In spite of all atrocities and the brutal acts that the population of Somaliland has suffered at the hands of the former cruel regime of Somalia, they succeeded to provide themselves a peaceful and congenial environment in which the country’s inhabitants can again resume a normal life and live side by side in peace and harmony. The people of Somaliland Republic have been successfully occupied in rebuilding their destroyed country, consolidating its democracy process through free and fair elections for the fifth time, from the local government councils (twice), the national parliament (once) as well as for the presidency (twice) in keeping with the requirement of Somaliland’s constitution and rule of law as well as the internationally accepted democratic standards. Somaliland’s case is unique one; it is the region’s youngest and good functioning democracy. Somaliland Republic has beyond every doubt demonstrated throughout its credentials, democratic achievements and sustained stability a belief in a constructive engagement in international issues for peace and security development.
The western powers and their allies are utterly convinced that failed states are the seedbed for terrorism and extremism. The long-term solution for this global challenge is establishing democratic institutions and multi-party elections. Unfortunately this principle is not applied more widely. Somaliland’s case is a quite clear example of the ambivalent morality of the Western Super powers, and in some way it underlines how they always engage in a double standard policy approach: saying one thing but doing something completely different. Democracy, good governance, free market and respect for human rights are fully embraced by the West as long as this serves for their political and economic interests. If that is not the case, democracy and other international standards suddenly become considered to be risky and the West looks to the other end. Despite nearly 23 years of peace, stability, democracy and development the world cannot find the courage to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state.
The leaders of the free world, the so-called custodians and curators of the global democratic values have many questions to answer! Somaliland’s democratic achievement presents a genuine moral challenge in relation to the values and norms the Western world stands for. The Western countries are continuously ignoring the rights for self-determination of this brave and resourceful nation and at the same time the world is rewarding and taking seriously one of the world’s classic failed state (Somalia), which is an unprecedented moral dilemma! Somaliland should have long been recognised as a member of international community, at least it had deserved to be regarded as de facto independent nation. Somaliland has already met all the criteria and requirements that were necessary to qualify as a separate country.
The union of the two countries was a failure by any measure:
Legally, historically and politically Somaliland has a unique case for seeking and demanding tirelessly international recognition. The Republic of Somaliland was once an independent and sovereign country that voluntarily merged with Italian Somalia and the nuptials failed. The union of the two countries (1960-1991) was an indisputable failure by any measure and the popular referendums in Somaliland (in 2000) have shown immovable resistance to its restoration. Today, Somaliland could have enjoyed its independence and would have been a success story had they not voluntarily united with Somalia Italiano on 26th June 1960.
The voluntarily union with Somalia has caused nothing else but destruction and lost opportunity for millions of Somalilanders. It was a missed opportunity prospect that obviously never turns back. However, the people of the Somaliland Republic will not, cannot and must not make another historic and costly mistake; they will never fall again into another trap of their own making by sacrificing the hard-won independence and sovereignty for the sake of an unfruitful andproblematic concept of the Greater Somalia.
Conclusion:
I believe that the international community is making a very serious mistake by ignoring the reality on the ground in the Horn of African Region. The people of Somaliland Republic have shown to the outside world their value, belief and exceptional quality with respect to dealing and adoption of universal democratic norms and values. Somaliland’s democracy model is an encouraging and promising sign for all African states, which can lead that Africa makes overtures to the right direction.
The Republic of Somaliland should have been long recognised as a member of international community. The people of Somaliland should have been rewarded for their credentials, democratic achievements and sustained stability in a volatile region. However, the UN still clings to an absurd notion that Somaliland should rejoin its wayward and unruly neighbour, Somalia. Also the USA, the EU, Britain and the rest of the world seem content to sit idly by and not to act to preserve this young African democracy. May be they (the western powers) would have acted when this brave and resourceful nation descends into the familiar chaos of its neighbour (Somalia), which can only harm the entire Horn Region and, surely the rest of the world will pay the price!!
Long Live and may ALLAH bless the Somaliland Republic and its Noble people
Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh (Hussein Deyr) [Hargeisa, Somaliland]