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As the relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia is centuries old
it must persist
Ibrahim Mead
Ottawa, Canada
….this relationship must persist and live longer for ever, for the
interest of all.
The relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia regarding people to
people relationship and the free movement of people and trade must
not be disturbed; it must be enhanced and maintained. This is a way
forward for keeping and sustaining the stability and security of the
Horn of Africa. It is one way of helping the people of both
countries and those of the region at large. It is a way to
help-peoples-help-them-selves.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Somaliland goes back to
thousands of years, when Somaliland was known as the “land of punt”
and Ethiopia was referred as the “land where Gods love to be” in the
days of the Egyptian pharaohs.
Other relationships can be traced back from King, Ashama Ibn Abjar,
to Emperor Menelek II, to the subsequent governments, to Haile
Mariam to Late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and to the present Prime
Minister, his excellence Hailemariam Desalegn
The first Somaliland migration was the 3rd Muslim migration to
Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a history of saving people running from persecution by
their own; starting from the first Muslim migration in 614-615 BH to
first Somaliland migration to Ethiopia in the1980s
The Somaliland migration to Ethiopia in 1980-1991 could be called
the 3rd Muslim migration to Ethiopia. The first Muslim migration to
Ethiopia of 614-615 BH and the Somaliland migration to Ethiopia in
the1980s had similar circumstances. Both the peoples were running
from the persecutions and sufferings borne by what was considered as
their kinsmen. In the case of the Muslims from Mecca, they sought
refuge from Qurash persecution. In the case of Somaliland it was the
government from Mogadishu which was considered as theirs which
committed the persecution and ethnic cleansing.
In both cases it was Ethiopia and their rulers who saved the
“Sahabah of the prophet” and the targeted people of Somaliland in
different times in history for different reasons but from the same
end- persecution of innocent people! It was Ethiopia which welcomed
these peoples and accepted them in their home land with out
hesitation. They comforted them when they needed that most.
The first Muslim migration to Ethiopia (Abyssinia than)
“The Muslims who originally converged in Mecca sought refuge from
Qurash persecution in the Kingdom of Aksum in BH (614–615 CE.)
This act is known as the first migration to Abyssinia, the hardships
and sufferings borne by the Muslims were from their kinsmen. Prophet
Mohamed (pbuh) at last permitted the believers to immigrate to some
other place. The Muslims immigrated to Ethiopia known than as
Abyssinia. At that time Ethiopia was ruled by a Christian King
Ashama ibn Abjar who (according to Muslim tradition, later embraced
Islam) was famous for his compassion and equity. In Rajab of the
fifth year of the mission, the first group migrated to Axum. This is
known as the first migration to Axum. Later on, a bigger group
immigrated to Axum (separately). This is called the second migration
to that country. Some Sahabah took part in both the migrations."
Somaliland and Ethiopia had centuries old relationship with the
exception of a short period of time between1960-1990 when Somaliland
entered an ill-fated union with Somalia in an illegitimate way which
eventually ended in May, 1991 when Somaliland reinstituted its 1960
government in her soil after long struggle where hundreds of
thousands lost their lives and billions of dollars were stolen,
robbed and ransacked from Somaliland by Somalia.
Addis Ababa treaty
When Somaliland was under British Protectorate the first treaty
known as the Addis Ababa treaty signed by the Emperor Menelek II and
the representative of Britain took place at Addis Ababa on the May
14th 1897. Queen Victoria ratified on 28th July 1897.
Some Articles and annex of that treaty excluded demarcation of the
border between Somaliland and Ethiopia are here cited as:
The Treaty
“Her majesty Queen Victoria having appointed as her special Envoy
and Representative to his Majesty the Emperor Menelek II, James
Rennell Rodd, Esq whose full powers have been found in due and
proper form, and his majesty the Emperor Menelek, negotiating in his
own name as king of kings of Ethiopia, they have agreed upon and do
conclude the following articles, which shall be binding on
themselves their heirs and successor.”
Article I “The subject of our persons protected by each of the
contracting parties shall have full liberty to come and go and
engage in commerce in the territories of the other, (British
Somaliland protectorate and Ethiopia) enjoying the protection of the
government within whose jurisdiction they are, but it is forbidden
for armed bands from either side to cross to the frontier of the
other on any pretext without previous authorization from the
competent authorities.”
Article II “The frontier of the British protectorate on the
Somaliland coast recognized by the Emperor Menelek shall be
determined subsequently by exchange of notes between James Rennell
Rodd Esq., as Representative of her Majesty
the Queen and Ras Maconen as representative of His Majesty the
Emperor Menelek at Harrar. These notes shall be annexed to the
present treaty, of which they will form an integral part, as soon as
they have received the approval of the high contracting parties,
pending which the states quo shall be maintained.”
Article III “The caravan route between Zeiyla of Somaliland and
Harrar of Ethiopia by way of Gildessa shall remain open throughout
its whole extent to the commerce of both nations- Somaliland and
Ethiopia.
Article IV “His Majesty the Emperor of Ethiopia on the one hand,
accords to Great Britain and her colonies, in respect of import
duties and local taxation, every advantage, which he may accord to
subjects of other nations, On the other hand, all material destined
exclusively for the service of the Ethiopian State shall, on
application from his Majesty the Emperor, be allowed to pass through
the port of Zeiyla into Ethiopia Free of duty.”
Annex 1 “To your Majesty, With reference to Article II of the
treaty, which we are to sign today, my Government instructs me, in
the event of a possible occupation by Ethiopia of territories
inhabited by tribes who have formerly accepted and enjoyed British
protection in the districts excluded from the limits of the British
protectorate in Somaliland, as recognized by your Majesty, to bring
to your knowledge the desire of her Majesty the Queen to receive
from your Majesty an assurance that it will be your special care
that these tribes receive equitable treatment , and are thus no
losers by this transfer of suzerainty.” ((Ref: British Somaliland
protectorate archives. this paper referred herein was among the
documents burned down by Mr. Bili Rafli, the governor of Hargeisa
who represented the genocidal regime of Siyad Barre.)
SNM established the people to people relationship with Ethiopia
which took root
Abdillahi yussuf’s Salvation Front was in Ethiopia long before SNM
opened its base there in 1982. In 1987 the author was told by an
advisor and an interpreter for the deposed Haile Merriam that in a
meeting between president Haile Merriam and Abdillahi Yussuf, the
later put a blank pager and a pen in front of Haile Merriam and told
him to write what ever he wanted for pay back if he secures central
somalia for him!! No response came from the Ethiopian leader at that
point”.
When SNM came later to Ethiopia in 1982 President Haile Merriam
asked SNM leadership what they would do for Ethiopia when they
liberate their country from Siyad Barre of Mogadishu.
a-“SNM leadership told the President that first they did not want
any Ethiopian solder to die for their fight, how ever they promised
the leader that they will do the following:
1) that they will create an environment where by the two peoples
understand each other more, dispel prejudices, communicate
,cooperate and establish free movement of people and goods across
borders.
2) War between the two brotherly peoples will cease, and the horn of
Africa will be in peace. These are what we can promise you Mr.
President” they said. This relationship established then, and it is
thriving and it must endure for ever.
SNM succeeded to turn Ethiopia which was considered as a traditional
enemy of the Somalis in the recent history in to a reliable brother
of the Somalis.
Ethiopia saved (by giving a safe heaven) and supported the people of
Somaliland who were massacred indiscriminately by the Mogadishu
regime of Siyad Barre by letting them fight back and liberate their
country. Ethiopia supported the 2nd Republic of Somaliland.
Somaliland has definitely benefited from this cordial relationship,
so was Ethiopia in people to people free movement and trade.
Open borders policy was created as a result of people to people
interactions and communications, and that facilitated the free
movements of people and trade, thus people believed each other and
then the special relationship took root.
The animosity and mistrust between the two peoples especially in
1960-1980 had been flipped by SNM and Ethiopia. The two governments
later enhanced this task even further. This effort dispelled
mistrusts between the two countries. Cooperation in the areas of
trade and security was established by the governments of Ethiopia
and Somaliland later on.
The port of Berbera gains some income from Ethiopia’s imports;
Somaliland is let to keep its foreign reserves in the Banks of
Ethiopia, as I was told. On the other side Somaliland will become
potentially a pipeline for food aid heading towards Ethiopia.
As Ethiopia is a landlocked country, she has given secure access to
Berber’s port. More importantly, the establishment of the 2nd
Republic of Somaliland facilitated Ethiopia to manage and keep
Somalia’s wars, religious extremists and refugees at bay. This
entrenched both Ethiopia and Somaliland security and stability as
the two government’s security apparatus and governments cooperate (
or supposed to do so) and work hand in hand to avert these
catastrophic and destabilizing phenomena
Conclusion:
The mistake that has been made by Somaliland leadership in 1960 was
deadly. It is still haunting Somaliland even when they paid so much
blood and treasure for that mistake.
It seems the present leadership is doing the same mistake but in a
different and even more deadlier than the 1960 tragedy! Some
quarters in the Somaliland government didn’t learn from that
history! They seem they don’t respect the blood and the treasure
paid for the 2nd Republic. SNM and the Somaliland people did a
wonderful job for the relationship with our rescuer and neighbor
Ethiopia, but if the stability and peace inside Somaliland is
compromised by bad policies and bad politics, then this will
definitely affect our relations with Ethiopia.
I believe there is an institutional failure in Somaliland! I think
they must address that seriously and sooner rather than later as not
to disturb the peace and tranquility that has been established since
SNM set this policy. SNM united the communities in Somaliland and
turned a traditional (perceived) enemy to a reliable brother. The
present Somaliland government divided the people and weakened the
institutions. This is a one way ticket for failure and instability
in the country and across the border.
The other thing that could endanger the relationship of the two
countries which brought peace and stability in the region is when a
government and its people are in distance apart and are in different
directions and believes, as is evident in Somaliland. When any
government peruses the belly-politics, when a government is seen
deceptive and transformed itself into an oligarchy entity; and the
recent participation of the somalia chamber of commerce because one
Somaliland merchant went there or because of reasons people do not
condone nor understand it, then peace and stability is diminished
and what have been built could crumble.
I think Somaliland people and to day’s government must understand
that danger, thus come together and correct the destructive policies
pursued by the government as not to fall in to another quagmire of
their own making. I think delusional ignorance is working full time
there in Somaliland!
For the sake of peace in their country and in the region, Somaliland
must think differently and do things differently.
However peace and prayers
Ibrahim Mead
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