HARGEISA, 21 February 2010 (Somalilandpress) – A Somali warrior poet once said, “Rag hadaad colaad leedihiin, ciidanse uwaydo, waxkastood ku ciil bixi kartaa kuu cawo aduune…or if you are embroiled in a hostile war with other men but don’t have a counter attack force, anything that could alleviate your pain serves as luck on your side.”
Taking the advice of the poet, if Somaliland cannot escape from its isolation and mobilize the resources needed to break through the formidable concrete walls encompassing it, engaging with any nation that could alleviate Somaliland’s ordeal is a fair game: be it Israel or Iran, or an alien republic in Mars.
Form 1991 to present, Somaliland remains an independent but unrecognized state, alienated by none other than the Arabs who Somalilanders consider brothers and sisters. Worse still, as if alienation and economic holocaust towards Somaliland could not deliver the final blow, among others, Somaliland remains in the midst of a turbulence sea, yet no end to its miseries. To top it, never before has Somaliland faced a relentless terrorist attacks from none other than Southern Somalia’s extremist groups, namely: Al-Shabaab. See terrorist attacks details: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/137149
Now, despite building an impressive democratic system (a dream in many parts of Africa; unthinkable in the Arab world), despite establishing a peaceful state, and despite combating piracy, terrorism, and human trafficking in Horn of Africa, Somaliland is awarded with sanctions including livestock ban, using its passport, and barring its leaders from attending Arab, African, as well as International conferences.
Traditionally, chocking the lifeline of a country is something reserved for a rogue regime which supports terrorisms and bent to spur mayhem in the International community. But ironically, self-destructive autocratic regimes receive better treatment than the democratic state of Somaliland does. Why?
Much of the hostilities and isolations towards Somaliland stems from its refusal to budge on Arab demands. That is, coercing Somaliland to accept another gunshot marriage with Somalia. Now, the Arab world instead of first providing Somaliland an economic incentive to mediate Somalia’s warring factions, and then convincing Somaliland to have a dialogue with Somalia, Arab rulers opted to suffocate Somaliland first; and then rebuild Somalia. Without a doubt, at times, as its mouth fell open, Somaliland desperately grasped for a breath of air but because of its determination it remains defiant.
However, recently the Arab rulers’ attitude towards Somaliland has softened up; for instance the livestock ban has been lifted. Now, the rulers changed their hearts not because they finally have mercy for Somaliland but because of other factors: for one thing, Somalia’s remains drowned in a sea of blood and its Oceans infested with pirates. Also, its leaders have gone from tribal warlords to religious warmongers. They just changed shirts. Surprise!
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For another, two of the most powerful countries in the Middle East: Israel and Iran are now flexing their muscles over East Africa, specifically, Somaliland’s strategic port Berbera. They both want to use the port as a naval base. But the problem is Arab leaders perceive Iran and Israel as archenemies of Arab states, a threat to the Middle East monarchies. Now for the Arab states to have either of their natural adversaries in port Berbera, which has strategic importance, is unthinkable.
During the cold war, port Berbera served as a naval base for the Soviet forces first and later for the U.S. marines. The city also has one of the longest runways in Africa; that is, in the event of emergency landing, the Space Shuttle Discovery could descend on the city’s airport. But more important, its airport could be used as the springboard to stamp out terrorism in East Africa and piracy in the Golf of Aden.
But for the Iranians and Israelis, their mission has little to do with curbing terrorism or eradicating piracy and has more to do with: out competing against each other as well as edging out the Arab countries.
Now, the U.S. which has its forces in Djibouti will resolutely oppose establishing an Iranian naval base in Berbera. But the U.S. may not necessarily oppose Israelis. Arab rulers, on the other hand, consider both Iran and Israel’s presence in Berbera as undesirable.
Meanwhile, port Berbera is evidently the bargaining chip for Somaliland to achieve its goal. Currently, Somalilanders couldn’t care less whether it is Iranians or Israelis, or aliens from Mars that establish a naval base in port Berbera as long as they recognize Somaliland. Will Iran and Israel’s competition for East Africa trigger Somaliland’s recognition?
Depending who offers the bigger economic and military incentives, both Israel and Iran are welcomed in Somaliland. Doubtlessly, if executed properly, Somaliland has two Ace cards to play with.
• Arabs and Iran: if Israelis gains the competitive edge, Arab countries and Iran need to wake up and smell the coffee. They should iron out their differences with Somaliland to avert an Israel influence in East Africa.
• U.S., Israel, and Arab countries: if, however, Iran puts all its eggs in one basked as to win the hearts and minds of Somaliland people which could be achieved easily since Somalilanders view Iran as a Muslim nation, U.S., Israel, and Arab countries will have no choice but give Somaliland what it wants so that Iran doesn’t base its naval forces in port Berbera. U.S. should offer huge economic incentives to Somaliland while Arabs end isolating it economically and politically. This is not too much to ask, is it?
Ultimately, no matter how the dice is rolled, one thing is clear: Somaliland will look after its interest. Be it with Iran or Israel, Somaliland is open for business—first come, first served.
Written by:
Dalmar Kaahin
dalmar_k@yahoo.com
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Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
Why not bring in China or Russia to make the entire Western World go nuts!! I am sure Chinese or Russian presence in the red sea will be more unnerving for the Americans and Europeans than Iran which has no significant naval power. Call in the Chinese or the Russians and their nuclear submarines and let Somaliland become the battleground for superpowers. Now I call that a business.
Good idea but who has the gut to go on….especielly chinese involvement in africa is no no to america because they want to stick to their nose almost every part of this wolrd. however, somaliland can be while card if this role play.thanks……M.Bihi
i think it’s our time to get the golden gold in order to win the Recognition that we were searching since we broke out from the rest of somalia to me we have to play a good role for the sake of our people for the sake of our mothers,father,grandmohters,grandfather,s and for the coming generation
the only way to do this is to welcome the first who came to us not to see if their believes but to see our interest on them
some may ask if israil settles our territory would make far our islamic arab brothers but that is not
Arabs wants neither you nor israil
Very good Mr. Dalmar Kahin. You always touch the nerve. This is what Somaliland should lobby for it. Business is business, as Americans says "American business is business"
What we need now [as Mr. Dalmar said] is to make use of our Strategic ball game.
Weldone Mr. Dalmar once again.
Omer
Berbera the mother of somaliland, long live Berbera.
Guys the intrest of Somaliland is first place so let us play the game.
Gabaygii hadraawi ee gudgude ayaa waxa ku jirtay tix halkan ku haboon oo ahayd: NIN WALIBA WUXUU GOOBAYAA TIISA GAARKA AHE ANNA WAXAN GO'AANSADAY INAAN LAY GABAAD FALINE.
ALLAA MAHAD LEH<
WAA SALAAMANTIHIIN<
China !, phhaa you must be kidding. China itself is fighting against the seperation of Tibet and Taiwan and would therefore not co-operate with another breakaway entity as they'd be rideculing themselves. I think whhat the author said is very important and true. Let's hope the message gets through to the Somaliland Leaders. Writing it on this website won't achive much, so pass the message on to the Somaliland government. They may not be as knowlegeable as we'd expect. I think lobbying the Arabs or the West by using Iran and Israeal is very good.
Somaliland should also play Ethiopia and Eritrea against each other. I mean at the moment Ethiopia is disproportionaly represented in the Foreign relations of Somaliland and I am sure Somaliland could benefit from Eritrea in some way. India, just across the ocean could also be an important partner. Especially for the import of cheap ( by european standars) technology. They might not have a reason to recognise us but investment especially in the mining sector could be drawn from the country.
What peace and democracy does somaliland have? your government countiues to hand over Ogadenis to the ethiopian forces half of your poulation is aginst the idea of somaliland and worse your government is nothing more than puppets for the tigrays in addis….
somaliland needs get its act together before you ppl even dream about recognition
When Ogadens failed to liberate their villages for more than 100 years they come to blame Somalilanders simply because we destroyed the little hope ogadens had of being free "Greater Somalia". So here they always come crying about handing someone for having ties with Ethiopia.
Your useless nomads, you are more than 5 million and Eritrea is only 3 million and freed it self from Ethiopia, why not you?
Go make other excuses for your failures dont cry us crocodile tears.
No, everyone there supports Somaliland. Heck, even our brothers from the South living in Somaliland support Somaliland – the only ones against us are the filth from Pugland.
How limited your memory is! Have you already forgotten that Abdullahi Yusuf bombed the Ogaden who were living in Somalia, only two short years ago? Was Puntland not handing over their own kin, members of the Ogaden, to Ethiopia to gain favour with Meles years before Somaliland ever did? What I dislike most about tribalist scum like you dirty Puntlanders is how your entire wretched existence is to turn a blind eye to all the haram and crimes and treason Puntlanders have committed against Somalia and to only spread lies about Somaliland. Never forget that we ARE half of Somalia and what we do with our half is no business of yours.
P.S. I encourage all Somalilanders to stop calling north-eastern Somalia "Puntland", since that name implies that was where the Land of Punt was located. Somaliland was Punt; call them their original name Majerteenia.
How limited your memory is! Have you already forgotten that Abdullahi Yusuf bombed the Ogaden who were living in Somalia, only two short years ago? Was Puntland not handing over their own kin, members of the Ogaden, to Ethiopia to gain favour with Meles years before Somaliland ever did? What I dislike most about tribalist scum like you dirty Puntlanders is how your entire wretched existence is to turn a blind eye to all the haram and crimes and treason Puntlanders have committed against Somalia and to only spread lies about Somaliland. Never forget that we ARE half of Somalia and what we do with our half is no business of yours.
We owe the Ogaden nothing – the ONLF terrorists have only ever tried to destabilize our western frontier. Let them find allies in their brothers from Majerteenia.
NIN SAHWIYAY KU NOQO BAA U FURAN LABA SUJUUDOODE. IMIKAAN QALIHI SOOMAYAA SULA HABOONAAYE. DIBAA SIIGADII LOOGA TUMAY SOODHADH BAALIDAYE.
DADKA QAAR SALLEELUU LAYAHAY SOWDKA BAXAYAAYE (Somaliland)
saska waxa cadaawaha ku riday sooma waabtaha e,
Shaxshaxoow dagaalada socdaa(1982-1991)waa sad aan qabo e.
Maantana Samaalaha rag wado SORRY BAAN IDHIYE. surma-seegtadaydii horiyo sogordohaan eeday, laga yimid sinsaarooyinkiyo saymahaan galaye.
waxwaxbaan safaad galin hadii la is xiniin saro e ( Somalilandbaan safaad galayn oo seeskeedu dhiig yahay) (SAXANSAXO -GAARIYE)
We owe he ONLF terrorists nothing. Time for Somalilanders to play politics, play your cards right
Hey Faqash, your kind have been defeated already by the defenders of Somali values (the SNM and USC). Shouldn't you be more concerned about what your sisters Ayaan Hirsi, Iman, and Waris Diriye are doing?
First grasp the English language before you attempt to insult anyone. Calling someone a donkey when you can't even form a coherent sentence is laughable.
Fellow Somalilanders! We have no reason to worry about these dirty swine from Pugland say, as it is quite obvious that they seem to have the collective intelligence of a bedroom slipper.
No, everyone there supports Somaliland. Heck, even our brothers from the South living in Somaliland support Somaliland – the only ones against us are the filth from Pugland.
You must be one of the remnant Faqash. You have a good reason to hate us; you used to be above the law in Somalia, but now you are on welfare watching your deadbeat drug-dealing kids kill each other, while we have a country to go home to every year, thanks to the saviours of traditional Somali values, the SNM.
We will never reunite with Somalia – you will unite with us after we conquer you. While your children fight, our children learn; while you kill each other, we help one another – keep talking about reunification, and soon enough, the glorious Somali defenders of peace and liberty, the Somaliland Army, will liberate you Puglanders and the red, white, and green will be flying high from Bossaso to Mogadishu.
P.S.
You should be more concerned with what your sisters Ayan Hirsi, Iman, and Waris Diriye and your cross-dressing uncle "Gen" Morgan are up to.
You should be more concerned with what your sisters Ayan Hirsi, Iman, and Waris Diriye and your cross-dressing uncle "Gen" Morgan are up to.
loool cross dressing uncle, that was funny. War ciyaal baad tihiin, this is bigger then you can ever imagine marka I will just end it there.
You must be one of the remnant Faqash. You have a good reason to hate us; you used to be above the law in Somalia, but now you are on welfare watching your deadbeat drug-dealing kids kill each other, while we have a country to go home to every year, thanks to the saviours of traditional Somali values, the SNM.
We will never reunite with Somalia – you will unite with us after we conquer you. While your children fight, our children learn; while you kill each other, we help one another – keep talking about reunification, and soon enough, the glorious Somali defenders of peace and liberty, the Somaliland Army, will liberate you Puglanders and the red, white, and green will be flying high from Bossaso to Mogadishu.
Wow, this is what I call a good political analysis and an intellectual mind. Good job, Mr. Dalmar!
I agree 100 and 10% with Mr. Dalmar that this is a bargaining chip for Somaliland to achieve its goal. Besides, we need highly educated people and good political players who can articulate what we need and know how to chose the “lesser of the two evils”.
Unfortunately we do not have enough people with the right credentials to lead our nation. Our political arena is populated with self-serving uneducated fools with no regard for our nation's wellbeing, interests, and progress. All they care about is lining their pockets with the meagre resources available to our struggling people. Those leading us or I would say- rather unable to lead us are in their positions of power because they shouted the loudest and shamelessly used the tribal cards and hence we supported them. However, those men and women who are blessed with the right qualities and education for leadership and who have our best interest at heart, are the ones who have shied away from the dirty politics that prevail in Hargaisa and lead quite lives either in far away lands or in our country.
How correct you are. When i look at the Somaliland government i see a group of old men, mostly incompetent and yes, some self-serving. Have they ever heard of PR or anything like an Image or can Riyaale not find any clothes that fit him (so he can throw away that huge sort sleeved shirt), or any neat, formal wear (not neccesarily expensive) he can wear to meetings and press realeses (at least with foreign delegations. HOWEVER, there are a few competent people doing a great job. The young, educated diaspora should invest in their country, come back and contibute politically.
People like Dalmar Kahin should be leading Somaliland to safe it from destruction is facing today. It's very clear to us today the centrall coomunity in Somaliland isto blame that Somaliland is taking unknown zone. This coomunity in Somaliland is isolating it themselves from all corners of Somali community. Ogadenians they tell go to hell and the community of Sool and Sanag they telling go joing your lineage. Awdal community their men had cause them to reject this administration after Highway incident in July 11, 2009. This administration should have acted faster so in didn't; therefore, it's the last community to find its way out of the mess. We won't allow your administration deny our way of life
Yes my friend, we won't let this happen again when your government even refuse to have single coomment on the tragic that taken place July 11, 2009 between Borama and Hargesa. Remember when your people had the conflict in Daroor that was in Oganen you all run to solve it. In Awdal community who lost their own in sadness you look the ather way. No more fooling eachother brothers in the Central Somaliland you isolated yourself even more. Now every community is questioning what is Somaliland? No way we won't let you destroyed our dignity like or not. Every community in Somaliland will revisit Somaliland after that they will all leave Somaliland for you.
Oky my friend, let me give you clear idea. First you are convincing the world that you want recognize government. I can understand that but you have look two side of the coin in order to understand where I'm coming from. In July 2009 there was a huge crime that had happended the poblic road that connect Borama and Hergisa. Both cities are Somaliland right, oky criminal gun men stop Awdal traveller and cut four of them piece by piec. They kept these innocent victims bodies for day. Your administration in Hargesa absolutely did nothing what so ever. Admininstration continue doing their daily and act nothing had happended. They tried to hide the fact that innocent travellers were unIslamicly beheaded.
One of these victims were my uncle that I met him In Borama just months before this happended. Somaliland and Somalilanders admininstration can tried to hade this as long as they want but such a crime no one could hide. Now if you care for Somaliland you would tried to hide it instead you would solve it. Only those Awdals including Mr. Riyale also kept their mouths shut but in reality Awdal community is very sad for this.
Mr Awdal, I am sorry to hear about the fate of your late uncle. But do you honestly think that what those barbarians did to the four honourable victims is supported by other communities in Somaliland??? Yes, the awful administration we have in Hargaisa could have done a lot to stop those murders and the subsequent violence that followed. After all, law and order is any government's number one priority. However, it saddens me that our so called ''government'' was instead as useless as it always has been. If every citizen of every nation turned against their country when something they abhor happens in their society, then there would be nothing but anarchy in the World. Just thing about the number of horrible murders committed by our brothers in the South!! Do you seriously think the residents of Mogadishu would trade peace and order for anarchy they have now got just because of the murder of four people???
One of the well known man who was murder that day was none other than the Prof. from Ali Jawhar family, who was teaching at Hargeysa University. I can never forget him and I am from Hargeysa as well. He was from Hargeysa as well. And he was trying to teach the future generation of Somaliland. He could have gone to Amoud University, but instead he choose Hargeysa University. So we all lost him may Allah blessed his to Janatal Fardowsa. My question for Mr. Awdal is; why are you playing the hate and tribal game? How does that going to help those innocent people who lost their life that day? Why are you blamming a whole community for the action of few? When did we get come together and decide to kill those innocent people? How many other innocent Isaq clan were killed prioyer to that day? If you don't know let me tell you within a year and half more than 10 were killed. Some of them in their own farm. Other's while traveling between towns. And for your information what we tell their families is that we can not bring back the dead, but we can work toward peace among the two families who are closer than you think. They are uncle's, grand father's, in law's, etc. to one another.
The issue in front of us is, how can we create a lasting peace among our people and safe guard Somaliland together? I personally talk to government officials with regard to the CeelBardaale problem. I told them to nationalize if sides don't come to an agreement. So solution is needed from all of us, not a blame game. So what solution are you willing to share with us, so we can prevent any more innocent life's been killed? Don't forget my friend, the President is from Awdal and he can solved the problem with an executive order if he chooses to do so, by simple nationalizing the land in dispute. I hope we will not use any of the innocent people who lost thier life's from both sides for political game. Illaahay ha u naxariisto wixii xaqdaro ku dhintay dhamaantood. Kuligeena Samir iyo Iimaan ha inaga siiyo. Waxaan iyaga wax u qaban karaa marka aan joojino xaqdaro kasta oo cid kale lagula kaco, inaga oo wixii lagaga hortagi lahaa ka wada shaqaynayna. Kheyr baan inoo rajeyn dhamaanteen.
Nationalizing the land in dispute is not the answer. If the government wants to find a solve this problem they should research the history of the place and the people because one of the party ayaa dulman and might get angry and seek more revenge. They can't both claim to be the owner of the same land. Some of the people in dispute are lying. Dadka qaarkood waxay macaamileen wax layidhaado: Ku qabso, ku qadi mayside which is unfortunate.
Therefore, the government should get to the bottom of this problem and dig out the history of this land. For example, who settled there first and for how long? Did they leave or sell the land and to whom? There must be some individuals who know the history of this place.
Alla ha u naxariisto dhamaanteena samir ha inaga wada siiyo. This lost was lost to all Somalilanders;however, when victim become some one is real uncle, sister, mother and brother the person feel extra pain for the lost. The solution may not be hide the crime but confront it. It's also human nature that people react differently when something like this happend. Some people would come forward what they feel rather than burnig inside for years. They would let others know how they feel a crime and issue. I think it's not putting people against each other but rather not to hold back.
It's the time that Somaliland become an adult, we re there for close to 20 years and S.land should able to handle dificult issue. The criminals where number in tens and Somaliland security and more importantly government should have done more. Travellers also have other rights in Muslim culture that only people help them and if they can't no to harm them.
tradition that no one should harm them if one can't help them. Somaliland has more to loose on this one for shure.
Mr.Dalmar Kaahin,
I would like to thank you for inspiring me to response to this issue and I am a big fan of your style of news reports.
For the first time ever I fully understand the struggle of recognition. I hope our government makes the right decision at the right time for it to have up most effective result for our people.
Its about time that we look at the bigger picture. We should not care about the Arabs. They only look after their own interests. And to be honest, is nothing wrong with that. Every country makes decision based on their needs. And if we should learn anything from our history, is not be naive. We should make our decision based on our long term benefits for our people.
As long as Somalis are so divided, peace will always remain illusory am afraid, generation after generation, the infighting between somalis never seems to loose its vigor as tribalisms flourishes. Your forefathers fought in the same way, its seems this is not a question of right or wrong, but its something which in the bone and in the blood, something u unfortunately inherited. In order to end tribalism everyone must start with themselves. By the way i think the successful elections in somalilans is a sighn of good hope for the whole of somalia.
Hadal badn dan ba dhaanta. Somaliland aduunku oo dhaan afka ha isu galiso. There's an old English say " every dog has a day" clearly today is our day lool.