| REPORT ON VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND |
Posted 7 september 2002 Introduction This report was written following the author’s visit to the Republic of Somaliland in August 2002. During my trip I met with representatives of government, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), visited medical clinics, talked with people as they went about their daily lives and Canadians who have returned to Somaliland. This report is based on these conversations and observations and provides an overview of the region’s history, demography and the aspirations its citizens have for their future. History The Republic of Somaliland was a British protectorate from 1884 until June 26, 1960 when it obtained its independence. For four days, until July 1, 1960, the Republic enjoyed its independence. Its status was recognized by close to forty nations that, at the time, belonged to the United Nations. On July 1, 1960 it joined the former Italian Somalia and the Somali Republic was formed. During its formative years the union functioned well under democratic rule, with the last democratic election being held in 1969. In the 1970s the union began to falter following the take over of the government by a dictatorship. During the civil war of the 1980s thousands were massacred, their land and livelihood pillaged beyond recognition. There are reports that during this struggle bombs fell on the capital city of Hargeysa dropped by planes from its own airport. Refugees A significant percentage of the republic’s population of 3.5 million still lives in refugee camps. During the civil war thousands of people were displaced internally or found sanctuary in neighbouring countries. Many refugees have since been repatriated, either on a voluntary basis or by force. They live in temporary huts made of wood or plastic and held together with whatever materials are available. The refugees I met lived in an area of Hargeysa known as “region 5” named after the area in Ethiopia from where they were repatriated. Political System In the late 1990s the republic held a referendum on its constitution. Over 1.18 million people voted in the referendum with more than ninety-seven per cent voting in favour of the proposed constitution. Somaliland has a republican form of government. The Legislative Assembly is composed of two chambers, the Lower House and the Upper House. Currently, elders representing the twelve clans of Somaliland are appointed to the Lower House. Elders appointed by their clans sit in the Upper House. However, that will change in early 2003, when the first democratic elections since 1969 are held for the Lower House only. The Lower and Upper Houses function like those of the United States. The only difference is that the eighty-two members of the Lower House will be elected at large from a given area on the basis of proportional representation, rather than from individual ridings, as is the case in Canadian Parliamentary elections. It is interesting to note that the Upper House will not likely have any women representatives present. When I asked why this would be the case I was told that it would be hard to distinguish if women would represent the clan of their husbands or their fathers. I was told however that it would be possible to elect women to serve in the Lower House. The President of Somaliland has served in this capacity for less than one year. As Vice President in 2001 he was appointed head of state following the death of the late President Iqbal. Both Houses approved this appointment. Presidential cabinet nominees must be approved by the legislature, similar to the system of government in the United States. |
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| «As far as we are concerned we have nothing to do with Mogadishu» Late Mohamed Ibrahim Egal |
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| Voting Practices In the late 1990s a referendum was held on the constitution. Over 1.18 million people voted with more than ninety-seven per cent voting in favour of the proposed constitution. There were minor problems experienced with that free vote, the first in the country after almost thirty years. I was assured that they were logistical in nature. Somaliland will hold municipal elections in October 2002. An independent election commission has been established to oversee this election and the subsequent elections of the President and representatives of the Lower House in early 2003. The commission is comprised of seven members, three appointed by the President, two appointed by the Legislative Assembly and two appointed by the opposition parties. Somaliland cannot afford to enumerate voters for each upcoming election and then conduct each election. So as to be logistically efficient and fiscally prudent eligible voters will register for the municipal election and vote immediately upon being enumerated. Their enumeration will be valid for the Presidential and Lower House elections next year. Currently, there are nine political parties vying to contest these elections. Only those parties receiving twenty per cent of the votes cast in the municipal election in all regions of Somaliland with over five hundred members registered in each part of the region will be eligible to field candidates in the 2003 elections. Religion The religion of Somaliland is Islam with almost one hundred per cent of the population being Sunni. Members of other Islamic sects and other religious communities are small in number. Somaliland is not an Islamic fundamentalist state. Here, men and women can move about freely without restrictions on their movements of any kind. Economy Somaliland’s annual budget is approximately $30 million. Government and business leaders must exercise fiscal prudence as the republic cannot go into debt or run a deficit. As the international community does not officially recognize Somaliland it cannot appeal to international financial organizations for assistance. Imports and Exports The backbone of the economy is livestock. The total livestock in Somaliland, sheep, cattle and camels is estimated at 24 million. In 1996, three million head of livestock were exported to Middle Eastern countries. Two years ago the sale of livestock to Saudi Arabia was interrupted when Saudi Arabia claimed the livestock were suffering from disease. This situation threatened the financial stability in Somaliland. Currently, livestock is being sold to Saudi Arabia through other countries. Natural Resources Quarrying is the only form of mineral extraction currently operating in the republic. There is a vast wealth of untapped natural resources deposits including oil, gas, gypsum, lime, mica, quartz, lignite, coal, lead, gold and sulphur. The fishing industry is also underdeveloped despite the fact Somaliland has rich fishing grounds along its six hundred mile long coast. Many people told me that official international recognition of Somaliland is the key to establishing and maintaining a diverse and sustainable economy. Thus international investment, employment, trade and commerce opportunities would be created. Geopolitical Importance Somaliland is located in the Horn of Africa and enjoys a stable and peaceful existence. Yet some Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia, do not want the republic to exist while members of the Union of African States or is it the Organization of African Unity (??) do not officially recognize Somaliland. Serving as an African gateway to the Red Sea Somaliland is positioned to assist with all efforts in the Middle East and Gulf area. Berbera is a bustling port town with much international shipping traffic although the republic is not officially recognized. The town is also home to one of the largest airports on the continent built by the Soviets. Health and Humanitarian Outreach Recently the World Health Organization released a study entitled the, “Report of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health”. Author Jeffrey Sachs says, “The linkages of health to poverty reduction and to long term economic growth are powerful, much stronger than is generally understood…The AIDS pandemic represents a unique challenge of unprecedented urgency and intensity. This single epidemic can undermine Africa’s development over the next generation…” During my visit to Somaliland I visited medical clinics and spoke to government officials about HIV/AIDS that is gripping the continent. I learned that Somaliland has a relatively low number of occurrences of HIV/AIDS, compared with its neighbours. Somaliland’s HIV/AIDS education strategy requires strengthening to be even more effective. In my view, if this assistance is given Somaliland will be able to serve as a beacon to assist and guide bordering nations that are ravaged by the pandemic. Safety and Security In my meeting with the Commander of the Police I was advised that there are approximately six thousand police officers serving the republic’s population of 3.5 million. One third of these officers are civil war veterans. Officers must requisition a sidearm or a rifle from their precinct or the police academy. In my travels to urban and rural areas I noticed only four officers with weapons guarding the President’s compound and the official radio station. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) It seems there is a plethora of Non-Governmental Organizations working in Somaliland, those that are officially recognized, the “want to be” NGOs and the NGOs “in a briefcase”. This situation presents a very unique set of challenges. I was told that many enterprising individuals make appointments with every visiting foreign official to “sell” them on this study or that project using the appropriate “buzz words” but the entire exercise is meaningless. In my meeting with members of COSENGO, Somaliland’s NGO umbrella organization, I learned that the organization provides support services to NGOs in the form of such things as logistics planning and photocopying. Around the table people learned that more than one non-governmental organization was providing the same assistance to the same women’s groups. This duplication of efforts prompted discussion on the need for outside guidance to develop efficient models for service and project delivery whereby non-governmental organizations could provide enhanced client services. The Canadian Community in Somaliland The large community of Canadians living in Somaliland is wealthy, very influential, and active politically and in their communities. These are people who fled the civil war and settled in Canada or are long time residents of Canada who have returned to retire or to continue their professional endeavours in their homeland. Among the Canadians whom I had the pleasure of meeting were a current and a former cabinet minister, a former Auditor General of Somaliland and the Dean of Hargeysa University, to mention a few. They are involved in the process of nation building. They told me they want to have the Canadian government officially recognize their children as Canadian citizens through the issuing of Canadian Birth Certificates and Passports. To that end, they suggested that the government establish a Honourary Consulate General or a permanent liaison office in Somaliland, or empower the Dean of Hargeysa University, who is a respected member of the community and practiced medicine in Canada for more than thirty five years, with the authority to issue such documents. However, Canada’s official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland is their ultimate goal. Conclusion In reflecting upon this personal fact finding mission I would make the following observations and recommendations: Somaliland is a stable and peaceful region and maintains peaceful relations with its neighbours. The annual budgets are balanced. Journalists enjoy freedom of the press. There is freedom of movement for residents of the republic and foreign visitors. Somaliland held a fair and democratic referendum in the late 1990s and officials are planning to hold fair and democratic municipal, Presidential and governmental elections in the fall of 2002 and early in 2003. Canadians in Somaliland need and deserve some form of immediate and more permanent interaction with the Canadian government. The Canadian government should provide short-term assistance to Canadians who are returning to Somaliland. CIDA should take on a greater role in helping to bring increased educational opportunities and resources for economic development to the region. The involvement of Export Development Canada to assist and encourage Canadians in developing business and trade relations with Somaliland should be examined seriously. -30- |
| Related articles Mudane Ka tirsan baarlamaanka Kaneda oo socdaal ku tegay Burco. Canadian official urges Somaliland to step up efforts for international recognition |
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