A Puntlander View On Post Somaliland SSC Model

[DR OSMAN]

AN INITIATIVE FOR MANAGING A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD FOR SSC TERRITORIES​

By Issa Mohamud Farah ‘Dhollawa’

SSC Traditional leaders will have to rise up to the challenge to manage a transition for SSC territories and an autonomous status.

One month has elapsed since the start of the Laascaanood conflict. The shelling of Laascaanood by Somaliland forces, the discussion of the conflict by members of the United Nations Security Council and the support of Puntland State of Somalia for 6/2/2023 Laascaanood Declaration all point to the future of the territories known as dispute territories. SSC territories will have a new status within the federal system of Somalia. Before that milestone is attained, it is important to prepare for the transition period to prevent unexpected political challenges and put in place institutions for people in SSC territories.

Context​

Currently, Puntland State of Somalia represents SSC territories in federal terms. This political bond is a vital resource to help SSC leadership to come up with a structure that serves the interests of their constituency. The structure will have two aspects: political and economic. The political aspect of the structure will consolidate the autonomous nature of the representation that SSC people will have. What form that autonomy will take will be decided by the stakeholders. Economically, Puntland State of Somalia should allocate a development budget for SSC territories, and help the new structure to develop an inland tax regime and capabilities to manage it.

Puntland State of Somalia in principle supports the political objectives of SSC people. This position strengthened the resolve of SSC people who know that no matter what form of an autonomous administration emerges, SSC and Puntland will have stronger partnership politically and economically in the context of a federal and united Somalia based on peaceful co-existence and neighbourly relations.

The Laascaanood conflict will come to an end. What is important is to prepare for the transitional period and keep the aforementioned political and economic imperatives in mind to learn from the secession war undermining the stabilisation plan for Somalia. SSC leadership and Puntland State leaders will have to prepare to manage the transition period in a mature and pragmatic manner. The 33-member committee and SSC traditional leaders will benefit by reflecting on the following three urgent tasks.

Security​

Key tasks that need to be hammered out include security. Plans to create a police force for SSC authority in addition to the federal police force will ensure the establishment of a defence force since the Somalia Army does not operate in SSC territories. Key to realising those goals are a security partnership between Puntland and SSC authority. Support from the International Community to fund those proposed structures within the stabilisation project will be crucial.
The role of the diaspora is equally important to pave the way for a quicker recovery from the war and prolonged marginalisation and instability.

A Political Structure​

Other main tasks that will have to be implemented include a political structure for SSC territories. The approach to bringing this goal into fruition will take into account how the existing federal of SSC territories will be renegotiated to ensure a smooth transition to a political representation for SSC territories. Puntland supports this approach, as attested to its communique on Laascaanood Declaration. Support from Somalia’s International Partners and SSC diaspora also play a role in sustaining the politically autonomous authority for SSC territories.

Economic Development​

An SSC autonomous authority will require an economic development that will provide a basis for addressing post-conflict challenges ranging from unemployment, traumatic experiences, demobilisation. Again, key to attaining those goals is an economic partnership between Puntland State and SSC authorities to develop an efficient tax regime to fund public services in SSC territories. The promotion of diaspora investment into SSC territories will necessitate a plan to attract. role of the diaspora in committing investment to SSC.
The role the Federal Government of Somalia should play to help SSC people to exercise their political rights in a politically and territorially united Somalia cannot be understated. The Federal Government of Somalia supported the Laascaanood Declaration. By Coordinating with the appointed stakeholders of SSC people and Puntland State, the Federal Government will be able to discharge its constitutional duties.
By Issa Mohamud Farah ‘Dhollawa’

 

[DR OSMAN]

As long as 'ali khalif galayr' is gone and not behind the project, im satisfied with SSC being a new state with a 'distinct' status in federal Somalia.

We must remember ali khalif galayr as PM(named by ina salad who hated PL) helped architect the first civil war in PL between abdillahi yusuf and Jama Ali Jama, he was even caught boasting about such thing in a 'clan conference'. So u can imagin why PL was anti SSC becuz we know what he would've done 'sided' with enemy clans of PL(Isaaq n HG) to begin a strategy to 'dismantle' PL once again possibly thru a dual war-front(SL-Khatumo-GM) attacking PL.

After-all that was his legacy when he was in power at the national level. No offence to dhulbahante, I don't mind a clan who sits down for it's own interest but I will not support a clan who sits down for it's own interests by 'destroying' another entity.

 

[DR OSMAN]

My advice to SSC is do not do what USC did not having a 'post somalia model' and rejecting even 'siyad' pleas to take over thru an Isaaq omar carte, so it's obvious their agenda was purely 'destruction n clan genocide(usc) n secession(sl)' not a new government unlike SSDF, their name suggest 'democracy' so they had a 'system' in mind post somalia and SSDF would've purely created an interim system run by abdillahi yusuf to keep stability untill the new political structure and direct elections were negiotated by all Somalis, he had no other agenda for Somali. Not clan hatred, not secession and god forbid USC total destruction and refusing siyad pleas that he will step down which they refused(proving they didn't want new govt but clan genocide).

 

[DR OSMAN]

As for SSC I hope they invite Puntites to 'work' out the new model will promote peace n stability n progress for SSC ppl and secondly will contribute to peace with it's neighbors(PL, SL) and finally be an productive member of the 'federation' of Somalia not an 'unproductive' like some clans I know.

Unfortunately SL was built thru 'violence' as we all know, and it was only thru violence it was toppled, eventually the same-thing will happen to them across garhajis n awdal when they see how successful SSC is in the north. But I warn those clans, since SL was found thru violence, their no point playin politics with hargeisa, 'wixi xabad lagu dhiso, xabad ayaa dhumiso'

 

[DR OSMAN]

The First important task is the ISIMS of SSC, the ISIM in PL were the back-bone of PL creation, where they forced our elite to sit down and were refused to leave untill they work out a new system on the condition it will be a positive force for it's residents, a positive force for somalia, they also demanded the system must not add more fire to the region, it's neighbors, or the nation. In af somali they demanded a system 'ay ku amaan heli karan gudaheena iyo in deriska ay naga amaan heli karan. Meaning we want our ppl under a 'nidaam' not 'chaos' like zoo-animals

They also demanded they want PL to be model for all Somalis on how to recover so we can eventually recover our national government. The key theme that SSC ISIMS need to take note of PL creation is the Isim 'set the conditions' they demand of the system, they let the elites work out the structures and details to achieve those objectives. It's like a business without a mission/strategy first, u can't create the core-functions and sub-functions to support it.

 

[DR OSMAN]

I also suggest SSC elites to study 'taxation revenues and development' models from in-land countries as SSC who shares similar constraints to them such as(rwanda, ogaden) or others. SSC will also get 'higher federal' funding then all other regions must be a demand set to FGS due to lack of sea-port.

Hiiran ppl will emulate u guys, awdal, garhajis, gedo, how u guys manage will lead to a revolution of new 'independent' states with different 'status' federally but don't accept anything less then 'GM' as they do not satisfy the 'constitution' for member state status or demand if u get another 'status' they get 'demoted' also. The law is the law, it can't be bended for no-one(gm) and denied to another region(ssc) or else it loses credibility which is a scary situation.

A big priority in infrastructure will be 'large cargo' sized airports for 'trade' links, but I wud study in-land countries to study their modes of transport of goods/products for your markets and select the most 'realistic' option. PL has 'two ports' which is open to all regions to use to keep u going for now.

 

[DR OSMAN]

As for the structure of politics. U will need to ensure no ssc can be apart of any other regional govt and that they will lose their status(persona non grata) as residents of SSC . Becuz if u don't close this loophole if they lose a seat or post in SSC, they will threaten to run to PL or SL, PL will not welcome them to disturb you, but SL will, so this matter needs settling before political structure is discussed.

 

[DR OSMAN]

The state building will require time n your best mind, this will be your future for centuries to come, so it's not an easy matter to rush, so u need to agree on an 'interim' government who will manage the state untill the 'political structure' is debated such as the constitution(this will be your legal system).

Then parliament power-sharing method(districts), presidential/VP selection method(direct or indirect), the judicial system(constitutional). U will need ur best legal people to create the legal code for your 'court' system for civil/criminal/military courts for terrorism-spies-etc. The govt especially the 'interim' should focus on creating police force and the courts must be set up and 'prison' system. This must be the interim govt tasks to ensure local stability. External security forces are needed at 'oog' to ensure SNM can't move from there.

In short the Interim govt must begin policing, setting up courts, prisons, addressing humanitarian issue to bring ppl back, make sure external security is done with SL. Then let your elites spend 'months' working out the 'political structure'. Study PL, Study SL, Study JL, Ogaden, what works good and u can 'observe' it on the ground, include it, if it's just empty 'words' avoid it. Every govt is measured against their constitution.

That's what SSDF goal was an interim period to keep the nation running under military rule while the elites discussed the new model of democracy and political/legal/security structure

 

[DR OSMAN]

I urge SSC ppl do not look at GM/HS, wa mamul without 'dastur' lol, so it can't be controlled internally with laws or measured by locals n outsiders, if it's following their constitution, they are insane but they lack the 'elites' hawiye. Mamul dastur lahayn wa 'dukan' yar oo waqti kasto fowdo geli kara

At least create a 'interim charter ama axdi' their has to be something the interim govt and institutions are held too