For European countries, every nation can contribute pouring...

Assallamu-Alleikum Wr Wbr;

 

 

 

Long ago, when I first wrote this piece, I had a vision: to use the 18th May as a catalyst for building a better Somaliland.

 

 

Back then, I wanted this day not just to be about remembrance, but about action about mobilizing Somalilanders everywhere to invest in their nation’s future. Today, I still believe this can happen.

 

 

Instead of just a glamorous or empty celebration, let us make this day a call to action.

 

 

For example, in the UK, where many Somalilanders reside, let’s raise funds for hospitals and health centers. In the US, let’s support wells for clean water.

 

 

For European countries, every nation can contribute pouring not just money, but a shared purpose so that our youth thrive and our future rises.

 

 

 

 

 

Let 18th May be a catalyst for fostering national unity and collective progress for a more prosperous Somaliland

 

 

Each and every year on the 18th May, we the people of Somaliland remember, we will always remember the mothers and fathers who laid down their lives for peace and progress of this honourable nation. We always remember these fallen heroes and heroines because of their loyal contribution. Saeed Furaa

 

 

Today the history of our beloved country is written as a result of their hands, we remember them because our history is written by their toil and misery. We remember them because their hunger to give us equal opportunities is unmatched, we remember because they taught us to change the world with words and not with guns, we remember because we cannot afford to forget.

 

 

It is my greatest hope that this year’s anniversary (18th May 2026) could be different in that we can remember our duties to continue writing and teaching our history to the young and the frail, so they can take pride in their historical identity as the people of courage and wisdom, because those who fell taught them better.

 

 

Anniversaries are not supposed to be fashion shows or just happy moments, but a chance to reflect about whom we are and who we want to be.

 

 

When the 18th May 2026 arrives (insha allah), I hope we could all of us remember where we come and where we want to go as the people of Somaliland. When we celebrate we must ask ourselves: "how will history remember us?” will it remember us as fashionable people who gathers to entertain large audience by dancing or just singing with no modest, or as people of duty to a country? Will people in centuries to come speak about our names or they will never know we existed?

 

 

As the co-founder of Somaliland Community in Southern Africa, I will commemorate and remember the befallen this year because it is the right thing to do. I believe that when this year’s anniversary comes we all must ask ourselves what we can do for Somaliland. Personally I think we can do more as the people of the Diaspora. I think we can make significant changes to the lives of the many and millions by constantly talking and urging other nations to take cognizance of our strides as the Somaliland people in as far as peace stability is concerned and economic attempts in reconstruction.

 

 

The theme on the forth coming 18th May, should be CHANGE, I am ardent believer in socio-political and economical change in Somaliland and civic duty and I believe we have the resources to foster change from where we are. We can do more together.

 

 

I believe Somaliland is fortunate to have us in the Diaspora in order to strengthen foreign relations and support, but to do that we must have common vision.

 

 

Long Live Somaliland

 

 

Saeed Furaa

 

 

South Africa