Somaliland Sovereignty is not for a haggle

The new Somalia president is miserably behaving like Mr. Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, Saddam Hussein’s information minister. He reminds me of Mr. al-Sahaff pitifully saying: “There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never!” Mr. al-Sahaff made this statement while the USA armored vehicles and tanks were rolling few blocks from where Mr. al-Sahaff was standing and  embarrassingly that event was being watched  all over the world on live TVs. To be honest, I even think Mr. Hassan is at times more preposterous than Mr. al-Sahhaf, when he cyclically and outrageously calls Somaliland “a Somalia region”.   Everyone on earth truly knows that Somaliland had nothing to do with Somalia before July 1^st, 1960 and again for the last 21 years plus.

Last night, in a life televised program in London Mr. Hassan alluded that there were undeclared surreptitious talks and contacts taking place between his government and that of Somaliland. He also added that he will steadfastly stick with his unionist agenda and would like to bring Somaliland to the Union of Somalia federation without the use of military force or diplomatic pressure.

In this statement Mr. Hassan was tactfully and covertly saying the Somaliland government is conspiring against the will of its people by holding mysterious on-going talks with Mogadishu. Consequently, the Somaliland government is hiding the essentials of those secret meetings from its people.  Mr. Hassan’s statement is preordained to create a feeling of suspicion and a rift between Somaliland government and its people. Fortunately enough, the international community and the Somaliland people know very well that the Somaliland leadership will never accept anything less than the full sovereignty for their country even if that will lead to a second round of a violent military confrontation with Somalia.

In other words, Mr. Hassan of Somalia is attempting to create chaotic disarray in the Republic of Somaliland, analogous to what is going on in his own country- the anarchic Somalia.  In the same way, Mr. Hassan is dutifully following the lines of threats used before him by Mr. al-Sahaff against the USA, when he says that he will not use military force or diplomatic pressure on Somaliland. What a military or diplomatic pressure could this helpless Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud exert over Somaliland? I would confidently say none whatsoever, because this was used from the olden days of Siad Barre to this present day and without a flicker of success.

I think Mr. Hassan is too naïve to think the people of Somaliland will respond and will give him the reaction he intends to get from Somalilanders through his malicious statements.  Mr. Hassan doesn’t understand the relationships between the people and the government of the Republic of Somaliland. The Somaliland government was elected in a landslide through one man one vote and on an agenda of working hard for the attainment of the full sovereignty of Somaliland. The bond between the government and the Somaliland citizenry is unbreakable and is based on transparency and accountability. Therefore, Somaliland citizens have full confidence in their government and Mr. Hassan’s theory of creating a chaotic Somaliland will never take off the ground. This is not the only time Mr. Hassan has made such an outrageous statement, but he repeated such malevolent statements more than at least four times in a raw within the last two weeks.

One other time he made an equally comparable regretful comment in regard to Somaliland was in a town hall meeting with Somalians (his compatriots from former Italian colony of Somalia) in Minnesota, USA.  In that meeting Mr. Hassan has made even more insolent statement towards the people of Somaliland, when he declared that the recent USA recognition of Somalia in his words: “will benefit all Somalia including Somaliland and the financial assistance given to Somalia will be distributed evenly to Somalia, this will in turn bring about the unity of Somalia.”  What a discreditable and affront statement to the Republic of Somaliland and its people from a hopeless man, who is suppliantly going around the world and asking for the monthly salaries for his government and his tribally selected parliament?

Take it from me, Mr. Hassan, you do not understand Somalilanders and contrasting to you and to the natives of your country, Somalilanders do not price their principles and sovereignty with material gains. This is not me saying it, but history is here to witness this indisputable fact. Hence, you must immediately and publicly apologize to the people of the Republic of Somaliland and must be on the guard not to repeat making such reprehensible statements in the coming future.

Let me be specific and give a hint of fact to Mr. Hassan and tell him that Somaliland independence was not granted by Somalia through a charitable and compassionate process, but Somalilanders fought for their sovereignty and lost everything they held dear including the precious lives of their loved ones. This time around Somalilanders are prepared to sacrifice even more to keep their well-deserved independence.

By Yusuf Dirir Ali,M.D