Hiiraan Online

implementation of a sound agricultural plan and positive human interaction based on fair judicial land holding, the Region can become the bread basket of the country.

While the Region possesses such vital natural resources, it, however, lacks social justices that embody all sub-clan groups living or used to live in the Region. No one can deny that a large number of people whose livelihood depended in agriculture were subjected to forced exodus while at same time their personal properties in terms of lands and buildings were taken away. It is lamentable that the issue of returns of personal properties to their legal owners particularly in Gabiley has never been given the merit it deserved in solving the long standing property ownership problems. Both the late President Egal and the present one put the issue under the carpets, even if it is a sore wound that remains untreated.

There has never been a well defined land tenure statue in the country either during British rule or the subsequent national governments. Land holding was based socio-cultural basis transferable from generation to generation. Local government offices kept records for taxation purposes only with no delineation of land boundaries often causing acrimonious frictions among the farmers. While such land tenure deficiency existed, people were tilling their lands in harmonious relationship.

Then what tilted the balance to make Gabiley one sub-clan Region? The euphoria that emerged from Borama reconciliation conference did not bring remedy to the plights of people who were evicted from their lands in Gabiley district. In addition, one example of government's impotence in safeguarding the public lands against flagrant grabbing by one sub-clan was how Tug- Wjaleh Project land parceled by people who believed in the homogeneity of Gabiley.

Whatever injustice happened both at the national and district level, it is not too late to rectify the Region's problems of human dimension. Now, being the Governor of the Region, you have to come up with prudent policy to institute a legal frame works inviting people who were displaced to return to their lands.

Mr. Governor, a leader must have a passionate connection with the people in all sectors of societies under his realm especially those whose properties were infringed. A good  leader some times takes

kind of decision which may appear unpopular to some segment of the society he service, and acts corrective measures for the sake of the disadvantaged.

You have inherited a system of governance that promoted fertile ground for sub-clan hatred, disfranchised voting rights, breakdown of community solidarity, and unpleasant ethnic undertone. Such prevailing social injustices in the Region are tests to your tenure of service, and require tenacity, perseverance, and prudence to create conducive environment that can bring reconciliation of all people of the Region. People with sincere

hearts and minds cherish the magnanimity of settling outstanding issues by dialogue.

Number of thorny disputes that arose in Somaliland were finalized on win-win bases, and as a result, brought admiration from the international community. No reason why the issue of land and properties of displaced people remains in limbo for 17 years.

In conclusion, my message to you, Mr. Governor, Mayor, and Regional counselors is to convince the people that peace and prosperity can be achieved when they grasp the principle of “Live and Let Others Live."