Ever since Mudane Silaanyo’s damaging remarks on his continued belief in a “federal Somalia” after almost 20 years of independence and self-determination: the  KULMIYE party has been engaged in a damage limitation mode. After the initial furore and the countless articles on Mudane Silaanyo’s comments, (pro or con), many in the party hierarchy had hoped that the worst was behind them. Not, so fast. A few days ago, a new hat was thrown into the ring defending the redoubtable Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), a stalwart Somaliland political foe, if there ever was one.

This particular hat belongs to Dr.Ahmed Mohamed Dirie; affectionately know as “Nac-nac”. Dr. Mohamed Dirie is an honourable member of the Somaliland House of Representative and a KULMIYE party member.

Dr. Mohamed Dirie took the time from his busy schedule to defend Mudane Silaanyo’s remarks, although, Dr. Dirie himself stated categorically that he doesn’t belief in a “federal Somalia”. But, even more illuminating was the good doctor’s defence of Mudane Silaanyo and his foreign affairs spokesman, Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omar, meeting with the erstwhile congressman from New Jersey.

Dr. Dirie stated that “Somaliland stands to gain from the meeting with the congressman, and that the Somaliland government was wrong not to attend the hearing on Somalia requested by the congressman’s sub-committee”.

This particular hearing in question was to discuss the situation in Somalia regarding the political crisis and the surge in terrorism in Somalia, not Somaliland, but Somalia.

The invited guests were Somaliland, TFG, Puntland and Uganda. The TFG entity had a stake in the hearing, (even though its then foreign minister, Mr. Oomar refused to attend due to Somaliland’s presumed attendance), because their existence is on the line. Puntland had an interest in the hearing, because the administration there still considers itself part of Somalia and Uganda also, because its armed forces form the majority of Amison in Mogadishu.

Somaliland had no stake in the hearing, aside from the possibility of a few silver dollars in “congress earmarks”. Somaliland, rightly said, “Thanks, but no thanks”.

Now, Dr. Dirie and many of the KULMIYE leadership state that Somaliland should have attended this meeting, as a diplomatic gesture, and when Somaliland arrived at the hearing, declare “Somaliland is a sovereign nation, and has no desire to interfere in the internal affairs of another nation”. As diplomatic gestures go, this one is pretty spineless.

It is much better to be bold and say, “Somaliland sees no reason to attend a hearing on a brother nation, Somalia. If the sub-committee would like to discuss Somaliland, then Somaliland should be invited on its own”. This was exactly what the Somaliland government said and did.

Naturally, the congressman was not best pleased. He huffed and puffed, and threatened all manner of opprobrium on Somaliland.

Suffice to say; just a few days ago, Somaliland’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdillahi Mohamed Duale met with Ambassador John Carson, Assistant Secretary of State in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. So much for the congressman’s threats.

Somaliland was right to turn down the invitation to that particular hearing and Somaliland is aware of Congressman Payne’s “federalist” agenda.

Only those who defend Mudane Silaanyo’s remarks and his photo-op with Congressman Payne either implicitly support the “federalist” agenda or are out of touch.

So, as the KULMIYE patriotic faction remains silent, the party under its current visionless and discredited leadership is losing support and momentum.

Previous articles have called on the likes of Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse, Mr. Muse Bihi, Mr. Abdilaziz Samale, Mr. Baashe Mohamed and others, to take control of the party before its too late, but it is now clear, that they are bidding their time, and are hoping to pick up the pieces.

Hopefully, it won’t be too late.

By Cali M. Abokor

Email: ruraledcomm@yahoo.co.uk