Somaliland: Some Advice For The Participants At The London Conference

Somaliland: Some Advice For The Participants At The London Conference

by Ahmed Khayre   

1. You can never suppress the wishes of people and the people of Somaliland have already decided their own destiny. Throughout history from ancient Egypt through fascism, communism and any other ism, the wishes of the people have always prevailed. Somaliland was the first independent "Somali" state on the 26th June, 1960. Before there was a "Somali Republic", there was a independent and sovereign Somaliland.
2.  It is time that the Somalis in Somalia realise that peace can only came from within. Follow the Somaliland formula of dialogue, discussion and consensus. Don't expect Britain to solve the problems in Somalia. I think British officials have always maintained this. David Cameron and his government was elected to solve the problems of the UK and not Somalia.
3. Remember, Somaliland has a legitimate and democratically elected government, Somalia doesn't. If and when a democratically elected government appears in Somalia then and only then can negotiations begin on the future relationship between Somaliland and Somalia.
4. If the so-called "pan-Somalis", actually believe in their own rhetoric, then why don't they acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of Somaliland and other peaceful areas of the former "Somali Republic"?
5. Somaliland's opponents talk in slogans "Don't balkanize Somalia" "Somalia is one" etc, but balkanization has worked wonders in former Yoguslavia. The Serbs, Croats, Bosnians, Slovenians, Kosovars and Montenegrin are no longer killing each other. They have peace and their own country with progress and democracy all hoping for entry into the European Union. This is exactly what is needed in the Horn of Africa.
6. After almost 15 rounds of attempts to bring peace to Somalia, without a genuine attempt by Somalis in Somalia to seek peace and achieve progress, then this will be another diplomatic junket.
7. Stop blaming Ethiopia and Kenya for the failures in Somalia. Abdillahi Yusuf committed a crime almost asheinous as those of the Barre regime by inviting Ethiopian forces to massacre Somalis and Kenya had to take action against Al-Shabab, but how can anyone explain the failures of the last two decades before Al-Shabab, the Islamic Courts and Al-Qeada in Somalia?
8. Al-Shabab can only be engaged in talks when they refute terrorism and lay down their arms.
9. Somaliland is a tolerant and inclusive country. Somalia would do well to follow these traits and renounce terrorism and piracy.
10. Finally, Somalis will always have social, cultural and economic ties, but never again will there political ties. This has been tried and it has led to a civil war, death and destruction. Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it.
Peace in Somalia must come from within. Somaliland will help and share its experiences, difficulties and achievements, but Somalia must get its act together and stop blaming its ills on others.