Beware Somalilanders: The JNA Program Appears To Be Sugarcoated Poison

By Hassan Abdi Yare, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Somaliland media has adequately covered the issue of Joint Need Assessment (JNA), and I would not repeat the dignifying positions taken by the sincere representatives of our nation with regard to this issue. However, it is worth reminding our people that the JNA scheme, at best, sounds a cleverly designed sugarcoated poison that has been put together by unfriendly elements. Secondly, some of the local players are apparently prepared to compromise Somaliland's strategic interests in pursuit of either sincere tactical achievements or ill-fated dubious ends as illustrated below.

The JNA was initiated by a Letter of Understanding signed by Somalia's Mr. Ali M Geddi in February 2005. In addition to the World Bank and UN, the scheme is co-sponsored by Italy and Sweden, and expected to crystallize during a Donors' Conference to be held in Rome in mid 2006.

The concerns raised by Somaliland authorities and the public at large are commendable and indicate vigilance and foresight. However, there is no evidence of any diplomatic efforts made on the part of our Ministries of Planning and Foreign Affairs with the intention of diverting the modus operandi of the program to serve the interests of Somaliland.. It is obvious we were literally following the heard, and were not involved in the initial discussions of the program.

To this end, we should have, from the outset, approached powerful friendly nations like Great Britain to help us re-engineer the blue prints of the program with the aim of setting up a separate tranche that is tailor-made to give us access to the aid and at the same time would not jeopardize our independence and sovereignty.

Here, it should be born in mind that the JNA is grant-based program and as such Somaliland would qualify to receive world assistance even before obtaining legal recognition. In this regard, it is naïve to assume that the WB would be prepared to extend loans in the name of the TFG of Somalia and accept promissory notes signed by Abdillahi Yusuf, Ali Geddi or their Minister of Finance. In other words, we are entitled to obtain this assistance, but provided the donors are prepared to extend a hand to the people of Somaliland and their government in their own right and not in exchange of their right of self determination.

Finally, we hold the Somaliland Minister of Planning responsible for ensuring that the sovereignty of this great nation is not compromised no matter what. Equally, we also hold responsible the Committee of Foreign Affairs in parliament to follow up matter and make sure that our involvement is commensurate with the aspirations of the people of Somaliland. We would not tolerate the emergence of embarrassing situations where Somaliland delegations are seen participating in clandestine meetings in Rome or any other corner of the globe. A Somali proverb says: "Waad baahantahay looma bahalo cuno", which attentively translated to “Simply because you are hungry, you should not eat any crap".

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