May 18, 2011
Editor's Note: Somaliland is commemorating the 20th anniversary of its founding on 18 May 2011 – a major milestone in itself considering the unfortunate plight of South-Central Somalia which plunged deep into a seemingly bottomless quagmire. WardheerNews would like to congratulate the government and the people of Somaliland for creating an environment of peace, stability and democratic polity in a very tough neighborhood. On the occasion of this important anniversary, WardheerNews is pleased to present to its readers an interview it held with Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland.
WardheerNews (WDN): What major achievements and challenges can you share about the current Somaliland government headed by President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, which came into office in July 2010?
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Dr. Mohamed Omer, Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs: After the hand-over of power from the outgoing President to President Silanyo, the new government immediately tackled many of the outstanding problems. It managed to considerably improve the economic prospects through intensified contacts with international partners who agreed to re-enforce their support to Somaliland, while maintaining peace and stability in the face of challenges initiated from outside.
WDN: Somaliland has made some progress in the area of peace and stability amid the chaos that has continuously engulfed the Southern part of Somalia; however the issue of recognition has become a distant goal. What is the prospective of being recognized?
Dr. Omer: In fact, Somaliland has achieved a level of peace and stability that is exceptional in the region and even on the African continent. Recognition of its independence by the International Community remains the ultimate goal of its foreign policy. On the way to this goal, Somaliland has been able to win friends that will ultimately make the move when they consider the time ripe.
WDN: Some of the reasons often given to not grant recognition to Somaliland are that, first recognition should be initiated and must come from African countries. Another reason we often hear is based on the balkanization of Africa and the danger to disintegrate independent states. How do you respond those concerns?
Dr. Omer : The African Union some of whose Member States face challenges from separatist movements has a tendency to overlook the fact that Somaliland is not seceding from a functioning independent state, but simply decided to withdraw from a union that had absolutely failed in all respects. Contrary to the case of southern Sudan where a new state is being created, Somaliland has only gone back to the situation it found itself in 1960, reclaiming its independent status together with its colonial borders. Continued
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