By Mohamed A. Ali Baranbaro,

On February 2006, United Nation brokered negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia began in Vienna to decide Kosovo’s claim to independence. How the international community approaches these negotiations will be the interest of many nations. Kosovo’s claim is supported by the international community, Russia and many in the UN. In fact, many predict that the end of this year Kosovo will be granted full independence. If this is so, what will the implications be to other deserving nations like the Republic of Somaliland? And will recognition, as well as attention, just be limited to former soviet territories?

President Vladimir Putin of Russia asserted “we need universal principles to find a fair solution to these problems…if people believe that Kosovo can be granted full independence, why then should we deny it to Abkhazia and South Ossetia?” Abkhazia and South Ossetia were regions in Georgia’s territory that declared independence after the Soviet collapse. That principle ought to apply to Somaliland and other deserving and fulfilling nations as well.

Somaliland, after being bombarded to near oblivion by Somalia’s dictator, rescinded in 1991 the Union she entered into with Somalia in 1960. The policy of the UN must not be a pick-and-choose policy where they fully engage in where they see as critical and worthy of attention. Somaliland never required UN troop presence, never required conferences sponsored by the UN or any other body and never became a burden to the international community. Instead all they ask is that international doors be open to them so they could better help themselves.

Somaliland should not be shut-out by the UN because of the continent she is in as this is a prima facie case of a state that is well qualified for recognition. The UN and African Union should not be restricted by the old and outdated doctrine of not agitating colonial boundaries. Things change and so should the way these organizations react and adapt. The AU shoulders the responsibility of political engagement in the continent and it has failed thus far to grant Somaliland a helpful ear let alone recognize her achievements.

Political engagement must be a case by case basis considering one country’s history and circumstance. The old doctrine of the OAU which tended to group or pile countries without regard to their historic significance has run its course. Somaliland was one of the first independent nations in Africa, recognized by 35 UN members and because of African nationalism, took its flag and invited Somalia to form a greater republic. What Somaliland deserves is cooperation and not disregard.

The longer the UN and AU ignore the obligations they have to African nations like Somaliland the farther the continent disintegrates into civil strife that the people of Africa must leave behind. The AU, just as its sister organizations do in their respective continents, must be the conduit to stability and fairness in Africa. The predicaments of the continent - stopping atrocities before they occur, attending to the mistreatment of women and children and sustaining agriculturally – must be tackled with vigor so Africa could get out of the needy and dependence to which its known.

Somaliland American Guild

branbaro@yahoo.com