Maalim’s Hargeisa visit was justified

A recent harangue by Mr Osman Hassan that was published in the Nation (January 13), on the recent visit to the Republic of Somaliland by the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Farah Maalim, is indicative of the sermonising masquerading as debate on the Somali question.

Mr Hassan’s criticism of the deputy Speaker is typical of the clannish mentality that pervades Somalis when they are asked to think of solutions to the tragedy that confronts their people.

Mr Maalim’s trip to Hargeisa, the capital of the Republic of Somaliland, was simply to go and see for himself, alongside a delegation of MPs, how Somaliland, with an economy that is growing faster than any East African state, has managed to ratify a constitution through a referendum, elected three Presidents, and is currently preparing for a fourth election, without international aid or recognition.

Indeed, Somaliland is an oasis and a beacon for Africa on how to manage conflict and build homegrown solutions to problems.

And many in this region and internationally are asking themselves why recognition has been withheld from Somaliland when it fulfils all the requirements of statehood.

Significantly, the international community and regional governments are now under threat from extreme forms of terrorism. Without international intervention, the violence in Somalia will soon spill over to the rest of the region.

Somalis want stability, good governance and the rule of law. Moreover, Somalis want to be given a chance to show that they can run their own affairs in a peaceful and democratic way.

Hundreds of thousands of Somalis who have escaped Mogadishu live in Somaliland — it is their country and land.

And reducing the whole debate of the Somali question to “secessionist” and “union clans” speaks volumes of Mr Hassan’s intolerance and his inability to grasp the changing times.         

Mr Maalim’s visit to Somaliland confirmed to the Kenya delegation the tremendous progress that the people and the government of Somaliland have achieved.

The deputy Speaker addressed a joint session of the House of Representatives and even met with the President.

Calling this visit “provocative” and “ill-advised” is an attempt to cover up the successes of Somaliland.

Mr Hassan’s anger at the deputy Speaker is understandable — no one likes to recognize achievement when answers to serious political questions are not forthcoming.

Mr Maalim’s visit was courageous and an attempt to bring into the regional fold a country and people who have for the last 20 years been toiling hard to fix what was wrong with their country.

It is time regional states and the international community recognized the achievements of this country.