“The Somaliland” Occupation 

Press Release

April 10, 2008

Knowing well the absurdity of clan warfare and the senseless fratricide of the last twenty years (1988-2008) that reduced the Somali people to the lowest rung of human destitution, we advise the Hargeisa-based secessionist enclave in the Northwest region of the Somali Republic to stop their expansionist policies and not to lead the Somali people into another bloody fray which will cause an unnecessary loss of life and the destruction of the meager resources of these people.

We are flabbergasted by how any one can forget the number of times the Somali warlords, satisfying only their egos, took an irresponsible act, and played poker with the lives of hundreds of thousands of Somalis. We are dumfounded by how any one can overlook the fact that the warlords, guided by their whims, dragged the Somali nation over a precipitous cliff and down into a dark abyss of nightmarish anarchy. And we are stunned by how any one can ignore the destructiveness of a civil war that pits one brother or sister against another and lays asunder the cohesiveness of entire communities, communities whose people have lived together for centuries in peace and harmony. A temporary victory may flatter the ego of an aggressor for a moment but at the end of the day when the dust settles, the fogs clear, and the stark reality of death and destruction stares one from every direction, everybody will regret; as war, especially civil war, benefits no one; and besides the loss of life and the material destruction, it degrades our humanity and leaves an indelible scars of animosity and bitterness in the hearts and souls of the belligerents.

The last thing most Somalis need is another cycle of violence that deepens the wounds of the Somali nation. Enough is enough. No more war.  Now is the time to reconcile and bid farewell the animalistic ambition of tion. Now is the time to act as rational human beings, to behave as responsible citizens, and to promote peace among the Somali people everywhere.     

Finally, we congratulate the Elders, Sultans, Women Leaders, and the religious Imams and scholars in Sool, who for the last twenty years have resolved problems in their region with wisdom and responsibility and have encouraged peaceful co-existence with their neighbors. We commend their foresight and their deep respect for the human life that they have shown once again.

In the absence of an effective government in the country the Somali people are relying on their Traditional Leaders (Sultans, Akels, Garaads and so on) for guidance and leadership. Therefore, it should be noted that Sool’s Traditional Leaders, representing every segment/sub-clan of Sool, denounced and rejected the secessionists’ occupation of their capital in a clear and unequivocal language, as reflected in their widely publicized Boocame Declaration of November 23, 2007.

ASSCàS supports Sool’s Traditional Leaders’ demand of the immediate withdrawal of “Somaliland” militia from their clan territory, thus restoring peaceful neighborly co-existence and co-operation among northern Somali clans.

We hope that those who are beating the drums of war and who are trying to secure imaginary boundaries among the Somali people will heed the wisdom of the Somali poet, Ismail Mire,

” Ragaw kibirka waa lagu kufaa kaa ha la ogaado.”  (Pride and Arrogance come before a Fall).

Long lives the Somali Republic: United and Peaceful.

For further information, please contact Hamid Mashaeye Or Gamal Hassan at:

againstsecession@yahoo.com

AWDAL SOOL SANAAG COALITION AGAINST SECESSION (ASSCàS) is a grass-roots Somali advocacy organization dedicated to the preservation and safe-guarding of the unity and territorial integrity of our beloved country, the Somali Republic. Our membership hails mainly from the pro-unity anti-secessionist regions of Awdal, Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn of the Somali Republic. We invite Somali citizens both back home and in the diasporas to join us defend our country against those who, with the material and moral help of external forces, are aggressively working to dismember our country and create a chasm of mistrust and conflict among people bonded by ethnicity, language, religion, and shared centuries-old culture and  traditions.

egeh @ 4/18/2008 11:51 PM EST  Camel Girl, Your English is way too complicated for us to understand and as a result we fail to benefit from your wisdom. I think a translation in Somali will help a lot.

Camel Girl @ 4/18/2008 4:26 PM EST  Can this two p just stop we are in a good dinner any you try we are SOMALIS AND WHAT FOR DIRTY  IN THE SOURTH WE WERE BEING PUSHED BY MOM/DAD MY GARANDS BUT ONE  WORD O REMEBER SOMALI.  cOME CLEAN I AM ON A HUNT. a Somali I am and a dirty wolrd watcher .  How much did this humans cross/cross Love/Peace.

egeh @ 4/17/2008 5:37 PM EST  The people of Las Anod got rid of the Puntland blood sucking regime and invited Somaliland to help sort out the mess left behind by the greedy, ignornat and destructive puntlanders whose only contribution was corruption and subjugation instead of development. Now since the arrival of the Somalilanders the people of Las Anod are in a celebratory mood and are reaping the benefits  of their rightful share in the Somaliland economy.  I suggest the authors visit Las Anod and verify this fact  and also give themselves the chance to see the real change in the affairs of the people.

boqor jama @ 4/17/2008 8:07 AM EST  all those dhulmahante who are against somaliland should be noted are against it cos of cuqdad qabil and not 4 nationalist interest as they like u to believe especially cuqdad against beesha habar jeclo who they argue forcefully took there land from caynaba to ceelafweyn .

kucadaye @ 4/14/2008 12:01 PM EST  Gaadh-Haye (I am not sure what you are protecting!) wrote: "Who speaks for the people of Sool, Sanaag & Cayn, traditional leaders or politicians? Please re-read the Press Release and you will find the answer to your question: "In the absence of an effective government in the country the Somali people are relying on their Traditional Leaders (Sultans, Akels,  Garaads and so on) for guidance and leadership.". Opportunists and mercenaries such as Xaabsade and Fagadhe do not have the moral authority to speak on behalf of the people of Sool or Sanaag. While these types are daily chewing qat in Hargeisa, or in Las Anod under the protection of the secessionists' militia the Traditional Leaders are meeting in a village in the interior of Sool determined to liberate their people from the yoke of occupation. Kucadaye

Gaadh-haye @ 4/14/2008 6:25 AM EST  Who speaks for the people of Sool, Sanaag & Cayn, traditional leaders or politicians?

ahmedei59 @ 4/14/2008 3:06 AM EST  In Somaliland one can choose his or her political party but in Puntland political parties are banned by law, over there the government is run by a tribal system. Somaliland is more democratic and less tribal than Puntland. The people of Sanaag have made up their mind, they established their own governmental system in the ancient name of Makhir, indpendent of both Somaliland and Puntland. For the people of Sool I see nothing to return to in Puntland, whats the point ? They should join Somaliland and work within that system and give a numerical support to the Somalilanders of all clans who would rather have the Somali nation united under one republic.

kucadaye @ 4/13/2008 11:51 PM EST  Gaddh-Haye wrote: "Are guys like  Xaabsade, Fagadhe, Qaybe and others not sons of Sool who’ve the final say for the destiny of their community? Can some body give a precise answer?" Your answer, which I gave earlier and you might have overlooked: Every clan has their snatachers (Xaabsade) and lunatics (Fagadhe). The Traditional Leaders of ALL the Dhulbahante have spoken: http://www.wardheernews.com/Press%20Releases/11_24_Boocame_Declaration.html

Mahiigaan @ 4/13/2008 8:33 PM EST  Riyaale iyo Cadde Muuse waxay la damacsanaayeen dadka reer Sool, Sanaag iyo Togdheer waa u socon waydey. Nimankan aad moodo inay hadda hurdada ka soo toosey nacnacle warkooda lama dhageysanayo isku dir bay wadaan. Ina Abdi Xaabsade oo labada dhinac ka soo shaqeeyey baa si fiican u fahmey shaxda loo dagey dadka masaakiinta ah ee Harti iyo Isaaq, oo afar toog oo Hargeysa iyo Garoowe joogaan u dageen. wuu ka dhex kiciyey Isaaqii buu keeney Laascaanood, saa cid eegta la waayey, "Cadowgii" 20ka sano lagu bajinayey ma jiro, afar naagood iyo ciyaal baa laba bari dhagax tuurtuurey cid kale ma eegin. Isaaqi wali waa baqayeen, hub yaroo yaaley meel laascaanood u dhowna oo daxaleytey 60 jirana waa loo dhiibey. Runta maalintaas bay arkeen Isaaqu inan meeshan lagu sii jeedeyey waxba kaga soo socon. Sidaa oo kale Hartigii lagu xuuxunayey Isaaq baa idinku soo duulaya runtey arkeen. Isaaq idhahiisii Hargeysuu u jeedsadey oo dib u jaleecay tuugtii caloosha waawayneed ee meesha u yuururtey 20 sanno dhiigooda cabayey, Hartina sidaa si le'eg Cadde calooleey buu indhihii u jeesteen iyo tuugtiisaa. Marka nimankan leh Defend Lascano after 7 months later, their motive is not Unity Riyaale bambaanada ku soo jeedsateey is leeyhiin ka jeedsha by creating dagaal aan loo baahneyn. NO ONE IS BUYING IT

Gaadh-haye @ 4/13/2008 3:10 PM EST  Kucadeye wrote: “It is not about 'Puntland' and 'Somaliland', It is about a clan saying to another clan: you have no right to come and occupy my territory”. To validate his claim, Saafi Cabdi, a poetess of exceptional linguistic skills and prose, wrote the following lament about the Sool issue: “Coming closer to home, the illegal invader is neither an alien nor Zionist. And there’s no need for an interpreter. Gone are the days when it was them against us, or us against them. And it’s no longer about big stuff or imperial ambitions. Greed is no longer counted in gains, rather loses are added to more loses. The traitor is a cousin, and the victim is an aunt or some body else’s goat. Weird as it is, a group of cousins are dying to be colonized and another group of cousins are dying to be recognized….come what may,” Saafi Cabdi wrote in her article “Village Venders”. One can sense how Saafi eloquently captured in few lines the show that is Laascaanood where cousins are dying to be “…Colonized or recognized come what may….” Can some body tell me what the local inter clan feud for the control of Laascaanood has to do with “national” issue and “unity”? Are guys like  Xaabsade, Fagadhe, Qaybe and others not sons of Sool who’ve the final say for the destiny of their community? Can some body give a precise answer?

Appalled @ 4/13/2008 12:57 PM EST  I have to give it to Majerteens, they consider these dhilbahantas useless in reality, but when it comes to Sanaag and sool, they tell them we're cousins and when the reer badiye dhulbahanta man that's loyal to qabiil unlike Majerteens that are loyal to their pocket hears this, he roars like a lion just as this anti-Somaliland group has. The Majerteens have historically been known for using the warsangali and Dhulbahantas as pawns, so this article has nothing new to provide if u ask me. There's even a majerteens old saying that goes "Reer badiye ma jirin ilaa u dhulbahanta magaalada so galey", verify this saying if you like lol

kucadaye @ 4/13/2008 12:07 PM EST  It seems some of you did not read the article in depth. Reading it I came with the conclusion that the people of Sool has the right to say 'YES' to unity and 'NO' to secession. It is not about 'Puntland' and 'Somaliland', It is about a clan saying to another clan: you have no right to come and occupy my territory.  In the same fashion that pastoral nomads from the central region have no right to occupy lands belonging to peaceful BEERALAY in Lower Shabeele and else where! The unity cause will suffer if we allow one individual or one clan to infringe on the basic rights of another individual or another clan community. Every clan has their snatachers (Xaabsade) and lunatics (Fagadhe). The Traditional Leaders of ALL the Dhulbahante have spoken: http://www.wardheernews.com/Press%20Releases/11_24_Boocame_Declaration.html KuCadaye

juma @ 4/13/2008 11:54 AM EST  SMALL AQIL a non isaaq is putting isaaqs in jails in isaaqland cos the idoor people are not rulers by nature. they excel historically in the service of any master who comes along. they are good servants of sahibs and memsahibs. they excel in the world of 'afendi'! but they loose their servitude very fast if you are not bossy with them and if you overstay. i think the darood overstayed. riyale should not overstay. MR GADHAYE mogadiscio needed an intervention, whether ethiopian, american or israeli. the people there took for granted the patience of the rest of somalia. they were crooks who wasted 17 long years for the somali nation. they sank so low. when the tfg was formed with the help of the international community and when tribalism was rendered irrelevant, the quickly pulled the religious card to subortadge the government of somalia. those who chose to be used dowladiid to spearhead that eligal project, the likes of sharif and aweis, are criminal too. where were they in the long 20 years the somali people suffered. GO ethiopia go, you are excelling in ALLAH plan of things!

fiqicigaal @ 4/13/2008 11:40 AM EST  Gaadh-haye, i do understand where you coming from and i know you are a man who will give his wright hand for shanta somaliyed including ogaden and that is where the bus stops . As for Lasanood and the differences between it's residents , i beleive it is after all for them to decide which way they want to join in the long term

Gaadh-haye @ 4/13/2008 11:10 AM EST  Small town in the middle of nowhere causing such a furore and deafening noise!

halganka @ 4/13/2008 10:17 AM EST  LAASCAANOOD maxay tahay??? waa magaalo yar oo bus iyo boodh indhaha kaa ridaya! Soomaaliya oo dhan baa halgan loogu jiraa adigana waxaad dooneysaa in aad meel aan tuulo gaadhin in aad ka dhigtid qadiyad weyn oo loo huro naf iyo maalba. laascaanood iyo hargeysaba waxay ka tirsan yihiin dhulweynaha soomaaliya, marka dhadhan u suubi waxa aad qoreyso

anti-dabodhilif @ 4/13/2008 10:14 AM EST  This idiot guy is trying to hide  the real Ethopian occupation not only south but all Somalia, and he want Somali people to fight each other small town called 'laas anood'.  Only people like his level will belive him. puntland soldiers and Somaliland soldiers they both waiting orders from Ethopian when to fight. They canot just start without Ethopian's permision.

INDOMONITABLE @ 4/13/2008 9:00 AM EST  THANKS!GREAT ARTICLE. SSC WILL BE LIBERETED SOON.AS FOR "SOMALILANDERS ISKUXISHOODA. AS YOU CAN SEE THE PEOPLE OF SOOL,SANAAG CAYN DONT WANT YOU,AND ASSOCIATE.GEEEEZZ,HAVE SOME PRIDE MAN.HAA,AHA (SSC BELONGS 2PUNTLAND,LAND OF THE GODS). INDOMITABLE

Gaadh-haye @ 4/13/2008 8:46 AM EST  Fiqicigaal, Granted. Indeed the bus stops at the gate of unity. My point of contention and disagreement with the pro-union campaigners of this sort (ASSCàS) is their ‘pick and choose’ policy especially when it comes to the topic of Laascaanood. Are they telling us Laascaanood is occupied by the militias of Xaabsade and Fagadhe? These guys are ‘local boys’; they’re Reer Sool escorted home by a new found friend with lots of cash. If Cade Muuse wasn’t greedy and stingy the status qou could’ve been different today. If any place is under brutal foreign occupation today, its our capital city Mogadishu. The immediate concern of the pro-union campaigners should be to shun and disassociated them selves from the scorch earth policies of Cabdillaahi Yuusuf and what he is doing in the south. But instead of doing that, they support him. Which makes them unfit to carry the union flag. We all know that those who were defending Adicadeeye front were redeployed to Mogadishu, and that is exactly the reason Puntland couldn’t fight two fronts. I will only chant and dance to their rhythm and be encapsulated by their melody of nationalism and unity when they get their acts together.

ahmedei59 @ 4/13/2008 2:46 AM EST  If clan membership dictates my regional allegiance, then I am from Puntland but you know what? I think Somaliland is by far (relatively speaking) more democratic than Puntland. Puntland has become extremely corrupt and unlike Somaliland is shamelessly ruled by one single extremely greedy and very unpatriotic clan, the Majerteen.   Sool and Sanaag will be much better of if they join Somaliland and work within that system and try to convince the northern clans to not break up the country in a permanent way.

Caqil_Yare @ 4/12/2008 11:53 PM EST  Juma, If Somaliland was Isaaqism, then Somaliland would have been like Puntland where only one clan rules. But, if you are not turning a blind eye to the reality on the groud, Somaliland is not an Isaaq coffee shop, like Puntland is a Majeerteen enclave. You see, Isaaq politicians and traditional leaders are put in jail and a non-isaaq is doing that. If you are honest, you will realise that Somaliland has transcended the tainted clanish gogles that you see through things. Anyways, you mentioned about the difficulty in seceding from a collapsed state, but you don't acknowledge the fact that this is Africa. In Africa, there is nothing easy my friend. If Somaliland was in Europe, Somaliland would have gotten its rightful independence long ago. But this is unfortuately in Africa and in Africa, dictatorship reigns supreme.

Nimco_Canad @ 4/12/2008 5:53 PM EST   what does it make difference of ordinary people in Sool or Awdal or Sanage and Togdher wether Rayele, Siyad Bare, Caydiid, cade and sharif is charge. What different does it if Siyad were in power today, and had we know what we know today, we would not have favore one warlord over another. instead we could stick to one, live in our homes until a true and honest stateman emerges to make difference toward became prosprous nation. a leader who streamline entwined conflicts and problems in gradual and sustainable manner.Can anyone tell me what Rayale, Abdullahi Yusys and qanyare have done for people. What difference it makes for Lascanod inhabitant to be under rayale or cade merciles government. differnce in making life of ordinary people is measures success of our nation and decency of our leadership.

Syad_Xusen @ 4/12/2008 5:16 PM EST  Yes SSCS go ahead and restore SSC'S PRIDE... Something that Dhullos manage to maintain despite the current fashion trend

fiqicigaal @ 4/12/2008 4:15 PM EST  I don't thing there is much to say about secessionism in Northern somalia or the half way union of Puntland with the rest of somalia , but the bus stops on the unity of somalia and that should be the core of the debate . Somalis in every corner of the country has every thing to gain when united e.g, security, economic , development etc.and they have every thing to loose when divided and that is the bottom line

diinow @ 4/12/2008 3:47 PM EST  Hey guys! how about devolution istead of independence? Lets copy the uk system i.e Somaliland = Scotland puntland = N. Irland Jubaland = Wales Banadirlad = England + Rotational president Lets learn from the experienced imperialist GB

Gaadh-haye @ 4/12/2008 1:04 PM EST  Lets call spade a spade for once and stop shedding crocodile tears for unity. The war in Laascaanood is between two Somali brothers with different political persuasions. Secessionists in the “Somaliland” administration want to lay claim and extend their rule to all the territory their imaginary country consists of.  While the subtle “secessionists” in “Puntland” want (subtle because they hold one leg in the union, if it doesn’t work out to be the way they want, they reserve -for them selves- the right to secede) to keep the borders of fellow clansmen out of invaders –  namely “Somaliland”. In short, they’re brothers with conflicting priorities, unwittingly serving the Ethiopian agenda of balkanization of Somalia. I’d say, both the “defender” and “occupier” of Laascaanood, are idiots who don’t see the bigger geopolitical picture, and how Ethiopia is playing them as pawns and puppets, biting them against each other for her benefit.

Jawiil @ 4/12/2008 12:04 PM EST  Small_Land should stick the idea of Isaaqism. It was a mistake for them to come to Las Anod and blend with other tribes. Now they are in trouble.

juma @ 4/12/2008 11:58 AM EST  SMALL AQIL SAYS "THIS CLANISH WRITER". BUT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT THE WHOLE 'SOMALILAND' PROJECT IS A CLANNISH IDEA BASED ON THE ISAAQ CLAN ONLY. BESIDES AS AN NFD MYSELF VETERAN I KNOW TOO WELL THE FUTILITY OF SECESSION. YOU ARE WHERE WE WERE IN THE 1960S. ITS NOT AN EASY VENTURE. SEE YOU ARE UNABLE TO SECEDE FROM A COLLAPSED STATE FOR 20 YEARS! ITS A DREAM. LOOK AT BIAFRA, NIGERIA - CASSAMANCE, SENEGAL - ANJUOAN, COMMOROS - NFD, KENYA -OGADENIA, ETHIOPIA - BAROTSELAND, ZAMBIA - KAPRIVI STRIP, NAMIBIA - CABINDA, ANGOLA - KATANGA, CONGO - ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA - SOUTH SUDAN, SUDAN - ETC. KEEP DREAMING MARQAAN PEOPLE

ahmedei59 @ 4/12/2008 11:56 AM EST  In the long term the unity of the country will be best served if sool and sanaag join Somaliland, because that will increase the number of the Somalilanders who want to preserve the union.

fiqicigaal @ 4/12/2008 9:03 AM EST  Your views and principals make alot sense and sensibilty to me and i support united Somaled. Count me in brothers, for iam against all evils !

@ 4/12/2008 6:34 AM EST  Mucaawiye, Somaliland is built on consensus and communal understanding. This clanish person who wrote this can not come to terms with the facts on the ground. It is the people of Lascaanod that got rid of the bloodsucking melitisa from Garoowe. It was people like Xaabsade who can't stand the bigoted politics in Garoowe. But to this clanish indivitual, a certain people are his enemies and that is what has blinded him from the facts. But as always, Somaliland will always prevail because its built on justice and fairness.

kampala @ 4/12/2008 5:04 AM EST  I wonder why every one could not create like this coalition, and post such this empty manifest. In my view it is one of Somali Mirqan-Articles since the article coud not imply  the reality on the ground... Idont know who is presenting when he says: we Awdal!! Have u ever seen Awdal? or this is just what u eager to happen? Salam, but know before u write..

ahmedei59 @ 4/12/2008 3:27 AM EST  test

Erigavo @ 4/12/2008 3:11 AM EST  stickandcarrot, Instead of waging war, it is important to reunite the seperated voices of rer Las Anod. I think that is the biggest weakness. I also blame Puntland that really used and abused rer Las Anod.

Caqil_Yare @ 4/12/2008 3:11 AM EST  Mucaawiye, Somaliland is built on consensus and communal understanding. This clanish person who wrote this can not come to terms with the facts on the ground. It is the people of Lascaanod that got rid of the bloodsucking melitisa from Garoowe. It was people like Xaabsade who can't stand the bigoted politics in Garoowe. But to this clanish indivitual, a certain people are his enemies and that is what has blinded him from the facts. But as always, Somaliland will always prevail because its built on justice and fairness.

stickorcarrot @ 4/12/2008 2:31 AM EST  Well done! But here is my question. Why Sool, Sanaag, and Awdal only? Can't you find people from Waqooyi Galbeed and Togdheer to join you against misguided individuals advocating for the demise of our nation? I think you should be inclusive and recruit Somali loving members from the those above mentioned regions. Good luck and we are here to help you defend our nation literally and figuratively!

nargale @ 4/12/2008 12:26 AM EST  If the knows alot about Boocame meetings&how they died,sure he could be aware of Tukaraq gatherings&their reasons!!!and mybe the move of Buuhoodle people!!!!

mucaawiye @ 4/11/2008 10:48 PM EST   Mr. Caqil-yare! It is the basic human rights to disagree and refute impsoing believes. Is like calling SNM dogs and fools when they were fighting against Siyad Bare, therefore let people decide their fate or do not tell me Siyad was wrong when he was bashing Hargyesa with tanks and airforce because SNM's dogs and fools militias. History repeats it self, instead of supressing other native Somaliland from freedom to disagree Rayaale regime and deciding their fate, is against Somaliland principle that causes Hargeysa to freed from Siyad Bare regime. Somaliland gov should ask referendom to anyone who don't want to be part of somali period, or don't tell me what you were preaching late 1990s fake.

mucaawiye @ 4/11/2008 10:39 PM EST    Mr. Caqil-yare! Is the basic human rights to disagree and refute each other. When Siyad Bare was bashing Hargyesa with tanks and airforce, is like accsusing SNM opposition to Siyad Bare Regime dogs and fools. History repeats it self, instead of supressing other people freedom to disagree and deciding their fate, Somaliland ought to listen them and negotiate and allow to refute your decision and vise vers. Other Somaliland is preaching what did not beleived 19 years ago.

Caqil_Yare @ 4/11/2008 9:51 PM EST  An old French philosopher once said "Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.”. The dogs might bark but the Somaliland Caravan shall move on. :)