- So far as the rest of the world is concerned, Somaliland existed as an independent state for just five days, back in 1960.
But
so far as those who live there are concerned, its recent history has
seen it functioning as a stable, independent democracy since 1991. This
may appear confusing, but in fact it reflects a constitutional
disparity between the world of diplomacy and the world as it actually
is.
Until June 1960, Somaliland was a British colony with a
population roughly the same as Wales.
There was a strong link between
the two countries dating back to the 19th century, when Cardiff was one
of the world’s biggest coal-exporting ports and Somali sailors joined
the crews of British ships.
At a time when British colonies were
winning their independence, the people of Somaliland voted to join a
federation with the country’s larger neighbour Somalia, which was
gaining its independence from Italy. The federation came into being five
days after Somalia won its freedom.
But Somaliland lived to
regret joining the country to its south, especially during the
dictatorship of Siad Barre. When he was deposed after an uprising in
1991 Somaliland re-established itself as a separate country.
And
while Somalia has become a failed state and a haven for Islamic
fundamentalists and pirates, Somaliland is a beacon of stability in a
continent with more than its fair share of dysfunctional regimes.
Its
current head of state is the fifth successive president to have been
elected since 1992. On each occasion there has been a peaceful
transition.
Yet Somalia has international recognition, while Somaliland officially doesn’t exist.
Eid
Ali Ahmed came to Cardiff as a refugee during the Barre years. A banker
by profession and a former deputy chief executive of the Welsh Refugee
Council, he is now an adviser to the Somaliland government. He’s in the
forefront of the campaign to get his homeland recognised as the
functioning democracy it is.
He said: “The people of Somaliland are very resourceful. They’re
entrepreneurs and many mastered the skills of selling things to earn
money during years of exile in Ethiopia. If you go to [the capital]
Hargeisa, you will find very thriving markets.”
Academics from
Cardiff University produced a report called The Role of Informal Economy
in Post-Conflict Cities. The country has a sizeable fishing industry,
and exports fish and other goods to Ethiopia and the United Arab
Emirates. But what rankles is the lack of formal recognition – and
travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) which
lumps Somaliland in with Somalia as being too dangerous to visit.
Eid
Ali Ahmed said: “Earlier this month Somaliland’s president met Defence
Secretary Gavin Williamson and we see that as very important. But we
want that followed up with official recognition and change to the FCO
advice. Somaliland deserves to be rewarded for the progress it has
made.”
A FCO spokeswoman said: “We believe that it is for the
Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland to reach agreement on their
future together, and that it is for those in the region to take the
lead in recognising the resulting agreement. We continue to encourage
both sides to engage in a sustained and structured dialogue.”
Additional guidance from the FCO said: “This has been the UK’s
long-standing position on Somaliland. We continue to support and
encourage plans for dialogue between Presidents Farmaajo [of Somalia]
and Muse Bihi [of Somaliland].
"As the UK Minister for Africa
made clear in Hargeisa last October, the UK enjoys a warm and historic
relationship with Somaliland and is working to support the shared
security and prosperity of people across the Somali region, including in
Somaliland.
"UK support to Somaliland includes assistance to
strengthening government capacity in key areas such as managing public
finances and raising domestic revenue, partnerships to train doctors and
nurses to support health service delivery, and humanitarian assistance
to reach the most vulnerable.”
Walesonline
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