Africa Analysis. London: Nov 12, 2004., Iss. 459; pg. 19
Abstract
In contrast, for the last 13 years Somalia has been in turmoil with various warlords fighting to advance their political agenda. Thirteen conferences financed by the international community to bring peace in Somalia all failed. Finally, the international community, spear-headed by member-countries of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (Igad), put together a programme of action which resulted in giving support to one warlord, Abdillahi Yusuf Ahmed. A former leader of Puntland, Abdillahi Yusuf is a military colonel who does not hide his contempt for the democratic process and human rights issues, as long as these principles do not work in his favour. Immediately, after he was crowned in Nairobi as the `president' of Somalia, he initiated a military assault against Somaliland so as to bring it back, by force, to the Union. His forces, which ventured into Somaliland's territory, have caused unnecessary loss of life and bloodshed in the region of Soole, inside the Somaliland border. This happened on 29 October. In an earlier incident, on 7 December 2002, while the Somaliland President was touring in the town of Las Anod, the forces of Abdillahi Yusuf attempted to assassinate him. This inflamed more anger in Somaliland. The recent dashes between the forces of Abdillahi Yusuf and Somaliland have already made the situation more dangerous.
ALTHOUGH not internationally recognised, Somaliland has, in a period of 13 years, been able to put in place all democratic institutions, including a multi-party system, an independent judiciary, an independent press and parliamentary as well as presidential elections to enhance their sovereignty and their robust demand for political recognition. Following independence from Britain in 1960, Somaliland entered into a Union with the former Italian-ruled Somalia, which also gained its independence in 1960. However, Somaliland withdrew from the Union in 1991 after ten years of fighting a liberation war against the forces of the military dictator Mohamed Siyad Bare.
In March 2004, Somaliland President Dahir Rayal Kahin visited Britain and spoke with British parliamentarians pleading for the recognition of his country. In his speech he said `in 1960 Somaliland was recognised by 35 countries including Egypt, Ghana and Libya. They had a good reason, then, to do so. They have as good a reason to do so today.' Recently, Chris Mullin, the British minister in charge of African Affairs, visited Somaliland and made a speech before the joint session of the two chambers of Somaliland parliament, promising that Britain will never be a party to any action that coerces Somaliland's return to a Union with Somalia.
In contrast, for the last 13 years Somalia has been in turmoil with various warlords fighting to advance their political agenda. Thirteen conferences financed by the international community to bring peace in Somalia all failed. Finally, the international community, spear-headed by member-countries of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (Igad), put together a programme of action which resulted in giving support to one warlord, Abdillahi Yusuf Ahmed. A former leader of Puntland, Abdillahi Yusuf is a military colonel who does not hide his contempt for the democratic process and human rights issues, as long as these principles do not work in his favour. Immediately, after he was crowned in Nairobi as the `president' of Somalia, he initiated a military assault against Somaliland so as to bring it back, by force, to the Union. His forces, which ventured into Somaliland's territory, have caused unnecessary loss of life and bloodshed in the region of Soole, inside the Somaliland border. This happened on 29 October. In an earlier incident, on 7 December 2002, while the Somaliland President was touring in the town of Las Anod, the forces of Abdillahi Yusuf attempted to assassinate him. This inflamed more anger in Somaliland. The recent dashes between the forces of Abdillahi Yusuf and Somaliland have already made the situation more dangerous. At present, both sides are bringing in more reinforcements and for first time, Somaliland, whose peace record has been praised by the international community, feels that its very existence is under threat.
Everyone knows the perils of war. The people of Somaliland do not want to see another war again. They have seen and lived through the worst of it. While the African Union (AU) and the Igad countries have been working hard for two years to see peace and governance return to Somalia, the people of Somaliland are waiting for an answer from the AU and Igad countries on what they are planning to do to the forces of Abdillahi Yusu which are occupying parts of Somaliland, and what reward Somaliland deserves for building peace, governance and democracy in a part of the troubled Horn. If the AU and Igad countries want to see peace and tranquility return to Somalia, and for that matter to the entire Somali Peninsula, they must urgently do two things:
First, they must demand from Abdillahi Yusuf the immediate withdrawal of his forces from inside Somaliland.
Second, they must take the lead in recognising Somaliland, especially now when a recognised government is being established in Somalia -- that is they must allow the existence of two Somali states living side by side in peace.
This is the only guarantee for peace in the Horn of Africa. The urgency that has been shown elsewhere in Africa -- in Céte d'Ivoire or Darfur, for example -- must also be applied to Somaliland. The AU must take the issue of the recognition of Somaliland much more seriously. Otherwise, it will be too late and more difficult when things get out of hand.