     SeeNoEvil | Tuesday, January 16, 2001 - 09:50 am
Statement by the delegation of the Somali National Movement the Republic of Somaliland at the informal preparatory meeting on Somalia
It gives us a great pleasure to attend the present informal preparatory meeting as observers. The Somali National Movement (SNM) and the government And people of Somaliland never intended to be passive and aloof about matters concerning the destiny of the whole Somali people.
Indeed during the days of the struggle against the dictatorship of Said Barre the Somali National Movement spared no effort in awakening the awareness of all the people to the duties of resistance to tyranny, not with much success, until the late 1980a. Today, the people of Somaliland, despite the hardships and difficulties they themselves are undergoing are aggravated by the tragedy that has befallen their brothers in Somalia.
While hoping that our brothers in the South would reach a formula for reconciliation acceptable to all parties, we also wish to offer our modest contributions, for what they are worth, to that process.
The reasons that prevented us from attending such conferences are simple and well known by now. First, most of those previous meetings were prepared in such a way that the results were foregone conclusions.
The much needed open-mindedness and the readiness to consider all possible options were conspicuous by their absence Secondly, Somaliland being an independent entity require a parallel solid entity in the South with whom it can negotiate. All those considerations were not given their due weight in the previous meetings and conferences.
Furthermore, if our role is needed in the reconciliation of the parties in the South, that role can be exercised only if we are, and are seen to be, neutral, not if Somaliland is considered part of the problem itself.
The two parts of which the former Somali Republic was composed i.e. the former Somaliland Protectorate and the Trusteeship Territory of Somalia joined of their own free will in i960.
The legal aspect of that union was not fully consummated. The constitution itself, which was prepared in the South and which did not take into account much of the amendments wanted by the North, was overwhelmingly rejected in the 1961 referendum by the population of the former protectorate.
Legalities aside, it is important to recall that Somaliland did not sacrifice its newly won independence for the sake of the union with the South per seat, but rather for the sake of the larger unity of all Somali inhabited areas of the Horn of Africa. This was the meaning of "unity" for all Somalia then.
It was the basis of an irredentism Somali nationalism that collided with the status quo, existing norms, and interests of other countries of the Horn. This meeting of the irresistible force and the immovable object caused wars between the Somali Republic and its neighbors, and contributed to continuous instability in the Horn. The competition of superpowers for clients thus introduced the maddening arms race and building of armies.
Today that drama is tragically concluded Djibouti is an independent country Somalia in Ethiopia and Kenya are citizens of our cherished neighbors. The rump is the barren marriage between Somaliland and Somalia.
The people of Somaliland, after thirty years of domination and injustice, wanton destruction tantamount to mass killings of a large section of the population decided to restore their lost independence.
In these circumstances what is the purpose of insisting on a "unity" that has lost its essential meaning? To our Somali brothers -we say there are more important things for us to do today than arguing over a non-existent, phantom "unity". We have to put an end to all armed conflict everywhere, ensure security so that suffering people can be supported, and start the reconciliation of our people where it matters most ?right at the localities where life and death are affected by a seemingly trite event.
To friends of the Somali people in the international community we say: to insist, let alone impose unity is to pursue a mirage and is tantamount to a return to the Horn of Africa to the status-quo-ante of instability and wars,
The statehood of Somaliland does not violate the territorial integrity of Somalia remains true to the OAU resolution of 1964 on maintaining boundaries as left by the colonial powers, and is also an expression of the principal of self determination. What better way to assure peace, justice and stability not only in all parts of the former Somali Republic but also in the Horn than to recognize the legitimate statehood of Somaliland as a full participant, along with Somalia in a future Horn of Africa economic cooperation arrangement.
We find it relevant here to inform this gathering and the international community at large that the council of Ministers of the Government of Somaliland recently passed a resolution to conduct a national referendum on the restoration if the independence of Somaliland. As democratically adopted at Burao by the representatives of all the communities of Somaliland and ratified by the Central Committee of SNM in May 1991.
The timing and technical modalities of the referendum will be deliberated on by the organs concerned. We appeal to the international community for help in the legal and financial aspects of this important task.
A superimposed solution for Somalia proper (the South) however moved by noble aims will not work. The Somali home can regain its health only if the Somali people, taking brotherhood and justice as their point of departure, decide matters by themselves. The process of peace and national reconciliation, in its specificity and generality, is the immediate and urgent task of the moment. The international community has to take cognizance of this important fact.
Better understanding of the Somali society and the complexity of its multi-dimensional tragedy are an imperative necessity pressing itself upon both internal -and external players on the Somali political stage.
Presently, the Republic of Somaliland and its people are being subjected to an economic embargo; a matter that hinders the resettlement and reconstruction program that this materially and socially destroyed country needs.
The major towns are in total ruins, due to the systematic destruction perpetrated by the dictatorial regime of Mohamed Said barre. The international community, and particularly aid donor countries, have to take account of the gigantic resettlement and reconstruction program that is so vital to our country.
Taking such a step would facilitate and accelerate the process of peace and national reconciliation, which is already proceeding well.
In conclusion, on behalf of the SNM and the Republic of Somaliland, we thank the government and the people of Ethiopia (as wall as the people of Eritrea), our brothers and neighbors, and who are once again extending a fraternal and humane hand to our suffering people.
We are certain that the brotherly assistance that Ethiopia, government and people have, at great coat to themselves, bestowed on our people will indelibly stamp itself on our future multi-variegated relations, and will herald a better future for the Horn of Africa.
Observer SNM Delegation to the Informal Preparatory
Meeting on Somalia held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (01/04/93) |
| Sirrus | Tuesday, January 16, 2001 - 10:17 am
"Res dura, et regni novitas me talia cogunt
Moliri, et late fines custode tueri."
-Harsh necessity, and the newness of my kingdom, force me to do such things and to guard my frontiers everywhere. (Aeneid i, 563)
Does defending the borders of your new republic mean, conspire with the enemies of the somali people as a whole, for the past 600 years? |
| SeeNoEvil | Tuesday, January 16, 2001 - 11:38 am
Sirrus you are paranoid. First read the article. Where does it say anything about conspiring with the enemy? It talks about helping somalis where ever they may live. Open your eyes and expand your horizons. Second its not a new Republic but it has existed before. |
| SIRRUS | Tuesday, January 16, 2001 - 02:31 pm
My sincere appologise if the article does not honorable demostrate a diplomatic cry to somalia's long time enemy Ethiopia. regarding "new republic", yes, Somaliland is a new republic, prior to the union it was a British Protectorate, it might have achieved independence slightly earlier than the south, but it was never regarded as a republic. With the union, somalia was known as the Republic of Somalia. Now, you refer to yourselves as the breakaway republic. Which makes you a new republic. Then againt I might be a delusional paranoid. After all is it not, what you refer to the southeners.
"In conclusion, on behalf of the SNM and the Republic of Somaliland, we thank the government and the people of Ethiopia (as wall as the people of Eritrea), our brothers and neighbors, and who are once again extending a fraternal and humane hand to our suffering people.
We are certain that the brotherly assistance that Ethiopia, government and people have, at great coat to themselves, bestowed on our people will indelibly stamp itself on our future multi-variegated relations, and will herald a better future for the Horn of Africa.
Observer SNM Delegation to the Informal Preparatory Meeting on Somalia held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (01/04/93)"
Read those lines, they might make you paranoid too.
Much love Sirrus.
By the way, I am one of the southern somalis who wish for you to get the hell out of our republic.
Leaving is one thing, but kissing up to people who we both shed our blood against, who have a deep rooted hatred and would love nothing more than to see you subjugated. Since you "fraternally" allied with them, I will regard somaliland just as I regard Ethiopia, (foreign policy: aimed at their complete annilation) |
| Liibaan | Wednesday, January 17, 2001 - 02:49 am
sirrus, when your siyaad was bombing hargeisa until it was rubble, where were you?
in that context let me ask you if we have to defend our borders from you (the South) in the first place, who is then our enemy? u have nothing to stand on when you imply ethiopia is our enemy; let it bomb hargeisa as you did before we call it enemy.
Liibaan |
