The Somaliland Times

“Tony Blair's Africa Commission has a profound historic opportunity to, firstly, facilitate development in Africa and, secondly, to focus on promoting peace and stability.

MEET THE PANEL

Name: Iqbal Dawood Jhazbhay
Age: 41
Lives: Pretoria, South Africa
Occupation: Community activist and Senior Lecturer, University of South Africa
Born: Durban, South Africa
Religion: Islam with strong focus on spirituality
In 10 words or less: Activist, loves swimming, Zikr meditation and country walks with family

Often, Africa as an agenda item has fallen off the table.
The time to bring it to the centre stage is well overdue, in the interest of world peace and security.

Clearly, the world's security lies in the continent's development and stability.

I am hopeful that this Commission can focus on solving the most neglected conflict of Western Sahara, which is 28 years old.
Another area I would suggest needs focus is the current democratic transition in Somaliland (former British Protectorate), now the northern section of the defunct Somalia.

The Commission must support its parliamentary elections on 29 March 2005, which is the first in the area since 1968.

I agree with South African President Mbeki that it is "shameful and regretful" that we have neglected Western Sahara.

Why neglect the wishes of the people of Western Sahara and Somaliland for self-determination?

Mercifully, South African NGO's, political parties and the business sector have started working with Somaliland.

I have travelled seven times to Somaliland via Addis Ababa.
Tony Blair's Africa Commission will be fondly remembered if it succeeds in highlighting the key development concern of fair trade and market access and, moving towards resolving the situation of the two neglected peoples of Western Sahara and Somaliland.

We all indeed have a positive role to play in contributing to a better life for all.

Our own humanity remains compromised as long as the people of Africa, Western Sahara and Somaliland, remain shackled by redundant policies, which do not see the urgency for creative action.

We all recall it took the ANC in South Africa 82 long years before the first democratic election in 1994 (1912-1994).
Surely, we all can do better.”

COMMENTS:
It is a great pleasure to read Iqbal's views about neglected countries like Somaliland. I hope South Africa will lead the rightful diplomatic recognition of Somaliland as they did last month for recognition of Western Sahara.
Yassin Abdillahi Ahmed, Hargeisa, Somaliland
I agreed with Mr Iqbal's idea of freeness and self determination. It's a will of the person(s) and we will never ever get a life until we accept the self determination and free of speech.

Ismail Keyse (Dheere), Oslo, Norway
I am a 26-year-old Somaliland man. I have been away from my country for 23 years. I was born in Somaliland but I have never been there except for only one small visit for two months. Now I have a wife and two children. I want from deep within my heart that my children will be able to have a life in Somaliland after the election of parliament on 25 March 2005. That was my hope until a month ago. But now after the election of Somalia and when Abdullah Yusuf became president I lost my hope.

So I now prefer to continue living in the UK. I think many feel the same. Africa is the no hope land because of dictatorships and because when the people remove them, the international community then gives them back their chair again and again. I hope to live in my country once again but I think this is not a possible dream for now. Until that day comes I would like to thank the UK government for all the help that they give us.
Mohamed Saeed, UK (ex Hergisa, Somaliland)

I commend the true vision and honest idea of Mr Iqbal D Jhazbhay. It is way overdue for Africans to recognize and respect the will of the people of any African nation or group. Both Somalilanders and Sahawarians have spoken and it must be respected. Well done Jhazbhay.
Hassan M Ogeh Hirsi, Los Angeles, California, USA

I am a Somali from the Sanaag region of Somalia and I have been living in the US for the past 24 years. I understand that you are an advocate of Somaliland independence/recognition but are you aware of the simple fact that inhabitants of 50% of the land that Somaliland claims do not want to be part of Somaliland? If the inhabitants of Hargeysa and Burco do not want to be dominated by any Mogadishu based government, I respect their right to self-determination. Surely, you will agree with me that one person's right to self-determination should not result in the oppression of another.

Unfortunately, Somalis are a clan based society and the Hargeysa regime is dominated by one clan. The inhabitants of Hargeysa, Burco and Borama absolutely have the right to say they don't want to be a minority in Mogadishu. Both you and they should also respect the fact that the inhabitants of Sanaag and Sool regions do not want to be a minority in Hargeysa.

I spent part of my very happy childhood in Hargeysa in the early 70s; unfortunately, I also have very sad memories of the atrocities committed by both the SNM militia and the NSS of the Siad Barre regime in Northern Somalia in the late 80s and early 90s. If you are ever in New York, I hope you will contact me so we may have a friendly debate. Insha Allah all of Somalia and indeed all of Africa will have a peaceful and prosperous future. Best regards,
Mohamoud Jibrell, New York, USA

To Mohamoud Jibrell, USA: If you have been following the news, you would know that 97% approved the referendum. I am from Sanaag; every one in Sanaag does not share your opinion. If you disagree please check the referendum. Mr Jhazbhay, thank you for your hard work.
Ahmed M, Ohio, USA

To Mohamoud Jibrell, USA: It is one step forward. Personally, I have a close attachment to professor Iqbal's activities and articles. In my opinion he is one of a few African intellectuals pushing for past wrongs to be rectified so that neglected people's rights are addressed once and for all! Let me say one thing to my fellow Somalilander from Sanaag region: You know that 97% Somalilanders voted for reclaim of their sovereignty and for Somaliland's constitution. From that vote, Somalilanders decided to take the fate of their nation in their own hands. Mr Iqbal was there when Somalilanders were voting. Mr Iqbal, keep up the good work, may Allah bless you.
Mohamoud H Nugidoon, Ottawa, Canada

I continuously followed the contradictory statements of Mr Iqbal, but I did not find it intellectually stimulating or academically inspiring, particularly when he calls for the division of Muslim territories, while vehemently supporting the unity of his country. Thank you.
Omer Kulmiye, UK

Iqbal's views about the neglected countries like Somaliland and Western Sahara is a mirror image reflection of what South Africa went through for all those years. It's time the Western countries realise the need to help those countries where the help can make a difference in life economically, politically and socially. Somaliland is an example of success; all it needs is to have common ground officially among the rest of the world. It doesn't cost that much, does it?
Max Horeh, London, UK

This is very sincere advice for the international community in order that they do not make the same mistake as they did denying the people of South Africa their right of self determination. Allowing the same ordeal in the 21st century means we never learn from mistakes.
Mohammed Yousuf Abdi, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

Thank you Iqbal for being such a staunch supporter of Somaliland. I too hope that this commission will play a positive role in contributing a better life for all and will take a hard look at both the Western Sahara and Somaliland. In the case of Somaliland a union that was illegal to begin with should not he upheld at any cost. It is time for Africa to take a hard look at its old and compromising policies and come up with solutions for those who have been held hostage by a union that is illegal.

Once again I on behalf of the people of Somaliland thank you for your tireless efforts in bringing to the attention of the world this neglected country that has risen from the ashes. Also, I congratulate South Africa for doing the right thing in recognizing Western Sahara and also thank this nation for being a friend of Somaliland.
Asmahan Sh Mussa, Toronto, Canada

I can only hope that more of us Africans will take the same progressive and pragmatic attitude as Mr Iqbal. I would also like to congratulate Prime Minister Tony Blair who really has taken it upon himself to push Africa up high on the international agenda, a few good world leaders like that and we would be a much happier and more peaceful world.

Said Aydiid, Obokh, Djibouti