Somaliland's Victory In The Recent Battles Of Somalia...

By Ahmed Kheyre, London, UK

After the bitter fighting in Somalia between Ethiopian forces and the militia Islamic Court militias, with the rag-tag hoodlums of the gang in Baydhabo hiding behind Ethiopian tanks, it seems clear that neither side scored an overwhelming victory, expect for Somaliland.

Contrary   to the claims by either side, the Ethiopian forces are in a jam, if they leave, they will leave a power vacuum, and if they stay they will ensure the lasting enmity of the Somalis and become bogged down. On the other hand, the militias are in full flight, they have overreached and exposed themselves as weak and without any political or military tactics.

As for the gang in Baydhabo, by seeking the help of external forces, they have all credibility, if they had any to lose in the first place!. How do they expect any Somalis to ever take them seriously? All three sides are in a weak position. They will have to no choice but to return to the negotiation table. However, Somaliland has attained victory because it is now obvious to everyone except to the most shortsighted observers what a democratic and peaceful place it is.

Simply put, Somalilanders have a common credo, live and let live. We will not accept pan-somaliasm disguised with   religious fervor nor with the backing of outside forces.

We Somalilanders loathe see the death and destruction taking place in Somalia. Will it be too much to expect that Somalia follows our own path to recovery and reconciliation. Surely, as we have pioneered in Somaliland, wisdom under the acacia tree produces far more tangible results than senseless mayhem.

As for our neighbor to the northwest, the Republic of Djibouti, it would seem that unless Somaliland agrees to do business on their own draconian terms, they become upset like a small child and take their toys away, in this case by closing the Somaliland consulate and expelling its workers.

Nations have disputes and these disputes can be normally resolved by coming to an understanding or a comprise. But, doesn't the government of Djibouti realize that Somaliland has its own port, Berbera? That Somaliland is capable to conducting livestock trade with the Arabian peninsula. I would think that since Djibouti is going to have a large port built for them by the United Arab Emirates, then can learn to be patient and use competitive business practice instead of throwing a hissy fit.

I doubt very much that President Geelle is much of a statesman. There he stands, the leader of   an internationally recognized country; and young and struggling Somaliland is giving him fits. Djiboutians, you need a new leader, one with some sense of perspective.

Finally, let no one assume that the Islamic militia will disappear, they will merely revert to guerrilla tactics, whilst the gang in Baydhabo remind me of a small child uu walaalkiisa ka weynaa u hiiliyay..I hope 2007 will be another year of peace and progress in Somaliland.

Sincerely,

[ruraledcomm@yahoo.co.uk]

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