WikiLeaks: Somalia

[Ifiye]

IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH SOMALILAND -------------------------------------- 17. (C/NF) Turning to Somaliland, A/S Frazer noted the recent visit of Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin to Washington. While some may interpret this visit as a sign that the U.S. was on the verge of formal recognition, A/S Frazer clarified that the United States was not getting ready to recognize Somaliland, but believed that it was important to engage with them to ensure regional stability. At the same time, A/S Frazer said that the United States would not be opposed to Somaliland independence if it should happen within an AU context. A/S Frazer said that she had raised the issue with AU Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare, who seemed to be placing unrealistic conditions for addressing the Somaliland issue. The first was that Somaliland negotiate with the government in Mogadishu, either the TFG or its successor, regarding its independence, and the second was that there be a regional consensus on Somaliland's status, neither of which are likely to happen or result in any clear decisions. 18. (C/NF) Meles said that Ethiopia's position on Somaliland was the same as that of the United States, but that the political situation within the AU was not yet ripe for addressing the Somaliland issue. Meles said that he met with ADDIS ABAB 00000286 005 OF 005 Rayale upon his return from Washington and urged him to write to the AU requesting that they identify a timeframe for a discussion on the Somaliland issue. However, Rayale "messed things up" by essentially re-sending his previous letter requesting recognition and membership in the AU, rather than asking for a timeframe for a discussion on Somaliland. Meles said that, if Somaliland had taken the route that he suggested, it would have been likely that the issue could have been addressed soon. However, if the elections for a new AU Chairperson take place during the AU Summit, Meles said that the next chairperson is unlikely to be as positive towards Somaliland as Konare, which will only further delay any discussion of Somaliland.  19. (C/NF) Meles also noted the complications of the current political situation inside Somaliland with the delays in preparations for the municipal and presidential elections. While avoiding any specifics, Meles said that the clan dynamics in Somaliland were out of balance, but that it was important to convey to Rayale that he could not rely on "outside forces" to tilt the balance in his favor. Even if Ethiopia tried to intervene on Rayale,s behalf, Meles said, the effort would

[Old_Observer]

Whether wikis or something else, the fact remains that Ethiopia's interest and Ethiopia's wish is the same:

1. Somalis should sit together and talk seriously among each other and decide/agree compromise what ever

2. Do this as soon as possible, the issue is not ging away by not talking seriously

3. The delay is only making you bitter towards each other and cannot plan or develop both of you

4. Get us to help with what you agreed, but don't get us involved to take sides from the begining. We will not take sides.

That is the policy and all actions from Ethiopia are based on that. This is only one more peace of information to show you that Ethiopia has no intention to take this side or that side, before Somali themselves come to a conclusion.

10 years with no agreement, except Shieks president that did something noble "let us not oppose eacch other for development projects" until we solve the issue. For that he got pumeled.

[Ifiye]

You are wrong.  Ethiopia with the help of other powers did everything possible to prevent the reestablishment of strong United Somalia state. Here your midget leader Meles and Mrs Frazer are basically frustrated the fact that the Somaliland independent project they spend so much effort is not coming sooner and both tried to pressure the AU to start the process to dismantle the Somali state.   

 

[Ifiye]

Ethiopia : “We will defend Somaliland,” Said PM Hailemariam Desalegn

By

 Abukar

 -

May 20, 2013

175

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn declared bi-partisan support for Somaliland in the case of military action against the threat from neighboring Somalia and other external militants such as al Shabab.

The Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech this weekend in the Ethiopian Parliament in front of Ethiopian legislators.

Mr. Desalegn specified that Ethiopia is ready to provide diplomatic, military, and economic support to Somaliland “should they need it”.

He underlined the long bilateral relationship between the two Horn of African states saying Somaliland and Ethiopia cooperate on many fields including security, economy and education.

He told the Ethiopian lawmakers that he recently dispatched more than a dozen directors and chairman to Somaliland as a part of a high-level technical committee that will study ways to enhance relations. He said he wants to expand existing ties to reflect on the modern geopolitics of the region.

The Prime Minister hopes the two sides will soon sign an official bilateral strategic cooperation agreement. The technical committee has been doing its studies for the past three years. Last year the gathering was held in the Ethiopian chartered city of Dire Dawa and this year in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa.

“Somaliland is a friend and a key strategic ally for Ethiopia. We will spare no expense to defend and protect Somaliland. We are ready to extend an arm of support to our Somaliland brothers every time they are in need of one,” he told the Parliamentarians.

He said that the Ethiopian armed forces were ready to fight along side those from Somaliland and offer them technical support as well as training. He said he was wary of militants from Somalia who are spurring out off that country due to military pressure from the African Union troops (AMISOM).

He did not specify if Ethiopia would support Somaliland forces against armed forces from from Somalia but he has indicated Addis Ababa will spare no expense to ensure the existence of Somaliland. He strongly emphasized that his government will standby Somaliland against any threat from “any direction”.

This is the first time one of the key nations in East Africa has openly offered its direct support for Somaliland since ending its bitter marriage with Somalia two decades ago.

The keynote speech by Mr. Desalgn comes during time when there is diplomatic rift between Hargeisa and the internationally recognized but powerless government in Mogadishu.

Equally it coincides with Somaliland’s 22nd anniversary of Independence from the rest of Somali Republic.

His message has received overwhelming support throughout Somaliland and residents have welcomed PM Desalegn’s strong support. Somalilanders consider Ethiopia the closest ally and their ties traces back to more than 300 years.

It was just weeks ago when Prime Minister Desalegn received the Somaliland President Ahmed Silanyo at his official residence in Addis Ababa.

The two heads of State concurred on the enhancement of security, education and commercial ties.

“Somaliland and Ethiopia share cordial relations of which we are determined to not only sustain but enhance as well,” President Silanyo told Somaliland and Ethiopian reporters.

On his part, Prime Minister Hailemariam, expressed Ethiopia’s interest in fostering stronger relations with Somaliland based on mutual benefit.

He said “Ethiopia is ready to further bolster its relations with Somaliland administration in the areas of trade, education, capacity building and port services.”

He also underscored that Ethiopia will extend support to Somaliland in order to ensure that Al-Shabaab forces who are fleeing from Somalia will not pose a threat to Somaliland

[Old_Observer]

3 hours ago, Ifiye said:

You are wrong.  Ethiopia with the help of other powers did everything possible to prevent the reestablishment of strong United Somalia state. Here your midget leader Meles and Mrs Frazer are basically frustrated the fact that the Somaliland independent project they spend so much effort is not coming sooner and both tried to pressure the AU to start the process to dismantle the Somali state.   

 

Unless you are doing it intentionally, you have misread the conversation.

Discussions, negotiations between Somalia and Somaliland was to be sponsored by AU. Since Somalia and Somaliland could not both confidently and contineously trust Ghelleh (both sides at different times accuse him and are suspicious) then Ghelleh said to prevent other powers from interference and also to make it more intensive and serious it should be done by AU.

First he suggested by IGAD, but since here again Eritrea and Somalia did not want. Ghelleh did not have good communication with both at the time and he came up with AU.

 

Meles and Fraiser are not saying Somaliland independence to speed up. Quite the contrary they make it clear that both US and Ethiopia have no inclination this or that way, but have interest that negtiations should start and speeded up.

 

Wouldn't you want that if you have interest of the Somali people at heart, even if you hated Ethiopia, kenya or US or anybody else?

Don't you want Somalia and Somaliland to sit and talk, like yesterday?

What Ghelleh could achieve was that both Somalia and Somaliland should not fight, should not prevent each other from development. Ethiopia also fully agrees and supports this. Only M. Shiek had enough courage to say, until we solve this problem lets develop our areas, if we re-unite the development will be there, if we go our separate ways the development will be there for the Somali people.

 

What is wrong with that?

The same principle A. Yusuf stated of the kilil. You have decided to stay in Ethiopia, make the best of it, develop your area. I have fought to take you away from Ethiopia and join the Somali people under one flag under one government, but no more. I support your choice. Have peace and prosperity where ever you are. You will be pride of the Somali people if you succeed.

What is wrong with that?

 

Don't define the Somali people by real or percieved enemies. Define the Somali people by what is in their interest and what they want. And then define enemies and friends based on that.

Example:

Absolute majority of Somalis from the kilil have no interest or wish right now to join Somalia, to join Djibouti, to establish their own country or to separate from Ethiopia. Therefore enemies and frends of the Somali kilil are defined based on this interest. Any one even the "super Somali" who wants to wage war between Somalia and Somaliland is an enemy of the kilil since the kilil will be affected immeediately.

Any one even a "super Somali" who wants the kilil to fight in Ethiopia at this time is an enemy of the kilil since he wants us to be fighting a phantom enemy until we are destroyed with draught, famine, underdevelopment etc.

 

Ms. Fraiser may have the geostrategic view of America, in the back of her mind, but Meles has the 6-7 million Somalis in the back of his mind.

 

 

[Dabrow]

Wikileaks is goldmine when it comes to information. for example Ghandis fear about a certain clan.

Ironically Ghandi and Madoobe played this clan game with the help of foreign armies yet after all this time their efforts have not paid off.

 

Gandi" said that President Sharif fully supports the plan, and that it remains closely held within the TFG. "Gandi" said the offensive must take place before mid-October in order to take advantage of current weather conditions that complicate al-Shabaab's efforts to re-supply through the port of Kismayo. The force in Lower Juba will consist of Darod/Kabalah clan militia but will not include Darod/Marehan militia from the Gedo region. Gandi said Marehan involvement in the effort to take Kismayo would be "horrible" and stated firmly "the Marehan can not go to Kismayo."

 

https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09NAIROBI1732_a.html

[Duufaan]

Wikeleakes is not holly. They do selective leaks. However their information seems reliable and what we already knew. What Malesawi did should not matter rather what Riyaale did.