Somaliland: Government sets its agenda for Somalia Talks

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“As of today and henceforth the gap between Somaliland and Somalia is like the sky and earth thus no ground for neither unification nor discussions of re-unification” Hon Boobe ,Information Minister

By: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The TFG prime minister has been informed that re-unification with Somalia was an untenable dream.

This was said by the minister of information Hon Abdirahman Yusuf Duale “Boobe” during a press briefing in his office in Hargeisa where he stressed on the irrevocable sovereignty of Somaliland.

The information minister who also doubles as the official government spokesperson told TFG prime minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, to desist from continued insinuations that the main agenda of the proposed talks with Somalia was reconciliation as a prelude to re-unification of the two states.

“I presume that the TFG prime minister is among the post-unification generation thus imperative for me to inform him that the Sovereignty of Somaliland is irrevocable” said Hon Boobe.

The government spokesperson also revealed that the 5 member talks technical committee has been reconstituted thus the inclusion of an opposition political party leader as well as members of parliament. The early committee appointed by president Silanyo in March, also composed of 5 members who were all from the council of ministers.

The full government statement read as follows:

Press Release 14th June 14, 2012

Ref: www/WS/3/2012

In the course of one week, the prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government-TFG, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has dwelt on the proposed talks between Somaliland and Somalia, with frequent insinuations that the foundation of the talks is reunification of the two countries.

I presume that the TFG prime minister is among the post-unification generation thus imperative for me to inform him that the Sovereignty of Somaliland is irrevocable.

If his fixation is unification as it prevailed in the 60’s when all Somalis were eager for a greater Somalia composed of the five Somali speaking regions (British Somaliland, French Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, NFD in Kenya and Somali Ethiopia), be informed that this are the 2000’s when the dream for a greater Somalia is dead.

Nobody can be forced into reunification or any union, and as it pertains to Somaliland it is not worthy of mention it for Somalilanders decision is final, since the current generation of Somalilanders is not interested in unification as their forefathers were in the 60’s.

After it’s withdrawn from its fateful union, Somaliland has been a sovereign nation for 21 years with all the necessary trappings of a state. Further This union of the 60’s would not have occurred without Somalilanders who were then mindful of the welfare of all Somali speakers, pushing and shoving thus forcing the Italian Somalia to unite.

As of today and henceforth the gap between Somaliland and Somalia is like the sky and earth thus no ground for neither unification nor discussions of re-unification.

As pertains to the 6th article of the London conference and after major consultations in Somaliland between the government, parliament, intellectuals, political parties, civil societies, Diaspora, Traditional and religious leaders and ordinary citizens it was agreed that the nation enter into talks with Somalia.

The nation agreed that Since unification went with the wind this un-returnable and Because Somalilanders are not prepared to lose their independence again as they did in the 1960’s as well as in respect to their unanimous decision for self-rule which is irrevocable, the government of Somaliland hereby informs that the only agenda of the proposed talks will be

I. To bless each other for a prosperous nationhood

II. To establish brotherly relations of two neighbouring countries and

III. To discuss future cooperation as two sovereign countries.

To this effect, the government of Somaliland has appointed a technical committee with the mandate to prepare and lay down the guidelines for the talks with Somalia.

The talk’s technical committee is composed of:

  1. Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar Foreign Minister – Committee chair

  2. Hon Bashe Mohamed Farah- 1st Deputy speaker of parliament (House of representative)

  3. Hon Feisal Ali Warabe – Chairman of UCID Political party (Opposition)

  4. Hon Hirsi H Ali Hasan – Presidency minister

  5. Hon Mahmoud Ahmed Barre (Garaad) – Minister of Labour & Social Affairs

Therefore, we ask our Somali brothers to stop thinking and talking about any other agenda that is opposite what Somalilanders have decided and made clear to all.

We also urge you, to embrace neighbourly brotherhood thus prosperity of our people and the demise of our enemies.

Abdirahman Yusuf Duale “Boobe”

Minister of Information and Official Government spokesperson