Issue 209

On January the 19th 2006 Torfaen Voluntary Alliance holds its first summit around Making Poverty History. The event will be held in Cwmbran Stadium on the 19th January 2006. ‘Torfaen Summit 1' aims to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), pledged by the United Nations at the down of the new millennium in 2000, to eradicate poverty globally by 2015.

Support Somaliland is delighted to participate in this very important Summit along with representative from National Assembly for Wales, Welsh Refugee Council, Oxfam, the Body Shop and many more voluntary organisations to raise awareness of the MDGs. Support Somaliland believes it is vital that all individuals, groups, organisations in all over the globe to do their bit to achieve and meet the 8 goals of the MDG.

At the Millennium Summit in 2000 (September the 6th to 8th) in the UN headquarter in New York , 189 Member States adopted a declaration of the MDG and made their pledges to implement the declaration of the MDG.

It is the responsibility of the member states to keep their pledges and work towards achieving the MDG. It is also the responsibility of all citizens in the world to pressurise their governments to do actions, otherwise the MDG declaration does not worth more than the paper it is written on it. Unless all states, especially the industrialised countries act, it will be unrealistic to meet the MDG by 2015.

Last year (2005) witnessed intensification of the campaign to eradicate world poverty, to name a few, G8 Summit in Glen Eagles focused on the theme to “Make Poverty History”, the creation of the African Commission, the Live-Aid, and many more initiatives. It is crucial to keep up the momentum in 2006 and continue to work towards meeting the MDG. Support Somaliland congratulates the organisers of Torfaen Summit (Torfaen Voluntary Alliance) for the continuation of the Make Poverty History campaign.

SOMALILAND & THE MELLINIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Background:

Somaliland gained independence from Britain on 26th June 1960. On July the 1st Somaliland was united with Somalia and formed Somali Republic . After over 30 years of inequalities, injustices and oppression, followed by struggle for freedom, Somaliland remerged once again and 1991 declared its independence.

Since then, Somaliland has gone through several phases of development including reconciliations among its inhabitants; demobilisation of its militias and integrated to its national forces; strengthening of its government institutions, creation and ratification of its constitution; formation of political parties, holding of several multi-party contested elections (local, presidential and parliamentary); reconstruction of its public services.

Despite the significant and outstanding achievements Somaliland is yet to be recognised. No single state has yet come forward to recognise Somaliland .

Could Somaliland Meet the Millennium Development Goals?

In the past Somaliland has been kept in the dark and not many people knew about its existence - but now things have changed for the better and the international community can no longer ignore the extraordinary achievements of Somaliland .

In 2004 a delegation from the British Parliament consisting of members of the Select Committee on the International Development visited Somaliland on their return to Westminster the Committee secured a debate on Somaliland in the House of Commons. The debate was conducted on 4th February 2004 in the chamber of the House of Commons.

During the debate Tony Worthington, former MP for Clydebank and Milngavie made the following remark:

“….the Millennium Development Goals have to be met in Somaliland as well as everywhere else in the world. We are simply not giving it our best shot in Somaliland for diplomatic reasons, and I ask what is being gained by the present stance on non-recognition. Certainly a lot is being lost”

Mr. Worthington also said “….Our foreign service hang-ups about recognition are getting in the way of us fulfilling our duty to pursue the millennium development goals for the poor people of Somaliland ”.

Somaliland is extremely a poor country and Support Somaliland believe it’s poor countries like Somaliland that has to be assisted if the MDG have to be met. Consider the following comments made by Kevin Brennan MP ( Cardiff , West) during the debate:

“.. There is a long shopping list of international development aid items that DFID could help with.” He went further and said:

“….. Returning to the need for development aid and to achieve the millennium development goals, we are told that 73 per cent. or more of Somalilanders live in poverty, and that some 43 per cent. live in extreme poverty. GDP per head is $226 a year. If that figure is divided by 365 days, one can clearly see that people are living on below $1 a day. There is 45 per cent. unemployment, only 17 per cent. primary school enrolment, and the enrolment of girls is way below that. Life expectancy is only 47 years. …I felt that our visit was an example of how we, as parliamentarians, could make a difference. This debate is to hold our Government to ransom for money and development aid for Somaliland, and to ensure that they join us in delivering that to the people of Somaliland .”

Several other MP in the debate including Mr. Quentin Davies MP have also emphasised the fact that non-recognition policy of the UK government is barrier to development of Somaliland . The MPs have also called for the commissioning of DFID office in Hargeisa if the government is series about meeting the millennium development goals.

“…. Recognition is key, and not just a political issue or a sideline. It is fundamental if there is to be any progress in the economic development of Somaliland or any rationality in setting up a DFID office, which we hope will happen.” Mr. Quentin Davies (MP for Grantham and Stamford )

Not only is the longterm development assistance require and depend upon the recognition, trade and investment also desperately need recognition of Somaliland . If trade is to be further flourished in Somaliland and overseas inward investment promoted in Somaliland the recogniton issue has to be solved and addressed.

Bad policies harm and kill people as the speed of vehecles kill pedestrians. It was the bad policy of UN sanction on Iraq that killed thousands of people mainly infants in the 1990s, likewise it’s the unnecesary band and sanction on the Somaliland’s livestock export imposed by the Gulf States that is now killing infants and despereately poor people in Somaliland.

As bad policies have the potential to kill people the good policies save lives, DFID says on its website speaking of the Goal number 4 of the MDG: “Cutting the numbers of young children dying by two-thirds. To help tackle the problem, we’re working with a number of partners to boost access to healthcare. For example, in Tanzania we’re supporting a US$12 million insecticide treated net programme, which should stop 40,000 children a year dying from malaria.”

Support Somaliland very much welcomes the recent comment given by the member of parliament for Bristol East Ms Kerry McCarthy MP- concerning on the issue of Somaliland recognition and her call to the UK government, the EU and the UN to recognise Somaliland. Ms McCarthy made the comment after she met community leaders from Bristol including Mustafe Abdi Gamute of Support Somaliland and Kayse Maxamed of Somali Voice newspaper.

SOMALILAND AND THE UNITED NATIONS (UN)

The first article of the UN’s Mellinnium declaration states:

United Nations Millennium Declaration

1. “We, heads of State and Government, have gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 6 to 8 September 2000, at the dawn of a new millennium, to reaffirm our faith in the Organization and its Charter as indispensable foundations of a more peaceful, prosperous and just world.”

Speaking on human rights and democracy the declaration says:

V. Human rights, democracy and good governance

24. We will spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development.

Support Somaliland asks the UN if that is the case why are you not recognising the elected parliament of Somaliland ?

The UN says: The Millennium Declaration and the eight goals it identified, have become a road map for tackling poverty, instability, HIV/AIDS, gender inequality and violence in virtually all parts of the world.

Support Somaliland asks the UN: Is Somaliland not part of the world?

VII. Meeting the special needs of Africa

27. We will support the consolidation of democracy in Africa and assist Africans in their struggle for lasting peace, poverty eradication and sustainable development, thereby bringing Africa into the mainstream of the world economy.

28. We resolve therefore:

• To give full support to the political and institutional structures of emerging democracies in Africa .

Support Somaliland asks the UN: then why are you not recognising Somaliland ?

VIII. Strengthening the United Nations

31. We request the General Assembly to review on a regular basis the progress made in implementing the provisions of this Declaration, and ask the Secretary-General to issue periodic reports for consideration by the General Assembly and as a basis for further action.

Support Somaliland wonders if the UN will include in its next review Somaliland and its case for recognition which are hindrance and barrier to meet MDG

RECCOMMENDATIONS

Support Somaliland makes the following recommendations to the UK government, the EU, UN, AU, Somaliland Government, pressure groups, MPs and individuals:

1. In order for Somaliland to meet the Millennium Development Goals it needs first and foremost diplomatic recognition. Therefore, Support Somaliland is calling the UK government, EU, AU and UN to recognise Somaliland immediately, already 5 years of the 15 years of MDG target have passed, and the world can no longer ignore the issue of recognition of Somaliland .

2. Recognition is the key to open the gate of long-term international, bilateral development assistance to Somaliland . Therefore, Somaliland has got to be recognised.

3. Support Somaliland concur the need for DFID office in Hargeisa as expressed by the MPs in the House of Commons debate. Two years have elapsed since the time the MPs called for the DFID office and it has yet happened. Support Somaliland reminds the UK government the importance of the said office.

4. Support Somaliland is calling full investigation on the alleged of the Rift-Valley Fever in the Somaliland livestock and to end the embargo of the Somaliland livestock, the backbone of the Somaliland economy.

5.Support Somaliland urges the Golf States to lift the ban on the Somaliland livestock. Many people have been driven into extreme poverty because of the embargo and some have even died as a result. Otherwise provide prove that the Somaliland livestock are infected with the alleged disease.

6. Support Somaliland kindly asks the UN to give utmost priority on the issue of Somaliland recognition in its next Summit to review the achievements of the 8 Millennium Development Goals.

7. Support Somaliland advices the government of Somaliland to continue its progress of good governance, transparency and economical development.

8. Support Somaliland calls on all people, whether they are individuals, groups MPs, and organisations to do their bit of meeting the MDG and pressurise their governments to recognise Somaliland so that we can draw the world’s attention towards the issue of Somaliland recognition which is vital if Somaliland has to meet the MDG.

If you would like to attend the Torfaen Summit-1 please visit Torfaen Voluntary Alliance website and register. It won’t cost you a penny and it is free.

http://www.torfaenvoluntaryalliance.org.uk/Make%20Poverty%20History.htm

If you would like to know more about Support Somaliland please visit our website:

http://www.supportsomaliland.org

If you want to join us please contact us: Support Somaliland C/o Butetown History & Arts Centre, 5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street , Butetown, Cardiff CF10 5AG info@supportsomaliland.org

Nuradin Mohamed Abdi

Chair, Support Somaliland

Support Somaliland is a non-profit organisation set up to help and take part in the socio-economic development of Somaliland . The organisation also aims the advancement and welfare of the Somaliland Diaspora in the UK .

*Support Somaliland- Company limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales Company number 5616171. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reference:

1. Torfaen Voluntary Alliance website.

http://www.torfaenvoluntaryalliance.org.uk/index.htm 2.

55/2. United Nations Millennium Declaration

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/index.html

3. DFID (Department for International Development)website

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/

4. House of Commons website:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200306/cmhansrd/vo040204/halltext/40204h03.htm

5. http://www.supportsomaliland.org

6. Bristol Evening Post: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/

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