Achieving Unity Through Division
Throughout the years, I have observed many Somalis professing to be staunch nationalists and advocates of unionism. While the concept itself is noble indeed, even commendable to say the least ,the means by which some pursue this ideal often betray the very unity they claim to champion. Unity is not merely desirable; it is vital to our survival, particularly within the volatile geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa indeed.
Take, for example, the Somali inhabited region within Ethiopia. Here, unity and cooperation across clan lines are of utmost importance. If a Somali clan is attacked be it by the Gallas or any other hostile force be it the affars it should be incumbent upon all Somalis to respond in unison, to send a resolute message that such aggression against any Somali is wholly unacceptable. under no circumstance.
Regrettably, however, I have witnessed a contradictory trend: individuals who call for Somali unity while simultaneously undermining functional regional structures. They promote fragmentation under the guise of fostering national cohesion. A pertinent case is the proposal to establish a so called "Ras Caseyr State," carved out from Puntland, ostensibly to bring it under the central authority in Mogadishu. This move, however, disregards the governance and stability Puntland has managed to sustain, merely because it does not fully recognise the federal authority in Mogadishu. And as a result Mogadishu often tries to use this sort of tactics to gain leverage using divison to gain leverage.
Similarly, one sees rhetoric aimed at weakening Somaliland by advocating for the secession of the Awdal region, again in the name of promoting national unity. This, to me, appears wholly counterintuitive. How can one reasonably expect to construct a united Somali Republic by dismembering regions that have, through hard work and self determination, built a semblance of order?
Let me be clear: I do not support Somalilandโs quest for full independence. I wish to see the Somali Republic whole and intact. However, I cannot endorse attempts to fracture Somaliland from within, or to dismantle the efforts of its people regardless of our political disagreements. That path does not lead to strength but to further disunity.
What we require is reconciliation and a genuine commitment to addressing our grievances through dialogue and mutual respect. Even President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in the name of fostering unity, has unfortunately created a parallel administration in the Gedo region thus undermining the authority of Jubbaland under Axmed Madobe. Such actions only sow further discord under the pretext of national integration and unity what is there to gain for us as a people.
Unity cannot and must not be pursued through division. To secure a stronger, more resilient Somali nation, we must engage in honest reconciliation, respect the progress made by various regions, and abandon the self-defeating notion that we can achieve unity by dismantling what little cohesion we already possess.
Throughout the years, I have observed many Somalis professing to be staunch nationalists and advocates of unionism. While the concept itself is noble indeed, even commendable to say the least ,the means by which some pursue this ideal often betray the very unity they claim to champion. Unity is not merely desirable; it is vital to our survival, particularly within the volatile geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa indeed.
Take, for example, the Somali inhabited region within Ethiopia. Here, unity and cooperation across clan lines are of utmost importance. If a Somali clan is attacked be it by the Gallas or any other hostile force be it the affars it should be incumbent upon all Somalis to respond in unison, to send a resolute message that such aggression against any Somali is wholly unacceptable. under no circumstance.
Regrettably, however, I have witnessed a contradictory trend: individuals who call for Somali unity while simultaneously undermining functional regional structures. They promote fragmentation under the guise of fostering national cohesion. A pertinent case is the proposal to establish a so called "Ras Caseyr State," carved out from Puntland, ostensibly to bring it under the central authority in Mogadishu. This move, however, disregards the governance and stability Puntland has managed to sustain, merely because it does not fully recognise the federal authority in Mogadishu. And as a result Mogadishu often tries to use this sort of tactics to gain leverage using divison to gain leverage.
Similarly, one sees rhetoric aimed at weakening Somaliland by advocating for the secession of the Awdal region, again in the name of promoting national unity. This, to me, appears wholly counterintuitive. How can one reasonably expect to construct a united Somali Republic by dismembering regions that have, through hard work and self determination, built a semblance of order?
Let me be clear: I do not support Somalilandโs quest for full independence. I wish to see the Somali Republic whole and intact. However, I cannot endorse attempts to fracture Somaliland from within, or to dismantle the efforts of its people regardless of our political disagreements. That path does not lead to strength but to further disunity.
What we require is reconciliation and a genuine commitment to addressing our grievances through dialogue and mutual respect. Even President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in the name of fostering unity, has unfortunately created a parallel administration in the Gedo region thus undermining the authority of Jubbaland under Axmed Madobe. Such actions only sow further discord under the pretext of national integration and unity what is there to gain for us as a people.
Unity cannot and must not be pursued through division. To secure a stronger, more resilient Somali nation, we must engage in honest reconciliation, respect the progress made by various regions, and abandon the self-defeating notion that we can achieve unity by dismantling what little cohesion we already possess.
