Are we independent from Ethiopia? The truth is I
do not know! But what I know is Somaliland and Ethiopia do not have
the same interests in Somalia. In addition, I believe Somaliland has
brought many things to the table while Ethiopia has not even
recognized us!
Let me explain first how we do not have the same interests. Ethiopia
does not want a strong Somalia at any point of time while Somaliland
badly needs a strong government that represents all Somalia so that
we have someone to address our recognition issue. We are in Africa,
and recognition is much harder than anyplace else and involves the
other party. Whether it is by direct talks or by the UN's
intervention, having Somalia back will speed our recognition
process.
I will come back to Somalia, now can someone tell me what Ethiopia
has brought to our table? Ethiopia today does not recognize
Somaliland just because it feels shy to be the first. On the other
hand, Somaliland was capturing Iitihaad and non Iitihaad people in
Somaliland years ago. Are we giving too much for too little? I was
in 2002 when they arrested people from the fifth region and I
wondered why we are interfering in Ethiopian
inner conflict. An elder answered me, they are terrorists; the whole
world is fighting them and we should follow the international laws.
I asked him back: are we strong enough to fight terrorists in the
horn of Africa today when we do not even have water in Hargeisa? The
answer was not what I heard but what I saw. Years later, Real
terrorists came down to Somaliland
and killed westerns and planned to disturb our Elections. That is a
shameful fact you will not hear much. People try to avoid
terrorists; our government invited them over! Talk about a policy
that made us enter a war with terrorists, one that put our families
and democratic transition in danger. We placed all that on the
Somaliland –Ethiopian table and still, Ethiopia does not bother
itself to recognize Somaliland.Back to
our interests in Somalia, today Ethiopia declares war at Somalia.
Just saying that is against the international law, justice and it's
amusing to Somalis in general. Where are our ministers who love
keeping the international law years back? Sadly, our government that
we assumed it stands for peace, freedom and fairness still calls the
war- loving Somali-hating Ethiopia: a friend! In one statement,
Riyale said "Ethiopia has the right to see its interest in Somalia"!
What about us Mr. President? What about Somaliland's interest?
In the article, "Ending Somaliland's self-imposed isolation ", the
author Rashid Nur suggested to stand with the TFG because the UIC
declared Jihad on Ethiopia. I disagree with my brother Nur in the
point that the UIC is the one who started the war. It's Ethiopia
that has been supporting war lords in the last 16 years so that
Somalia never stands up. If you asked me, that is one reason we are
not recognized at the moment. Add to that,
it is Ethiopia who is sending troops to Somalia. So I think it's
obvious to be an ally today with who is right and it's more obvious
to stand with who is winning than who is loosing. But I agree this
is the chance to end our self imposed isolation but not in a way
that we will pay its price later on like calling for terrorists.
I am not saying lets declare Jihad at Ethiopia. Somaliland stands
for peace and so we should try our best not to have war in the
region. Not in a shy statement that no one reads, but in action by
stopping our friendly relationship with Ethiopia at this time. Weeks
ago both UCID and KULMIYE questioned our relationship with Ethiopia.
Unfortunately, that step was interrupted by the show that took place
in the news which showed the UIC as a monster and evil enemy to
Somaliland.
Back to the table, today UIC is ready to give things. It already
offered a compensation for the genocide the former regime committed
to Somaliland. Weather that makes sense or not, it’s a sign for
friendship the both parties are desperate for. Of course, they want
Somaliland to unite with them. That is exactly what India asks
Pakistan every time. So it is time we understand that and should not
take that as a sign of hostility. Simply, we can calmly say no
to union but welcome any cooperation between
the two parties. We should know that every one in Somalia wants
Somaliland and here and there we will find names that we consider
war criminals. But the UIC is at least aware of that and ready to
talk about it. This also a lesson to the USA, UK and Ethiopia who
took us for granted and kept ignoring our quest for recognition.
Why would we let Ethiopian weapons arrive at our ports when we know
it will be used against Somalis?
Let me tell you what is more ridiculous, we are doing that for free!
Somaliland Ha Noolaato
AbdiRahman Maxamed (haadka)
mrabdi@gmail.com
--
AbdiRaxman Mohammad
|
11:00 GMT
