A reaction
Barely a week has passed when Somaliland celebrated the 20th Anniversary of reclaiming their freedom from Somalia. Street dancing, military parade, student marching and community showing dominated every major city center in Somaliland. A patriotic emotional outburst, genuine sentiment to display how much the country means to them was revealed, and easily felt every corner.
Diaspora communities have also done their part to proudly celebrate this historic and important day. The new Government planned, appreciated and promised to keep the spirit of nationalism alive. The President himself declared his government’s priority to be, “to bring international recognition” as soon as possible.
The world media has reported that the desire of Somaliland people is to remain free, to rebuild their country, to be democratic and responsible state among the nations. The world had realized how deeply patriotic we are. They have seen the unbreakable bond between the nation and its citizens.
Slogans like: Somaliland forever, Never again with Somalia and Long Live Somaliland, echoed all week long. Somalilanders were smiling wide, pleased with their progress and were hopeful about the future.
Before the week ended, however, shocking news has changed the mood. Somaliland Government’s reversal of the traditional policy of DON’T PARTICIPATE Somalia politics sent chilling effect through the spines of the people. This was real RUDE awakening, unbelievably, surprising turn.
Panic waves have risen through the roofs. Deep suspicion to blame individuals within the government has surfaced. In result emergency conference calls were immediately organized by Diaspora communities. Calls to action has been raised, suggestions to lobby for the resignation of the Foreign Minister were uttered. Maybe that is why the security forces escorted him from the airport upon his return from Kenya. Some even went further to cry the President to resign or better yet advocated for parliament to start an impeachment process.
This is not the first time this new administration has flirted with Somalia politics. The Foreign Minister has participated a London meeting last fall. Most people were skeptical about that meeting, nonetheless gave the new government the benefit of the doubt. Yet, Silanyo Government has failed to clearly define or explain to the people the objectives of its foreign policy, particularly the meaning of this madness to sit with these discredit Somalia politicians.
This autocratic, scholarly looking, reclusive and disconnected minister of foreign affairs is mostly suspected to be responsible for the people’s confusion. The powerful Chief Cabinet that has a prime minister’s power like to push around government ministers was, also, blamed. His hidden agenda and connections with the extreme religious nuts were mentioned. Similarly, the President’s personal adviser and close friend Mr. Sifir, who happen to be a Somali Unity believer that had never denounced his intentions before he joined Silanyo’s inner circles, was accused of him to be the one that orchestrated these events.
A debate about if this government’s aggressive actions are necessary to get recognition or if it is risk, overreach that could defeat the purpose of Somaliland to be a separate entity from the Somalia chaos is still raging. A debate that will continue for sure for some time to come unless this Administration is vindicated or a setback in foreign relations is manifested.
Of course, Government’s ruthless, and unscripted spokesperson rushed to the BBC’s Bush House to put the fire out, but the damage has already been done. This new government has shot itself on the foot before even the honey moon is over. Never the less, how this damage will be undone and restore the trust of the people will be the one million dollar question.
The Somaliland’s New Government hurt the feelings of the people, deeply, a wound that suddenly affected the confidence of the public. It failed to test the waters. To check the popular opinion before it harried to take advantage of their supposedly accumulated political capital less than a year away from winning the election. A true color of arrogance has displayed their impunity to care less about what others think.
The overconfidence to take preemptive devastating actions on the government side exposed the weakness of the opposition parties. The lack of real organized opposition to challenge government policies may allow Silanyo Administration to make far reaching policy overhaul that may devastate the nation’s carefully crafted directions. Years of traditional inclusive consultation may become obsolete.
This is a wakeup call for so called national parties. The absence of strong, credible, and capable leadership in their ranks is very dangerous to this nascent democracy. Till to day we hear their lame yelling from corners of the Capital but never amount to a real encounter that can impact or curtail government activities.
The wonder is, however, is it possible that Silanyo Administration will recover from this tragic and strategic image mistake to share a seat with Galmudug region of Somalia? A picture is more powerful than words. Universal TV got a golden opportunity, to show it, over, and over, and over again. We can only sum this up in a simple word: Tragic! Yet, Somaliland will survive
Source: Hayaan,
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