Somaliland
For Africa: Success by country not on the map
December 19, 2010 · 17 Comments
Mohamed Yusef knows a good opportunity when he sees one. Recently the London businessman invested $5 million in Somaliland oil exploration.
But though Somaliland is thought to have large oil resources, Yusef remains one of very few investors. “Everybody I meet recognizes that Somaliland is a great investment opportunity,” he says. “It has lots of mineral resources and a strategic position. But other investors stay away because they worry that officials in Somalia, a failed state, will come and tell them that legal documents in Somaliland aren’t valid.”
Yusef, an attorney, has no concerns that his contracts will be declared invalid. Somaliland’s brief period of independence in 1960 gives business contracts legal validity, he says. Britain and Italy’s Somali colonies merged on July 1, 1960, after a week as separate independent countries.
Even so, the region of 3.5 million people suffers under its legal limbo.
“Somaliland poses an extremely interesting dilemma to the international community,” says John Campbell, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria who is now an Africa expert at the Council on Foreign Relations. “It’s succeeding as a country but is recognized by nobody.”
But by African standards, Somaliland is thriving. “It’s a successful democracy in a part of the world where there isn’t a lot of democracy to celebrate,” notes Roger Middleton, a Horn of Africa specialist at Chatham House, a London think tank. “It’s not as prosperous as Kenya, but it has become a beacon of stability in Africa. And it’s much more successful than the official Somalia, where chaos rules and the government now only controls a couple of square miles.”
But that won’t automatically lead to legal recognition. “Countries outside of Africa will wait to see what the African Union decides,” says Middleton.
“And, given the potential domino effect, the AU is reluctant to give an African region independence.”Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo rules a peaceful country with democratic elections, functioning businesses, a police force — even broadband. He’s the president of Somaliland, the region of Somalia that declared independence 19 years ago.
There’s just one problem: No country officially recognizes Somaliland. President Silaanyo, who was elected earlier this year, has made recognition his goal and travels around the world to lobby for his country. He enjoyed the first fruits of his labors earlier this year, when the U.S. announced it will increase aid to Somaliland and send more diplomats there. Metro met Silaanyo:
Why should the international community recognize Somaliland?
We’re democratic, peaceful and cooperate with the international community. And we’re a bulwark against threats coming from Somalia, which are also a threat to the international community. Unfortunately, until now the world hasn’t recognized us. But even though we aren’t recognized, countries like the United States are starting to deal with us. The internationally recognized secession of South Sudan, which is expected on Jan. 9, strengthens our case.
How do the piracy and the chaos in Somalia affect Somaliland?
The danger of violence spreading to our side of the border is always there, and there have
already been several attacks against us. We don’t have any power to change the situation in Somalia. But the international community assists us in keeping the violence away, because this is a war between extremism and the international community.
How does the international community help you? With money or with weapons?
They work with our security forces on the intelligence side. In this sort of war, information is crucial.
Most people confuse Somaliland and Somalia. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to get a new name?
The name is always under discussion, but this has been our name since 1888. We’re an old country.
Just the facts:
» Name: Republic of Somaliland
» Size: 68,000 square miles, roughly the same size as England and Wales
» Location: Horn of Africa, bordering Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia
» Population: 3.5 million
» Currency: Somaliland shilling
» Religion: Muslim
» Main export: Lifestock (sheep, cattle, camels)
» Quintessential Somaliland: World-leading producer of frankincense
Source:Metro
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By Mo Guled
Tags: metro, Somaliland, Somaliland citizens, Somaliland Government, Somalilandpress
Readers Comments (17)
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keep dreaming my reer abtee lol.ssc for life
What's really sad is that most of these so called SSC supporters 1) don't know the realities on the ground are and 2) what they are really crying for is not Somali unity (somaliweyne), but rather a nation of Darood; which is what Puntland is secretly calling for.
The fact is Sanaag (the home of my uncles) is pro Somaliland always has and always will be. Sool, on the other hand, is a mix of pro and anti- somaliland supporters. Regardless, both groups live in peace. In 2007, PL tried to take control by pushing the pro-puntland Dhulbhante to fight the pro-somaliland Dhulbhante and they failed miserably. They tried to blame the whole affair on SL, but the elders in that region knew what really happened and SL in fact helped put out the fire by telling the prosomaliland side to make peace with their brothers.
Now the Sool people aren't sure about the whole Darood nations project, since they realized that the MJs can't be trusted (shocking!). Furthermore, people only have to look at the fighting in Galgala and Bossaso to figure out that Puntland is only meant for MJs and no one else. However, the hard headed patriotic darood will will always cling to this idea of a Darood nation no because of its legitimacy, because their hatred for Isaaq far outweighs their love for their own will being (foolish).
Honestly, the people of Sool should go back to their history books and wakeup. The SSC is a mixture of Isaaq, Dhulbhante and Warsengali. All live to together and intermarry. Historically, the Dhubhante have also aligned themselves with the Waqooi people for a very long time. Why? Because, unlike in PL, the Dhulbhante elders and peoples actually have a say in their own destiny.
In summary, I have nothing against pro-unity or pro somaliyweyne supporters it is noble and Islamic. And I also have nothing against the people of puntland and the wonderful peace that they have established for themselves (Mashallah). However, when I hear PL and its supporters calling for a Darood nation (disguised as unity), I can only see bloodshed. Last time, it was Dhulbhante vs Dhulbhante. Next time, it will be Isaaq (sanaag residents) + Pro-Somaliland Dhulbhante vs their other SSC brothers with the support of the corrupt TFG and the wishful thinking of MJs. Sad! But this is where Faroole and is government are taking the SSC, my true home.
> … what they are really crying for is not Somali unity (somaliweyne), but rather a nation of Darood — that
> is what Puntland and PSS are secretly calling for.
Excellent! You should ccp your article to Osman Hassan and his intellectually dishonest ilks.
Thanks brotha. It's a good thought, but i doubt they would listen. They know the truth. It just doesn't appeal to them – reality rarely does. Most people prefer to simplify their life by making the world one way or another – Right or Wrong, With us or Against us, my tribe or not, good vs evil, we are true somali and they are not etc
But Allah(swt) knows the truth, the locals know the truth and the truth will always prevail regardless of who screams the loudest or has the sweeter speech. So let us all work for our ideal version of Somalia and let Allah(swt) choose; which one to to bless.
DID N"T YOU KNOW IN SOMALILLAND ITS ONLY ONE LOVE AND THAT IS ONLY TO SNM SO.
ONE LOVE TO SNM
ONE LOVE TO SNM
Poor deluded SSC supporters have been fooled into fighting and dying for American interests. The SSC issue was created to protect the oil interests of American oil companies in that region. As always, scratch underneath the surface of any conflict and you'll see the real reason people are fighting: resources.
This textual excerpts: …Quote Given the potential domino effect the AU is reluctant to give an
African Region Independence. …again quote there is one problem. NO country officially recognizes Somaliland Again quote But that won't automatically lead to legal recognition. Countries outside
of Africa will wait to see what the African Union decides again quote Source Metro unquote.
In my opinion judgement the Somaliland legality issue of after 84 years under the Colonial British
protectorate reign and peacefully gained its Independence on 26 June 1960 under the officially
ceremonial rituals of the United Kingdom House of Windsor…There can be no reason for the
aforesaid dirty politics to block the free nation of Somaliland for such silly execuses of both the
Au and the Outside countries sourced by Metro!. Comeon Metro give the Somaliland the break
it deserves nothing more.
Cheers.
Somalilandpress is not accepting certain good comments. Wuxu kahelow utalaal.
Cheers.
I just don't get it….the binding commonality between the Somaliland case issue and the referendum
of South Sudan and even the Kosovo. Simply said these issues don't belong and tend to deliver
different implications. In fact for SL the implication will not harm two different Somaliland Somalia Govts.
in the Igad belt countries but for the Sudan Islamic non-islamic Govts. may have their future problems.
Cheers.
It look like today world every issue Somalis have there is an argument. Investing and politics are two different thing;therefore, anyone who has the opportunity to invest anywhere in Somalis area should be welcome. Let say if I want to invest my own province of Awdal as many Awdalis do like building roads, ports and so on, that has nothing to do with current Somali politics. Anyone who is against anyone who want to invest maybe against his own fortune as well. We should explore anything that would benefit our people regardless of surrounding political situation. The land and it people won't move any investment would theirs so why would anyone against that unless it wouldn't benefit your local area.
My fore-fathers who all died fighting against British colonial didn't believe in Clannish nor did they want clan state. They fought for the greater somalia. They died for the greater somalia. And I am going to die for that too. And whether SSC is clannish or not. I personally think SSC militia is not representative of all Dhulbahante and other somali clans living in SSC regions. IN fact, I am pro-SOmalia weyn and I don't care what the SNM sympathesizers comfort on eacho ther. SNM is clanish enclave, Puntland is Clanish Enclave. But the million dollar question for Pro-SL adn PL is why not SSC clanish state? YOu just don't care Dhulbahante people but just would like the beautiful land and its rich oil. All you care is that but we refused to divide somalia. And we want you, brothers or north and south come together or we always fight for that till you both realize it is an unassailable duty for you accomplish and abide by because I will always refuse to be either SL or PL but Somali!
Talking about the Mad Mullah and his Darawish followers ERA is exactly what's now again
terrorising the Somaliland Nation which is unacceptable and bound to fail.
Cheers.
You and your people will not survive for long because your cheating yourselves and hiding behind the idea of greater SOmalia that will never exist. If you believe in that go to Mogadishu, they will bust your head.
Saragale, brother refuse what you want…either join Somaliland or Puntland as there will never ever be a united Somalia again….
saalam calaykuum….
i am habr awaal and my mother is duulbahante (jamac siad). to all somalilanders specially isak people. we can't have peace without justice. we can't force them to join us then maybe we should let them their own referendum.
Hassan stay out of this..and get lost kid.goodbye.
Cheers.
Nonesense the whole of somaliland will go one way either become a republic of itself or join what seems impossible the greater somalia dream.referendum for what? Clanist separatist?