Somaliland: News Analysis

Quotes" "Democracy is an objective. Democratization is a process. Democratization serves the cause ofpeace because it offers the possibility of justice and of progressive change without force." Boutros Boutros-Ghali

"Peace, to have meaning for many who have only known suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health and education, as well as freedom and human dignity." Ralph Johnson Bunche

"There can be no peace without law." Dwight D. Eisenhower

Top stories:

1. Somaliland recognition is inevitable and good for Somalia
2. Republic of Somaliland’s presidential visit to the United States is a golden opportunity for Somaliland
3. Is Kulmiye’s historical opportunity for the presidency slipping away from their hands

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Somaliland recognition is inevitable and good for Somalia
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President Dahir Rayaale’s official visit to the United States is a golden opportunity for the Republic of Somaliland
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Presidential elections in Somaliland
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Qrarn party politicians need to respect the country’s laws and stop their irresponsible actions and rhetoric.

(1). Somaliland’s success story has made to the pages of the Washington Post and the New York times at the beginning of December. That good news has infuriated the anti-Somaliland crowd, who according to some reports have gone to illegal and uncivil means to combat that good news. Those reports said they attempted to buy all the copies of the Washington post and the new york times. They started writing letters to the United States government, some of them wrote to Ismail Omar Geller, the Djibouti president. They have nothing to show. Therefore, they resorted to a campaign driven by hate and jealous to fight against Somaliland. Most of their actions these days is in the international scene, where Somalilanders have a huge infrastructure. I wish they invest all that energy to do something about the intractable conflict in Somalia. Somalilanders need to harness that infrastructure. They need to start selling our great story and combating the baseless propaganda against our country.

A new country just borned about 20 years ago in the Horn of Africa. This new country was not new in a sense. It was new in its present form. In fact this new Republic of Somaliland is the heir of the Adel empire, a well-known state that dominated the Horn of Africa for about 400 years. Many of the major cities and the historical foot prints of that preeminent state can be found in Somaliland today. Since Somaliland has reclaimed its lost independence and sovereignty, it has taken tremendous strides towards the development of the country. They have made measurable progress in a number of fields, such as the economy, education, health care, democratization, safe guarding of minority rights and what have you. Today Somaliland has a Bicameral Parliament composed of an upper and lower houses.

The country has successfully held one presidential election, one municipal election, one parliamentary elections. All Somaliland major cities are run by elected city councils, who also elect the Mayor. Today Somaliland has about six Universities, numerous vocational academies. The K-12 education has expanded by over 200% for the last 10 years. A small town without a high school is a rarity in Somaliland today. There are three political parties as prescribed by the Constitution which can only allow the existence of three parties at this juncture. Therefore, it is amazing to me how the international system has ignored this unprecedented nation, it is unbelievable for the world to ignore this unique experiment. The time for the world to affirm this best kept secret is now. No day passes without the opening of a new institution, a new school, a new clinic, a new bridge a new state of the art restaurant and what have you.

These days, following the positive coverage of the Somaliland success story in the international media, the anti-Somaliland machine became operational in all wheels. It is time for Somalilanders to fight this vicious campaign against their country. I believe our struggle for full sovereignty and Independence is not over. We already created an irreversible reality in the ground. But the Siyadists forces we militarily defeated long time ago, are planning to thwart our hard won independence. But that will not happen. We need to challenge the legitimacy of the powerless Embagatti outfit. We need to have a permanent Somaliland representative in the Washington-New York area. This person must constantly have meetings with the international ambassadors, the Security Council and the General Assembly.

We need to sell our great story to the world.The world must acknowledge the miraculous events happening in Somaliland day in and day out. But world acknowledgment of our miraculous achievements is not a given thing. It will come through hard work, advocacy and agitation. Somalilanders in the diaspora must force the world to see the great things that is happening in Somaliland. They must show the inspirational and uplifting stories taking place in Somaliland.

The world and especially Africa and the Arab world must learn from Somaliland, how they have succeeded in their unique conflict resolution model.The violence-ravaged people of Somalia must learn from the people of Somaliland. Their resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, adventures outlook, persistence, love of freedom must be learned from them. Africa must ask Somalilanders, what have they done to make their country one of the safest places on earth, while surrounded by a sea of chaos, disorder and mayhem. The world must learn from this unique people and unique country.The world must affirm their grass roots based democracy, independence and sovereignty. The world must reward success, hard work and responsibility.

(2). We may be in an election year and support different parties. I myself will like another party to win the presidency in the coming election cycle. But when it comes to things good for our country, we need to support our president and our country. Lately there is a growing international interest for Somaliland. We need to make use of this great opportunity that has availed itself to us. The president’s official visit to London and Washington, is part of that new international interest on Somaliland. All Somalilanders and especially those who live in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area must come come out in force and welcome the president. This is an unprecedented opportunity for our country. We need to be speaking in a unified voice when it comes to what is good for our country. Our difference are minimal, they are mostly related to style, tactics and philosophy. We can resolve those differences to through our signature techniques we are famous for, peaceful conflict resolution-Somaliland style. Using that system of compromise, give and take is the right way for our nation and country. Look how intractable conflict destroyed our neighbor Somalia.

(3). Lately we were hearing great news coming for Kulmiye party. Different groups were flocking to the ranks of Kulmiye. The exodus from UDUB, the ruling party started when prominent members of the Mahad Asse subclan openly declared their departure from the UDUB. They have withdrawn their support for the ruling party UDUB and have put all their weight behind the Kulmiye party. The exodus from the ruling party didn’t stop there, many other sub clans and groups have followed suit. But unfortunately so far Kulmiye party seem to be a party still on the grip of few radicals who are vehemently opposed to change. These old guard still want to see their brethren in both the presidential and the vice-presidential slots. If Kulmiye party do not stop these right wing fringe groups from hijacking the party again, the Royal administration will be reelected and the change the majority of Somalilanders are demanding and longing for won’t happen. Kulmiye party must let the new generation to be part of the leadership of the party.

If Kulmiye party do not quickly put their house in order, UCID party needs to step in and fights hard, to utilize that opportunity. UCID party needs to fill the vacuum, had Kulmiye party squanders that huge opportunity that avails itself to them. All of a sudden there is a potential opportunity for UCID party. UCID party whom so many people have written off, may rise from the dead and will have a shot of winning the presidency. Therefore, I am advising the UCID party leaders to work very hard, put forth their agenda, explain to the public how they will be different from the other two parties. Kulmiye’s political infighting, the ultra radicals in the driver’s seat, grip of the old guard, lack of vision, lack of articulation of their political platform may open a door for UCID. You must remember Somaliland public are unanimously demanding a change of direction, and most of them would not like to vote for the Rayaale administration. Therefore, Watch out for the coming presidential elections, the picture is still murky, volatile and and unpredictable. but it will be a very interesting election cycle amid Somaliland’s rising fortunes in the international scene.

(4). You seem to becoming a nuisance or a torn in the flesh If you will.You are becoming very loud and on your way of degenerating into meaningless fringe group. I wonder why you will be having a teleconference with some Somaliland diaspora groups, when president Rayaale is in Washington. I don’t see that as a coincidence. I see that as anti-Somaliland demonstration. If that happens your nationalism must be questioned. Did your personal ambition and nationalism is mixed up?

Our president was invited by the United States government and this is a huge opportunity for our country. If you do that meaningless teleconference, when some of our enemies are planning a demonstration against our president, you will become traitors. The people of Somaliland have all spoke out against your imprisonment. That does not mean you were innocent. But they did not like how you were arbitrarily jailed without due process. They were against the unfairness perpetrated against you. But do not mistaken that great spirit as a support. You know the country has a constitution. Your problem would have been easily resolved through our judiciary. If the above information is true, Refrain from conducting your ill-timed teleconference at this time. I am also advicing you to avoid anything, which may jeopardize the hard won peace of our beloved country-Somaliland. Now you need to lay low.

We are a nation of laws and all our problems must be resolved through the avenues of law. Do not spoil the out pouring of Support you received from the people of Somaliland. Therefore, you need to slow down and tone down, until the legitimacy of your party will be sorted out.You are becoming louder and louder and in the interim your voice is also becoming shriller. You seem to be a group of people who are so obsessed with themselves only. Stop confusing the Somaliland public who supported you at your hour of need. It appears you already went too far. Stop tearing the cohesive fabric of the Somaliland people. You need to take part in the on going rebuilding effort of our country. Your actions must be something meaningful to Somaliland and its people. You know we have so many enemies who are jealous of our successes. You must be responsible in your actions. We are all watching you closely.

For now you need to cease and desist. For now you need to be good, law abiding Somaliland citizens. For now you need to keep a low profile and stay from the unnecessary limelight.

" Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" President John F. Kennedy
Suleiman Egeh

Email: soleimoneg@yahoo.com

Suleiman Egeh is a senior science instructor and a freelance writer, he is based in Mineaplis, Minnesota, USA