An Open Letter to Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas. President-elect of Puntland

Saturday, January 18, 2014: To begin with, The Khatumo Forum for Peace, Unity and Development would like to congratulate you on your election win, which returned hope and inspiration for all brotherly peoples of Khatumo and puntland States. The Khatumo Forum for Peace, Unity and Development is writing this letter to you in the capacity of an advocacy organisation which unites not only the voices of Khatumo Diaspora but enjoys the overwhelming support of the entire SSC population as well as the traditional and political leaders of Khatumo State of Somalia.

The Forum is deeply concerned about the lack of positive reciprocal reaction from your leadership with regards to the Political Statement and good will gesture issued by Khatumo Leaders as soon as you were elected to the presidency of Puntland in January 8, 2014. The political Leadership of the Khatumo State of Somalia was expecting from Puntland leadership to reciprocate positively and contribute constructively to develop a two-way street_political and social relationship.

The SSC people of Khatumo State reiterated in many instances the importance of positive engagement and support between the Khatumo and Puntland States is essential for the success of our transition to equal partners in the national political platform. Without this two way support, collaborative political vision and dedicated leadership, it is doubtful that both the Khatumo and Puntland States will survive under the pressures, manipulations and machinations of the leaders of the federal government and those of Somaliland as well.

Throughout our history in North East Somalia, our two peoples have have enjoyed and celebrated a deep socio-traditional and ancestral lineage. We believe that despite the competing political interests, Puntland and Khatumo can afford nothing less than the preservation of this genetic relationship through peaceful negotiations between the two administrations.
Additionally, You may be aware that, as equl partners, the SSC people have made every effort in every level of their social and political echelons and presented comprehensive terms of positive engagement to their counterparts in Puntland. But, it was very unfortunate that every political move taken by the old Puntland leadership was detrimental to the good-will gesture of the SSC people and to Khatumo State of Somalia.

Mr. Farole’s collaborative political treason with the Somaliland administration during their invasion of LasAnod on October 17, 2007 and his adherence to its occupation policies by signing unscrupulous and ruthless sell-off deal of the SSC Capital, with the Somaliland secessionist enemies; His conspiring tactics and actions to undermine Khatumo forces’ ability to defend the SSC regions during the Kalshale and Sooljoogto genocide. Although the SSC people have sacrificed hundreds of courageous heroes in those wars, The Khatumo forces unwaveringly defended their land. Thanks to Allah and to the strong and unbreakable determination and will power of Khatumo people; Another fresh example is the recent war of November 28, 2013. This Tragedy in Taleh was ochestrated by Puntland’s well mechanized forces massacring innocent civilians, destroying their properties and creating mass desplacement of hundreds of Khatumo citizens.

The fall-out of Faroole’s destructive projects against Khatumo, and his romance with the secessionist policies of Somaliland have created a deep fracture of anguish and polarized the political stand of the Khatumo people. When the SSC people were treated as second-class citizens and not as equal partners in the Puntland deal, when UN aid shipments destined to their cities were denied access, when 17 illegal MP’s were manufactured as having the legitimacy of their Khatumo constituents, and when 69 armed Technicos were dispatched from Garowe, determind to kill their own, The people of Khatumo had enough. Truly, Apart from the above outrageous conspiracies, treason, wars and years of impoverishment of all Sectors of the SSC economy, these policies led to the rightful declaration of Puntland and Khatumo as separate regional administrations under a United Somali Federation.

This political economy of underdevelopment applied to the SSC regions has also undermined the trust of the SSC people. In many ways as you have testified in your campaign platform, the two people’s partnership has been betrayed by Puntland in so many different ways; Hence the SSC people’s self-determination not to abide by Puntland’s original tenets, democratically deciding overwhelmingly to create their own Khatumo State of Somalia.

As you are aware, in January 12, 2012 delegates from all walks of life of Khatumo people have convened at Taleh and deliberated the pros and cons of creating their own state. In the end, they came up with the internationally celebrated decision to proclaim the Khatumo State of Somalia with three member presidential council to run the state. This is where your part comes in during your tenure as the then Prime Minister of Somali Provisional Government. Your historic letter of recognition of the Khatumo State of Somalia as a member of the Federal States was celebrated and resonated across all SSC regions of Khatumo State.

Setting Policy Priorities:
Although it will take time and work to make up for what the SSC people have lost, we believe that your new administration shall create a new opening to reverse the trend of the previous Puntland Administration by:-
1. As your administration sets its policy priorities, it is imperative for your government to mend the severely broken relationship with the SSC people by avoiding to recycle the hateful and destructive policies of the previous Puntland leadership towards the Khatumo State of Somalia and the SSC people.
2. recognizing the legitimacy of Khatumo State of Somalia. This is a critical issue to the success in bringing about a rebirth of quality relationship based on trust and mutual respect between the two brotherly states, i.e. Khatumo State and Puntland State.
3. not pursuing the divide to rule and destroy agenda of your predecessor against the Khatumo people as it will scratch the old wounds and open new ones. After all, this would be the anti-thesis of your recent pledge to search for “Unity” in the region.

Conclusion
Mr. President
Your administration will not escape history. It will be remembered through the difficult but realistic and necessary decisions it makes from today on.
This is the moment to shake off and throw aside old hateful habits and projects that reinforce the status quo.
Now is the moment to reinvest in the very definition of our brotherly relations; charting a new peaceful course towards a more secure, prosperous and sustainable future for both Khatumo and Puntland States.

With respectful salutations, warm regards and best wishes
The Khatumo Forum for Peace, Unity and Development
info@khaatumoforum.org