Somaliland 18 May

Celebration Day of Somaliland

The 30th anniversary of Somaliland falls on Tuesday 18 May 2021. It is a day people from all over Somaliland celebrate their independence. Previously big events used to hold in the towns and cities of Somaliland, but due to this year’s pandemic issues I think, we celebrate differently this year. I am currently living abroad and I share my feelings and happiness with the people of Somaliland. I also share my optimistic feeling towards Somaliland and what it has achieved during the last 30 years.

Although Somaliland has not yet been able to gain full recognition, it is important to note that it has achieved a lot in terms of development and nation-building. Considering the long journey it has gone through you realize that what this country has achieved cannot be summarized in a short article. Of course, there are challenges but the people of Somaliland appreciate the progress made in the areas of peace, stability, freedom, rebuilding the country and development which are all things to be proud of.

The celebration of the 30th anniversary of Somaliland is a long journey that Somaliland has been through at various stages. On this occasion, I look back at the struggle to regain Somaliland’s sovereignty.  I will highlight challenges and difficulties Somaliland went through during that period. I discuss in this article how the people of Somaliland have worked together to reconcile the Somaliland communities and build an inclusive government. I will also discuss the development and reconstruction of the country as well as the manner in which Somaliland conducted the elections that led to the formation of various governments from different political parties and what they have achieved since 1991.

But first, I will highlight the history of Somaliland and the reasons why the British Empire was interested in Somaliland as well as the struggle of Somaliland people to free their country from colonialism.

From 1884 Somaliland was under British protectorate administration. The British Government was attracted to the strategic location of Somaliland. With the construction of Suez Canal the importance of the strategic location of Somaliland was increased. To understand the significance of the 30th anniversary of Somaliland’s independence, it is important to note that the people of Somaliland never forget their struggle for independence from the United Kingdom. During Somaliland’s existence under the British protectorate there were struggles and movements for independence.  There were many people who fought for freedom, but it is worth to mention the struggle of Sayid Mohamed Abdulla Hassan who led the Darawish fighters based in Taleh (Sool region of Somaliland). In addition to the history of the Sayid Mohamed and his Darwish struggle there were also other liberation movements. The first movement was announced in Burao in 1945, under the name of SNS. It was not based on politics and the main purpose of the movement was to raise awareness about the problems of tribalism and how to build a healthy and cohesive society.

In 1951, a SNL (Somali National League) organization was founded in Buroa. SNL was a popular political organization where their main objective was to achieve full independence from the United Kingdom. Other pro-independence groups in Somaliland included the USP, NUF and Hisbullah. Although these groups had different strengths and struggles, they shared their common goal of gaining independence from the United Kingdom.

The British Government granted Somaliland statehood on June 26 in 1960, making the country the first free Somali nation to join the United Nations. It is noteworthy to mention that the statehood of Somaliland has been recognized by around 35 countries. Unfortunately, five days later Somaliland united on 1 July 1960 with the Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic. It was a union that happened with emotions without any serious negotiations. It can be said that the union was illegal because there was no formal agreement between the two parties (act of union).

It was the biggest mistake ever in the history of Somaliland when they quickly and recklessly united with Somalia without considering the future of the people of Somaliland and what was in their best interest when it comes to future generations. 

The younger generation today may not fully understand what prompted Somaliland to unite with Somalia. Both politicians and the people of Somaliland have been pushing to unite all ethnic Somalis in the horn of Africa comprising British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, French Somaliland (now Djibouti), The Somali region in Ethiopia (now kilalka shanaad), and the NFD (the Nothern Frontier District) which is now under Kenyan Government administration.

I think, it is important to ask ourselves what Somaliland people have gained from the union with Italian Somaliland. I do not expect that our politicians can give us enough answers about this, but there are many answers towards losses and sufferings when our politicians went to Mogadishu to make the union happen. 

According to Somaliland historians, the people of Somaliland suffered greatly under successive governments of Somalia. The rights of the Somaliland have not been considered at all. The first union government was taken over by politicians from Somalia. This created the first outrage and resentment among the people of Somaliland origin.  The injustice and oppression by Somalian politicians against people from Somaliland led to a failed coup in 1961 attempted by a group of junior officers from Somaliland. The purpose of the coup was to restore the independence of Somaliland.

The greatest oppression and suffering for the people of Somaliland came when the dictator of Somalia came to power in 1969. Siad Barre and his government began to cripple the economy of Somaliland and oppress its people. Many innocent people were arrested by the regime without going through the legal process and many others were killed without trial.

As a result of the oppression, the SNM (Somali National Movement) was formed in London in 1983. Its military base was established in Ethiopia and it carried out attacks and military operations against Siad Barre’s government forces between the period of 1983 and 1991. The biggest military offensive was in the year of 1988, when the SNM captured Hargeisa, Buroa and many other towns and villages in Somaliland. In this war Siad Barre’s forces started firing heavy weapons, destroyed major cities in the country such as Hargeisa, Buroa, Berbera and many other towns and villages. To kill more innocent people the dictator hired South African pilots bombarding indiscriminately civilian areas and even targeting fleeing families. According to African Human Watch report, nearly fifty thousand innocent people have been killed. 

The genocide experienced by the people of Somaliland under Siad Barre’s regime has led to years of war and struggle. Thousands of Somalilanders have fled to neighboring countries, particularly Ethiopia. Many others have fled to other foreign countries in Europe, America, Australia, Arab world etc.

To defeat Siad Barre and his arm, SNM has invested time and resources to unite the southern opposition movements. As Bradbury writes in his book Becoming Somaliland, SNM began to provide moral and military support to rebel organizations in Somalia such as the USC, SPM and SSDF, which later succeeded in ousting Siad Barre on Jaunary 27, 1991. It can be said that SNM movement was the backbone of the struggle against the Barre Regime.

One great importance of this 30th anniversary is the memory and prayers of those who have suffered along this tragic journey. The beautiful Somaliland we enjoy today came at the high price paid by those who died and those who got injured for the struggle of independence.

It is indeed very useful for the young generations of Somaliland to know that the SNM movement led to defeat Siad Barre regime and his forces in 1991. Although not all Somalilanders agree on this war, it is important to note that this struggle was part of Somaliland’s history. It is also beneficial for the youth to become acquainted with the peace making conferences that brought together the people of Somaliland to strengthen peace and trust among the Somaliland communities. After the defeat of Siad Barre’s forces, SNM administration convened conferences in Berbera and Burao, which aimed to shape the future of Somaliland. Later, the Government organized other conferences in Borama, Hargeisa and Sheikh, all of which focused on peace building, stability and development of the Somaliland society. The Buroa and Borama Conferences were of great benefit to the Somaliland people. Both conferences resulted in resolutions and recommendations that have become the basis of Somaliland’s existence.

Buroa Conference

The 1991 Burao Conference marked a turning point in Somaliland’s history. The conference brought together representatives from all communities and regions of Somaliland. After long and intensive consultation the final outcome became the decision to reclaim the statehood of Somaliland on 18th May 1991. One of the other main outcomes was the election of the first Somaliland Government with Abdirahman Ahmed Ali as president and Hassan Issa Jama as vice president giving them a mandate to rule the country for two years.

Borama Conference

The conference began in Borama on January 24, 1993 and lasted for about four months. It provided an opportunity for all concerned parties to reach a final agreement. It is important to mention that the structure and funding of the conference came from the Somaliland community. The conference and its proceedings were in the hands of the Somaliland people with zero outside influence. It can be said that the Borama conference was one of the most important as it resulted in decisions to strengthen the statehood of Somaliland. During the conference, the delegates discussed all the sensitive issues in power sharing. The security frame and the reconciliation among Somaliland communities was another important agenda. The conference also coincided with the end of the two-year presidential term of Abdirahman Ahmed Ali, therefore the agenda of the conference included the election of the new president and vice president. Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal was elected as the president and Abdirahman Aw Ali as the vice president. And a national constitutional charter was produced.

Reference:

Copied from Horn Observer

Boobe Yusuf Duale (11 Juun 2020) 60 sano ka dib xoriyadda: Sooyaalkii Xisbigii SNL ee 1960-kii.

Dr. Hussein Mohamed Nur (2018) The Rebith of Somaliland.

Michael Walls, Steve Kibble (2010) Beyond polarity: Negotiating Hybrid State in Somaliland

Somaliland: Old challenges, new solutions, Daily Maverick, Sept 12 2019.

Human Rights Watch Wolrd Report (1989), Somalia

Gerard Prunier (21 January 2021), the country that does not exist: A histoey of Somaliland

Bradbury, Mark (2008) Becoming Somaliland, Oxford, James Currey (African Issues)

Peter Tatchell (June 2011), In praise of Somaliland-a beacon of hope in the horn of Africa.

http://www.somalilandlaw.com/state_of_somaliland_1960.html#Heading, last accessed 10 May 2021

The new humanitarian, 6 May 2002 (Somaliland leader buried)

IRIN, Newsletter, May 2006