Beyond The Failed State: Time To Recognise Somaliland
While
the attention of the World continues to focus on North Africa and
the Middle East, other conflict stricken countries fall ever further
down the news agenda. In the case of Somalia – essentially a failed
state – conflict and war has assailed people there since the early
1990s. Attempts to intervene by the United States famously failed,
and a more recent intervention by Uganda has had limited success.
Somalia is a breeding ground for terrorism and priracy – and yet…
The Northern part of Somaliland, encompassing the colonial
boundaries of the former British Som aliland is a functioning, free
and fair democracy. Bizarrely it remains unrecognised by any other
country. Is that because it offends African Union opinion, in that
effectively it is a breakaway state?
But Somaliland is a country we all do need to know a good deal more
about – and fast. Where much else is a failed state, wracked by
conflict and threatened by piracy and terrorism. And Somaliland
ticks most of the international community’s boxes. The UN, EU and
Commonwealth approve of the young country’s emerging democracy. The
US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, approves
Somaliland’s efforts to control home grown terrorism, and
understands the strategic importance of the country, sitting as it
does across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. And Somaliland surely
fulfils the AU’s criteria for nationhood. Its boundaries are the
colonial boundaries of what was once the Protectorate of British
Somaliland.
Last year Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson fell short of offering
President Silanyo recognition for his country. This year it could be
different if the United States takes the lead. Throughout No rth
Africa and the Middle East, the Obama administration has spoken out
in support of human rights and self determination. Isn’t it high
time the United States and the rest of the internatio nal
community recognise the comparative success story that is
Somaliland?
By Mark Seddon
Mark Seddon, the former United Nations Correspondent and New York
Bureau Chief for Al-Jazee ra English TV, offers irreverent
commentary on the major events that shape the lives of people in
Europe. As I Please aims to speak truth to power, however
uncomfortable that may sometim es be.
Source: Big Think
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