Define the nation...

[NGONGE]

Dec 27th 2010, 14:22 by J.A.

 

 

IN A few days' time—January 9th, if all goes to expectations—the people of the autonomous southern part of Sudan will vote for independence, so ending half-a-century of conflict and bitterness between the mostly Arab and Islamic north and the mostly non-Arab and often Christian south.

 

Assuming the southern secession goes ahead (and many fingers still have to be crossed for a peaceful process), the world can look forward to a new country—and the United Nations to a new member state, its 193rd.

 

But is the UN list the criterion for what constitutes a country? Pedants might add the tiny Vatican City (after all, the Pope pays “state” visits abroad). Political scientists might add, too, the Republic of Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognised by some 72 countries, including the United States but not Russia (and certainly not Serbia). Realists would surely add Taiwan (or the Republic of China, as it calls itself, in contrast to the People’s Republic of China).

 

The Montevideo Convention of 1933 declared that a state should possess a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the ability to enter into relations with other states. That might seem conclusive enough at first glance, but at second glance it leaves plenty of scope for dispute. Taiwan would certainly qualify, despite its cold-shoulder from the UN. Arab idealists (or dreamers, given the frustrations of Middle East peacemaking) might add Palestine, which has observer status at the UN, a government of sorts, and relations with plenty of states. On the other hand, its territory is hostage to a peace settlement with Israel and remains stubbornly undefined. Moreover, the dreamers have to accept that the Palestine Authority has yet to declare statehood—and such a declaration is surely the first requirement of all.

 

But a declaration goes only so far. Abkhazia, for instance, is recognised only by a handful of countries (admittedly including Russia). The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey. Transnistria is recognised only by Abkhazia and South Ossetia (whose own independence again has only a handful of supporters). The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, in what used to be the Spanish-run Western Sahara, is accepted by 81 states—but not by Morocco, which claims all of its territory and which can point out that the SADR government has to meet in exile in Algeria. Cassandra reckons a good case could be made for Somaliland, which is not recognised by anyone but seems to run its own affairs well enough. By contrast, the Somali Republic, which is recognised by everyone, is the very definition of a “failed state”.

 

Meanwhile, spare a thought for Scotland and Wales. They have their own flags, their own governments (well, an “Assembly” in the case of Wales), and their own independence movements. Yet virtually the only time they exist on the world stage as separate countries is when they play football…

 

Source: The Economist.

[AYOUB]

Cassandra reckons a good case could be made for Somaliland, which is not recognised by anyone but seems to run its own affairs well enough. By contrast, the Somali Republic, which is recognised by everyone, is the very definition of a “failed state”.

Apparently, you're a"nation" when Uncle Sam decides you are one.

[Qodax Qorax]

And your a "Goverment" when you stand next to other world leaders.

 

Aqli xumaa dadka qaarkood.

[Mr. Somalia]

RE: Define a nation

 

You are a nation only when your collective marqaan hallucinations say you are.

 

 

P.S

"While one side can break a contract, the approval of both sides is needed to

rightfully and justly rescind a contract"--Abraham Lincoln

[Qodax Qorax]

Mr.Somalia, you being a man from northern Mudug, must have something better to do thent alk about Somaliland.

 

Dont you have a city to divide(Galkacyo), divide one single region(Mudug) in diffrent clan milia's(Puntland, Galmudug, Xiin and Xeeb, ASWJ, etc)

or a (centuries old) bloody clan war to fight or bringing your Xabashi friends to slaughter people in Xamar?

 

I think you must have something better to attend or something else to contribute to Somalia?

 

I think Somaliland should be the last thing on your mind with all the slaugthering of people in Mudug at the moment?

[Mr. Somalia]

^

If I wanted to hear a monkey cackle, I'd visit my local zoo, hombre. So I'd keep it civil if I were you, o.k!

[Peace Action]

Cassandra reckons a good case could be made for Somaliland, which is not recognised by anyone but seems to run its own affairs well enough. By contrast, the Somali Republic, which is recognised by everyone, is the very definition of a “failed state”.

 

Puntland also runs its affairs well so that is not unique. All Somalia had to do is come out of the coma and then the dream of secession will die slowly.

[Santaaro-Saaxiib]

War way duushay bahasha now that its mentioned in the "economist".

[Mr. Somalia]

^

LOL!

 

And they even made it bold to prove it to us.

[Qodax Qorax]

Mr. Somalia your personal insults won't change the facts on the ground. They are even hilarious.

 

And those facts are that Somalia has failed, even a region as Mudug and a city as Galkacyo has failed.

And no matter what you think of Somaliland, it won't change the situation in your country, your region

And your people are slaughtering eachother like savages.

 

Don't you think its time to change the disastrous short sightened mentality of your kin?

[Mr. Somalia]

^

Maybe you find them hilarious because they have some nuggets of truth to them, especially when they are lodged at you, eh!

 

Now back to your assertions...you are right, Galkacyo is a "failed" city in a failed province, Mudug, in a failed country, Somalia. However, Somalia has many provinces, one of which includes Waqooyi galbeed, and that makes Waqooyi galbeed by default a failed province as well, if we are to follow your thinking.

 

So do you have anything else to talk about?

[Mayaani]

Well said MR Somali.

[Taleexi]

Big powers are yet capable of redrawing so called borders because they seem not to be happy with their first draft.

[Jacaylbaro]

Assuming the southern secession goes ahead (and many fingers still have to be crossed for a peaceful process), the world can look forward to a new country—and the United Nations to a new member state, its 193rd.

 

What a world ............

[Mayaani]

Those ones that you didn't address your application for declaration indepedence.!!