Why the international community should recognise Somaliland

[theyuusuf143]

On May 18, I was invited to Somaliland to participate in celebrations of her independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991, after entering into a legally non-binding union with Somalia in 1960.

The celebration displayed incredible colour, joy, pomp and patriotism that totally lacks in Kenyan celebrations.

On the eve of the great celebration, the government of Somaliland organised a conference, in which her leaders, intellectuals and well-wishers like Gerard Prunier, the author of The Rwanda Crisis, decried lack of recognition for her independence and sovereignty by the international community, 25 years since her second declaration of independence in 1991.

After five days, I left Hargeisa feeling that like South Sudan, Eritrea and members of former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia that are now independent, Somaliland is also entitled to independence and sovereignty despite her break up with Somalia.

First, international community is wrong to deny independence to Somaliland in defense of a union that broke up 25 years ago.

Second, Somalia’s dead union with Somaliland can only be resurrected and consummated voluntarily never by military or diplomatic intervention.

Third, when Senegal and Gambia formed the union of Senegambia in 1982 and later split in 1989, the international community did not deny either Gambia or Senegal diplomatic recognition as it is now denying Somaliland.

Fourth, though entered with the best of intentions, Somaliland’s union with Somalia was without freedom, democracy and equity and was therefore self-negating.

As for Kenya, there are many reasons why she should recognise Somaliland diplomatically. One, because Somaliland and Somalia entered their union in pursuit of the dream of Greater Somalia that is a great danger to the peace and territorial integrity of both Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenya should support independence of Somaliland as a strong statement against the danger of Greater Somalia.

HOUSE AT PEACE

Two, while Somaliland has renounced Greater Somalia with the black star on its flag, Somalia still cherishes the dream of Greater Somalia as symbolised by the white five-point star on her blue flag. Kenya would therefore be excused to believe that if Somalia succeeds in vanquishing the al-Shabaab, she could turn her attention to Kenya and Ethiopia, the only obstacles to the dream of Greater Somalia.

Three, as Somaliland recently opened an office of representation in Nairobi, Kenya should reciprocate by opening her embassy in Hargeisa.

Four, that there are more Kenyans working in Somaliland than people from any other African country means Kenya acknowledges the logic of recognising and working with Somaliland.

Five, a Kenyan proverb says “what is born cannot be unborn.” Having been born out of the union with Somalia in 1991, Somaliland cannot be unborn and forced back into the womb of Somalia, not at the age of 25 years.

Six, Somaliland is a house that is in peace with itself and her neighbours. On the other hand, Somalia is a country that is in the fire of war. In the interests of humanity, international community should continue to help Somalia end the war that has engulfed her before forcing her to embrace and set Somaliland on fire too.

Seven, the union in whose name Somalia denies Somaliland independence and sovereignty is not legally binding since charters establishing that union were never signed by either country.

Eight, unlike Somalia, Somaliland has managed to eradicate terrorism of al-Shabaab and unlike South Sudan she has also managed to maintain internal cohesion and contain the ideology of clannism. Yet both Somalia and South Sudan are recognised.

Nine, Kenya can recognise Somaliland, keep her diplomatic relations with Somalia and work with both against al-Shabaab terrorism.

Ten, burying the dream of Greater Somalia by recognising Somaliland will kill emergence of greater ethnic republics like Greater Maasai nation or Greater Luo nation whose people span across East African countries.

Eleven, denying Somaliland recognition is injustice that denies her people trade with other countries, inflates prices of daily necessities, denies Somaliland youth opportunities to study abroad and denies Somaliland economic support from donors and international organisations. Kenya should say no to this injustice by recognising Somaliland.

By KOIGI WA WAMWERE

[SuldaanMaplesyrup]

To quote the semi-deranged Australian:

- Aqoon before aqoonsi

We got more important issues to deal with than begging the world for recognition

[theyuusuf143]

We should invite people like this every 18 may. Publicity before recognition

[JSL3000]

Yes, promoting international awareness is good but we should focus on developing our nation that is the key to prosperity and longevity.

[ramzy2277]

As for Kenya, there are many reasons why she should recognise Somaliland diplomatically. One, because Somaliland and Somalia entered their union in pursuit of the dream of Greater Somalia that is a great danger to the peace and territorial integrity of both Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenya should support independence of Somaliland as a strong statement against the danger of Greater Somalia.

I don't like this part of this kenyan political opposition activist, Its not like I still believe in the obsolete ideology of Somaliweyen,but I do have a different view of it, I would like to see A Somali Co-operative Higher Council, separate and independent countries ( Somaliland +Somalia+Djbouti ) ,but have mutual agreements and alliances like the gulf Arab countries..........Ethiopia and Kenya will never recognize us, why would they create 3 Somali countries that can have more votes and representative in IGAD ,AU and UN against their interests in the horn, these 2 countries are our natural enemies but at this point they come 2nd to Somaliya who want us fail .

[AwRastaale]

If Somalis of Somalia, Ogaden province of Ethiopia and even Djibouti won't so afraid of Somaliland----we as Somali people could have achieved a lot together.

An independent Somalia, Djibouti and Somaliland in AU and IGAD would have carried good votes on many regional issues. Having three votes is better than two.

Then we could have worked together on the other two bodies and recognize them as two independent emirates of their own too. That then means we now have five great votes and two could even mature to the level of "VETO".

But some folks are obsessed with one basket called Somaliweyn with one seat in Mogadishu.

In such case we all cancelled each others out and the enemies have gotten too big for their own good.

The Kikuyu recognition is useless to me. They should stop fencing the poor Somalis in NFD including Dadaab like rabbits first.

As for SL, I don't believe in recognition and shortcut magic bullets. I believe in classical creation of a nation stone by stone and doing the time...like an apple tree everything ribs at the right time and you have to live through the season. In this game----it's not matter of running or sucking ceeb to receive little nacnac called 'ictiraaf' but lasting and surviving through every damn season.

When the time is right and the season has matured, the ribbed ictiraaf apple will fall from the tree of deeply-rooted Somaliland just like the Port contract.

Idoor be patient and until then aqoon before aqoonsi. Increase your energy in knowledge and you will achieve...


Thank Your Hirsi---would you rather thank Hirsi/SL-donors or some white man from the UN?

Remember the road of success is always under construction but starting one is better than another man doing it for you because it all goes back to; give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime

[LiquidHYDROGEN]

25 years of the same begging. At this rate, I predict Somaliland will get recognition by 18 May 4000 CE. The problem is the politicians have the same intelligence and political skills as th old seamen in my local maqaaxi.

[barbarossa]

As a retired mariner, I find the above statement exceedingly offensive.

[Khalid Ali]

The walanweyns cannot be reasoned with the best way for Somaliland is to cooperate with Kenyans i know allot of Kenyans who work in Somaliland i think we should lobby more in Nairobi i do agree with Awr rastaale that we should develop our land but at the same time we should be open for suggestions and cooperate with any one who is the enemy of the walanweyns. The walanweyns are our number one enemy not the kenyans not the ethiopians our priority should be how to weaken them by any means necessary. Kenya should adopt Ethiopian tactics support both armed groups the Marexaan and the ogaden. Ethiopia now backs the DM all what needs to happen is a clash between the hutus and the xurufles and we are at square one.if the Kenyans had the same strategy as Ethiopia than walanweyns would be defeated.

[theyuusuf143]

The walanweyns cannot be reasoned with the best way for Somaliland is to cooperate with Kenyans i know allot of Kenyans who work in Somaliland i think we should lobby more in Nairobi i do agree with Awr rastaale that we should develop our land but at the same time we should be open for suggestions and cooperate with any one who is the enemy of the walanweyns. The walanweyns are our number one enemy not the kenyans not the ethiopians our priority should be how to weaken them by any means necessary. Kenya should adopt Ethiopian tactics support both armed groups the Marexaan and the ogaden. Ethiopia now backs the DM all what needs to happen is a clash between the hutus and the xurufles and we are at square one.if the Kenyans had the same strategy as Ethiopia than walanweyns would be defeated.

your honour we will take your suggestions with a pinch of salt.

[Siciid85]

The walanweyns cannot be reasoned with the best way for Somaliland is to cooperate with Kenyans i know allot of Kenyans who work in Somaliland i think we should lobby more in Nairobi i do agree with Awr rastaale that we should develop our land but at the same time we should be open for suggestions and cooperate with any one who is the enemy of the walanweyns. The walanweyns are our number one enemy not the kenyans not the ethiopians our priority should be how to weaken them by any means necessary. Kenya should adopt Ethiopian tactics support both armed groups the Marexaan and the ogaden. Ethiopia now backs the DM all what needs to happen is a clash between the hutus and the xurufles and we are at square one.if the Kenyans had the same strategy as Ethiopia than walanweyns would be defeated.

All bets are off the table, gloves are off. I like that

[PrinceNugaalHawd]

I wouldn't mind an independent Somaliland where there is Rule N Law and they are respected, everyone is equal before it, Justice and equality for everyone and fair representation so people can have an ownership of the Nation. and we respect each other as fellow countrymen, progress , development, a bright future for all. And I hope and wish success for our southern brothers but I don't see any hope. May my people as northerners come together and compromise. Somaliweyn (Dj, Galbeed, NFD) Kheir ban uu Rajayn but we don't have the strength, Nin walba meshiisa Haku Badbaado. Amiin

[DR-YALAXOOW]

South aredivided so as north also are divided. this Kenyan reporter visited just one town of north... if he goes to Buuhoodle and meets this heavy armed militas then he would probably wrote tottaly different story.. North you have freedom figthers of Khaatumo state and north east state of Somalia and other states. and mujaahidiins...even daacish are in sanaag mounthens..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehvz1royRBM

[JSL3000]

I wouldn't mind an independent Somaliland where there is Rule N Law and they are respected, everyone is equal before it, Justice and equality for everyone and fair representation so people can have an ownership of the Nation. and we respect each other as fellow countrymen, progress , development, a bright future for all. And I hope and wish success for our southern brothers but I don't see any hope. May my people as northerners come together and compromise. Somaliweyn (Dj, Galbeed, NFD) Kheir ban uu Rajayn but we don't have the strength, Nin walba meshiisa Haku Badbaado. Amiin

amiin

somaliland we can do it all we have to do is get rid of poverty first that is what is bringing us down. we need to change are people mindset their not programmed to work hard labor only when we do everything ourselves can we prosper we have to be the producers not consumers and we can't wait for hand outs that government officials and the wealthy have first dibs on I know if we come together we can develop are country the problem is right now everyone is split between reer reer or family members when we focus as nation as whole then we can finally accomplish something for the better for all of our children.

[Bibaaye6828]

A new version of this exact thread comes up every other week.

Recognition shall come lol.