| SOMALILAND RECOGNITION:
TROUBLED WATERS AHEAD
By JAWAHIR YUSUF H. ADAM1
Somaliland was an independent State
Somaliland has been seeking independence for 18 years. Peace and
stability are now threatened by both internal and external forces.
Somaliland received its independence from Britain on 26 June 1960
and was immediately recognized by 35 states. Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim
Egal became the first Prime Minister of Somaliland and headed the
first Cabinet of Ministers which comprised of four elected Ministers
including: Garad Ali Garad Jama, Ahmed Haji Duale (Keyse), Hajji
Yusuf Iman and Haji Ibrahim Nur. According to historians Prime
Minister Mohamed Egal was hit with a Pepsi cola bottle on his neck
by a person when he requested for a delay in the unity process with
Italian Somaliai. Consequently, to prevent internal disturbance the
political leaders handed over, unconditionally, Somaliland?s
independence to Italian Somalia.
Five days after its independence, Somaliland joined Somalia on 1st
July 1960. The union between Somaliland and Somalia was never
ratified by the two partners and thus there is no legal binding
between them. Soon after the union was formed, dissatisfaction of
Somalilanders in issues such as power sharing was growing and was
clearly demonstrated when in December 1960, a group of young
Somaliland military officers attempted a failed coup to withdraw
from the union and reclaim Somaliland?s independence.
Thirty years later, and after a bloody civil war between Siyad
Barre?s brutal military machine and the Somaliland National Movement
(SNM), the people of Somaliland chose to withdraw the union from
Somalia on 18 May 1991. This was reconfirmed when a national
referendum in Somaliland held on 21 May 2001 revealed that 97% of
the population voted to remain independent. Today, Somalilanders are
furious that they joined, voluntarily, a union soon after
independence in 1960 which did not work in their favour. They know,
too, that under international law, they have the right to abrogate
that union. Sadly, however, the international community is still
ignoring Somaliland?s legitimate case for recognition. Somaliland
has taken strong steps to Independence Since declaring independence,
Somaliland has taken a number of steps that demonstrate all the
attributes of an independent state. It has a functioning
constitutional democracy where the president, the parliament and the
local councils are elected through a process of fair and free
elections.
1:http://www.mhcinternational.com/corporate-socialresponsibility/id/humanitarian.html
2
It also has its own currency, passports, a vibrant private sector,
functioning and profitable airlines, and excellent relationships
with its neighbours. In addition, the people of Somaliland have
maintained peace and stability – a dramatic contrast to Somalia
where carnage, mayhem, bloodshed and instability have been the order
of the day for the last 18 years.
Independence Denied despite Sound Claim. The lack of recognition of
Somaliland by the international community as sovereign state is a
serious obstacle to its economic survival and development. Although
Somaliland has a legitimate right to independence, the international
community still refuses to accept the recognition the nation
deserve. Indeed it represents a missed opportunity. This article
attempts to examine why the world ignores Somaliland?s right for
recognition.
So why? There are three main reasons that explain Somaliland?s
predicament in securing recognition:
First, at the Africa level, the second OAU summit conference in
Cairo in 1964 passed a resolution that stated in its preamble that
„the borders of African States, on the date of their independence,
must not be redrawn?;. Thus the African Union and its member states
have not so far been willing to accept independent status for
Somaliland for fear of undermining this policy. Ironically, however,
Somaliland?s quest for recognition is exactly what the AU Charter
specifies i.e respect for the colonial boundaries. Further, the AU’s
position with policy is contradicted by its consent to the
separation of other African nations that were once united. For
example, Gambia and Senegal (joined in a “Senegambian
Confederation”, 1982-89), and Ethiopia and Eritrea (joined 1952-93)
and serve as precedent for recognition of former independence.
Second, at the United Nations level, the UN wants the African Union
to take the first step in recognizing Somaliland and has made this a
key condition. Unfortunately this is a double standard since many
countries including the former Soviet Union, former Yugoslavia etc
have all been split into many countries and immediately and
unconditionally recognized by the UN and the international
community.
But third, and now the most disturbing reason why Somaliland has not
been successful in achieving recognition in recent years, is its
lapse into what may be termed the African problem – power, leading
to a grab for money, then wealth followed by even more power. Thus,
instead of vigorously seeking recognition, Mr. Riyale, the current
President of Somaliland, is busy manipulating the Somaliland
population to try and hold onto the reins of power. By hanging onto
power beyond his current term, he has lapsed into behaving like a
typical Dictator. Riyale?s term was constitutionally over on 15th
May
2008 when his 5 years term ended but he refused to step down and has
since managed to extend his term of office twice.
There are serious worries that the President will delay again the
elections that are now scheduled for 27 September 20009. This will
again prove to be in violation of the constitution which allowed him
only 5 years term and a blatant lack of respect for the people of
Somaliland who elected and trusted him in the first place. It also
signals an alarming message to the few international sympathizers of
Somaliland?s struggle for independence. Thus, those few in the world
who care are watching the latest developments and are disturbed by
the continuous delays in promised elections as has been highlighted
in numerous press reports.
The Human Rights Watch?s report, “Hostages to Peace” released on 13
July, 2009 stated: “The autonomous region of Somaliland is in danger
of losing its democratic and human rights gains if its leadership
does not soon mend its waysii”. The Human Rights Watch report also
warned that the repeated delay of Somaliland’s presidential election
threatens the foundations of its emerging democratic system.
President Riyale is fully aware that Somalilanders are indeed
hostages to peace and will, at any cost, try to keep their
stability. He is clearly taking advantage of their patience. His
disrespect for the constitution and democratic processes seriously
damages Somaliland?s precious democracy and hope for independence.
Strategy for a recognition:
What can be done? Clearly President Riyale needs to mend his ways.
Then, Somaliland needs to dispatch experienced and well educated
Somaliland government representatives who can articulate the case of
recognition. A number of important players that can be targeted in
support for recognition are suggested below:
The African Union is a major obstacle to Somaliland?s pursuit for
recognition. The Somaliland authorities should make a serious appeal
to this organization and articulate the case for recognition.
The British government, as a former colonial power, will likely have
a sympathetic ear and some sense of responsibility towards the
people Somaliland. Somaliland should be active in securing support
from the UK foreign policy advisors and the Parliament.
The neighboring countries, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya have a clear
interest to have an independent state in their backyard that is
stable and free of anarchy, with a viable economy and a functioning
constitutional democracy. Somaliland should exert more efforts in
getting
The US Congress and State Department, in its new re-invigorated
form, can help enormously. With President Obama?s support for peace
and stability in the world, in particular Africa, and given the
numerous past failed foreign policy of President Bush towards
Somalia, there is an ample opportunity in lobbying for Somaliland?s
recognition in the US. The Somaliland government should consider
hiring a Public Relations firm that could vigorously campaign on its
behalf for recognition. Many current Nation States have achieved
their goal by hiring US Public Relations firms in the United States,
especially in Washington DC.
External threats are deeply troubling In the meantime, the threat of
an escalation of the conflict in Somalia to Somaliland is real. A
serious fear is that the conflict in Somalia will be dragged to
Somaliland and destroy the peace and stability that Somalilanders
have been building for the last 18 years. Somaliland has an
excellent chance to get attention from the International community
who have given up on any peace prospects in Somalia. President
Riyale and his government should seize this opportunity and campaign
aggressively for recognition, followed by peace and stability. And,
who knows, such inspirational leadership would have rewarded him,
democratically and popularly, with the power he so cravenly seeks.
Thus, President Riyale must respect the law of the land, allow the
democratic process to take place and organize a peaceful, fair and
free election no later than those currently promised on 27 September
2009, for not doing so will likely evaporate the hope of recognition
and destabilize Somaliland.
Unfortunately, it seems that only catastrophe moves the world to
act. So, Somaliland must watch its peaceful existent collapse into
power struggles by corrupt politicians followed by invasion by the
„liberators? – the so called Islamists from the South. When Al
Shabab has a strong foothold, only then will the world react.
History then repeats itself as Somlailanders will no doubt fight for
their liberty and an armed insurrection will start to keep the
„invaders? away. At this point the international community may wake
up with moves for peace with promises of independence if fighting
could stop. When after 20 years, the country is again in ruins, its
population displaced, women?s rights vanished, education dilapidated
and human rights violated – will independence then be achieved?
Unfortunately, this is the scenario that could present itself if a
fair and free election does not take place on 27 September 2009
Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi, Buzzle.com 7/2/2008 2 Human Rights Watch,
Hostages to Peace, 13 July, 2003
2 Human Rights Watch, Hostages to Peace, 13 July, 2003
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