Not a week goes by that I do not read something
about Somaliland recognition. It has become an incurable obsession for most
from this self declared independent State who believe in its release from the
violent marriage they were tricked into after independence in 1960.
Perhaps they are right in that they have met all the international requirements
for Statehood. They have also held two free and fair elections, created State
institutions and are working towards strengthening their democracy. However, as
a long term observer of events in the region it is easy to conclude that the
passion for independence is not matched by policy successes on the ground.
By no means is Somaliland expected to be like
Botswana or South Africa over night but the basics of a functioning government
are missing. There are civil servants in all departments but most are allergic
to working set hours and to set policy goals. There are functioning court rooms
but the Judiciary is woefully under qualified and inexperienced. One has the
right to a fair trial but the trial procedures are not available to claimants
and defendants.
Somaliland is a place of many contradictions brought about, as I was last told
by a UK representative of a major political party within the country, by an
inability to implement policy or initiate change due to poverty and a lack of
international recognition. There we go again, international recognition and the
assumption that it alone holds the key to development.
International recognition has been the target of
all Somaliland governments from the beginning but many have done nothing more
than cry for it at international conferences. Very few leaders it seems have
asked themselves: How do we bring it about? What do we need to do to prepare
for it? Many would say what about the election?
Peace and security? Booming economy? Well yes,
these are important but the government has had very little to do with these
successes. In fact these notable achievements came about as a result of public
agreement to engage with the existing processes and to live together in
harmony. The government has provided police officers, soldiers and army
officers but what is their number in comparison to the population? Even if the number
was sizable, who is fighting or causing social unrest today?
The Somaliland government must be more proactive
in promoting social development and instead of continuously obsessing about
recognition should look at ways in which it can impress the international
community to accept it as a future State. What progress has been made in
education? Yes, primary schools are supposedly free in Somaliland today but why
is it that in some regions poor students are still paying a fee in government
schools?
Yes, there are multiple groups of people from
differing tribal families in Somaliland but what has been done about cohesion
and promoting understanding and solidarity? The formation of Awdal State and
other recent inter tribal tensions suggest absolutely little. The reality is
that in Somaliland today the people supported by their relative’s remittances
are living their lives without direct government support and most of the
economic activity is not as a result of targeted government policy but of
individual and private business endeavours. In fact in most policy areas, the
government is absent both in leadership and direct implementation. It would
appear as though all Ministers are good for are cutting ribbons or endorsing
private sector providers of public service that are available only to those who
are able to pay for it.
The Somaliland Foreign Minister, Dr. Mohamed
Omar, is one of the strongest supporters of Somaliland and without doubt he
holds one of the key offices that are crucial to the negotiations for independence
and Statehood. Having heard him speak on various occasions about terrorism,
piracy and the urgent need to recognise his country, he has seldom addressed
the issues of human rights, future relations with nations from the Horn of
Africa and international trade, the vital oxygen Somaliland will need to
survive if it realises its lifelong ambition. Why recognise a State that will
forever be dependent on donor handouts when its economic prospects are better
when united with the south?
Somaliland faces unprecedented hurdles in
gaining recognition but its leadership appears to not have understood that they
need to demonstrate that they have the ability to do more than just moan and
organise rallies in Western countries to get the international community
interested in their cause. Of course, what Somaliland can offer these nations
individually also matters and it has already started with the terrorism and
anti-piracy initiatives, but what counts for more are what its leaders have
achieved so far and their proposals for sustainable future development. Passion
is good but implementable policies are better.
Liban Obsiye
Email:[email protected]
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Somaliland: Obsession With Recognition is Diverting Attention From Real Progress.
The Somaliland government must be more proactive in promoting social development and instead of continuously obsessing about recognition should look at ways in which it can impress the international community to accept it as a future State