By Dr Omar Dihoud

We would like to point out to the people of Somaliland and the international community that Somaliland has for a long time been trying to maintain the peace in the region.

As the International community recognises Somaliland prior to the union with Somalia had a clear boundary and was an internationally recognized country. Today Somaliland abides by those boundaries.

It was Somaliland that chose in 1960 to form the artificial union with southern Somalia. It was not a forced union but one of choice. The international law states that a country which voluntarily unites with another country can choose to end the union if it is in that countries best interest. Somaliland was not given its independence from Somalia on a silver platter, but rather its people fought and bled for 11 years in the bushes and mountains. It is known amongst the Somalis and the international community that it was the Somali National Movement that defeated the army of Mohamed Siyad Barre.

The Bosaso based militias who yesterday attacked Dahar, which is a part of Somaliland territory, are the remnants of the SSDF (Somali Salvation Democratic Front). This group was the most unsuccessful militia in Somali history, giving up their weapons to the Barre regime within four years of its formation even with the help of the Mengistu forces and the money of Gadafi. If it wasn’t for the SNM’s continuous efforts and eventual liberation, the Barre regime would most certainly have been around for a long time even possibly through to the present day and the SSDF leader Abdilahi Yusuf would most certainly have died in the Ethiopian prison where he spent seven years.

If these people have any gratitude they would be thankful to the people of Somaliland, who liberated them from the oppression of the old regime and returned them their self dignity. Rather they made a copy cat style region to imitate the legal state of Somaliland, calling themselves Puntland a place with no clear boundary and no previous history. Today they claim parts of Somaliland for their own, based on tribal affiliations and other pathetic excuses. Who knows maybe tomorrow they will claim the Wardheer region of Ethiopia as being a part of this so called Puntland.

If their argument over Sool and Sanag is based on tribal affiliations then how can two cousins claim that one is a president in his own regions and the other claims to be president for the rest of the Somalis? This confusion is supported by the international community and needs to stop right now.

Somaliland has the muscle and might to defend its territory and boundaries. All Somalis are aware that the leaders of these regions have become cunning in borrowing armies from other countries since 1982 and this is probably why Majertenia today has the confidence to throw stones at Somaliland. They should however beware and consider if this so called allies of theirs will be better for them than the other Somali’s, choosing to throw them over board once they are no longer of use.

It should be pointed out to the International Community that there is no such thing as the Transitional Federal Institutions and Somaliland is not a part of this federation. The legality of this institution should be assessed and scrutinized. As the engineers often say when the design turns out to be a bad one ‘lets go back to the drawing board’. The TFG was made in a foreign country and consists of refugee’s in exile that falsely pretended to represent their districts and regions of clans and sub-clans, when in reality 80% of them have no power or popularity. A prime example of this is the so called Prime Minister Mr. Geedi who is not even able to reconcile with his own people.

It should be advised that to really end the suffering and problems facing the Somali people, the international recognition of TFG as the government of Somalia be ended as soon as possible and a UN led conference be organized in Somalia, without siding with any group and with the prospect of resolving the Somali problem. As proven in history, without the involvement of the people nothing can be resolved.

Lastly if militia attacks on Somaliland territory will not end, Somaliland will not be so forgiving but will effectively use its forces to defend its land as necessary and stand in support of their president and Parliament.

By Dr Omar Dihoud

Special Envoy for the recognition of Somaliland