Hargeisa (SL Times): The Somaliland Society for Independent Journalists And Writers (SSJW) has issued the following press release on the occasion of the conclusion of the Somali civil society symposium:
The "Somaliland Society for Independent Journalists And Writers," an organization that incorporates independent journalists and writers and committed to promoting and defending the free press, free speech and social justice in the Republic of Somaliland, wishes to convey its sincere greetings to the participants of the Civil Society Symposium being held at Ambassador Hotel, Hargeisa.
We believe that the decision to hold this unprecedented large gathering for Somalia and Somaliland civil society organizations in Hargeisa, has not come by choice, but rather by default: because no other place in the territories of former Somalia was felt safe enough to host this grand meeting, the meeting was held in Somaliland. We mention this fact not to offend our brothers and sisters from Somalia who are here today to participate in the symposium. Neither is this simple fact stated here out of xenophobia. No, it is for the sake of raising a very important issue that those of you who come from Somalia need to be aware of. It is an issue of vital importance for Somaliland's society as a whole, and to a great extent, for the future of civil society in Somalia, as well. It is the issue of peace and future relations between the civil societies of Somaliland and Somalia.
But first we feel obliged to let you know that the single most vital determining factor for the realization and consolidation of peace here has been the proclamation of this country as the independent Republic of Somaliland. In other words, the task of preserving and promoting Somaliland, as an independent entity, has been the pole around which people came together to make peace and reconciliation a reality in this country.
Following the genocides and wide-scale atrocities committed against the people of Somaliland by the former unitary state of Somalia, Somalilanders resolved on May 18, 1991 that the only way for avoiding similar tragedies happening to them again, was to reinstate the independence that Somaliland achieved on June 26, 1960. The existence of Somaliland as a fully independent entity is therefore still seen and will be seen for a long time to come if not forever, as an indispensable safeguard for the protection of the physical security and well being of Somaliland's citizens.
It is amidst this immense sense of solidarity among the people for the promotion of Somaliland's cause that social organizations flourished and found power. And any external attempts to remove this factor from the Somaliland equation would have catastrophic consequences for the cause of peace, not only in Somaliland and the region, but would also lead to the re-emergence of the long suppressed militaristic tendencies within Somaliland's society at great peril to its currently vibrant civil society.
Brothers and sisters from Somalia
We know that, as civil society organizations, you are operating under very difficult conditions. We know that you are being marginalized and constantly harassed by those who resort to violence as a means and an end by itself, to perpetuate their self-interests. We also know that that to survive and develop you need help. However, we honestly believe that assistance from the international community alone, cannot guarantee your survival, let alone nurturing you as civil society organizations now or in the future. Neither could it lead to your empowerment as civil society activists.
We believe that you can find more crucially important support for your efforts in the Republic of Somaliland itself, particularly among its civil society groups, provided you respond positively to the aspirations of Somaliland's civil society. To put it in clearer terms, Somaliland's civil society is in a position to assist in empowering the civil society in Somalia if the latter would agree to reciprocate by accepting the new political reality that exists here - Independent and Sovereign Somaliland. Recalling the instrumental role that the SNM played in the past in the liberation of your country from the former dictatorial military regime, there is no other reason -except your lack of acceptance and recognition of our people’s right to self-determination - that can stop Somaliland from assisting the people of Somalia establish themselves in power in the same way as people have done here. The choice in yours.
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