By Ahmed Kheyre
London, UK

Sir,

It is fascinating to contrast the political situation in Hargeysa, Somaliland, with the situation in Mogadishu, in the neighbouring country of Somalia.

In Hargeysa, the political discourses have been lately focused on how many members should constitute the electoral commission? What is defined as the code of ethics between free speech and libel? How many political parties does the Somaliland constitution permit? Land reform, state vs private ownership? etc,etc.

On the other hand, in Mogadishu, "reconciliation" talks are being held under an occupying army, with most of the legitimate participants currently camped in Eritrea, and before I forget, with children losing their lives whilst playing innocently in the sand.

Can anyone spot the difference between the two realities?

As most of us have heard or read, an EU delegation led by the Somaliland/Somali representative, wish to visit Hargeysa,ostensibly to "persuade" the Somaliland leadership to join the "reconciliation"talks in Mogadishu.

Two question immediately spring to mind. Who are the leadership of Somaliland? and what could Somaliland possibly gain from such talks?

I will return the leadership aspect, but for now let us explore the concept and realities of these "reconciliation" talks. What could Somaliland gain from such participation? More succinctly, what could anyone in the Horn of Africa, or for that matter the World, expect from these talks. These talks are non-inclusive, without most of the key participants, with no jurisdiction outside Mogadishu, and are being held under a hail of mortars? It's chairperson is warlord, its secretariat is composed of cronies from the Barre regime and its audience are hostages.

Somaliland has no claims on Somali, nor does any Somalilander wish to determined the fate of the ordinary citizens in, say for example, Kurtunwaarey. What Somaliland wants is to live in peace and harmony with all its neighbouring countries. Somaliland wants ties that are based on economic, social and civil ties. There can never be a question of another political union. For thirty one years Somaliland was a hostage in a failed and now defunct ideal, Greater Somalia. This mirage has dissipated, never to appear before the eyes of sane people.

I have often stated in many previous articles that Somaliland has one advantage over its neighbour Somalia, democracy. Somaliland's form of democracy consists of inclusive dialogues, with comprehensive discussions followed by a binding consensus.

The political, social and economic realities are there for all to see, as one might say, "what the eyes can see, the mouth can say and the ears can hear" is hard to deny. Somaliland is a land of understanding, of shared history and common goals. Somaliland is here to stay.

The political reality in Somaliland is one of mature deliberations followed swiftly by the voice of the majority. A majority that is not based on clan, political, social or economic criteria. A majority whose desire is to control their lives in every city, town, village or watering hole in Somaliland.

Let us now return to the issue of the leadership in Somaliland. Many people are unfamiliar or ignorant of the socio-political landscape of Somaliland. They assume that the political manifestation of the Somaliland leadership structure are the actual powers that be. Far from it, the real leadership of Somaliland is its peoples. A government by the people, of the people, for the people, sound familiar?

The political leadership in Somaliland are elected. They are required to perform their duties, some will succeed, some will fail, however, at the end of the day, win or lose, they will resume their normal lives with dignity and with the gratitude of the nation.

No dictators, no usurpers, and certainly no murdering warlords among them.

So, let us welcome the EU delegation with open arms. Let them see the real Somaliland, its reality, its success's, its failure, its needs and wants. Let them drink from the well of truth and reason. Let them see that Somaliland wants to see its neighbours attain peace and democracy. Let them realise that it is the people of Somaliland who are the leaders of the nation. It is the people who determine the course of Somaliland, they did so under the acacia trees of Burco and Borama, and they do so today in the parliamentary buildings in Hargeysa.

Welcome to Somaliland, welcome the reality of Somaliland, and please leave any misconceptions at the door.


Sincerely,

Ahmed Kheyre
London, UK