Tribute to Somaliland Traditional Elders… #18MAY2020

Somaliland recovered its sovereignty after defeating the army of the Siyad Barre dictatorship and evicting it from its territory in 1991. Thread 1/n

This military victory was achieved by the determination of its people and the long and bitter war of liberation waged on their behalf by the SNM. 2/n

However, the establishment of a civilian government, the disarming of the victorious guerrilla army and the reconciliation among the people of the country was achieved by the traditional leaders, which took upon themselves the responsibility to avoid bloodshed....

.....and chart a path to peace and progress for their people. 3/n

This unprecedented and noble mission is unique in modern history in societies torn apart by years of conflict and state sponsored genocide. The only modern parallel in Africa is the reconciliation process undertaken by the Rwandan rebels .4/n

It is important to point out that the traditional leaders could not have accomplished the unique success they formulated in Somaliland without the enthusiastic support and goodwill of the vast majority of the ordinary people. 5/n

What is critical however, is tht they correctly perceived th dangers inherent in permitting th victorious guerrillas 2 determine the future of the country, while at the same time understanding that a peaceful and viable nation could only be formed thrgh national reconciliation 6/

These wise and thoughtful elders, the vast majority of which lacked a modern education, were nevertheless statesmen of the highest order, on a par with Rousseau, Jefferson, Franklin and Mandela. 7/n