More international support for Somaliland
could help stabilise the Horn of Africa
Dr Charles
Tannock MEP says former British protectorate’s call for sovereignty
should be reconsidered
The time has come to consider more seriously Somaliland’s quest for
independence as the situation in the Horn of Africa deteriorates
further, Conservative MEP Charles Tannock said today ahead of a
parliamentary debate on the situation in the Horn of Africa.
Dr Tannock, a member of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs
committee, said that an independent Somaliland, supported by the
international community, could potentially be a force for stability
and good governance in an otherwise hopeless region.
Somaliland was formerly a British protectorate that became briefly
independent in 1960 but then chose to be absorbed into the Somali
Republic. In 1991 as Somalia descended into chaos following the
death of dictator Siad Barre, Somaliland once again opted to go its
own way.
However, Somaliland is not recognized internationally as a sovereign
state by any country, despite having developed the symbols and
functional governance of an independent state. Dr Tannock said:
“Somaliland is the only cohesive and functional public authority in
Somalia. “The people of Somaliland benefit from a relatively benign
government and progressive institutions as well as having symbols of
statehood such as a separate currency and flag. Perhaps it’s time we
began to consider more seriously Somaliland’s quest for
independence.
“An independent Somaliland, supported by the international
community, could be a force for stability and progress in an
otherwise hopeless region, and could be an ally in fighting the
scourge of piracy off the Somali coast.
“Certainly the people of Somaliland would be justified in asking why
the international community is so reluctant to recognize their
country but was so quick to recognize Kosovo.”
Charles Tannock MEP
Source: Conservatives in the European Parliament
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