In 1960 the territories of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland merged to become Somalia. Obviously, Somalia has been a failed state for quite some time. After a civil war in the 1980s and after the failure of the Somali central government, the Republic of Somaliland declared independence in 1991. Unfortunately, not a single country or international organization has recognized the much more stable Somaliland over its neighbor to the east - Somalia. Major world powers and organizations seem to think that the boundaries of Africa should not be meddled with, despite their involvement in their artificial creation in the late 19th century. Nonetheless, the United Kingdom (which was the administrator of Somaliland until 1960), supported the free and democratic election for president which took place in Somaliland in late June.
The newly elected president of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo, who will be sworn in on July 26, promised to seek international recognition for his country, "During my tenure as president I will vigorously fight for the recognition of Somaliland. The world must recognize our democracy." It is a shame that no country in the world has yet to officially recognized Somaliland despite its ability to function as a modern state on the chaotic Horn of Africa. This failure to recognized Somaliland smacks of racism and I call upon geographers and other to get the word out about Somaliland and to support President-Elect Silaanyo in his bid for international recognition. Visit Somaliland's official website for more information on its geography and more.
Comments
Thank you for this article, Matt. The recent election is one for the history books – and hopefully one that will lead to the change in the maps and geography books!
Let’s get the word out!
The over – hyped presidential “election” among the isaak clan after all somaliland is ethnic cleansed one-clan based secessionist enclave , It is above all a well-organised show to con the international community for recognition. The “elected” leader Mr Ahmed Silanyo witch is a Isaak is Accused of war crimes and crimes against Humanity committed by him During His term as the leader of the isaak militia known as Somali National Movement(SNM) in the 1980s and 1990s in Somalia,just days ago the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked the 50th anniversary of Somalia’s independence on Thursday with a pledge that the U.N. will continue to help the people of Somalia to achieve their dream of peace and unity.
there is huge problem between the large darod clan who wanna stay with in somalia and the isaak clan who dream of a country of own clan google for las anod war or visit http://www.sstimes.com and learn all about somaliland its africas best CON !!!
David Williams,I’m sure you’re Somali-daarood,so why are you hiding your nationality and your clan.
Well this comment is quite controversial to say the least, I would like to condemn accusing Somaliland of “ethnic cleansed one-clan” as our election illustrated small but active demographic of Somalilanders come from different clans. Secondly the SNM unlike other areas of south Somalia of Islamist fundamentalism militant or rebellions secured Somaliland territory to enable for vibrant democracy establish. So David please do further research!! Somaliland feels the unity between south and north initiated by the north that took part in 1960 was mistake and Somaliland is today built a road map development.
A key element why Somaliland wants independence is because they don’t want to rely on UN to write their national fait or aid grants, Somaliland believes in self sufficient economy with political peace.
dear mr. williams u r comment and view r way out off contents u purpopsly denying the fact that the southern stae off somalia is in chaos and puntland is a safe havean for pirates somaliland might have a few problems off its own but it has prevaild all adds agaist her and in fact the country had a president from a minority tribe was elected by the ppl in a disputed election in 2003 which the he won by 80 votes r u reading it correct i said 80 votes where on earth do have a country thats not internationaly reconigsed and still have election and settled their diffrences in a triditional matter while the south could not even get ppl tosit together for 1 minute becuse of the madness so my dear friend stop hating and start clapping cuz this whole region is a mess and the g-8 or g-20 for the last 20 yrs kept on denying somaliland its right to excercise its democratic right while supporting the real war crimes u looking 4 in the south with its expensive 5 star hotel confrenceses while we achieved all that hate coming from u opps sorry excuse my language u r point of view under a tree now is that democracy or is the world blind. so mr. williams is ppl like u who keep us going on and on climbing every obsticle u put in front off us and i thx u for that. peace
Thanks for talking about this — for well over a decade, freedom of commerce and quiet self government is happening in the world, maybe not perfectly, but it is there in one small spot. Somaliland’s success has occurred in spite of, not because of, the international organizations that want peace and human rights, and despite interference from neighboring states who receive substantial military and economic aid from major world powers. Given the poor health of the world economy, and the levels of human insecurity today, recognizing Somaliland seems a small and cautious step to take. But it could result in a major leap for the community of nations. We all might just learn something about fundamental self government, and the loveliness of being small and independent.
Thank you for your free thinking and being observent in turn of the history of the globe we share and call earth. If free open minded people like you were to be in charge, the world could have been a better place. To give you one tip, I would like to let you know that the individual who commented in your article, Williams by name or the one who wrote comment # 4, is just hiding his name but a Somali. Probably hails from the chiotic southern Somalia, he is hiding his name just the way Al-Shabab cowards hide thier faces since they both up to no good. I could tell by the way he spells the specific propper names somali ethnic clans like “Isaak” and “Darod”. The fast majority of peace loving Somalis, including the innocence civillian somalis whose rights of living in peace are being violated in daily bases are thankful to you. please keep on writing the truth and it shall set you free.
When I was a young child I saw news reels at the Saturday matinee about Mussolini restoring the glory that was Rome by battling Ethiopians and Somalis with his modern army vs those with spears. The facts then seemed far short of the glory that was Rome. The facts today seem as hopeless as 75 years ago.
Thank you Matt for bringing attention to this important issue. I lived in Mogadishu for 24 months (1986-88) with USAID and traveled north a few times. Somaliland indeed should be recognized, certianly by the Brits who colonized it and generally accept diplomatically what is true on the ground. If the big shipping countries want to stop pirates, they should recognize Somailiand and provide assistance to counter pirates. More people, and African countries, need to get real.
Somaliland republic (ex- British Somaliland) population consists of:
Isaak 68%
Darood 14%
Gadabuursi 12%( the fromer president for 8 years hailed from this clan)
Issa 4%
otherd 2%
so Mr william what is wrong if this time the president is from Isaak clan.
and what is wrong if the majority of Somaliland people including a consderable number of other clan do want to get back thier 36 june 1960 indepandance.
what is wrong if they save a part of the Ex Somali republic from Al Shabaab dominated Somalia(Ex South Somali Republic)
and what iswrong if they exrcise democracy and leave in peace and stability.
for the last 20 yaers there were more than 15 peace confrences held and guys like dreaming of Somaliweyn(Djabouti,Somali region in Ethopia,Somali Region in Kenya, Somaliland, Somalia) spoil every effort done by international community.
for how long you want Somaliland to be held hostage for this failed Somaliweyn doctrine.
the Somali people living in the horn realized tha this will not work any mor and delegation from Somalis in Djaboutit Kenya and Ethopia came to hargiesa to congraulate Somaliland.
Thank you guys for debating in this subject. well first let me say somaliland soon or later will be an independent country. second the dream of united somalies is dead as Djabot, somali Ethopia and also the part in Kenya are all far gone.
Long live Somaliland
what will happen to the south peace talks if Ethiopia recognises Somaliland
Somali people are the only homogeneous group in the whole world. What we share is far more important than what divides us. If our brothers and sisters in Somaliland want to go it alone, we in Somalia must accept it. That is what respect is all about. It is the same people of Somaliland who tossed the Somali Republic when they brought their newly born republic to Mogadishu. If they want to take it back we should be supporting them. That is the only way we can show our love to Somali people. Those who oppose Somaliland’s independence are doing no favour for Somalia either. The somalia-somaliland issue should never be synonymous to Israel-Palestine conflict. Enough is enough, Somalia must recognise somaliland.
ladies and gentlemen
thank you for this expensive debate about Somaliland
I am here to say no one can stand against somaliland’s rights
because every knows that Somaliland re-asserted its sovereignty in May 1991 after a thirty year union with neighbouring Somalia which culminated in a long civil war and genocidal attacks on the people of Somaliland.
after that I am concluding my comment …………..LONG LIFE Somaliland