Abdi Daud's Blog

52. Somaliland: The Union That Never Existed and the State That Still Does

Britain recognised Somaliland's sovereignty in 1960, then violated its own treaties by allowing a union that never legally existed. Modern diplomacy continues to endorse this colonial error.

51. Somalia's eVisa Breach: A Second Look

The Somalia eVisa breach represents a national intelligence coup with permanent consequences for thousands, including children whose data remains exposed.

Passport Data Breach Analysis: A Geographic Breakdown

Analysis of a leaked passport database revealing 5,546 compromised Western passports from UK, US, and Australia among 35,417 total documents.

50. Trump's Quick Wins in Africa: Protecting Farmers, Defending Christians, Recognising Democracies

As Trump pursues historic legacy over incremental process, Somaliland recognition offers the rare win-win that creates powerful optics while genuinely improving Africa's geopolitical landscape.

49. Do Somaliland and Ethiopia need another MOU?

The 2024 Somaliland-Ethiopia MOU revealed more about global attitudes towards African sovereignty than its actual contents, exposing the misapplication of territorial integrity whilst demonstrating unexpected international support for Somaliland recognition.

Rubio: Time to Reverse Hillary's Single Somalia Policy and Deliver Bush's Recognition Agenda

The Trump administration must abandon Clinton's failed Single Somalia policy and return to the Bush-era strategy that favoured recognising Somaliland's statehood.

46. A Response to Ambassador Larry André: Why America Should Recognise Somaliland Now

A comprehensive rebuttal to Ambassador Larry André's arguments against Somaliland's recognition, exposing legal, historical, and strategic realities that demand decisive American leadership in the Horn of Africa.

45. Somaliland: The Paragon Lock

When you deny the most legitimate case, you don't eliminate secessionist sentiment; you radicalise it. How Somaliland's treatment teaches potential secessionists that peaceful paths lead nowhere.

44. Somaliland's Status: State Continuity vs Dissolution | De Jure vs. De Facto

An analysis of two competing narratives about Somaliland's status: the continuity position arguing for restoration of pre-existing statehood versus the dissolution narrative. Examining which position is closer to historical and legal facts, has greater global impact, is supported by stronger references, and which Somaliland should pursue to advance recognition.

44. Trump's Recognition of Somaliland: Legally Sound, Strategically Smart

Let’s clarify from the outset: when defining Somaliland, the primary information should be based on established principles of statehood in international law; not media or political perspectives. So, in this context:

43. Beyond Government The Diaspora Imperative For Somaliland Recognition

After years of analysing Somaliland's diplomatic trajectory, a harsh truth has emerged: our government cannot, and will not, deliver recognition alone. The chain of setbacks, from doormat diplomacy to strategic missteps, has revealed a clear reality that the Somaliland political establishment refuses to acknowledge. It is time for a fundamental shift.

42. Somalilands Doormat Diplomacy And The Awakening That Could Save Us

In recent months, Somaliland's new president Irro has embarked on highly publicised visits to Djibouti, Kenya, and most recently Qatar. But instead of reinforcing Somaliland's hard-earned sovereignty, these trips have exposed a dangerous shift in our foreign policy - a shift toward what can only be described as doormat diplomacy. In contrast to previous realism-driven strategies, Irro's administration appears willing to forfeit dignity, leverage, and strategic clarity for symbolic niceties and hollow promises.

41. Somaliland The Rise And Fall Of Doormat Diplomacy

In recent weeks, Somaliland's new president Muse Bihi's successor, Irro, has embarked on highly publicised visits to Djibouti and Kenya. But instead of reinforcing Somaliland's hard-earned sovereignty, these trips have exposed a dangerous shift in our foreign policy - a shift toward what can only be described as doormat diplomacy. In contrast to Bihi's realism-driven strategy, Irro's administration appears willing to forfeit dignity, leverage, and strategic clarity for symbolic niceties and hollow promises.

40. Somaliland: Trump'S Realist Foreign Policy In Action

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39. Somaliland Declaration Of State Continuity 1960 2024

38. Isaaqland � The Mother Of Misconceptions

Yes, culturally, Isaaq is ultimately one large clan. However, one of the biggest misconceptions about Somaliland is considering the Isaaq as a single monolithic clan politically speaking. This has led to even more misconceptions:

37. Why Somaliland Is Not Recognised

Before addressing why Somaliland is not recognised, it's important to ask why this question comes up so often. When you type "Why Somaliland?" into Google, it's the top result, and there's a reason for that.

36. Understanding The Memorandum Of Understanding The August Edition - Enemies Of The Mou

Welcome to the August edition of Understanding the Memorandum of Understanding, where we explore the ongoing aftershocks of the MoU signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia. In this edition, we highlight who is truly against Somaliland’s recognition and by extension the MoU.

35. The Misapplication Of Territorial Integrity

34. Adals Somaliland Fight Against Isolation

33. Ethiopias Interest In Recognising Somaliland

Let's leave out the "he said, she said" of Bloomberg's fake news and discuss real geopolitics.

32. The Daring Somaliland

The government of Somaliland, led by President Bihi, has adopted a bold approach to geopolitics that can be considered a form of shock therapy. This approach has upset China by aligning with Taiwan and has surprised the global community through a significant Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia.

31. Defying Myths The Parallel Paths Of Galileo And Somaliland

Instead of thinking about the Roman Empire, how about if we reflect on Galileo Galilei in the 1500s, Galileo dared to refute that the Sun revolved around the earth, facing scorn for challenging such myth.

30. Rule Based Or Ilhan Based Order

29. Normalise Somalilands Recognition

Since its liberation in 1991 after a brutal struggle, Somaliland has showcased remarkable self-reliance, democracy, and peace in a region typically marked by turmoil. Its unique history lays a solid foundation for its legally uninterrupted independence, offering a beacon of hope in the Horn of Africa. This region is in desperate need of a role model, and the question arises: while not perfect, why does the world deny it when such a role model has been stable for over three decades?

28. Crisis Group Itself Is In Crisis ??????

Dear Crisis Group In your recent episode “Ethiopia’s Push for Sea Access” with Christopher Clapham, you have proclaimed Without presenting any evidence, that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland And Ethiopia will not proceed. This prompts the question: why didn't you host the numerous international relations experts who were either neutral or supportive of the MoU? Furthermore, Somaliland's status, a core issue needing resolution, was not even addressed in your discussion.

27. The Somaliland Ethiopia Mou A New Era In The Horn Of Africa

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the United States have been presenting a misleading narrative to the international community, implying that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia might intensify Al-Shabab's activities. Indeed, it could be argued that Somalia would be better positioned to focus on the formidable task of combating terrorism if it ended its delusion of ruling Somaliland in any real sense.

26. The New Faqash A Critical Look At Somalias Political Choices With Somaliland

After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia, the remnants of the Faqash regime appear to ignore the lessons of Somalia’s collapse under Siyad Barre. His genocidal targeting of Somaliland not only devastated the region but also contributed to Somalia’s status as a failed state. This chapter in history clearly illustrates the dangers of such reckless actions.

47. Welcome to the New Haadka Blog

Introducing our simplified, fast, and beautiful markdown-powered blog system

25. Moussa Fakis Bothsidesism An Inadequate Response To The Horn Of Africas Crisis

45. Building Simple Systems

Why complexity often kills productivity and how to build systems that actually serve you

46. Power Of Writing Daily

How developing a daily writing habit transformed my thinking and communication

24. The Biden Administrations Policy Towards Somaliland A Critical Analysis

23. From Independence To Inspiration Somalilands Recognition Quest

In late 2020, President Trump made an announcement declaring the United States' official recognition of Morocco's claims over Western Sahara. This decision challenged the stances of international organizations such as the United Nations, International Court of Justice, and even the African Union.

22. Somaliland Party Elections Are Hoax

Somaliland politics in 2022 was centred around one question: which elections should come first: presidential elections or party elections. My position has been, we need new parties in Somaliland but we don't need party elections.

21. Somaliland Barwaaqo Political Association Yey Or Ney

2023 is an election year in Somaliland. Two elections are due, party elections and presidential

20. Open Call For Somaliland Democracy Baaqa Diimoqraadiyada Somaliland 2022

We, the Somaliland intellectuals who graduated from universities in our country and abroad, stand and advocate for more democratic Somaliland election laws.

19. Mermaid Source Control Starer

Link to github gist used to keep UML diagrams secure and versioned.

18. My Default Win Apps

At work, I need to set up machines with new partners.

17. Publications On Somaliland Recognition In 2022

My curated list of research papers from academia on Somaliland recognition in 2022

16. Somaliland Recognition 2022 2027

From now and until 2027, forget about something called Somaliland Recognition. That's why I've closed my Twitter account and I am in the process of leaving several Somaliland groups and organisations. I didn't want to share this publicly, but I owe friends some explanation. The close ones know that I have been aiming to quit for some time. So this has nothing to do with any argument with someone but everything to do with Somaliland's foreign policy both from government and opposition.

15. Somaliland Partnership Act & The Solomon Islands

Before highlighting the interests of the United States in a fully recognised Somaliland, there are benefits that Somaliland will continue to guarantee even without any recognition. These include the fight against piracy, anti-terrorism and being a progressive democracy. Often criticised for being a "peacocracy", Somaliland people and government will protect their interior and external peace. Their homegrown democracy stems from their pastoral roots, and that is unlike to change with or without recognition because democracy enables the competing parties to transfer power fairly and peacefully. This ensures that, unlike Somalia, Somaliland will continue to be a reliable partner in the region without causing headaches in keeping the security and peace in the volatile region of the horn of Africa.

14. Open Letter To Media Ir The Quad Should Consider Supporting Somaliland In Melboune Summit

Dear fellow Australian in media, International relations, diplomacy or foreign affairs,

13. Hargeysa Washington Win Win Or No Deal

In recent years, Somaliland recognition has become a hot topic within the circles of US congress, top diplomats, think tanks, and international relations experts. This generated different sets of ideas or roadmaps on how the US should establish formal diplomatic relations with Somaliland.

12. Anchoring On My Uncles' Fairy Tales

Fadhi-ku-dirir (fighting while sitting) is a term used to describe political arguments between Somalilanders which employ rumours and supremacist clan-based fairy tales. Belligerent in nature, fadhi-ku-dirir is merely for entertainment and for the sake of argument itself. From a young age, I was told, don’t take your uncle’s fairy tales seriously.

11. Normalise It Somalia And Somaliland Talks Will Never End

After 10 years of fruitless talks with Somalia, the Somaliland public has expressed its frustration and lack of trust in leadership in Somalia. In this article, I will like to offer four principles that can help guide the decision-makers on the future of these talks.

10. Why Do We Hate Muse Bihi

Much like the late President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, the current President Muse Bihi is not popular with the media and vocal groups in Somaliland. However, it's important to note that the reasons for this differ significantly.

9. Somaliland The Last Intervension In Somalia

Since the collapse of the Somali Republic, nearly every intervention on Somalia by the international community has failed. It started with Operation RESTORE HOPE in 1992 by the US army and it continues now with delayed elections and the prolonged war to eliminate the Al-Shabab terrorist organization. However, there were success stories such as ending the piracy off the shores of Somalia.

8. Why Biden And The Quad Should Recognise Somaliland

Somaliland stands out in several areas in foreign policy that attract the Biden's administration and the Quad (Japan, Australia, India and US). These areas are China, Taiwan, the horn of Africa, Israel, defence and democracy.

7. Reclaiming Somali Aw Barkhadles Script Somali Abs

What is Far Wadaad? Far wadaad or Wadaad's writing is writing Somali language in the Arabic alphabet. It is attributed to Sh Yusuf Al-Kawnayn by M.I. Lewis in his book Saints and Somalis. Since Aw Barkhadle is reported to live in the 13th century, this makes far wadaad the original Somali alphabet

6. Preferential Voting To Fix Somaliland Elections

In the era of late Somaliland President Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, Somalilanders have adopted a constitution that limits the number of political parties to three. This was a lesson learned from the 1969 elections in the Somali republic when 64 parties contested in the elections. These parties were proxies for sub-clans who wanted representation. No one offered political choices based on ideology and policies.

5. Functional C Vs For Foreach

the question I got recently was that for-each will outperform Linq and PLinq as well. So I have conducted a few experiments and the result quite the opposite as I expected.

2. Digital Ocean K8s Merging Config Files

I just got access to Digital Ocean Kubernetes service (still on a limited offer) so my minions there need to get busy!

4. Microsoft In Somaliland Somalia

In August this 2018, I went back to visit my home country Somaliland. It was around the time that a global conference on dotnet was taking place. So, I thought, maybe IT experts can have done one in Somaliland.

3. Running ASP.NET Core App on Azure AKS

This blog post is about how to run aspnetcore application on Azure managed container service AKS using the dotnet based mini blog template.

1. Somaliland Climate 101

Today, I asked the question which is what is the best city in Somaliland in terms of weather? I thought it must be either Sheikh or Daalo mountains but it's neither one of them.