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HOME / Blogs / ROOBLE BLOG
Somaliland: Will the U.S. do it ? (Blog)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OPINION/ By Rooble Mohamed

Do what exactly? 

Well the last discussion of the Pentagon about Somaliland was a positive move from the US. Some would say it is the best during the past 17 years. I think it is still hard for some people to believe that the US is finally in favor of Somaliland’s recognition. Why not ? what is Somaliland differ from its own sister, Kosovo ? 

Somaliland has been independent from the rest of Somalia for the last 17 years maintaining the best peace-building practices in the world. It maintained to start from the scratch without any support from the International community. Building a high quality military and police forces, creating a whole governmental body with its government, parliament, judicial system, national bank, etc. all elected by the public is something that is very rare in the whole Africa. For Somaliland it was success but it always met a blind eyes from the western powers when it comes to the issue of international recognition. With all the efforts done by the government, the opposition parties and the Somaliland individuals living inside and outside the country there are still no touchable results of the issue.

Suddenly here is the US debating over Somaliland’s recognition and clearly in favor of it. It was a big surprise to the world especially after the Kosovo’s issue. It was a big success for Somaliland’s foreign minister for his struggle to put this issue at least on the table and he immediately replied to the pentagon for their concern. The Somaliland community everywhere also welcomed the move as they see this is a golden opportunity for their abandoned country. 
 
Some Arab newsletters and journals started to highlight the issue marking it as Arabs loosing Somalia if Somaliland is recognized. It is usual that Arabs do not welcome anything that is for the good of Somaliland but they don’t have a choice this time especially when the US is the one lobbying for the case.
 
Now as the Somalilanders are expecting a bravely move from the America to announce its recognition to Somaliland and the Somaliland’s enemy is waiting for the outcome of more discussions within the Bush administration it is expected otherwise too.
 
Somaliland made all the necessary steps to be an independent government and the last move of closing the border in Sool region can be described as the last step to finalize the struggle which attracted the international attention towards Somaliland.
 

But the question is:

 
Will the US do it ?

  
Will the US dare to face this and announce their recognition to Somaliland ?
 

If that happens then the Americans will be welcomed flowers in this part of the world.


 
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Post A Comment
Comments 7 comments for this article
Added: December 13, 2007. 04:16 PM GMT
i believe america can't. if it allows somaliland to separate, it will make the TFG mad because the TFG is pro-somaliunity
Anonymous
Added: December 13, 2007. 08:58 PM GMT
Somaliland: Will the U.S do it?
Why not? We existed for 17 years and continue to make improvements year after year. This is because we never felt we were part of Somalia since Bare took over. We are united on this and the U.S sees that. Judging by historical point of view, The U.S will recognize us,the world will follow.
TFG who? What do they do? Can they even handle few islamists in Mugadishu?
Sland Fanatic
Added: December 13, 2007. 11:29 PM GMT
If Somalia is divisible Somaliland is also divisible
Those of you who are not familiar with the world politics would assume that the United States, the only superpower in the world, would entertain the idea of dealing with a clan to become a country. The Americans are not stupid and they know that the people who are screaming day and night for elusive recognition are the Isaq people only, and also they know that this clan cannot be allowed to have it is way lest there is Pandora box not only in Somalia where every clan will declare an independence but the whole continent of Africa.
Anonymous
Added: December 14, 2007. 01:19 PM GMT
Isaaqaphobia
Here we go again with people who have phobia about Isaaqs. The question was clear.."Will the USA recognize Somaliland or not". The question was not whether or not you feel inferior to Isaaqs or not.

Somaliland is comprised of many clans and even the president himself is not an Isaaq even though the Isaaqs have been instrumental in the success of Somaliland and unwavering in their support and the fight for preservation of our beloved country.

Anonymous
Added: December 15, 2007. 11:15 AM GMT
WE AINT ALL ANGELS, THAT'S WHY HEAVEN AND HELL EXIST
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT IT WOULD BE VERY MUCH IN THE BENEFIT FOR (MY COUNTRY) SOMALILAND TO GET RECOGNITION UPTO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

BUT THOSE WHO ARE GIVING YOU RECOGNITION ARE NOT DOING IR FOR YOUR INTEREST OR WELLBEING BUT FOR THEIR OWN. iF THEY GAVE A DAMN ABOUT OUR INTERESTS THEY'D HAVE RECOGNISED US 17 YEARS AGO. THEY WANT USE OF THE BERBERA PORT AND THAT IS THAT. QOF ILKAHA WUU KUU CADAYN KARA, LAKIIN MA OOGID WAXA UUR KIISAA KU JIRA [ SOME-ONE CAN WHITEN THE TEETH FOR YOU BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN/WANT].

BUT HOW,EVER I WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL IF THEY DID RECOGNISE US; IT'S THE LEAST WE DESERVE. AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT EVEN THE WHOLE OF SOMALIA. THEY'D HELP IF THEY DID. BUT ALL THEY CAN DO IS TALK, AND DELIVER WEAPONS WHEN IT'S TIME TO FIGTH (WHICH ONLY RUINS THE COUNTRY MORE) EG. YEMEN & EGEYPT NOW, SADDAM HUSSAIN TO SIAD BARRE. THEY HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY, IF THEY WANTED TO HELP THEY'D HELP YOU BUILD SCHOOLS HOSPITALS ECT. INSTEAD OF BUYING DIAMONDS AND PEARLS FOR EUROPEAN STATE OFFICIALS WITH THEIR OWN MONEY. ITS PETHETIC

INSHALLAH ALL WILL GO RIGTH, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WHAT'S MEANT TO HAPPEN WILL HAPPEN, WAT'S NOT MEANT TO HAPPEN WON'T HAPPEN.
Anonymous
Added: December 15, 2007. 11:15 AM GMT
WE AINT ALL ANGELS, THAT'S WHY HEAVEN AND HELL EXIST
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT IT WOULD BE VERY MUCH IN THE BENEFIT FOR (MY COUNTRY) SOMALILAND TO GET RECOGNITION UPTO A CERTAIN EXTENT.



BUT THOSE WHO ARE GIVING YOU RECOGNITION ARE NOT DOING IR FOR YOUR INTEREST OR WELLBEING BUT FOR THEIR OWN. iF THEY GAVE A DAMN ABOUT OUR INTERESTS THEY'D HAVE RECOGNISED US 17 YEARS AGO. THEY WANT USE OF THE BERBERA PORT AND THAT IS THAT. QOF ILKAHA WUU KUU CADAYN KARA, LAKIIN MA OOGID WAXA UUR KIISAA KU JIRA [ SOME-ONE CAN WHITEN THE TEETH FOR YOU BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN/WANT].



BUT HOW,EVER I WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL IF THEY DID RECOGNISE US; IT'S THE LEAST WE DESERVE. AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT EVEN THE WHOLE OF SOMALIA. THEY'D HELP IF THEY DID. BUT ALL THEY CAN DO IS TALK, AND DELIVER WEAPONS WHEN IT'S TIME TO FIGTH (WHICH ONLY RUINS THE COUNTRY MORE) EG. YEMEN & EGEYPT NOW, SADDAM HUSSAIN TO SIAD BARRE. THEY HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY, IF THEY WANTED TO HELP THEY'D HELP YOU BUILD SCHOOLS HOSPITALS ECT. INSTEAD OF BUYING DIAMONDS AND PEARLS FOR EUROPEAN STATE OFFICIALS WITH THEIR OWN MONEY. ITS PETHETIC



INSHALLAH ALL WILL GO RIGTH, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WHAT'S MEANT TO HAPPEN WILL HAPPEN, WAT'S NOT MEANT TO HAPPEN WON'T HAPPEN.
Anonymous
Added: March 22, 2009. 07:25 AM GMT
Somaliland is a victim of unspeakable horror of African Union diplomacy.
Somaliland is a victim of unspeakable horror of African Union diplomacy, where diplomatic connections and unwritten traditional codes are strong; Somaliland Cause of independence is facing a significant obstacle from the union. The African leaders failed to hear the voice of freedom of the people of Somaliland in last 19 years.

Surprisingly, Somaliland struggle for freedom and liberty within African Union is much difficult than that of 20th century against the white British. Somaliland, a former British Colony, won independence on 26th June 1960 from Great Britain, and mistakenly united with Somalia on 1st July 1960, just four days later.

Thirty four African countries recognized Somaliland in these four days, but today after 19 years of struggle to get back its independence from Somalia, The African Union look very stubborn toward Somaliland independence without having proper reason.

The African diplomacy is overlooking the democracy and social progress in Somaliland, in which Somaliland achieved without the support of African Union and International community.

However, this is against the charter of African Union, which assures fair treatment and handling to all African issues.

As Luther Martin King Jr. said, "let us not stumble in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, so even tough we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow." I still have dream that Somaliland will be independent one day, and children/citizens will get back their lost diplomatic rights and will freely move across the world with bride and dignity.

I have a dream, that Somaliland Passport will be most beloved travel document. Somaliland citizens and businessmen will trade freely, and students will join international universities with Somaliland High School Certificates. Somalilanders lost all these rights due to African Union’s illegal diplomatic embargo on Somaliland.

African Union should stop alienating Somaliland and grant rights of life liberty to its citizens. The union, which is neutral to all Africans according to its charter, should look into Somaliland cause without considering the traditional AU agenda of not accepting new members.

African Union protects the colonial border, but in other hand, rejects Somaliland based on colonial border. Is this logic? Can the union respect colonial border across the continent except Somaliland? Somaliland government submitted membership application to the African Union, and waiting a positive reply from the union.

Somaliland is demanding restoration of its colonial border.

Somaliland fulfilled all requirements of nationhood according to African Union and United Nations charters. However, it remains victim of no-reason because neither African Union nor United Nation is giving Somaliland clear reason to reject Somaliland’s statehood.

Some illogic people believe that the ´failed state of Somalia´ should not be divided or separated. But currently there is nothing called Somalia, and country fall into knees in more than 20 years.

Somalia set an example of failure, without any sign of recovering from the failure. Somalia felt into endless comma, so why African Union is forcing Somaliland to wait Somalia until waking up from the comma? Will AU continue to force Somaliland to wait even next 100 years?

Current diplomatic embargo on Somaliland by the African Union, alienated it from the rest of the world, and transformed Somaliland into jail. No freedom of movement, education and travel for Somalilanders due to the wrong African Union policies towards it.

The Somalilanders are forced to take-up foreign passports in order to travel freely across the world; the students cannot join international universities like Harvard and Oxford Universities with Somaliland Passport.

This is result of diplomatic embargo on Somaliland by the African Union, who overlooked Somaliland demands of independence in last 19 years.

The qualified English-speaking professionals of Somaliland should identify them selves as citizens of Somalia, Ethiopia, or Djibouti…etc in the international job markets because their country, Somaliland, is not recognized diplomatically by African Union.

This is creating mistrust in the hearts of these young men and women towards AU. What is their mistake? Why they don’t have right to say their true identity as a Somalilander? This is the unfair treatment of African Union and IGAD on Somaliland and its people.

Moreover, these misjudgments did not change Somaliland’s commitment towards better Africa; Somaliland is cooperative with all African countries and organizations.

Many African countries have offices in Somaliland capital – Hargiesa, including Ethiopia. Somaliland has trade links with others.

"I have a dream" that Somaliland will overpower the poor policies and diplomatic discrimination by the African Union, and will create brighter future in its part of the world.

"I have a dream" that Somaliland will be an oasis of peace and democracy in Africa, and an example to all Africans in development.

Today, overlooked minorities of USA – The African Americans, are making long waited history and occupy the highest post in the country. Barrack Hussein Obama is making history.

And for Somaliland, the time will come that Somaliland will occupy the highest post in African Union – Chairman of African Union.
KushEmpire