Somaliland: The brotherly relations between Somaliland and Ethiopia are unshakable

The affiliation that exists between Somaliland and Ethiopia is historical and unbreakable, politically, socially and economically. A brave man always knows the way, no matter how intricate the roads. Somaliland will not succumb to any pressure aimed at fracturing the mutual relations of fraternity and neighbourliness. Our destiny is knotted together, and no external force can break this bond of friendship and solidarity. It is at difficult times that you learn your foe from your friend. Ethiopia has offered bases to the Somali National Movement (SNM) during the long and bitter struggle against the brutal regime of Siad Bare; hosted and welcomed our refugees with distinct hospitality at the most difficult times of our history and remained steadfast and reliable partner with shoulder to shoulder support when we were weak and trying to make ends meet. This is necessitated by true collaboration and cooperation and as a result of convergence of interest.

On the other hand, Egypt only solicits support from us when it needs to safeguard its self-centred national interest and raises the flag of the Arab League solidarity. History is our witness as Somalis are confronted with disgrace and humiliation in Egyptian airports and as second grade citizens coupled with a deliberate marginalization. Our refugees in Cairo are imperilled into an inhumane and degrading treatment. The Somali character is considered as a pariah by the Egyptian establishment and its security forces.

Then one may question why that relationship is a one-way direction. It is hard to be always abused and for sure reciprocity is not part of the Egyptian culture. What Egypt did for us when we were at the cross-roads and our population returned from years of destitution and displacement? The answer is naught.   After returning to destroyed towns with total lack of institutions, land awash with armaments and landmines; we faced the reality of building our lives from scratch and nowhere to been seen our “Egyptian friends”. Experience has taught us a lot and we will never fall again into any trap that does not take into consideration our national interest and ambitions. The days are gone where our land has been used as staging platforms for proxy hostilities against our neighbours.

We are grateful for what we have and who we are. And Somaliland is prepared to earnestly and vehemently defend its rights against all odds and innuendos perpetuated by self-interested countries. It is deplorable that Egypt is now seeking coalition and alliance against our closest friend. We have been fooled for years but not anymore.

Concurrently, our President have been invited by the Saudi Kingdom; the first time in our twenty two (22) years of separation and re-gaining our independence. Is it to pressure us to side with the Egyptians and thus alienate our true neighbour? The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a major economic partner for Somaliland and we must navigate through this carefully and play the neutrality card. I am confident that our President will handle this political manoeuvring with conscientiousness and diligence guided by our national interest. We are all aware where that rests. It is certainly with our neighbour; not with Egypt.



Siraad – United Kingdom