Letter From Ambassador Hussein Ali Dualeh

Jan 28 2003

Ambassador Hussein Ali Dualeh, Somaliland Republic
P. 0. BOX 40802 TEL: 565306, FAX: 572384
NAIROBI. __ _MOB: 0722 - 742483
Ambassador Bethwel .A. Kiplagat
Chairman, IGAD Technical Committee On Somalia
CC; Minster of Foreign Affairs and International Relation Republic of Kenya, Nairobi
European Commission of Somali delegation, Nairobi
Embassy of United States of America, Nairobi

Dear Ambassador,

Though I have extended my congratulations on your appointment when we were at the South Sudan Conference; I once more repeat my congratulations to you.

Since you are now embarking on the uncharted waters of finding peace amongst the Southern Somalia faction leaders, something that have been found elusive for the last thirteen years, I find it fitting that I give you some information and advice on the subject-matter:

I have last Sunday, told you the position of Somaliland with regard to the Eldoret peace process and the wider issue of the South or Somalia. I repeat it again. The position of the government and the people of Somaliland are as follows.

Somaliland's Independence is non-negotiable. Somaliland would never enter into any future links, what-so-ever with the South or Somalia: should they even agree, to form a government acceptable to their many factions and clans. We wish our brothers in Somalia every peace and prosperity, similar to the peace and good governance that is prevalent in Somaliland.

For your information Somaliland, had last month, successfully conducted their local government elections. They will be holding their Presidential and Parliamentary elections in May this year. Is it not sinister and a disservice to the people of Somaliland to be invited to attend to attend a conference for warlords and faction leaders, who to this date, after twelve years are still fighting one another and were not able to bring about a minimum law and order in their respective fiefdoms. I ask you bluntly Mr. Chairman: Is it your objective as the newly appointed Chairman and some members of the Technical Committee, to destabilize Somaliland? If it is so, I am confident that there are good and fair people in the Committee, who would not agree to that agenda.

Mr. Chairman, do you know, why the Southern Faction leaders have been shouting for Somliland's attendance of these conferences, right from their first conference twelve years ago, is that they know, that they can never attain peace, why? Because they do not want peace. They therefore need a scapegoat for their constant failures. They do not need to come to Sirikwa Hotel and be a burden to the Kenyan economy and the International Community to reach peace. They can do it back home, in their country. It took the Somaliland traditional leaders six long months to bring about peace between the many clans and then elect the President who would lead the country. Somaliland achieved that, without a single penny of contribution from the International donors.

On the question of the Eldoret peace process, the Somali Delegates present can be divided into two groups. Both groups share one thing in common. None represent their own people, or have the mandate to speak on their behalf. The first group of delegates are the ones who came from the Diaspora. They fled the country at the height of the civil war in 1991 and are totally ignorant of the situation on the ground in Somalia.

The second group, which you would see in the front row, when you are on the chair are the ones who should not be in a Somali peace conference but should be behind bars to answer charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. I here mention, just a few names:

Colonel Abdillahi Yussuf, who barely a week ago was butchering his own people in the town of Qardho, in Puntland. Two months ago, he summarily executed a traditional Sultan in Puntland. His victims are many officers; civilians and traditional Leaders. His forced leadership on the poor hapless people of Puntland is an albatross round their necks since 1978. He brought them nothing else, but misery and death. He has always survived in strife, bloodshed, and confrontational politics. He is now busy provoking the government and people of Somaliland, and he very well knows, that should the Somaliland army move against him; his administration and militias would not last more than twenty-four hours. Luckily, wiser counsel prevails in Somaliland. They hate to aggravate the plight of the people of Puntland who are already suffering under Colonel Abdulahi Yusuf's ruthless leadership.
General Mohamed Saeed Hersi Morgan, the officer who in conjunction with a former Vice President of the Siyad Barre regime, authorized the air and Land bombardment of Hargeisa, the second Capital of the former Somali Republic; Currently the Capital of Somaliland, with over one million innocent people trapped in the city. Human Rights Organizations estimate that between 50,000-100,000 people died in that bombardment.
Hassan Abshir, the TNG prime minister; who when he was Mayor of Mogadishu, authorized the summary execution of eleven religious Leaders; for airing their disagreement with the Siyad Barre government.

Ambassador Kiplagat, the list is endless. The fifteen previous Somali peace conference, all failed for no other reason; but because the perpetrators of the misery and mayhem prevalent in Somalia were appointed and accepted by the International Community to be their peace makers. It could never happen.

In conclusion, no matter whatever efforts you and the International Community expend; this conference, like all the others before it, would fail unless there is the moral will on the part of the International Community, to dismiss these criminal elements from any future Somali peace talks. Not only that, but also to bring them before the International Criminal court of Justice.

I take this opportunity to thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Ambassador Hussein Ali Dualeh

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives