| |
|
|
These days it is difficult to be in the business of prophesy. Few people can predict political developments in Somalia with certainty. To be in that business all one is required to do is to peddle irrational, exclusive thoughts. When discussing Somaliland recognitions the tone rarely becomes convincing as the whole issue is an emotive one. I take issue with Mr Mohsin Mahad whose article Somaliland Recognition: Why it won't happen, despite being well written, fails to contribute to healthy debate about administrations that came into existence when the Somali state collapsed in 1991. His starting point is: the Isaaq clan has declared Somaliland an independent state without consulting other clans in ‘Northern Somalia.' As Somali website readers are aware of, clannish paradigms make discussions more woolly. The only message that comes out of the pen of someone who looks at Somali issues with clan lenses is hatred. Who doubts that tribalism closes the mind of those practising it? Somaliland has become an enviable example of self rule in Somalia. The institutions that Somaliland administration has put in place made a signifcvat contribution to peace in Somalia. Puntland is believed to have taken a leave from the Somaliland book. Somaliland supporters have the same right as the Somalia supporters in what many people call Somaliland: the right to be consulted on the political future of region. The only common characteristic that Somalia and Somaliland leaders share is their willingness to seek recognition from the world rather that from their people. Somali leaders think that no one can secede from Somalia since the union between the northern and southern regions is inviolable. This approach has shown the world that the challenges for Somalis in Somalia and Somaliland are not to secure recognition from other countries but to build durable institutions that are not undermined by tribalism. “You give priority to the clan rather state”, we are told time and again. Somalia has yet to recover from the fall from the grace when it became the first country in Africa where the disintegration of the state led to a clan based fiefdom seeking legitimacy from the world. Somaliland administration's mistake is basing its case on the historical fact that people in what was once Ex-British Somaliland are legally and historically empowered to be a separate state from Somalia. No world recognised referendum has taken place in Somaliland to determine the percentage of the population in the ex British Somaliland is in favour of a separate Somaliland state. So far no Somaliland leader has come up with creative approach to solving the problem of people who pledge allegiance to Puntland rather than Somaliland. In 2002 Ali Guled argued that recognition will be not be “panacea for Soamliland problems” without judiciary reforms and strong emphasis on the rule of law. It is a strong point. Although president Riyale of Somaliland finds hard to disentangle Somaliland from the clan tethers, he presidency has generated a heated debate on the future of Somaliland. Under Egal, the late president, people wore rosy spectacles; trust in his political experience and leadership was a major factor out which the peaceful Somaliland emerged following the intra SNM wars in 1990s. Ahmed Mohamed Aden Qeybe, the experienced Somaliland politician and former diplomat, is on the record for saying that “Unity is better when it is based on justice.” The same can be said about secession. Ahmed Keyse Ali, London
Copyright © 2005 Wardheernews.com |
