Comments on: US policy shifts towards Somaliland

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:11:19 +0000

I am from the northern region of Somalia- what the secessionists otherwise call "Somaliland". Unlike the rest of African countries below the Sahara, Somalia is inhabited by one people sharing the same religion, culture, language and origin. The Somali people are not only in Somalia but also in Eastern Ethiopia (the Ogaden), Djibouti and Northern Frontier District of Kenya (NFD).

Before Europeans and Ethiopia carved up the Somali homeland in the Horn into five parts, there was no such a thing as British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, French Somaliland, Ethiopian Somaliland and NFD. There were only free Somali clans in the Horn. Those clans in former British Somaliland also belonged to clans across the artificial colonial border. Hence they were not an entity having separate cultural, language religious or legal roots that separated them from the rest but only an artificial creation of the British.

When British colonial era ended in 1960, the two former European colonial entities- British and Italian Somaliland- immediately united to become the United Somali Republic or Somalia as it is mostly known, an indication of the desire for union among the peoples separated by colonial rule for nearly a hundred years.

For the information of the pro-Somaliland lobbyists, only one clan among the five clans in former British Somaliland supports secession. If every disgruntled clan or tribe were to be given self-determination, there will be no African state given their fragility. Those who are vying for Somalia's break-up are only digging the grave for many other African countries. Our neighbours, Ethiopia and Kenya, are the ones to lose most. Don’t play with fire lest you burn yourself.

By: Tuur

Tuur — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:58:57 +0000

Somaliland recognition is long overdue, you can’t say no to the people’s wishes and no matter what the international community say or do. At the end Somaliland will ultimately become what her people wants and to be quite fair it is the only solution. Furthermore I remind the critics of Somaliland’s independence that, it’s not anyone else's business but the people of Somaliland who decide the destiny of this nation and it’s not your call to tell the children of Somaliland where their future and best interests might be.

By: Ducaaale II

Ducaaale II — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:18:18 +0000

Some people are mis leading and mis understanding the difference between two nation united on their accord that again seperated and regions cessation from their own countries.

After independence in 1960 British Somailand united with their brothers Italian Somaliland and made what was called Somali Republic without any agreement. They were two seperate contries within 1884 colonial partion bounderies that was merged Somaliland & Somalia in two respectfull different countries.

The Union failed and Somaliland declared its break away from the union.

Mr. Mahad is playing joke when he's comparing two seperate countries to internal cessation regions like Ogadenia, Oromia etc. What he called Puntland is just like a foklorish story and an obesticating method hindering Somaliland recognition.

Somaliland's recognition is the best for all or otherwise will get into the most worest disaster around world and the horn.

May Allah Bless Somaliland

Thanks

By: Gabra

Gabra — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:02:10 +0000

I agree with Abdul. These people in Somaliland have kept their society peaceful and stable for almost 20 years now. Also, they are very hard-working breed of humanity. They are resourceful and lightening fast in learning new technology. I grew up with their children around the railway line. My Christian faith and their Islamic conviction was not an issue at all. We used to surf trains (Harfa) together. Radio Hargeysa was our most favorite foreign radio station next to Radio Oumdurman. It is always my desire to go and visit this gem in the Horn someday. I may cross path with some those childhood friends in Hargeysa or Berbera. May God (Allah) bless Abdul and all those in Somaliland!!!!

By: Mahad

Mahad — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:08:49 +0000

This encourages other clan entities in the Horn of Africa to call for indpendance. It's an unwise move. Should Ogadenia be independant? What about Oromia, Tigray? Should Puntland and Jubbaland also be encouraged? It would create forty different "nations" in the Horn. We should discourage such acts as the case has been for so long.

By: Abdul

Abdul — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:53:53 +0000

It is also time for Ethiopia to recognize Somaliland and leave the lawless South Somalia. In fact, it is inline of Ethiopian people interest.