Tanzania Should Move To Recognise Somaliland

OURS is a sad tale. We are caught in the middle of powerful conflicting interests. It is hope against hope. Some powers are dangling our hope for national recognition like a sinker and bait into the sea but nothing happening!" Abdulkader Hashi Elmi, Somaliland Entrepreneur.

THE above words, spoken coolly and softly yet tinged with bitter disappointment sums up the frustrations of most citizens of Somaliland -- a country which has been standing out alone in the world -- quite a viable state yet internationally unrecognised.

For the last seventeen years from May 18, 1991 to be precise, Somaliland has reasserted itself as an independent state in exactly the same geographical boundaries as at independence from Great Britain on June 26, 1960.

It fulfills all the criteria for statehood as laid down by the Montevideo Convention of 1933 inter alia: it has a permanent population and defined territory. Secondly, it has a government and, furthermore, it has the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Indeed, Somaliland, the country I was on a visit the other day, fulfils all these conditions required as a criteria for statehood. The most puzzling aspect however is that very few people are aware of the existence of this state other than fratricidal Somalia with Mogadishu as the capital.

The reason is rooted into history -- colonial history and subsequent events after the decolonization process. Here, we see "two" countries with almost the same name in pre-colonial days -- British Somaliland and Italy ruled Somalia to the South in the Horn of Africa.

Furthermore, we see both countries, Somaliland and Somalia gaining independence in the same year, 1960. But by July, 1960 both countries had entered into a "Union", based, in the words of an African Union (AU) fact finding mission to Somaliland in 2005 "on a shared ambition among Somalis to build a ‘Greater Somalia' which were to incorporate all the Somali communities in the Horn of Africa. In the course of time, the Union malfunctioned."

But the collapse of the Union between the two Somali countries in the South and North, hastily declared, as it would seem, is not unique in African history. We see the collapse of similar unions: United Arab Republic -- the Union between Egypt and Syria in 1958; the Mali Federation between Mali and Senegal in 1960 and Senegambia -- between Senegal and Gambia which lasted between 1982 to 1989.

But the short-lived ‘unions' in Africa as we have seen above had not meant the denial of recognition and membership of the international community of nations such as the AU and the UN. Egypt and Syria still retain their respective sovereignty and international recognition as is Mali and Senegal.

As the report of the AU fact-finding mission to Somaliland has observed, Somaliland has been made a pariah country by "default". Says the report: "The Union established in 1960 brought enormous injustice and suffering to the people of that country. The fact that the Union between Somaliland and Somalia was never ratified and also malfunctioned makes Somaliland's search for recognition historically unique and self justified in African political history.

"Objectively viewed, the case should not be linked to the notion of opening a Pandora Box. Lack of recognition ties the hands of the authorities and people of Somaliland as they cannot effectively and sustainably transact with the outside world to pursue development goals."

But with all these facts, and very clear facts indeed, there are countries, which seem to be interested in the sustenance of the status quo. A status quo to let the courageous people of Somaliland go unnoticed -- a people who have been soldiering on for the last 17 years as an independent country having broken loose from a malfunctioning union under military dictatorships.

This brings us to the quotation at the beginning of this perspective attributed to a Somaliland businessman, Mr Abdelkader Hashi Elmi.

Actually, Mr Elmi is the owner of a very posh hotel which could easily qualify to a five-star hotel anywhere had his country been enjoying to operate normally like all other independent countries enjoying membership of the United Nations and African Union.

"You see my brother," said Abdulkader, owner of Mansoor Hotel in down-town Hargeisa: "We are victims of powerful interests here each wishing to keep us the way we are to serve own ends.
"The United States will not recognize us because it does not want to offend Egypt, its ally. But it is keeping us in a manner of hoping against hope -- dangling a bait -- leaving our mouths agape -- chasing in the wilderness," he told me to my considerable interest tinged in amusement.

"Why is Egypt in your way?" I asked him.

"The Egyptians are, as usual obsessed with the protection of the Nile in their geo-political considerations. Actually it was former UN Secretary-General, Egyptian Dr Boutros Ghali who initiated our isolation not to assume membership of the United Nations arguing that Somalia must remain one," he responded.

My good friend told me of other forces in the way of the recognition of Somaliland and its assumption of membership of the African Union and the United Nations, which I consider unhelpful to reveal them here.

But as the AU fact-finding mission to Somaliland observed in its report in 2005, the AU should be disposed to "judge the case of Somaliland from an objective historical view point and a moral angle". That moral angle, in my best considered opinion, is that here is a people who are at peace with themselves, meeting all the requirements of an independent state, a democratically elected government in a multi-party governance and who are giving a practical example to their fratricidal brethren in Somalia's Mogadishu of how invaluable peace can make the difference.

How much one really wishes that Tanzania could take the lead to break the ice -- re-asserting its erstwhile prestige as in the old good days -- when it was hailed as the "moral voice and conscience of Africa".

An announcement that Tanzania has recognised the 17-year old Republic of Somaliland will certainly become an inspiration to the rest in Africa and elsewhere and it will, certainly, translate as an important contribution to Africa's quest for peace and stability.

Makwaia wa KUHENGA is a Senior Journalist & Author. Email:

Somaliland Presidential election date set

Hargeisa- (Qaran)

The Chair of the Somaliland National Elections Commission, Mudane Mohamed Ismail Mohamed has formally confirmed the date of the Somaliland Presidential elections in 2009.

Speaking to the media at the offices of the National Elections Commission in Hargeisa, Mudane Mohamed Ismail stated that voting will take place on the 29th of March 2009.

Mudane Mohamed Ismail stated that all three Somaliland parties have welcomed the timetable for the elections recently agreed during a tri-party meeting in June.

Somaliland and UN discuss Reconstruction programme

Hargeisa(QARAN)-

A meeting to discuss the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Programme between the Somaliland government and the United Nations has concluded after two days at the Mansoor Hotel Conference centre.

The meeting which included participation from the Somaliland government, the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union, local agencies and social organisation was to discuss the current state of the programme and the schedule for the next six months.

In a joint press conference by the Somaliland Deputy Planning minister, Mudane Ahmed Hashi Abdi and the head of the UN delegation, Mr. Christian. Mudane Ahmed Hashi stated some of the main conclusion of the meeting,

1. To address the increase in the cost of living by creating a joint Somaliland and UN committee named within 2 days and to present its recommendations within 15 days.

2. To prepare and store at least three months worth of reserves in food, utilities, agriculture products and other priority items.

3. To begin during this fiscal year the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programme as previously agreed upon.

Mudane Ahmed Hashi, the deputy Planning minister also stated that programme will initial focus on agricultural development, job creation, fishing, poverty reduction and drought preparedness.

Mr. Christian, the head of the UN delegation, who also spoke at the conference, emphasised the need for cooperation between all parties in the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programme.

President Rayale meets with EU delegation

Hargeisa (Qaran)-The President of Somaliland, Mudane Dahir Rayale Kahin met with a delegation from the European Union led by Mr.Richard Hands at the Presidency in Hargeisa.
According the communiqué issued by President's Press office, Mr. Hands and his delegation are on a visit to discuss the European Union's support of Somaliland's voter registration and the upcoming elections in 2009.

During the meeting with the EU delegation, President Rayale thanked the European Union for its support of Somaliland's efforts to complete the voter registration drive and the implementation of the upcoming elections in 2009.

President Rayale also remarked on Somaliland's proven track record in resolving any issues through dialogue, discussion and consensus. Mudane Rayale stated Somaliland will shortly proceed with the voter registration with the participation of the National Elections Commissions, the opposition parties and with the relevant government departments.

In response, Mr. Hands thanked the President and the people of Somaliland for the warm welcome afforded to his delegation during their visit.

Mr. Hands praised Somaliland's ability to resolve any internal political issues through dialogue and acknowledged nations path towards democracy and good governance.

In conclusion, Mr. Hands stated that the donor nations from the European Union are ready to assist Somaliland with the voter registration drive and the implementation of the upcoming Presidential and local assembly elections in 2009, which he described as an important step in Somaliland's path towards democracy and is being greatly anticipated by the international community.

During their visit in Somaliland, the EU delegation are expected with the Speakers of both chambers of Somaliland's parliament, opposition parties, members of the National Elections Commission and representatives from several social organisations.

Mudane Saeed Mohamed Nur, Somaliland's minister of state at the Foreign office attended the meeting between President Rayale and the EU delegation.

Somaliland´s opponents go through the stages of the grieving process.

Somaliland has overcome many hurdles since reclaiming its sovereignty within the international recognised borders of the Republic of Somaliland on the 26th of June, 1960 and will no doubt continue on its path to democracy and good governance.

Yet, there are those, growing fewer with each passing day, who remain implacably opposed to Somaliland´s existence. They point to Somaliland´s lack of international recognition, as if they few hold the key to that particular door. The people of Somaliland hold the key to international recognition, and it is the wish of the people of Somaliland to reclaim their sovereignty which is sacrosanct.

The opponents of Somaliland have gone through shock, denial, anger, bargaining and will finally reach acceptance.

For almost thirty years the people of Somaliland had suffered repression and destruction at the hands of the defunct Somali state, and these opponents claim to be shocked that the people of Somaliland have decided to reclaim their sovereignty. They claim that it is not the only the people of Somaliland who had suffered at the hands of the various governments of the defunct Somali state, but they miss the main point.

In 1960 the people of Somaliland brought their independence to the table in the search of a "Greater Somalia", showing great flexibility in order to achieve that "mirage" and were instead derided for being naïve, and rewarded with injustice and repression which finally culminated in the eventual massacre of its people and destruction of its cities.

The people of Somaliland by reclaiming their sovereignty in 1991 finally drew the curtain on the mirage that was "Greater Somalia" and the fallacy that was the Somali state.

Somaliland´s opponents argue against and deny its existence, but at the same time acknowledge that on the 26th of June 1960, Somaliland became an internationally recognised independent state. In spite of the unratified union with Somalia on the 1st of July 1960, Somaliland was and is once again a sovereign state with a permament population, clearly demarcated borders and functioning state institutions.

The reality of Somaliland´s existence is that for seventeen years it has remained stable, progressive and democratic whilst countless concocted entities laid claim to the defunct Somali state in Mogadishu unable to stop the chaos in Somalia.

These entities have failed because they neither had the moral nor political authority to put an end to the anarchy in Somalia. Instead of learning from Somaliland´s formula of dialogue, discussion and consensus, they have resorted the same modus operandi of the failed Somali state, dictatorship, division and destruction.

It would be utter lunacy for the people of Somaliland to revive a failed political whose policies have lead to death and destruction.

Somaliland has withstood and defeated the might of the defunct Somali state, so a few angry voices in the wilderness spouting the same, old failed policies is not a serious threat to its sovereignty, however, the anger of Somaliland´s opponents has and will take many forms, from armed conflict to political and diplomatic warfare.

In terms of an armed conflict, it is doubtful that Somaliland´s opponents have neither the physical fortitude nor the means to face Somaliland. Aside from terrorism and banditry, they have nothing else to offer against Somaliland, and by resorting to these despicable tactics, they have already lost any credibility.

Political and diplomatic warfare are different matters. The people of Somaliland are aware of the political weapons arrayed against them, however, by engaging the international community, Somaliland has proven, without a shadow of doubt that it is on the road to democracy and good governance.

The people of Somaliland have nothing to fear from their critics, embracing criticism is a mark of political maturity, but when opponents cry Somaliland should not be internationally recognised, whilst the very people they claim to represent are massacred and their homes destroyed. Surely, it is better to restore order in your own home before commenting on your neighbour´s issues.

Furthermore, Somaliland´s inevitable international recognition cannot be delayed by the need to resolve the mayhem in Somalia because the international community is beginning to realise that the various groups in Somalia have no other common ground than their opposition to Somaliland´s recognition. Therefore, Somaliland´s international recognition can only concentrate the minds of those responsible for the anarchy in Somalia.

Somaliland´s opponents are currently at the bargaining stage of the process. These opponents acknowledge, albeit grudgingly, Somaliland´s many achievements, but still cling to the "mirage" of pan-Somalism. They claim that any future relationship between Somaliland and Somalia will address inequalities of the 1960 union, yet, in more than thirty years, those issues couldn´t be resolved and have led to the current situation in the region. Those issues could not be resolved because whilst Somalilanders wanted dialogue, discussion and consensus, the defunct Somali state preferred dictatorship, division and conflict.

The claim of "Somali-ness" that many of Somaliland´s opponents spouse is not a valid argument for pan-Somalism, as "Arabism" is not for pan-Arabism. A political union must be based on more than just cultural or social ties. The people of Somaliland believe that justice and freedom are the cornerstones for a democratic and progressive society, sadly, this is not the case in Somalia, and that is one of the main reasons the union failed and can never be revived.

So, as far the people of Somaliland are concerned, no amount of bargaining can progress and resuscitate a failed notion, "Greater Somalia".

For seventeen years, the people of Somaliland have vindicated their momentous decision in reclaiming sovereignty and nothing that has taken place or will take place in Somalia will change their view.

The people of Somaliland await the inevitable conclusion to their opponents grieving process, acceptance of Somaliland´s sovereignty, and they suspect that with the exception of a few strident voices, most of these opponents have already reached that stage.

Ahmed Kheyre

Somaliland: When A Culture Of Peace Takes Root

By Makwaia wa Kuhenga

CAN you imagine a place with beggars and jobless people yet just adjacent there are stalls and stalls of money in banknotes including American dollars, British pounds and so forth in the open with no policemen around to secure those stalls of money?

This is the market place in downtown Hargeisa, Somaliland, where I took a walk the other day. In fact, at several of them, the owners were not around -- they had slipped away to say their midday prayers (Dhuhur) -- leaving the stalls to themselves!

In a language best understood back home in Dar es Salaam, I was visiting the money shops -- or bureau de changes -- not in closed door shops with armed guards outside -- but open air ones!
The Somaliland bank notes looked like mitumba (second-hand clothes) at Mchikichini in Dar es Salaam. You can buy any amount of Somaliland shillings or change any amount of foreign exchange without flinching or being suspicious that you are being sold counterfeit money!

As I took a walk while shaking my head incredulously, I ran into several people up and about their businesses not even thinking that they are "swimming" or passing past stalls of money.
I asked my guide if there are cases of theft or robbery with violence in that kind of business. "No.

In fact people can leave their cars for a long time even overnight without worrying of someone stealing the cars or breaking into them," he replied.

Not satisfied, I asked an assortment of businesspeople I had invited to form a panel for my television show interview on the ‘magic formula' that has made people "rationalise" hunger or able to co-exist with poverty and affluence. "This phenomenon you see is a result of the fruits in a situation where a culture of peace takes roots. People have experienced so much suffering and deprivation as a result of war and occupation that they are sub-consciously not prepared to act in a manner that would jeopardise the well-being of others," said one of them.

So this is the country I was visiting -- Somaliland. Then known as British Somaliland, it was granted independence from British colonial rule on June 26, 1960.

Shortly after independence, it entered into a union with its southern neighbour -- formerly Italy ruled Somalia -- with Mogadishu as the capital. The spate of military coups that engulfed the hastily unified Somalia brought in their wake the military dictatorship of the best known Somali military ruler, General Siad Barre, who, as it has now been sadly noted, was the first and last best or worst known leader who led a semblance of government acknowledged by international standards.

What followed after his regime also toppled by coups was a series of clan warlords each claiming to be presidents of Somalia. Under the circumstances, a national liberation movement was taking roots in Northern Somalia or Somaliland as was known during the British colonial rule. The Somaliland National Movement was born and took up arms to correct the hasty union and take a break from the military dictatorship in Mogadishu to reclaim Somaliland.

Ultimately, the movement was triumphant reclaiming Somaliland on May 18, 1991 after a protracted bloody struggle during which intervening period, the city of Hargeisa was flattened by bombardment by the forces of Somalia Mogadishu led at first by General Siad Barre.

This is the Hargeisa I was visiting 17 years after liberation and recovering from the ashes of bombardment and war.

Peace has replaced war and peace in all its senses. What was most inspiring to me was how the people of Somaliland as reflected in the people of the capital city were going about their life courageously and with the attendant dignity.

I happened to attend the independence day -- equivalent to Tanzania's Uhuru/Jamhuri Day every December 9 -- celebrated here every June 26, the day the British granted independence to Somaliland.

It was a low-key event as I noted because there were no military parades as is the case back home where the president would take a salute from the armed forces.

But even then, President Dahin Kahin of Somaliland, threw a state dinner to his citizens -- who in turn staged traditional dances and comedy plays to the audience, which I was also part.
What struck me was the similarities of the comedy Tanzanians see on television by a group called "Ze Comedy", the difference being that this one in Hargeisa this time chose to perform before the president.

Someone was translating for me what they were saying on stage. They were talking of the ever-hiking prices in the markets and petrol stations, which reminded me of the situation at home. But the Somalilanders were pushing home a subtle message for their president to note!

But the best I could do was to sympathise with the Somaliland president whose government's national budget is on self-reliant basis -- there is no 40 per cent component of budgetary support such as enjoyed by my own country, Tanzania from the donor community!

Makwaia wa KUHENGA is a Senior Journalist and Author recently on a visit to Somaliland.