What is next in Laascanood? A response

What is next in Laascanood? A response



Somaliland national army recent victory over Puntland militia gave Siadists one more opportunity to display their delusional take on Laascaanood. If you read Muhsin Mahad piece, you cannot help but be both amazed and disappointed by the extent Siadists remnants exploit local situations to settle old scores. Case in point, instead of talking of Laascanood current situation, Mr Mahad opens his piece by revisiting Somaliland liberation history and emphatically concludes only USC was instrumental in Siad Barre demise while “SNM was …nothing more to the Siyad Regime than irritating pinpricks.” Besides its obvious irrelevancy, this laughable claim owes noting to historical correctness. If SNM was such a weak movement, why did Siad felt the need to call in South African mercenaries? And why did it take Aideed a mere two month to overthrow Siad dictatorship if the mighty Somali army was not destroyed in the North? Renewed discussion of past events generally are of limited value to solve current problems, but if someone is keenly interested in 1988-1990 military campaigns in Somaliland, he should refer, among other documents, to the thorough and non partisan account produced by Canada after the killing of a Somali boy by Canadian troops. The Report of the Somalia Commission of inquiry makes no mention of “SNM killing unarmed and defenceless non-Isaaq civilians” so central to Muhsin and Siadists mythology. Instead the report contends that Siad ”unable to defeat the guerrillas, the army killed tens of thousands of civilians in northern towns”. Numerous others evidencecould be quoted but this source have the added convenience of sitting right on my shelves.

Muhsin Mahad opening statement about Siad Barre fall set the stage for equally deceptive comments on Laascanood. Indeed, the author repeatedly tries to convey the idea that recent developments in Laascanood account to no more than a simple invasion of a clan by another one .Wording this effect is therefore obsessive with the word invasion used 12 times and clan receiving 11 mentions. However, repeating over and over a lie will had never made it true and Muhsin elucubrations are simply reflecting a deep disappointement following the swift defeat of what he used to call ”Puntland gallant forces.” (the relatives of those killed by this militia in Cagare or inside jails are still looking for any subtle sign of galantery).

In order to set the record straight, I would have to restate the obvious for everyone. Contrary to Siadists assertions, Laascanood has never been a hotbed of support for Puntland since Laascanooders for the best part of the last decade have been divided among Puntland and Somaliland supporters, some over them (including several proeminent political) shifting allegiances. This said, as a Laascanood native deeply interested in his hometown political plight, I find offensive when Siadists like Muhsin suggest otherwise when there is absolutely no element of truth to their assertions. Indeed, there is a considerable duplicity in Muhsin Mahad charade about clan invasion. Without rehearsing at length the list of Puntland abuses again Laascanood, it is a common knowledge among fellow Lascanooders that the crux of the matter is that we finally became tired of holding the bag. In the face of, the full fledge exploitation of their region (Holl Holl resources sold of and proceeds helping build an airport in Garowe), the imperatives created by extrajudicial killings, the multiples humiliations and the general state of their hometown, more and more Laascanooders began gradually looking towards Somaliland. Then the final impetus to the last week liberation came when Puntland militia killed two unarmed civilians and susquently opened fire on Xaabsade house. And Lascanood decided, in both its civilian and military component, to get rid of the occupier too busy stealing its resources and buying million dollar houses in Dubai. Siadists can claim clan invasion but people in the ground are well aware of the above reality.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The like of Muhsin will be hard pressed to convince Laascanooders when Puntland is professing more hostiliy and contempt towards them. Indeed, Garowe is cashing in the plight of our refugees. Puntland prevented any Lascanood from entering in Garowe while at the same time appealing for international help in order to alleviate its supposed burden. At the same time, Somaliland is coping with refugees in Buhoodle with virtually no international assistance and, at the same time, decided to create a new national tax to help Lascanood. And When Radio Garowe is busy scarring off people by announcing imminent attacks, Somaliland forces are helping locals opening up roads and returning to normalcy.

Only Allah knows what tomorrow will look like but Laascaonders, upon which exploitation and abuse have been imposed for years by Puntland, but Laascanooders will not easily relinquish their new found freedom. We remember the time when two young unarmed men were killed with impunity inside a jail when at the very same time all our Garaads were attending the burial of the Islaan in Garowe. The time when Lascanood was governed by vizirs appointed by Garowe is gone, the time where Afqudhac was prohibited from attending his Garaad burial is gone. And for all their shortcomings Xaabsade, Sandulle and the new team charge, should be traded in with the old Puntland puppets.

Mohamed Sougal
mohamedsougal@yahoo.com
www.soolsomaliland.blogspot.com