Recognition of Somaliland Overdue
Nearly 20 years ago, Somaliland, a Florida-sized region of northeast
Somalia once known as British Somaliland, declared its independence
from Somalia. In the years since, Somaliland has emerged as a
stable, democratic state that provides a measure of international
security in a region overrun with pirates and transnational
terrorists. Yet, no state or international body recognizes
Somaliland's independence. Instead, the international community is
content with the fiction that Somalia remains a unified state.
Denying Somaliland recognition will likely res ult in its
eventual collapse and the expansion of the chaos, instability and
international insec urity that characterizes Somalia. To
prevent this eventuality, the United States should grant recognition
to Somaliland.
Since declaring its independence in 1991, Somaliland has pursued an
indigenous process of t ransformation from a militarized,
post-conflict society governed by traditional clan structures to a
representative democracy. Following the ouster of Siad Barre, the
longtime dictator of the Democratic Republic of Somalia, a series of
conferences of the elders of Somaliland's cla ns resulted
first in Somaliland's declaration of independence, then in a
transitional charter establishing a presidency and legislature, and
finally in a provisional constitution.* That cons titution was
approved by 97 percent of votes cast in a Somaliland-wide referendum
in 2001. Municipal, presidential and parliamentary elections were
held in 2002, 2003 and 2005, respe ctively. The first presidential
election was notable both for its narrow margin -- fewer than 100
votes separated the candidates -- and for its lack of violence. It
is also notable because the victor, Dahir Rayale Kahin, is not a
member of the dominant clan of Somaliland.
Presidential elections scheduled
to take place in 2008 were repeatedly delayed until June 2010. That
largely peaceful election was judged as meeting international
election standards. More importantly, power was transferred
peacefully from the incumbent to the victorious opposition
candidate, Ahmed Mahmoud Silanyo -- a feat unmatched by any other
state in the Horn of Africa. ...
Source:WPR
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