Somaliland Deserves Recognition More than S. Ossetia and Abkhazia

Today, 26th August, the President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev declared that Russia formally recognizes the independence of the two break away Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The two houses of Russian Parliament also called for the government to recognize these regions in a vote on Monday, 25th August 2008.

This announcement came days after a heavy fighting broke out this region, in which Russian troops moved within Georgia. Russia took this step to protect their interests in the region, but not actually the interest of Ossetian citizens.

The western countries immediately condemned the move. They blamed Russia´s decision as ´regrettable´. The West Countries are backing Georgian government and are severely against Russia´s recognition of these regions, which already had de facto independence. The West, especially America and its allies are against the move of Russia solely for their interest but not of the interest of Georgian people.

Likewise, Russia condemned the recognition of Kosovo for the West. This has worsened the already strained relations between the West and Russia. It also shows how the world powers are playing cards against each other by looking their own causes.

The population of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are 70,000 and 250,000 respectively in comparison with the population of Somaliland, which almost 3.5 Million according to government estimates. Furthermore, these regions have never been sovereign states but were part of either Soviet Union or Georgia.


Differently, Somaliland was British protectorate until it gained its independence in 26 June, 1960. Somaliland was sovereign state for four days but later merged with Italian Somali to form The Somali Republic. Due to severe hardships and breakdown of people´s expectations, Somaliland reclaimed their ´lost´ independence in 18 May, 1991 after a prolonged bloody struggle spearheaded by Somali National Movement (SNM) heroes.

Furthermore, Somaliland is ruled by a democratically elected President, Dahir Rayale Kahin. Somaliland has two houses of parliament, the Upper House or Guurti and the Lower House or Representatives. The country has multiparty system and held presidential, local and parliamentary elections.

Legally, the people of Somaliland have permanent identity, reside in internationally recognized boundaries of colonial era and the government system is exercised all over the country.

Then, why not the Western Countries, Africans, Arab Countries and Russia recognize Somaliland?

Today´s world, values are fading out and special interests dominate minds of many countries. The world has ignored the facts on the ground. But, the time will come that none will be able to deny the independence of Somaliland.

 

Adnan Dahir Muhumed