Speakers on Hargeisa Grand Rally Said:

• We appeal to the International Community to respond Positively to the legitimate right of Somaliland to recognition Said Hiji Abdi Warabe, a member of House of Elders;

• Ethiopia was the only country in this world around us which Provided over one million Somalilanders, who fled from the bombards of Somalia’s occupation army shelter and food, said Ahmed Yusuf Yasiin the Vice president of Somaliland;

• International Relation should not be based on ethnicity or religion, our relation with Ethiopia is exemplary, said Faysal Ali Warabe Chairman of the UCID party      

Tuesday 15^th of January marked the launching day of a national campaign for recognition, which is intended to be organized in the all regions and districts of Somaliland Republic. In this connection leaders from the three political parties of Somaliland, Mr. Faysal Ali Waraabe Chairman of the UCD party, Mr. Mohamed Ismaeil Bulaale Secratery General of the UDUB party, and Mr. Mohamoud Saleh Nour (Fagadhe) deputy chairman of the Kumiye party held a join press conference on Sunday 14^th of January, the purpose of which was said to be a prelude to the launching day of the campaign. The three leaders have lengthily spoken on the reasons related to this occasion, as each one of them has underlined that a new situation has emerged in the sub-region of the Horn, which calls for Somaliland people, the government and political parties to be vigilant and ready for tackling the consequences of the developments taking place, right now, in the neighboring Somalia, which its leaders do still consider Somaliland as part and parcel of their country.

The three leaders have underlined the need for Somaliland people and leaders to   rise to the level of the new challenges involved in the rapidly changing political and security state of affairs in Somalia, where the current political leaders seemed to have the same political ambitions of their predecessors expressed in the greater Somalia aggressive ideology. Their announcement that they planned to organize general elections in Somaliland territory the year 2009 is on the same level of the dream that Ogaden is part of the Somali Republic, said the leaders.

The three political leaders have made a strong appeal to the international community to take preemptive measures against another devastating war in the Horn of Africa, this time between Somalia and Somaliland, and further highlighted the fact that Somaliland is a democratic peaceful country which its only approach to solving conflicts is through peaceful means, as reconciliation through dialogue, and not through arms and confrontation. The leaders irritated that in Somalia the culture of dialogue and compromise is entirely absent and totally alien.

What Somaliland is worried to be facing is the anarchy and chaos and lack of tolerance entrenched in Somalia proper to be extended to its land, said the leaders, and urged the International Community to support the peace, stability and democratic culture in Somaliland upon which it deserved to be rewarded by providing our legitimate right to recognition. Which will salvage not only Somaliland but, also the entire region against instability and potential new cycle of unnecessary regional wars, the leaders conclude their remarks.                                 

On the other hand, the main occasion of Tuesday nationwide mass rallies and demonstrations was dedicated for the recognition issue and organized at Hargeisa Freedom Garden, where in 1960 Somaliland flag was first hoisted at the midnight of June 26 replacing the UK flag to signify the event of Somaliland independence from Great Britain. This place has now turned into a national forum where hundreds of thousands of demonstrators came out to express their feelings and revealed their stand from the issue of recognition.

The speakers on the occasion were the vice president of Somaliland HE Ahmed Yusuf Yasiin, Faysal Ali Warabe of UCID party, Mohamed Ismail Bulaale of UDUB and Mohamoud Saleh of Kulmiye. All the speakers have underlined on the momentous situation occurring in the region and serious developments emerging holding both problems as well as opportunities.

In this connection the speakers have extensively addressed on the need for the Somaliland people to consolidate internal unity and solidarity among themselves, and to put aside all differences, as the unity and diversity combined coherently are the two pillars of our democratic values.

Most of the speakers have highly appreciated and hailed the Ethio-Somaliland relationship by saying that Ethiopia was the only country in this world around us which received Somaliland refugee and displaced in a time when Somalia’s military machine were cracking down running away from the same mass massacres of Hargeisa and Burao in the 1980s.. “Ethiopia was the country which provided shelter and rationing to about one million Somalilanders who were fleeing from bombards of Somalia’s air force.. That is why I am saying to you, brother and sisters you should stand firmly for defending these relations and strengthen it further” Said Mr. Ahmed Yusuf Yasiin the Vice president.

Other speakers have also made similar remarks on the need to regional cooperation among which the Ethio-Somaliland relations are exemplary.    “.International relations should not be based on ethnic or religion but mainly on mutual interests, clear example of this concept was tested by our relation with Ethiopia, which endured through difficult times” said Faysal Ali Warabe chairman of UCID party. Similar rallies and demonstrations were taking place in the same time in all regions and districts of Somaliland.

When asked Faysal Ali Waraabe chairman of UCID party about the significance and purpose of these demonstrations, he answered “three main objectives were meant: To focus on cementing internal unity of Somaliland people against potential increase of instability in the Horn, to appeal to International Community to provide recognition to Somaliland, and lastly to support the campaign the Somaliland government is launching for international recognition”.   

Somaliland had been under British Colonial administration for almost a century, obtained its independence from Britain 1960, and voluntarily united with Somalia (Italian Colony) immediately after the independence of latter from UN trusteeship under Italian supervision. And regained its independence from Somalia occupation army of Siyad Barre in May 1991.

Since then Somaliland has realized remarkable successes; in peace building, remaking of the national state institutions, democratization through reconciliation, forgiveness and by conducting compromises in resolving conflicts.

And although Somaliland is not yet a recognized country, but has close working relations with many country and institutions, Such as Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Great Britain and many others. President Rayaale of Somaliland had once said that the Arab Lobby constitutes the stumbling block to Somaliland’s international recognition.  

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Report from Hargeisa by Adam M. Jibril