Warns unionists that Somaliweyn is never to be for Somalilanders made an irrevocable decision on 18th May 1991
By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – Despite non fruitation of The 1960 Somaliland union with Somalia the motive was of good intent and driven by brotherly love for our southern neighbours.
This was stated by the president of Somaliland Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo in a, message of congratulations extended to the nation upon its commemoration of the 26th June Independence Day.
Somaliland a former British protectorate garnered its independence from Britain on 26th June 1960 and five days later it entered into a voluntary union with then Somalia-Italia.
In his message to the nation commemorating 54 years after British relinquished power the president said:
“On my own behalf and that of the three branches of government I hereby extend congratulations to the people of Somaliland on this occasion of commemorating 54 years of independence from Britain on the 26th June 1960.
Despite our love for our neighbours that drove us to discard our independence and unite with Somalia five days after our independence, the good intentions of somalilanders were reciprocated with difficulties that resulted in deaths, destruction of property and displacement of hundreds of thousands of our citizens”
“in 1991 Having rectified the anomaly of the 1960 unification Somalilanders who took an irrevocable move to reclaim their self-rule where they shall be treated humanely and fairly, with a government mandated with the enhancement of community livelihoods, the Somaliweyn, today’s unionist, should have realized by now that reunification with Somalia is not for negotiations and thence shall never happen”
“Somalilanders who did and shall never request permission from any quarters on issues related to their country’s sovereignty have despite 23 years of non recognition managed to build on their own, not only function government structures and democratic procedures but peaceful co-existence in the most turbulent region of the world”
“While extend congratulations to Somalilanders in-country and in the Diaspora for their 23 years of resilience and nationalism I also urge continued vigilance against enemies of the state driven by desire to mar prevalent security while being in the readiness to defend their beloved nation of Somaliland” unquote
Main national Festivities marking the 26th June independence day are going to be held at the presidency in Hargeisa while regional governors shall conduct similar activities in all regional capitals of Somaliland.
