I am writing from Hargeisa, the capital of
the Republic of Somaliland. I am Somaliland citizen who is outraged by recent disrespectful
and ungrateful press release
issued by the government of Somalia where it condemned Sweden over diplomatic
row between Sweden and Saudi Arabia.
The government of Somalia does not
represent the people and the government of Somaliland. Somaliland is a sovereign
country that has its own foreign ministry. Somaliland and Somalia united in
1960 to form Somali Republic. That union came into an end in 1991 when
Somaliland restored its independence from Somalia. Since then Somaliland has
been administering its internal and external affairs.
The disgraceful statement from Somalia does
not translate the view of the Somali people. Somalis do not have gratitude
to the Saudi Kingdom. The military oppression in 1970s and 1980s, and the subsequent
civil war forced many Somalis to flee from their country. Saudi Arabia
forcefully returns the Somali refugees back to dangerous places. The expulsion of Somalis who run away for their lives
back to the war zone shows the ruthlessness and the heartlessness of the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia. Many Somalis languish in Saudi prisons and many more are
exploited. Saudi Arabia’s brutality and cruelty are also felt in Somaliland and
Somalia. It imposed embargo in Somali livestock at a time of need. Livestock contributes
60% of the GDP in Somaliland.
I know and appreciate the generous hand
and assistance Sweden extends to the Somalis. Sweden does not only welcome and
support Somali refugees, but you also provide humanitarian assistance
to both Somaliland and Somalia. Sweden cannot be compared with Saudi Arabia.
Although I may not agree with some
of the remarks of Minister Margot Wallstrom, the human rights abuses
of Saudi Arabia cannot be ignored. Saudi Arabia does not symbolize Islam. Hence
I expect Sweden not to associate Saudi actions with Islam.
I reiterate that we, the
Somalilanders, do not share Somalia with the same thought on the issue. We have
our own government and foreign policy. The Somalilanders
are grateful people. I hope the Kingdom of Sweden will support Somaliland’s
quest of recognition. International recognition will free us from Somalia’s
irresponsible behaviour. We will be able to side with the democratic countries that
respect human rights.
Guleid Ahmed Jama
Hargeisa Somaliland
Shame on you Guleid.. you are a disgrace.. you should not be apologising to Sweden! They should be apologising for offending many of your Saudi Muslim brothers and sisters by criticising and internal issues and affairs..
ReplyDeleteWell does Saudi brothers and sisters symbolize Islam !? i believe not, what ever Saudis does, cannot represent Islamic point of view, infact this so called Saudi kingdom them selfs were created by the west, so we shouldn't blindfold our self. I don't support what sweden says about saudis but at the same time Saudis does somany inhuman and unislmic things.
DeleteWell does Saudi brothers and sisters symbolize Islam !? i believe not, what ever Saudis does, cannot represent Islamic point of view, infact this so called Saudi kingdom them selfs were created by the west, so we shouldn't blindfold our self. I don't support what sweden says about saudis but at the same time Saudis does somany inhuman and unislmic things.
DeleteYou Somali people, you all know that Saudi Arabia and Sweden care for our people differently, how many Somalis has been deported, discriminated, tortured and rapped in Saudi Arabia?, they did not deserve to be respected.
ReplyDelete