Let’s Join Hands and Build the Nation

EDITORIAL

This should be a time that all Somalilanders, especially in the media industry, join hands together and build the nation by expounding in the truthful manner befitting and with the best salesmanship acumen possible thereof of the great potentialities available in the land as regards the mining sectors.

It was quite sinister that when the JNA cluster reports brought forth into the limelight that there was a great potential of Uranium mining in Somaliland, many of us could not help wondering or frowning in consternation as to why nobody got excited or jumped up saying Hoorah!

We are of course shocked that our people always keep mum about this wonderful industry to a point that might put to query their real feelings as far as patriotism is concerned.

The last time the major players in the industry from the whole world met in Australia, curiously, only this paper highlighted the importance of that convention hence at the same time shed light on the forth coming mining Indaba slated for the end of the week.

It is not worthwhile to indulging in what may be wrongly perceived as witch hunting but the more important issue now and today in particular is the putting onto 'The World Map' the true picture, true potential and true essence of Somaliland.

We support the minerals boss Hon. Duale in his endeavours and wish him well.

To be privy of the fact that he is to give a major speech on this subject at the right time and in the right place is of course hilariously wonderful.

On the other hand, to acknowledge the fact that Somalilanders are in the dark about the same subject because of either conscious (or unconscious) misdemeanor by way of dis-service to the people from the local media is really hurting as it is disgusting.

The best however the general populace can do is to sustain and maintain peaceful stability for there can never be apt and tangible investiture in an aura devoid of tranquility.

Meanwhile, when it comes to peace and stability, and knowing that there prevails such a scenario in the country, it is not concerting to read or see in our local media what we witnessed over the week as concerns our resettlement minister while in Djibouti.

As far as how right our memories may serve us, we are inclined to believe that SL refugees from neighbouring countries notably Djibouti and Ethiopia who happened in flee the country in the nineties have all come home to roost courtesy of governmental and UNHCR efforts.

It is our belief that batches of groups of families were gradually transported back to the country with the last one of them officially ended by the end/beginning of 2009/10.

What we hear now coming from Ali-ade camp is quite perturbing.

Before, there was a problem as for discerning refugees from IDPs. Now, we hear of refugees almost three years after the issue was reportedly brought to a close officially.

We believe that the way local press reported the issue meets more then the eyes (and ears) witnessed three years ago, such that it may be detrimental to the way we handle issues.

Were the last state/UNHCR reports wrong? If so, what is the exact nature of these refugees who could not come back after decade and a half of peaceful times?

What's our cut out policies on the issue?