The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau House of Commons Parliament Buildings Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

[Deeq A.]

The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau

House of Commons

Parliament Buildings

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

June,17 2019

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

I write to you on behalf of Roadmap to Recognition. We are a group of twenty Somaliland Canadians residing in Canada from coast to coast. We would like to draw your attention to the concerns of Somalilanders in Canada.

We strongly feel that Canada has more to do for Somaliland’s plea for the recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state. The current 5th government was elected by one person one vote.

Somaliland has fulfilled all prerequisites and requirements to be recognized as a sovereign country. Canada ought to be a champion and rally for “The Best Kept Secret in Africa” as one of the most renown academic leaders, Iqbal Jhazbhay, described Somaliland in his 2009 book. Peter Pham, a current undersecretary of the Trump administration in the United States, has written extended books and articles on Somaliland’s achievements. The time for Somaliland to be brought into the tent of the global communities is long overdue.

We believe we deserve that recognition and the world must pay attention to us.

The Canadian Government has recognized Eritrea that seceded from Ethiopia (1993) and South Sudan that seceded from Sudan (2011). Somaliland has a more compelling case in comparison to Eritrea and South Sudan.

Our request is for the Canadian Government to give us a chance to demonstrate how Somaliland is a leader in the peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa, one of the most volatile regions in the world. Simply ignoring Somaliland will not serve any purpose.

Almost 60% of Somaliland’s population are under the age of thirty-four. Due to high unemployment, frequent droughts and a lack of global recognition, young people are especially vulnerable. Often, they are compelled to risk their lives by traveling to North Africa. Many will take a make-shift boat from Libya across the Mediterranean to Europe for greater opportunity. They risk their safety and their lives. In addition, a vast majority could become radicalized by the lawless tribes in Libya.
Somaliland is more democratic and peaceful than the majority of our neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland has thus far conducted five democratic, free and fair elections the last of which was the 2017 Presidential election. On a one person, one vote system.

Somaliland is not separating from Somalia, it’s merely reclaiming it’s independence from the illegal and ill-fated union with Italian-Somaliland . Prior to 1960, Somaliland was a separate entity called Somaliland Protectorate under the British rule. It had it’s own boundaries demarcated by the two colonial European powers, Somaliland under Britain, likewise Somalia under Italy.

On June 26th, 1960, Somaliland gained it’s independence from Britain, five days before the Italian trusteeship of Italian-Somaliland gained it’s own independence from Italy. At that time, thirty-five countries in the United Nations recognized Somaliland as an independent country and made Somaliland a member of the general assembly of the United Nations for the 5 days as a sovereign state.

Unfortunately, the misguided fervor of “pan-Somalism” forced Somaliland into an ill-considered and hasty union Italian-Somaliland in the search of a “greater Somalia” , consisting of the Somali regions including , the Northern Frontier District, Djibouti and the Hawd/Ogaden, in East Africa. Ironically, there’s no ratification agreement for the defunct union signed by either party. For this reason, Somaliland was able to withdraw from the union with Somalia unilaterally and is still advocating for countries like Canada to recognize its sovereignty.

Somaliland withdrew from the union with Somalia in 1991 after the dictatorial Siyad Barre regime collapsed and completely disintegrated. On that day, the “Somali Republic” formed by the union of Somaliland and Somalia, become null and void.

Somaliland has continually claimed it’s independence from a failed state of Somalia. Somaliland has an enormous expectations from Canada to lead the way for full de-jure recognition of our independence. Canada must do more for Somaliland.

Canada has been historically known as an international champion in safeguarding human rights, democratic values and justice. Again, Canada ought to take Somaliland’s ultimate ambition into consideration.
Somaliland held a referendum in 2001-2002 to test public opinion on how to best move forward. The outcome was overwhelmingly against reviving the defunct union with Somalia. That was seventeen years ago. The youngest eligible voters back then now are in the mid-thirties and we have not yet gained global recognition. There will always be social, economic and cultural ties with Somalia, as with all the countries in the region, but there will never be another political union. The people of Somaliland have made that abundantly clear, and democracy is the voice and the will of the people.

If Canada is reluctant to recognize Somaliland as an independent sovereign nation, we recommend Canada’s foreign affairs minister, The Honorable Chrystia Freeland consider the following:

A) Send a fact-finding mission to Somaliland to understand the sociopolitical situation on the ground.
B) Initiate an international conference on Somaliland issues and invite all stakeholders to Ottawa.
C) Allow participants to present their case to assist you in arriving at an unbiased decision.
In the meantime, we as a group are willing to work with the Canadian Government in every way we can. We trust that as a fair-minded leader, you will reach a fair decision by taking the necessary steps to recognize the Somaliland Republic as a sovereign nation. Ultimately, this will allow Somaliland to be a permanent member of the United Nations. Somaliland will be a great ally to Canada and all the democratic nations of the world.

Somaliland made several attempts to present its case at the African Union and the Arab League without success. Most African and Arab League countries are not democratic nations. Consequently, they are inherently non-supportive of Somaliland’s democratic system and the rule of law.

Somaliland has made great progress since 1991. It has its own currency, secure borders with immigration control, well monitored coastline, police force, military capabilities, banking system and accepts refugees from around the world, including Syria and Yemen. Just like Canada has.

We have been able to negotiate international treaties with DP World and recently signed an agreement, between Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates and Somaliland worth a half billion dollars US.
Seven countries have permanent consulates in Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland, and more to follow. Several major energy companies are planning to explore off-shore gas with the goal of pumping commercial grade gas. The People’s Republic of China is currently having talks with the Somaliland Government to be a commercial and economical partner. A company from the Singapore is constructing a refinery near Berbera on the Gulf of Aden.

Somaliland is situated in a very strategic location in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia relies heavily on the “Berbera corridor” to transport goods from the hinterland to the port of Berbera and vice-versa. There are a lot of opportunities for Canadian companies in the technology sector. Most of Somaliland’s natural resources remained untapped. Canadian companies would benefit if and when Canada makes it’s presence felt in Somaliland.

We appreciate your consideration and look forward to continuing the discussion. Please contact us at 1 780 399 5214.

Sincerely,

Somaliland Advocacy Group

Canada

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