Somaliland Call: Request from more than three and half million people to the International Community
When Somaliland and Somali joined, there
were no archival data about Somali population. Consequently, this forced Somali
people to measure the population of Somali clans on the bases of land they
reside. This wrong population measurement completely ignores the power of
population density. Indicative example is territorial and population comparison
of Canada and Japan. Canada; the second largest country of the world has
9,093,507km2 with population of 37,164,201. This makes its population density
4.1 per km2.
While Japan with 377,835km2 has a population
127,736,835km2 which makes its population density 338 per km2. Acting on this
point the Somali political champion began 1960. It began as intra-Somali
political rivalries. Intra-Somali political activities began as Somali clans’
strife for power and public assets. The southern Somali clans led by Darod and
Hawiye tried to dominate northern Somali clans led by Dir particularly Issak.
All of sudden, most privileged seats including the president, prime minster,
the speaker of the parliament, the head of the supreme court, military and
police generals, the head of national security service, all the ministers and
all tertiary seats including director generals and heads of agencies.
When Mohamed Hajji Ibrahim Igal began
bravery counter moves against these grave injustices, southern Somali
politicians began to divide the unity of exploited Somaliland people. Firstly,
they earned the support of Somaliland Hartis by tribal cause and the support of
Gadabursi by giving the deputy prime-minister and false promises which still
remained unfulfilled till the fall of the government in 1991. The ministers led
by Igal refrained the exploiting somalism and resigned from the cabinets.
Nevertheless, government manipulated and took mediocre-yes man ministers in the
restive clan and took them as substitute of these who resigned. When the
resignation of the ministers fell short to get response, the people of
Somaliland refused to ratify the first constitutional draft, which was
deficient, numerous important dimensions and had severe loopholes. In the same
way, the government ignored this anger-showing signal and continued to utilize
the rejected constitution. The highly trained military officers including Hasan
kayd walanwal, Abdulahi Kongo, Mohamed warsame Ilka-ase, Daud,Awil were denied
their exclusive right to take the command of the newly created military army.
The feeling of resentment of these officers was in dormancy. When it came
apparent for them that the vast majority of Somaliland people withdrew morally
from the exploitive unification, they tried to restore Somaliland independence
through coup in 1961 only one year from the birthday of the impulsively born
state.
Haphazard preparation and
underestimation of the opponent power (Government) aborted the revolution.
Grave injustice and substantial partiality led Somaliland people to become
fed-up about the unification. Time after time, the corrupt government of
1960-1969 was inclining to incapacity and internal chaos. The British
Somaliland people showed allergic about the lack of government progress and the
critical political and economic exploitation that the Italian Somaliland people
inflicted to them.
Whatever, some changes occurred to
south-dominated politics of Somalia, due to his farsightedness, Mr.Igal, became
smart and made use of the internal conflicts among the southern politician whom
were confused by the power share abundance. As the first term of Adan Abdulah Osman(Adan
Ade) finished, next elections knocked the door. Competing politicians for the
presidency were the acting president at time, Adan Ade and his Prime Minister
Abdulrshid Ali Sharmarke. Adan Ade nominated Abdulrisaq H.Husein for his prime
minister while Abdulrashid Ali Sharmarke nominated Igal as his prime minster.
Abdulrashid and Igal walked over Adan Ade and Abdulrisaq in the election of
1965. This victory became the vehicle which brought very first Somaliland
politician in the second most powerful seat in Somalia. Although the gain of
the second most powerful seat pulled one point of the justice clock hand
towards the equity point. The people of Italian Somaliland responded to take
all power again 1969 when Mohamed Siyad Barre took the power through military
coup.
The communist military regime took some
strides towards political, economic, and social developments concentrated in
the southern parts of the country. Factories governmental agencies and all
foreign direct and portfolio investments were confined in the south.
Governmental buildings were highly built in the southern cities. Paved roads
were in the south. Infrastructures such as bridges and paved roads were hugely
concentrated in the south. While everything was like that Barre’s regime took fetal
step towards political melancholy. The destructive nationalism dragged the
country to odd position of provocatively fighting with the neighbors like
Ethiopia and Kenya. Arrogantly, Barre’s regime began to prepare to fight with
Ethiopia. When the International Community foresaw the aggressive position of
Somalia, in which it’s military play hide and seek game in Ethiopia, they sent
many warning signals to stop Somalia to invade parts of Ethiopia. However,
Barre’s regime ignored warnings from the International Community and declared
full-scale war with Ethiopia.
At that time Barre’s regime set its
major political goal to get territorial expansion. By the same time major
cities of the country had no water pipelines, dependable electricity,
illiteracy was high, infant mortality was extremely far above the ground and
daily incomes of Somali people both in the rural and urban settlements were far
below the poverty line.
Extraordinary unemployment was lasting.
At the same time as the citizens under its control were starving substantial
part of the government budget were devoted for military armament and massive
expenditure for ammunition procurements. Instead of promoting the living
standards of its citizens and pull the lives of its people from the impoverishment
and extreme poverty, Barre’s government put incalculable energy for
building the military personnel and procurement of different ammunitions like
armored, infantry, and artillery facilities. The military buildup led Barre’s
regime to unjustifiable temptation to attack Ethiopia. Like the devil action of
1964 in which Somalia took aggressive war of invading parts of Ethiopia and
Kenya. The wars of 1964 and 1977 with Ethiopia claimed huge lives, assets, and
private properties. It also destroyed interdependence, cooperation of
collective security among the two countries, and inclusive economic and social
upward mobility for all the countries in the region. Destructive nationalism of
Somalia from 1960-1991 became the sparkplug of endless hostilities and negative
competition among the countries in the region.
The luxurious lives with infinite
freedom, prosperity, harmony, fulfilling, and promising future were proved null
by the deeply atrocities and genocides. The rights which some Somali clans
receive were incalculable while the rights others receive were near zero level.
This apparent inequality came up with up grave anger and resistance from the
exploited clans.
All of sudden, political conflicts
erupted from their latent pimples like a molten volcanic emission. Civil war
began when Somali National Movement (SNM) was announced in London 1981. SNM
became the greatest demolisher to Barre’s government. The resistance from SNM
attracted a disproportionate carnage and destruction of public and private
properties of northern clans in the ex-Republic of Somalia and the most badly
treated clan was Issak. By the same time, the government
violence towards the restive clan was intensified. Particularly the Issak clan
encountered more than 99% of that organized murder and collective punishment.
Among the hardest ones was deliberate
genocide and nationalization of personal properties. When the hostility between
the government and the northerners intensified, the government began
unjustifiable brutalities against them. Killing, torture, rape, pillage, and
other countless cruelties was under taken.
In 1988, Barre’s government did the
exhibition of October (the coup day) and added the corpses of SNM militiamen in
the parade. This amoral degradation of the innocent citizens and humanity as
whole is a sign for the depth of brutalities against innocent civilians. During
the conflict when the fighting between SNM militia and the government
intensified brutalities reached unacceptable level in which human senses could
not tolerate. When the government found hard to defeat the SNM forces, it
decided to punish innocent civilians without any mentionable crimes they do.
National security service agents compose false accusations against Hargeise,
Buruo, Erigavo, Berbera, and Gabiley. In reference, the government began to
imprison Somaliland national merchants, politicians, and educators. The death
of the punishments reached degree beyond human thoughts.
Resident of Hargeise, Buruo, Erigavo,
Berbera, and Gabiley began to flee from their homes to the countryside around
these cities and Ethiopia. Of these who fled to the suburbs of the cities
became the subject of spiteful attacks from Somali bombers and jets. The
fighting intensified and the government killed civilians and indiscriminately destroyed
Somaliland cities. For instance, Hargeise was ruined in an unacceptable manner.
Three out of four of the buildings were destroyed to the foundation level.
You could see Hargeise bungalows’ and
Semi-dethatched houses changed instantaneously into cemeteries. The remnant
dusts from the destruction still haunt the streets of Somaliland capital. If
you walk several meters in Hargeise, your shining shoes quickly change into
dusty one because the sand mixed with old cement become ugly coat to your
shoes. The private assets looted from the citizens of Hargeise, Buruo, Berbera,
Gabiley can be estimated over billion dollars. More than two and half million
people fled from these towns and left valuable assets behind.
The most violent incident was Aljazeera
genocide. It was 26th anniversary of Aljazeera genocide. Omar
Muse Mire was narrating the ghastly slaughter that happened in Mogadisho.This
horrific massacre occurred in July 17, 1989. Somali armed forces gathered 47
individuals with different ages from their homes. Without any legal process,
the 47 individuals had been directly transported to Aljazeera coast and were
executed by the Somali armed forces and then buried in mass grave in this
coast. Had Omar Muse Mire not survived from this ruthless genocide, this
shocking genocide would have been out of world’s notice.
Another cruel act of violence happened
Berbera. As Jose Baraybar mentioned, Somali armed forces actions in Berbera
claimed huge lives of innocent civilians. At least five hundred individuals
were murdered in Berbera, which was not object of an SNM attack or the scene of
conflict. 500 individuals, and perhaps many more Issak men were systematically
rounded up and murdered, mainly by having their throats cut, and then buried in
mass graves, during the four month following the intensification of the
conflict, apparently solely because they were Issak.
Amid this political doom of 1960-1991,
all Somaliland cities had no the most important infrastructures and utilities
like paved roads, bridges, and reliable town plan, strong electricity, reliable
water supply, and telecommunications. Although all Somaliland settlements
hired extreme backwardness from the rule of ex-Republic of Somalia, hardest hit
areas was Awdal region. The most politically disadvantaged clan that Somali
government in 1960-1991 served against its interest was Gadabursi. Share from
the civil servants, the armed personnel, the infrastructures and the useful
projects that Gadabursi used to receive from Somalia were extremely marginal.
For instance, Gadabursi had only one
Military General while Arabs who are not Somali nationals had five Generals in
the armed forces. Gadabursi also had one minister while smaller clans had
several key ministers. Borama, which is considered to be among the four largest
Somali cities was totally neglected and ignored. There were no town plans.
Streets are too narrow for the use of traffic and people. No avenues
appropriate for different functions of city markets. There were no utilities
necessary for the life of the citizens no electricity, no water pipelines, no
telephones. Let along to have these necessary utilities, the governmental
buildings built during 1960-1991 were no more than ten houses. The buildings
hired from British rule were more than the buildings built by Somali government
for public functions and propose. Two square meters chamber near Borama
municipality as Traffic Police headquarter show clear picture about the
intentional sabotage of the city growth.
When an overwhelming number of Borama
students outnumbered the capacity of British built Amoud Secondary School and
it became compulsory for the students to have extra classrooms, Borama
residents asked for the government to build new secondary school for the town.
Despite the massive governmental budget and massive foreign debt and grants the
government receives, the government answer for Borama request was negative. For
that reason, Borama residents began to build Sh:Ali Jawhar secondary school
without any governmental help. The women who partook building task and carried
heavy stones suffered dangerous miscarriages.
To appease Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) led by Abdullah Yusuf, the Somali road project which continuous around Kalabaydh was illegally shifted to Gorowe-Bosaso road project, which was not in the plan of Somali road corridor from Kismayo to Zaila. If there was no road project shifting, the paved corridor would reach Zaila before 1987 and the life of Awdal region would be better. Zaila and Lugyaha would not be victims trapped behind Golis Mountains.
To appease Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) led by Abdullah Yusuf, the Somali road project which continuous around Kalabaydh was illegally shifted to Gorowe-Bosaso road project, which was not in the plan of Somali road corridor from Kismayo to Zaila. If there was no road project shifting, the paved corridor would reach Zaila before 1987 and the life of Awdal region would be better. Zaila and Lugyaha would not be victims trapped behind Golis Mountains.
Another atrocity inflicted to the
Awdalites was the ruthless assassination of Colonel Farah Awale Bustale who
treated the ruling clan as an equal citizen and used to stand up for the rights
of his people. Another deliberate evil action inflicted to the Awdalites was
the harsh crimes committed by the military and police commanders in Awdal.
Understandable example was Bashirdhere. Bashidhare committed unforgiving crimes
in Awdal region. This man was an arrogant Anti Aircraft Artillery commander who
did many beyond the pale crimes in Awdal region. Bashirdhere neglected his
responsibility to protect the city from Mungistu air raid. Because of his
severe negligence, the gunners of Anti Aircraft Artillery weapons went to the
downtown to have morning Khat chewing session (Jabane) when Mingusto bombers
raided Borama elementary school and the city as whole. That raid left the
largest human casualties Somali city ever encountered. Bashirdhere who did this
great mistake got no punishment as replacement for he was promoted.
Another great sabotage for the
socio-economic growth of Awdalites was the dislocation of Awdal capital from
Borama to Baki. This move implanted fear into the people, particularly;
merchants became reluctant to invest the growth of the city because they were
afraid of the rapid dislocation.
The strongest point, which verified
Barre’s government, was serving against the interest of Gadabursi same as the
Issak’s one was the intentional positioning of refugees from the Somali
settlements in Ethiopia. We had three great refugee camps in Awdal. One was in
Darbihore near Harirad, another was in Daraymaine near Borama, and another one
was in Dila. With help of the government, those refugees began to argue the
ownership of farms and grazing lands with local residents and quickened
deforestation and desertification.
Most apparent example is the insistent
desire which the people of the southern part of the ex-republic of Somalia want
to exploit the Somaliland people particularly the Awdalites is that the
political representative shares Awdalites have in the dummy run like so called
“ federal government “ of Somalia are nowhere near the political
shares which Awdalites have in Somaliland. In the legislature department of the
Federal Government, nine representatives were given to Gadabursi and the sum of
the parliament is 275. This made Gadabursi representatives to be 3%. Awdalites
get only minister in more than 70 ministerial positions. These tiny shares tend
Gadabursi political shares in the executive branch of the federal government to
be 1.5%.
In contrast, the legislature
representative of Gadabursi in Somaliland is 16% while executive representative
is 14%. This precise comparison between political shares Gadabursi have in the
rehearsal like Federal Government and Somaliland is indicator showing that
Gadabursi belong to Somaliland.
In the livelihood dimension, the level
of hunger and general destitution Somaliland people especially Awdalites
experience during 1960-1991 can be seen from the long quos and lines in front
of Borama cereal and grain griddling machines (Makiinad Hadhuudh). The wide
spread hunger, unemployment, and sometimes starvation coerced many people to
steal the griddled cereals and grains to feed their families and children. The
massive cereal and grain powders coerced griddling machine owners to employ
strong internal control. This was to make small cards marked numbers. As
result, owners used to make two cards for each member. For example, 1,1 2,2 3,3
4,4 and so on. One number was used to attach to the plastic packs contain
cereals and grains with small pine and the other copy was given to the owner of
the pack to prevent hunger-created theft.
With all those gruesome atrocities and
exploitations inflicted to the Somaliland people, the very first government
after Barre in 1991 began to ignore the leaders of SNM to have their say about
the future of the country. Without any regard for SNM, the front that took the
greatest role for government destruction, they quickly built government in
Djibouti. Ali Mahdi from Hawiye clan and Omar Arte Qalib who was not a member
of the victorious SNM headed this government. This unjustifiable contempt
became inescapable proof that the people of the southern Somalia are not ready
to redeem the faults they did before. Suddenly war broke out between Mohamed
Farah Aydid and Ali Mahdi. Almost immediately, Mogadishu changed into violent
ground. The turmoil in Mogadishu gave Somaliland people not find stable
government to talk with and later coerced Somaliland people to announce their
independence and to resume their rightful self-determination because there was
severe turmoil in Mogadishu and Somaliland could not have a political bargain
about independence with southern Somalis.
At Buruo, destiny of previous Somali
republic changed into its original form. Two separate states, Somaliland and
Somalia. Despite the massive destruction and deep hostilities created by
Somalia among Somaliland people during its decaying years, Somaliland elders,
educators, politicians, and Military Officers agreed to break away from
imprudently built Somali republic. Somaliland independence was announced at
Buruo in May 18, 1991.Abdirahman Mahmud Ali (Tur) became the very first
Somaliland president. However, the adaptation of instability and turmoil, which
was the common character in the warring years, hindered his commitments to stop
the chaos. Conflicts broke out in Berbera, Erigavo, and Hargeise. To take
proactive moves against Deeping disputes, wise sultans and educators decided to
hold conference in Borama. This sacred conference became the spine of Somaliland
existence. In this conference, a complete government, which consist three
constitutional houses was built. Bicameral House of representatives, Judiciary
House and Executive House headed by masterful president, Mohamed Hajji Ibrahim
Igal, who had a reliable aptitude and excellence to speed up recovery from the
years of turmoil and political hardship. Mr. Igal stepped several important
moves to settle the dire instability. He tried to create government structure
and its functional improvements. He made significant moves to anchor the depth
of stability by elimination of hostility remnants among the Somaliland clans.
He also tried to orchestrate governance with its well-functioning armies. As
well, he tried to improve taxation and real governance. The following points
could Igal’s prime moves towards developments and statehood
1.
Demobilized
militia and disarmed them
2.
Combined
militia from different clans to create national army
3.
Printed
Somaliland currency
4.
Set
the plan towards popular democracy
5.
Drafted
Somaliland constitution
6.
Held
nationwide referendum in 2000 to ratify the constitution
7.
Planed
Somaliland multiparty system
8.
Established
UDUB the very first democratic party
9.
Rooted
international ties
The period, which became the greatest
era in politics, was Rayal’s period in which all things turned to the right
way. He developed all the sectors of the country in remarkable way because
democracy gets greatest momentum during this period. The prudent president
employed the planed strategy of his predecessor. President Dahir Rayale Kahin
implemented the very first Somaliland elections. The far-sighted president
implemented local election in 2002, presidential election in 2003, and
parliamentary election in 2005. All these triumphant phase of democracy
occurred during his rule. The dependable president also built the army strength
and stepped several mentionable developmental moves. The key ones are
1.
Made
Somaliland passport
2.
Developmental
tax(D-tax) in Sanag and Sool
3.
Made
territorial integrity by expansion of the governance by peaceful means
4.
Expansion
of Somaliland TVs and Radio
5.
Implemented
Water project in Borama
6.
Removed
livestock sanctions by bringing Aljabiri in the arena(Arab Billionaire)
7.
Enhanced
relationships with the neighboring countries(Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti)
8.
Implemented
first nationwide registration
9.
Strengthen
international ties
Turning point of Somaliland development
is a period of Ahmed Mohamed Mahmud (Silanyo). The insightful president empowered
Somaliland economy, peace and democracy. He enhanced the economy of the country
by taking consistent measures to strengthen the economic growth. The president
along with his wisely selected cabinet prepared efficient strategy to stop the
progress of the wide spread corruption which was pulling the economy down as
same as the gravity pulls down upwardly flying space shuttle.
Mr.Silanyo won partial elimination of
the recurring corruption. If he was elected another term for presidency 85% of
the corruption would be eliminated. The brilliant president anchored the roots
of the peace. It is beyond question that Mr.Silanyo carefully handled the
recurrent tribal based conflicts in Sool and Sanag. President Silanyo kept
walking through rigorous difficulties to settle conflicts in those regions. At
last, he became dependable lifeboat for strictly drowning residents in Sool and
Sanag. President Silanyo empathically solved the conflict and became reliable
extinguisher that put out the flaming hostility and antagonism. The admired
president also strengthened roots of democracy. With razor-thin majority, he is
the man who accepted Rayal’s victory. President Silanyo also exposed
exceptional character different from African presidents and leaders.
He is the man who dispensed the
willingness of second term presidential candidacy and handed candidacy to his
party successor Muse Bihi Abddi. The glorious president is being ruling the
country with careful political handle. He will vacate presidency at time
Somaliland people enjoy to learn from his golden deeds and legacy.
- Hargeise and Berbera airports rehabilitated
- Started project to explore oil reserve(Genel Energy&Sterling)
- 100% salary increase for the public employees
- Dramatic increase of the budget
- Fixed asset registration
- 28 million dollar water project is being implemented in Hargeise
- Made military rank(Lieutenants, Colonels, and Generals)
- Democracy achieved serenity, re-opened multiparty competition
- Primary(elementary and intermediates) education fees freed
- Lowered the required age of political participation for the local elections candidates
- 1,000&5,000 Somaliland shilling notes printed
- Borama-Dila road project completed
- Erigavo road project started
- Somaliland development fund created
- Berbera port enhanced and expanded(DP world)
- 215 internally displaced house built near Borama airport to provide free homes for the poor and the marginalized
Because of these complementary works
done by Somaliland presidents and their governments, all of sudden, the country
from Zaila to Lasanod recovered from the grave exploitation people encountered
during 1960-1991.
The sustained peace and committed
policies of Somaliland to enhance economic welfare of its citizens can be seen
from the growing prosperity of Awdalites and you can see numerous families used
to buy Pascrice rice from food stores and gourmets enjoying delicious food in
the well-ventilated hotels (Ambassador Hotel, Rays Hotel, and Mansoor Hotel).
From 1960-1991, you could not see satellite dishes on Borama houses and
families had no possession of videos. The only thing you could see at time was
very little individuals who own radios. Less than 3% of the population in Awdal
region had radios. Today, you can see immense number of houses own TVs and videos.
Climbing up the ladder of economic
growth and material prosperity among the locals could be an indicator of the
growth. Both the ownership of private non-commercial and commercial vehicles
increased dramatically. The congested highways and the traffic jams in Borama
and Hargeise are obvious sign of vastly growing prosperity in Somaliland.
Another vivid example is the vast
increase of Borama water quantity and quality. Water supply of Borama was
exceptionally small and contaminated before Somaliland birth. The hardship of
bringing water from several kilometers away valleys in the eastern side of the
city like Dhamug and Daraimaine and the ones from bounds in Seraha(Borama
meadow) reminds me how scarce water was. At that time, daily per capita
water supply of Borama residents were less than 4 liters.
Worse yet, water from bounds and wills
were severely contaminated and used to lead Borama residents to encounter
severe communicable deceases range from amoebic dysentery to cholera, which
claimed tremendous number of children, young adults, and senior citizens. As
soon as SHABA was established per capita daily water supply jump from 4 liters
to somewhere above 30 liters. SHABA produces 3,600,000 liters daily for 110,000
people in Borama. The excellence and the hard work of SHABA enabled Borama
residents to get eight times more liters of water than they were used to
receive before. Efficiency of SHABA moved water supply from zero to acceptable
level.
Somaliland has significant resources,
which contains tremendous number of livestock (Cattle, Camel, Sheep, and
Goats). It has useful resource of Iron, Manganese, Coal and many other valuable
minerals. Somaliland is moving to develop what is estimated to be highly
important hydrocarbon reserves in the country.
Further, the economic growth of the
country skyrocketed and many small industries appeared. These small industries
covered the largest portions of the country demand. They produce different
kinds of products and materials. Among the most vivid ones is Somaliland
Beverage Industry (BSI). This small industry became the greatest investment in
recent years that Somalilanders invest in the business sector. With the
assistance of Coca-Cola Company, some devoted Somaliland nationals put hard
currency at about 17milion U.S.D to cover Somaliland beverage. The other small
industries, which surfaced the business sector, are Buruo soap powder
industries that completely covered the bleaching needs of the country. Another
business investment deserves to be mentioned are those that produce filtered
mineral water. Among the remarkable ones are SAMSAM, BIYO SIXA, MAAXDA, SHIFO,
MIINA, and XAYAAT. These factories promoted the supply of dependable mineral
waters, which in turn elevated the consumption of healthy waters.
The prominent investment that deeply
enhanced the standard of living, facilitated the connectivity, and improved
relationships among Somaliland people are telecommunication business. These
industries provide the cheapest telephones service for the nationals. Remarkable
businesses in the telecommunication sector are TELESOM and SOMTEL. Beside their
diligent service for the people to wide coverage telephones, they supplement a
kind of electronic money known ZAAD and eDahab that simplified banking and
business transactions.
Another notable business investment is
SOMCABLE. This incomparable company brought the fastest and the most effective
internet service in Somaliland. Before the emergence of SOMECABLE, using
internet had been as difficult as climbing Mount Everest. The presence of
SOMCABLE is beneficial for all Somaliland citizens because it eliminated
sluggish internet service and the annoying waiting which bothered internet
users. It also provides the cheapest and the most effective internet service
for the people. The appearance of this useful company is the dawn of
information explosion age for Somaliland people. Before the onset of SOMCABLE,
using the internet was frustrating. Even if you have five dollars in your
pocket, you were not sure to get your requirements from the internet. Now with
existence of SOMCABLE you can enjoy internet usage while you have only
twenty-five cents in your pocket
In the progress dimension, Somaliland
government completed more than 30 kilometers between Borama and Dila and 10
paved highway roads in Borama. The government also built 215 internally
displaced homes for the poor while Somali government from 1960-1991 which had
international recognition and had access to borrow money from the IMF,
International Banks, and IGOs failed to lay only one kilometer of paved road in
the region.
We met better fate in Somaliland then
what we had met in Somali before. We achieved the top of Somaliland government.
President Dahir Rayale won presidency in 2003. This historic victory proved
that Somaliland people passed the level of tribal discrimination. The most
effective pipeline system for water supply was implemented in Borama. This
effective project promoted water supply for the locals and tended Borama
citizens to find abundant water.
President Igal enthusiastically
supported the initiative in which somalilanders want to start Amoud University,
the very first university in Somaliland. Amoud University promoted educational
and economic achievements of the region. Would Somalia allow and support
university headquartered in Borama? Even the donkey would answer no!
The roads that Somali government ignored
to build were restarted. Thirty-kilometer of Borama-Dila tarmac road was
completed and Borama-Zaila paved road project will be implement after
Buruo-Erigavo road project is finished. Two hundred fifteen internally
displaced homes for the poor people were completely built near Borama airport.
Once deserted cemetery like city with no able electricity, no medical centers,
and no economic activities got 24 hours electricity generated by Borama Power
Station (BPS). This company provides 75% of the electricity supply and it is
the most effective and most industrious electricity company in the region.
The mistreated city changed now into
heaven that accommodates university students from all parts of Somaliland and
Somalia. Borama also became the center of reliable hospitals, which attract
patients from all Somali settlements. For instance, the case of fistula, once
deserted city without signs to claim city title, now receives medical patients
from all parts of the ex-republic of Somalia. Borama receives fistula patients
from Mogadishu once the capital of the ex-republic of Somalia. Fistula is
deadly anatomical complication that affected the reproductive organs of the females.
This dangerous complication recently surfaced to be among the recurring
complications which numerous mothers in the Somali speaking community stager
under its hazardous effect. This lethal complication intertwines the end of the
excretory path (Anus) and the reproductive organ (Vagina) of the affected
females. Because of Somaliland fast development, Borama earned and secured a
status to host medical patients which Mogadishu hospitals and doctors failed to
solve.
Consequently, among the successful operations
and medications they do, the best hospital to solve such like this unkind
complication is AlAAE hospital, which is among the most sophisticated hospitals
in the Horn of Africa. Because of Somaliland deeply anchored peace and fast
economic growth, the most talented doctors remained to stay in Borama,
Hargeise, and Buruo. If Somaliland people do not retain their self-worth, these
doctors would not be their current location and migrate to Mogadishu and this
could detract the growth of the Somaliland cities.
Arbitrating Somalia and Somaliland International Community should consider undignified deeds of Somalia and the noble performance of Somaliland. The people of southern part of the ex-republic of Somalia created sea-piracy, which is a drastic problem in the Horn of Africa. It is a great threat to the international sea routes that transport the largest portion of international exchange of commodities and materials. Sea-piracy is nearly to blockade shipments and hugely increased shipping expenses. Since the beginning of this ailing piracy, numerous countries, companies, and even individuals were forced to lose incalculable amounts of money. Due to this horrible piracy, the world was forced to make Multinational Task Force to fight against this tragedy.
Arbitrating Somalia and Somaliland International Community should consider undignified deeds of Somalia and the noble performance of Somaliland. The people of southern part of the ex-republic of Somalia created sea-piracy, which is a drastic problem in the Horn of Africa. It is a great threat to the international sea routes that transport the largest portion of international exchange of commodities and materials. Sea-piracy is nearly to blockade shipments and hugely increased shipping expenses. Since the beginning of this ailing piracy, numerous countries, companies, and even individuals were forced to lose incalculable amounts of money. Due to this horrible piracy, the world was forced to make Multinational Task Force to fight against this tragedy.
The unwillingness of the southern clans
of the ex-republic of Somalia to partake world collective security and peaceful
co-existence became the fueling factor that simplified for them to create this
evil piracy. The heaven, which accommodates 100% of the sea-pirates is the
southern part of the failed state of Somalia. Particularly it concentrated in
Puntiland and Galmudug. With regard of the recurrently changing political
climate of Somalia, the first makers of this deadly piracy were the warlords
who were the ruling hand of southern parts of the ex-republic of Somalia. After
the power of the warlord was eroded, the command center of the sea-piracy
shifted to the corrupt leaders of TFG. Immense money generated from the sea
piracy industry lured these corrupt leaders.
The counter argument saying that the
motive behind this tragic sea piracy was preventing Somali sea from
illegal fishing is completely false because extremely small segment of Somali
community whether they reside in the coast or in the other parts of the country
depend on fish as meat source. If someone goes to the coastal cities and
villages of the ex-republic of Somalia, lamb, beef, and camel flesh will be the
only available meat he/she must eat. While he/she is only few meters from the
waters of Indian Ocean and red-sea, yearning delicious fish meat coerce him/her
to buy canned Tuna fish from the local shops. Describing sea-piracy as a
voluntary coast guard is a ridiculous justification composed by the pirates and
their investors.
Equally wrong to say that these reckless
sea-piracy are protecting dumping radio-active nuclear waste from the sea
because pirates and their master minders are those who take dumping contracts
from any group in exchange of money.
Contrary to that, Somaliland has no
powerful coast guard and efficient naval facilities that enable it to take fast
strides to combat with this deadly sea-piracy. Positive core of Somaliland
existence, the will of its capable government and the determination of its
people to cooperate global collective security enabled this still unrecognized
country to make pirate attacks in its territorial waters and its coastline
areas zero. Self-made Somaliland partook combating wicked sea piracy and won a
complete avoidance of sea piracy in its territory. It also participated
tirelessly for the imprisonment, identification of those who involve it and
share information about sea-piracy with the rest of the word.
Making matters worse is horrors of human
trafficking in the horn of Africa. After the demise of the ex-republic of
Somalia, Bosaso became the center of human trafficking. Thousands of illegal
migrants from different parts of the ex-republic of Somalia and Ethiopia took
their way from Bosaso to Yemen. The migrants are extraordinarily loaded in
small boats with bad conditions. In this way, thousands of people lost their
lives through this deadly business. Ever since, human cargo business is highly
profitable in Bosaso. Human cargo business is booming in Puntiland because it
has clear admittance from the ruling elites of this autonomous region. In
opposite, no single boat of human cargo was shipped from territorial waters of
Somaliland during years of its existence.
Nastiest problem is terrorism, which is
tragedy for all states in the world. The southern parts of the ex republic of
Somalia became fertile land for the growth of terrorists seeds. Alshabab in
Somalia became among the most dangerous terrorists organizations in the world.
Alshabab and its bloody attacks could be an indicative example.
Gerisa university attacks in which
suicidal Alshabab members entered the University and took a large number of
students as hostages can be clear picture of Alshabab dangers. Alshabab members
classified students into two camps, one camp for Muslim students, and the other
for Christian students. Then, the amoral extremists began killing Christian
students and spared Muslim ones. The cruel militants of Alshabab murdered 150
Christian students. This savage murder and many other grave ones including Kampala
Cinema bombings in Uganda, West Corner Mall siege in Nairobi witness strong
terrorist willingness to create hostilities among the world communities and how
the southern people in the ex-republic of Somalia became one of the most
efficient means which terrorists use to perpetuate their ruthlessness and their
chaos-creating objectives.
Destructive nationalism appears in the
names of Somali district zones. Ahmed Guray, warrior trained and indoctrinated
to conquer the Hematic people in the Horn of Africa. By virtually related
cause, Halane was also named after many Somali district zones including Borama,
Buruo, Hargeise, Bosaso, and Mogadishu. Halene is regarded a devoted warrior in
the war between Somalia and Ethiopia in 1964. Ethiopian armies killed him while
he was trying to keep Somali flag erected in the middle of heavy war between Somalia
and Ethiopia in Wajale. Somaliland people erase these two names from their
hearts and forgot prejudices they previously maintained for Ethiopia.
Somaliland people also changed these two names from their district zones. In
Hargeise, Qule Adan replaced ‘Ahmed Guray School’ and “Halane School” was
replaced by Yusuf Hajji Adan, in Borama the name of ‘Sheikh Makahil’ replaced
‘Halene’ district zone. Ahmed Guray district zone of Borama was also eliminated
by splitting it into several small segments with deferent names. Sheikh Ali
Jawhar annexed part of it and Shaib and Sanberia (the names of west and east
district zones of Borama) absorbed the other part of it. Abandoning of these
two names ‘Ahmed Guray’ and ‘Halane’ is real proof that Somaliland people withdraw
from the destructive nationalism and the cancerous grudge that Somalis
maintained for Ethiopia. Disappearance of these two names ‘Ahmed Guray’ and
‘Halene’, which are undisputable signs of aggressiveness, proves that
Somaliland people refrained from hostilities, prejudice, and irrational guts to
claim part of Ethiopia.
In contrast, the people of Mogadishu
retained the hostile feelings towards the neighboring countries like Ethiopia
and Kenya. For example, the greatest military training camp in Mogadishu was
named after ‘Halene ‘The gruesome war of LUUQ 1996 in which Itihad extremists
tried to invade parts of Ethiopia before the mighty forces of Ethiopia
dismembered their assembly. Another vivid example is temptation of Mogadishu
Islamic Courts to attack Ethiopia. The fast growth of Islamic Courts in
Mogadishu and its willingness to disturb tranquility of Ethiopia, Kenya, and
the Horn region as whole coerced Ethiopian forces to take proactive move to
illuminate this imminent threat. Ethiopian forces attacked Islamic Courts that
was on their way to invade Baydhabo, which was the base of weak Transitional
Federal Government (TFG). At that time, Islamic Courts gained latent
institutional and military growth during the era of warlord sectarian
dominance. When the warlords of Mogadishu and its surroundings recognized the
stiffness of the terrorist militia and found hard to confront with them,
Mogadishu warlords began to unify their forces to fight with them but Islamic
Courts walked over the unified militia of the warlords.
Shortly before they faced Ethiopian
forces, Islamic courts leader declared that their militia would prey eidel Odha
in Adisababa. Ethiopian force met with the terrorists’ militia, forced them to
retreat, and later fled to the remote areas of the country. Frequent trials of
the southern people of the ex-republic of Somalia to hurt Ethiopia and Kenya
came in deferent forms.
1960-1991 the hostility towards Ethiopia
and Kenya appeared as cancerous nationalism and recurrent trials to hurt the
neighboring countries like the way it occurred in 1964 and in 1977. After the
fall, hostility expressed as war-lordship, as Hussein Mohamed Farah Aydid tried
to stab Ethiopia at the back during Ethiopo-Eretrian war in 1998. Aggression
appeared as Al-Itihad LUQ war in1996 and as Islamic Courts in 2006 and remains
today as Alshabab.
In the opposite direction, no single
trial to hurt Ethiopia was involved by Somaliland people. Somaliland people and
their careful governments stayed away to be robot machines used to destroy the
joyful stability in the Horn of Africa. Guest what? Somaliland people admire
Ethiopia for its being only independent African country before the arrival of
the millennia leap forward and for its being only symbol of glorious
civilization in the African continent.
Making recognition proposal stronger
Somaliland has remarkable Gross National Product (GNP), which can occupy good
position when ranked countries on the bases of their economic size because it
has great per capita income when compared to many world countries. As James
Reine stated, the per capita income of Somaliland is $350.Thus, the Gross
National Product (GNP) of Somaliland country could be derived from its per
capita income. If this amount multiplied to its population number which is 3.63
million people, Somaliland GNP be could be aproxmately1.3 billion dollar and
when adjusted for the purchasing power parity it become about 5.2 billion
dollar four times more than its un-adjusted one. Yearly adjusted Per Capita
Income can be 5.2/0.00363=1433 that in turn makes the daily per capita income
of Somaliland people to be $4.
Acting on those incomparable strengths
Somaliland has what makes us wonder is that International Community paid
attention to the calls from Tokelau and persistently do not take into account
the calls from Somaliland. Tokelau has small territory estimated as 6.3km2. It
has no farmable land and cannot produce any kind of cereal, vegetables’ and
fruits to cover the consumption of its people. It has also no commercially
valuable resource like highly valued minerals. Further, its population is less
than two thousands and approximately is 1,396. This tiny island cannot generate
enough economy to get well-functioning government. It cannot recruit enough
armed force both military and police to keep the order and the stability. This
island is twenty one thousand eight hundred times smaller than Somaliland.
While everything is like that, United Nations became very audacious to the
calls from this small island, which its financial survival depends on the aid
provided by New Zealand. United Nations sponsored referendum was held in
February 16, 2006. The votes that support its independence fell short of the
two-thirds majority required independence under the terms of referendum.
Further, this small island is under the
mandate of highly civilized people of New Zealand whom their political
administration and economic situation, social upward mobility, equality, and
justice are excellent and they never encountered subjugation and exploitation.
In the other side, many internationally
recognized countries could be tiny when compared to Somaliland. International
Community recognized Gilberto with territorial size of (6km2), Tavalan with
(26km2), and Monaco with (1.95km2) and overlooked Somaliland country which has
a reliable territorial size of 137,600 and enough population of 3.63 million
people.
More to the point, African Union (AU)
decided that boundaries of African country should be kept and accepted as they
were during the rule of colonial powers. This set of guidelines led AU to
recognize Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as an independent state and refuse
the illogic annexation of Western Sahrawi Republic by Morocco. Apparent reality
is that the African Union (AU) refused merging of SADR by Morocco because
Morocco was colony of France and SADR was a colony of Spain. Different
colonizers of Morocco and SADR and their different independence dates can be
legitimate factor allowing SADR independence from Morocco. This coerced African
union to dismiss Morocco from the organization.
Similarly, Somaliland was a colony of
Great Britain and Somalia was a colony of Italy. Somaliland took its
independence from Great Britain in June 26, 1960 while Somalia took its
independence from Italy in July 1, 1960. Making the point stronger, there are
no other territories colonized by different colonizers in the African continent
combined as one state apart from the ex-Republic of Somalia and Morocco. For
the same reason, different colonizers of Somaliland and Somalia and their
different independence dates are inevitable right which legally grantee
Somaliland independence.
Can unification legality between
Somaliland and Somalia be questioned? Yes, it can be questioned. During the
unification, no roles were made for the union. Voluntary unification between
the two countries in 1960 became short-lasting belief. Amid this period of no
written document for the legal union, Somaliland people, particularly, the very
first military trained officers who took their military courses in Great
Britain including Hasan Kaydh Walanwal, Awil, Mohamed Waresme Ilka Ase, Daud,
and Adbulhali Kongo tried to restore Somaliland independence 1961 soon after
the unification. The short lasting believe brought by the drastic injustice
shows you the weakness of unification legality between Somalia and Somaliland.
More to the point, Somalilanders driven-coup was aborted and the coup leaders
were imprisoned. During their trial, the court found no ground to criminalize
the perpetrators whom was accused treason. Their British lawyer won to verdict
them because there were no legitimate charter for the swift unification of
Somaliland and Somalia. At last, the officers were pleaded not guilty and
released.
Defending the unity of Somalia and
Somaliland by taking the theme that the world is more inclined to unification
rather than fragmentation is completely misleading. The skeptics of Somaliland
independence always take the evolving European countries unification as
example. To nullify this oversimplifying argument, effective unification and
fragmentation is situational. Unification produce fruits when certain society
is highly civilized and culturally prepared to form unified political unit as
the way United States of America is. This greatness could come when the people
have deep faith of equality, transparency, impartiality, and easy compatibility
of different cultures, religions, languages, tribes, races, guts, and wishes.
When people are error-prone and largely
inclined to intolerance, conspiracy, inequality, and exploitation, and
injustice, fragmentation could be better option. Great European empires
fragmented to form different states. The splitting of Roman Empire into Spain
and Portugal and Austro-Hungarian Empire into Austria, Hungary, and many other
European countries produce the current European states. After the separation,
each European country had been building its human, economic, social, cultural,
and physical infrastructures. When development of each European country became granted
and people became free from exploitation, intolerance, and the desire to
exploit one another, higher level of organization and cooperation became
necessary. Consequently, Europeans began gradual re-unification which still
continuous.
As the Europeans do, Somali people once
became one state. Injustice and exploitation strained and destroyed their
unity; war among Somali clans succeeded; two separate political entities one
Somaliland and the other Somalia emerge. 1,000 years of separate development will
be the next atmosphere. After millennium of solitude from Somalism,
reunification will be reconsidered. Now, unification is impossible, havoc, and
cataclysmic.
Heed, Somaliland people started
divergent route from previously traveled dead end route and turned towards more
productive, more secure, and more promising political route for its citizens.
Thus, EGAD and the international community should be aware that the white star
with five points in the center of the blue flag represent the ambition of
unified five parts of Somali settlements including (Ethiopian zone five,
Djibouti, NFD, Somalia, and Somaliland) is still alive while the black star
with five points in the center of Somaliland tricolor flag witnessing the doom
of that ambition. Which one of the two stars is telling the truth? The black
star stands for the truth.
Overall, Atom has a nucleus in the
center and the electrons move around it on their orbital lines. Same as the
electrons in the Atom track ceaseless centripetal motion around the nucleus,
Earth, Mars, Jupiter and the rest of the planets in our solar system run
circular motion around the sun. This observable actuality is showing us that
the smallest unit (Atom) which all the substances made of has identical
arrangement with the universe we live in it. Another obvious reality is that
the components of the Atom and the solar system such as electrons, protons,
neutrons, Earth, Venus, and Mars have all spherical shapes. Consequently, other
than square, rectangular, and triangular shapes, the favorite shape of the God
(Allah) is the circular one. Earth, Moon, Sun, Planets, most fruits, cereals,
and the Zygote have all spherical shapes. What the rounded objects and the
centripetal motion became God’s favorite shape and motion type has great meaning
that seems to be “whatever initiative somebody come up with whether its good or
bad will directly or indirectly returns to that figure because human deeds also
move in circular paths”.
Pay attention to, the move to recognize
Somaliland independence will echo good emissions to the world political course
because it will motivate good actions and discourage bad ones. This request is
from Somaliland people. It is not towards air, water, and soil circling worlds.
It is to our fire-circling world. Therefore, our fire-circling world should
recognize Somaliland independence.
Farah Barkhad Nour
Writer&Researcher
+252-0634455236
xamargure@hotmail.com
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