Op-Ed: Somalia Friend Not Foe
http://somalilandpress.com/op-ed-somalia-friend-not-foe-19422
One aspect of the previous Riyale government which I had become disillusioned by was its insistence on keeping a 10ft barge pole between Somaliland and Somalia. This policy choice in my opinion was a shambles for three reasons;
1. We have a moral obligation to do all that we can to help our Somali brothers and sisters
2. It would further enhance our call for independence
3. It would be economically advantageous
We are Somalis are we not? Therefore, one must argue from a moral position that Somaliland must ensure that it does all it can to help Somalia come through its hard times. If we had managed to overcome our internal problems successfully, why not try and help Somalia with
theirs? I am no optimist as I understand Somalia's problems are far reaching and not easily solvable however, it is ludicrous that the Riyale government thought that it was in our interest to keep away from the 'Somalia problem'.
The previous government had been in my view given disastrous policy advice as it was and still is in our interest to help solve the problems in Somali. Surely you must be wrong as getting involved in Somalia would make us seem as being part of Somali, and as a result hamper out fight for independence; I here you shout at the computer screen. Well you are wrong. Helping with the problems in Somalia would further our quest for independence as it shows that we are responsible players in the international community. A country must show what it brings to the wider community to state its claim for a seat at the UN. However, by always saying that the problems in Somalia is for Somalia alone and not us, we are showing to the international community that we are not responsible, nor reliable in helping sustain a peaceful community in our region.
A strong, stable and economically viable Somalia would be in our advantage rather than the shambles that it is today. Firstly, there would not be as many displaced people for Somaliland to resettle. Secondly, trade between the two nations would eventually become substantial. Thirdly, the peace that it would bring to the wider region would result in an increase in foreign direct investment from MNC's and other companies due to stability being an important factor in helping businesses decide in whether to invest in a state or not.
The approach that the new government will take in regards to Somalia will be an interesting one to follow. They are already showing a warmer aurora around the Somalia issue; however, their approach has still got some way to go.
Sharmake Abyan
Somalilandpress.com
Axmad says:
December 3, 2010 at 6:29 am
COMMENTS
Ahmed Says:
"If we had managed to overcome our internal problems successfully, why not try and help Somalia with theirs?"
The reason is my dear brother, that the South do not want to overcome their internal problems, they do not want a 'state', they do not want to reconciliate, they do not want peace…etc There is money to be made in a failed state and that's why the south is the way it is. Only south Somalia can help themselves. They need to get their own house in order…
Somalia is not Somaliland's foe…they are their own worst enemy…they refuse recognition for us, but we wish them all the best….what goes around comes around….
Reply »
Sharmake Abyan says:
December 3, 2010 at 10:01 am
Axmad I understand were you are coming from, however, I feel that there is a need here to distinguish between the leaders of Somali whom seek power at any cost and the people who lust for peace. Therefore, I feel that Somaliland should do everything it can to try and help the people achieve that peace that they so deservedly want.
I am in no way here advocating a military incursion of any sort, however, I am simply saying Somaliland should help establish dialogue between the different factions and even allow for talks to take place within our country. In every family when two siblings squabble either an older sibling or their guardian will mediate as they are the ones with experience in this situation; and I feel that we should act like the older sibling or the guardian and try and mediate using our own experience as the backbone of our efforts.
Reply »
Naliye says:
December 3, 2010 at 11:07 am
The deadlock lies in Somalia not recognizing Somaliland but claiming it is a region state that comes under its authority and any help offered by Somaliland – though I believe is neglible due to what Axmed pointed out- will undermine its quest to recognition, and if the TFG in its weak form won't recognize Somaliland – not mention supporting violent group e.g ssc- do you think it will have any good will towards Somaliland when it is a fully functional state – with or without our help-.
Even if TFG recognized Somaliland, Somaliland cannot deliver peace and security to Somalia it can only help something that the Djibouti and Kenya have already done.
"If we had managed to overcome our internal problems successfully, why not try and help Somalia with theirs?"
The reason is my dear brother, that the South do not want to overcome their internal problems, they do not want a 'state', they do not want to reconciliate, they do not want peace…etc There is money to be made in a failed state and that's why the south is the way it is. Only south Somalia can help themselves. They need to get their own house in order…
Somalia is not Somaliland's foe…they are their own worst enemy…they refuse recognition for us, but we wish them all the best….what goes around comes around….
Reply »
Sharmake Abyan says:
December 3, 2010 at 10:01 am
Axmad I understand were you are coming from, however, I feel that there is a need here to distinguish between the leaders of Somali whom seek power at any cost and the people who lust for peace. Therefore, I feel that Somaliland should do everything it can to try and help the people achieve that peace that they so deservedly want.
I am in no way here advocating a military incursion of any sort, however, I am simply saying Somaliland should help establish dialogue between the different factions and even allow for talks to take place within our country. In every family when two siblings squabble either an older sibling or their guardian will mediate as they are the ones with experience in this situation; and I feel that we should act like the older sibling or the guardian and try and mediate using our own experience as the backbone of our efforts.
Reply »
Naliye says:
December 3, 2010 at 11:07 am
The deadlock lies in Somalia not recognizing Somaliland but claiming it is a region state that comes under its authority and any help offered by Somaliland – though I believe is neglible due to what Axmed pointed out- will undermine its quest to recognition, and if the TFG in its weak form won't recognize Somaliland – not mention supporting violent group e.g ssc- do you think it will have any good will towards Somaliland when it is a fully functional state – with or without our help-.
Even if TFG recognized Somaliland, Somaliland cannot deliver peace and security to Somalia it can only help something that the Djibouti and Kenya have already done.
Somalilandpress.com
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