these security policies and assist them by training the Somaliland army in counterterrorism, coordinating anti-piracy measures, and using the country's ports. Recognition would also strengthen the state's efforts at stamping out financial crime and arms trafficking. Lastly, the U.S. might hope that recognition will clear roadblocks in Somaliland's path toward vibrant democracy; in 2010, outside observers deemed Somaliland elections free and fair.[9] With a mutually beneficial act of diplomacy, the United States could bring justice to little Hamiya and ratchet up pressure on Somali terrorist groups like al-Shabaab.

[Wiil Cusub]

Before you make hard conclusion and jump to reply try to understand his point of view.

[Che -Guevara]

"Video of the Atlantic Council meeting was uploaded on YouTube. It garnered over 29,000 views and a slew of hateful comments. Both sides of the debate turned the YouTube commentary into a virtual bloodbath. For example, one user wrote of the president: "You dirty lier you will not take our land from us you filthy **** slave. we will go to war and drag your bodies on the streets of somalia." The **** clan is the numerically largest one in Somaliland and its members hold majorities in the electorate. These YouTube users, most likely from the disenfranchised tribes in SSC, illustrated the galling fear of **** domination. From the opposite side, someone wrote, "All those ****** haters and that ******* ****** khaatumo ***** Siilaanyo kicked your *** and he will do it again." The word "******" was first used as a term denoting regime collaborators and loyalists. It carries an ethnic meaning as well. Somalia's former dictator, Siyaad Barre, coopted the support of minority clans in the 1980s to suppress the **** clans from rebelling. "******" replicated the sound made by Barre's troops walking through mud.

 

LOL

[Wiil Cusub]

Che it is true hire is the video and their is 177 heated comments (halve somali)

 

 

 

[Homunculus]

3/4th of the article is about an incident that happened in the youtube video above and the rest is advocating the recognition of Somaliland without providing any cogent reasons.

 

Here's the writer:

 

Henry Johnson '14, Research Assistant

Henry Johnson is a CMC Junior from Portland, Oregon. He is dual majoring in History and Government. Henry is ardently interested in the history of oppressed peoples and he is thrilled to begin contributing to the Center for Human Rights Leadership. Aside from this serious interest, Henry enjoys art shows, painting, and watching older movies.

I wish the young man good luck, but he's out of his depth when it comes to an issue as complex as Somali politics.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Henry is a good kid

[Haatu]

The guy has no clue about Somali politics. Let him give up for sake of his sanity.

 

 

On another note, it's sad to see you guys are resorting to an unknown student to save your "aqoonsi" case. Forever in wilderness.

[Dalmar1]

Haatu;987213 wrote:

The guy has no clue about Somali politics. Let him give up for sake of his sanity.

 

 

On another note, it's sad to see you guys are resorting to an unknown student to save your "aqoonsi" case. Forever in wilderness.

100+

[Hawdian]

First good article by Henry Johnson . Secondly As a somalilander do i care what people who are against my country think no these people walewyne should focus on their home country and how to save it . You can write as many negativ comments online but It will never change that facts on the ground the republic of Somaliland is here and goes from strength to strength every day.

[Wiil Cusub]

Fanny of this is Khatumo group was trying character assassination to president and they received contra effect :cool:

[burahadeer]

khatumites were pardoned by SL people,regardless of their role in siyad Barre's war machine.They lived in peace since the 90s when somalia(south) was in turmoil and only recently switched allegiances when they sensed Mogadishu could stand on own 2 feet,not because for love of somalinimo but that they could share home with otha Ds & thus manage to have lion's share in Mogadishu and also weaken those they regard destroyed their utopia.

Note: the slaugter againest you in Mogadishu and Kismayo in 91.Maybe you longing for those days!

Midho dhulka yaal looma qabo kuwo geed saaran.

You might ultimately regret.

[Dalmar1]

burahadeer;987229 wrote:

khatumites were pardoned by SL people,regardless of their role in siyad Barre's war machine.They lived in peace since the 90s when somalia(south) was in turmoil and only recently switched allegiances when they sensed Mogadishu could stand on own 2 feet,not because for love of somalinimo but that they could share home with otha Ds & thus manage to have lion's share in Mogadishu and also weaken those they regard destroyed their utopia.

Note: the slaugter againest you in Mogadishu and Kismayo in 91.Maybe you longing for those days!

Midho dhulka yaal looma qabo kuwo geed saaran.

You might ultimately regret.

Lol,....at your words of Khatumo being pardoned by the SNM of Somaliland!

 

Anyway, read the site below, that talks about the future PLAN OF GENOCIDE SNM Somaliland will commit against those reer khatumo (or beesha Sahal) the moment it gets its recognised Nation of Republic Somaliland!,..... So instead of khatumo being pardoned they will be massacred by those cuqdaad filled folks of Somaliland!

 

http://www.allsanaag.com/images/SomalilandArticles/14-1991_03_SNM_Meeting_Regarding%20_Non-Isaqs.pdf

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Khatumo is no issue or no obsticle to somaliland they can here and there throw a party but they are harmless since khatumo came somaliland government expanded into xudun and fiqifuliye leaving one last district for khatumo which is taleex soon they will be fully part of somaliland. Khatumo is actually good for somaliland. Khatumo are peaceful folks they are mostly busy with conferences, ssc was more on the battlefield in 2011 but ssc fully joined somaliland government. The future looks bright henry na wa mahadsanyahay

[Homunculus]

khatumites were pardoned by SL people,regardless of their role in siyad Barre's war machine.

I'm glad to know that people in the SSC were pardoned, the people there will be relieved.

 

They lived in peace since the 90s when somalia(south) was in turmoil

Hmmm, for being squeezed between SL and PL that region is surprisingly peaceful.

 

only recently switched allegiances when they sensed Mogadishu could stand on own 2 feet,not because for love of somalinimo but that they could share home with otha Ds & thus manage to have lion's share in Mogadishu and also weaken those they regard destroyed their utopia.

I guess history started two years ago and the people there suddenly discovered Somali nationalism.

 

I'd like to assure our Somaliland enthusiasts that the future of Somalia will not be decided in Hargeisa or Mogadishu, all this back and forth in this forum will achieve nothing. The future of Somalia/Somaliland will not be decided by Somalis unfortunately.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

The one with the most riffles will decide eventually keep your feets on the ground son.