To: Congressman Donald Payne, Chairman

Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health

2310 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, District of Columbia 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman,

Somaliland Forum thanks you greatly for your genuine concern for the suffering people of Somalia. As Somalia’s neighbor, Somaliland is equally pleased that you urged the many Somalia factions to focus on the needs of the Somali people while respecting the peace, security and governance of their country. It is our hope they heed your concerns.

Respectfully, we would like to bring your attention to the choice the people of Somaliland made in contrast to Somalia. Since 1991, Somaliland went on to build a stable and a democratic nation in East Africa without much help from the international community, including the United States.

Three Somaliland Presidents have been elected, as have Parliamentarians and regions in Somaliland continue to elect their mayors, counselors and other representatives. These elections have all taken place under the watchful eyes of international observers. The next presidential elections will take place in September 2009.

It has been documented on numerous occasions and many fact-finding missions concluded Somaliland has achieved greatly. In fact, John Drysdale, a United Nations adviser, wrote in the Economist magazine in 1995 “Somaliland is the only Country in the region that really works”. The people of Somaliland understood building their nation rested solely with them and as a result have not become a burden to the world community.  

Mr. Chairman, Somaliland became independent in June 26, 1960. After Somalia was granted her independence in July of that year, Somaliland initiated a “Union” with Somalia in the hopes of a greater “Somali Republic”. In return, Somaliland received 30 years of disastrous policies that saw the aerial bombardment of cities, the massacre of over 50,000 innocent people, and the displacement of over 1,000,000 and the systemic humiliation of the people of Somaliland. Amnesty International documented these atrocities.

As a consequence, Somaliland decided to withdraw from the “Union” and Somaliland was not legally bound as the Union was never officially formed. Somaliland citizens voted overwhelmingly – with 97% approval – for their Constitution which called for the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland. 

Mr. Chairman, Somaliland takes no solace in the suffering of the people in Somalia because it’s our hope that a stable and a democratic nation emerges. Somaliland believes in a peaceful coexistence with its neighbors and will work toward that goal.

Somaliland does not deserve the threat of isolation but rather the true engagement and alliance from the government of the United States of America. America pledges to support those who embrace democracy. There is no better opportunity to illustrate that pledge than with Somaliland. Somaliland Forum considers the language that came out of the June 25th hearings a momentary lapse and not the policy of the U.S. government. The tone set by a U.S. policy maker could have unintended consequences in the volatile region of the Horn.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, Somaliland Forum urges your subcommittee to undertake a fact-finding mission to Somaliland as you have to Somalia. Somaliland’s decision to restore its independence is neither reversible nor open to negotiation. Somaliland does not interfere in the affairs of Somalia and the U.S. continually infusing the two nations does little to advance peace and stability.

Thank you greatly,

The Somaliland Forum

Somaliland Forum is a nonpartisan and an independent organization that brings together Somaliland citizens in the Diaspora. The Forum helps Somaliland Communities and friends around the globe to work together and contribute to the socioeconomic and political development of the Republic of Somaliland. For more information about the Somaliland Forum please visit www.somalilandforum.com

Somaliland Forum Executive Committee:

Chairman:  Ali Abdillahi Dahir (Somaliland)
chair@somalilandforum.com

Vice-Chair:
Osman Hashi Awed (Canada)
vice@somalilandforum.com

Secretary:
Kaysar Mohamed Abdillahi (UK)
secretary@somalilandforum.com

Treasurer:
Ayan Osman Jibril (Somaliland)
treasurer@somalilandforum.com

Member-at-Large:
Ali Ibrahim Handule (U.A.E.)
xubin@somalilandforum.com

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1 COMMENT

  1. Friends in the Forum: Kudos to you for letting Congressman, Payne, know how we feel about his stance on Somaliland. Is is possible to send similar letters to US Secretary of State, New Jersey Senator Menendez?
    I am reminded of :
    "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

    ~ Edmund Burke, Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents"

  2. It seems Payne is ignorant about the success of Somaliland and hopefully will be aducated by this letter and many other Somalilanders who are speaking to him.

  3. Well-done Somaliland Forum, I am sure this will change Mr. Payne's poor perception on Somaliland and its achievments, 'success story in Africa' as many well known journalists and academics wrote.

    Thank you Somaliland Forum, it's such press releases that the reality about Somaliland is represented clearer. SLand Forum has been and will always be playing a decisive role in the fight for recognition and socio-economic and political development in Sland.

    Kind regards

    Saeed Furaa

    South Africa

  5. Lets put the facts to the world as we did during the struggle of liberation. WE have been too passive for 18 years now. Get your collective efforts together and show them we exist. Stop those who claim they are party leaders and at the same time destroying the very existence of SL. Somaliland is the people and not a few individuals.

  7. This look interesting,so far.
    If it’s not just all bots here, let me know. I’m looking to network
    Oh, and yes I’m a real person LOL.

    See ya,