By Abdulkadir Dualeh MSW

Somaliland government ought to embark on an all out aggressive public relations campaign to disseminate information regarding its unprecedented landmark political, social, and economical progress since its withdrawal from the Somali Union and communicate with the outside world about its unparalleled accomplishments in the area of demobilization of militia with a successful integration program and absorption into the law enforcement agencies such as the Correctional Office,   Police Force and the National Army.

Fourteen years have passed since the Burao Conference of 1991in which, Somaliland government with the support and the backing of the clans, declared their sovereignty and vouched to lay the foundation for a broad based reconciliation process to institute rule of law, cement viable public institutions and subsequently start gradual introduction but rather slow and complex democratization process, good governance, and economic liberalization. Somaliland government under Igal in addition to stabilizing the country as a whole understood the danger of espousing extremist ideology to take root in Somaliland . He also attempted to prevent the thriving of home grown terrorist groups such as AIitihad group an offshoot of Al Qaeda to establish strong hold in the country. The subsequent government with some trepidations, misjudgments and abuse of power by its ministers attempted to continue the policies of its predecessor in keeping the hard fought peace and normalcy inside its territory in the midst of a chaotic Somalia where landlordism, anarchy, and turmoil prevails although that has not yet brought any fruits for its citizens in terms of international economic assistance, or for that matter.

Recognition,   instead the international community repeatedly discounted the superb achievements of our people and   left us in limbo while pouring funds to unproductive national reconciliation conferences and generously provided financial support and developmental assistance unconditionally to the south and rewarded Somali warlords to form a government headed by war criminals, functional leaders without broad based support from the grassroots and minority clans to bring to an end the conflict in Somalia, though I might add that the current Prime Minister of TFG Ali M. Gedi has shown some courage in tackling thorny issues such as Somaliland and ensuring the independence of his government and earned the respect and the support of many   Somalis   to bring normalcy to Somalia, even though, he flip flopped in his recent interview with SSI regarding the Somaliland Issue.   

But, the irony is the indifference, lack of enthusiasm, and utter disregard on the part of the international community to give credit Somaliland government and its people in achieving the impossible within a short period of time and in carrying out a democratization process that brought about and created viable and strong public institutions with overwhelmingly supported from the populace... Thus far economic liberalization and democratization has yet to bring Somaliland any tangible development assistance. Hence, the question one has to ask is why it is so? Is the international community awaiting approval from Southern Somalia warlords? Is it lack of government   vision of its own in the pursuance of an aggressive policy toward seeking economic assistance and/or recognition or total absence of collaboration among the opposition   parties and the government ? Why shouldn’t relevant government ministers seize the moment and take a leadership initiative in spearheading a concerted effort to publicize government accomplishments to the outside world; I am not arguing they have not done so but, If the policy of wait and see has not produced any results I believe one of the reasons for immobility   is the lack of   coordinated, coherent, orchestrated, and well articulated, foreign policy initiative   by the current administration to pursue a policy of attracting outside reconstruction and development assistance for the EU, The G8 the UN agencies while at the same time pushing for recognition issue aggressively.

One can understand government slow moving process in completing democratization process since 2002; however, time has come to engage international community and bring fresh ideas and put in the forefront Somaliland issue, and to bring to an end the prevailing ambiguity and this utter nonsense of associating Somaliland with Somalia which is a failed state; splintered into two opposing camps with no united common agenda and in addition a government that   lacks the support of the majority of southern Somalis except lone warlord in Jowhar, a small town outside of Mogadishu the capital of Somalia. The current president is an ailing, career regionalist former warlord, a demagogue who exploits Somali sentiments despite his rhetoric of Somali Unity...

If this mix-up, confusion, and uncertainty continue unabated it will damage and mute Somaliland ’s successes and could be detrimental to our political progress and existence.

The consequence will be grave and danger in itself and will impede Somaliland ’s pursuit of international development assistance and diplomatic recognition.

It is also worth noting the abysmal role that Somaliland Diaspora have played in advancing the Somaliland cause and present it to their respective governments. There is introversion on the part of the Somaliland Diaspora to advance and take a leading role in promoting Somaliland accomplishment to change the unfavorable perception of the world opinion in the international forums since its withdrawal from the union with Somalia and declared a sovereign state in 1991.   

The current government, political parties, as well as Somalilanders have not worked staunchly as expected to either secure developmental assistance or recognition from the international community. In contrast, Southern Somali politicians, community groups, Diaspora, and intelligentsia outmaneuvered Somalilanders in every aspect and played their cards cautiously but rather courageously with shrewdness and successfully depicted Somaliland as regional government equal to the Regional Administration of Puntland.    

Since the death of late president Igal the government has worked in good faith in completing the process of democratization that culminated the recent parliamentary elections. This final hurdle was crossed when historic Somaliland Parliamentary election of last September was certified by the Supreme Court and accepted by all parties which completed all public institutions with some minor changes and modifications. The newly completed legislative election is a testament to the political maturity of the Somaliland electorate, government and political parties. They all deserve our gratitude and appreciation but, there is more work to be done when they took the oath of office in a short time and shoulder these awesome responsibilities bestowed by the people.  

Attainment of sustainable development that strikes a balance between attracting foreign assistance and/or investment at the same time safeguarding the national resources is difficult proposition. However, it’s desirable that when the government is awarding contracts and oil concessions to foreign entities, public interest must supersede regional interests, the powerful elites, and economically strong entities.

Government must prioritize and approach its economic development rather systemic and focus areas where it can have a greatest impact. Modest economic assistance that we receive from   International   NGO’s and the UN coupled with the meager resources collected from the poor as a taxes   requires   to be channeled   and appropriated to implement critical sectors of the economy that can generate further economic activities for the masses.   Let me pause for a second, grasp the meaning of the following Somali proverb and then reflect. .”Ceelna uma qodna cidina uma maqna” loosely translated” No well is dug yet, and none is absent. “

It is the sole responsibility of every one of us to do his/her part initiate, engage,   participate and promulgate Somaliland achievements and educate others about the sovereignty that people overwhelmingly voted in a referendum in 2003 in deciding their self determination in a peaceful manner and the world community must respect our humans and constitutional rights and the Southern Somalis must live with as the road to independence is supreme, Somalilanders have chartered their destiny with or without international recognition.. The question for the Diaspora is how do we realize this virtuous goal? and to what extend each one of us has to participate in this endeavor?  

All of the above successes and many more impressive achievements are something to be proud of; however, the government has not yet used to its advantage and routinely mired squabbles with the opposition and international organizations. It a high time that the government take the initiative and assume a proactive role in presenting its case before AU, EU, the UN and freedom loving world community. A well thought-out strategy must be put forth by the government in conjunction with the opposition political parties and the Diaspora wherever they are time is the essence and time is in our side to attract more sympathetic ears to our cause.  

adualeh@yahoo.com

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