Intense diplomacy in Quest for recognition of Somaliland

[Jacaylbaro]

Today as the international community grapples with the energy crises, one Horn of African country known as Somaliland is seeking international recognition as a sovereign state in 17 years of self declared independence from the battle scared Somalia.

 

During the parliamentary forum on sustainable development and aid effectiveness held in Nairobi, the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland expressed optimism that his country will receive international recognition as a sovereign state. With the recent recognition of Kosovo as a sovereign state, the speaker is enthusiastic that Somaliland will soon get its day among of community of nations.In the interview with the Kenyan Times, Abdilahi who was accompanied by his deputy Mr. Abdilasis M. Samale, said they have rolled out a program to push for their country’s recognition as a sovereign state in international forums. They said their move will soon succeed after visiting of different countries in Africa and Europe which includes Wales, Finland, and Denmark among others, the speaker has been officially invited to Germany.

 

By the end of three day forum in Nairobi, he held discussion with UN Habitat Director Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, US, German, Russian and Swedish ambassadors. He also met Keny’s Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) officials to discuss mutual interests on matters of business and labor relation.

 

The duo admitted that despite Somaliland stability and democracy, the country frustrated by international community which remains reluctant to recognize their independence. This he adds is a major obstacle since it has crippled the political, economic and social stability of the country.

 

Says he: “We have doubt that international community applying double standard when handling the issue of Somaliland. It has literally assumed that this is an African case. We are not dealing with the international monetary fund and other bodies; hence we can’t get any fund.

 

Mr. Abdilahi adds that because of lack of such recognition, his country doesn’t have properly accredited financial institutions and there for have to rely on merchandise money transfer. This has made it difficult for Somaliland to transact business with other countries and thereby support their balance of payments. He blames African Countries for refusing to stand up for Somaliland, but is optimistic that the issue would soon be resolved through intense dialogue and constructive engagement.

 

According to the speaker, Kenya is and important diplomatic, economic and strategically of Somaliland. He exudes confidence that Kenya would be the first country recognize her sovereignty following the cordial relationships that the two countries have established.

 

“Kenya is known to be a peace mediator internationally, and a beacon of hope. We have made friends with Kenyan MPs and we are certain that we are heading somewhere”, Says Abdilahi adding that the country already has Mr. Osman as it’s representative in Somaliland.

 

American Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Dr. Jendeyi Frazer’s visit to Hargeisa, Somaliland’s Capital, and President Dahir Riyale Kahin’s visit to Washington early this year marked positive steps which the speaker believes would soon seen Somaliland recognized as a sovereign state.

 

He says the visits were successful because the President addressed the issue of immigration security, and development of democracy in Somaliland. This was followed by visit by Somaliland MPs to Ethiopia, Uganda, Washington DC, Germany, and other countries were the issue of recognition and acceptance was discussed.

 

 

History

 

The Republic of Somaliland broke away from the rest of Somalia over 10 years ago following the collapse of the government of the late Mohamed Siad Barre. In 2000, Somaliland voted in a referendum to determine the support for the sovereignty were 97 percent voted for independence. But the quest for sovereignty has not been endorsed by the international community.

 

In 1991, after the collapse of central government in Somalia, the main part of the territory asserted it’s independence as the Republic of Somaliand in May 18, 1991. It regarded it self as a successor state to the briefly independent state of Somaliland. But didn’t receive any international diplomatic recognition.

 

The economic and military infrastructure left behind Somalia has been largely destroyed by war. The People of Somaliland had rebelled against the Siad Barre dictatorship in Mogadishu, which promoted a massive reaction by the government.

 

The late Abdirahman Ahmed Ali was the first President of Somaliland. Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Eggal was appointed his successor in 1993 by the Grand Conference of National Reconciliation in Borama, which met for four months, and led not only to gradual improvement in security, but solidified the fledgling state.

 

Eggal was re appointed in 1997, and remained in power until his death in May 3, 2002. The vice president shortly afterwards, and in 2003 Kahin become the first Somaliland President to be elected in a free and fair election.

 

The 2006, the war in Somalia between the Islamic Courts Union and the forces of Ethiopia and Somalia’s transitional government has not directly affected Somaliland.

 

 

 

Politics and Government

 

Somaliland has formed a hybrid system of governance under construction of Somaliland, combining traditional and western institutions. In a series of inter clan conference culminating in Borama Conference in 1993, a qabil (clan or community) system of government was constructed which consists of a consecutive, with a president, vice-president, and council of ministries, a bicameral legislature and an independence judiciary, the traditional Somali elders “Guurti” was incorporated into the governance structure and formed the upper house, responsible for selecting the president as well as managing the internal conflicts. Government became in a sense “a power sharing collision of a Somaliland’s clans”, with seats in the upper and the lower house proportionally allocated to clans according to a predetermined formula. In 2002 after several extensions of this interim government, Somaliland finally made the transition to multi party democracy with district council elections consisted by six parties.

 

 

 

Foreign Relations

 

 

Somaliland has political contacts with the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Builgum, Ghan, South Africa, Sweden and Djibouti.

 

On January 17, 2007, the European Union sent a delegation for foreign affair to discuss Future Corporation.

 

The African Union has also sent a foreign minister to discuss the future of international acknowledgment and on January 29 and 30, 2007, the ministers said that they would discus the acknowledgment with other member states. In June, 2007, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia held a conference with President Kahin during which he referred to in and official communiqué by the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry as the President of Somaliland, the first time that Somaliland has been officially acknowledged as a sovereign state by another government.

 

While this is not claimed as a move for official recognition by Ethiopia, it is seen a positive step forward a unilateral declaration by Ethiopia in the event of African Union failing to move it’s recognition of Somaliland forward.

 

A delegation led by the President of Somaliland was present at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting 2007, in Kampala Uganda.