Somaliland is an autonomous self-declared state ever since 1991. The state had remained as de facto statefor the last thirty three years. Nobody knows for sure how long the de-facto statehood of Somaliland would remain while the global and neighboring countries forfeiting it the right to becoming a sovereign country.
The Republic of Somaliland, which had proclaimed a unilateral declaration of independence, used to be an integral part of The Somalia Republic since 1960 until it outrightly declaredits autonomy thirty three years ago. However, the circumstance of statehood is still unilateral and denounced by the mother state: The Somalia Republic.The Republic of Somalia still takes a strong stance on the territorial integrity of their country with part of Somaliland combined despite Somaliland’s self declaration of independence for over three decades. What are the pushing factors behind for Somaliland to claim secession and remain as de facto state ever since?
One of the factors predominantly underscored for Somaliland to proclaim Statehood separating itself from the political union with the Somalia Republic was the systematic and deliberate involvement of the government of Somalia Republic in the humanitarian crisis that claimed the lives of over 200,000 innocent people in parts of Somaliland under Ziad Barre regime in 1987 and 1988. The government is ascribed accountable for the genocide happened on the Somali Isaak clan in Somaliland which was also termed as Somali Holocaust. Such demise of the government precipitated the scholars from part of Somaliland to move forward with the vision of securing autonomy.
The other presumptive pushing factors for Somaliland’s declaration of independence was theclan-based faction and corruptiondeep rooted in the government structure which was infused with systematically segregating the Isaak Clan from political power and any sort of economic opportunities in the country. The government institutions which were preoccupied with the dominance of few selected Somali clans had intensified the proliferation of multiple clan based armed groups along with Islamic extremists attributable to the collapse of the state.As a result of these persuasive factors and among others, Somaliland’s journey toindependence came to set out.
With all such notable grounds for declaration of independence, the State of Somaliland is still remaining a de facto state being unrecognized by any countryin the world and international institutions as United Nations. What are the prominent reasons for the neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and the west to deny recognition for the de facto State Somaliland?
All countries including the neighboring, Ethiopia, have unequivocal interest to grant recognition for Somaliland, but it comes with conditions.No country would like to be on the first line to recognize the state of Somaliland for fear of condemnation and political friction from the Somalia Republic and its allies such as Italy which was its former colonial protectorate.
The other claim by different countries to withhold recognition was the claim that consolidation of the political centralization of the Somalia Republic should take precedence to declaring the statehood of Somaliland. The Somalia Republic is still constituted with weak central power becoming safe haven for piracy anddiverse armed groups including the internationally recognized terrorist group, Al Shabaab. Without the existence of strong central political power in The Republic of Somalia, it is impossible to maintainsustainable peace in the horn of Africawhich alsotantamounts to destabilize Somaliland. In other words, fixing every sort of problem in Somalia should be a priority over granting recognition to Somaliland.
The Somalia Republic was under arms embargo from the United Nation’s Security Council since 1992 for over 15 years. The sanctionof weapons came about to deter further humanitarian crisis in the failed state Somalia. With this and other viable reasonsthe United Nations and other countries of the west,claim stability and proper functioning of government in Somalia Republic before recognizing the state of Somaliland.
Regardless of all the above presumptuous reasons to deny recognition, the state of Somaliland issustaining a well centralized government with functioning democracy.The de facto state of Somaliland is enjoying sustainable security and economic progress in comparison to the Somalia Republic. As a result, there is no plausible ground for Somaliland to turn backto the failed state Somaliafor political union.
Somaliland’s possession of well defined territorial integrity with permanent population is the other convincing grounds to recognize the state as sovereign country. The Isaak Somali clan of Somaliland is relatively enjoying sustainable security with progressive economic development which is Paramount for regional integration and so much more.
What is more, the de facto state Somaliland comprises of strong and independent military apparatus which vests more opportunity for recognition as sovereign country. It constitutes independent defense force and police institutions as part of the territorial integrity of the state. The establishment of its own currency for the last thirty three years is the other element taken up to recognize the state as independent sovereign country.
Ethiopia’s effort to develop Somaliland’s port of Berbera for its use as well as regional integration came about with a strong protest from Somalia Republic. As Somalia Republic still claims the unilaterally self declared state as part of its territorial integrity, it demands Ethiopia not to make any direct political dialogue with Somalil and claiming that Somaliland is part and parcel of The Somalia Republic. For this reason, the central government of The Somalia Republic claims that they should be communicated before any deal with Somaliland, however different the practical sense of politics between Somaliland and The Somalia Republicon the real life scenario.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs high level officials’ dialogue with their counterparts from Somalia Republic in Turkey was confirmed to be ended with no viable outcome.On such important convention, Somalia accused Ethiopia for showing unwillingness to accept the territorial integrity of The Republic of Somalia.While Ethiopia should not be held responsible for the historical intricacies between them.
In a nutshell, the United Nation and all other sovereign countries should call for the stronger centralized government in Somalia Republic for sustainable regional security in the horn of Africa and be advocate for recognition of the state of Somaliland which will no longer be part of The Somalia Republic for myriads of viable reasons as explained.
Editor’s Note: The author is a Former University Lecturer, Currently Working for Education Office. He can be reached via Email: wondwossen.a.haile@gmail.com or Mobile Phone +251-9-39-67-11-19
BY WONDWOSSEN ALEMAYEHU HAILE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 24 NOVEMBER 2024
