Somaliland Forum

On the occasion of the visit of the President of the Republic of Somaliland, H. E. Mohammed H. I. Egal, to the United Nations this week, the Somaliland nation is reminding the international community that their independent state has risen again from the ashes of the Somali debacle and is seeking the recognition that it so rightfully deserves.

"As we are approaching the end of this century, we want to inform the International Community that Somaliland has been a sovereign state for two- thirds of this century including the last eight years. Somaliland reclaimed its sovereignty in 1991 and the time has come for the other nations to acknowledge the wishes of the people of Somaliland," said the Chairman of the Somaliland Forum, Mr. Jama Musse Jama.

Somaliland fulfills all the conditions of statehood. It has a permanent population who have expressed their will in various conferences in the last few years, a clearly defined territory (the former Somaliland Protectorate) with recognized borders, a democratically elected government which has a full control over its territory, and all the characteristics of a state with the capacity to enter both bilateral and multilateral relations with other states. The Republic of Somaliland is now a peaceful country with a vibrant enterprising people, a bicameral parliamentary system, an independent judiciary and fully functioning central and local governments. Yet Somaliland is still denied of its international recognition, due to some regional powers desire to pursue their own vested geopolitical interests at the expense of Somaliland and its people.

"We would like to remind the international community that in the last ten years, many new states in Eastern Europe which have not had the same control of their territories, as Somaliland does, and have not existed as separate states before, as Somaliland did, were recognized. Even at this moment, we see the painful rebirth of another state in East Timor. Why is it then that our East African State is treated differently?" asked Mr. Jama.

Somaliland is not a region of a country, which is seceding and, therefore, the OAU doctrine of preserving colonial boundaries at all costs does not apply to it. At independence from the Great Britain on the 26th of June 1960, Somaliland had clearly defined international boundaries. It appears, therefore, that the Somaliland people's right to self determination, and their repudiation of the union with Somalia, which was never legally established properly, and which cost them dearly in life and limb, are being subjugated to other nations' misguided desire to reconstitute the Somali State.

There is no reason why the Somaliland people should continue to suffer, because of the negligence of the international community and the pursuit, by some nations, of this unrealistic dream (i.e., greater Somalia). The Somaliland people will never again surrender their sovereignty. We therefore urge that all the peace-loving nations and states to extend their recognition to our reborn state, and to do it before the end of the millennium.

Background:

1. The Somaliland Forum is an international organization that brings together Somalilanders from all parts of the world through the medium of the Internet. The Forum is committed to the strengthening of the political identity, democracy, economic stability and general prosperity of the Somaliland nation.

2. The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Egal was re-elected for a second term in early 1997. He is currently visiting the US.

3. The Forum has also sent an open letter to the Secretary General of the UN and the President of the General Assembly. Copies of this letter and further information can be obtained from the contacts listed below.

The peacemaker gets two-thirds of the blows