Khatumo Foreign Minister speaks out to the International Community

The UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia, Mr Nicholas Kay Dear Mr Kay, It is with deep sadness that The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora for Khaatumo State of Somalia highlights an urgent issue regarding the intensification of aggression by militias loyal to Somaliland against the people of Khaatumo State and other civilian, non-Isaaq populations of North Somalia, in direct violation of the Federal Laws of Somalia as well as International Law. As well as a protracted build-up of Somaliland militia units in the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn regions.

This has led to frequent clashes, not producing conditions conducive to human welfare and development, stalling the Somali peace process which Khaatumo State wishes to take part in. Since 2014, the people of Khaatumo have had to endure numerous attacks. In December 2014, Saahdheer was invaded twice, with several civilian deaths and casualties as well as frequent looting, rapes and illegal detention. Xudun, Yagoori, Dabataag, Karin Dabaylweyn, Maygaagle,Horufadhi, Kalshaale, Xidh-xidh, Dhaabeeda and Taleex have been attacked also resulting the loss of innocent lives, damage to properties, destruction of wells. Somaliland has repeatedly attempted to derail and undermine the exercise of self-determination by the people of Khaatumo State, through the use of threats and violence.
This is due to Khaatumo’s desire to remain a part of the on-going reconciliatory process to re-build, unify and stabilise Somalia at large. The course of action taken by Somaliland is in direct opposition to the wishes of the people of Khaatumo, who are opposed to the secessionist project of Somaliland. They have re-stated their commitment to a unified stable Somali Republic, preferring instead membership in Somalia’s federal system. Somaliland isn’t the representative body of the people of Khaatumo nor the people of Awdal State, and has refused public invitations dialogue many times. Somaliland has been attempting to subjugate the people of both regions now for over a decade through coercion – failing – but still believing violence to be the solution.

Needless to say it is encouraged to CONTINUE its war on Khaatumo State by the continuous moral, financial and political SUPPORT IT receives from the international community with this plethora of resources being mis-appropriated and mis-used, prolonging the suffering of Khaatumo’s people, who after many years of stagnation and conflict, now want peace and progress to begin. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora would also like to fore-warn the international community that the misuse of aid by Somaliland for acquisition of weaponry could have wider repercussions. Somaliland’s armed forces are not unified traditional military, rather, it is compromised by bands of tribal militia that loosely fall under the Isaaq clan umbrella and opportunistic collaborators. Whilst they are currently unified in purpose, political instability in Somaliland has been increasing in recent years, In spite of comparative calm, the risk does remain that these weapons could be misused having possible large scale humanitarian implications in a region already under great strain.

Khaatumo State of Somalia would like to remind the International Community that it is prepared to live in peace with its neighbours and maintains that dialogue is the only means through which a lasting peace can be attained. However whilst attacks are on-going, any attempts at reconciliation will inevitably be fruitless, and (re)produce conditions which aren’t conducive to the welfare of the people of Khaatumo, Somaliland or Somalia more widely.

Mohamed Ibrahim Dualeh “Aftaag”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Khaatumo State of Somalia