Session cannot be forced on the people of SSC

Resolve Ogaden Coalition advocates for the rights of the Somali people in the disputed Ogaden region of Eastern Ethiopia. As advocates for human rights, we feel it is equally our responsibility to voice our concerns over the inhumane brutality of Somaliland forces that for the last two weeks have carried out extensive military operations in the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) against a pro-Somali unity movement and the civilian population in those regions. The attempt by the Administration in Hargeisa to suppress the people of SSC by force while claiming to be struggling to achieve independence and secession from Somalia is very hypocritical and politically immature. Situated in northeastern Somalia, Somaliland declared its independence from the rest of Somalia after the fall of the Somali government in 1991. However Somaliland has failed to gain international recognition as a sovereign state

Nevertheless, news reports from the SSC regions of northwestern Somalia have detailed massive strikes against SSC residents, particularly in the city of Buhodle, where pro-Somali unity forces have carried out military operations against Somaliland forces that have forcefully sought to govern the region.

The Somaliland administration bases its borders on antiquated colonial-era boundaries drawn by the British colonial forces, Italians, and French who partitioned Somali inhabited regions among themselves. Shortly after obtaining independence in 1960, British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland joined together to form the Somali Republic. However, the inhabitants of northwestern Somalia (Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn) desire very much to safeguard Somali unity and have on numerous occasions voiced concern over the forceful division and occupation of the SSC regions by Somaliland forces, who seek to secede from Somalia. The attempt by pro-Somaliland clans to force the other clans that want to stay with their Somali brothers has no legal or moral basis and must be condemned by the rest of the Somali people in Somalia.

As stated in the past, Resolve Ogaden Coalition advocates for the right to self-determination for the Somalis of the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia. We also strongly advocate for the rights of oppressed people and nations throughout the Horn of Africa. In that same manner we strongly support the universal rights of the Somalis of SSC, which includes the right of assembly, free speech, and the ability of the people of SSC to determine their own destiny. These are human rights, and they cannot be denied through violence or suppression. Furthermore, it must be noted that the forceful expansion into the regions of SSC clearly violates the basic rights of the residents of SSC, who have made it clear that they want no part in Somaliland’s ideology of secession.

The Somaliland administration must recognize that unity through force cannot and will not bring about peace and stability in the region and will certainly not lead to Somaliland recognition. Furthermore, the people of SSC are entitled to their right to remain with the Republic of Somalia. Somaliland is urged to halt its military operations in the region and to adopt peaceful and democratic measures to resolve the conflict in the SSC regions.

Finally, trying to use the Ethiopian card by claiming that people from the Ogaden are involved in that fight is pathetic, shortsighted, and baseless. Such ill-though utterances will further exacerbate an already murky situation. Therefore, RESOLVE strongly recommends to the Administration in Hargeisa to stop widening the circle of hatred among the Somali people and deal with the issue that is facing it, instead of looking for scapegoats elsewhere. ROC will continue to monitor the situation.