Somaliland was invited to attend the 29th annual session of the Crans Montana Forum in Brussels (Belgium) in June 2018, represented by Mr. Liban Yusuf Osman, Dep. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Mr. Liban Yusuf Osman met and networked with numerous foreign dignitaries coming from more than 100 countries.
Somaliland is an independent country in the Horn of Africa, and it comprises the territory, boundaries and people of the former British Somaliland Protectorate. It gained its independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain on June 26, 1960 and merged the Italian Colony of SOMALIA forming the Republic of Somalia. Sadly the union of between British Somaliland and Italian Somalia proved to be disastrous and eventually came to an end in 1991 after the collapse of the regime of a military dictator.
On May 18, 1991, Somaliland declared unilaterally the dissolution of the 1960 union and the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign State. Thus Somaliland is not a new state. It is an old state. The State of Somaliland is not an aspiration; it is a reality and has been a fully functioning state for the past 27 years. Somaliland fulfils all the requirements of statehood according to the 1933 Montevideo convention and the AU resolution of 1964 on colonial borders.
Today Somaliland is facing the same problems than other states but does not enjoy any kind of international support due to the absence of recognition.
The climate change threatens the populations with catastrophic consequences. Cyclic droughts and famines are becoming a frequent and devastating phenomenon in Somaliland and the entire of Horn of Africa.
Environmental degradation and its impact on centuries old means of production and the predominantly nomadic lifestyles resulted in massive urbanisation and unprecedented migration of populations within and outside the country prompted by the scarcity of national resources such as water, extreme temperatures and resultant desertification of the arable land.
Truly, the exposure of the impacted population represents a significant menace, both in term of regional security and development.
The transfer of technology and knowledge from the developed communities into the heavily impacted regions and the introduction of sustainable energies are utterly necessary.
Somaliland, as a new nation, is obliged to do its best by introducing new technologies of conservation, the elimination of all hazardous materials (recycling plastics or by banning it) and perfecting the modes of production.
Somaliland, being a very poor country, appeals for an effective working partnership with the international community (public and private) and the provision of a helping hand for remedial actions that will undoubtedly alleviate the deleterious consequences of the climate change.
Somaliland has been at peace for 27 years with itself and with all its neighbours, and has in fact been a bulwark against violence and terrorism in the region. It has been called as an oasis of peace, stability and tranquillity. It has also rebuilt its economy from the destruction brought about by the last military regime in the (1988 -1990) by establishing strong democratic governance structures including multiple elections, which were declared fair and free by international observers.
Let’s hope that the international community and the United Nations will exercise their obligations under international law to address the issue, as an international issue, between Somaliland and Somalia. Somaliland counts on the support of the international community. Justice must and should prevail.
For 40 years, security, peace and stability have been threatened in Africa due to the strange and unclear support brought by Algeria to the non existing RASD. Very surprisingly, RASD has been admitted as a full fledge member by the African Union when it represents nothing ! Just in front, we have in Somaliland 4 millions Africans, suffering of an unacceptable ostracism ! African Union does not recognize them !
Just remember that Somaliland lives in peace and works to its development in very difficult conditions when the recognised Somaly government is not able to stabilise its country, secure its population and get integrated to the world community.
Things must change !
Definitely.