The fate of Somaliland is in the hands of Allah. That is said, it is the people and the people alone and not one person or persons who can determine Somaliland’s fate and future. Somaliland has rejected the ill-considered, ill-fated and illegitimate union with Somalia in a referendum held in 1961. They voted (NO) against that union at that time by 69% but no one heeded and no one respected that verdict. It was her own, the so called leaders at the time who betrayed and abandoned her. They did not defend that verdict. They did not defend Somaliland’s rights. They jumped ship and deserted!! Somaliland has rendered her verdict again in 2001 in a Referendum by 90%.after a long struggle which she paid blood and treasure.
- a) Is Somaliland ready to protect her verdict by her self this time?
- b) Will Somaliland people ready to protect the 2nd Republic she paid blood and treasure from local and foreign enemies?
- c) Is Somaliland ready to pay the same again if the same old happens again? These questions wouldn’t have been asked if the right people are in charge!
None-believers, betrayers, small minded and show-me-the money crowd are throwing trial balloons, some thing to the effect of New Referendum to satisfy Somaliland’s foes!! Let us be bold here. The people of Somaliland have rendered their verdict for independence, Period. Somaliland’s Referendum is relevant and right. Other people’s referendums imposed on Somaliland are not only wrong and revisionist but they are illegitimate and must not be entertained let alone condoned. Only a traitor could entertain and probably condone that nonsense. In court of law people are not retried again for the same case they were acquitted of, likewise Somaliland can not be imposed to redo a Referendum she already did. (Two times) I believe that it is a high treason to invalidate the people’s verdict rendered in a Referendum. Sillanyo’s misguided, uninformed or deceptive operatives better be aware of this and must not mess with the fate of the people in an undesirable and negative way consciously or otherwise.
Somaliland was locked in an illegitimate marriage with Somalia for so long. Somaliland shed blood and treasure to free her self from that ordeal. She survived from the ethnic cleansing/genocide. She triumphed and built an inclusive and democratic Republic even though ignorance and corruption is undermining that people’s achievement. Somaliland people did not only survive but triumphed by their resilience, persistence and interdependence even though bad governments disturb these achievements from time to time.
Referendum and its implications
“A Referendum is a popular vote on a ballot question. It is a direct vote in which an entire electorate or citizens of a country is asked to either accept or reject a proposal. For example East Timor, formerly governed by Indonesia held a referendum on August 30th 1999 in which voters opted for independence from Indonesia, as also is the case of Somaliland which in her part opted to withdraw the ill-fated union with failed Somalia in 2011. A referendum can be used as a consultative process and a device for the gathering of opinions of a people
Referendum carries great political weight. A government may choose to act on the basis of the results obtained in the referendum. Such results to be binding requires a government to act on the basis of the results obtained, and that was what Somaliland has done in 2011 and that was what Somalia has not done in 1961!
Were a government to hold a referendum and then ignore the results, such government betrayed the wishes and the desire of its people. Such act can be considered as a treasonous undertaking, however in such circumstance the remedy would be in the political and not in the legal field. (Ref: Wikipedia)
Somaliland referendum decided the issues both the executive and the legislative branches of Somaliland have put to the people for their verdict to withdraw from the union with Somalia. They agreed that a referendum vote should be decisive and further declared the withdrawal of Somaliland from the failed union with Somalia which Burao conversion has reached in 1991. The people rendered their verdict in a referendum in 2011 Somaliland stands as an independent Republic as a result
Voters were told clearly that if the vote is in favour of withdrawal from the union with Somalia, Somaliland will cease to be part of Somalia and the people acknowledged that with excitement, fanfare and celebration in Burao.There must be no scope other interested parties like Somalia to cry ‘foul’ after the result is announced. Somaliland People’s fundamental right to decide their fate in this peaceful fashion has taken place at the dates (1961&2011) mentioned above, thus it must and ought to be honored by all, more importantly; ironically those who happen to represent the people of Somaliland must abide that first! Somaliland government representatives must be knowledgeable of the case and more importantly, they must be honest about it because it is the life and existence of the people of Somaliland who sacrificed and paid blood and treasure for achieving that goal. Let every body local and foreign Respect Somaliland Peoples verdict, their Rights and self-Determination
However peace and prayers
Ibrahim M Mead