Siilanyo says Somaliland is inspired by Scotland and Catalonia, sidestepping the fact Catalonia cancelled its vote and Scotland said "NO".

[Admin]

The recent high-profile campaigns for Scottish and Catalonian independence have buoyed hopes that Somaliland could soon gain independence from Somalia, according to the president of the self-declared country.

 

Somaliland is viewed by the international community as a territory within Somalia – a nation that is struggling to emerge from more than two decades of civil war. However, the former British protectorate boasts more than 20 years of relative peace and security as well as untapped oil reserves and mineral deposits.

 

Its president, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo, said he was encouraged by other independence movements and hoped that boosting investment in Somaliland’s energy and agricultural sectors would spark an economic rebirth that could help it towards independence.

 

“Other countries’ search for recognition, like Catalonia and Scotland, is something we find [inspiring],” he said. “We are, in our own way, also seeking our independence.”

 

Equally encouraging, said Silanyo, was the symbolic but non-binding vote this month in which British MPs recognised Palestine as a state.

 

Silanyo, who met European firms at an investment summit hosted by the UK Foreign Office last week, said commerce was key to his country’s quest for sovereignty. “The recognition of Somaliland and the development of its economy are things which are very much related,” he said. “Without economic development, recognition is meaningless. Somaliland is entitled to recognition – we have been waiting for a long time.”

 

But the UK, which has hosted a series of talks aimed at repairing relations between Somaliland and Somalia, has been reluctant to endorse Somaliland’s quest for recognition. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “The UK’s position is that it is for Somaliland and Somalia to resolve the issue of Somaliland’s status, and the region should lead on recognising any new arrangements.”

 

Somaliland refused to attend the UK’s conference on Somalia last year, dealing a blow to diplomatic relations. Writing in the Guardian, Silanyo said: “We cannot take part in a conference that does not recognise Somaliland’s unique status or move forward our long fight for international recognition.”

 

Somaliland’s energy sector has been touted as the area of its economy most ripe for development. According to the energy minister, Hussein Abdi Dualeh, there are four foreign companies exploring for oil and gas in Somaliland: Turkey’s Genel Energy, DNO International of Norway, UAE-based RAK Gas, and Yemeni firm Ansan Wikfs Hadramaut.

 

Dualeh said: “We’re across from one of the biggest shipping lanes in the world, the gulf of Aden, we have a deep sea port in Berbera, and it just so happens that our resources are running parallel along the coastline. Most of the major potential basins for hydrocarbons are also not too far away from the coast, so I think, logistically speaking, even a small discovery of minerals or hydrocarbons would be a viable proposition for Somaliland.”

 

But analysts say oil production could raise tensions with Somaliland’s neighbours, particularly in disputed areas that have aligned themselves with Somalia.

 

“The federal government of Somalia has indicated its concerns over these contracts that Somaliland has with these oil companies. A solution has to be found through the dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia,” said Mohamed Farah, executive director at the Academy of Peace and Development in Somaliland. “The government must initiate dialogue in areas where there are some concerns from local people.”

 

But Somaliland has yet to secure a deal to develop the port of Berbera, which would be vital for exporting oil and gas. The port has long been touted as a potentially lucrative transport corridor that could link neighbouring Ethiopia, which is landlocked, to the sea.

 

Until new sectors of its economy are developed, Somaliland will continue to rely heavily on livestock exports to Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries where Somali livestock enjoys a premium status, Silanyo said. During the annual hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia imports more meat from Somaliland than anywhere else.

 

“We are very much dependent on the exports of livestock, but we would like to develop our fisheries because we have a very long coastline and we have mineral resources as well,” Silanyo said.

 

The UK’s Department for International Development has said that Somaliland’s government is “better able to provide for its citizens” than the government of Somalia. DfID will contribute £25m to the Somaliland development fund, which is designed to support governance, boost infrastructure and improve water purity.

 

The UK’s international development minister, Lynne Featherstone, said: “It is only through investment, trade and jobs that Somaliland can reduce its dependence on aid and remittances. Business will be central to Somaliland’s growth and development. It is already happening – Hargeisa [the capital] teems with people starting new businesses and shops.”

 

Source: http://www.theguardian.com

http://www.somaliaonline.com/siilanyo-says-somaliland-is-inspired-by-scotland-and-catalonia-sidestepping-the-fact-catalonia-cancelled-its-vote-and-scotland-said-no/

[Odey]

Sadly for Silaanyo, a major seismic survey was undertaken by TGS seismic and the data did not bring back anything promising. Generally when new data is brought to the market, it creates a a lot of activity and is bought by everyone, yet this data hasnt sold for years now. That tells you something- nothing interesting there. The region offshore Somaliland in the red sea is relatively young and doesn't Look promising. So, bless him, he is trying to keep the dream alive but nothing is coming. Onshore, the only area worth looking is not his clan area. The province of sool is the only region within reach that has anything promising and that is fast slipping from him because one cannot drill in areas whose people aren't on board.

 

The region is also quite dry and without many the sources. The human capital is small in numbers and that too isn't much help. The political climate is not in his favour either. A giant is awakening in the rest of Somalia. The federal govenment is gaining more clout daily and all roads are leading there. The world is more engaged than ever before and the FGS is pressing ahead on a united Somalia and the world is listening. The dream that has lasted 24 years is coming to an end. It is only natural that the die hards in that region want to hang on to the deep sleep and keep dreaming, but the realists are beginning to see.

 

Solution ?....... Dadkaaga wax la qeybso intii goor goor tahay

[Tallaabo]

<cite>

@Odey

said:</cite>

Sadly for Silaanyo, a major seismic survey was undertaken by TGS seismic and the data did not bring back anything promising. Generally when new data is brought to the market, it creates a a lot of activity and is bought by everyone, yet this data hasnt sold for years now. That tells you something- nothing interesting there. The region offshore Somaliland in the red sea is relatively young and doesn't Look promising. So, bless him, he is trying to keep the dream alive but nothing is coming. Onshore, the only area worth looking is not his clan area. The province of sool is the only region within reach that has anything promising and that is fast slipping from him because one cannot drill in areas whose people aren't on board.

 

The region is also quite dry and without many the sources. The human capital is small in numbers and that too isn't much help. The political climate is not in his favour either. A giant is awakening in the rest of Somalia. The federal govenment is gaining more clout daily and all roads are leading there. The world is more engaged than ever before and the FGS is pressing ahead on a united Somalia and the world is listening. The dream that has lasted 24 years is coming to an end. It is only natural that the die hards in that region want to hang on to the deep sleep and keep dreaming, but the realists are beginning to see.

 

Solution ?....... Dadkaaga wax la qeybso intii goor goor tahay

I think the only dreamer here is you. If as you claimed Somaliland has neither natural resources nor a useful human capital, why is then Koonfuria so obsessed with it? Why don't you and your follow koonfurians let this small patch of dry and worthless corner of Africa with few nomads living on it go its separate way and keep all the wealth and blessing in the South for the people of that region alone? I am sure if you guys leave us alone to get on with our lives everyone will be happy. The koonfurians will get to enjoy all their oil, gas, mineral, fish, and agricultural wealth alone without worrying about sharing anything with the poor folks from the North; and the Somalilanders will be content with the little they have and will never bother you.

[Dalmar1]

<cite>

@Tallaabo

said:</cite>

I think the only dreamer here is you. If as you claimed Somaliland has neither natural resources nor a useful human capital, why is then Koonfuria so obsessed with it? Why don't you and your follow koonfurians let this small patch of dry and worthless corner of Africa with few nomads living on it go its separate way and keep all the wealth and blessing in the South for the people of that region alone? I am sure if you guys leave us alone to get on with our lives everyone will be happy. The koonfurians will get to enjoy all their oil, gas, mineral, fish, and agricultural wealth alone without worrying about sharing anything with the poor folks from the North; and the Somalilanders will be content with the little they have and will never bother you.

 

 

Talaabo as an member of Xamar Clan, you and your SNM will never break Somalia apart, and we will always work against your project, a desperate project that steals other clan's land making you minority clan into a majority.

 

No single clan will ever become a seperate country

[Tallaabo]

<cite>

@Dalmar1

said:</cite>

Talaabo as an member of Xamar Clan, you and your SNM will never break Somalia apart, and we will always work against your project, a desperate project that steals other clan’s land making you minority clan into a majority.

 

No single clan will ever become a seperate country

Bacaac... keep barking.

[GaroweGal]

The territorial integrity and Sovereignty of the Somali state is enshrined under both national and international laws, so the notion that Silaanyo and his drenched and deluled folks have a right to secede from the rest of Somalia is incomprehensible and frankly laughable.

[Tallaabo]

<cite>

@GaroweGal

said:</cite>

The territorial integrity and Sovereignty of the Somali state is enshrined under both national and international laws, so the notion that Silaanyo and his drenched and deluled folks have a right to secede from the rest of Somalia is incomprehensible and frankly laughable.

Actually no one in the international community is laughing other than you guys in your unfortunate episodes of schizophrenic attacks.

[Dalmar1]

********************EDITED********************

 

Please respect the rules of the website

Admin

Somalia Online

[Dalmar1]

********************EDITED********************

 

Please respect the rules of the website

Admin

Somalia Online

[Tallaabo]

<cite>

@Dalmar1

said:</cite>

The only kind in Somalia to be known to bacaac obsessively 24 Hours from old to young is your kind, all around the world, physical or cyber its bacaacictraaf this bacaacictraaf that nonsense.

I think you guys have bigger problems like regaining your freedom from your Bantu colonial masters and helping rape victims in Mogadishu than worry about Somaliland, don't you?

[Dalmar1]

********************EDITED********************

 

Please respect the rules of the website

Admin

Somalia Online

[Tallaabo]

No I am not in a Bantu protected EU funded sorryland but accessing a privately owned, commercially oriented, open forum on the internet while enjoying the safety of London.

[Tallaabo]

Don't worry about me boy, 0 year old Somali sisters are in danger of being raped by the AMISOM who are also running over Somali aunties and uncles with their tanks on the streets of Xamar.

[DoctorKenney]

Tallaabo, Don't try to disconnect yourself from the people of South Somalia.

 

Don't try to disassociate yourself from the events in South Somalia. They're your people too. You need to change your mentality.

[Tallaabo]

<cite>

@DoctorKenney

said:</cite>

Tallabo, Don't try to disconnect yourself from the people of South Somalia.

 

Don't try to disassociate yourself from the events in South Somalia. They're your people too. You need to change your mentality.

You are right Dr Ken, they are my sisters too and I never dissociate myself from the suffering of the people of the South, but responsible is divided and it is men like Dalmar and his fellow mooryaans who are responsible for the security and welbeing of our sisters and mothers in Mogadishu and elsewhere in the South. But sadly, by the looks of it they can't even look after themselves and need Ugandan and ebola infected West Africans to protect them from Alshabaab.