By Liban Obsiye

Not a week goes by that I do not read something about Somaliland recognition. It has become an incurable obsession for most from this self declared independent State who believe in its release from the violent marriage they were tricked into after independence in 1960.  Perhaps they are right in that they have met all the international requirements for Statehood. They have also held two free and fair elections, created State institutions and are working towards strengthening their democracy. However, as a long term observer of events in the region it is easy to conclude that the passion for independence is not matched by policy successes on the ground.

By no means is Somaliland expected to be like Botswana or South Africa over night but the basics of a functioning government are missing. There are civil servants in all departments but most are allergic to working set hours and to set policy goals. There are functioning court rooms but the Judiciary is woefully under qualified and inexperienced. One has the right to a fair trial but the trial procedures are not available to claimants and defendants. Somaliland is a place of many contradictions brought about, as I was last told by a UK representative of a major political party within the country, by an inability to implement policy or initiate change due to poverty and a lack of international recognition. There we go again, international recognition and the assumption that it alone holds the key to development.

International recognition has been the target of all Somaliland governments from the beginning but many have done nothing more than cry for it at international conferences. Very few leaders it seems have asked themselves: How do we bring it about? What do we need to do to prepare for it? Many would say what about the election? Peace and security? Booming economy? Well yes, these are important but the government has had very little to do with these successes. In fact these notable achievements came about as a result of public agreement to engage with the existing processes and to live together in harmony. The government has provided police officers, soldiers and army officers but what is their number in comparison to the population? Even if the number was sizable, who is fighting or causing social unrest today?

The Somaliland government must be more proactive in promoting social development and instead of continuously obsessing about recognition should look at ways in which it can impress the international community to accept it as a future State. What progress has been made in education? Yes, primary schools are supposedly free in Somaliland today but why is it that in some regions poor students are still paying a fee in government schools? Yes, there are multiple groups of people from differing tribal families in Somaliland but what has been done about cohesion and promoting understanding and solidarity? The formation of Awdal State and other recent inter tribal tensions suggest absolutely little. The reality is that in Somaliland today the people supported by their relative’s remittances are living their lives without direct government support and most of the economic activity is not as a result of targeted government policy but of individual and private business endeavors. In fact in most policy areas, the government is absent both in leadership and direct implementation. It would appear as though all Ministers are good for are cutting ribbons or endorsing private sector providers of public service that are available only to those who are able to pay for it.

The Somaliland Foreign Minister, Dr. Mohamed Omar, is one of the strongest supporters of Somaliland and without doubt he holds one of the key offices that are crucial to the negotiations for independence and Statehood. Having heard him speak on various occasions about terrorism, piracy and the urgent need to recognize his country, he has seldom addressed the issues of human rights, future relations with nations from the Horn of Africa and international trade, the vital oxygen Somaliland will need to survive if it realizes its lifelong ambition. Why recognize a State that will forever be dependent on donor handouts when its economic prospects are better when united with the south? 

Somaliland faces unprecedented hurdles in gaining recognition but its leadership appears to not have understood that they need to demonstrate that they have the ability to do more than just moan and organize rallies in Western countries to get the international community interested in their cause. Of course, what Somaliland can offer these nations individually also matters and it has already started with the terrorism and anti-piracy initiatives, but what counts for more are what its leaders have achieved so far and their proposals for sustainable future development. Passion is good but implementable policies are better.

Liban Obsiye

libanbakaa@hotmail.com

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