The
ongoing Talks between Somaliland and the powerless government of
Mogadishu had finally collapsed after Somalia's inclusion of officials
of Somaliland nationality in its delegation. Both sides agreed before
that it would not be included representatives who originated from
Somaliland, but Mogadishu deliberately included its delegation people
who Somalilanders believe that they are mercenaries and are criminals
from their own country.
Since talks started Mogadishu took
actions to undermine and jeopardise the continuation of the ongoing
talks after its latest inclusion of Somaliland origins and claiming
Somaliland's air control.
Somaliland has every right to suspend
the talks until the powerless government of Mogadishu respects its
agreement which it had signed before with Somaliland.
Nation of
Somaliland accepted to talk to Somalia, but on condition that
Somaliland's Independence and Sovereignty will be non-negotiable and the
choice of the people Of Somaliland cannot be changed by anyone, because
this is their self-determination. It will not make any compromise to its sovereignty.
Mogadishu government should not waste their time and energy about
another blind reunification between the two divorced couples.
This young of Somaliland took its decision to separate from the rest of Somalia in 1991 and this is what it looks like today.
Somaliland has a credible democratically elected government and is a functioning democratic state.There is relative peace and stability in Somaliland and it controls every inch of its colonial border.
It has its own justice system: constitution, currency, national flag,
Military forces and Police forces and relatively stable, on top of that
Somaliland people are peace loving society, hate bloodshed and oppose
any kind of violence, but when it comes to the national interest and
their sovereignty, then they become one body, one heart and stand united
for the common interest of their country. It has a very successful story and can be described as 'An overlooked African success story.
Another historic and successful story of Somaliland is, it had a series
of elections that have been declared 'relatively free and fair' by the
International observers, on top of these successful stories, it had
successfully succeeded to end its past problems by using their
traditional knowledge which helped them effectively in the cause of
achieving a lasting peace and what appears to be a viable system of
democracy.
Now the Turkish-sponsored talks had completely collapsed with no tangible progress reached. What does Somaliland need now and where can it go from here? Or does it
has right to determine its destiny and future? What does the
International law say about the right of self-determination?
Of
course the International law gives more rights on self-determination of
nations, so let's have a look about the rights and duties of states and
qualifications that any state should have.
Montevideo
Convention on the rights and duties of States. This treaty was signed at
the International conference of American States in Montevideo, Uruguay
on December 26, 1933 says as following.
The States as a person of International law should possess the following qualifications or characteristics:
- A Permanent population
- A defined territory
- Government and Capacity to enter into relations with other States.
Of Course, Somaliland have these above mentioned qualities without asking anybody.
What does Somaliland want from the International community now? Just it
wants to have its own basic rights as a nation which is to join the
International community once again.
The International community
must respect the choice of the people of Somaliland, and the right of
self-determination must be respected as well.
The people of
Somaliland had already recognised themselves and are in a position of no
return point which means that they will never reunite to Somalia again.
It is totally wrong and against humanity to decide people's future on
the basis to save guard some other Country's interest.
Somaliland will no longer be a hostage to Somalia, because it has a
right of self- determination therefore the international community must
accept and grant that.
This could be the right time that the International community should not overlook the existence of Somaliland.
Well, Somaliland has done the right decision for the right time to
suspend the talks and requested international mediation to interfere
this collapsed talks.
It has a very strong case to get
international support as these were two countries that united illegally
before without a single written document.
This below is what it benefited from that failed union.
Well, the people of Somaliland met catastrophic oppression, crimes
against humanity, nepotism and indiscriminate killings of millions of
Somalilanders including women and children.
What does Somalia need now?
A recognised Somaliland would stand a better position to help the
efforts of government of Somalia. Neither Western powers nor African
union can solve their problems, but by taking the successful steps which
Somaliland had taken in the past will be sufficient to solve Somali
problems, because Somaliland became an African success story. It
successfully succeeded to build its nation without outside help by using
its historical and traditional knowledge.
Somalia has a lot of
job to do in the meantime: they should concentrate on building their
own country, bringing back the displaced people who are suffering in the
refugee camps, developing social services, health services and to
restore peace and stability.
It should also try to make good
relationships to neighbouring countries like Somaliland, Kenya,
Ethiopia, Djibouti and International community as well and finally wake
up the deep dream and realise that Somaliland had already gone and will
not be back again ever.
Finally, the International community
should understand the right of self-determination of Somaliland and
should not overlook the existence of Somaliland.
If the world
fails to reconsider the recognition of Somaliland. It would be a great
discredit to human rights as well as democracy itself.
By Omer Mohamed Jama
(Bristol-UK)
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Posted by Ccx
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