Dear Minister,
We, the undersigned citizens
of the Republic of Somaliland, are dismayed by defamatory and ill-informed
remarks issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published in your official
website on 6th
April 2016. The statement was released after Egyptian delegation led by your Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs visited in
Somaliland and received warm welcome. In the statement you downgraded
Somaliland’s status, ignored realities on the ground and proved your
ill-intentions in destabilizing the region of
the Horn of Africa for your short-sighted interest based on greedy objectives
of solely benefiting the Nile River waters at the expense of the upstream
states.
The Somalis are large ethnic people scattered in the Horn of African
countries of Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The Somali
people have long ago sadly learnt Egypt’s trick in using Somali inspirations of
unity to protect its self-serving interest in the Nile River not to mention Egyptian obsession in recreating a militaristic, unitary
Somali state used as a pressure point to prevent Ethiopia from implementing its
Nile dam projects
Somaliland has rightly decided in 1991 to pursue its interest and
abandon expansionist theory of Soomaaliwayn (greater Somali Republic). The Somalilanders are committed in living
peacefully with their neighbours. We vehemently support fair share of natural
resources and peaceful conflict resolution based on the international law and
the right to development of all peoples.
You asserted in your announcement that your delegation met leaders of
Somaliland “region” and that you “support Somali people’s choices and the Federal Government of
Somalia”.
The Republic of Somaliland gained independence from the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 26th June 1960 and was known as the Somaliland Protectorate. Somaliland voluntarily
joined Somalia on 1st July 1960 so as to form the Somali Republic.
The union failed party due to proxy wars fought
on your behalf which led Somali Republic into the collapse and chaos. Somaliland
then regained its independence by the Declaration of the Conference of the
Somaliland communities held in Burao between 27th April 1991 and 15th
May 1991.
Somaliland
is a sovereign country with democratically elected president and Parliament. We
have a constitution approved by the people of Somaliland on 97% in a referendum
observed and praised by the international community. Our constitution upholds
fundamental human rights and freedoms and we always have sympathy for victims
of human rights violations wherever it happens to be including Egypt.
Somalia citizens have never made a choice to form a Federal Government
of Somalia. The current government based in Mogadishu was formed under the
auspice and protection of foreign troops. It does not have a mandate from
Somali people, and it cannot have.
We urge you to respect the wish of the People of Somaliland and instead embark
peaceful engagement with the Horn of African countries by halting destabilization
and divisive policies. You shall realize that in 21st century
Somalis will not die for your cause.
Signatories:
Mohamed Abdilahi Duale
Guleid Ahmed Jama
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