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Somali breakaway state needs recognition, says leader
May 27, 2011 · 23 Comments
HARGEISA(Somaliland)—The leader of Somaliland has called on the international community to give the breakaway state the recognition it “deserves” as it marks 20 years since a unilateral declaration of independence.
“It’s high time the international community gave consideration to the efforts of the people of Somaliland, and gives the recognition that the people of Somaliland need and deserve,” Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the self-styled president of Somaliland, told AFP in an interview.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia proper in 1991, the year in which the Horn of Africa nation started its long descent into violence and chaos with the overthrow of strongman president Mohamed Siad Barre.
Somaliland, which has had two decades of relative stability, last week celebrated the 20th anniversary of its “independence” declaration although it remains part of Somalia in the eyes of the international community.
Silanyo argued the impending recognition of South Sudan would strengthen Somaliland’s case for recognition.
“One problem with the African Union has been the idea that African borders should not be changed … But that argument does not hold true anymore,” said Silanyo, pointing out that in contrast to Sudan, which was a single country in colonial times, Somaliland was already separate from the rest of Somalia.
Silanyo said the problems in the rest of Somalia should not be allowed to hinder the development of Somaliland.
“The international community can see that the possibility of change in Somalia does not even appear on the horizon and that there is no reason why we should be held hostage for solutions to be found for Somalia,” he said.
“We hope that the international community will find solutions for Somalia, and we support the efforts of the international community in this regard, but certainly that should not be at our cost.”
Silanyo said that not having international recognition deprives Somaliland of its “rightful seat in the UN and AU” and means it receives no development aid.
On the various secessionist movements operating from within Somaliland — specifically those in the Sool and Sanaag regions — Silanyo said: “There are protests all over the world … We are no exception.”
He argued Somaliland is the most peaceful part of the region and that it has gone a long way towards establishing a democratic and participatory government. “If there are complaints here and there, so what?” said Silanyo, who is Somaliland’s fourth president since the territory uproclaimed its independence.
Silanyo, who has a degree from the London School of Economics and runs the Kulmiye party, took over from Dahir Riyale Kahin after winning the June 2010 polls. The vote was held without violence and the outgoing president gracefully conceded defeat.
Many voters and politicians voiced the hope that such a smooth transfer of power would once again prove their democratic credentials and strengthen their territory’s case for international recognition.
Some Western countries argue Somaliland deserves to become a fully-fledged country and thus gain access to more aid but the African Union is wary of setting a precedent they fear could spur secessions across the continent.
Source: AFP
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By Mo Guled
Tags: Hargeisa, President Siilaanyo, Somaliland, Somalilandpress
Readers Comments (23)
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Will People in Las Anod and Hargeysa get equality in Somaliland? how many important political posts are we Dulbahnate getting in Somaliland? we don't have any minister from Sool in Somaliland.
you do not have any minister in the government cabinet!! be realistic my friend,
Lander, are you saying that we will be discriminated in Somaliland?
The minister of information in SL is called Xabsade and his from Las Anod, Dhulbhante. Both the Warsengali and Dhulbhante have important posts in the Somaliland government. I also believe close to 15% of the budget is spent of SOOL. Somaliland is a work in progress and by no means is it the finished article. So if you want to make things better you are welcome to join the discussion and democratic process like any other country. Just don't say WE PEOPLE as if to say the people of Somaliland are different.
SL military sent troops to the puntland border at the request of the people of Las Anod to prevent PL from entering and turning the area into a battle ground. You should also know that some of the SL military generals are Dhulbhante. So take it easy and don't listen to liars and spreaders of mischief.
well hargaisa and any region will have to get equality even though hargaisa i sthe capital but the thing is most dulbahante in sool,sanag and cayn are against somaliland. if they accept to live peacefully with the rest of somaliland then ofcourse all posts are available to them even if it is to be the president of somaliland….it shouldnt be about tripe we r in 21 century and is about nationhood. but unfortunately most dulbahante hate somlailand especially the issaq even if they r half issaq……….i love my country somaliland and i also love Somalia xamar too because they are my brothers and sisters and because of somalinimo whether we are separated by boarders or not we are somalis at the end of the day just like the people who live in djabuti are somalis
They don't hate Issaq but just love somalimo, how do you think that Somaliland can control Sool if they didn't have dulbahnate support? the have many dulbahnate supporters, and we will never hate the great Issaq people because we are all half Issaq.
Inshallah brother one day a man from Las Anod will lead Somaliland into greatness!
The heavy weight Minister of Information, minister of defence, deputy minister of Interior
and many others across the Cabinet, Legislature and Judicial branches of the Somaliland Govts.the Hartilanders are decorated fairly across the springboard despite the handful Sool Sanaag dissident terrorist groups who are by now almost rounded up locally and internationally and losing their capacity abilities. Those Hartilander trouble makers in the certain towns of Sool and Sanaag must understand that Somaliland is a Nation and that their terrorising activities will have no place in the democratic systems and mechanisms under which Somaliland is governed. The Hartilanders of Sool and Sanaag have 100% constitutional rights to have their share of the pie in their fatherland motherland without conspiracies and betrayals of any kind. Just look at Gadabuursi power in the Somaliland Govts. Vulnerable indeed!.
Cheers.
INSHALLAH, Whether he be Dhulbhante or Warsengali he can have my vote.
@Las Anod Boy,
No discrimination in Somaliland: you can run for the highest office in the land.
InshaAllah somaliland will be recognized and it will be a strong nation both economically and politically and Islamicly and will prosper and InshaAllah xamar will become peace and will prosper too. may Allah Allah help the somali speakig people all around in east Africa
Yes indeed Somaliland cannot be held hostage for the dubious excuses connected to Somalia, and the AU/IC
interest groups. Indeed Somaliland was an Independent country fully recognized by the UN Body
with clearly defined International borders and/or boundary when joined Somalia on equal basis partnership
Union to become Somali Republic. When the Union failed Somaliland had no other choice but to
restore her legal Independence bill of rights of 26 June 1960 which should be enough justification to
allow joining the free IC UN without the necessity of yet another plea(s) of unjustified political
means. This Source AFP to me appears to be somewhat precariously dubious in the conclusion
which tends to be controversial and contradictory in its meaningful intent. Somaliland shouldn't have
problems about the political recognition to go through the British political mechanisms etc.
Hopefully that if applied will undo many difficult hurdles in the case of the Somaliland political issues.
Gobaad you said it all dear.TKs.
Cheers.
The people in the South will not cry if Somaliland gets recognition and becomes independent State, but there are feelings of national pride to keep the country together. Other tribes oppose the independence of Somaliland except Issaq and there are border disputes that needs to be solved before any recognition. Take a look at whats happening at South Sudan today, there are still blood shed and war going on. The north invaded Abyei and claims part of it and the South says its one of its own. There are dispute in Sool and Sanag and i am sure Mogadishu will want those areas part of Somalia if its people wants to be part of Somalia. Is Somaliland willing to give up Sool, Sanaag and Ceyn?
To compare Sudan to Somalia is not an accurate reflection, because there's really no dispute about Somaliland border as this was pre-determined in 1960 before Somaliland joined the union.With Sudan its different because, when the comprehensive peace agreement was signed in 2005 between South and North Sudan the border town Abeyei was lumped under the northern administarion.However after the referendum the South went back on its agreement and are laying claim to Abyei now.
If i point out the difference to you Somaliland borders are engraved in stone whilst Sudan's were largely devised since 2005.
I would also like to correct you as it's not only the Isaaq people, but also the Gatabirsi and this might come as a surprise to you, so brace yourself also a large proportion of Dhulbahnate who want an independent Somaliland
@Saacid brothda you can't compare South Sudan and Somaliland Independence issues.
Entirely two different aspects. Forget about Ceyn which's not in the dispute. As regards Sool and Sanaag
just think of the cosmopolitan of the tribes how they are so mixed without clearly defined borders to
seperate them other than same old colonial drawn borders of the Somaliland Statehood Nationality.
The tribes you are exaggerating opposing the Somaliland State except Isaaq is nonsense and not true.
Somaliland is for all Somalilanders and that's how its governed and democratically functioning successfully
unlike your poorly Governed Somalia. Right now Somaliland is far better off than Somalia and simply
can not gamble to lose its hard earned gains during the last 20 years I.E. Since 1991 when it withdrew
into 26 June 1960 borders.
Cheers.
That isn't the correct question. The right question is – Are the other regions willing to let somaliland go peacefully or are they looking for another reason to justify their inner hate to start another war?
This is the basis of the Somaliland debate. How far are the people of the south willing to go to ensure they get THEIR WAY? After all there is no love lost between us. The people of Somaliland, namely the ISAAQ, want NOTHING to do with the south and the people of the south love power (and ruling).
Simply put, we want to do our own thing and YOU want to be our boss. We openly say NO and you try to sugarcoat your deep desire to RULE by using pretty words like brotherhood and nationhood. REAL TALK
somaliand is claiming their boarders based on colonial boarders which obviously includes sol,sanag and cayn so they should negotiate in peace talk, and it is not only issaq who supports but many others tripes in and around somlailand also support too even though the majority of somliland supporters are from the issaq clan. the previous president is from awdal and the current minister is from zaylac non-issaq. Really and truly Somaliland is only reclaiming their sovereign and their boarders before the unity. viva somaliland
But how that's implentable is what matters most and I can't see the real solution thus far.
Two state solution(Somaliland Somalia) as in 1st July 1960 when the two countries merged into
equal partnership..The Somali Republic. What you say is utter BS.
Cheers.
Correction: Implementable I/O Implentable.
Cheers.
@ Somali, you were wrong when you thought you could easily mislead Somalilanders taking all the power yourselves. You were wrong when you thought you could neglect the progress of our part of the country and took all the resources without giving any back. You were wrong when thought you could suppress the will of Somalilanders and their determination to take back their rightful statehood. You were wrong when you thought you could easily eliminate a Nation from the face of the earth by destroying its history and heritage and levelling the country into ruins. We are proud to say that we fought a bitter battle to break away from Somalia and reverted to our previous Statehood but paid a price of death and destruction. Breaking away was not in Somalilanders' cards. But we were forced to do because you took us for granted bilaterally formed a government yet again, without consulting Somalilanders. And of course, this was the last straw that breaks the camel's back and said we had enough. You just blew your last chance to redeem yourselves. So, we headed for the door.
And you are wrong now undermine Somaliland's capability, and self-determination to stand as a Nation. You know what? It is not your call. The best you could do now is giving us your blessings. If anybody is delusional, it is you guys. One people, one language, and one flag does not cut. Move on and smell the roses. Saba adhigu daaqo, miyaa samada laga heli? The answer is NO! Somaliland will never put itself in a position of joining Somalia again whether you believe it not.
@Gobaad,
Ku darsoo:
waa sacabkoo timo yeesha iyo dameer sandmadoon
sina loo helimaayoo waanay suurta galayn.
Somaliland would rather go to hell than go back to that dubious union. The sooner Walawayn folks understand that the merrier.
Past 8 Years President of this country (Somaliland) was from a minorty (Dahir Riyale – Borame) and I have no problem if the next one comes from Las Anod or Las Qoray as long as he believes in Somaliland and what it stands for.
First feed your people THEN talk! Idiot