|
Hargeysa, Somaliland, June 2, 2012 (SL Times) – This is a slightly
edited version of the views of the Italian journalist Cesare Sangalli as
he related them to Haatuf reporter Ahmed Ige:
“I have been in here only for a few days, let say less than one week,
most of the time I was in Hargeisa and tomorrow we will go to Berbera. I
can say that I discovered Somaliland, some years ago. I remember reading
about Somaliland on Jeune Afrique, a weekly magazine in the French
language about Africa, mainly Francophone countries but also about the
rest of Africa. Many journalists are asking why the international
community didn’t recognize such peaceful and democratic country, at
least in comparison with other African countries, I mean by African
standards of democracy, it [Somaliland] is surely a democratic country.
Since that time I wanted to visit and see things for myself. I finally
came and could experience the truth. But even before I arrived, I had a
good idea about Somaliland, let say I was a supporter of Somaliland
cause, and exactly in different manner I have been in Sudan many years
with him Zone of Romberg. It was a dramatic situation. I think sometimes
being united has no meaning. I remember it was strange in the SPLA
struggle for a federal, united, democrat Sudan. But it was impossible to
imagine such a Sudan. So, for me (and I had written many years ago about
it) the only solution was separation, and , so, I was very happy when I
saw the news that South Sudan was independent. Of course every country
has its own history.
But I think that, it is impossible not to recognize the strong,
important value of peace, and so to let us not first talk about united
Somalia, or independent Somali, first it’s important for everybody, or
most of people, to know, that here is another Somalia, peaceful Somalia,
where everybody can go around anywhere they want. Because in Italy, and
I’m sure most European countries, if you say Somalia, the words that
they think about is war, blood, conflict, dramatic situation. So first
you have to know this other Somalia called Somaliland, this peaceful
country. To say let us ignore Somaliland is bad journalism, because we
have to talk about what is real and not be silent about it.
I was in Western Sahara, Polisario, and I hope to see the day when
western Saharans become independent from Morocco. I have written about
this, and I don’t like the silence of the mass media. All these people
were unlucky, more unlucky than other people. So first you have to know
this country, that there is another Somalia or Somaliland to the exactly
peace full and democratic then I was before and now more, I’m a strong
supporter of Somaliland independence and recognition by the
international community”.
|
