Somaliland needs to work with the South

[Futurist]

Somaliland has been trying to get international recognition for 25 years. But it's been unsuccessful so far, with no prospects for recognition in sight.

During the 25 years Somaliland has not been able to develop its economy, because it is locked out from the international financial, political and trading systems. Somalilanders are therefore living in some kind of self imposed economic and political limbo. This has the effect of keeping Somalilanders poor, unable to trade with the rest of the world, unable to travel, unable to access education or healthcare internationally, unable to access international payment systems or credit facilities.

It would be a moral abdication of duty to continue the SL policy of not working with Somalia's government - as the internationally recognised body that has access to the UN, the international payments system, international diplomatic channels. The policy of Somaliland's self imposed political, trade, diplomatic sanctions is directly resulting in the impoverishment of the Somaliland people. It is a truly insane policy that takes the approach of 'cutting off your nose, to spite the face'.

SL politicians may not like Somalia's anarchic and corrupt politics, Somalilanders may well refuse to be a part of Somalia, Somaliland may well continue to pursue international recognition. But the age old adage of 'dani kaa adag' teaches us that sometimes you have to do things you do not like, to get what you want. In this case Somaliland should work - perhaps unofficially - with the southern government for the betterment and development of their country.

[Futurist]

Somaliland needs to work with the South, this is paramount to its security, future prosperity and its continued development.

[burcaawi14]

As if there's something to even consider working with in the south

[Futurist]

As if there's something to even consider working with in the south

This kind of highly emotional, irrational, illogical thinking keeps Somaliland behind. Do you not realise that millions of Somalilanders are suffering as a result? They're unable to trade with the rest of the world, unable to travel, unable to access education or healthcare internationally, unable to access international payment systems or credit facilities. Do you not care about their wellbeing or development? Do you even realise that you cannot make a payment internationally if you are a business owner in Somaliland? How do you expect them to trade?

Somaliland should lobby the Somali government in Mogadishu to locate the Somali Central Bank, Somali Aviation Authority and Somali Foreign Office in Hargeisa - with the explicit understanding that Somailland is not dropping its independence, but that it will provide greater support and legitimacy to the Somali Federal Government. Somaliland should also lobby foreign governments with an embassy on Mogadishu to open a consulate in Hargeisa to establish international diplomatic links.

[Futurist]

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to achieve what you want. It has been a quarter of a century already. We have achieved amazing things in terms of peace, democratisation, institution building and reconstruction.

But we cannot continue with this approach of self imposed economic, political, legal, diplomatic isolationism for another 25 years. It will not serve us in the next stage of our development. But changing our approach takes a certain level of courage that many of our Somaliland politicians are yet to find.

Somaliland needs to develop a dual-track approach in the next 25 years if it is to develop and get out of this economic rut. The dual track development policy needs to focus on leveraging greater economic and political power inside south Somalia, whilst continuing to pursue Somaliland recognition and development.

[Futurist]

We need economic and political realism, not emotional idealism.

[Futurist]

A National Payment System (NPS) infrastructure (payment clearing and settlement system) is not in place in Somaliland. The BoS does not yet have plans to build such a system or provide the services or infrastructure needed to enable financial institutions to communicate through a messaging and routing platform to transmit and reconcile payment orders, establish final positions, and settle accounts (by the debiting and crediting of accounts) among financial institutions.

In the absence of a NPS, financial institutions currently offering payment services in Somaliland operate as closed-loop systems, where each entity operates its own payment system without being interconnected to others. When financial institutions in a market are not linked through such a central platform, they are not able to process payments efficiently among each other. As a result, all payments must be processed in cash, which is extremely inefficient, resource intensive, and much more risky.

The lack of financial supervision and regulation in Somaliland prevents foreign financial institutions from meeting obligations of their home jurisdiction that require financial institutions with which they do business to: (a) implement internal AML/CFT control systems; (b) be effectively supervised and regulated by a responsible authority for compliance with AML/CFT laws and regulations; and (c) be subject to measures that effectively mitigate AML/CTF risks in their own institution.

As of October 2016 the Central Bank of Somaliland has no plans to create a national payment system! Dadka beenta ha laga daayo. These self serving Somaliland politicians have no interest or intention in developing the country.

[Siciid85]

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to achieve what you want. It has been a quarter of a century already. We have achieved amazing things in terms of peace, democratisation, institution building and reconstruction.

But we cannot continue with this approach of self imposed economic, political, legal, diplomatic isolationism for another 25 years. It will not serve us in the next stage of our development. But changing our approach takes a certain level of courage that many of our Somaliland politicians are yet to find.

Somaliland needs to develop a dual-track approach in the next 25 years if it is to develop and get out of this economic rut. The dual track development policy needs to focus on leveraging greater economic and political power inside south Somalia, whilst continuing to pursue Somaliland recognition and development.

Don't expect too much from this generation, they are zombies who lack flexibility. They have been programmed beyond repair but sooner or later reality will catch up and smack them in the face

[Xildiiid]

Nonsense..

By working with Somalia we accept and cement the false narrative of Somalia being the successor state to the Somali republic. A republic that did not have legitimacy according to international law. Unfortunately, in this world geopolitics dictate the terms and not the rule of law, nonetheless that doesn't mean we should give up our cause and legitimate existence for aid and loans.

The poverty and reoccurring droughts should be blamed on the corrupt governments from the time of Cigaal until now with Siilaanyo. We can only change this pattern when government officials are held accountable.

[SuldaanMaplesyrup]

Octavius, joining the South won't magically erase our problems. I believe the time for unity was in the 90s when the South was a complete mess and we could have strong armed the entire country in our favour. But now with an internationally backed government, you'll be lucky to get anything beyond regional state status. In other words, we've past the point of no return.

Instead of focusing on unity, and even recognition, we should coming up with ways to improve the livelihood of our citizens. Development should be a much bigger priority than ictiraaf/unity.

[AwRastaale]

All Somalis need to work together at least in areas they can see things bit more clear.

Naturally our nomads work together better.

As you know there is an ongoing drought and our nomads are moving freely across the Somali Peninsula to find aome water and pasture.

My own camels are with Ogaden in south Wardheer even though the rain wasn't great there either.

My neighbors have crossed over to HG/Sacad regions near Muduf-Kilil borders.

Lots of people from Togdheer to Sanaag have made their way to Awdal.

All these are signs we are not as self hating as kids online may portray.

There is hope guys.

[GalliumerianSlayer]

Southern Somalia alone can feed the entire Somali people in 'Greater Somalia', if utilized properly.

[sahal80]

As if there's something to even consider working with in the south

Somaliland should lobby the Somali government in Mogadishu to locate the Somali Central Bank, Somali Aviation Authority and Somali Foreign Office in Hargeisa - with the explicit understanding that Somailland is not dropping its independence, but that it will provide greater support and legitimacy to the Somali Federal Government. Somaliland should also lobby foreign governments with an embassy on Mogadishu to open a consulate in Hargeisa to establish international diplomatic links.

lol whos crazy to give up the FM so you can get recognition but i dont mind the bank since qaldaans r good managers than good politicians. im sure there would have been money today

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to achieve what you want.

Somaliland needs to develop a dual-track approach in the next 25 years if it is to develop and get out of this economic rut. The dual track development policy needs to focus on leveraging greater economic and political power inside south Somalia, whilst continuing to pursue Somaliland recognition and development.

nearly agree with you on this. instead of moving the FM to there you may have indirect influence on who will fill the so called "dirta waqooyi positions". nowadays its not like when there was fozia who was eliminating the non isaaq notherners. the current FM is "northest" and he supports awdal and USP group being part ofthe negotiations as notherners. another case is how they banned the kenyan khat bc of SL....so think would have been much easier for you had you influence in there

i dont support institutional and political integration between north and south before any political settlement....we r much behind and you should continue BUT you need a reality check

while koonfur is busy with its clan-based federalism that could could affect you some day+instability you can bring new stuff to the negotiation table like a nothern self-governance exactly like zanzibar so we will have to governments. that means your not part of the federal govt/regions

once you sign this it will be an interonationally recognized treaty and also by the koonfur constitution, therefore, you have secured the former british somaliland borders

then think about the next stage of becoming an independent country like the iraqi kurdistan is doing now....this depends on the change of circumstances like the security, international and economical interests

instead of coming up each time with ictiraaf and final issues at each negotiations, come up with a pragmatic approach to get your share of developmental projects. bring to the table whats necessary for you like the berbera corridor, foreign scholarship via hargeysa-based consulates and missions

New deals SL speacial arrangements was based on this
http://www.somaliland-mission.com/index ... rrangement

lastly SL politicians/media should avoid involving in koonfur clan and anti-stability issues to create a cooperative atmosphere bc mogadishu is the gate for all this.

[Musa26]

somalia does not acknowledge somaliland as its equal. therefore it holds hostile intentions towards somaliland.

somaliland must not and can not work with somalia. infact somaliland should go out its way to sabotage the development of somalia

its a state of war as much as most people like to turn their eyes from it. just 2 days ago the federal government of somalia raped somaliland's territorial integrity by sending one of its officials to taleex and indoctrinating the local somalilanders there

we have yet to see a response from the corrupt kulmiye party to this invasion of our nation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtG09GOkMOs

[Siciid85]

All Somalis need to work together at least in areas they can see things bit more clear.

Naturally our nomads work together better.

As you know there is an ongoing drought and our nomads are moving freely across the Somali Peninsula to find aome water and pasture.

My own camels are with Ogaden in south Wardheer even though the rain wasn't great there either.

My neighbors have crossed over to HG/Sacad regions near Muduf-Kilil borders.

Lots of people from Togdheer to Sanaag have made their way to Awdal.

All these are signs we are not as self hating as kids online may portray.

There is hope guys.