Somaliland and Eritrea has an identical history as both countries gained independence through long liberation struggle from ruthless regimes
New countries have appeared in world map in 1990s in Horn of Africa like Somaliland and Eritrea after costly liberation struggle. Eritrea achieved its independence in 1991 after a 30-year struggle against the central government of Ethiopia and Somaliland gained its independence after costly war with brutal regime that end result the loss of tens of thousands lives and property that cannot estimated in terms of money. Somaliland existed five-day period of independence from Britain to unit with Somalia under the Italian rule.Somaliland is a former British protectorate that gained independence in 1960 and was recognized as an independent state. However, acting on the desire at the time of Somalis to live in one state, Somaliland voluntarily joined with Italyโs former Somali colony to form the Republic of Somalia, but the union turned out to be disastrous for Somaliland, as the people found themselves marginalized in the new state. 1960, June 26 marks the end of 73 years of British rule in Somaliland.
The union between Somaliland and Somalia was considered as pursuit of the โGreater Somaliaโ dream bringing all five territories inhabited by ethnic Somalis in East Africa (the Ogaden and Haud and Reserve Area under Ethiopian Empire, the Northern Frontier District โ NFD โ part of the British colony with Kenya, the French colony of Djibouti, the British Protectorate of Somaliland and South Somalia under Italy). But that greater Somalia has failed to work and as a result Somaliland withdraw the failed union from Somalia in 1991after liberation struggle which was in full strength from 1981 until 1991.ย The armed victory for both countries were the sources for the collapse of both countries. Our memory is our diaries that we carry all the time. Each day of our lives make deposits in our memory. Our brain has vast memory storage.
ย Somaliland people had experienced dark days that never fade from their memories as the agony of the past has become glue in their minds. An English idiom expresses nothing ventured, nothing gained. Both countries have memory of genocide, mass graves, air bombardment, artillery shelling and trauma of the past committed by brutal regime. The brutality of the regime cannot be described in words. The regime warplanes and artillery have bombed civilian targets and population centers hitting every building including mosques, schools and markets. The death and destruction committed by dictatorship regime against innocent Somaliland citizens is source of Somaliland independence and similar is true in the case of Eritrea. The regime has committed serious violations, acts against humanity and genocide during their rule against innocent citizens in Somaliland.
The bombing of Somaliland cities and towns is the brutal system is the foundation of Somaliland independence. The death and destruction committed by dictatorship regime against Somaliland people is source of Somaliland independences.ย The atrocities and the mass graves found many parts of Somaliland is the foundation of independence.ย . Scores of war planes have bombed fleeing population. The regime iron fist policy, absolute ruler, brutal tactics and absences of freedom has generated Somaliland in May 18, 1991 as nothing can stop willing hearts. Scores of war planes have bombed fleeing population.ย The regime military leaders had the order and instruction to kill the local population as much as could.
The ย regime killings did not differentiated women, children and elders who cannot away from regime bombings cost of 100, 000 lives and the destruction of the property accumulated more than 100 years. The horror killings, continual oppression, arrest without any offence, looting, house in mid nights and compulsory ransoms were daily occurrence. The regime has not even spared women, children and elders who cannot run away from bombings.ย ย Hargeisa become ghost town as its residents fled as a result of heavy shelling and bombardment by brutal regime.ย The regime used ruthless tactics to make fear the local population and as a result, the agony of the people cannot be described in words. More, than 200 mass graves with the bodies of 50,000 to 60,000 were discovered in many parts. SNM Martyrs who scarified their lives liberating their people and their country have died in honor, with dignity, with great respect and their names will remain in our hearts and minds everlasting.ย SNM waged war of independence against one of most powerful in Africa SNM has challenged a regime army which was considered the fourth powerful army in Africa. SNM has defeated the regime that heavily armed in terms of logistics and weaponry which is considered one of strongest army for the black Africa.
The freedom we are enjoying is as result of their sacrifices. The hundreds of towers, shopping malls, trade offices, hundreds of business enterprises and tens of universities would not have not unless hundreds of SNM Martyrs scarified their lives. The boundary between Somaliland and Somalia was defined in the Anglo-Italian Protocol of May 1894 and Somaliland territory comprised Her Britannic Majestyโs Protectorate of Somaliland.ย The boundary between Somaliland and Somalia was demarcated by an Anglo-Italian commission in 1929. The borders of Somaliland at the present are the same as they were during its protectorate years, the same during its independence years from the British Crown in 1960 and same as they are today as the independent Republic of Somaliland.
ย Ismail Lugweyne
