Ahmed Kheyre, London, UK

It is official, Somaliland's case has been put before the recent African Union summit. The African leaders are more interested in Somaliland's cause, its stability and development.

It has finally dawned on our African brothers and sisters that Somaliland is setting a fine example in the horn of Africa.

Inevitably, some pitiful parties have resorted to desperate measures to stop the African Union officially acknowledging and discussing Somaliland, they have failed. These sad souls have neglected to look toward Somaliland and learn from its experience in order to resolve the problems currently facing them. Instead what see is obfuscation and hysteria.

I say to these parties, don't blame Somaliland, but blame your incompetence and inability to bring about dialogue, discussion and consensus.

Who are they to blame Somaliland? For seventeen years Somaliland has overcome every hurdle, both external and internal. Somaliland has managed this through dialogue, discussion and consensus. Somaliland has also managed   this through understanding, compromise and shared goals.

Somaliland's role models have always been our fellow African brothers and sisters, such South Africa, Rwanda and Ghana to name a few. Somaliland has looked to this countries for inspiration because of what they had achieved in overcoming apartheid, genocide and in the case of Ghana, setting an exemplary path to political and economic recovery through democracy.

Why shouldn't Somaliland present its formal request for recognition to the African Union? After all, Somaliland is part of Africa. As for those arguing that Somaliland cannot do so, I have one question and a Somali proverb for them.

The proverb is "Ninkii aan hadlin hoyadii qadisay", why shouldn't Somaliland speak up and be recognized?

As for the question "do these people have a direct mandate from the people they are pretending to represent in Addis Ababa?", No, because if those poor people had a democratic voice these charlatans wouldn't get anywhere near Addis or any other place.

Somaliland is proud to showcase its credentials and even our most strident opponents have been forced to acknowledge and concede these credentials, albeit insincerely and through gritted teeth.

So once again, don't blame Somaliland for its continued successes, but learn from them. Somalilanders have always sat together and discussed their issues irrespective of age, gender or clan kinship. Somaliland has always had dialogue, discussion and consensus. It is   successful path   to a better life for all peoples.

It is true, and all Somalilanders pro-claim that this is absolutely true, Allahu Subxaana wa tacaal favours the just, and Somaliland's cause is just.

Sincerely,