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EDITORIAL
The Mbagathi peace process has now entered the 3rd and last phase during which a government will formed for Somalia. Somaliland is not taking part in the IGAD sponsored conference which has been dealing with the problems of Somalia, the former Italian colony. Somalilanders have been accustomed to hearing that future relations with Somalia will be negotiated with the government that emerges from the talks being held in Kenya. But with the Mbagathi conference already in its final stage, the Somaliland public has become confused by the conflicting signals emanating from the IGAD mediators, the IPF and the Kenyan hosts. For example, Somalilanders see no assurances that the government that comes out of Mbagathi will not repeat the terrible mistakes of the former TNG when it claimed sovereignty over Somaliland from day one. So far neither IGAD nor its international partners have issued a single official statement in which they acknowledge and commit themselves to respect the desires and aspirations of the Somaliland people.
Though both the warlords and their IGAD sponsors have muted their usual rhetoric about the sanctity of Somalia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity, Somalilanders are not sure whether this change of attitude is real or just an attempt to deceive Somalilanders until a government has been formed by the Mbagathi meeting.
Somalilanders have also been bewildered by the failure of regional governments to put pressure on the bloodthirsty warlord Abdillahi Yusuf to withdraw his militia from Las-Anod. Instead, IGAD, and its donors and the UN, have all issued statements implicitly warning Somaliland against taking any military action against the invading militia. The parties issuing the warnings justified their actions on the ground that any outbreak of hostilities between Somaliland and Puntland would have dire consequences for the Kenya peace talks. In other words, making peace for Somalia is more important than quelling aggression against peace and stability in Somaliland. Surprisingly enough, Somaliland's government succumbed to the external pressure without getting anything in return.
It is high time for Somaliland to dispense with the illusion that the outcome of Mbagathi will have no effect on its national security and general well-being. The people and government of Somaliland need not hesitate any longer in securing the country’s eastern boundaries. Abdillahi Yusuf’s militia must be driven out by force and a buffer zone established well beyond Garowe. Opening negotiations with A. Yusuf while his thugs are still in Las-Anod will only increase his appetite for committing further aggression. He must not be given such chance.
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