Addis Abeba – In a resolution it issued at the end of four days meetings by members of both the Executive and the Central Committee, the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) said that the party has decided to bring the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland “to a practical agreement” while simultaneously giving attention to the principles of give and take to secure additional options to port access with other neighboring countries
The ruling party further said the MoU with Somalinad was testament to “Ethiopia’s position for regional economic and cultural ties.”
The signing of the MoU on 01 January 2024, granting Ethiopia access to the sea in return for international recognition for Somaliland, has escalated tensions in neighboring Somalia, which argued that the MoU violates its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The move also generated several diplomatic statements from various countries pledging their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
However, Ethiopia’s push back is so far limited to the statements of condemnation from Egypt and the Arab League countries, while it continued maintaining its position to see through the MoU.
Among the directions outlined in the resolution of the ruling party is ways tackling obstacles to Ethiopia’s economic development. The party said local conflicts caused by a “network of narrow group interests” were one of the obstacles evaluated at the meeting. Pursuing “peaceful options” that are ongoing with armed groups should be strengthened in order to achieve peace at the national level and “speed up the journey of prosperity and ensure public benefits.”
However, the party warned groups “who present their demands” through armed means, “a decision has been made to strengthen the appropriate law enforcement measures.”
The party said that during the four days meeting, its Executive and Central Committee members have discussed in detail and evaluated a range of other pressing matters, including agricultural productivity, challenges associated with procurement and distribution of fertilizers, export trade, mineral sector and sugar industries among others.
A document which explores Ethiopia’s current political, economic and social aspects as well as current national and international dynamics was also presented and discussed.
The party’s “five main pillars of the economy”: agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing and ICT and activities performed in these areas were presented and discussed and a direction was put in place outlining “the leadership and the members should work hard” together with the Ethiopian people.
Addis Abeba – It was a dark, cloudy night about 36 years ago. Everyone in Hargeisa and Somaliland’s other major cities was scared as the hills echoed the frightening sounds of artillery shells flying over and into the city. My father and other larger family members were unable to get their belongings and fled for their lives because the MIG-17 fighter jets were launching indiscriminate aerial bombardments. The Somali Republic’s national army, whose main mission was to defend citizens, instead killed, massacred, and bombed them. To my knowledge, the Somali Air Force’s MIG-17 was the first combat plane in the world to take off from an airport and shell the city itself.
My family and I were fortunate to be among the almost 2 million Somalilanders who made their way to Ethiopia alive; we had to walk hundreds of kilometers away from our home. Unlike other Somaliland infants, children, and women, I was fortunate enough to survive at such a young age. Reaching out for assistance is never easy for survivors, and we had to walk hundreds of miles to get there. Indeed, we survived; however, the Somali regime and its hired foreign pilots mercilessly massacred about 260,000 Somalilanders. The sole crime committed by these poor and unarmed villagers was simply “being themselves” and saying, “Enough with the injustice.”
For those who are unfamiliar with the Somaliland-Somalia situation, let me provide some background information. Somaliland was the first East African republic to achieve independence from European powers. Somaliland was never colonized; rather, it was a British protectorate, whereas Somalia was an Italian colony. Somaliland gained independence from Britain on June 26, 1960, and nearly 34 countries recognized it, while Somalia was under United Nations trusteeship management. Four days later, Somalia gained its independence. And our predecessors made one of the most costly blunders in our history: seeking to unite all Somalis under a single administration. On July 1, 1960, Somaliland and Somalia were merged without legal basis, becoming the ‘Somali Republic’.
The relevant government institutions in both countries have never ratified the union. Meaning that Somaliland has never been a part of Somalia or its newly established ‘federal system’. Somalis in Djibouti, Jigjiga, and Kenya’s NFD (Northern Frontier District) rejected unification and elected not to join. One year later, in 1961, Somaliland intellectuals and military officers saw their error and attempted a coup to restore Somaliland’s sovereignty, but it failed. That’s when Somalilanders were exposed to injustice, which culminated in extrajudicial killings, crimes against humanity, and, eventually, genocide by the Somali government.
To safeguard suppressed citizens, Somaliland intellectuals living abroad organized the Somali National Movement (SNM), which included an armed component that waged war against the regime. Because of the founding of SNM, the Somali government expanded its aims beyond cities and into rural areas. They devastated and dumbed down the population, poisoned it, and then bombarded it. That act resulted in an increase in the number of victims and civilian deaths. Fortunately, SNM’s courageous soldiers won the fight and deposed the tyrannical regime led by dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. SNM leaders, elders, and other intellectuals convened on May 18, 1991, to declare the restoration of Somaliland’s sovereignty.
After a decade of constructive reconciliation and state-building activities, the first constitutional referendum was held in 2001. Somalilanders voted for the return of their lost sovereignty. Since then, the Republic of Somaliland has held around eight democratic one-vote-one-person elections, with five different presidents rotating office peacefully. Somaliland has been democratic and peaceful for three decades, with its own government, flag, currency, and army. For the past three decades, Somaliland has served as a barrier between neighboring countries, particularly Ethiopia and Djibouti, and the rest of the area from terrorist assaults and other forms of instability.
Because we share a border with Somalia, which is home to regional, continental, and international extremist groups such as Alshabab, ISIS, and Al Qaeda, we were exposed to orchestrated attacks, but we were able to circumvent the majority of them with little outside help. Piracy was never an issue for us because Somaliland coastal guards prevented pirates from operating in our waters. All of these efforts were made with our citizens’ contributions and willingness.
Back to my point: as Somalilanders, we lost our bravest men and women in order to reclaim our sovereignty. Others were disabled as a result of their sacrifice, but ‘there is a light at the end of the tunnel’. The latest MoU between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of Somaliland brings light and hope to approximately 130 million people in both nations. It is time for the world to recognize our people’s rights and credit their achievements over the last three decades.
Our people paid a heavy price for their sovereignty. They created their own government, stability, and peace by contributing both financially and with manpower. This gift crossed borders and helped neighboring countries be stable. If democracy is worth dying for and sacrificing for, Somaliland’s people have done so. If peace is important to the international community and other international institutions, such as the United Nations, we have done our share and will continue to do so in other countries.
The people of Somaliland have long demanded full recognition. Sea access was another demand for Ethiopians. The recently inked MoU between the two countries meets these two lifelong goals. This Memorandum of Understanding is for a development partnership pact that will lift the people of both countries out of poverty. It encourages regional collaboration while addressing regional security challenges, particularly maritime security. Around 74% of Somaliland’s population is under the age of 40. They have never seen any government, flag, or nation save Somaliland.
I started as a two-year-old refugee in an Ethiopian camp and am now proudly serving as Deputy Head of the Somaliland Mission to Ethiopia. That is what being a Somalilander means to me. That is why I am so happy to identify as a Somaliland citizen. We deserve to be fully recognized as citizens. Our younger generations have the right to travel the world with their own passports, without restrictions. Keeping people in a country that the world does not fully recognize will exacerbate instability, encourage extremism, and give rise to unemployment rates.
Simply put, we expect anyone with common sense to adhere to this MoU and any subsequent legal frameworks. The inhabitants of these two countries will not tolerate any efforts that aim to keep them economically and politically isolated. AS
Editor’s Note: Barkhad M. Kaariye (PhD) is serving as the Deputy Head of Mission at the Somaliland Embassy to Ethiopia.
Ambassador Samuel Isa, Ethiopia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the Third South Summit of the Group of G77 and China, which was held in Kampala, Uganda, with the theme “leaving no one behind.”
Ambassador Samuel emphasized the growing importance of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in addressing the complex and interconnected challenges that developing countries face.
He emphasized the group’s collective voice as transformational and transgenerational, adding that the current global architecture is neither inclusive nor participatory and needs to be reformed.
On the domestic front, he emphasized Ethiopia’s impressive achievements in all development areas, particularly agricultural transformation and food self-sufficiency through national wheat production initiatives.
With regards to fighting climate change, he highlighted the Green Legacy initiative and its remarkable achievements.
Wide-ranging domestic reforms implemented since 2018 that have resulted in significant progress were highlighted as the primary achievements of a global south country, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He emphasized that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland complies with fundamental international laws, principles, and customs, including maritime law.
“This purely economic agreement is intended to benefit the citizens of both parties, resulting in peaceful engagement, dialogue, and a win-win partnership that promotes regional peace and prosperity,” he stated.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the 3rd South Summit Kampala Outcome Document.
The Minister of Interior Hon. Mohamed Kahin Ahmed yesterday visited the General Command of the Coast Guard of the Republic of Somaliland
Minister Kahin was welcomed at the command center by the Commander of the Army Brigadier General Ahmed Hurre Harriye and other officers.
The commander of the Somaliland Coast Guard gave the minister a report on the activities of the national Coast Guard, which is on duty day and night for the Somaliland sea patrol.
Minister Kahin instructed the Coast Guard to redouble their work for the nation and strengthen the security of Beaches and praised the army for their outstanding efforts.
It was recently when the Minister of Interior of Somaliland, Mr. Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, visited the General Command of the Somaliland Immigration Service.
Somaliland immigration chief Brigadier General Mohammed Hussein Farah Hiirane has laid foundation stone for a new ultra modern training college for immigration officers.
The immigration boss revealed that the new training college will teach immigration officers international level immigration curriculum.
He said, “This is the first time in the history of our country to unveil a college that will train immigration officers. It was long overdue, though time is of essence; it is a victory to Somaliland.”
Brigadier General Hiirane confirmed that the college was funded by the United States government through IOM.
The Chairman of opposition Welfare and Justice party (UCID) Mr. Faisal Ali Warabe has advised a cross section of Somaliland leaders to stop inciting the public through their social media accounts.
The opposition chief called on politicians and traditional leaders to desist from propagating violence and instead preach peace to the masses. He stated they should show integrity and protect the sovereignty of Somaliland.
The UCID leader urged the two houses of parliament to hold a meeting to iron out their differences.
He reminded them the Somaliland has remained peaceful over the years through consensus building.
The opposition boss called on the legislators in parliament and senate to debate the pending bills and come up with an acceptable version to avoid a constitutional crisis in the country.
He stated these sentiments through a statement on his X account formerly (Twitter).
He informed the senate and the lower House of representatives to properly review bills they forward to the president so that they are not rejected by the head of state because some important points were missed during the drafting of the bills.
The UK elaborates on its cooperation with the Republic of Somaliland in terms of security and the use port of Berbera.
MP Tim Loughton questioned the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will hold discussions with his counterpart in the government of the Republic of Somaliland on (a) regional security and (b) use of the port of Berbera.
Mr. Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office responded on 22 January 2024 “Since the announcement of the Ethiopia – Somaliland memorandum of understanding (MoU) the UK has been engaging closely with all parties involved, including the Somaliland authorities, to call for calm and dialogue. We are urging all involved to avoid action that would negatively affect regional security, especially the crucial fight against al-Shabaab. Separately, the UK is supporting the Berbera Corridor project through the ‘Unlocking Prosperity in the Horn of Africa’ programme. This has included £25 million in funding towards the development of infrastructure to facilitate access to Berbera port for Ethiopia and the wider region.
Dubai, UAE : 11th Edition of African Islamic Finance Summit is going to be hosted in Hargeisa, Somaliland scheduled on 25th February 2024, followed by 2-Days Post Event Workshop for Islamic Banking, Takaful and Microfinance scheduled on 26th – 27th February 2024. The theme is to highlight the emerging opportunities in Africa for the Islamic Finance Industry. This event is going to be organized by AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics UAE in association with National Insurance Authority, Somaliland and Bank of Somaliland under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Muse Bihi Abdi, President, Republic of Somaliland.
The agenda of the Summit is comprised on Islamic Banking and Finance Industry Practices, Islamic banking products and innovation, regulatory framework, policies and strategies.it also will include Takaful products, models and how takaful stands as pillar to support Islamic financial industry. Islamic Microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation, and how to achieve socio-economic sustainability. Islamic Capital Market Instruments and Investment Opportunities in Africa will be the part of the summit. The program agenda is based on all significant areas, opportunities, challenges, gaps and adoptability of financial industry across the continent.
The objective of the summit is to create a platform for the global think tank to share their experience about different aspects of Islamic finance industry. The expected speakers are from Malaysia, Canada, United States, Tajikistan, Bahrain, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Somaliland etc. This event expectedly will be followed by 15+ Nationalities to participate. It reflects the demand for Islamic finance appetite in the region. As this summit is happening in association with National Insurance Authority and Bank of Somaliland, the technical committee for the summit highlight the significance of the platform where international scholars will share their experience, and how through international practices, learning will be supportive for local execution to develop financial industry in more sustainable way.
Mr. Muhammad Zubair, Chief Executive Officer of AlHuda Center of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) shared his thoughts about Islamic Finance Industry as an emerging opportunity in Africa. Islamic Finance is not an option rather it is a full – fledge alternative financial system, he also said that across the continents all nations are ready to embrace the concept of Islamic finance. He acknowledges the support of National Insurance Authority and Bank of Somaliland to host 11th Edition of African Islamic Finance Summit in Hargeisa. AlHuda CIBE is pleased to invite financial industry of Africa to join in the prestigious event on 25th February 2024 in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
About AlHuda CIBE:
AlHuda Center of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE) is a well-recognized name in Islamic banking and finance industry for research and provide state-of-the-art Advisory Consultancy and Education through various well-recognized modes viz. Islamic Financial Product Development, Shariah Advisory, Trainings Workshops, and Islamic Microfinance and Takaful Consultancies etc. side by side through our distinguished, generally acceptable and known Publications in Islamic Banking and Finance.
We are dedicated to serving the community as a unique institution, advisory and capacity building for the last twelve years. The prime goal has always been to remain stick to the commitments providing Services not only in UAE/Pakistan but all over the world. We have so far served in more than 100 Countries for the development of Islamic Banking and Finance industry. For further Details about AlHuda CIBE, please visit: www.alhudacibe.com
Archeologists have discovered through meticulous and painstaking attention to detail that many of the ill-attended, yet-to- exploited landscapes of Somaliland were, in fact, part of a region inhabited by the earliest modern humans, hundreds of thousands of years ago inhabited by the earliest-known pastoralists of northeast Africa as the spectacular rock art of this region indicates dating back to 5000 to 12 000 years.
The paintings, the ancient towns ruin, and other traces marking the existence of past civilizations in the area still hold volumes of secrets that need to be unveiled.
Dr Sada Mire in a 2015 paper on Mapping the Archeology of Somaliland gives us a more detailed account of how important this part of the world has been to the world for eons past, stating that ‘the importance of this region is largely due to its locationat the heart of ancient long-distance trade…
-I am ready for the elections and if I am defeated as a candidate I will exit in grace, he says
By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi stated that the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia is a tangible MoU which would formally vouch for the nation’s sovereignty will be signed by both countries for the implementation of the agreement and the recognition of Somaliland.
The president of Somaliland emphatically gave the facts during an exclusive interview he gave the SLNTV at prime time on Tuesday.
The interview that was conducted by veteran media personality Hussein Abdillahi Deeqsi also shade light on Somalia’s hostility towards Somaliland, the issues of elections and the elections law technical impasse that has just been sent back the Senate.
President Muse Bihi also responded to threats from the Egyptian President.
The excerpts from the full interview went as follows:-
Q: Your Excellency Mr. President, I would like you to give us an update on the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
A: The agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia was an agreement which had the interests of both countries heart. Every president serves only the interest of his people. Ethiopia is a landlocked country with the largest population in the Horn of Africa, and its economy, is growing rapidly hence we know that it has longed to find a port.
Somaliland has been seeking recognition for thirty years. So when we talked, he (Abiy Ahmed) needed a sea and we recognized that.
It is on the mutual interest they get a base and we acquire our justified sovereignty given that they (Ethiopia) becomes the first nation recognize Somaliland.
And as per the agreement, both points are executed simultaneously. Those two articles are the basis of the agreement and the rest concerns diverse of cooperation in the economy, security, social sectors and climate change.
Q: The government of Somalia always alleges that they control all the seas of Somaliland, what do you have to say about that?
A: They (Somalia) know it that they do not and the world knows it; until 1991, when the former union government of the 1960s collapsed, Somaliland built its own government, and they (Somalia) separately built theirs. All our elections to the presidency are through universal suffrage but hey choose their president though the parliament we are totally separate states which are two different entities with different set of constitutions.
We chart our own affairs with the rest of the world just as they have their own course. They only live in illusions and sell to the world that we would re-unite in the future!
Q: Mr. President, we are told that when you met Hassan Sheikh in Djibouti before you went to Ethiopia, he agreed that you were two countries that united in 1960. Can you elaborate?
A: No one denies that history, not only him, but everyone knows, but he (Hasan Sheikh) is the one who is clinging to the dream that since we once united we shall forever be bound together quite oblivious to the fact that the unity was disbanded when we revered to our prior 1960 independence and sovereignty as a nation.
Q: The President of Egypt made threatening statements at the Arab league, how does this affect Somaliland?
A: The Arab league issued a resolution; Sisi (President of Egypt) said he will defend Somalia’s borders. The borders of Somalia and the so called unity stated in the two resolutions, if viewed legally, is as per the African Union Charter which is based on the fact that Somaliland is one of the foremost African countries based on traditional borders and Egypt is one of the signatories. The Arab governments that were free at that time know this. The question is which is the real Somalia border that is ought to be defended?
How could the Arab nations purport to wage war far away in Africa in dubious circumstances of defending an ally given that they could/can not handle the Gaza affairs in their own backyard?
The Arab governments could not even do as much as South Africa has done when it brought the Gaza case before the ICC, they could not do even that. When they talk about the borders of Somalia, are they talking about the borders of Italy, they know quite well that (the ill-fated union) was destroyed and separation happened in 1991. The Arabs themselves sponsored dialogues but to their chagrin Somalia has always undermined them.
From the military’s muscle point of view, what is happening in Rafah is the one that needs such help that they (Arabs) should direct to. I only deem their talks are just rhetoric.
Q: Many people still do not understand this agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia, for example, businessmen believe that their businesses will be harmed, can you dispel that?
A: such notions are from those who fail to see things vividly; the fact is quite clear since the base will be leased to the Ethiopian navy. Our trade, our customs and the port of Somaliland belong to us cannot be interfered with. It is agreed that Ethiopia’s imports and exports should go through the port of Berbera.
There is no merchandise or goods to go through the leased base. So I think that the party that opposes the agreement is only peddling the Somalia insinuations since the matter is clear. People who naively say that infidels are taking over us are claims by extremists. The Somalis living in Ethiopia are the third largest ethnic group after the Amharas and Oromos. You see the development of the Somali region of Ethiopia in the last twenty years.
Horn of Africa ports today is oriented towards clinching the most market deals from Ethiopia. The ports of Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti are competing for it. So I’m saying that there are a lot of business opportunities and closer bilateral relations that are going to be realized by these ventures.
We have built such a port (Berbera) while targeting Ethiopian markets and the agreement should contribute to bolstering and fledgling of just that venture.
Q: Mr. President does the agreement vouch for Ethiopia recognizing Somaliland as an independent country?
A: Yes, the official declaration upon signing the treaty of the agreement will clearly spell out that Ethiopia recognizes Somaliland as a nation.
It would be contained in the same dossier hence signatures will be appended as two governments in agreement.
Q: The agreements between Somaliland and Somalia have all been reneged by Somalia. Can you tell us about them?
A: There were many, the one that is often discussed is how to manage bilateral economy. When ICAO was being transferred from Somaliland and Somalia, they signed an agreement that we should take over from ICAO and share them. Due to some failure of being not vigilant on our part as Somaliland, the non-recognition status had us short-circuited in the deal. This is similar to all international grants over the last three decades that we never received our shares, save for only a sole educational grant.
It is a raw deal if you enter into an agreement with them while they recognized and we are not, nothing becomes tangible. What Hassan Sheikh has expressed and depicted in Somalia now makes things clear as has now been witnessed, since they have gone berserk when they heard about the Somaliland-Ethiopia MoU agreement; I think if they had any military capabilities he would have immediately attacked us.
Q: The long coast of Somaliland has never had any acts of piracy, and whereas Somalia claims rule over it, what is your take on this?
A: That claim holds no water since it’s not in their backyard and the past union had crumbled whereby Somaliland re-asserted its independence.
Q: President, there is an election law for legislative councils, especially the House of Representatives. Lawyers and the opposition say that the president rejected that law and returned it to the Senate. What about it?
A: This matter is between the two chambers, our parliament is a bi-cameral august house. Our parliament is divided into two houses, upper and lower, the upper is the Senate and the lower is the House of the Representatives. When the two chambers meet, they are chaired by the Speaker of the Senate. Every law goes through three stages, the one who creates it is the executive council (Government) or if one of the two councils creates it, the one who creates it forwards it to the other two councils. If the two councils pass a law, they will submit it to me, so I (the President) will check if it is in accordance with the constitution, if it is not in accordance with the constitution, I will resend it.
If the two houses of the parliament are together and if they vote with two thirds, I cannot resend it, but if I see that it is wrong, I will send it to the Supreme Court for directions. This bill has just been submitted by the House of Representatives, and before I delved into it a letter from the Speaker of the House of Parliament asked that the bill is reverted to them since it had not undergone complete due processes.
I returned it to them such that they may thrash the differences attributed. If they at last return it to me for en-action, and it is as per constitution, I would do the necessary obligations, and if the president fails to do so in 21 days it becomes law by default.
This is nothing to confuse people and not an issue to make fuss about. So leave the debate between the two houses of parliament. Let those in the opposition who cry foul wait for the due process to be completed.
Q: The presidential election is due at the end of this year, and you are a candidate while the people are alleging that that the president’s term is getting longer, what do you say to that?
A: Those are flimsy claims. Those who were purporting to want swift elections happen to be the ones that are impeding the momentum.
Initially demos that were chaotic and had fracas that fatally claimed nine lives was focused on opposition of opening the political associations and as far as the new law is concerned I did not expect them to again tamper with the amendments made by the senate.
The elders who intervened on the issue of the law was mainly for the fact that the political organizations do not enter presidential race something that has been appended in the elections law. It was only or them to forward the bill.
I will tell you another thing that is not a secret about the two opposition parties that are currently being chaotic. We did compete in 2017 and we defeated them. Am ready for the elections and I’ll be in the race and would leave gracefully if I am defeated; but it is WADDANI that has been hollering that they must win by hook or crook come the elections.
I say justifiably you may win, but crookedly you won’t.
Q: Mr. President, what is your final message to the people of Somaliland?
A: I am grateful to the people of Somaliland. They are strong and noble people. They are patriots who sacrificed everything for their freedom and independence. From 1981 to 1991 they sacrificed their lives and money for their country. In four months of 1988, the United Nations recorded that 50 thousand civilians were killed by the Somali government.
Our people defend their nationhood and I applaud them for that, I say that we should adhere to the set our rules and regulations in our constitution and follow them.
We must observe the sacredness of the laws of religion and those of our tenets. I will add that if we disagree at all, we must protect the common good and interests that bind us together as a nation.
