On The Somalia Reconciliation Conference #15

Somaliland Forum Press Release:

London , May 28, 2007 – Yet another reconciliation conference, the 15 th, is called in Mogadishu, Somalia by the same warlords and the same cash-hungry opportunists. These self appointed leaders have become the true enemy of the people of Somalia. They have depleted Somalia of all optimism in the previous 14 “reconciliation” conferences. We urge the world not to allow these criminals to dissolve what’s left of the Somali nation in this charade known as the 15 th reconciliation conference.

Somaliland Forum proposes the following steps as a rational approach towards the solution of the Somali problem;

1. Be ware of Einstein’s definition of Insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Each one of the previous 14 conferences-cum-schemes has multiplied the intensity of misery of the Somali population. So what is new this time? The Somaliland Forum will call to the attention of all those concerned:

• Abandon the insanity of borderless witch’s brew of tribal horse trading that sets the stage for further tribal wars, further hate and further revenge. Tribalism has never built a nation.
• Encourage new hopeful leadership and not one of warlords.
• Prevent the kind of external financing that distorts internal dialogue and that attracts the corrupt and murderous tribalists.

2. Somaliland Forum proposes to all concerned to follow the path of true reconciliation and to come to know that the spirit of reconciliation cannot be imposed from without. It has to come from within. It is important that all concerned act with courage, vision and hope.

• Accept the elected political institutions of Somaliland as the sole and legitimate representatives of the people of Somaliland. Resist any temptation to destabilize Somaliland by appealing to the divisive nature of tribalism. Attempts to bypass the legitimate authority in Somaliland will cause much chaos, more death and more destruction.
• Accept two nations with well-demarcated borders instead of relying on borderless warring tribes that only attract carnage.
• Accept the colonial borders as the solid and tangible basis of two sisterly nations emerging from the death of the Somali Republic, and accept the sanctity of borders of neighboring countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Any dreams of a greater Somali Republic has come and gone.
• Accept this time around to exclude and forbid from the affairs of Somalia the handful of handout-seeking hungry opportunists who may claim to hail from Somaliland. These merchants of death represent no one but their pockets. They have nothing to offer Somalia except deception, corruption and lies.
• Accept democratic elections, one citizen one vote, and representative government as the only hope for rational solution to the Somali problem.

Somaliland Forum strongly supports the government of Somaliland, the Parliament and Guurti of Somaliland and the three political parties for their admonishment of the conference organizers for attempting to interfere with Somaliland affairs. We reiterate that Somaliland’s independence is never open for discussion.

Somaliland Forum calls for the immediate recognition of Somaliland as the first step towards a courageous and honest resolution to the Somali problem. Such a just and righteous step would encourage Somalia to follow Somaliland’s path and to find solutions for its problems. Somaliland Forum hopes Somalia finds peace and can find it in their hearts to forgive one another and to bring an end the cycle of revenge and massacre.

SOMALILAND FORUM

Somaliland Forum   is an independent Diaspora   think-tank that advocates for the Sovereignty,   Democracy and socioeconomic development of   the Republic of Somaliland.   We work with Somaliland communities, supporters, governments and NGO's. For more information please contact: chair@somalilandforum.com or our website   www.somalilandforum.org