The honourable Farah Maalim, deputy speaker of the Kenyan parliament, visit to Somaliland was well-timed and well-received. Mr. Maalim took it upon himself to see the truth about Somaliland. First and foremost, Somaliland become independent on 26th of June, 1960, five days before joining Italian Somalia to form a union which become the now-defunct Somali Republic .
During that five day period, Somaliland received international recognition from no less 36 nations, including the USA , UK , USSR , France , Ethiopia , etc. So, let us be clear about this, Somaliland was a sovereign nation before July 1st, 1960 , with a settled population and defined borders.
In the euphoria of post-colonialism, the people of Somaliland in their haste,decided to form a union with Somalia , a union that was not ratified by parliament or put to a national referendum.
The unbalanced and unrepresentative union eventually led to a the civil war of 1988-1991, and the bombardment by the Somali Air Force of both Hargeisa and Buroa, leading to untold loss of life and the displacement of the local population.
On 18th May, 1991 , with the support of all Somalilanders through dialogue, discussion and consensus, and irrespective of tribe or social standing, Somaliland restored its sovereignty.
In the intervening 20 years, Somaliland has been stable, democratic and progressive. Somalilanders of all social and tribal persuasion have come together and rebuilt their nation, rebuilt their homes, rebuilt their economy, schools,universities and hospitals and are engaged in combating terrorism and piracy.
Somaliland is not and has never been dominated by single clan, it was Somalia that was dominated and strangled to death by a single clan.
For example, the current President, H.E. Dahir Rayale Kahin is not from the majority clan. President Kahin, then as Vice-President rightfully ascended to the presidency upon the death of his predecessor, the late Mohamed Ibrahim Egal. A peaceful and orderly transfer of power. It was constitutional and it was legal.
President Rayale was re-elected by a mere 80 votes in 2003. Again, peaceful and legal resolution to any political issues. The President faces an election this year, and whatever the outcome, the transition will peaceful, legal and orderly.
Both chambers of the Somaliland parliament are representative of the nation’s many communities.
Every section of Somaliland society, political, social, economic, educational, and religious is truly representative of the nation.
Somaliland’s opponents would do better to stop spreading falsehood about the country and use their energy towards bringing about peace and stability to Somalia .
Mr. Maalim and his delegation visited Somaliland for almost a week. They went everywhere,saw everything and met everyone. They were met with a warm welcome and open arms. They saw Somaliland ‘s progress; its successes, its needs, and its set-backs. Nothing was hidden. In effect, they saw the truth.
And now, Mr. Maalim is coming under fire because he went there, saw the truth and returned to Nairobi “pleasantly surprised and very encouraged”. And they wonder why there is no progress in Somalia .
Ahmed Kheyre
A valid conclusion to the article, instead of blaming Mr. Maalim for visiting Somaliland to see with his own eyes the country's progress, perhaps the "greater Somalia" crowd should pay more attention to resolving the mayhem in Somalia.
"Nin dantiisii daayacay, tu kale cuskanaya"..
The stability and progress in Somaliland is commendable and I wish the same for Somalia. In my opinion Somalis are one people and they do like each other in spite of the fact they fight all the time. I work for a Refugee Agency in USA , when I welcome Somali refugees at the airport they ask me: Are there Somalis living in this City? Are you taking me where Somalis live? As soon as they see other Somalis ( no matter which region or what Republic they came from ) they feel comfortable and peace of mind. So my fellow Somalis from Somaliland, I firmly believe that we can solve our differences and build one country and may be call it SOMALILAND ( afterall the meaning of Somaliland is the Land of the Somalis. By now every Somalilander realizes that the ordinary Somali from Somalia cannot account for the crimes committed by dictators. Finally, as a former resident of Barbara ( my dad worked at the port in the late 60s and I attended school there for sometime ) I wish I could return to my old neighborhood and school without feeling to be a stranger.
Thank you.
We dont care what happens in US refugee camps or dentention centres, we all aware of such but Somalia and Somaliland are not a refugee camp or resettlement place.
Those places (where refugees are based) are run by Americans they have laws, education, equality and justice. Somalia was run by bunch of hyenas, we are in no way ever returning to that hyena's den, we gone Hamar, dont miss you dont need you.
You guys are direction and clueless without us we see it all you do is kill each others and never ends.
Enjoy your wars, dont ask us to return and put your houses in order.
Somalia is chapter in the history of mankind like the dinosaur chapter, gone.
Peace
Mohamed you make an interesting point, but it seems that it has been a long time since you have lived in the region. It is true Somalis, from Somaliland, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and any other places seek out each other when they are abroad, but it is not the case in the Horn of Africa.
The people of Somaliland welcome any Somali who wishes to live in there in peace and prosper. There will always be cultural, social and economic ties, but Mohamed, there will never be a political tie. It is the political ties with Somalia that destroyed Hargeysa, Burco, Berbera and many other places. It was the political ties with Somalia that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and displacement of countless more. It was the political ties with Somalia that led to mass graves, and the killings on Jazera beach, any so many other poor souls whose resting place is unknown.
Mohamed, it is the political situation that leads those refugees you so kindly welcome to the USA to flee there.
Somaliland and its people are adamant on that point. The political union with Somalia has failed, its defunct and can never be restored. It is over.
Mohamed, you are welcome to live in Berbera or any other place in Somaliland, but Somaliland and Somalia are two sovereign nations, as they were on 26th of June, 1960.
Thank you very much Brother Kariye for your polite and authorative assesment of the subject matter. I wish all the best for Somaliland Republic and for its wonderful people.
Thanks again Bro Kariye and take care.
Mohamed, it is my pleasure. You take care, and when you come to settle in Berbera, then perhaps we can have a lunch of delicious fish by the beach.
to said truth never have hope dat somalilland will get independent&deputy speaker farah maalim he is very wrong to go there othough he is de only politician&brave man in africa he is no 2 of mad mulla(said abdulle hassan)
txs