Let it be known to the democratic, civilized global communities;

Let it be known to whom it may concern that Somaliland is not a new found land. It is the land which was known as the northern part of Somalia before the fall of the Somali Republic. It is the land which was before known as the British Somaliland. It is the land where known tribes lived(Gadabursi of the Western regions, the Isaaqs of the Middle regions and the Harti tribes of the Eastern regions) long before the British colonized. Indeed, it is not a new found land in1991. It is my good intention here to remind the world community that every clan in north Somalia (The former British Somaliland) has the right to determine its own destiny.

It should be known that, where is currently known as Somaliland was formed in confederacy of tribes united by a league. An ideology of clans uniting to change the course to betterment. A league based on understanding, cooperating, caring and sharing. A union with a vision of peace building and advancement.

In contrast, it has become apparent that the agreed upon policy of the foundation of Somaliland has been hijacked by elements whose doctrine is embarked upon an ideology adventure which lead the agreement into a ditch – The so called Somaliland. These ego-centric power crazy and tribal minded elements have slowly and dangerously moved Somaliland towards a clan state where selfishness, greed, injustice and dominance have become the state norm. Elements whose doctrine states to wield control onto others and whose motto is/was to establish a one clan state to bend the will of others.

Let it be known, Awdal had this union relation with Somaliland since the formation of the confederacy and has not been able to get the slightest concession on respect and fairness. The fact of the matter is that Awdal has gone through a dramatic shift from two decades policy of one clan show to a policy of taking matters and protecting their rights under the hijacked clan based rule of Somaliland. It is our good intention and duty to protect our rights.

It is obvious that people of Awdal are increasingly finding themselves facing economic decline, injustices and dwindling rights and these harsh circumstances have caused the people of Awdal State to drop their support of Somaliland and take their destiny into their hands. We the people of Awdal support a federal government of the people by the people and for the people of Somalia.

We the people of Awdal State support the global efforts of the world community to revive Somalia and there fore would urge all parties involved to pay attention to the main pillar which would hold the Somali house together. That pillar is the unity of the Somali nation. The idea of the power crazy Siraanyo led SNM group (Separatists) must not be allowed. Somalia must be one and only one government under one flag.

The two most important words the third world countries always hear and learn from the civilized western world are democracy and self determination. We urge the western countries to honour the real meaning of the words. We urge the civilized world to exercise the value meaning of what they preach.

Somaliland must not be given the chance to separate from the rest of Somalia. Breaking Somalia into different parts will not solve the Somali problem but will further create more problems. Somaliland is not democratic and must not be allowed to play the self determination card as that will also open doors for others to do the same.

Somaliland’s undemocratic contradiction

In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the government cannot take away from them. These rights are guaranteed under international law. On the contrary, in Somaliland people from western regions – the Gadabursi people (Awdal State) have no rights at all.

People in that particular regions namely the Gadabursi have no rights to have their own beliefs and to say and write what they think. If they say, write or even think against the so called Somaliland government they are automatically jailed with no mercy for no particular time with out any due process.

In Somaliland people in Awdal State ( the Gadabursi) have no right to associate with other people, and to form and join organizations of their own choice nor have the right to assemble freely, and to protest government actions. There are hundreds in jails in Borama accused of supporting Awdal State political organization.

Let it be known that in Somaliland, democracy is a system of rule by individuals not by laws. In Somaliland citizens are not equal. People of the western regions and eastern regions are discriminated against just because they are not of Isaaq clan. Hundreds from Gadabursi and Dhulbahante tribes are arrested, imprisoned, or exiled arbitrarily. Torture and cruel and inhumane treatment are the common norm in jails.

Somaliland is a one-tribe government that has armed itself to the teeth, syphoning the bulk of international aid handouts to amassing military hardware and creating a military machine. That accompanied with the control being in one clan – the Somaliland government will make the civilized world to experience a genocide not seen in recent decades if given the chance to break away from Somalia. The world community must not ignore the wishes of the other tribes in the region – The Gadabursi and the Harti who have been the habitats for centuries.

Somaliland’s intent to self determination

Somaliland is a one clan government, a government of one clan by one clan for one clan which sees the separation from Somalia as a chance of wealth for the people in the middle regions of Northern Somalia – the former British Somaliland. If hope is to emerge with a stronger common understanding of the way forward and a renewed political commitment in the long haul, preference should be given to unionists (Awdal State and Khaatumo State). The separatists should be shut down.

Essentially, the right to self-determination is the right of a people to determine its own destiny. In particular, the principle allows a people to choose its own political status and to determine its own form of economic, culture and social development. The principle of self-determination is prominently embodied in Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Hence, if Somaliland is given the right for self-determination, then the other tribes – The gadabursi and the Harti have also the right to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their destiny. Their right of self-determination to join to the Somali Republic should be honoured.

The people of Awdal State have suffered under the one clan administration of Siiraanyo and will not tolerate to live in oppression any more. It should be known to the civilized world that the people of Awdal State have the right to full political independence. Awdal State should be allowed and supported for their right to take their destiny into their hands.

Awdal State stands for;

Awdal State is ready to control its destiny. People of Awdal have not only accepted responsibility but committed themselves to controlling their destiny. Awdal State made it clear that it stands for Somali unity and hence supports federalism unlike Somaliland (The separatists).

Awdal State unlike the separatists of Somaliland supports a system of federalism to function in Somalia. A system with a single national government which exercises its particular powers across the country with multiple regional governments which exercise their powers within their particular regional territory.

In that sense for example, Awdal State like any other state government will have its own particular jurisdiction in areas of public policy in which it and only it may exercise authority or may have the final authority.

Unlike Somaliland Awdal State stands for peace and good neighbourhood. Unlike Somaliland, Awdal state is democratic and guarantees the human rights and freedom of speech.
Awdal State has the right to self-determination. If Somaliland breaks from Somalia, then Awdal State has every right to break away from Somaliland and join hands with the federalism of all Somalis.

Lastly, it should be known that if Awdal State is not allowed to present its case in the Somalia/Somaliland talk, all interested governments and organizations should know that the representatives from Somaliland are only representing their own clan and not for the people of Awdal State (The Gadabursi).

Executive Office chief of staff (Awdal State)
Suleiman A Dugsiye

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