By Mohamed Ibrahim
Friday - January 21, 2022
In my
pursuit of analysing and observing the issue of Somalia and Somaliland I have
previously focused on the political leaders and structures that has fallen
short of our expectations for United Greater Somalia. In this piece, my aim is
to assess our Somali society’s attitudes and their observations to this complex
matter.
For over
twenty years. I have been having dialogue and observing the attitudes of our
Somali people in various forms. What I have observed has been alarming. I found
that the issue is mostly is driven by emotions, denials, envy, and animosity
for each other’s future. Some, including politicians throw few words of
“sovereignty and territorial integrity” without any practical meaning or
solutions to achieve such goal. In my assessment, what they really mean is
territorial villages/ clan enclaves and this is the main driver behind their
prospect for greater Somalia. In my opinion this is a false prospectus and
unfortunate state of affairs.
In my
continues dialogue over many years I have not met anyone with a coherent
argument which tackles why Somaliland should join Somalia. However, you would
hear plenty of emotions and denials of recognition without concrete basis other
than envy.
On the
other hand, supporters of Somaliland recognition are also driven by emotions
and historical victimhood, which is relevant but is no guide to progress and
cohesion. They must come to realise there was a joint functioning state, albeit
riddled with injustice, that was Greater Somalia with shared resources, peoples,
global debts and obligations, which all have to be solved as one. Running away
with slogans, emotions and flags will not bring recognition closer – but hard
noised negotiations with Somalia that is practically and politically
visible. One way of doing this is to
give political space by reaching out to the voices of Somali unionist within
Somaliland and find the necessary dialogue and compromises that will help
unlock negotiations. Pretending these voices and ambitions for Greater Somalia
do not exists is also colossal political error of judgement.
While this
is the case, it does not take away the enormous progress Somaliland has made
over the past 30 years with gradual democratic change, peace-dividend and smart
economic policy that has the attention of the international community and
investments arms – where it has demonstrated Somaliland is not a liability to
the international community, and this must be welcomed by all. “Great Powers influence secessions politically, by blessing some and
condemning others, and by providing support to some and actively discouraging
others. Great Powers act on the international scene in light of their own
geopolitical interests” Milena Sterio (2018) (Secession in International Law). Beyond the emotions, this may well be your
greatest assets as global powers is driven by core strategic interest without
regard for other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
My
fellow Somali unionist, it is time we stop the meaningless political envy and
help deliver meaningful dialogue and negotiations that will solve this issue
politically. The political chaos and Pickering we have witnessed in Somalia is
not the incentive to bring Somaliland on the table and frankly, we are in no
position to lecture anyone on sovereignty when Villa Somalia’s territory and
political space is in dispute.
Whoever the next Somali government will be
will have an uphill task by resolving our political climate and delivering
ambitious roadmap for Somali unification. On current trends, it is a case of
Somalia joining Somaliland. This may well be the only hope for Greater Somalia.
The goal post has shifted, and it requires a political masterstroke to pull our
country and people together again.
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/op4/2021/oct/184124/deportation_of_somalis_is_an_embarrassment_and_a_political_problem_to_somaliland.aspx
Mohamed
Ibrahim BA/MSc, London School of Economics and Political Science, is a keen
writer and social justice campaigner, London based, He can be reached via
@Mi_shiine
Mohamed Ibrahim
[email protected]