THT-Scholar Dr. Rashid Abdi has strongly denied the assumptions made by some people to justify their rejection of Somaliland’s independence.
The points that some people make excuses or many people believe, are good for the other side of Somalia, Rashid said.
- Fragmenting Somali nation- False: Constituent parts of Somali nation healthy and doing well. Kenya’s NE, Djibouti, Somali Regional State
- Dilutes “Somalinimo- False: Djibouti bastion of Somalinimo. Somaliland is the protector of Somali culture, heritage.
- Weakens Somali nation- False: Actually strengthens Somalis, gives them extra vote at UN, and creates more pockets of stability that act as havens in times of crisis.
- Balkanize rest of Horn/Africa- False: Secessionism is rarely rewarded without compelling and valid case.
- Lead to war with south- False: Actually will lead to peace, stability, free up resources now spent on undermining each other.
- Will ignite crisis in Sool & Sanaag and trigger war with Puntland. Only possible if Garowe and Hargeisa fail to make peace. There are strong incentives for peace between Somaliland and Puntland.