March 27, 2009 - 13:25
The Question of Somali Unity: Does it matter anymore?    

Unity is a term used in relation to joint ownership of a nation. It means that all owners/citizens must receive their interest through the same event or from the same source. It is one of the requirements needed to determine that a joint agreement exists. Other unities required to find joint agreement are unity of time, meaning that all tenants must receive their interests in the land at the same time, unity of interest, in which all citizens have equal undivided interests in the land that is jointly held, and unity of possession, meaning that each joint citizen has “the right to be citizen of that country".

All joining parts should appreciate in the unity, interrelatedness and articulation of all citizens of joining parties. One may fail to share a room with his biological brother, what about uniting millions?! The uniting parties shall lay down constitution that touches every aspect of their life, and shall be respected. Nobody is above the law.

The proletariat of the nation should have equal rights under the justice of law, without discrimination based on tribe or clan, which is highly not possible in Somalia because of tribalism.

In 1st July 1960, British Somaliland and Italian Somalia united to form Somali Republic. They formed government with high level of corruption and mismanagement; the public money was misused and no services like health and education. British Somaliland – today’s Republic of Somaliland – protested over the power sharing and corruption by plotting the first military coup in Somali history on 1961 in Hargiesa, but was premature. Afterwards, the leadership of various Somali governments was for specific tribes and the other tribes neglected.

On 21st Oct 1969, a popular military coup took place led by General Mohamed Siyad Barre; Somalis welcomed the coup as sign of hope against the widespread corruption of civil governments; the people loved the military leadership until 1977, after Som-Ethiopian War. Siyad Barre started appointing all the core positions of the government to his tribesmen and regime started slowly varnishing until 1991.

Somalis ancestors – both in north and south – were uneducated and had no experience in fledging democracy and unity; they united without putting the basic regulations for the unity; they achieved the territorial unity of Somali Republic but left with tribally and culturally fragmented population.

A hostile agenda to invade sovereign regional states was part of the artificial Somali unity, it is illegal. Because many Somalis insist till today to unite against Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya and bring Somali tribes and land in these countries under the Somali government; they believe that all Somali tribes should be within one regime. It is against the law Concept.

The historical task of current Somali generation is to transform the inherited territorial unity into a democratic unity that embraces all who live in Somali Republic. But how? The popular answer is “unity in diversity”. If we examine closely the Somali unity, one may find it distrustful and unlawful, and due to consequences it varnished quickly.

Ethnic diversity is not a question in Somalia, as people are almost the same. However, why Somalia fragmented and fighting each other? It is because ‘Tribalism is serious virus than diversity’. The similarity in language, religion, culture doesn’t unite or divide nations and people. Today, there are many South American countries and Arabs with similar language, culture and religion, but still remain different countries.

So, shall the ethic similarity obligate Somaliland, Djibouti, Eastern Ethiopia and Northern Frontier Districts of Kenya to unite under one so-called Somali regime?! Answer is ‘NO’; the important is that all should live in peace and prosperity.

Somali unity in 1960 aimed to bring all Somali speakers within single rule, including aforesaid regions. This was illegitimate idea, and that is why is failed. Djibouti won independence on 1977, and rejected to unite Somalia, this was wisely decision by Djibouti political leaders including Former President Hassan Guled.

Somalis misunderstand the unity, it is about truth and living with justice, liberty and equality, and these factors were missing in Somalia unity. If we examine the current system of power sharing in Somalia (4.5), one may perceive widespread injustice.

The system overlooks some tribes and builds missiles of others at the expenses of some. Let us take an example of current Transitional Government of Somalia led by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Mr. Ahmed had no choice but to appoint Prime Minister from “Puntland” or in other meaning from “Majeerteen tribe”. This illustrates that Presidential and Premiership belongs to either tribe of Mr. Ahmed or that of the Prime Minister Abdulrashid Sharmarke. This is how inequality works in Somalia, instead of picking leaders based on capabilities.

Every human being is born free, and has rights to get his share in life; the people should have equal access to public facilities without discrimination, and all should respect the constitution of the country.

One of my friends told me that people living in former northern Somalia (today’s Somaliland and “Puntland”) used to travel to Mogadishu – about 1500 km – to get their passport and birth certificate, and even you should go Mogadishu to know your secondary school or college examination results. Is this justified?!

There was history of disintegration of nations in the region, like Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1991, and now Southern Sudanese are fighting for independence. Let us look into Ethiopia and Eritrea, we can unravel that Eritrea was part of Ethiopia until 1991; the people of both countries share religion, color and language but Eritrea insisted to break up and Ethiopia accepted their demands. Why not Somalia accepts Somaliland?!

If the religion, color and language unite people, why it failed in Ethiopia and even many other parts of the world like Arabian Peninsula?! Frankly speaking, the unity in diversity shall be fundamental aspect like United Nation, as each member is respected as sovereign state. As long as, the people respect each other’s value, the justice will prevail. However, when rule of justice support a few and squashes others than the end will be chaos.

In similar manner, Somaliland and Italian Somalia can reunite if and only if Somaliland accepts the unity again. The obnoxious and abhorrent statements of some Somalis mainly from “Puntland” against democratic Somaliland will increase insult to old injuries. These tribe-minded individuals accuse Somaliland for secessionism, as Eritrea was accused two decades ago. The truth will always prevail.

Somalia should set free Somaliland, and take Ethiopia and Eritrea as example. Also, any future Somali government should be based on the desire of all uniting parties, like Somaliland should be set free or any future compulsory unity will varnish again and again.

Today, the people of Somaliland showed sign of maturity and humanity compare to other Somalis; they built complete, democratic and modern state; they elected government and formed opposition parties, which provided necessary services to the public; they earned respect from the world. However, Somaliland is suffering from the stubbornness of Somalia leaders, who always insist that Somaliland is an integral part of Somalia. This can be described as meaningless universalism.

These leaders even don’t control the capital city of Somalia – Mogadishu – and they chant against Somaliland from the first day in office. One may ask why these leaders unite against Somaliland sovereignty, but not on their own affairs. They fight at streets of Mogadishu, but when it comes to Somaliland they are say NO to Somaliland Independence!

I believe it is jealousy and selfishness, to keep Somaliland without title until they come out of disagreements and chaos. These leaders should know Somaliland independence will reduce the size of their problems.

The world is watching very closely, and knows the best part of former Somalia. Somaliland will get its rights one day, and truth will prevail, that Somaliland is democratic and warlords in Mogadishu are nothing but band of gangs.

By\ Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi

Email: az.almutairi@yahoo.com

© 2008 Awdalnews Network .

Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial.