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