''The 21 years conflict of former Somali Republic proved to the world that religion, language and color don’t unity people''.Abdulaziz
- After 52 years, the Conservative Party is again making history in Somaliland. In 1960 Ex-British Prime Minister Harold McMillan granted the independence of Somaliland, along with British Cameroon and Nigeria. Today Somaliland’s self-determination is litmus test to Prime Minister Mr. David Cameroon of the ruling Conservative Party.
“I should like to say, however, that it is Her Majesty’s Government’s hope that whatever may be the constitutional future of the Protectorate, the friendship which has been built up between its people and those of the United Kingdom for so many years will continue and indeed flourish.” McMillan’s speech in South Africa during ‘Wind Of Change’ that Africa witnessed in last century. Somaliland was part of such ‘Wind Of Change’ and McMillan’s political stance on Somaliland was to maintain supportive to all former protectorate.
The current government of United Kingdom (UK) led by Prime Minister Mr. Cameroon must meet the promises made by McMillan by the name of Her Majesty – The Queen of United Kingdom and Northern Ireland – that offers support and good diplomatic relations to Somaliland during the hardship.
Today, Somaliland is looking for diplomatic support from an old friend – Britain, in order to restore their lost self-determination, in which they threw in dark by uniting with former Italian Somalia in 1960. The people of Somaliland are expecting a bold stance of re-recognition of Somaliland from Mr. Cameroon’s government. Such stance will help in creating stability; promote democracy and good governance in the region.
After many years and on 23rd Feb 2012, the ball is in the field of another Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister Mr. David Cameroon, who need to follow the footsteps of his former conservative leader, Mr. McMillan. Cameroon will have a golden page in the history of Somaliland, if, he re-recognizes Somaliland with its colonial border. Like any other member of African Union (AU), Somaliland will exist within colonial border, as per 1964 Agreement of the Organization of African Union.
Obviously, re-recognizing Somaliland will not damage UK’s interest in the region and not complicated step, because Somaliland is disintegrating from a failed state that doesn’t exist. “Somalia” has no functioning authority in last 21 years, in which Somaliland could have a change to discuss its self-determination with “Somalia” (Just like South Sudan vs Sudan scenario).
Even though, the international community organized many reconciliation conferences for Somalians to settle down their difference but no sign of recovery. Until today, Somaliland remains hijacked for failed state and people who don’t understand their interest. In other hand, Somaliland is the only democratic and functioning authority in former ex-Somali Republic.
Her Majesty’s Government, Somali people and the International Community know that Somaliland united with former Italian Somalia voluntarily, thinking that unity will bring prosperity to Somali people, in particular, and the region, in general. However, such unity created instability and illegal “Land Expansion Policy” in the region that led conflicts. The unity resulted poverty, illiteracy, backwardness and all other forms of negative expressions, in which the people of “Somalia” are witnessing until today.
Meanwhile, Somaliland had no-option but to withdraw from such failed and horrifying unity, in order to save their people. Somaliland wants to build brighter future for its children, instead of producing children who know how to kill at the age of 10. There are more than two generations of children in ex-Italian Somalia who did not attend proper schooling and uniting with such people will bring more problems to Somaliland.
During Somaliland’s 2003 Referendum, 97% of the voters agreed to walk away from the failed unity because they see no future in it. There are pro-unity minority in Somaliland who make about 10-15% of the total population. The Conservative Party led government must know that Somaliland’s disintegration decision enjoys majority in Somaliland population.
We know that the population of Montenegro voted for independence with simple majority of 51%, while Somaliland has more than 85% support from its people. All in all, although Somaliland people decided to remain independent but they are committed to help the people of ex-Italian Somalia in rebuilding and democracy. The home-made Somaliland style of democracy and crisis management will be shared with Somalians.
The 21 years conflict of former Somali Republic proved to the world that religion, language and color don’t unity people. A people could unite under predefined regulations that protects the rights of each group, however, that is not applicable in former Somali Republic as everyone wants to abuse rights of others.
By Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
(Email: az.almutairi@yahoo.com)
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