For Edna Adan, the so-called “mother” of Somaliland, the hospital she founded in Hargeisa is a reminder of the horrific killings in the region and the rapid spread of global self-determination.
“We are on the verge of being killed,” said former foreign minister, first lady and midwife, in reference to the brutal assassination of Somali Siad Barre by 200,000 Somaliland people seeking independence in the 1980’s.
“I want this place to be a place where human life and dignity are preserved and respected, showing respect and compassion and recognizing that Somaliland deserves it,” he told the Financial Times.
Thirty years after Somaliland was separated from Somalia, this independent state this year won a democratic election and attracted more money from DP World in Dubai on the Berbera port.
Somaliland officials hope that this means it is getting closer to achieving its world-wide goal, without which it could fight to raise more $ 3.5bn, backed by camel-back funding.
“It may seem strange that in 2021 there is a government that does not realize that, at the same time, it is functioning as a legitimate government,” said Saad Ali Shire, Somaliland’s finance minister.
Ismail Ahmed, the founder of Zepz’s $ 500m fund for education, health and construction, said: “It is unfortunate that one of the most democratic governments in Africa, a country that has been successful in rebuilding itself after the war, has refused to be accepted.”
But fearing that it could strengthen their rest areas, some local players are reluctant to recognize Somaliland. “It will not happen soon,” said a foreign official in the Horn of Africa. However, the UK, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Ethiopia are all found in Somaliland. This month, Kenya appointed a delegation, a year after Taiwan – which angered China.
The former British defense force Somaliland became independent on June 26, 1960. Five days later, it annexed former Italy to Somalia, but began in 1991 after the fall of Barre. As Somalia plunged into civil war and is surrounded by al-Shabaab jihadis, Somaliland has given peace to its people 5.7m. It has a bicameral elected parliament – and Guurti Officials like the House of Lords in Britain – it registers its military, prints its money and issues their passports.
“We have been trying to be a democratic country that has been in operation for 30 years but it seems that to deal with the world you have to be tough,” said Ayan Mahamoud, a former Somaliland ambassador to the UK.
The government in Mogadishu has been fighting al-Shabaab for years, with the help of US aid. The President of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmaajo, is now embroiled in controversy with its Prime Minister ahead of elections in October. In April, efforts were made to extend his two-year term in office, sparking tensions between the warring factions.
One month later, against, Somaliland, held a peaceful parliamentary election, the first in 16 years, in which two opposition parties won a majority of seats.
“Where else in Africa can a minority come from? The people of Somaliland understand the true meaning of democracy, “said Barkhad Batuun, an opposition politician who, despite coming from a minority in the country, received the most votes in this year’s election.” I hope the world realizes what we have done. “
With one women’s minister, the government’s commitment to women’s rights is being questioned by others, especially all 13 women who have been elected to parliament and have not found a seat. “When we talk about democracy, it’s a male democracy, not a female democracy. We are doing well but we are not 100% there, we are not 100% democratic, “said Suad Ibrahim, who ran and lost.
Foreign ministers in Hargeisa say Somaliland’s “generous” could help the country become known, especially among Western nations – especially now in Afghanistan is in the hands of the Taliban Muslims. In Somaliland, women’s basketball games and basketball have recently been altered as a result of Muslim bribery, human rights activists have said.
“Nothing makes sense [direction] where Somaliland is headed – whether it be generous or caring. There is a very good line and I feel we are in the show, “said Ayan Mahamed, a Somalilander boxing champion and computer scientist who went from London to Hargeisa and is the chairman of the sports federation. Hiil Protected, or Stand on Girls.
According to Haboon Kaysar, a girls’ rights activist in Hargeisa, “it can be difficult to determine whether countries see us as racist”.
The West is still waiting to see if African countries, especially Somalia, will comply. Officials in Mogadishu, the risk is that what will happen in Somaliland could strengthen Somali countries as well, such as Puntland and Jubaland. Misunderstandings in Tigray Region in Ethiopia and the potential conflict in his Somad region in Ogaden also means that Addis Ababa officials do not have to take action.
“The idea that Somaliland will conquer the Balkanise Horn of Africa is a myth,” said Abdirisak Shaqale, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Hargeisa. “In the past, legally and politically we have legitimacy. We cannot be compared to other countries,” he said in a statement, defending Somaliland’s former independence.
At the moment, little is happening. “They say we are a ‘non-existent world’. We are here, we are here, but we are not accepted,” said Salma Sheikh, founder of The Somaliland Review magazine. “That’s not really fun.”