By Abdikarim Ahmed Hersi

Following the hilarious, peaceful free and fair, one man one vote, election in Somaliland, and the subsequent courageous wise decision of accepting the defeat by the outgoing President .The reputation of Somaliland has skyrocketed tremendously in the world at the same time folks are more convinced that the long awaited recognition is at the door step. This belief has been cemented by the endless praises, appreciations and congratulations from some of the most influential states in the modern world, ie Britain and Uncle Sam (USA) who also pledged strong cooperation and support for this marvelous mature democratic state of Somaliland. Moreover, high level delegations from the neighboring countries who came to witness the transfer of power of the outgoing and incoming presidents and the epic serene process of the ceremony made the faith of early recognition is inexorable.

Hence, because of the above mentioned points , the expectation of immediate international recognition is looming according to Somaliland think tanks; however the question worth to be asked is what if the recognition process takes far longer than expected? If that happens is there a plan “B” for the new government?

My answer to this question is big “Yes” and I am sure that neither the new government nor the people are ready to halt their struggle for this noble mission , however I think if the recognition doesn’t come through soon Somaliland leaders are expected to shift from the old fashioned failed approach to a more multifaceted modern way by considering the following steps.

1-     Organize a national debate for a new strategy for the recognition seeking mission

Organize a high level workshop for setting up a new strategy; such kind of workshop must attract a lot of scholars and diplomatic corps who have wider knowledge and expertise about international relations, moreover, the participants should first identify all the hindrances of the recognition then they have to discuss in dept all the options and factors which can enhance the success of the mission. Furthermore, they have to put in place the new strategy of recognition seeking by prioritizing from the most important tasks to the least important ones.

2-       Demand stimulus economic support from the African Union and Democratic Western Nations.

Here Somaliland must deal with African democratic nations, the African Union, and western states as well as western and international institutions.

I)In Africa , Somaliland has to build stronger relation with the leading democratic states like South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Senegal at the same time with all friendly scattered nations and push for these nations unite their voices of support and advocate the cause of Somaliland in the African summit meetings. At the AU , Somaliland can either directly deal with the AU or use the friendly countries persuade the Union to show a goodwill gesture and reward Somaliland’s’ democratic and stability achievement by allowing Somaliland joining the regional economic zone of COMESA and also get benefit from all the regional development programs like the African Bank projects. On the other hand, Somaliland has to apply and request from the AU accept signing and adopting important treaties such as, the Livingstone formula (peace, security, and stability protocol of Africa) and the Internally Displaces people’s protocol (IDP) as well as any other development treaties. These kinds of protocols are the major grounds that Somaliland can work with the Union and by signing these kind of treaties Somaliland will be an insider and recognition will be unstoppable.

 II) In the western world, Somaliland has to establish major networks for the Somaliland’s Diaspora pressure groups and International organizations who got involved in the previous election.

A)    For the Diaspora advocacy groups, The Diaspora office of the foreign ministry has the right to ask them fuse their efforts and urge politicians they elect in their respective countries adhere the mission of Somaliland’s’ recognition and advocate it in their respective political arenas.

B)     For international organizations who witnessed the success story of the democratic process of Somaliland and any other democratic activists can also participate popularization of Somaliland’s achievements and they can be lobby groups who advocate the recognition in the western hemisphere and raise awareness of those countries by the same token inform the volatile situation of the region where Somaliland is located and solicit western democratic nations salvage this blossoming democracy from the sinking ship of Somalia which is invested with madness and terrorism. Finally, Somaliland’s diplomatic corps ought to induce western nations that if the long anticipated recognition is like waiting for a boat which never comes that the whole region will be endangered to become a save heaven for Islamic radicals and that the new burgeoning democratic state might cease existing because of the negligence from the Godfathers and champions of democracy in the world.

C)     Finally Somaliland is expected to negotiate shrewdly and convince western states; international monitory fund and the World Bank give financial recompense to Somaliland and build sustainable development programs as well as exploit its resources in a win- win situation.

3-       Apply good governance best practices

 The other milestone that can bring Somaliland’s institutions to the right track and enhance efficient supremacy is practicing good governance in all administrative and judicial bodies of the state horizontally and vertically. Adopting this policy will pave the way for foreign investments and western countries will sure support and finance capacity building programs for all government staffs and at the same time invest in modernization of all government institutions to respond to the change that will lead prosperous modern state and realize the dream of making Somaliland what Ghana is for western African nations.

By Abdikarim Ahmed Hersi : member of the steering comity of ECOSOCC, AU( economic, social, and cultural council of the African union) which is an advisory organ to the African presidents and the African union.

 email; mudanegasle@gmail.com

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