By Hassan Yusuf Ahmed, Hargeysa

May 18 is a day of great significance to the people of Somaliland. This year, the day was commemorated en masse throughout the country. Why is this day so important?

On May 18, 1991, Somaliland officially and democratically revoked its union with Somalia when strongman Siyad Barre was overthrown. The two countries were formerly colonized by two distinct European powers.

Somaliland, a British protectorate, became independent in 1960 and five days later, Somalia, an Italian colony, followed suit. The two countries immediately unified for the unholy purpose of bringing all predominantly Somali-peopled regions, including Djibouti, Ogaden province of Ethiopia and northern Kenya, under one geographical administration — Somalia.

It is now clear that the crazy idea of creating a greater Somalia by force has failed. During this year’s celebrations the President of Somaliland, in his wisdom, once again appealed to the UN and the international community to officially recognize his democratic and politically stable country and to treat it just as Somalia’s neighbor. I share his sentiments; Somalia is now a disaster and its chaos ought not to be extended to peaceful, civilized and democratic Somaliland.