Op-Ed:Somaliland The Untold Stories

In any nation, democracy is the foundations of society. Somaliland is practicing democratic change which brought considerable progress in social transformation and as well as creating a better life for the people.
As a private citizen who voted the democratic change, harmony and development believes that Somaliland will contribute an example towards nation building, sustaining peace and continuing to unite people through mutual understanding and confidence building.
Despite the sustainable peace and the giant progress of democratic system in our country, we are committed to raise our voices that Somaliland has the right to be recognized as independent state.
In fostering the democracy, peace and progress of the people, youth in Somaliland played a notable role in promoting the values of democracy. The key here is that youth contributes scratch-meaning that brought students at secondary schools and universities created student club unions. These unions were an example of how free exercise of democracy exists among Somaliland people. More over, student leader was elected from the student and must have the favor of the majority.
Somaliland dramatically improving to be the oasis of peace and tranquility in horn of Africa and is moving increasingly towards consolidating democracy process. The government of Somaliland had taken on the task of an implementing the multy- party system, where three political parties are legally recognizing and known as a nation parties
Somaliland has done incredibly well in managing the past elections. Peaceful, free and fair presidential elections were held in 2010 to convince the international community of Somaliland’s bona fides as an independent state. Until that period the country has been gaining a sustainable peace and expansion of democratization process which brought about significant improvement in the lives of Somaliland population. We are also mindful of the need for International Recognition to further improve the peace and positive democratization of our country
Somaliland has accomplished a viable progress and phenomenal development in political, educational and democratization without substantial foreign aid and as well as set a true example for many societies and countries around the world which are internationally recognized and receives more extensive support to the world communities.
Somaliland, which nearly half a century ago was a British protectorate and gets its independence in June 1960. As soon as Somali Landers got their independence from British government, they sacrificed their independence for the conception of greater Somalia. Which was to unify all Somali territory in the horn of Africa (i.e. former British Somaliland, French Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, North frontier district in Kenya and Ogden Somali region in ethopia)? How ever that concept was failed do to the political circumstances that existed in the sixties. More over, a constitutional and legal act of union never happened between Somaliland and Somalia.
With this verbal and illegal unification Somaliland people suffered a lot of misfortunes and in equality in every aspect of life. More over the Siyad Barr’s regime committed an act of genocide in Somaliland people. All most all big towns and more than 5000 villages were destroyed. Over one million people were displaced , more than 800,000 were made refugees in east Ethiopian camps, were hunger, cold and child labor was the order of the day. And also more than 300,000 have been killed, and more have been maimed or injured. The migs piloted by South Africans mercenaries killed the people and animals in rural and urban areas.
We were frightened to walk down our own streets for fear of being murdered, robbery and rape. We have seen pictures of our educated people slaughtered, our fathers having been beaten up, and our sisters having been raped by the faqash.
Somaliland people brought back their independence from Somalia in May 1991 after 10 years of hard struggle against one of the most powerful military force in Africa. The war had left the country physically devastated and socially wounded where thousands of people had been killed and Hundreds displayed their homes and left nothing to their property.
A community – based peace conference were held many parts of the country in order to resolve the internal fighting. Many militia armies then could have surrendered their weapons to the government of Somaliland during 1994. The army forces of SNM have been disintegrated and number of different sub-clan conflicts had been solved by traditional process. The national security forces then had been established whereas the law and order had been stored in Somaliland.
The new born government had been calling children back to path of schooling, More than 40 percent of Somaliland’s primary school age children go to school every day, while the majority of Somaliland’s secondary and professional technical schools works better. While the University of Hargeisa, Amoud University, International Horn University, Golis University and Burao University are conducting classes, each is capable of enrolling more number of secondary school graduates. Somaliland is full of young educators who are ready to replace their old educators and prepare a better tomorrow for the coming generation.
Somaliland becomes an example to Zimbabwe and Ruwanda. In an article titled: An Island of peace, Geoff Hill explained that Somalilanders are rightly proud of their achievement. Whereas in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, you can barely move without finding your path obstructed by an AK assault rifle, the only rifles I saw in Hargeisa were in the hands of soldiers, who were courteous, discipline and well turned out.
I was struck by the example of sound governance and administration in Somaliland when I covered its general election of September 2005. If only Zimbabwe could have an election like that – with parts free to campaign, a total absence of intimidation, daily newspapers and even a TV station in private hands.
A new Zimbabwe can learn from Somaliland and improve on these precedents. Somaliland is proofed that democracy can happen only when there is freedom both political and civilian.
Finally, the Somaliland’s recognition will serve as an example to the Somalis by understanding that peace and democracy is possible and in the hands of citizens. Only the local communities can bring peace instead of external mediation. It is our hope that Somaliland’s recognition will be an icon system to those divided societies who are searching the true process of sustainable peace and democratic change.
Written by: Farhan Abdi Suleiman (oday).
Email: oday1999@yahoo.com