By Mazin abdi

This is a reply to the confusing article written by Haadka in which he suggested to boycott our neighbor Ethiopia. The idea was not ridiculous enough to him, so he also recommended forming an alliance with UIC which is one of the fighting militias in Somalia.

Although it is a creative and new opinion, supporting one function of Somalia against another is as evil as what Ethiopia is being accused of. In addition, it will make us look as another function of Somalia which we believe in Somaliland to be the last thing to consider on this earth.

Haadka, I would like to ask you if you have considered the following facts while constructing your article.

Fact Number One:

Ethiopia and Eritrea are both under weapons embargo for years now, so how weapons can be downloaded in Berbera? If that is possible, Somaliland would have imported weapons for itself. So let me ask you, do you have any evidence for your claim, or you just made things up? I hope I am wrong.

Fact Number Two

Your whole argument is base on the illusion that Somaliland is with Ethiopia against Somalia. Your solution for that imaginary problem is to be with UIC against Ethiopia. Fortunately, Somaliland government did not take any of these two extreme attitudes. Our government decided not to interfere in Somalia's conflict and it called everyone including Ethiopia not to do so. That is what is called peace and not what you suggested which is to drag Somaliland into a war that we will not gain anything from.

Fact Number Three

Ethiopia should not recognize Somaliland. It will not be good for us because it will only support the propaganda enemies of Somaliland are spreading around. That propaganda that ignores Somaliland's right for existence and calls us an Ethiopian project to weaken Somalia which actually weakened and destroyed itself.

Fact Number Four

Our relationship with Ethiopia holds many advantages. If you do not know, you can ask Bur Sudan, Djibouti and Bossaso who are jealous of Berbera for serving about 80 million people. If entering war along with Somalia would make more economical profit, we can terminate this deal. Otherwise, someone has been away too emotional.

Fact Number Five

Although it is smaller than Somalia, Eritrea has defeated Ethiopia in many battles. This means in case Ethiopia attacked Somalia, then our brothers are strong enough to defend their land. And as a rule of thumb, no one can be defeated in his home town.

In conclusion, as you said in your article, if Somaliland has to end its self imposed isolation, it should not be something stupid. I hope you get my point. So, I advice you and all my fellow Somalilanders to focus on our nation's development rather than focusing on the over rated international recognition. An example is Ethiopia itself, what more would recognition add to our relationship with this perfect neighbor?

Mazin abdi

to43as@yahoo.com