Hargeisa (SL Times) - Somaliland's government has reiterated its long-held position that it was not prepared to take part in the Somalia peace talks currently underway in Nairobi.
Responding to statements attributed to IGAD’s envoy to the Somali peace talks, Mr. Bethwel Kiplagat, Somaliland’s Minister of Information Abdillahi M Duale said his government regretted attempts by some governments to utilize the peace process as a means of undermining Somaliland’s stability and sovereignty.
The full text of the Minister’s statement is as follows:
"In a recent interview with the East African Standard (Feb 17-23, 2003) Kenya's special envoy to Somalia, Ambassador BethweL Kiplagat stated that the 'Council of Ministers of IGAD Frontline states have not recognized Somaliland.' Hence, you could say they are for territorial integrity and the unity of Somalia."
"It is implied that Somaliland is included in Somalia. Secondly, they have a request from the delegation here that Somaliland should be invited."
Well, the special envoy seems to have misread gov’t of Somaliland's (GOS) position that was presented to IGAD and frontline states on numerous occasions. The following is the clear position of GOS.
Somaliland's Position with regards to current peace process for Somalia
The GOS is encouraged by the efforts of the lGAD member states especially the "Frontline states" to reinvigorate the Somali peace process conference, under the auspices of the gov't of Kenya. The GOS also welcomes the support extended to this initiative by the African Union, the United Nations and the donor countries.
The GOS urges all authorities, factions and groups in Somalia to participate constructively in the upcoming reconciliation conference without preconditions.
Somaliland is not a party to the Somali conflict. There are no Somaliland military forces operating in Somalia’s territory and the GOS has refrained from interfering in Somalia's internal affairs despite numerous provocations.
The GOS is prepared to join other governments of the region in bringing peace to Somalia. However, Somaliland will not take part in the IGAD peace process, nor send observers, unless accorded by IGAD the status due to a sovereign state.
When a legitimate, representative government is established in Somalia, the GOS is prepared to enter into talks with that government concerning the nature of the relationship between the two states. The GOS seeks to establish peaceful co-existence and fraternal relations with a future government in Somalia.
The GOS regrets the attempts of some governments to utilize the peace process as a means of undermining Somaliland's stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity and urges them to channel their energies in a more constructive way towards the restoration of peace and governance in Somalia.
The GOS regrets the attempts of some governments to utilize the peace process as a means of undermining Somaliland's stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity and urges them to channel their energies in a more constructive way towards the restoration of peace and governance in Somalia.
Any claims to sovereignty over Somaliland by a future Somali authority will be viewed by the GOS as an indication of hostile intent. The GOS urges Somali leaders, member states of IGAD, the AU, the UN and donor countries to abstain from any unfriendly declaration or act that could bring further conflict to the region.
Somaliland received its independence from Great Britain on June 26th, 1960 and was immediately recognized by the international community as a sovereign states. Somaliland's subsequent, voluntarily union with Somalia was dissolved on May 18th 1991 when Somaliland retrieved its sovereignty and established a separate government.
Somaliland's independence is based upon the right to self-determination entrenched in the Charters of the Organizations of African Unity and the United Nations. This right was freely and democratically expressed on 31 May 2001 in a referendum. An overwhelming majority of the electorate voted in favor of a new constitution that affirmed Somaliland's independent status. International observers described the process as free, fair and consistent with international norms for referenda and elections.
The GOS has no mandate to compromise Somaliland's sovereign status. Any modification of Somaliland's sovereign status requires endorsement by referendum and the approval of an absolute majority in parliament.
Somaliland's demand for international recognition is consistent with Article III of the OAU Charter and Article IV of the Constitutive Ac of African Union, which pertains to the integrity of borders existing on achievement of independence. Other African states have been united with neighboring states and subsequently reclaimed their independence in accordance with these principles, including Eritrea, Gambia, and the Sahrawi Republic. The dissolution of the United Arab Republic followed a similar pattern.
Somaliland's declaration of independence is predicated upon the territory's prior existence as a recognized, independent state. It therefore does not set a precedent for the break-up of Somalia or for other secessionist groups in Africa. To the contrary, Somaliland fully respects the unity and territorial integrity of (Former Italian) Somalia."
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