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| Africa: Horn | |
| Somaliland presses for full statehood | |
| 2005-09-28 | |
| Looks like Fred wasn't the only one with this idea ... The breakaway enclave of Somaliland holds parliamentary elections on Thursday, trying to to prove it is a model of democracy in lawless Somalia and worthy of nationhood. But the relatively peaceful would-be state faces resistance from its African neighbours in its quest for recognition because of the continent's longtime preference for leaving old colonial borders intact to avoid encouraging secessionist movements. The polls to elect 82 parliamentarians will be the former British Somaliland's third elections since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, after local elections in 2002 and a presidential poll in 2003. "Somaliland has fulfilled all the criteria for nationhood," President Dahir Rayale Kahin told reporters on Tuesday. "Now is the time for the international community to answer our request." Somaliland points to its stability, free elections, disarmament of 50,000 militiamen and efforts at good governance as proof that it should be recognised as a nation of its own. Somaliland, in northwest Somalia, broke away from Mogadishu after warlords ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and plunged Somalia into anarchy it has yet to escape. Barre ordered the capital Hargeisa bombed by mercenary pilots in 1988 to snuff out opposition, killing tens of thousands. Many vowed they would never again be part of greater Somalia when they returned to their ruined city. Somaliland flags adorn most houses and shops in Hargeisa in a sign of fervour over the election, witnesses said. Western diplomats say the election will be a step forward, but Africa will decide whether Somaliland reaches its goal. "Africa has got to say it first," said one Western diplomat. "I don't think the United Nations, the U.S., Britain and Europe are in fact relevant."
"Our engagement in Somaliland is within the context of the unity of Somalia. But the AU has been very attentive to the efforts there to rebuild and create stability," Said Djinnit, head of the AU's Peace and Security Council, told Reuters by phone. Somaliland was briefly independent in 1960 but joined the rest of Somalia soon after. Mixing traditional Somali clan politics with a modern multiparty system, three parties are fielding a total of 246 candidates with seven women among them. The ruling party UDUB and its rivals Kulmiye and the Social and Welfare Party differ little and all support the campaign for recognition. The national electoral commission expects about 800,000 of Somaliland's 3.5 million people to vote overseen by international observers, mostly from non-governmental organisations. Results are expected next week. | |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 WE should recognize them,and open Diplo relations.It would spin some turbans and these guys sound like they want to be reasonable. |
| Posted by: raptor 2005-09-28 19:02 |