The government of Somalia has angrily condemned Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga after he declared support for breakaway Somaliland
– The Somali government said the remarks by Raila were irresponsible and damaged the territorial integrity of their country
– They told the CORD leader to keep way from issues affecting Somalia
The government of Somalia has angrily blasted CORD leader Raila Odinga after he declared his support for the breakaway Somaliland.
Ambassador Gamal Hassan of Somalia called Raila’s comment as irresponsible and would damage the country’s territorial integrity.
The criticism of Raila comes after he called on the international community to recognise Somaliland as an independent state.
Raila is said to have made the comments at Chatham House, London earlier in the week.
“I am a strong supporter of the full recognition of Somaliland. I think there is a very strong case,” Raila was quoted and it was this statement that angered government of Somalia.
The Somali ambassador said Raila should respect the sovereignty of his country and should stop meddling with its affairs.
“Politics of Somalia should be left to Somalis. Politicians should refrain from such issues,
“Unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia is inviolable,” Hassan said.
Somaliland declared its independence from the Somalia in 1991 after the overthrow of the government Siad Barre.
Somaliland has enjoyed peace and development as Somalia has struggled with war and terrorism.
The city of Hargeisa which is the capital of Somaliland is a hub of trade and commerce in the Horn of Africa region.
Source:tuko.co.ke
According to the speech at chatham house,by former kenyan prime minister,i believe mr.raila odinga very well deserves to comment about the east african politics.A dignitary from the region himself.I was very glad to listen his brave & encouraging speech at chatham house.He was honest & genuine about the documented history, of the so called somali republic,and east africa as a whole.I want to express my sincere thanks to mr. raila odinga.His words were undoubtedly brave & encouraging to any one who cares about somaliland nation.What i don,t comprehend is,why it angered & discouraged the somali ambassador in kenya.Somali is a nationality not a country.The fact is,greater somalia was a dream which emerged during the second world war.In reality,it tured out to be humurous deception.They say,”familiarity breeds contempt.”Somalia should deal with its many problems,& let somaliland deal with its own.Somalia should not deceive the world into thinking decent administration of them.Waa mahadsantiin.Alhamdu lilah.
Thanks egal. I trully support Somaliland in their quest for statehood.
“Politics of Somalia should be left to Somalis”, then what are all those external forces doing in Mogadishu Mr Ambassador? If the Somali sovereignity is sacrosant, then why allow UNISOM and the rest in Somali soil? It is such double-standards and double-speak that casts aspersions on the Mogadishu elites.
Raila is a respected Pan-Africanist who is widely read and travelled. He has the right to express his views in whichever forum he deems fit. I find the Ambassador’s angry rhetoric comical and useless. So many Kenyan regimes including the Kenyatta and Moi ones tried to silence Hon Raila to no avail. Does this young and inexperienced diplomat hope to muzzle Raila? Highly improbable and unrealistic.
Great point Yassin, unbelievable double standards, it seems Somalia has an obsession with Somaliland and not a healthy one. As the saying goes ‘people in glass houses should not throw stones’. Somalia should be looking to sort out the internal problems rather than focus on comments about somaliland recognition
If Somaliland is commended for its efforts, it becomes a violation of Somalia’s integrity, when Mugadishu officials are denied entry to Kismayo by Kenyan forces, it is a domestic issue how ironic! This is just another proof of the unrelenting campaign of Somalia’s administration against the will and self determination of Somaliland and its citizens but this route of theirs ends nowhere other than total failure
Right. Reminds me of the squabbles between the two Koreas: North and South. One is an isolated regime that is trying to rely on itself to make ends meet. Each time they launch a test missile into space, it causes uproars worldwide. The North’s situation is analogous to Somaliland: isolated, no recognition yet trying to survive by sheer willpower and self-determination of its hardworking people, who have struggled to rise above the ruins to rebuild their lives. Our development is the obvious envy of our enemies. Each milestone is treated with jealousy. The comparisons end there however. Unlike N Korea, we are a free market system. We have reached out to our true friends from the West who have representation in Hargeisa.
S/Korea relies on the US and other World powers for support, just like Mogadishu does. Sadly, the world is tired with the never ending problems in the South of Somalia. The difference between S/Korea and S/Somalia is that former has a good economy and is a newly developed economy unlike our Mogadishu brothers. Our economy is doing fine and progress is everywhere just like in South Korea.