01/20/2006
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North of Somalia, which is attempting – with difficulty – to leave behind 14
years of civil war, is a country following the path of democracy and peace, such
as to be pointed out as a development model for the rest of the continent. Somaliland,
which proclaimed itself independent at the outbreak of the Somalia civil war,
has the makings of being considered a true state. Only the international community’s
recognition is lacking.
Destinies at the crossroads. Even though there are no big differences between the populations on a cultural
and religious level, the histories of the two countries have remained divided
for a long time. Somaliland was a British protectorate until 1960, when it was
annexed to Somalia, the Italian administration of which had come to an end. The
union endured until 1991. “Siad Barre’s regime organised an actual genocide –
even cultural – against the population of Somaliland,” Luluh Farah, president
of SIRAG (Somaliland International Recognition Action Group) wrote to PeaceReporter. “Our history was lost, our books were burned. Not to mention the scars of war
that we all bear. Our resistance to the regime was paid with the bombings of the
army and with the mines that are exploding still today, to remind us that the
consequences of the disastrous union with Somalia will be with us for a long time.”
It has been calculated that the repression Siad Barre organised led to the flight
of 700,000 people between 1988 and 1991, while the country was allegedly mined
with 2 million devices.
Without recognition. Parliamentary elections were held in September 2005, won by the UDUB (Ururka Dimuqraadiga Ummadda Bahawda, Party for Unity, Democracy and Independence), which obtained 33 of the 82 seats
available. But the most important result arrived from the international observers,
who confirmed that the elections were held in a regular fashion. It was an important
step for legitimising the existence of Somaliland, which 14 years after its birth
has still not been recognised. The international community prefers that the governments
of Hargeisa and Mogadiscio resolve the question, even if the margins for negotiation
are not broad. Somaliland’s authorities continue to rule out the possibility of
reunification, and at the moment the Somalia government is struggling with domestic
problems that are too pressing in order for it to attend to the question.
Future challenges. Somalia today is a non-existent state whose territory is controlled by the war
lords and where the transition institutions established in 2004 are not even able
to come to an agreement on which city to choose as the seat of government. It
is totally the opposite for Somaliland, where the clans have decided to set aside
their rivalry for the common good. The goals reached by the tiny state on the
political and economic levels are worth even more if we consider that, since it
is not a recognised state, Somaliland was not able to benefit from government
aids. The bulk of the work put forth in clearing the fields of mines, having the
refugees return and revitalizing the economy has been done by NGOs and by private
citizens. In spite of the promising beginning, there are still many challenges
to be faced, above all in the economic area. The road has just begun for the small
country of miracles.
printsend
After breaking off from Somalia in 1991, the country is setting an example for Africa
North of Somalia, which is attempting – with difficulty – to leave behind 14
years of civil war, is a country following the path of democracy and peace, such
as to be pointed out as a development model for the rest of the continent. Somaliland,
which proclaimed itself independent at the outbreak of the Somalia civil war,
has the makings of being considered a true state. Only the international community’s
recognition is lacking.
African miracle. Somaliland’s history began in 1991, the day after Siad Barre was overthrown in
Mogadiscio. Tried by the injustices and by the repression suffered under Barre’s
regime, the clans who lived in the six northern provinces decided to proclaim
themselves independent. It was a fundamental decision that was to save the newborn
state from civil war. Somaliland very soon provided itself with its own government
structures, through a mixed system that was able to reconcile institutions of
a Western stamp with the structure of traditional power. The country’s clans obtained
a number of seats in Parliament proportional to their numeric consistency, managing
political life without traumas and according to a model defined as “pastoral democracy”.
Its presidential elections and policies never followed by armed conflicts has
proven it. Even when current President Dahir Riyale Kahin was elected in 2003
with a margin of 90 votes over rival Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo.
Destinies at the crossroads. Even though there are no big differences between the populations on a cultural
and religious level, the histories of the two countries have remained divided
for a long time. Somaliland was a British protectorate until 1960, when it was
annexed to Somalia, the Italian administration of which had come to an end. The
union endured until 1991. “Siad Barre’s regime organised an actual genocide –
even cultural – against the population of Somaliland,” Luluh Farah, president
of SIRAG (Somaliland International Recognition Action Group) wrote to PeaceReporter. “Our history was lost, our books were burned. Not to mention the scars of war
that we all bear. Our resistance to the regime was paid with the bombings of the
army and with the mines that are exploding still today, to remind us that the
consequences of the disastrous union with Somalia will be with us for a long time.”
It has been calculated that the repression Siad Barre organised led to the flight
of 700,000 people between 1988 and 1991, while the country was allegedly mined
with 2 million devices.Without recognition. Parliamentary elections were held in September 2005, won by the UDUB (Ururka Dimuqraadiga Ummadda Bahawda, Party for Unity, Democracy and Independence), which obtained 33 of the 82 seats
available. But the most important result arrived from the international observers,
who confirmed that the elections were held in a regular fashion. It was an important
step for legitimising the existence of Somaliland, which 14 years after its birth
has still not been recognised. The international community prefers that the governments
of Hargeisa and Mogadiscio resolve the question, even if the margins for negotiation
are not broad. Somaliland’s authorities continue to rule out the possibility of
reunification, and at the moment the Somalia government is struggling with domestic
problems that are too pressing in order for it to attend to the question. Future challenges. Somalia today is a non-existent state whose territory is controlled by the war
lords and where the transition institutions established in 2004 are not even able
to come to an agreement on which city to choose as the seat of government. It
is totally the opposite for Somaliland, where the clans have decided to set aside
their rivalry for the common good. The goals reached by the tiny state on the
political and economic levels are worth even more if we consider that, since it
is not a recognised state, Somaliland was not able to benefit from government
aids. The bulk of the work put forth in clearing the fields of mines, having the
refugees return and revitalizing the economy has been done by NGOs and by private
citizens. In spite of the promising beginning, there are still many challenges
to be faced, above all in the economic area. The road has just begun for the small
country of miracles.Matteo Fagotto
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