Somaliland
U.S. boosts ties with Somaliland and Puntland
September 25, 2010 · 29 Comments
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The United States is increasing ties with two semi-autonomous regions in Somalia, hoping to build stability for the embattled central government and African Union forces deployed in the virtually lawless nation, a top U.S. diplomat said on Friday.
Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson said U.S. officials were developing ties with authorities in both Puntland and Somaliland, both of which declared themselves independent in the early 1990s when the Horn of Africa nation descended into civil war and anarchy.
Carson said the United States did not plan to recognize either government as an independent state. But he said increased U.S. cooperation, particularly on aid and development, could head off inroads by Islamist Al Shabaab insurgents, who stepped up their fight to topple Somalia’s Western-backed central administration last month.
“Both of these parts of Somalia have been zones of relative political and civil stability and we think they in fact will be a bulwark of extremism and radicalism that might emerge from the south,” Carson told a news briefing.
Carson said the United States would also reach out to groups in south central Somalia, including local governments and family clans, that are opposed to Al Shabaab but not aligned formally or directly with the government in Mogadishu.
Carson stressed the United States would continue to recognize only a single Somali state and would work to strengthen the transitional government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, which has lost control of much of Mogadishu and much of southern and central Somalia to the Al Shabaab rebels.
“We do not contemplate and we are not about to recognize either of these entities or areas as independent states,” Carson said.
But he added that both regions could expect more concrete U.S. help with education, agriculture and water projects.
“In the past we have not engaged these areas and political entities aggressively. We will now start to do so,” Carson said.
FUNDING MORE PEACEKEEPERS
The United Nations this week convened a “mini-summit” on Somalia on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York, hoping to drum up fresh support for expanding the peacekeeping operation in the country.
Al Shabaab, which has links to al Qaeda, is increasingly seen as a regional threat and have used suicide bombers to devastating effect over the past two years, killing five government ministers and dozens of African Union peacekeeping troops. The group was also behind attacks in Uganda in July that killed at least 79 people.
There have been repeated calls to strengthen the African Union force, known as AMISOM, made up of about 7,200 troops from Burundi and Uganda.
Uganda has said it is ready to contribute more troops, but that it will need help to fund them. Carson said the United States was actively pressing both Asian and Arab nations to help with cash and military equipment.
“We believe that the problem in Somalia is both a regional and a global problem and in fact should be shared globally,” Carson told a news briefing, arguing that increased piracy off Somalia’s coast is a direct threat to both oil shipping and other trade between Europe and Asia.
Carson said he had spoken to Japan about increasing its support, but believed countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia also had a direct stake in stabilizing Somalia.
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Readers Comments (29)
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America's help is always welcome. They should have done it before. Also the Gulf countries (not Egypt) should be on the frontline to support Somaliland and all other possible areas in Somalia.
Regarding recognition, we are not in a hurry. But the begging quetions is: when Southern Sudan choose to secede from Sudan in their referendum, will the US recognize that entity? Lets wait, it will be interesting.
We Djiboutian will welcome to support Puntland & Somaliland for humanitarian help only, However Djiboutian government will NOT accepted a full diplomacy for northern Somalia, If USA interfere the Somalia internal affair, If against the souveignty and territorial integrity, It also against African Union Chapter, We believe One Somalia, One Language, One ethnic, However the situation in Sudan is different, there are different region and Language even different culture,
Abdul
Frankly speaking that the African Union was clear about the case of Somaliland not now but before a long time when President Julius nyerere has said that" we believe every nation to comeback to its colonial border" what does that mean is that Somaliland should go back to the Colonial border of the British protectorate in 1884 – what you believe is something and the fact is somethng else Gentleman, in regard to the AID well I think the Humanitarian would be more appropriate to provide to the millions of the Somalis in the South.
Abdul of Djibouti, Long time ago during fench colonisation of Africa there was a country called French Somaliland which is Djibouti now. Like wise there was British Protected of Somaliland which gain independence on 26/06/1960, and the blue somali flag was originaly our flag of Somaliland. Our Union never succeeded, people in Somaliland decided to go their own way, and that is freedom. You can not force us to be together. Many countries which had similar union, after few years they went separate, like Malysia and Singapore, Syria and Egypt. What is the problem if people in Somaliland wants to be separate. If you want us to be one country, then Djibouti must all be part of Somalia. The mistake people of Somaliland. Djibouti decided to remain separate country not to join with somalia. Again if Somaliland is recognised, I guarantee you Abdul that is the end of Djibouti economically as well as a country. That is the cause of worry to Ismail Gelle campaigning in the Arab world not to recognise it. But Somaliland had already been recognised by Allah as a country. They need to have fath in Allah and they will succeed.
Worry about feeding your starving people and getting your land back from Eritrea.
Abdul.
If you believe one Somalia, One Language and one ethnic then why Djibouti is a different country, why they did not join Somalia. Frankly I think Djibouti made a good decision when they did not join Somalia in 1977. Also "However Djibouti government will NOT accepted a full diplomacy for northern Somalia" Your statement is a bit arrogant. Somali Land does not need Djibouti, there is nothing Djibouti has that Somaliland needs.
every one who feel that somaliland is a state come out by Allah 's sake in the flaming horn is welcomed by the heart lovers of somaliland. we as somalilanders are very much proud to welcome any one who loves the step goal ahead of somalilanders, and any one who feel deeppocket is hated, any way we are very much liked to say my neighbour fellows to join with the help of somaliland and soon to start recognising somaliland as a nation in the horn of Africa as well in African contents
i love my home Somalia and somliland love them both coz they are one home in my heart god bless them for ever and put the peace there …………….^_^
Somaliland and Puntland have different post-colonial political backgrounds.
The former had full legal status quo de jure independence qualification
records ex Great britain with an elected functioning Govt. prior to becoming
a member of the Union with Somalia ex Italy on equal footing of two
different Govts. formed into the Somali Republic on 1st July 1960.
Somaliland withdrew from the union in 1991 after the union failed to function
because of brutal civil wars. Henceforth Somaliland in this regard actually needs
no further recognition but is simply tampered by dirty politics.
Puntland was integral part of Somalia ex Italy and was only formed
in 1998 and should not be put on equal terms with a different Somaliland.
However, with the help of the UK, the Americans would be in better position
to deal with what I see as only two Somalis … Somaliland and Somalia
without Puntland.
Cheers.
Americans, Europe and the Africans will never recognize Somaliland. Why not concentrate on self reliance and good governance. This recognition seeking is boring really! Some people think Somaliland will be recognized if Southern Sudan is recognized. Please educate yourselves about the International law that is a prerequisite for a State to be recognized if it secedes.
The Americans can financially or otherwise help who ever their government wants to, let's make one thing clear, the state of Somaliland is not part of Somali, just like Djibouti is not part of Somalia. This decision was reached 20 years ago by its' people. For those of you who think otherwise let's make one thing clear, no Country will ever force Somilanders to be what they choose not to be., and that is they no longer want to be parts or partial of what use to be the republic of Somalia. For the genteman from Djibout, if he really love all Somali speaking people to be one Country please try with your country Djibouti first and be part of Mogadishu and Putland, just like we tried once.
All Ethiopians would welcome all kinds of help The United States of America forwards to The People of Somalia.
The President may forward or creat or Suggest a law or regulation that would be a base for American Foreign policy in terms of Aid to people in Somalia that would relate to basic needs in health,food security and Educations.
Ethiopians could be mentioned for conventional war with Somalia.But the fight against poverty and Ignorance as well as universal health is and was and would continue to be common tradtion of all the people in the region.
MR. J.J.
Politics of Even handed policies as you urge is not good for Ethiopia
and all the other Igad countries sharing common border values based on mutual respect of peaceful co-existence and goodwill promotions.
Ideological conflicts aimed to disrupt these common values is certainly
not good policies at all. Its therefore in everybody's interests including
the Usa to re-enforce their harmful policies to bring about peaceful
approaches, solutions for Igad and E.A. Countries, in fact to all the 53 African countries (AU). The same goes for the M.E. N.E. F.E West-Russia Relations.
These are not my ideas, but the demanding challenges of the Miellnium
21st Century promptu dictates. Less arsenal Arms races, less Religious
ideological conflicts, less wars and more engagements in Economical
developments and so forth would look the ideal way course of action to persue, hopefully indeed so in God we trust is the wisdom attain.
Cheers.
Nobody can stop Somaliland's existence, neither dictator Geelle nor anybody else. If one city Djibouti is independent why not Somaliland, a large country where five million people reside. Somaliland is already recognized by its people. We do not foreign bases in Somaliland as Djibouti has. Somaliland's independence, sovereignty, is permanent, irreversible and solid.
Long Iife Somaliland
first let me welcome Americas decision to increase their ties with republic of Somaliland. second i believe the US is way beyond understanding the political image in the horn of africa, they got advice to work with democratic Somaliland 20 years ago but they absolutely failed to do so, and as a result we now see a total failed Somali state as well as countries learning towards dictatorship and fraud and unfair elections in the horn of africa.
However, recognising Somaliland as an independent country is the only solution for getting peace and democratic Africa.
If USA works with "puntland", then they will be working with a mafia family. It will be interesting to see where this takes them. I don't think they are serious if they are treating the Garowe mafia family as a legitimate entity.
Why could they not see this before if the "puntland" of today is the very same one founded in the late 90s?
The new US treaty and unilateral ties with Somaliland and Puntland is truly useless and simply unencouraging. We, Somaliland do not want US Political approach of this kind whatsoever. What benefits, shall we get from the Americans, if they are not willing to recognize us. They have already a bases in neighbouring Djibouti and close political relationship with Ethiopia as well. They have nothing to give us because American has its own big problems economically due to many ongoing war fronts in the world, so this is not a big deal enough to be proud of.
M.J.Musa
Somaliland is coming, taking step by step, once the US gets engaged with the region it means it clears the way for foreign investment because every thing relays on Wall St.
So its good for Somaliland, Ethiopia and the region.
Once we get this implimented we can take care of Garowe and Bosasso, we no longer have to go as far as Mogadishu. We can just hit Garowe, while the rest in the south stay in their mess.
The US will favourably reward Somaliland more than Puntland region for many reasons one being the successful election and helping to foster that to spread to the rest including Puntland region.
So Silaanyo fqash needs to capitalize on this opportunity and ask the US to financize the port of Berbera and the road between Berbera and Addis.
Also military aid is needed. England is already doing its side but once the US cleared the way I believe UK will step up and provide direct military training etc.
You are either a woman that is maried to a Tigray or a gey that is kept in a basement by at least 10 Tigray guys.
It is amasing the love you have for Woyana and the west as if they are god for you.
You must be in a bad nightmare:You think America will give you (Somaliland ) with the kind of mentality you have – to go to war and attack your brothers- the Puntuland. Wake up man!
Lukily, Somaliland has much better thinking people who are both pragmatic and politically savy. They will be better of weeding the mindless like you.
M.Dacar.
I am glad Somaliland government is not making such a fuss about this issue. It is just not worth talking to people who belittle us when we have done much for ourselves. Carson is a lowly official of USA admin, and only a pirate will take him serious.
as far as somaliland is concerned, this offer is too little and too late. Somaliland can not at all be compared to the crambaling all majeerteen ruled tribal entity, where no paries, no democracy, no elections— only a bakckward system of government, whose tribes are at fierce war with themselves for years now. How can America be so blind about the huge differnce between Somaliland and that Budland.
Sadly, the American attitude towards Somaliland is racist even with all the black officials they appoiinted to Africans to sweaten their hostility. They think it was really easy for people of Somaliland to reach where they are today.
My dear friends it seems you do not get it, America will never recognize somaliland not because they are blind to its considerable achievements but because recognizing somaliland will change the geopolitical situation of the horn of Africa as it stands. The simple fact is Ethiopia behind the scene is doing everything it can so somaliland does not become recognized. Right now as it stands power lies with Ethiopia, which is quite happy with the current situation in regards to somalia as a whole, why change it by recognising somaliland. Ethiopia does not want strong independant somalia in general and America supports Ethiopia in this. Its sad to say this as a proud somalilander but these are facts that we have to get used to for now unless something dramatic happens that will alter the situation on the ground.
I welcome more engagement from the US with Somaliland. Now is the time for the Somaliland Politicians to practise Real Politics and take advantage of the American involvement by pushing for international recognition for Somaliland.
Americas involvement will raise the profile of Somaliland in the International Community and other countries will begin to take notice Somaliland.
Also the Govt of Somaliland needs to start making contact with the Israelis. No doubt this would upset the Arabs but since the Arabs find it easy to ban livestock exports and hold Somaliland people to ransom we need to diversify our economy. Israel is a world leader in desert agriculture and hi-tec industries we need these skills and their is no shame in working with the Israelis and supporting the Palestinians, besides a number of Arab Govt have diplomatic ties with Israel so why cant we. Let the Israelis develop our ports and have a base too which will bring in foreign currency for the Govt.
We need to start taking advantage of our strategic location and stop acting like victims waiting for the world to recognise us. We need to be more proactive and attract those countries willing to engage with us, they are after their onw interest so should we.
Lets get out there.
Hey Abdisamad, You are funny…by the way, the whole Western bloc(Israelis no exception) are out there not only dealing with African Countries but all the rest of the World. But get one thing straight..God helps those who help themselves. This means that success or failure will depend on the
local level not international level. In other words, everything will be judged
on how capable the Somaliland Govt. can be in engaging with the outside World.
Cheers.
Oh my God! Abdisamd, You are so correct..
Waiting for world acknowledgement and Knocking on Arab door wont get Somaliland far enough. We need to be proactive and seek help where no one expects us to, Israel is the money shot for Somaliland. We need to stop being Fools and let them help us turn that beautiful place into the Jewel of Africa. We all know that a sovereign fully functioning Somaliland is a threat to all of Africa.
Its time for Somaliland to think outside the box.. Kudos for bringing that up, Abdisamd, whenever I said something along those lines to my fellow Slanders I only got ignorant responses back…lol..
Mohamed, what better way to show Slands eagerness to participate and evolve as a muslim nation by having a strong political connection with Israel?
We have done as much as we can to grow locally, therefore to play at International level, we need Money..
Yasmin
educated girl from Djibouti,
we all have to agree the most peaceful place in Somalia, is Somaliland. lets keep it that way, enjoy and work for it. it is sad to see our people killing each other, if somaliland wants freedom and their own peaceful state so God help them because they building peace. we all know somalis running from mogadishu lives in hargeisa now. this is an example of a peaceful place. putland and other somali places can work on their peaceful process and their state. but lets put the lives of your women and children first before thinking of your ego. if somaliland became a country then thanks god it is our people and there will be three somalis countries (djibouti, somalia and somaliland) just like there is irak, jordan, yemen etc.
think peace and prosperity first because nobody else care of our problems.
Southern Sudan meets the criteria to be a candidate for independence, while Somaliland is not.
The Nuer, Dinka, Acholi and other smaller tribes are overwhelmingly Christian and animists, and they are also Africans by ancestry.
They are discriminated against in Sudan's civil and government institutions.
What does Hargeisa adminstration have to seek independence? None.