‎“Recognizing Somaliland Indicates ‎Commitment To Democracy”‎‎‎

The Somaliland Forum in letter to Jendayi Frazer

To: Dr. Jendayi E. Frazer    
United States Assistant Secretary of State
African Affairs

Dear Madam Secretary,

Somaliland Forum endorses the urgent meeting the United States has called to discuss future strategy on Somalia shortly after the Islamist Courts Union seized the capital Mogadishu and ousted the feuding warlords. Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991 and the many transitional governments put in place had never established their authority even though they received millions and many conferences.

Somaliland Forum urges the participants in this meeting to inquire into the expediency with which the Republic of Somaliland brought peace to its nation since leaving the Union with Somalia in 1991. The United States has quietly commended Somaliland’s homegrown democracy, the stability in her territories and her success in fighting extremists whose aim was to destabilize Somaliland. Since 1991, terrorists have been captured, granted fair and open trials and sentenced accordingly.

Somaliland promulgated a working Constitution, elected Presidents, Parliament and local officials whilst Somalia was disintegrating into anarchy. The participants in this weeks meeting in New York could send a strong signal to not only Somalia but to the many nations unwilling to democratize their nations. Such a bold step exhibits that following Somaliland’s roadmap to peace and constitutional democracy has its rewards. The international community’s unwillingness to be resolute with uncooperative nations is only depriving cooperative and progressive nations like Somaliland.

There are benefits to having democratic alliances in Africa particularly in the Horn; firstly, the opportunity to isolate repressive regimes and warlords would exist. Secondly, the chances for extremist to outsource their form of fanaticism to unsuspecting and submissive youths would diminish. Thirdly, extremist exploitation of lawless and frail countries would cease. It is no secret that when democracy fails, poverty and discord prevail.

Madam Secretary, there are nearly 91 million Muslims in the Horn region and a great need for a democratic nation to emerge. The Republic of Somaliland fills that void. Recognizing Somaliland’s roadmap to peace and prosperity is one way to accept Somaliland’s feat whilst giving Somalia hope and a plan to follow in order to stabilize their nation. Valiant leadership is needed and the United States is the nation to do so.

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