The cry for “self-determination” in the horn of Africa has been persistent and loud over fifty years just like Balkan countries in central Europe, the two regions affected by the cold war most in different ways. The Balkans was welcomed to the world community as well parts of the horn countries while Somaliland is solely are rejected even though seems more legitimate then most of the countries. The last one that was already put to the test once more in the independence quest of the political future is Southern Sudan. No one seriously doubts the outcome this nations wishes is Prosperity for Southern Sudanese people, the secession is the end of years of tyranny and suffering of southern Sudanese b society in the hands of Arab league and governments just like Somaliland.
Since the two victorious freedom fighting movements (SNM and SPLA) had a long time brotherly relationship to oust the dictators of both countries from their respective territories, and both societies suffered under the oppression of Arab league dictators who supported the eradication and ethnic cleansing of their respective people with oil generated money, then it is an imperative for Somaliland to cultivate this relationship to benefit most from it.
The president of Somaliland a former leader of SNM freedom fighters than must engage a dialogue to advance our cause and made possible to attain our long sought international recognition and statehood to enjoy the benefits and privileges among world nations. In order Somaliland to convince the community of nations that it deserves to be an independent state then we must answer this question that some powerful actors may be entertaining about Somaliland recognition. Will it make the Horn of Africa a better place, a more peaceful region? The answer is unequivocally yes and history already proved while the rest of what use to be Somalia is suffering under the oppression of Islamist forces, imported so called TFG group, international sea piracy etc. Despite what the nay Sayers and negative prone groups are contemplating in the world media, it did not take long for Somaliland to flourish and show the bright hopes of the new nation, politically and economically. The cruel war with Siyad Barre ended in Somaliland rebirth.
The unsettled issues in Southern Somalia, existence of idea and clan based groups, international sea piracy, lawlessness, lack of viable clan structure and never ending wars are all uncontested testimony for Somaliland case to be an integral part of world community and It is difficult to be very optimistic about the prospects for Somalia to re-emerge as a nation and have a pretty poor track record to reconcile its differences. At least there are no such an illusions in the Somaliland case. The distrust between the North and South, the lasting resentment, is almost palpable. As long as their Southern counterparts have acted like there was nothing bad ever happened at all to the people of Somaliland. But no amount of artful brinkmanship from southern Somalia or their cohorts has been able to avert the decision that Somaliland reached.
One might argue that the secession of South Sudan will signal the unraveling of the Berlin system which was established by the Western powers for Africa and the Africans without consulting them, a problem which was basically inherited by all the African post-colonial nations.
The supporters of South Sudan secession inside and outside Sudan, including Western governments and NGOs, naturally disagree and like to portray it instead as a genuine African act of self-determination, and similar arguments are applicable to Somaliland case, which is beyond since Somaliland was a separate country united with Somalia unilaterally, and withdrawn from the failed unity similarly.
Many observers, mainly in Africa, and Arab nations may be turning a blind eye to successes of Somaliland and choosing to be short sighted, ignoring the historical differences between the two (Somaliland and Somalia) and if we put in prospective the difference of the two territories are clear in terms of culture and language, just like the Northern and Southern Sudanese societies. The people of the Somaliland have a complete culture different the Somalis in the south when it comes in marriage, hospitality, and social inter action and clan structure; also the regional dialectical is so obvious where certain regional dialects are not comprehensible in Somaliland such as Benadir coastal regions down Jubba reveries areas where they speak a language similar with Kiswahili, as well in Bay and Bakool regions where they speak a completely different language known as May-May dialect, were in the central regions they speak a Somali language but different dialect from Somaliland regions.
In conclusion, the people of Somaliland has every right to be a free nation , just like those in the Balkan region of central Europe, and newly free countries in the horn, but we the people of Somaliland under one god, united must lounge a campaign of international public awareness to inform every citizen of the world and politician through the media as said one British diplomat in Geneva “ an article in Time Magazine or a peace in CNN Larry King show will be far more effective than one hundred ministerial level delegations with an enormous cost and expenditure”.
Recently President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Sillanyo stated on his interview with the economist and said
“If the international community accepts South Sudan’s independence that opens the door for us as well. It would mean that the principle that African borders should remain where they were at the time of independence would change. It means that if Southern Sudan can go their way, that should open the door for Somaliland’s independence as well and that the international position that Somaliland not be recognized separate from Somalia has changed.
In this situation Somaliland needs to prioritize national objectives, the issue of recognition must be a national priority and a team of experts heading by the president himself should be the catalyst of recognition for Somaliland. This team will be a complementary to the ministry of foreign affairs which is not equipped to tackle the matter at its present stage.
Source: Sl-Times
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