Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
University of Hargeisa
Site: www.hargeisauniversity.com
May, 2013
A National Conference themed:
Somaliland : Making Dialogue Successful: the Prospects of Somaliland–Somalia Negotiations
Date: 14–15 August 2013
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Venue: Mansoor hotel Hargeisa
Preface
Following the London Somaliland and Somalia Conference in February 2012 hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom with the Presence of the European Union and Norwegian Government, a new conference on the theme of rehabilitation and reconstruction of Somalia was also concluded in London in May 2013.
In the 2012 Somalia London Conference, Somaliland was invited and participated as a separate entity from the other guests representing Somalia factions including the fledging internationally backed TFG, similarly the country was again invited to participate in the another conference on Somalia hosted by British Premier David Cameroon in London in May but Somaliland declined to attend due to reasonable factors.
On the other hand, article six of the final communique of the first London Conference proposed that Somaliland and Somalia to start face to face dialogue to end their decade’s long standoff that had stretched for two decades.
As a response to that proposal, Somaliland and Somalia engaged in their first face-to-face discussion in London, UK, followed by Dubai, the UAE meeting in June 2012 with Turkey hosting the third early this year and the latest one in April 2013.
This Conference on “Making the Dialogue Successful: the Prospects of Somaliland–Somalia Negotiations” to be held in Hargeisa in August 2013 reflects on “the way forward”, as much evidence already exists, important gaps in our knowledge and information sharing still remain. The Conference attempts to find an answer: How the Somaliland state can continue and tackle processes of negotiation with the Somalia? How do we position ourselves with the existence of long stigmatization and exclusion policies faced by Somaliland citizens with a history of a failed union, and how we can legalize our arguments in regards to our self-determination?
With the existence of many gaps, it cannot be approached from a single perspective, and instead needs to be viewed from different disciplinary approaches. At this conference to be hosted by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies University of Hargeisa on August, 2013, multidisciplinary views will be emphasized, including input from the fields of Law, History, Diplomacy, Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict studies, State building, as well as from the field of practitioners and international advocacy
This Conference aims to attract researchers, academicians, experts, practitioners and policy-makers from all around the country and around the world thus superbly articulated arguments either for against by renowned experts in the various disciplines.
This is therefore an excellent opportunity to discuss experiences, challenges, and achievements with people engaged in politics and those interested in discussing with those come from different disciplines with different perspectives. In addition, efforts will be made to formulate a set of recommendations for policy-makers, practitioners and researchers at the end of the Conference, in order to make an impact at the policy level, regarding the ongoing dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia, and culminate in a finalized text of recommendations at the conclusion of the Conference, following input from participants.
Topics which will be covered during the conference:
In summary topics that will be covered during the conference will be
1- Historical perspectives of the Union between Somaliland and Somalia
2- Negotiation and mediation Skills and Techniques needed during the Engagement Policy between Somaliland and Somalia.
3- Possible failure of negotiations and its consequences both in Somaliland and the wider region
4- An Alternative approach on eve of the Negotiation Deadlock
5- Somaliland: Towards Reconciling Complex Threats with Opportunities
6- Prospect of Somaliland and Somalia negotiations and its impact on the state
7- Diplomatic Maneuvering as techniques for Negotiation
8- Somalis Ownership of the talks and its impact to talks
9- Unequal situations between Somaliland and Somalia and its impact to the Negotiation
10- Somaliland–Somalia negotiations in a legal perspective
11- The Role of Somaliland Civil society during the Engagement Period
12- The Role of the Media during Engagement Period
13- Strengthens and Weakness of Internal situation of Somaliland and its impact on talks
14- Scenarios for Somaliland Somalia Talks
15- Leadership in the Transitional time: what the present leaders can learn from the Past History
16- The Role of International Community: Geopolitical effect of the dialogue
At the end of the conference there will a policy paper which will be a recommendation for Somaliland Negotiators team for the interest of Somaliland statehood and our future generations.
As final product, Subject to acceptance after editorial and peer review, papers will be included in a journal publication: Somaliland Journal for Peace and Development
NB:
See the attached grogram which contains the opening ceremony, topics which will be covered, presenters of each session, and chairs of each session during the program.
Adam Haji-Ali Ahmed
Director, the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies ( IPCS)
University of Hargeisa
Cell: +252-63-440365
E-mail: aadamhaji@gmail.com
Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
University of Hargeisa
Site: www.hargeisauniversity.com
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Theme of the Conference:
Making the Dialogue Successful: The Prospects of Somaliland–Somalia Negotiations,
14–15 August, 2013
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Programme
14 August
08:30-09:30 Registration
9:30-9:45 Background introduction and Welcome by Mr Adam Haji Ali Ahmed, Director, the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), University of Hargeisa, Hargeisa, Somaliland
9:45-10:00 Remarks by Dr. Abdi Hussein Gas, President of University of Hargeisa
10:00-10:15 Mohamed Bihi Yonis , Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
10:15-10:30 Hirsi Ali H. Hassan, Ministry of Presidency
10:30- 10:45 President/Vice President
10:45-11:00 Coffee break
First Day of the Conference
14-August, 2013
1st Session-Chair: Mohamoud Ahmed Mohamed,
11:00-11:30 Briefing from the Somaliland Negotiators Team led by Minster of Foreign Affairs and Presidency
11:30- 11:50 The Role of International Community during the engagement Period: Super powers interest
Eid Ali Salaan, Independent Consultant & Researcher
11:50-12:10 Possible failure of negotiations and its consequences both in Somaliland and the wider region
Harun Yosuf, Researcher and Consultant for NAGAAD
12: 20- 12:40 Legal Argument for Somaliland Case: Historic legal Events and the Present Reality
Adam Haji-Ali Ahmed, Researcher and Director of IPCS, UoH
12:40- 13:30 Pm Break for lunch
2nd Session Chair: Sadia Muse
13:30- 13: 50 The Union between Somaliland and Somalia: The Lessons can be learned for today’s present situation
Dr. M. S. Gees, Historian and Researcher
13:50- 14:10 Discourse between Somaliland and Somalia its impact to the Talks
Sadia Muse, Civil society Activist and researcher
14:10- 14:30 Dissimilarity between Somaliland and Somalia and its impact to the Negotiations, Muse Xisbi, Historian
14:30 – 15: 00 Discussion
3rd Session Chair: Adam Muse Jibril
15:00- 15:30 The Two Arguments: The Somaliland and Somali talks a test of Leadership and political Compromise
Abdulkadir Askar, Member of Parliament, House of Representatives
15:30- 16:00 Strengthens and Weakness of Internal situation of Somaliland and its impact on talks.
Abdillahi Ibrahim Habane, Peace building Specialist &
General Secretary of House of Guurti
16:10- 16:30 Somaliland: Towards Reconciling Complex Threats with Opportunities
Nasir Mohamed Ali, Researcher and the Director of ISS
Closing Remarks of Day one
Second Day of the Conference
15-August- 2013
1st Session Chair: Abdullahi Ibrahim Habane
8:30- 9:00 Prospect of Somaliland and Somalia negotiations and its impact on the state
Baashe Abdi Gaboobe, Political Analyst and Historian
9:00- 9:30 Leadership in the Transitional time: what the present leaders can learn from the Past History
Abdullahi Odowa, Director of the OCVP
9:30- 10: 00 Diplomatic Maneuvering as techniques for Negotiation
Adam Muse Jibril, Diplomat, Political Analyst and writer
10:00- 10:30 Discussions
10: 30- 11: 00 Coffee/Tea Break
2nd Session Chair: Nasir Mohamed Ali
11:00- 11:30 Somalis Ownership of the talks and its impact to talks
Abdiqadir Ismail, Independent Consultant and Researcher at ISS
11:30- 12:00 The Role of the Media during Engagement Period
Yousuf Abdi-gaboobe, Journalist
12: 00 – 12: 30 An Alternative approach on the eve of the Negotiation Deadlock
Mohamed Abdillahi, Independent Researcher and Consultant &
Saed Mohamed, SONYO Executive Director
12: 30 – 13: 30 Break for Lunch
13: 30 – 14: 00 Discussion
3rd Session Chair: Mohamed Abdillahi Duale
14: 00 – 14: 30 Future Scenarios for Somaliland during Talks and beyond
Mohamed Fadal, Researcher and
14:30 – 15:00 Conceptualizing and Challenging Notions of State Sovereignty and Colonial Borders in East Africa: Somaliland’s Quest for
International Recognition
Laila Jama, MA International Relations, Toronto, Canada
15:00 – 15:30 Possible failure of the talks between Somaliland and Somalia and its Consequences beyond the region
Mohamed Ahmed Mohamoud, Executive Director of SONSAF
15:30 – 16:00 Negotiation and mediation Skills and Techniques needed during the Engagement period, Adam Haji-Ali, Director of IPCS
15:30 – 16:00 Discussion
16:00 – 16:30 Conclusion Remarks and way forward
