1993: Gen Cumar Haji Massale (SNF) "Somalia doesn't own Somaliland right to self-determination. No force; only appeal."

[Gubbet]

Watching this video, I was struck by how farsighted Gen Omar Haji Massale and the SNF position was as back far as 1993.

Gen Omar Haji Massale was the chairman of the Somali National Front (SNF); the factional organization in which the Darod/Marehan grouped under in the early part of the Somali civil war.

At the Djibouti conference of 1993, when asked about the recent declaration of independence by Somaliland, Gen Omar Haji Massale says;

"Our point of view is Somalia is not entitled to Somaliland especially in this fractious time. In the past, the pan-Somali movements influenced all of our collective mindset to bring us to unity. Today, if we should retain that unity, it is up to us in Somalia to try ONLY to appeal or convince the people of Somaliland they have a better future in unity with their brothers in Somalia. I personally categorically disagree and condemn any attempt at force even though our position is pro-unity and our principal view is that they have a right to self-determination in line with the spirit of democracy."

This viewpoint articulated with such foresight was very, very a head of the time.

Starting at 3:01

[ReturnOfMariixmaan]

Of course brother. Our position is clear through negotiations not force

[Gubbet]

Of course brother. Our position is clear through negotiations not force

What is very fascinating is this is not contemporary where he saw a Somaliland with 30 years of virtually independent history with a government and armed force and extensive leverage.

He expressed this view in 1993! This was at a time when some thought the question itself was irrelevant and conference leaders arrogantly believed they will in the end come to sign papers at the "end "

Having watched and read multiple records of statements on this, from just about all of Somalia political leaders, Gen Cumar Haji and the SNF stood out for first and foremost conceding the "right to self-determination" to Hargeisa.

This is not about flowery language, it is not about sugar and sweetness; it is not "we love our brothers, they suffered...we should treat them better in the future." It is a fundamental recognition of material and consequential significance.

Conceding the "right to self-determination" says the starting point in the issue is not after 1960 and formation of unified Somalia; the starting point is before the process of unification.

Essentially, concession of "right to self-determination" means the question is not about whether Somaliland CAN leave, but about whether Somaliland SHOULD stay.

It is not "you're betraying me!" It is "please, stay with me."

It is extraordinary that Gen Cumar Haji Massale expressed that viewpoint in 1993.

[ReturnOfMariixmaan]

Of course brother. Our position is clear through negotiations not force

What is very fascinating is this is not contemporary where he saw a Somaliland with 30 years of virtually independent history with a government and armed force and extensive leverage.

He expressed this view in 1993! This was at a time when some thought the question itself was irrelevant and conference leaders arrogantly believed they will in the end come to sign papers at the "end "

Having watched and read multiple records of statements on this, from just about all of Somalia political leaders, Gen Cumar Haji and the SNF stood out for first and foremost conceding the "right to self-determination" to Hargeisa.

This is not about flowery language, it is not about sugar and sweetness; it is not "we love our brothers, they suffered...we should treat them better in the future." It is a fundamental recognition of material and consequential significance.

Conceding the "right to self-determination" says the starting point in the issue is not after 1960 and formation of unified Somalia; the starting point is before the process of unification.

Essentially, concession of "right to self-determination" means the question is not about whether Somaliland CAN leave, but about whether Somaliland SHOULD stay.

It is not "you're betraying me!" It is "please, stay with me."

It is extraordinary that Gen Cumar Haji Massale expressed that viewpoint in 1993.

It’s a sophisticated opinion in an age of civil strike and how prescient it was. As a maahmaah goes: Aqoonla`aani waa iftiinla’aan.

Trans: The absence of knowledge is the absence of light

[noer]

if somaliland reunite wit somalia, it will require consent. both way. consent. or anotha '80s n n '90s.

final status negotiations n referendum. somaliland just waiting on somalia to get a competent central government. a somalia central government that controls it's 5 fms

[BigBreak]

Reunion will never happen with Somalia, no chance. Somaliland will always be an independent country and eventually the world will stop believing Somalia's delusions

Honestly Somaliland uniting with Ethiopia is more likely than Somaliland reuniting with balkanised failed state Somalia

[Khalid Ali]

Good on cumar xaji masale he was far ahead of his tim
Horta is he still alive i think he even he advised it’s better for afweyne and he advised afweyne to rather negotiated a deal with the snm then to make a deal with mengistu but afweyne refused

Any way things happens because of the will of allah
And today we are all in a better position let’s continue our status quo as it makes every one happy

Somalia and Somaliland side by side as two separate countries in peace. Somalia will come to have with a final agreement cause one day they have to put to a vote their so called constitution where they claim somaliland on paper and when they fail to hold elections inside Somaliland that is the day their continuation becomes null and void for somaliland concern atleast. So before that happens thy need to accept some kind of deal or their constitution will be sharci daro

[Gubbet]

Khalid, he died (AUN).