Somaliland American Guild: If the AU isn’t willing to act then the International Community must!

 

Somaliland/American Guild 01/19/2011 PR: 2: 2011

Open Letter

(Originally sent to the AU and U.S. Senator John Kerry, Chairman Foreign Relations Committee)

Since the Republic of Somaliland restored its independence from the failed Union with the former Republic of Somalia in 1991, Thirty three (33) new countries have been recognized. The majority of these countries were in the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia and two (2) in Africa; Namibia (1991) and Eritrea (1993). South Sudan, which officially hasn’t even declared independence (will declare July 2011) is already promised recognition by the United States and other powers.

None of these nations can claim greater injustice or grievance than the people of Somaliland nor can they claim to have once been an independent nation recognized by 35 nations as Somaliland was in June 1960. Indeed, Somaliland was an independent nation before Somalia received that distinction.

Somaliland initiated a Union with Somalia after it was released from a Trusteeship in July 1960 thus the Republic of Somalia coming into existence. However, the 31 year union reduced the people of Somaliland to second class status, its cities aerially bombarded and according to Amnesty international the combined death, injury and refugee status of over one million people. The restoration of said independence in 1991 is therefore irrevocable and not open for discussion.

Every barometer set by the international community for Somaliland has been met. Nation-wide referendums for independence passed with 97% approval. A ‘living’ Constitution that witnessed 19 years of stability, internationally monitored and successful elections and the peaceful exchange of the Presidency and Parliament was promulgated.

Therefore, the conundrum is, why Somaliland is held to a different standard and neglected by the international community?

The African Union has, thus far, failed to take the bold steps necessary to solve this issue. In this post-colonial era, the AU finds itself in a quandary; by adhering to an absolute position that to support any breakup of African nations, regardless of a nation having legitimate claims, would encourage the flood gates of secession. As understandable as this view might be, Namibia and Eritrea were certainly given exceptions and there was no wave of secessionist movements. Yet, this was used as a pretext to impede the unique and legitimate case of Somaliland. Every rule has exceptions - just as Namibia and Eritrea – thus Somaliland should be given that same exception. The consequence of taking absolute positions in a nuanced world deems one duplicitous and that is a weight the AU would rather not carry.

Additionally, the AU argues that recognizing Somaliland would undercut the “building blocks” for peace underway in Somalia. Time has proven this position to be erroneous. After 19 years, nearly half a billion dollars were and continue to be spent on Transitional Governments and peaceful Conferences to only be more chaotic than before. Yet, not even a fraction of one half of that is spent on Somaliland and it has, nevertheless, achieved greatly. Holding Somaliland hostage to a failed effort is counterproductive to peace and stability which is the very thing the world says it wants. Somaliland countered many times that recognizing Somaliland would enhance the prospects for peace in Somalia because it can play a productive role and impress upon Somalia what it has learned.

The lack of action by the AU neither advances stability nor encourages democracies to flourish in a region that badly needs both. The region’s instability has already reached Somaliland in the form of terrorism and sinister prying from incendiary proxies from the region. Somaliland has shown great strength and growth by not responding hastily and adding to the regional chaos.

The AU has also hindered the international community from engaging Somaliland by insisting these are African problems that could only be solved by Africans. This approach would suffice if the AU did not assume laissez-faire posture to an urgent situation. AU Commissions have been sent to Somaliland and have studied it firsthand. These reviews have produced positive recommendations yet the AU chose to shelf them and not act.

If the AU isn’t willing to act then the International Community must. Any nation or organization pretending Somaliland is part of Somalia and once stability is achieved there Somaliland would come back has missed the reality in the previous 19 years. Somaliland never surrendered her right to exit that Union, in fact, it reserved it. There is no legal document that states otherwise and anyone who claims the Union was binding is either misinformed or in denial. Somaliland must not be denied to once again take its proper place among nations. Anything short will undoubtedly sink a volatile region into even more unfathomable chaos.

If democratic nations are serious about endorsing, promoting and supporting new democracies, leaving Somaliland in this uncertainty would be a missed opportunity. This opportunity offers the international community a chance to endorse a progressive Muslim nation that proves Islam and Democracy are not mutually exclusive. A nation that showed, without basically any assistance from the world, it could be economically viable by the wise use of its limited resources.

If politics get in the way of recognizing Somaliland, then politics should not get in the way of opening financial institutions to Somaliland so it could continue to build its nation. The antidote to corruption, extremism and violence is to support functioning representative democracies. Engage those willing to help themselves so that the example of Somaliland could be used as a spring board or an awakening to uplift destabilized nations that yearn for transparent governments.

In this first decade of the 21 century, Africa must exhibit dynamic and enlightened way of deliberating complex African and global issues. This generation can no longer afford to sit idly while the Continent is only thought of in the world theatre when disease, hunger, corruption and assistance are discussed. Nations like Somaliland have done their share, now the AU and international community must do theirs.

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Mohamed A. Ali Baranbaro

Somaliland American Guild

branbaro@comcast.net

Somaliland American Guild is non-profit working group established in 2000 to help advance the Recognition of the Republic of Somaliland and her people. The specific goal is to safeguard the commitment to democracy and the rights of the people of Somaliland.