By Osman Hassan

Once again, the one-clan secessionist renegade enclave, calling itself Somaliland, has crossed all red lines in its continuing aggressions against the rest of Somalia and above all those in the unionist regions in the north (former British Somaliland). Having already occupied much of the unionist regions of Sool, Cayn and southern Sanaag (constituting Khatumo State of Somalia), and committing in the process daily crimes against fundamental human rights, and at times crimes against humanity, the secessionists have this time launched an all-out major offensive on peaceful East Sanaag, the territory of the unionist Warsangeli clan.

The secessionists’ war aims are manifold. Uppermost in their objectives is the desire to complete once and for all the conquest of the recalcitrant unionist clans in the SSC regions and fulfil their aspiration of having the former British territory of Somaliland exit from the rest of Somalia (former Italian Somaliland) and bring it under their hegemony. Their immediate aim, however, is to carry out by force a phoney election registration in order to hoodwink the international community that this sham exercise has taken throughout what they call their “Somaliland” even if negligible numbers, or none, participate from the SSC regions. This, they envisage, will make them outshine the rest of Somalia, enhance their standing with international community, and possibly advance their recognition prospects. A lot of wishful thinking is underpinning this invasion and much of Somaliland’s actions.

As it is, Somaliland’s invasion of Eastern Sanaag was met with widespread demonstrations, giving an unmistakable message to the secessionists that their territory is no part of them but Somalia and would resist their invasion tooth and nail. Force is Somaliland’s only means of dealing with other clans, and, as is the case with the rest of the SSC regions, they have no respect for the will of the people who time and time again expressed in so many ways their rejection of the secession and to be part of Somaliland.

It is paradoxical to see in the 21 Century one Somali clan seeking to conquer and colonise other Somali clans against their will when the former colonisers had long ago given up that practice because they realised it was unsustainable and self-defeating. The same fate awaits their present-day copycats in Somaliland but for now they are too intoxicated with their military muscle and overrunning lesser armed clans to see the folly of their ways. Having failed to win the hearts and minds of the SSC peoples through persuasion, they are unlikely to do so  through occupation and oppression.

Since they had laid their hands on the arsenal of the Somali national army based in the north, when it disintegrated in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali State, the SNM-led secessionist enclave has come to fancy themselves, perhaps with some justification, as the super power in the north if not the rest of failed Somalia. That acquired military superiority has fostered in them a self-deluding mentality of arrogance, adventurism and unaccountability, believing that they have God-given right to invade and grab other clans’ territory and impose their colonial like rule on them.

Given their barren resource-less enclave, and their total dependence on foreign aid, the secessionists’ aggressions on other clans and regions would not have been possible if they were not being pampered by an overindulgent international community, above all Great Britain, without whose aid and permissiveness the secessionists would not have been able to invade and occupy other clans’ regions as they are now doing. From the perspective of Somaliland’s victims, Great Britain and others aiding the secessionists share responsibility for their  crimes and the suffering inflicted on them.

Great Britain and Somaliland

In a recent interview Universal TV satellite conducted with H.E. Ms Harriet Mathews, arguably the most popular and charismatic Ambassador Great Britain has ever sent to Somalia, she confessed to having a soft spot for Somaliland, presumably speaking for her country than expressing her own personal feelings. If she was referring to their former colony and its multi-clan subjects, then having such sentimental attachment to the former colony is understandable and indeed endearing.

Many people however understood her as referring to the current one-clan secessionist enclave calling itself  “Somaliland”. They point out as evidence to the disproportionate share of Great Britain’s aid to Somalia going to this one clan. If their perception is right, it would have disturbing overtones for many people in the SSC regions who are mindful of the unholy alliance between the colonial government of Somaliland and the secessionist clan in crushing the “Daraawish” national freedom movement led by Sayid Mohamed Hassan whose followers were mainly from the SSC regions.

Tens of thousands of civilians perished at the hands of this alliance following the defeat of the Darwish movement. Whether intended or not, Britain’s current aid to the secessionists is largely propping up their occupation and massacre of many people in the SSC regions. For many in the SSC regions, it is history repeating itself. It is difficult though to believe that this is what the Ambassador had in mind. All the more then that she should dispel any unfounded misconception not only by words but more importantly by deeds.

Self-interest rather than sentiments guide Britain’s foreign policy and one would like to believe that this is the case in Somalia where its interest is better served by being even-handed among all the clans in the north and, more importantly, to support the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia rather than putting all its eggs in one clan’s basket, which is a basket case at that.

Time for Action by the International Community

The consequences of Somaliland’s current misguided adventure in Eastern Sanaag could have far-reaching detrimental implications for the peace and stability in the region and the wider Somalia. Apart from the armed resistance of the inhabitants of Eastern Sanaag (and the rest of Khatumo’s SSC regions), Somaliland’s invasion could draw in Puntland who are bound to the area by blood and politics (claiming the area as part of Puntland). Al Shabaab who operate in some parts of Puntland’s Highlands would not miss an opportunity to fish in troubled waters thanks to Somaliland. In a nutshell, Somaliland’s ill-advised adventure has all the ingredients of setting the region ablaze.

Restoring peace is in everyone’s interest including the secessionists. But there can be no lasting peace until Somaliland unconditionally withdraws its militia back to its own enclave, mind its own business and leave other clans in peace, and respect their right to remain in Somalia. Somaliland and al Shabaab, allegedly working hand in hand, are the major threats to peace and stability in Somalia and beyond. Taming and defanging Somaliland would help in defeating al Shabaab. It behoves the international community, who has so much leverage over the enclave, to intervene and prevail over them. And the sooner the better.

Osman Hassan
email: osman.hassan2 @gmail.com
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Osman Hassan is a seasoned journalist and a former UN staff member. Mr Hassan is also a regular contributor to WardheerNews.