Somaliland deserves to get International Recognition
By
Zamzam Ahmed Hassan
Historical Background
Map of
Somaliland showing the
administrative boundaries
Source :Government Somaliland Historical places
Somaliland was colonized by Britain, and was called Somaliland
Protectoral and achieved its independence on 26th June 1960.
Soon after independence, Somaliland united with the rest of Somalia on 1st
July 1960, under the name of Republic of Somalia. Before the union, the
rest of Somalia was colonized by Italy, and had achieved its
independence on 1st July 1960. For the first 9 years, there
was a democratically elected government in Somalia with a president, a
prime minister, and a parliament. During that period, participation of
the private sector in national development was strong, and Somalia
economy was growing rapidly.
However, a military revolution took place on 21st October
1969 and the military regime took control of the country. The new
military regime declared Somalia to be a socialist state and all sectors
of development were monopolized by the government. The military system
of administration lasted for 21 years. During this period the national
development continued to deteriorate and, together with occurrence of
many civil conflicts, led to the collapse of the military Government in
early 1991, followed by destruction of all vital infrastructures.
Soon
after the collapse of the military regime in Somalia, Somaliland
separated from the rest of Somalia, based on the original colonial
boundaries, and restored a democratic mode of governance on 18th
May 1991. This was a result of series of negotiations between
representatives of different clans who held a congress of elders from 27th
April-18th May 1991 in Burao, one of the towns of Somaliland.
Constitutionally, Somaliland has a multi-party system of legislature
with an elected local council and an elected president. Since 1991, the
country has held 5 democratic elections, and has already established
monetary as well as national policies to guide its operations.
Location and population.
Somaliland is located at the horn of Africa between latitudes 80
and 11030’ north and longitudes 430 and 49030’
east. It borders the Gulf of Aden to the north, Somalia to the east,
Ethiopia to the south, and Djibouti to the North West. It has an
estimated area of 137,600KM2 with a coastline of 850 KM.
The country is divided into 6 regions namely Togdheer, Sahil, Awdal,
Hargeisa, Sanag and Sool. The average amount
of rainfall ranges between 100 -300mm per annum. The rains are
unpredictable both spatially and temporally. Long-term disruption of
water sources and rangeland management are major contributors to
poverty and lower the peoples’ overall quality of life.
Population of Somaliland was estimated to be 3 million (1997 population
census) with an estimated distribution of 22 persons per Km2.
However, since 1997, no population census has been carried to determine
the current population. The Somaliland population consists of
approximately 55% nomadic population and 45% urban population. The main
urban centres in Somaliland include Hargeisa, Burao, Berbera, Borama,
Erigavo and Lasanod.
Somaliland has some historical places like Lasgel and Golis Mountains as
you can see below pictures.
Rock painting
Rock painting
This
is rock Painting Mountains exists up to 600 years ago as archaeologists
from abroad proved this can give you an idea about the civilization of
arts lived under the mountains and how they decorated the mountains with
beautiful paints which are still look like new-fangled.
Rock painting
Rock painting
Organizations:
There is numerous Local None Governmental Organization (LNGO) operates
in Somaliland and I interviewed Manager of new Youth organization called
Somaliland Youth Organization (SYF). He said
 Somaliland
Youth Forum (SYF) is a voluntary, humanitarian,
non-governmental, non-profit making and non-partisan forum. SYF is
established in democratic principles and it’s entirely based upon full
participation and respect to achieve fundamental freedoms, human
dignity, cooperation, self-reliance, and full commitments.
Opening Ceremony of SYF
Our vision is:
Through the transformation of the system and socio-economic development
of the youth, we strive for a better Somaliland where youth enjoy their
rights and dignity and are able to participate as fully as they choose
at every level in the decision making and social development.
Our mission is:
We are committed to utilizing training methods and specific learning
activities that encourage an active participatory role for youth in
decision making, income generating, skills and knowledge which allow
them more control and options in their lives.
Goals:
To realize our vision and mission, we advocate for public policies that
support our mission in addressing key issues that are of concern to
youth. We seek promoting human values through advocacy and community
out-reach programs, Child Enhancement Program (CEP), basic
non-formal/formal education and vocational skills training initiatives
for children and out-of-school youth in view of building a sustainable
community with improved standards of living. The main thrust is to
enhance youth opportunities to realize their full potential and
capabilities.
Youth should not be considered only as the leaders of tomorrow; But as
partners in the decision-making processes of today. Our values are
teamwork, quality services and caring.
Somaliland Live stock.
The
economy of the country depends 70% on livestock and livestock products.
Livestock in Somaliland is the major repository of individual and
national wealth.
It contributes to government revenues and provides employment to a wide
range of veterinary professionals and other service providers.
How ever mainly livestock of Somaliland are camels, caws, goats and
sheeps as you can see the below pictures, although using of fish or
fishing recently increases gradually but it is not still presented like
caws and goats meet.
Culture
The
Somali people are/ were originated by the culture pastoral nomadic
society, who was also had the best traditional institutions to rule
themselves.
Traditional songs
According to Somali traditions they used to communicate in poetry, song
and proverbs, Somali had a deep belief that (they could tell lies but
couldn’t tell a false proverb) all kinds of literature in Somali
traditions are based on moods or feelings.
Marriage
Somali
traditional norms on marriage girls were married for good qualities on
the other hand men were assessed to be brave, generous and persuasive
e.t.c, marriage were also based on human qualities breed in both parents
that is beautiful girls used to get married strong handsome men so as
to produce beautiful children. Marriage were formed as follows: elders
of both sides and sheiks come together, engagement and rights agreed
upon her request and dowry payments was in camels at the end wedding
ceremony held by both sides then family name set up.
Constructions
Somaliland constructions or rebuilding are developing step by step you
can see a lot of beautiful building in the city of Hargeisa or the other
regions in Somaliland.
There is a lot of well-established contracting company with provisional
builders. They offer a full range of construction related services
Constructing or rebuilding is symbol of developing country, this
construction is not only these two pictures of private companies but it
is all about government’s buildings, Hotels and even Homes.
Dahabshil Money Transfer Company building in Hargeisa
Telesom Telecommunication Company building in
Hargeisa
Education
Education/knowledge is where development, Government, Civilization,
Democracy originally from “Education is a key of life”
 Following
a decade long devastating war in Somalia, education facilities and
institutions from elementary schools to University were completely or
partially destroyed. But now in Somaliland there are hundreds of private
and public schools and universities in Hargeisa or the other regions of
Somaliland
Therefore, University of Hargeisa is most popular University in the
Capital city of Hargeisa and the vision of University Hargeisa is to
provide appropriate knowledge and training at all levels to meet the
nation’s immediate and long-term needs for reconstruction and
development.
Hence, the University of Hargeisa has fully established the following
faculties, institutes and centres:
UOH
v
Faculty of Business Administration
v
Faculty of Medicine
v
Faculty of Sciences
v
Faculty of Islamic Studies
v
Faculty of Distance and e-learning
v
Faculty of Law
v
The legal Aid Clinic (Centre)
v
The institute of land, Soil and Water Surveying
v
The Institute of Public Administration (CSI)
v
Institute of Research & Development
Source: University of Hargeisa
Analysis
Somaliland
has a
multi-party system of legislature with an elected local council and an
elected president. Since 1991, the country has held 5 democratic
elections, and has already established monetary as well as national
policies to guide its operations.
Furthermore,
Somaliland is devoted to the rule of law, which is upheld by mainly
independent courts. Favouritism on the basis of traditions, gender or
opinion is forbidden. Human rights abuses, such as torture, are criminal
offences. The right to protest is protected by law.
Somalilanders
have achieved an enviable peace;
Many of Somaliland's former clan fighters have been successfully
incorporated into the mostly well-disciplined national army. Not like
the rest of Somalia, the armed forces stay out of politics.
Somaliland is developing gradually in every where construction,
education and social development so, in my recommendation Somaliland
deserves to get international recognition.
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