Somaliland: A Beacon of Success in Africa

Somaliland recently celebrated its 17th anniversary the reclamation of sovereignty in 1991. Somalilanders both at home and abroad celebrated this anniversary with their customary pageantry and verve.

The people of Somaliland had another reason to celebrate, by once again displaying a level of political maturity sadly lacking in many parts of Africa, and in particular in the Horn, in resolving some perceived "political deadlock",(Somalilanders saw these issues as political debates, whilst enemies hoped it would lead to political instability)through dialogue, discussion and consensus.

The people of Somaliland are fortunate to have a political leadership that believes in a healthy debate followed swiftly by consensus, and vice versa, the political leadership in Somaliland are fortunate to lead citizens who believe that through dialogue, discussion and consensus a nation's ailments can be resolved.

As the recent agreement between all the political parties in Somaliland clearly highlights the people of Somaliland believe that thorough shared aims and history national stability and democracy will be strengthened. Not for them countless mediations, foreign invasions, internal genocide or unkempt promises. Somalilanders have long ago recognised the need to resolve any internal issues through, dialogue, discussion and consensus.

The international community is engaging Somaliland fully aware that it is the key to peace and democracy in the region. The recent agreement between the Somaliland political parties have only furthered strengthened the international community's faith in Somaliland.

It has been extensively discussed that Somaliland, a former British protectorate became independent on June 26th, 1960 before a hasty, un-ratified and un-constitutional union with Somalia on 1st July 1960, all with aim of creating a "Greater Somalia" entity, in hindsight, a devastating illusion.

It has also been recorded by a recent AU Commission to Somaliland in 2005 that "Somaliland presents a unique case for recognition and deserves to have the issue address by the African Union", it is fact that in spite of lack of recognition, Somaliland meets all the criteria for statehood and enjoys many ties with nations across the globe, so the terms "breakaway" or "separatists" that are found in anti-Somaliland articles are merely just words.

Somaliland has always been separate through its believe in democracy, inclusion, collectivism and justice, However, Somaliland does want to breakaway from dictatorship, clannism, genocide and destruction.

The people of Somaliland had many reason to celebrate on the 18th of May, but the main reason for their unbridled celebration was the fact that Somaliland had been delivered from the nightmare of a union with Somalia seventeen years ago, and Somalilanders would like to let the world know that Somaliland's sovereignty is sacrosanct.