Somaliland: Another Country

[Suldaanka]

Gaurdian Unlimited Hargeisa dispatch

 

Somaliland: Another country

 

Somaliland is a beacon of stability in Africa but lack of international recognition is holding it back, writes Xan Rice

 

Wednesday April 19, 2006

 

 

It was the little things: smiles; handshakes; driving from the airport without an armed escort; seeing a traffic warden, a public library, a government ministry building; not seeing a gun or hearing a gunshot. Even the weather seemed pleasantly different: a cool breeze floated over Hargeisa at night.

 

According to the map, this was still Somalia. Yet it felt like another country. "Because it is!" said Abdirahman Awil, a small, balding man who had invited me into his restaurant, suddenly becoming animated. "Somaliland is not Somalia - 100% of us know that, even 120%!"

 

The rest of world, however, is not so sure. Since 1991, Somaliland, the former British protectorate perched awkwardly on the north-western shoulder of Somalia, has claimed independence - and seen its claims ignored.

 

Yet each year, the call for sovereignty grows louder and the case grows stronger. For while Somalia continues to display all the signs of a model failed state, setting a post-second world war record for a country without an effective national government (15 years, three months and counting), Somaliland has achieved a level of stability and governance that puts many African countries to shame.

 

Since its split from the rest of Somalia in 1991, there have been three democratic elections in the breakaway state, the latest, in October last year, witnessed and commended by international observers. Clan divisions have been softened, and 50,000 fighters disarmed. Somaliland also has its own currency, its own passport and a growing economy that is not dependent on donor aid.

 

A quick glance at its history shows why Somaliland is so desperate to be on its own: having gained independence in June 1960, the former British Somaliland had six days of sovereignty before embracing the dream of a "greater Somalia" in the horn of Africa, formed by merging with Somalia, which had shaken off Italian rule.

 

The marriage soon soured, however, and then deteriorated rapidly under the reign of Mohamed Siad Barre, who took over the Somali presidency in a 1969 coup. Power, and the plum jobs, remained in the capital, Mogadishu; in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa, resentment and armed opposition grew to the marginalisation by Barre.

 

Chastened, Barre decided to teach the Somalilanders a lesson. In 1988, bombers started taking off at Hargeisa's main airport and then dropping their payload on the homes below; artillery finished the job. About 50,000 people died, killed by their own government.

 

Today, Hargeisa has been completely rebuilt, largely with money from the diaspora in the US and Europe. But memories of 1988 will not fade soon. Perched on a plinth in the middle of town is a MiG fighter shot down during the fighting. It is a symbol of fierce intent. For Somalilanders, who formally asserted their desire for independence in a 2001 referendum, there is no going back.

 

"We are free and will remain so," said the Somaliland president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, last year. "My country will not talk to Somalia about unity, but we may talk about being good neighbours."

 

But will international recognition ever arrive? Opposition from Somalia's fragile transitional federal government is a significant stumbling block. Several African states, including South Africa and Ethiopia, are sympathetic to Somaliland's claim but reluctant to cause a diplomatic ruckus. Western nations are even more cautious.

 

So it is left to the African Union (AU) to take the lead. The AU's charter includes a provision that colonial-era boundaries should not be redrawn without consent from all the parties - in this case, Somalia and Somaliland. The clause was designed to prevent a flood of applications from secessionist movements around the continent seeking to redraw the often bizarre and illogical colonial borders.

 

But as Somaliland's foreign minister, Edna Adan Ismail, frequently points out, there is a way around this. During Somaliland's few days of independence in 1960 - before it merged with Somalia - it had the very colonial-era borders to which it now seeks to return. This means that, technically, the AU could recognise Somaliland without breaching its charter.

 

Recently, the AU has made some very positive noises. Last year it sent a delegation to Somaliland, and the team concluded that the claim for recognition was "historically unique and self-justified in African political history. As such, the AU should find a special method of dealing with this outstanding case."

 

Despite the progress, Somalilanders remain a frustrated lot. Until there is formal international recognition, there can be no access to lenders such as the World Bank and the IMF (though there are some who say aid may harm the momentum achieved so far through self-sufficiency).

 

For Mr Awil, the lack of international investment is more of a problem. Rumours abound of possible oil reserves, but no foreign company has stepped in to examine them. "Who wants to invest in a country that is not internationally recognised?" asked Mr Awil. "No one: it is too risky. That's what is really holding us back."

[ElPunto]

Originally posted by Suldaan Nacasdiid:

Recently, the AU has made some very positive noises. Last year it sent a delegation to Somaliland, and the team concluded that the claim for recognition was "historically unique and self-justified in African political history. As such, the AU should find a special method of dealing with this outstanding case."

 

Despite the progress, Somalilanders remain a frustrated lot. Until there is formal international recognition, there can be no access to lenders such as the World Bank and the IMF (though there are some who say aid may harm the momentum achieved so far through self-sufficiency).

 

For Mr Awil, the lack of international investment is more of a problem. Rumours abound of possible oil reserves, but no foreign company has stepped in to examine them. "Who wants to invest in a country that is not internationally recognised?" asked Mr Awil. "No one: it is too risky. That's what is really holding us back."

I'm afraid I don't get it - loans and investments are made to and in regions/provinces around the world - why can't IMF/World Bank etc treat Somaliland as that. It seems to me Somaliland's political status is less of an issue than these mulitlateral organizations desire to lend to and invest in S/L.

[Suldaanka]

There are other issues involved. Issues like Insurance, Banking and the like...

 

The WB & IMF work hand in hand with the UN and only do business where the UN gives the greenlights...

 

Anyways... I think SL doesn't need any WB or IMF "hoo oo ku go' " loans. Hadii dal meel ku gaadhi lahaa, Afrika ayay ka muuqanlahayd.

[NASSIR]

"So it is left to the African Union (AU) to take the lead. The AU's charter includes a provision that colonial-era boundaries should not be redrawn without consent from all the parties - in this case, Somalia and Somaliland."

 

 

Suldaan, two questions need be considered and I believe that if these two things are paid attention and addressed, everything will be solved.

 

 

"Somaliland", a tribal entity today If we ignore its historical significance has no marked border boundaries.

 

Truth is that the last government of Somalia built the infrastructure that 'Somaliland' boasts of having today and of which has so far sustained its competitive nature and existence. The British, you so proud of its colony, has never dared venturing the reconstruction and development of the region even after its 21 years struggle with Sayid Mohammed Abdulle Hassan who fought for the independence of our country.

 

 

If you could only, you or OOdweyne, explain to me why the British obviated the need for developing the region. It came, collected the supplies of meat for its troops based in Aden, created more havoc to our people, secretly signed illegal treaties with Ethiopia only to hand over our territories (remember, a large portion of your clan territory is now under the Ethiopian rule), and is still on the pursuit of our division.

 

 

There will never be recognition as long as there are Sool and Sanaag populace, two regions of Puntland. Recognition, if ever granted, would also lead to a tribal war, so it is better and wise that we avoid our internal disagreements and unite as one people. The same reason the Somali clan in Hargeisa and Burco want to secede makes Somalis in Sanaag and Sool to remain with their brethren

[Gordon Gekko]

Somaliland will never be a "country" as western media occasionaly rant about. It's a state and nothing more.

[Suldaanka]

Caamir

First of all, if Somaliland was tribal, it would have operated like Puntland. Like Puntland, it would have only laid claims to undefinable clan borders, which we know overlap with one another. And yes like Puntland, key positions of authority would have been divided up along clan lines, e.g. The President would go to a certain clan nomatter what, the vice president would go to another clan, the parliamentary speaker would go to yet another clan etc etc... and each clan can not assume another's position.

 

But sxb, that is not Somaliland. There is not such thing as clan positions. Each and every position is contestable, and each and every clan can assume any position in Somaliland, from the highest office in the country (President) to the lowest (Civilservant) or soldiers....

 

 

Below is a picture of 3 academics, 2 of them Somalilanders. One (with white top) is from Lasqorey (Eastern Sanaag) Dr. Mohamed Saeed Gees ( former Somaliland Foreign Minister 2000-2003, currently head of the Somaliland Academy for Peace and Development), And the other is from Borama (Awdal) Dr. Mohamed-Rashiid Sheekh Xassan. The other academic is the Kenyan Prof. Masrui (with the two books). All three are working hard for Somaliland, and guess what? non of them are from Burao and Hargeisada ku indho tirtay.

 

picture is too big for the window

 

Therefore, sxb, although you are the master to your own believes, and there is no one other than you who can change what you believe in. Yet realities on the ground are somethings that are bound to hit you on the face, sooner or later. Accepting that reality, is something of totally different matter. But let me tell you this, Somaliland is a country whose people want to set themselves free of clanism. Take that however you like it.

 

And yes, Somliland's recognition is ONLY a matter of when, and not if. The wishes and aspirations of the majority of the people of Somaliland will previal. That I have no doubts at all.

[ElPunto]

Suldaan,

 

It's so funny that you oppose the denigration of Somaliland but to defend it you go on to denigrate Puntland. Stop!

 

All Qabiilists: Regardless of your position on Somaliland separation - just seek to defend clans/regions/Somalis on their own merits and leave it at that.

[Duco Qabe]

The AU and the UN or the Arab League for that matter are international organizations. They do not recognize a country on their own. So whether Somaliland is recognized or not depends on the member states not on the organizations. In the case of the AU it needs the recognition of a majority of the member states to approve if such a motion is tabled, for Somaliland to get a status in the AU.

 

As far as the AU mission report which we were told is favorable to Somaliland by non other than one of the so called foreign pens working their best to dismantle our nation, while they fight to the end for the unity of their countries is said to be bogus. Many people requested that report from AU secretariat and were told that no such a report exists. Otherwise, please stop the nonsense.

 

So if the secessionists have the original report of the AU, not what was written by Iqbal Jzhasby on the Somali websites such as Wardheernews let them share with the public. For a further info on this subject read this Article by Ali Guled on the Kulmiye Pary website ( http://kulmiye.com/news.asp?p=03022600&cat=oa)

 

Duco Qabe

[Duco Qabe]

The AU and the UN or the Arab League for that matter are international organizations. They do not recognize a country on their own. So whether Somaliland is recognized or not depends on the member states not on the international organizations. In the case of the AU it needs the recognition of a majority of the member states to approve if such a motion is tabled.

 

As far as the AU mission report which we were told is favorable to Somaliland by non other than one of the so called foreign pens working their best to dismantle our nation, while they fight to the end for the unity of their countries is said to be bogus. Many people requested that report from the AU secretariat and were told that no such report exists.

 

So if the secessionists have the original report of the AU, not what was written by Iqbal Jzhasby on the Somali websites such as Wardheernews let them share with the public or stop spreading those lies. For further info on this subject read the article entitled “The Blind Leading the Blind†By Ali Guled which was published on the official site of Kulmiye Party (http://kulmiye.com/news.asp?p=03022600&cat=oa).

 

Duco Qabe

[Suldaanka]

^^having a hard time digesting it, are we?

 

My friend, there was a reason why Somaliland formally applied for AU membership earlier in the year.

 

ps

here is one more person you might start to hating on.