By Mohamed Hussein “Dr. KHAN”
Hargeysa, Somaliland

This morning I woke up to a report by the BBC on a gathering being held in Virginia (USA) on the Somaliland issue. The only aim of the conference is to discredit Somaliland in its quest for a legitimate and a well deserved membership in the family of nations.

As a preamble, I must admit that I do respect the views of others even though we might be diabolically opposed. We all have a God-given right to speak our minds since humans are born free. Furthermore, it is incumbent upon Homo sapiens to use their intellect and stay rational. In Latin hom ō means man, and sapi ē ns means wise, rational. In other words, Homo sapiens means the wise or clever human who is adept at utilizing systems of communication for self expression and the exchange of ideas with rationality and objectivity. How ironic it is that Somalis are irrational when it comes to objectivity (read on).

I must frankly also admit that I cannot resist the urge of sharing my views on this gathering. My aim is to set the record straight and to exercise my right to freedom of speech. I will stay rational and objective less that my analysis gets clouded.

Somaliland has established itself as a solid democracy in a very rough neighborhood. Since 2003, it has held three fair and peaceful elections (municipal, presidential and parliamentary) with little outside support. It is worth mentioning that the incumbent president won the presidency seat by a mere 80 votes (a miracle by itself). Those defeated in the race accepted the verdict with civility.

Somaliland ’s success in institutionalizing democracy is a tall order for any country and especially for an unrecognized one. It is an achievement that all objective Somalis should acknowledge. One appreciates this success story more when he compares it to the anarchy that has engulfed Italian Somalia since 1991 (I must acknowledge, though, that a credible semblance of order has lately been established in parts of that country. Nevertheless, ominous war clouds are hovering over the whole region, and the hope for a lasting peace in the Horn may be shattered sooner than later).

It is wishful thinking in attempting to resuscitate the notion of Greater Somalia anew at this time. Not only has the geopolitics across the world changed a great deal (i.e. the USSR has disintegrated into mini states, and many of its former satellites have left its orbit) but even backward Africa is being swept by a wind of change. Democratic principles are spreading like wild fires with representative governments mushrooming across the continent. African communities have become more enlightened and cognizant of their rights and power. The voice of the people cannot be ignored any more. Times have changed a lot.

The Somaliland people have spoken in a loud and clear voice. In a referendum held in 1997, an overwhelming majority (97%) of the voters asserted the independent status of Somaliland. By the way, Somaliland has not seceded but has rightfully reclaimed the short-lived independence it enjoyed between 26-30 June, 1960. Self determination is a UN chartered concept wherein a people have an inalienable human right to statehood. The verdict of the Somaliland people ought to be respected as much as the voice of the nay sayers would have been.

I wonder why Somalis cannot use their Homo sapiens traits of intellect and common sense even though many of them are lettered!! Numerous non-Somali scholars do commend the success achieved by Somaliland while many ethnic Somalis inexplicably berate it? Why is it so? Why do many Somalis live in a state of denial when it comes to Somaliland’s past history and recent accomplishments? Is it a new Somali culture for one to bury his head in the sand like the metaphoric ostrich? How much longer can Somalis live in a state of denial vis-à-vis Somaliland’s success story? Somaliland is here to stay.

Somaliland ’s claim to independence is credible since it was recognized for 5 days (26-30 June) when it gained independence from the British in 1960. Its borders exactly overlay its former colonial boundary in conformity with the OAU’s sanctity and inviolability of colonially-inherited boundaries.

Those that have gathered in Virginia are a SPENT FORCE running after a phantom. Running after a mirage does NOT quench the thirst but only worsens it. A terminally ill issue cannot be resuscitated. A dead issue cannot be resurrected. The writing is on the wall. The vociferous objections of a handful people, who are detached from reality as much as Don Quixote was, surely cannot stop the juggernaut steamrolling to its rightful destiny.

The international community has a collective responsibility in rewarding Somaliland for establishing democracy and international legitimacy. There is no better argument than a working democracy as a basis for according international recognition to Somaliland and for respecting its inalienable right to self determination. Many accomplished scholars admit that Somaliland is ironically far more democratic than many recognized countries. It is high time the international community ended its double standard towards Somaliland’s achievements. Just imagine the accolades that would have been showered on Iraq and Afghanistan if they had achieved 10% of what Somaliland has achieved. Just imagine!!

Long live Somaliland!!