     QAYILAAYE | Thursday, September 14, 2000 - 10:30 am
Dear Reader: I am just a messanger not vindictive person
Travels in Somaliland
Al Khaleej visited the Capital and Drove around Significant Towns
Republic of Somaliland is a small country in Northern Somalia, self-declared and unrecognized by no other country...In spite of its strategic location on the Red Sea, its proximity to other Arab countries specially the Arabian Peninsula. The case of Somaliland is just the same as the rest of the ruined parts of Arab Somalia : still an unknown land to the majority of Arabs. In order to throw light on this small country which insists on its secession from the rest of the regions of Somalia, and to educate the readers "Al Khaleej" about this unknown part of our Arab motherland, this travel to Somaliland took place.
The visitor to the Republic of Somaliland may not believe what his eyes can see, and may even be astounded to realize that the city of Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, is part of the Somalia that was destroyed and which had suffered all the demolition and destruction! Indeed, the city of Hargeisa is jam-packed with the newest car models that you hardly see in any of the neighboring capitals in the Horn of Africa. Hargeisa may even be the only city of the Horn of Africa in which its markets display hard currencies side-by-side with gold and jewelry that mobile merchants move about without the least fear.
In Hargeisa's large market, a visitor finds anything he wants, and the price of merchandise in the markets of Somaliland are much lower compared to cost of similar things in neighboring countries. The minimal duties levied by the port of Berbera had encouraged Somaliland merchants to extend their commercial activities all the way to Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, the President of Somaliland told Al-Khaleej that the Government of Somaliland followed a laissez-faire economic policy from the date it came to power and it transferred all public sector institutions to the private sector. He added that 'privatization' policies that some governments in the region talk about was executed by Somaliland before anyone else, and Somaliland succeeded in transferring all institutions such as electricity, communications - including wireless, to the private sector.
Among the most striking scenes for a visitor to Hargeisa whose population is around 300,000 , is the orderly plan of the city which was done by the British engineers during the British colonial rule of Somaliland; likewise, the cafes that are all along the streets, which are like clubs bursting with city residents. Each group of Somalilanders have their private cafe: those coming from the Arabian Gulf have their cafe, and so do those coming from European countries, and those from African countries. Somalilanders coming from the USA and Canada constitute the customers of the finest hotels and restaurants, and the poorer classes see them as aristocrats.
The women in Somaliland, and especially in Hargeisa, have a unique status, for they impart to the city an unusual warmth when they come out shopping in the shops all along the streets. From our inquiries, we came to know for sure that women have a great role in keeping the peace and that they support Somaliland's independence indirectly and that reject completely the idea of re-joining the south again.
The secretary of the President, Maryam, talked to me about the social role of women saying that they played a great role in the war that Somaliland had against the Siad Barre regime. The women gave soccour to the men, and wiped the tears of the children. They gave the lives of their off-springs for the creation of a better Somaliland....
The visitor to Somaliland will not see a single church unlike South Somalia where one can find the largest church in East Africa built by the Italians. In addition, there are large sign-boards placed at all entrances to the towns on which is written, "No one with weapons allowed in city". Camel milk is the best gift to a visitor in Somaliland.
The people of Somaliland are considered the most news-hungry/news-loving people, and news travels in this country faster than anything, and electronic communications in Somaliland are inexpensive: for example, the cost of a satellite dish is not above $300.0, which makes it very easy for all Somalilanders to follow the news and world events with great ease. Somaliland is considered, in comparison with many other third world countries, advanced with respect to ease of communication. There are five telecommunication companies that provide service throughout Somaliland, and anyone from a distant village can reach by phone any other region or outside the country....
SOMALILAND IN BRIEF
NAME: Republic of Somaliland
LOCATION: Bordered on the North by Gulf of Aden, Somalia on the East, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the West, and Republic of Djibouti on the Northwest.
AREA: Somaliland measures 137,600 [sic] km sq. GOVERNMENT: Judiciary, Legislative Council, Executive.
REGIONS: Six regions.
CAPITAL: Hargeisa, population 300,000.
RELIGION: All citizens and leaders of Somaliland are Muslims |
| Gerowe | Friday, September 15, 2000 - 06:03 am
That was the most ridiculous display of Idoor propaganda and Arab butt-kissing I have ever witnessed in my entire life. It's really pathetic that you people are resorting to wishful thinking and fantasy propaganda in order to gain some notoriety and recognition for your tiny fledgling and might I add bankrupt feudal democracy. Your dreams and aspirations for some sort of recognition has exceeded the normal dosage of patriotism and is now bordering on a dangerously high level of clanism. Since it is a well known fact that Somaliland=Habar Awal land as much as Puntland=Majeertaan land dont you think it absurd to declear that you Idoor have created a multicultural, well estabilished and functioning society; where all clans live in utopia and everybody gets along. It is a well known and well documented fact that the Hergaisa government is currentely deploying thousands of ill-trained and ill-equipped soldiers to the frontlines in Awdal, Sool and Sanaag (which is putting a drain on the already failing economy of this region which recieves 90% of its income from international donars). These regions do not share the euphoria of separation that is so characteristic of Idoors. These regions do not want to betray their culture, nationality and Somali identity by
separating from the rest of thier brethren. These regions are looking for a strong, equally united and free democracy which is not being offered by the Egal government. It baffles the mind the way you people boast and bragg about your recent accomplishments considering the fact that an equal if not greater level of political, economic and social prosperity has occured in the temporary administration of Puntland. However you will never see any Somali's from that region boasting, bragging, burning the Somalian flag, rejoicing at the desparity of our Southern bretherin and we still acknowledge our somaliness because we dont call ourselves Arabs or Somalilanders or Puntlanders but Somali's Therefore I am calling on all the inhabitants of so called Somaliland to wake-up from their misguided dreams, stop their hateful rhetoric,stop this childish plead for attention,stop all that non-islamic braggin and boasting and join your brethrin in the South before the darkness of today extinguishes the potential light of tomorrow. |
| ahmed | Friday, September 15, 2000 - 09:29 pm
qaldaamiineey dal kuma noqoneyneysan gaari wanagsan banu qaadanaa iyo bararbaa hargeysa ka furan aawey hurumar aduunka la fajacay ee ka socda muqdisho oo weliba amaan la,aan u sii dheer tahy markii dekeda muqdisho la furo oo xoolah ka dhoofo dekeda berbera ee canshuurteena lagu dhisay ay joojiyaan canshuurta ay siinayaan tuugada gooni u goosatada ah dhilinyarada taajiriinta iyo waxgardka koonfurta ee ka qaxay dagaalka sokeeya dalkoodii dib ugu noqdaan maal gashadaan idinkii siinay dhooban yaan la idin arag waxan hubaa in aadan ka marmin xamr cadde waxii aad hurumar gaarteen good on you laakiin maxa ka lifay in aad islaamka wax ka sheegtaaan,dadnimada dadka soomaaliyeed iska sareysiisaan idinkoo aristocorat isku sheegaya waaaba yaabee miyaadan dir uun aheyn. |
| warhaye | Thursday, September 28, 2000 - 10:25 pm
Keep on crying.We won by the bullet and we
have every right to live by the way we wish.You
jealous idiots who always talk about greater
somalia and how somalia is this or that or
is supposed to be as you are genuine people
who care about people or nation or country.
I hate most people like you who talk about
nationalism when your real aim is how to
get power you or your family lost.We are
not listening to you,keep on talking about
somali unity.We know you don't believe it,you
are just using naive people like you.You guys
tried everything to destroy somaliland after
we kicked your ass in the great war we toppled
siad barre,and now you just keep crying.Somali
land will never come to you.If you want to
fight you are very welcome to your certain
destruction,till then just shut up & stop
wailing.You proofed to the whole world you
can not live without us.Too bad there aren't
no coming back. keep on dying. |
| warhaye | Thursday, September 28, 2000 - 10:28 pm
Keep on crying.We won by the bullet and we
have every right to live by the way wish.You
jealous idiots who always talk about greater
somalia and how somalia is this or that or
is supposed to be as you are genuine people
who care about people or nation or country.
I hate most people like you who talk about
nationalism when your real aim is how to
get power you or your family lost.We are
not listening to you,keep on talking about
somali unity.We know you don't believe it,you
are just using naive people like you.You guys
tried everything to destroy somaliland after
we kicked your ass in the great war we toppled
siad barre,and now you just keep crying.Somali
land will never come to you.If you want to
fight you are very welcome to your certain
destruction,till then just shut up & stop
wailing.You proofed to the whole world you
can not live without us.Too bad there aren't
no coming back. keep on dying. |
| waan ku tusi | Thursday, September 28, 2000 - 10:40 pm
Who are you talking about great somalia.You
destroyed it.You-DAROOD & GUDABIRSI.YOU are
the ones who are always in the internet as if
the internet will bring back your abusive and
inhumane behavior towards the rest of somalis.
It is for •••••• & Isaak to govern & live as
they see fit.It is non of your fucking business
to talk about anything concerning the somalis.
You had your time for forty years & you left
with the worst misery any nation have seen in
recorded history-40 years of miserable
dictatorship & another 10 years of no gov't,
which was your fault. |
