For nearly three decades, since the disintegration of the former Somali central government in 1991, Somalia has exemplified the deficiency of statelessness and lawlessness. The previous governments of Somalia as well as the current administration have entirely failed to create and develop a rules-based system to protect and promote the peace, security and socio-economic well-being of their population.
Paradoxically, the attention of many worlds’ leading developed countries, UN and international development partners are at the moment increasingly focused on a country that failed to meet even the most basic criteria of statehood.
Against this backdrop, it is utterly inconceivable the logics and motives why the Western powers, African Union, UN… are still clinging to an absurd notion that Somaliland should rejoin its wayward and unruly neighbour of Somalia, knowing that they (International Community) are those who often take Somalia as the archetype of a failed state.
The Republic of Somaliland is an independent State and its statehood, self-rule and sovereignty is sacred and non-negotiable. Despite of nearly 28 years of non recognition by the international community, the people and government of Somaliland have worked tirelessly to achieve prevalent security, peacefully co-existence, and democratic credentials and enhance the livelihoods of its citizens by sheer strength of perseverance.
In the same 28 years since its withdrawal from 1960 voluntary Union with Somalia-Italiana and notwithstanding the insecurity surrounding it, the Republic of Somaliland has engaged ever since in a very successful democratization process that has ensued with two local council elections, three presidential and one parliamentary elections that have been termed by international observers as free, fair and transparent.
Somaliland’s sovereignty is sacred and non-negotiable:
The Republic of Somaliland should have been long recognised as a member of the international community. The people of Somaliland should have been rewarded for their democratic credentials, peaceful co-existence and sustained stability in a volatile region. Unfortunately, the right for self-determination of Somaliland people has been time and time again ignored and thwarted by reluctant and unpredictable World powers, AU as well as the UN.
The people and government of the Republic of Somaliland, IN a CLEAR VOICE AND AN UNCONTAINABLE FORTITUDE, we say that the sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland is sacred and non-negotiable for whatever reasons and at any time ever. Further, the sovereignty and statehood of the Republic of Somaliland is also an important prerequisite to peace, security, democratization, trade and development in the Horn Africa region.
It is the time that the President of Somalia, the government he leads and legislature bodies of both Houses should be very realistic and must accept the inevitable reality on the ground: Somaliland’s independence and sovereignty is a fact!! The history shall not repeat by itself; the fate of the unrealistic and problematic union between the two states is sealed off for good and forever.
Berbera Port deal is a concluded and irreversible Trilateral Agreement:
In reference to the recent TRILATERAL AGREEMENT between the governments of Somaliland, United Arab Emirates-UAE and Federal Republic of Ethiopia in which the three parties have agreed to investment, development and manage the strategic Port of Berbera, President Farmajo and his administration argue that only his administration based at Villa Somalia has the legal authority to enter a such international agreements, stating that “the port of Berbera is an asset of the Federal Government of Somalia!!”
On several occasions President Farmajo and his administration in Villa Somalia are directly involved in plotting towards destabilization of Somaliland through supporting activities detrimental to our security, peaceful co-existence among citizens, economic growth and development both social and political. The administration in Somalia must immediately cease all hostile acts geared towards destabilizing Somaliland and instead embark on viable means in dealing with continued existential and security problems in their country.
To this effect, the people and government of the Republic of Somaliland are very much aware of antagonistic activities being undertaken by the beleaguered Federal Government of Somalia and its leadership as pertains to ill motivation against our country. To President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, his administration and supporters should keep in mind that:
- The Republic of Somaliland is an Independent and Sovereign country with internationally recognized boundaries.
- All public assets within these boundaries are under the administrative jurisdiction of the Republic of Somaliland. Therefore, the Government of Somalia can neither change nor influence the Berbara Port Agreement.
- The investment, development, upgrading and innovation of the strategic Port of Berbera are a concluded and irreversible trilateral agreement. This is a legitimate agreement between three governments: UAE, Republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia respectively. There is no room whatsoever for the failed Federal Government of Somalia and its cohorts.
ALLAH bless and protect the people and country of the Republic of Somaliland,
Hussein Adan Igeh (Deyr)
Former-Presidential Spokesman & ex-Minister of Trade and Investment,
Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland
