By Abdulkadir Idan

Arguably this New Year has been distinctively unique and whether this distinction is positive or negative depends on the region you live in. We have witnessed within the past few months the creation of 6-7 new regions and although the government or its supporters would argue that the creation of these new regions is designed to “better” the nation, others doubt whether this is their overall objective. Many sincerely believe that the growing regionalization has cobbled together distinct regions that deserve a separate status such as Gabiley, with many others who don’t have an economic or historical distinction that separates them from the current region that they are apart of.

As many Somalilanders now accept this growing regionalization is purely political and has been done purely to increase the chances of Udub and improve Riyale electoral prospects. However, dear readers, I ask you to examine the current geopolitical regional distribution. It seems that every major grouping has been allocated a region. Salal (Isse), Awdal (Gadarbursi), Odweyne (Habar Yonis), Buhoddle (Dulbahentee), Badhan (Warsangali), Gabiley (Gabril Abukar), Hawd (Arap) etc. Although, we can all pretend that this doesn’t have anything to do with clans in actuality it does because the allocated regions are entirely clan orientated. However, dear readers from this long list of regions and groupings it is obvious that one group has been left out even though they have continuously played an important and integral part of Somaliland both historically and at present.

The Edagalle have contributed greatly to Somaliland both historically and at present, they make up a sizable portion of Hargeysa and have been, amongst many others staunch Somalilanders. Like many Somalilanders they have also contributed to the liberation of the country and its current political and economic growth. However, unlike their brothers and sisters even though they collectively agree upon the creation of a distinct region (Gaaroodi) with Salaxley as its district capital, it has however, as it seems at present being ignored by the current government of Dahir Riyale Kahin. I ask the readers, is this system of balance and equality that we Somalilanders fought to create and take pride in? Although regionalization was a mistake from the beginning, except in the case of Gabiley, we can no longer deny that it is a reality and if regions have been allocated to groups smaller in number than why not the Edagalle who have had great influence amongst Somalilanders even before the status of British Protectorate.

This is clearly an unjust act that could potentially alienate an entire section of people and could potentially generate conflict between brothers and sisters who have lived side by side for many generations. The   Somaliland government namely, Dahir Riyale Kahin should before he begins to allocate   the sea into different regions, provide the Edagalle their right to the Gaaroodi Region with Salaxley as its district capital which they have inhabited before the creation of Gabiley, Baligobadle and many other cities.   Furthermore, the longer this issue is left unresolved the more danger it could potentially generate and if Somaliland’s long term interests is peace, stability and equality than like any other segment of Somaliland’s population our desires can not be ignored.

Abdulkadir Idan, London, England

abdulidan@hotmail.com