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Somaliland and Djibouti, aligned for the future
Abdulazez Al-Motairi
December 16, 2010
The relationship between Somaliland and Djibouti is the cornerstone
of having peaceful and pros perous region, with booming
economy. The two brother countries can have common policy
towar ds the regional policies and against Eretria. It is very clear
that neither Djibouti nor Somaliland can confront the challenges of
our time without the other, including security challenges. With last
visit of Somaliland President and the warm welcome of Djibouti
authorities was sign of changes in the policy of Djibouti.
The question lingering in minds is, why sudden change of Djibouti
towards Somaliland? Earlier, the government of Djibouti led by
President Omer Gelle left no stone unturned to oppose Somaliland
cause of independence. Starting from 1991, Djibouti regime convinced
the African and Arab lead ers to neglect the freedom voice
from Somaliland, and overlook the homemade democracy. Every
Somalilander knows Djibouti's tireless efforts to downgrade
Somaliland cause. However, the curr ent sudden change to its policy
needs explanation!
Djibouti supported the shaky and fragile transitional governments in
Mogadishu and hosted many peace conferences, hoping that stability
will return to Somalia. Djibouti suppressed Somaliland un til
Somalia recovers from violence, but the corruption, tribalism and
religious extremism reduced Djibouti´s hope.
This tiny country wanted to force Somaliland into another gunshot
marriage with doomed Somalia. Djibouti tried to destroy Somaliland
in different ways including economical, particularly after Gelle
regime convinced the Gulf countries to ban Somaliland livestock
instead the gulf receive the livest ock, only, through
Djibouti. This was clear attempt to destroy Somaliland´s economy
backbone.
Suddenly, Djibouti changed its attitude towards Somaliland and
invited the newly elected Preside nt of Somaliland officially,
and received him with full head of state diplomatic reception, and
even the Somaliland flag was flying in the guest room. This comes
after Somaliland hosted one of the most successful democratic
elections in the history of horn of Africa; Djibouti realized
Somaliland independence is public decision and that it is not
one-man regime.
Somalilanders ask does Gelle anesthetizing Somaliland efforts in
order to delay possible recogniti on, after recent excellent
Somaliland diplomatic activities? answers will be discussed in the
coming paragraphs.
It is relevant to say that Eritrean security menace obligated Gelle
regime to look for alliance. Asmara government is training and
arming the oppositions in both Djibouti and Somalia. Recently
Eritrea sent ONLF fresh graduates from training camps in Asmara into
Ethiopia via Somaliland-Djib outi border. The Somaliland forces
destroyed the trainees and are in Somaliland jails. ONLF is
terr orist group fighting Ethiopia. It is significant that Asmara
may harbor Djibouti opposition armed activities.
Moreover, the growing influence of Somalia's Al-Shabab (Al-Qaeda´s
wing in Africa) in the region puts Djibouti at the center of a
dangerous triangle and badly need friends.
In other hand, the recent democratic elections in Somaliland
reshaped the Djibouti policy after So maliland demonstrated
mature and world-class democracy. They realized that Somaliland
leaders come and go by voting, and final decision belongs to people.
Somaliland authorities should not trust Gelle administration even if
he shows serious desire to est ablish good relation because of
its Anti-Somaliland history. We all know that Djibouti campaigned
against Somaliland cause inside African Union (AU), which led
rejection of Somaliland membership application based on Djibouti
recommendation.
Finally, we should know that we cannot change neighbor. The people
of Somaliland will always be the next-door to Djibouti even if
Somaliland reunites with Somalia – which is impossible. GOOD
NEIGHBOR IS ALWAYS BETTER THEN NEIGHBOR WITH OLD INJURIES.
Abdulaziz Al-Mutair
Email:
az.almutairi@yahoo.com
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