Feb 05, 2014

Somaliland: Stubborn Path Towards Sovereignty


The politically-engaged Ms. Ilham Hasan Aliweid, a former candidate to the local council elections of 2012, is pursuing a symbolical fight by wearing a red head scarf until Somaliland is recognised as an independent state by the international community.

Below is an article published by Somaliland Sun:

Ms Ilham Hasan Aliweid who is a budding female politician based in the capital Somaliland was a candidate in the local council elections of 2012 via RAYS political group and if she had won would have become the youngest female councilor in the country.

Ms Ilham popular known as 'Faleebo' began her public life under the tutelage of former Somalia foreign minister cum deputy premier Ms Fozia Yusuf Haji Aden during her short lived reign over her NDB party in the Republic of Somaliland that failed to pass muster of the Political Parties Registration and Verification Committee.

In the NDB which was the only women led political group in the country, Ms Faleebo was the Private Secretary to the party Boss Fozia Yusuf who later joined the SFG in Mogadishu most likely in protest against her curtailment of her political ambitions by the current Kulmiye party government that went to the extent of ensuring that even courts of law in the land sang their "No Fozia" song.

Though Ms Faleebo had the misfortune of losing her; political mentor and her bid for a seat at the city's municipal council she remains a true daughter of the land and her decision to wear a red head scarf until her country's elusive two decades quest for international recognition is attained.

Somaliland withdrew from its 1960 voluntary union later turned fateful with Somalia –Italia in 1991 after a protracted war waged against the Dictator Siad Barre led Somalia National Army then claimant to title of 2nd strongest army in Africa but annihilated by a Ragtag band of Northern Militias under the banner SNM.

We hope that many other somalilanders both within and without shall emulate Faleebo and design their own ways to pressure the world to recognize Somaliland.