Somaliland
Somaliland is cracking down on pirates
May 20, 2010 · 7 Comments
Re: Somali pirate cash ‘coming to Ottawa,’ April 30.
The Citizen article on piracy profits in Somalia coming back to Ottawa did not mention that Somaliland recently sentenced seven pirates to 15 years in prison and has now jailed more than 70, and sentenced a terrorist to 24 years in prison.
Somaliland’s reward for trying to be a good citizen in the international community is silence and neglect. Instead, newspapers are filled with stories of the mayhem in ungovernable Somalia.
Somaliland was a British protectorate from 1884 to 1960. It gained independence and UN recognition and then agreed to join with Somalia although the union was never ratified by their parliaments.
The informal partnership did not work and Somaliland attempted to withdraw in the 1980s. The succession was brutally repressed by the dictatorship in Mogadishu and lead to many refugees coming to Canada.
In 1991, Somaliland successfully withdrew following the collapse of the government in Somalia and has operated independently ever since. It has kept its coasts clear of pirates, tried to keep extremists out of the country and held three democratic elections, all with almost no outside help or aid.
One of the reasons these efforts have not been recognized is a desire on the part of the international community to put Somalia back the way it was. This will never happen given the situation in Somalia and the strong feelings that will always exist with respect to the 1980s conflict.
I have personally visited Somaliland and it already compares very favourably to many other more “well regarded” countries in Africa. It is time to help Somaliland and reward its efforts through aid and recognition. I am personally investing in a business venture in Somaliland because recognition will happen as long as it stays on its present course.
Gregory Bowes,
Carleton Place.
Source: The Ottawa Citizen| Thursday, May 20, 2010
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By Mo Guled
Tags: Canada, Somali Pirates, Somaliland, Somaliland Cracking down pirates. ottawa
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Well done Mr. Bowes and welcome to Somaliland, it is the future and ideal place to start a business since there is so much need and little investment.
Somaliland will become the hub for the region if supported because it's people are highly driven and passionate about peace and progress and that's the most important thing in today's world — passion and driven.
Somaliland will succeed it's matter of when.
Thank you very much Mr. Bowes for your article, it is very encouraging, and I applaud your initiative, and the sentiments contained, therein, and hope others will follow suit.
We are a young nation, and Somaliland really needs friends like you out there. We welcome anyone who would want to invest in our country and be our friend.
As you have seen and noticed, Somaliland is functioning in a perfect normal environment just as any other country, on the five continents. It enjoys all utilities, and if I may add, has one of the most sophisticated internet and phone connections in the world. It is calm and safe; unlike some countries in Africa that I know off; with food and all other items in abundance, and people go on with their daily lives with perfect ease and with no incidents.
With time, I believe Somaliland will one day be recognized just as in the case of Eritrea, and what was former Yugoslavia, is now Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia; to name but a few; and while the International Community, continue to think of accepting Somaliland, as an independent. sovereign state and a member of the United Nations family etc., the Government of Somaliland and its citizens in the homeland and the Diaspora will continue to do everything possible to take part in the development of their country and make sure that peace reigns all over Somaliland. Somalis are an enterprising culture, which benefits each and everyone and is for the good of the country. Certainly, there are those elements that fall prey to dubious activities as is the norm, round the globe.
I would like to make a point though, for those readers, who are not acquainted with the Somali history or its people, that natives from Somalia and Somaliland are equally called “Somalis”.
Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Bowes.
As a fellow Canuck I wanted to say thank you Greg…
Wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Once again, thank you, Mr. Bowes.
An excellent article!!!!!
I am Eastern Asian and please just to tell our brother Samalilanders, I'm proud of strongly development for the prosperity of their nation, peace be up on all of you. You deserve your own country. Please keep up the good works. Thanks