What Is Going On In Somaliland ‎‎????‎

There are strange and some very unorthodox things happening in Somaliland. Our confusion stems from the following catalogue of events:

1. Our President has become the Business Development Manager of Somaliland Private Company Ltd. He now travels around the World promoting business ventures!! Well, if that's what he wants to do, why not take the role of Chief Executive??!! What is perplexing is why our President discussing business ventures abroad without the appropriate Line Ministers, advisers and support?? Are his Minister of Information and his private secretary the only advisers he needs these days to turn around Somaliland Economy!!??

2. The present Government has often been criticized for its lack of transparency. It seems to us that there may be some very good reasons behind this. Some of these reasons are catalogued below:.

Ministry of Finance:

a. Where are the details of the tax collected from various sources, including but not limited to Port, Livestock and other trades, Khat, TOTAL transaction etc. etc. etc., to name but a few.

b. Why since our democratically elected President came to power with UDUB running the country, there has been no internal, let alone external, audit of our country's financial status. Why do we not see proof of our revenue vs. expenditure??

c. What is the real story behind the Sheikh AI-Amoudi deal on the Berbera Port?? The Minister of Finance is the only one who knows what is going on; of course, with our President's blessing. Is there a problem in making such news public with facts supporting the perceived fiction??

Ministry of Industry & Commerce:

a. It is a common knowledge that the agreement with TOTAL Oil Company was renegotiated mid-2005. Why are the Somalilanders kept in dark in terms of the detailed terms of this agreement? How much cash was paid by TOTAL this time [as was done the first time when the late President Egal was involved] and how does the renegotiated contract is more advantageous for Somaliland, if that is indeed the case? Why the secrecy??

b. Fuel import of Somaliland is a serious mystery. Beyond TOTAL, whose details appear to be the “State Secrets”, what went on with other suppliers, including Red Sea?? Who do we not have adequate competition to ensure adequate supply and never running out with an affordable price?

Ministry of Water & Mineral Resources:

a. Contracts signed between this Ministry and private Companies are eternally shrouded in mystery and veiled in secrecy. Among numerous examples, we raise the issues of:

i. ENEX Somaliland Inc. - who are they?? What are they doing and for whose benefit

ii. Award of Block 26

iii. Award of Block 32 [to Motherland Homes (??) - rumors abound of cash handouts at all levels!!

b. What are the real issues of Force Majeure by the American Oil majors and award of Blocks? What is the real story behind efforts made, American response, if any, Somaliland Government position, international stand of our Government etc?

c. In the light of this very confusing situation of Force Majeure and already awarded Blocks, how is our President trying to sell our potential oil resources in Norway??!!

d. Gemstone trading in Borama and Erigavo areas being conducted by a British Company – how does the Country benefit when poor artisanal miners, without knowing the real value, are selling quality stones at the cheapest price for mere survival – is this not blatant exploitation??

e. Why are we in a state of impasse over Laferug Tantalum areas with a Djibouti national, who claims substantial cash payment to the Ministry and thus have all rights to hold on to a very large area in perpetuity!!

Ministry of Interior:

a. How is the esteemed Minister of Interior involved in Gemstone business with a Sri Lankan national, who has been appointed by our President as the Honorary Consul for both Sri Lanka and Oman? Is the Ministry of Water & Mineral Resources involved or are they bypassed in this case?? Who are the real beneficiaries??

b. The same Sri Lankan group, jointly with our Minister of Interior is now going to import cars to Somaliland. Quite a transition from gemstone dealers to car traders!!

c. The most talked about triumvirate in Somaliland is The President, The Minister of Finance and The Minister of Interior. Is there a special relationship or are there privileged deals!!??

Ministry Planning:

a. Coordination with the UN bodies and NGOs through contractual agreements should be part of open files – no secrecy. Somalilanders have every right to know how dealings with such organizations are beneficial to them.

b. Recent JNA showed clearly that the closing session documents circulated by the UN/World Bank staff, presented a very different stand by them vis-a-vis Somaliland. The authority and the power to donor liaison and facilities still lie in Somalia's hands. As usual, Somaliland is grossly marginalized. Why did not the Ministry of Planning take adequate steps to review such matters before the start of the JNA!! Why all stakeholders were not consulted and appropriate actions taken??

Ministry of Fisheries & Coastal Development:

a. What really goes on from Berbera to the west up to Zaila!! Who are the real term beneficiaries?? Who is truly involved?? What is the truth behind the "Egyptian Connection" in the light of our President's new home in Cairo??

b. Why does the Royalty earned by this Ministry enter the Treasury and the Ministry gets nothing in return!! Should they not be rewarded for their active role and earning a revenue??!!

c. Fishing beyond Maydh is a definite No No!! Why is our Government [now handled by the Ministry of Interior] unable to provide adequate security for a region well within Somaliland Boundary??

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

a. Our foreign policy remains much to be desired. In reality, do we even have a defined policy, clarity in vision and a mission strategy!!!! Record speaks for itself. To date, Somaliland has little success in convincing the World about our achievements. This is entirely due to the lack of our Line Ministry's failure in educating the World. Thus, many countries, even in our Continent, still do not differentiate between Somalia and Somaliland!!

b. We are, for all practical purposes, inactive in our lobbying in the African Union. Addis Ababa is the center where we can find all AU member states' representatives and yet, we do virtually nothing to promote our cause

c. As in Africa, Somaliland Foreign Ministry has done nothing to create awareness among the rest of the international community. A few meetings with a British MP or a rare visit to the State Department add up to no more than window dressing.

d. Our Foreign Minister is more comfortable discussing her hospital, female genital mutilation and social welfare – all of which are important issues and indeed noble causes – but they do not fit in with Foreign Affairs. Perhaps our Foreign Minister should be the Minister of Health and Social Welfare [similar to where she was before]. Why do we keep pushing the "Peter Principle" – you can't balk it!!

Only a few examples of what we gather and believe to be true have been mentioned here. All these point to a gross lack of transparency and a total neglect to accountability. With our Parliamentary elections showing the House control by the opposition and a fair representation of people from all spectrum of clans and political affiliations, is it not high time for this Government to be honest with itself and its people. We may forget and forgive the past misdemeanors, but can hardly allow this to continue in perpetuity at the expense of Somalilanders.

Finally, Our President should be concentrating on our International Recognition, the most important issue for Somaliland's future – without it we have nothing and never will. Irrespective of what the President and this Government say, we cannot ignore the World and continue to go in our merry way. Ordinary Somalilanders are suffering too much and have been for the past 15 years. It's time to resolve this one way or the other. Why is our Government let the AU trail go cold?? Why there are secret missions by our Minister of Finance to the AU as opposed to dealing through the appropriate Ministry and accredited representatives?? Why Somaliland issue never came up in the AU summit in Libya and why are we still in a limbo for the current summit in the Sudan?? Why is our President pushing Business development in Europe instead of finding legitimate political solutions to our recognition process???? Or is there a vested interest for the President in this business development, particularly when these are being conducted in secrecy and isolation??!!

It is high time that we bring all contracts and agreements to the Parliament and let everyone see facts; let there be no more speculations. If this Government has nothing to hide, then let's see them addressing the issues above in a truthful manner. It's time for total transparency, absolute honesty and proper accountability to ensure that Somaliland does have a secured future and that each and every Somalilander has a roof over his head, has gainful employment and can adequately support his family. Our men chew Khat at 9 am because they lack employment, not because they are addicts. It's time to stop criticizing the ordinary Somalilander, the man on the street and reflect deep inside, our astute leaders – especially this Government – in making right decisions for our nation. Perhaps a thoroughly reshuffled Government cabinet, bringing in right people for the right job is a way to go. There are sufficiently good and qualified people around in this country. Choose the right ones. It's time to live in the Real World!!!!

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