Introduction

In the last two decades, the history of northern Somalia is troubled by tensions within the sub-clans. In mapping a way through this region, Roobdoon Forum argues that sub-clan rivalries, combined with artificial borders inherited from the colonial European powers, forms part of the responsibility for today`s crisis in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions (SSC) in Somalia.

It was the fall of 2007 when the Isaaq-dominated militia from Hargeysa launched an attack on the town of Laascaanood, thereby beginning their all-out aggression against Sool and Cayn regions. Since then, the Hargeysa militia occupied large territories including the capital of Sool, Laascaanood. They also forcefully occupied the towns and villages of Adhicadeeye, Yagoori, Widhwidh, Ballihadhac, Kalshaale, Hagoogane, and Meygaagle etc. In these areas, a belief grew that the current Hargeysa-orchestrated skirmish is an Isaaq plot, with its undertones of securing the so-called “Somaliland” borders.

To complete their expansionism scheme, Hargeysa Administration started to implement the policy of eradicating SSC resistance, ordering its militia to carry out very cruel and inhumane “suppression” in areas where resistance against Hargeysa-aggression was very fierce and enforcing the policy of “kill all, and loot all”. The result was that hundreds of Dhulbahante nomads were cruelly slaughtered and/or displaced. In the latest outbreak of fighting, Hargeysa militias who have seized the villages of Kalshaale and Maygaagle in Cayn region went on a rampage, pillaging, and looting.

Hargeysa ruler, Silanyo, has recently declared Kalshaale as a new military base for his forces and transferred the collective responsibility for everything that happened in Kalshaale incident on the shoulders of Buuhoodle people, although it was his clan, Habar Jeclo, who were the aggressors.  

Hargeysa`s wild attempt to use clan militia (Habar Jeclo) to obstruct the SSC unionist cause is just a wishful thinking and will eventually be condemned by history. So far, the SSC people, who suffered immensely from Isaaq militia`s aggression and expansionism, greatly value Somalia`s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The SSC people who have a long patriotic tradition will and certainly can accomplish their country`s unity cause.

For the people of SSC, stopping secession to maintain Somali unity and territorial integrity is a sacred right; and therefore they will not shirk from their obligations of safeguarding national unity. Thus, opposing secession has a profound legal basis both in the international law and in Somalia`s Constitution and/or Charter.

Also, the SSC people have no wish to gain any territory from its neighbors. In contrast, the Isaaqs seek to profit from its aggression by annexing Dhulbahante towns and grazing lands that have always been peaceful areas.

If peace is wanted, then this peace must be achieved by stopping the Hargeysa-aggression and through dialogue, and the dialogue must be held with the people of SSC. Here are glimpses of the latest news coverage that depict a mixture of hope and despair in northern Somalia.