New chapter in Horn politics.

[Cirwaaq]

http://www.somalilandpatriots.com/news-11640-0

After 20 years it is never too late to begin engagement in the politics of the horn to activily enfluence it and perhabs address other's concerns.

More Signs of maturity step in the right direction.

[Saraxnow]

Somaliland to show to the Somali public that its independence aspirations and Somalinimo go hand in hand, that it has genuine desire for fraternal and friendly relations, that it is concerned with the fate of Somalia and wishes to contribute to the peace, reconciliation and development efforts in the region. Last week a Somaliland delegation led by prominent poet Mohamed Warsame Hadraawi was send to Mogadishu to deliver aid to famine stricken families. The funds were raised by the people of Somaliland in solidarity and sympathy with their starving brothers and sisters in Somalia. This kind of initiative shows goodwill to all Somali’s and above all demonstrate Somaliland’s political maturity. And with enough goodwill from the Somali’s it may one day lead to recognition by their brothers from Somalia. This kind of recognition is much more preferred and desired then recognition from any other foreign country.

Even though Somalia no longer exists as a state, still diplomacy towards Somalia is much needed. Traditional diplomacy, the interaction between governments, would be ineffective as the TFG mandate doesn’t have a lot of support in Somalia and its mandate is ending by next year. So this would not have the added value needed in this case. But Somaliland could achieve its goals by using Public Diplomacy rather than traditional diplomacy. In international relations public diplomacy or people’s diplomacy, broadly speaking, is the communication with foreign public to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence public attitudes and perception. It is practiced through a variety of instruments and methods ranging from personal contact and media interviews to the Internet and educational exchanges. Somaliland

should use Public diplomacy by effectively communicating with Somali publics around the globe through the use of mass media and through dealings with a wide range of nongovernmental entities(educational institutions, religious organizations, clan and ethnic groups) and influential individuals (business people, singers, writers) for the purpose of influencing the Somali public perceptions towards Somaliland. Even through sports and other social/cultural activities like music events and youth exchanges could be used to promote understanding of Somaliland’s case.

[Cirwaaq]

It takes a degree of tolerance to brave the recoil comments of opposition parties and negative minded people who will attempt to distort every action for personal gain. In the long term such individuals will loose all credibility and enfluence. In an age where more somalis have access to media and are able to discern the hypocricy projected by so called leaders they will not award forgiveness when it matters.

Increased interactions and dialogue for mutual benefits of all concerned.