By Abdulkadir Idan, London, England

The Horn of Africa has reached a new state of insecurity and the ultimate height of instability and anarchy. This continues to be fuelled by neighboring states that see the existence of any stability in the region as a threat to their regional hegemony. Ethiopia's invasion has contributed to more insecurity then any other period of time. Ethiopia's current occupation seems almost indefinite however if this remains this would only contribute to many more years of instability, turmoil and horror for the tired and innocent victims of Somali's instability. Through out Somalia instability remains the norm, explosions, marauding freelance militias and a lot more. How could this effect Somaliland.

Somaliland today, is a country that is more stronger then any other period and as the months and years pass on it will continue to get stronger, its institutions more effective its economy greater, it influence around the world greater as the months and years pass by its army will continue to grow.

The nay sayers and dooms dayers have lost all heart and have reached the heights of absolute insanity. Along the way Somaliland has gained new friends and most notability the people of Southern Somalia who have realized the true extant of the situation which they have found themselves in for the last 16 years. They have realized how the neo-Siadist have used the issue of Somaliland for their own false reasons and how they blindly followed and now occupy their land and commit horrible crimes against their people. While even after the many years of un-enlightenment that has plagued the people of Somalia and in particular Mogadishu residence and its outskirts, Somaliland continues to welcome refugees with open arms and according to UN reports the number has topped more than 40,000 people mainly women, children and the elderly. This has been the most powerful signal to the people of southern and central Somalia that Somaliland and its people continue to offer a hand of friendship, assistance, co-existence and mutual recognition that is beneficial to the two peoples.

Amongst us, there are those who say we have failed to achieve international recognition even after 16 years, however those unenlightened individuals fail to see that very few countries within this decade have achieved recognition less than 16 years. It has taken Southern Sudan nearly 25 years and its close, it has taken Eritrea 30 years, Western Sahara nearly 25 years, East Timor 28 years even poor Kosovo is more then 20 years and still only close. Our goal is not short term but long term, we have the legality and the growing support our only worry is the development of our country, the empowerment of its institutions and increasing the capability of Somaliland’s National Army. Its our 16th anniversary of independence and freedom, unlike other countries in our region, Ethiopia is celebrating the fall of one dictator and the rise of another, Djibouti is celebrating dictatorship, the one party state and the French culture. We have allot to be thankful for so let us give thanks and continue to strive harder for the betterment of our country and the pioneering of peace, democracy and equality within Somaliland and outside its borders.

Let us contribute more to development programmes which provide employment to our youth, let us contribute to our economy and increase the money we send or businesses we develop, let us support our president and government 110%, let us fight the enemies inside and outside with more determination, ferocity and strength.

abdulidan@hotmail.com