Somaliland poll
hailed; recognition next?
International election observers
hail the "free and fair" presidential election in Somaliland, where
the opposition won. Also neighbour countries Ethiopia and Djibouti
hail the poll. But is recognition within reach for Somaliland?
Several monitor groups followed Somaliland's second presidential
polls since independence in 1991, both foreign and national. All
agree that the election was well organised and free, which is
ultimately witnessed by the victory of opposition candidate Ahmed
Mahamoud Silanyo.
Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF), who deployed a larger
Somaliland-wide non-partisan election observers' group, today issued
a statement agreeing to foreign observers. "The 26 June 2010
Presidential election took place in a general peaceful and
transparent environment," SONSAF concludes.
"With the exception of isolated acts, SONSAF noted the Election Day
process proceeded very peacefully and without any sign of
intimidation. It was heartened by a high turnout of voter, included
women," the statement said. The National Electoral Commission (NEC)
had "administrated the elections in a competent and professional
manner."
But maybe more important, at least for a nation that has not been
recognised by any state so far, Somaliland's neighbours commended
the poll openly. Especially key neighbour Ethiopia reacted in a way
that resembled ordinary state-to-state relations.
In an overwhelmingly positive Ethiopian Foreign Ministry statement,
the Addis Ababa government yesterday paid "tribute … to [outgoing]
President Dahir Riyale Kahin for his high sense of obligation to the
people of Somaliland ... and to the leader of the winning party
Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo for his magnanimity and for his commitment."
"The people of Somaliland can always count on the full support of
the government and people of Ethiopia as they continue to preserve
their peace and stability and ensure the democratic process is
protected," the Ethiopian government statement added.
Ethiopia so far has been Somaliland's main regional ally and has
admitted the opening of a Somaliland embassy in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia also has an office in Hargeisa, the Somalilander capital.
Full-fledged diplomatic ties are not established, at least not in
officially, and Ethiopia has so far not wanted to be the first
country to recognise Somaliland.
For Somalianders, it was an even more positive surprise that also
the smaller neighbour Djibouti - which so far has kept Hargeisa at a
good distance - heartedly commended last week's elections.
Djiboutian president Ismail Omar Guelleh himself sent a letter of
congratulation to President-elect Silanyo.
President Guelleh, who generally has opposed Somaliland's
independence, in the letter commended the democratic process in
Somaliland. He further encouraged Mr Silanyo to continue
government's development and promotion of democracy and peace.
The President-elect, who's main political aim is to seek recognition
for Somaliland's independence, seems to have been given a flying
start from its two main neighbours. With such credible elections -
sharply contrasting the continued chaos in Somalia - Mr Silanyo's
Somaliland is also emerging as a desired Horn of Africa partner for
Western nations.
In the US and in Europe, there are many voices favouring recognition
of Somaliland. Why insist on a reunification with Somalia and thus
letting this stable and democratic oasis of the Horn with an immense
strategic value slip into a Somali chaos, the question is asked.
The answer is nevertheless clear. The current order has it that the
African Union (AU) must be let to decide on Somaliland's
recognition. The AU administers the doctrine of Africa's untouchable
colonial borders, and no Western or Eastern power wants to be seen
as promoting secessionism on the African continent.
But there is movement in the AU. As Somaliland was a British colony,
as opposed to Italian Somaliland, and even was completely
independent in 1960 before uniting with the former Italian colony to
form Somalia, the colonial border doctrine would not be jeopardised
by recognition of Somaliland's second independence.
And Somaliland's outgoing and incoming Presidents have actively
promoted this view in Africa and outside. It is believed that
Ethiopia - after its futile attempt to stabilise Somalia - now
favours such a solution. Djibouti, which played an important role in
forming the failing Somali transitional government, may also have
given up its belief in a Somali unity state.
Outgoing President Riyale has been received as a state leader in
countries such as Ghana and South Africa and managed to gather
support from ex-colonial power Britain. The pressure within the AU
is therefore increasing to consider Somaliland's recognition.
Last week's election - one of the few examples in African history
where an opposition candidate beats an incumbent President - has
only strengthened Somaliland's case. Maybe it will by the young
nation's third President, Mr Silanyo, that achieves the aim of
recognition.
Source:Afrol News
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