(M e d e s h i)Sanaagland: Neglected by its own people
Sanaagland is the largest region of Somaliland, and it is also the most neglected. This disregard has been ongoing since Independence, but most of the current blame falls upon Sanaaglanders themselves. Many have migrated to the western part of Somaliland or further, and invested both money and time away from home.
Sanaagland is the largest region of Somaliland, and it is also the most neglected. This disregard has been ongoing since Independence, but most of the current blame falls upon Sanaaglanders themselves. Many have migrated to the western part of Somaliland or further, and invested both money and time away from home.
(Photo: sheep housed in one of Dayaha school dormitories )
Expatriates from Sanaag can be found in North America, Europe and Asia. For example, most of the Somali workers in the UAE originate from Sanaag and are among those who have the highest incomes. When these expatriates send money home, build houses and settle their children in Somaliland, Hargeisa is a more popular choice than their native area of Sanaagland. One of the reasons behind this is that the government of Somaliland has concentrated almost all development projects in the capital city and its environs, rather than sharing the national income equally with other regions.
The lack of interest showed by Sanaaglanders in their homeland can also be blamed in large part on the underdeveloped transport infrastructure. Accessibility by road is often tiresome and time-consuming: overland access to Erigavo, the capital of Sanaagland, takes at least 12 hours on the nearest tarmac road that connects Burao and Lasaanod to Mogadishu. This has a negative impact on business development, as merchants have to use other means of transport, such as expensive air travel. Cash crops cannot be exported to west Somaliland due to lack of accessibility; for example, the famous cabbage farm owned by Mohamed Jama has been abandoned. Farmers have to divert their sales to Bossaso which is hostile to Somaliland.
Expatriates from Sanaag can be found in North America, Europe and Asia. For example, most of the Somali workers in the UAE originate from Sanaag and are among those who have the highest incomes. When these expatriates send money home, build houses and settle their children in Somaliland, Hargeisa is a more popular choice than their native area of Sanaagland. One of the reasons behind this is that the government of Somaliland has concentrated almost all development projects in the capital city and its environs, rather than sharing the national income equally with other regions.
The lack of interest showed by Sanaaglanders in their homeland can also be blamed in large part on the underdeveloped transport infrastructure. Accessibility by road is often tiresome and time-consuming: overland access to Erigavo, the capital of Sanaagland, takes at least 12 hours on the nearest tarmac road that connects Burao and Lasaanod to Mogadishu. This has a negative impact on business development, as merchants have to use other means of transport, such as expensive air travel. Cash crops cannot be exported to west Somaliland due to lack of accessibility; for example, the famous cabbage farm owned by Mohamed Jama has been abandoned. Farmers have to divert their sales to Bossaso which is hostile to Somaliland.
Another factor is that the Hargeisa-based government discourages aid directed towards Sanaagland, under the pretext that the East is not stable. The government claims that it cannot guarantee the safety of aid workers who could deliver desperately needed medical and humanitarian assistance to the Sanaagland people. Sanaagland has the highest rate of infant mortality in Somaliland due to lack of medical care and qualified doctors.
Education is another area of concern in Sanaagland. Dayaha Intermediate school was built by the British in the colonial era, and is the alma mater of most educated middle aged Sanaaglanders. The school has been extensively looted, partially demolished and is currently being used as a shelter for livestock by pastoralists. Students now have to travel a long distance on the rough Garadag road in order to attend higher education in Hargeisa.
Sanaagland is fortunate enough to have an abundance of water and a fertile landscape. Sanaaglanders need to return to their native land and contribute to alleviating the suffering of its people, rather than always looking to Hargeisa. Regardless of clan or district, the people of Sanaag must come together to ensure a better future for this most beautiful but neglected part of Somaliland.
Written by : M. Ali with editing of Sarah Howard
8 Comments:
This comment was sent by Askar through E-mail:
Dear Med Ali;
I thank you very much for your concerns on the plight of the Sanaag people. Nevertheless, I would like to inform that we had already initiated an effort to organise people fr Sanaag, whether in Diaspora or in the country, to assist in local development initatives and projects. The 14 Parliament Members fr Sanaag in the Somaliland House of Representative have establishd a network; Sanaag Community Development (SACOD) Network, which primerily provides an institutional framework for wider campiagn for advocating and supporting development initiatives in Sanaag region.
The SACOD Network would organize its 2nd Annual Meeting in Erigavo in December 2009, and would like all those wish to attend or make contributions for those attending the meeting to contact me. The meeting will be expected to attend by people from wide defferent backgrounds; including political and community leaders, businesses representatives, and other prominent leaders and individuals, living in either aboad or in the country.
On behalf of the Steering Committee of SACOD Network, I would like to welcome you and other to join our network and all work for the development of our beutifull region. I once again congratulate you with the bold steps taken towards persuing a common goal for developing our region and pople.
Keep on the good work!,
Abdulkadir Askar (MP)
Another comment via e-mail:
Hi All
Thank you guys for expressing your concerns regarding Sanaag. I personally don't hail from that region but I have always said that Sanaag needs to be linked to the rest of Somaliland. And what I mean by linking is that it [Sanaag] has to be made easily accessible.
I am great advocate of giving the first priority to the road that links Erigavo to the rest of the country via Burao.. We may all have different views as to how best to develop the region but, to my opinion, you cannot improve the economic situation of any country, or region for that matter, without having proper infrastructure. In this particular case i believe that an utmost priority should be given to how to improve the road I have just mentioned.
To give you an example of how important it is to have a proper road network let us look at Mohamed's e-mail. He has inserted a beautiful picture of well-fed livestock. How long do you think it will take to get that sheep to the nearest international markets (say to the Gulf states) if we haven't got any good roads? The answer is days if not weeks and the poor animal will lose it value drastically while its in transit.
Similarly, I believe that Sanaag can feed the rest of Somaliland with fruits and vegetables but again the same problem - farmers in Sanaag cannot take their yield to any where because of lack accessibility.
Of course, it goes without saying that health, education and all the other sectors of the economy are also just as important.
Any way, count me in and let me know if you think I can help and I will try to get involved in whatever shape or form that I can.
Ahmed Yussuf
Manama - Bahrain
Ahmed Quick of Ottawa also supported this call but unfortunately I could not retrieve his E-mail..
Dear Mr. Ali,
I have really enjoyed reading your article and I will share it with any one that I know. There are many highly educated Sanaaggalians and in particular Erigabians who live here where I live now which is in the new world. Although I am from the western regions of somaliland, I am a concerned Somalilander who cares all the regions of Somaliland. Don't get discouraged despite the overwhelming difficulties that region's people are facing at this trying times. What you are doing is nobel and I wish well and others like you.
Mohamed , USA
Thanks Mo for your encouragement and support of this noble cause for Sanaag region of Somaliland. Please join SACOD Network (As shown in the above comment )which has been set up by 14 MPs from Sanaag to facilitate the development work needed in this beautiful region.
M.Ali
Medeshi webmaster
Seceding from somaliland is not going to a magic cure. Alone sanaag will be too remote and sparsely populated to have a thriving economy. Instead i urge everyone and anyone who cares about Sanaag (including myself) to try and raise awareness, money and persuade the government and diaspora to invest in sanaag. It is one of the remaining, unexploited frontiers in somaliland, Sanaag could provide yet another boost to somaliland's economy. It has abundant resources that could provide jobs, tax revenue and improve the macro-economy. Resources incluse (possibly) oil, Minerals, Livestock, Agriculture, forestry and tourism. Having seen sanaag from the many videos on youtube it is absolutely beautiful, comparable to many of africas renowned beauty spots.
So, divided we fall, together we stand. The current governement has neglected the region. SO; elect a new party in the elections. And participate in politics and with the diaspora to make a difference.
'Independence' is not in the interst of Sanaag and it's people, do not fall prey to the indifference of those who have their own interests at heart.
Oh. And, please, the naam is Sanaag.
The name has always been Sanaagland except to those who are not from Sanaagland. Anyone who can remember Tabaa (Tabca), Medeshi, Maid, Hiis (Xiis), Jiidali , Laasasurad or Surad itself cannot deny the name Sanaagland for this country that is in the making.
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