Postby RuralMan08 » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:43 am
Do not believe these mirqaan talks sxb, this is how Somaliland was built and the SNM were not a major part in it, this is from their own website:
An Alternative Approach – The Borama Conference
Some of the inter-clan conflicts escalated into all out wars with the deployment of heavy weaponry on each side and substantial casualties not only among the militias, but also among the civilian population. Against this backdrop of a rapidly escalating anarchy, the SNM government proved ineffectual with its own ministers’ active in the clan wars. By the end of 1992, the level of anarchy in Somaliland was comparable to that in Somalia to the south, and it was in this atmosphere of clan conflict and anarchy that the elders of the country decided to take a courageous and historic step to stop the madness. They decided to convene a national conference of all the clans and communities that inhabit Somaliland to discuss and settle all outstanding grievances between them in an atmosphere of fraternity and open dialogue. To this end, they deliberately choose to focus upon the traditional, social, political and religious representatives of the clans, i.e. the elders, largely honorary sultans, businessmen, intellectuals and poets. The Gadabursi clan, which was largely absent from the ranks of the SNM, offered to host the conference at Borama, which is the capital in the predominantly Gadabursi Awdal region.
It is extremely noteworthy that the Borama Conference was conceived, organised and held outside the auspices of the ineffectual SNM government in Hargeisa, as well as the leaders of the various clan militias (many of whom comprised the leadership of the SNM military wing and were thus the heroes of the liberation war against the Siyad Barre dictatorship) were not given a prominent role. It is equally noteworthy that there was no formal, preset agenda for the conference, nor was there a preset time deadline to which the participants had to adhere. Neither was there any formal delegate procedure by which the participants were determined by any external body, rather, each clan was free to choose its representation as it saw fit. Thus, the Borama Conference became the first time in modern history, and perhaps ever, that all of the clans of Somaliland gathered together to discuss their differences and how they were going to live together in the future. It was truly a unique and historic exercise in indigenous, democratic, open, political debate, which harked back to the traditional, Somali practise of settling clan disputes through dialogue at meetings held under the shade of a tree. This firm grounding in local culture and history, not to mention the deliberate absence of foreign influence and interference, enabled the conference to secure the support and participation of all the clans in a an open and fraternal spirit.
The Borama Conference lasted some four months and all outstanding issues between the clans were discussed and debated in the most open and inclusive manner possible. Thus, issues relating to the Siyad Barre era as well as recent disputes and conflicts were openly and fully aired. True to Somali, nomadic tradition many minor and major disputes between particular clans were discussed and settled in bilateral meetings between their elders and representatives, while other, more intractable or more emotive ones, between particular clans were discussed and resolved through the mediation of neutral, third parties. The conference was hugely successful in its aim of settling all outstanding issues between the Somaliland clans, and it resulted in an agreement to secede from Somalia by reclaiming the sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland which had united with Somalia in 1960 in an Act of Union that had never been ratified by the people of Somaliland. The major conclusions of the Borama Conference which all the clans solemnly vowed to be bound are listed below:
Establishment of the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign, democratic nation with separation of powers between an executive lead by the Presidency, a legislature comprising two houses with law promulgation powers and a judiciary with national and regional courts.
Agreement that all political disputes between the clans related to the Siyad Barre era are considered settled and closed forever and will never be raised again for discussion or settlement.
Agreement on a blanket amnesty for all Somaliland citizens which had worked for the Siyad Barre dictatorship in any capacity and the immunity of these citizens from all future legal proceedings and diya (blood-money) claims.
Establishment of a legislature comprising a House of Representatives in which each clan was allocated a fixed number of seats to be filled at its own determination, and a House of Elders (Guurti) with similar clan allocation rules. The Guurti was envisaged as a body to review laws enacted by the House Representatives to ensure that these laws did not contravene the agreements of the Borama Conference, Somali culture and the Muslim religion. The House of Representatives was charged with electing a new President who would then form a government, which would be presented to the legislature for ratification.
Agreement to establish a national army to which each clan would contribute its weaponry, particularly the heavy weapons, and some of its militia cadres, with those not absorbed in the said army disbanded and reintegrated into civil society.
Somaliland.org