Somaliland: A New Focus On Sub-Saharan Africa Diplomacy

[Deeq A.]

Somaliland: A New Focus On Sub-Saharan Africa Diplomacy

The recent visit to the Republic of Guinea by President Muse Bihi Abdi and the subsequent diplomatic fallout sees a new policy by the administration to engage the Sub-Saharan nations of Africa in the quest for de-jure recognition.

The historic visit which caused the unelected and non-representative federal government of Somalia to commit the diplomatic folly of severing non-existing ties with the Republic of Guinea, makes it crystal clear that the weak entity in Mogadishu does not have any intention of engaging Somaliland to discuss future relations.

On his return to Somaliland, President Muse Bihi Abdi, stated that the Italian government, a former colonial power and a staunch ally of Somalia, extorted enormous pressure on the Guinean government not to receive the Somaliland delegation. This was summarily rejected by the Guinean government.

It is also worth noting that successive Italian governments kept the late former dictator Siyad Barre in power, even whilst his regime systematically destroyed the now defunct Somali Republic. So, there is nothing knew in the Italian political bias against Somaliland.

However, with the recent visit to Niger by the Somaliland Foreign minister, Yasin Hagi Mohamud Hir, “Faraton” to take part in an AU Summit on Commerce, it is evident that Somaliland has decided to put the matter of it’s strong case for de-jure recognition before the African nations.

Whether this bears fruit remains to be seen, even though Somaliland’s case is a unique one which adheres to the treaties on colonial borders in Africa. Somaliland became independent in 1960 and entered into a voluntary union with Somalia to create the now defunct Somali Republic. Somaliland reclaimed it’s independence in 1991.

Qarannews.com

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