My Belated Thoughts On The Berbera Fiasco

[Jugjugwacwac]

To start let me say that the people of Somaliland were horrified with the interior minister’s decision to bar entry into Somaliland to fellow Somalis escaping the war in Yemen. This was a decision taken by some idiots in the government, and had nothing to do with the public.

Two things stand out to me from this debacle. Firstly, Somaliland politicians have been exposed for their shortsightedness and horrible understanding of public relations (PR). When you watch the infamous video of the women and children being left on the ship while the Yemenis are let off and received, u have two Somaliland officials making statements that are so cringe worthy and so bizarre that you’d think they were intentionally trying to sabotage Somaliland’s reputation. The fact that the Interior Minister, who made the fateful decision on which those officials were acting, did not realize that this would cause severe backlash and tarnish the good name of the people of Somaliland shows that the man has an extremely low IQ and is not fit to be in such a position. Also, after the incident and the predictable blowback, we had very few politicians, wadaads, traditional leaders or even the general public making statements condemning the decision on mainstream Somali media outlets. But on the Somaliland websites on the other hand you have countless submissions from furious Somalilanders, and also some videos of elders and politicians condemning what took place. Isaaqs have no understanding of crisis management…why the hell would u submit your views to a Somaliland media outlet when your target audience is the wider community of Somalis? Compare that to Puntland, whose politicians and wadaads are media savvy PR experts, who have had a field day with Somaliland’s blunder. If Somaliland had even a fraction of their propaganda and PR abilities we could have salvaged the situation easily.

The other thing that stood out to me was how extreme the blowback has been from other Somalis even though the decision was reversed and president Siilaanyo even visited the Somali IDPs (or refugees, depending on your stance) in Berbera. I’ve found that many Somalis are using the pain of those mothers and children on the ship to score cheap points against their traditional enemy; the Isaaq. Many on social media and other outlets are saying this day will live in infamy and will forever be etched in the collective memory of Somalis, thus permanently besmirching the good name of Isaaqs. Some suggested that we be considered the new midgaans, and called for our expulsion from other regions of Somalia. To be honest, these reactions are way out of proportion to what occurred in Berbera. Those women and children were just kept on the ship for two hours and the decision was quickly reversed after the people of Berbera put extreme pressure on the port authorities. Why are people assuming that Isaaqs were in agreement with their government on this? Also, why are people forgetting how generous Somaliland has been to southerners for decades now? A plane full of Somalis deported by Saudi Arabia landed in Gaalkacyo in 2007, and Puntland authorities let in the Daaroods and refused to accept the rest. Somaliland allowed the plane to land in Hargaysa and took in all of those people. The only difference was Puntlanders weren’t stupid enough to have this filmed and didn’t brag about it on the media like brain-dead Somaliland politicians. Somaliland has sent close to a million dollars collected by the poor population to Xamar during the drought and famine of 2012. Somaliland is home to hundreds of thousands of fellow Somalis from the south who fled war and hardship, and they are treated with respect and dignity in Hargaysa, Burco, Borame etc. Honestly, fellow Somalis need to take a chill pill and realize that we were also hurt by what happened and that the situation has now been rectified.

[Siciid85]

*yawn.

[Methylamine]

I agree with you completely. But tbh we should just move on and leave this event in the past. Mistakes happen; dwelling on them is counterproductive and hinders our ability to move forward. Also there will always be people who will forever hate on Somaliland, and will continue to use this event as ammunition to bash Somaliland. Just gotta ignore them

[SahanGalbeed]

I listened to a report about the plight of the somalis refugees in Kenya yesterday on the radio . Daaroodkan iyo soo raacisa halkan ku dhuusa maalin walba JL,PL , aboohod wasooyin iyaga beerihi baantugan ay u ooyayaan DUL FADHIYA .

Fu,ckin hypocrites !

[ChiefKimbo]

[Halmog]

Unbelievable, calling wadaads/PL people that are helping fellow somalis/muslims as PR/propaganda. Remember folks were returning in bosaso weeks before the berbera incident so what propaganda u talking about? Negro, yall focked up ee don't point fingers elsewhere

[Arcturus]

A 2 Hour incident in SOMALILAND that became a precursor for the collective Convergence of Somalia's Warring Factions. Most Fascinating

[Idman702]

For the love of God, just shut up. Take the L and move on. Why do you have to bring PL into this mess. What kind of PR do we want? You blew your chances to ever being independent. Nobody will take you seriously from now on.

[LeJusticier]

To start let me say that the people of Somaliland were horrified with the interior minister’s decision to bar entry into Somaliland to fellow Somalis escaping the war in Yemen. This was a decision taken by some idiots in the government, and had nothing to do with the public.

Two things stand out to me from this debacle. Firstly, Somaliland politicians have been exposed for their shortsightedness and horrible understanding of public relations (PR). When you watch the infamous video of the women and children being left on the ship while the Yemenis are let off and received, u have two Somaliland officials making statements that are so cringe worthy and so bizarre that you’d think they were intentionally trying to sabotage Somaliland’s reputation. The fact that the Interior Minister, who made the fateful decision on which those officials were acting, did not realize that this would cause severe backlash and tarnish the good name of the people of Somaliland shows that the man has an extremely low IQ and is not fit to be in such a position. Also, after the incident and the predictable blowback, we had very few politicians, wadaads, traditional leaders or even the general public making statements condemning the decision on mainstream Somali media outlets. But on the Somaliland websites on the other hand you have countless submissions from furious Somalilanders, and also some videos of elders and politicians condemning what took place. Isaaqs have no understanding of crisis management…why the hell would u submit your views to a Somaliland media outlet when your target audience is the wider community of Somalis? Compare that to Puntland, whose politicians and wadaads are media savvy PR experts, who have had a field day with Somaliland’s blunder. If Somaliland had even a fraction of their propaganda and PR abilities we could have salvaged the situation easily.

The other thing that stood out to me was how extreme the blowback has been from other Somalis even though the decision was reversed and president Siilaanyo even visited the Somali IDPs (or refugees, depending on your stance) in Berbera. I’ve found that many Somalis are using the pain of those mothers and children on the ship to score cheap points against their traditional enemy; the Isaaq. Many on social media and other outlets are saying this day will live in infamy and will forever be etched in the collective memory of Somalis, thus permanently besmirching the good name of Isaaqs. Some suggested that we be considered the new midgaans, and called for our expulsion from other regions of Somalia. To be honest, these reactions are way out of proportion to what occurred in Berbera. Those women and children were just kept on the ship for two hours and the decision was quickly reversed after the people of Berbera put extreme pressure on the port authorities. Why are people assuming that Isaaqs were in agreement with their government on this? Also, why are people forgetting how generous Somaliland has been to southerners for decades now? A plane full of Somalis deported by Saudi Arabia landed in Gaalkacyo in 2007, and Puntland authorities let in the Daaroods and refused to accept the rest. Somaliland allowed the plane to land in Hargaysa and took in all of those people. The only difference was Puntlanders weren’t stupid enough to have this filmed and didn’t brag about it on the media like brain-dead Somaliland politicians. Somaliland has sent close to a million dollars collected by the poor population to Xamar during the drought and famine of 2012. Somaliland is home to hundreds of thousands of fellow Somalis from the south who fled war and hardship, and they are treated with respect and dignity in Hargaysa, Burco, Borame etc. Honestly, fellow Somalis need to take a chill pill and realize that we were also hurt by what happened and that the situation has now been rectified.

Add that in 2013 the food aid Ship at Berbera port because Pland refused to accept that aid through their territory bc food was aimed Dhulbahante land.

[Arcturus]

Idman I am curious, you do know know that nobody bestows "independence"?

You intended to say De jure "recognition" ?

[Idman702]

LJ duuqa bringing up past things won't erase the embarrassment your people did. Instead of pointing fingers and sulking in emotional outburst against PL. I suggest you worry what your people and government are doing to the konfuur Somalis. Lord knows how they're being treated right now. We all know you guys are not the friendliest bunch!

[SiennaEarth]

Smh idoorland take the L and move on. It's so cringeworthy that you let a bunch of Arabs in but not Somalis and some idoorians actually think it was a good thing to do. Smh May Allah never make me that xaasid, at the end of the day innocent people have nothing to do with politics nor did they have anything to do with what happened in the 80s as some idoorians use that as an excuse for bumsucking arabs and denying to help Somalis. Also denying to help starving women and kids won't give you ictiraf if that was ever the aim.


What Puntland did was amazing but I'm tired of them kufanayaan everywhere even on social media.

[Jugjugwacwac]

Unbelievable, calling wadaads/PL people that are helping fellow somalis/muslims as PR/propaganda. Remember folks were returning in bosaso weeks before the berbera incident so what propaganda u talking about? Negro, yall focked up ee don't point fingers elsewhere

What I'm saying is Puntland has us beaten when it comes to public opinion because they know how to downplay their misdeeds and play up their good deeds. I'm actually saying it's a good thing which I wish Somalilanders had. It's not an insult at all. It's as if Somalilanders and their politicians live in a bubble and are oblivious to the soft power games that are being played in the region, which largely depend on public opinion and perception.

I'll give u another example. Look how the Daarood were successfully able to hijack daraawiish history, and instead of Isaaqs presenting a counter narrative just sat back and let Somalis beleive they were lackeys for the gaalos. It's this complacency and lack of urgency to manage and maintain ones image which I find to be a problem. Puntlanders don't have this problem cuz they are very good at politics and PR.

Somailands strengths lie in consensus building and maintaning the peace. They suck at all other aspects of politics in my opinion.

[Jugjugwacwac]

Add that in 2013 the food aid Ship at Berbera port because Pland refused to accept that aid through their territory bc food was aimed Dhulbahante land.

I remember that incident, but Puntland made it a non-issue and didn't film their politicians talking about it. Nor did Somaliland use it as an opportunity to get some soft power. I'm telling you, Somaliland politicians are braindead.

[Idman702]

What Puntland did was amazing but I'm tired of them kufanayaan everywhere even on social media.

What faan?

What we did was beyond beautiful. My people are the friendliest, most generous, humble people ever. We are giving credit to our people and letting them know how marvelous they're. We are not bragging.