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EDITORIAL
Terrorism Is Here
Whether they are from the so-called fundamentalist groups, or Somalia’s factions that are opposed to Somaliland’s independence, or both, the people who cold-bloodedly murdered Richard and Enid Eyeington last Monday night and Annalena Tonelli earlier this month, are terrorists. By targeting aid workers in the two sectors of Education and Health, it is also clear that these killings are politically motivated. Who else, except terrorists, would be so inhuman that they would kill such extraordinary and selfless couple as the Eyeingtons, a couple who were adored and loved by both the larger Sheikh community as well as the students they taught? Who else, except terrorists, would be so cruel that they would kill such a remarkable lady as Tonelli who was engaged in a battle of treating people suffering from Tuberculosis, a lady who also helped deaf and blind children?
By failing to tighten security around humanitarian aid workers, following the October 5 assassination of Dr. Tonelli, the Somaliland government had obviously misread the message conveyed by that killing.
The government should have known that after the successful local and presidential elections, Somaliland’s enemies, from warlords Abdillahi Yusuf and Abdiqasim to Al-Itihad and their Arab backers, would try harder to damage the reputation of the country as an oasis of peace and democracy in a region torn by wars and totalitarianism.
Somalia’s warlords and Al-Itihad usually disagree on everything , but there is one thing they agree on: enmity towards Somaliland. Nothing frightens them more than the specter of a Somaliland that has been recognized by the international community. These groups, who have been keeping their own local populations under subjugation and terror for decades, rightly believe that a recognized Somaliland would provide an attractive alternative to the politics of the gun, and that is why they have attacked Somaliland.
President Rayale has taken a sound decision when he disclosed to Somalilanders, and to the world, on Thursday, that Somaliland was attacked by terrorists, and that both Somaliland and the international community would have to step up to their responsibilities, if terror is to be defeated in this part of the world. Now that Somalilanders have been made aware of the real dangers terrorism poses to their security and well-being, they will be more willing to combat terrorists.
The highest priority right now should go to preventing another murder. Somaliland just cannot afford another blow to its image. But tight security should not just be limited to expatriates, it should also include government officials, the Guurti, the highest authorities in the land, important offices and vital installations. Somaliland should also seek outside assistance in improving security, especially from the British government, which may be willing to oblige since 2 of the victims were Britons. Somaliland should ask the British government to send Scotland Yard to investigate the murders and to train Somalilanders. Somaliland should also appeal to the US to help in fighting terrorism.
The people behind the murders may be trying to kill two birds with one stone. By killing Western expatriates, they are destabilizing Somaliland and at the same time hurting the West. So there is a convergence of interests between those who hate Somaliland and those who hate the West. Similarly, there is a convergence of interests between Somalilanders who want to defend their sovereignty and the international fight against terrorism. The problem is that so far Western countries have left Somaliland to fend for itself, and the terrorists took advantage of the situation to kill Westerners and destabilize Somaliland. Therefore, it is in the West's interests to change its policy of neglect toward Somaliland into a policy of engagement. The West should support Somaliland's twin objectives of remaining stable and fighting terrorism, because these objectives are congruent with Western interests.
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