By Abdi Ahmed
In the past few years, the Somali Federal Government (SFG) and the Somaliland administration held talks in various countries around the world. These talks were going on in the past few years; however, there were no tangible agreements on any major issues. The two sides construed and conveyed the outcomes of the talks with different narratives where the Somaliland side, eager to gain international recognition, portrayed it as meetings between two nations. This notion was sold in the secessionist region that finally recognition was attainable. However, the SFG side always maintained and insisted that the talks served the fundamental purpose of Somalia’s objectives of reconciliation as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud resonated it in many occasions.
These talks were put off a few times when each side accused the other side for breaking some of the previous agreements that had been reached. However, these agreements were nothing but a framework to continue the talks. To mention a few of the points agreed upon in the past were: continuation of the dialogues, reducing tensions between the two sides in the mass media, Somalia’a airspace control and other non-critical points. Thus far, no discussion about the fate of Somaliland was ever brought up on any of the past dialogues.
As these talks dragged on, and at times they were postponed a few times. Another round of talks was just scheduled on February 28th 2015 in Istanbul, Turkey. This time, the dynamics of the talks have completely changed. The Somaliland delegation suddenly pulled out of the talks accusing the SFG for breaking one of the previous accords.
Stalemate
The Somaliland delegates accused the Somali government for adding its delegation individuals who hailed from what was once the British Somaliland Protectorate (Somaliland). This means that Somaliland, being ruled and controlled by one major clan, is acting as the sole representative of all people in the Northern regions. Somaliand’s demand to choose what delegation will represent and who the members of the Somali government delegation should be, assured the collapse of the already fragile talks. This is an unfair condition imposed by Somaliland on the other side.
Such a squabble is not only irresponsible but impractical. It shows the incompetency and immaturity of the Somaliland leadership, a group bereft of wisdom, realism, and logic. It is also a reckless action on the part of Hargeisa that evidently leads to the collapse of talks. Somaliland is fully responsible for the failure of the talks and it will lead to the regional administration’s further isolation in the international community. The secessionist government is also experiencing election crisis.
The SFG‘s Courageous Action
In the previous talks, many Somali Unionists, some servicing in the SFG, vocally criticized Mogadishu for not including members from the North to its delegates. This move that finally the SFG has taken is a bold move that enables all stakeholders in the north to be part of the process. It shows that the federal government has realized its past mistakes in dealing with Somaliland. The SFG delegation, for the first time, has shown the true representation of all the communities in the north. Suddenly the move exposed the devious agenda and the weak argument of Somaliland for seeking a secession from Somalia. The notable members on the table on behalf of the SFG are highly regarded and well-known individuals who hail from northern Somalia and are opposed to the slicing of Somalia into parcels.
The SFG ought to be firm and steady on its current stand. It is right on this issue and the majority of Somalis in the south and north are fully supportive. People have spoken many times that they don’t want Somalia to be divided, and the federal system is the solution for all Somali regions. Evidently, the SFG has given concessions to Somaliland in many occasions in an attempt to reconcile. But the SFG should not accept to be blackmailed by secessionist who are bent on dividing the Somali nation.
Abdi Ahmed
Email:hererboy@gmail.com