But yes, as a general matter, I now support the independence of Somaliland.
My experience there and my observations now, seeing how Somaliland is navigating the most troubling political headwinds it could possibly face, i.e. election turbulence; causes me to finally take the leap and extend my support.
Somaliland is not Somalia.
They love their country. They have shared purpose. They value their peace and stability.
More than all, they internalize their common destiny.
Somalia reflects none of that.
The decision Somaliland elders, politicians, and socio-cultural entities made in 1991 was prescient.
I now wholeheartedly support that decision.
This position is not sudden, but is the 3rd final development in a trajectory my viewpoint re: Somaliland has been undergoing.
In the following post I penned couple years ago, I described the previous stages:
1. I had long stopped taking a position on the actual war in the 80's because I had found such an action immoral (X amount died vs XX amount).
2. I had at the time of the writing stopped taking a position on the origins of rebellion, because I had found the action lacking moral superiority (rebellion vs dissent).
3. Now, after having long stopped contesting the process of the war in the North or questioning the legitimacy of its origins, I now find myself in support of the independence declaration of Somaliland in 1991.https://www.somalinet.com/forums/viewto ... 5#p4968888
Speaking for myself, I have actually found that I am continuously evolving more moderate on the issue. I remember being very, very partisan where I would even debate the figures of casualties. A long time ago, I realized even if I wasn't heartless, the effect of that position was sheer callousness and disregard for human life. I made the decision never to provide a counter-argument or contest anything related to it because even if ONE PERSON was a casualty that was one too many.
I have since only tried to debate about the origins of the whole issue, trying to contextualize the government response---anything beyond that I end participation because it is inappropriate and inhumane for me to contest their experience with effects of the war.
Now, my evolution on this issue is actually at a stage where I find it inppropriate to even contest the origins of the issue itself! No one admires Aabe Siyaad more than I (or as much as anyone else) and to me he is a symbol and an example of Somali leadership at it's finest with his grit, vision, strength, and determination----but the reality is only God and his apostles are beyond reproach. Everything else about Mankind is subject to critique.
As fine as our leader, the contract that brought him to power was a Coup not a free and fair ballot. This means when rebellions started, they were never breaking something they co-signed to. They were not being "traitors" to the State, but If I must be fair, simply choosing to remove one "representation" of it without an original legitimate contract (i.e it was a coup).
Even if Aabe Siyaad was Mother Theresa X10, he would still be without an original legitimate contract unless a truly fair and free election took place that bestowed legitimacy on his leadership----as has happened in Nigeria for example (Obasanjo came by coup, then later come back again through fair elections).
So really, there is no legitimate reason for me to even try to contest the beginnings of rebellions because even if the gov had done 0 wrong---as long as it was in the state of being born from a coup and thereby without an original approved contract with the Somali people, then the method it came to power is justification enough for rebellion...even if it was the best of govs.
So I am actually moving to a place where I completely defer to reer Hargeisa on the entire circumstances.
For them to explain why they rebelled, why they chose armed combat, what they suffered, what effect it is continuing to have on them.
All of that is for them to tell me and us.
My role, I am starting to embrace, is to shut up and listen and practice humility and genuinely strengthen my empathy.
