By Mohamed Abdisamad
The Republic of Somaliland formerly known as the state of Somaliland is an independent state in the Horn of Africa, located between Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. It was a former British protectorate in 1884 until became a sovereign state On June 26, 1960.
A brief history of Somaliland
The current Republic of Somaliland the successor state of the State of Somaliland became an independent state from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on June 26, 1960.
Shortly after, it was recognized by more than 35 countries including China, the United States, and the United Kingdom who are the key members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Shortly after the UN Trusteeship mandate over Somalia ended, the territory merged with Somalia in an attempt to form an ethnonational state known as the Somali Republic but due to legal blunders, this has never happened.
Thus, Somaliland has never been a part of Somalia contrary to the prevailing myths maintained by Somalian politicians. quite the opposite happened with Somalia merging with the State of Somaliland due to Somaliland having legal recognition, while Somalia was merely a UN trusteeship territory.
This article aims to provide clarity to readers unfamiliar with Somaliland’s legal perspective and challenge Somalia’s misinformation;
First, I will present evidence to demonstrate that Somaliland did not become part of what is known as Somalia, but rather its leader at the time embraced the ethno-nationalist ideal of creating a greater Somali Republic in the Horn of Africa, which would bring together all Somali-speaking inhabitants into a single ethno-nationalist state encompassing Djibouti, the North Eastern Region of Kenya, and the Somali Region of Ethiopia.
To establish the legal foundation, Somaliland’s initial parliament approved a draft act of union to unite Somaliland and Somalia and create a third state called the Somali Republic.
However, Somalia’s parliament did not ratify the act passed by the Somaliland Parliament but instead drafted their version in Italian. Neither act was ever mutually ratified, rendering the union legally invalid.
Conti, the UN-appointed legal expert on Somalia, extensively wrote about this issue. Somalia justified these flaws by asserting itself as the legal successor of the State of Somaliland.
Furthermore, Somalia achieved its objectives and used the documents of Somaliland to support its claims. Consequently, the Somali Republic did not exist as a legitimate and fully functioning state. Additionally, there was no act of union between the state of Somaliland and Somalia’s trusteeship.
Moreover, this is the reason why the former president of Somalia, Adan Adde, registered the UN seat as the “Republic of Somalia” instead of the Somali Republic, which originated from the state of Somaliland and Somalia’s trusteeship. This act constitutes fraud perpetrated against the State of Somaliland.
To this day, Somalia continues to use the credentials of Somaliland from June 26 for the UN seat and falsely presents itself as the Republic of Somaliland
Therefore, the international community must ask themselves the following questions: “Where is the country that obtained independence on June 26, 1960, from Great Britain?” and “Does 26th June belong to Somalia or Somaliland?”
The international community must acknowledge that the Republic of Somaliland gained independence on June 26, 1960. Therefore, June 26 rightfully belongs to the Republic of Somaliland.
The Republic of Somaliland has never relinquished its independence and its internationally recognized borders.
It is important not to confuse this with May 18, 1991, which commemorates the day when Somaliland restored its independence after an illicit union with Somalia.
Furthermore, the international community needs to understand that Somalia is exercising authority over the state of Somaliland, which gained independence from the British Empire on June 26, 1960, and has consistently maintained its territorial integrity.
It is crucial to note that there was no official agreement between the Italian trusteeship of Somalia and the Republic of Somaliland.
For 30 years the Republic of Somaliland was under military occupation by Somalia.
The illicit union and deceitful actions of the Somaliland state triggered a significant backlash from many Somalilanders who were ousted from government, military ranks, and public positions.
They were also deprived of opportunities such as business ventures and scholarships, as well as any development in Somaliland.
To restore the independence of the state of Somaliland in 1961, a group of military personnel from Somaliland planned a coup. Unfortunately, the operation failed, and all military officers involved were apprehended. However, the Somalia court did not find them guilty since the union between Somalia and Somaliland was never officially ratified.
However, in 1969 a military coup took place in Somalia and Siyad Barre assumed power, Subsequently, Barre began betraying and massacring the Isaaq people, specifically targeting community leaders and civilians who endured torture, imprisonment, rape, discrimination, property looting, travel, and business restrictions.
This unbearable situation prompted the declaration of the Somali national movement, aimed at liberating their people. The SNM initiated a protracted war against the regime of Siyad Barre, beginning in May 1988 in major cities of Somaliland.
In response, the regime declared a state of emergency and sponsored a genocide of Isaaq civilians between 1987 and 1989, possibly even earlier under Siad Barre’s dictatorship.
Various international sources estimate that the number of civilian deaths in this genocide exceeded 200,000, while local reports suggest that total civilian fatalities exceeded 250,000 Isaaq civilians.
Additionally, the genocide resulted in the destruction of major cities in the Somaliland Republic, including Hargeisa, Burao, ERIGABO, and Berbera. Somalia forces also bombed and burned down several towns and districts, forcing millions of Isaaq civilians to flee their land and cross the border between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
Last 33 years of the Republic of Somaliland
After SNM achieved its aims and struggle in 1991, Somaliland intellectuals, elders, and war veterans gathered in Burco to discuss their future. In that meeting, they declared the restoration of Somaliland’s independence from the illicit union of Somalia.
Following the liberation of Somaliland and the collapse of the regime in Somalia, the people of Somaliland engaged in a series of reconciliations. Under the guidance of clan elders, several peace and reconciliation sessions took place within the Republic of Somaliland.
This is an illustration of how bottom-up grassroots community engagement can bring about long-lasting peace, and stability demobilize militias, foster confidence, and build government institutions without international Aid.
In 2001, Somaliland made a great achievement after completing the constitution referendum that more than 97 percent of the votes and multi-political parties were created to compete in different elections of the Republic of Somaliland.
Additionally, the Republic of Somaliland meets all the criteria for statehood outlined in the 1933 Montevideo Convention. It has a permanent population exceeding 5.7 million, defined international borders, a functioning government, and the authority to engage with other states.
Presently, the Republic of Somaliland has a democratically elected president, a constitution, a House of Elders, a parliament, a judiciary, national forces, a national flag, a police force, a supreme court, a currency, passports, a multi-party system, local government, and a central bank.
It also maintains representatives in over 30 countries, with an increasing number of foreign consulates and representative offices operating within its borders.
Why does Somalia oppose the existence and independence of the Republic of Somaliland?
Because Somalia’s existence depends on the credentials of the state of Somaliland, it has never gained independence; it was under UN trusteeship until June 26, 1960, when it was incorporated into Somaliland and it seeks to impose political or military power over the Republic of Somaliland.
Furthermore, Somalia has told the international community that the Republic of Somaliland is a secessionist and subversive group of the Isaaq clan who are threatening the unity of Somalia and are less than 50% of Somaliland’s population.
In reality, Somalia’s true objective is to acquire and control the strategically important land of Somaliland, which includes Berbera in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and valuable resources like crude oil, charcoal, diamonds, and gas.
Somalia pretends to urge the international community to promote reconciliation between Somalia and the Republic of Somaliland, but this is all a false narrative that conceals the genocide committed by Somalia under the dictatorship Barre population.
The truth is that the people of Somaliland have determined their future and will not accept Somalia’s military occupation or the repetition of genocide. The Somaliland constitution clearly explains the reason for the restoration of the state which gained independence on June 26, 1960.
Presently, Somalia has invaded the Republic of Somaliland and is supporting the LASANOD clan militia against Somaliland. Somalia has also given official recognition to the provincial administration of Khatumo.
The Minister of Interior of Somalia, Mr. Ahmed MOALILN FIQI, has congratulated the Garaad’s decision (clan leaders) to engage in war against the Republic of Somaliland.
Additionally, the current administration of Somalia led by President Hassan Sheikh has officially recognized SSC-KHAATUMO as a federal member state and promised government assistance and support for their ongoing war with Somaliland.
These actions indicate that Somalia and its federal member states like the Puntland administration are actively involved in the invasion of Somaliland, and providing resources in the form of finances, weapons, and manpower to SSC-KHAATUMO milia to destroy the Republic of Somaliland.
The SSC refers to a geographical area that is a significant territory in the Republic of Somaliland and they are Sool, Sanaag, and parts of the Togdheer region where different tribes of Somaliland reside, with the majority being Isaaq except for the LASNOD district.
The SSC-KHAATUMO militia, with support from Somalia and the Puntland administration, attacked the village of BUKHDHARKEYN in the Sool region. During this attack, they killed civilians, including an 80-year-old man inside a mosque, and specifically targeted children and women. Additionally, they set fire to the city and looted all properties.
This horrific event marks the culmination of the genocide against the people of Somaliland. Furthermore, it is important to note that the leaders of the militia are officers of the GORGOR special forces of Somalia and prominent commanders in the Somali army who received training from Turkey, the USA, and Eretria during the LASNOD war.
The international community must monitor the army of Somalia that was trained to fight for Al-Shabab, however, they have crossed over from Somalia’s border to fight the Republic of Somaliland.
The government of Somaliland strongly objects to Somalia’s formal recognition of the clan Militia’s authority over las-Anod, October 19, 2023.
Factors facilitating international recognition of the Republic of Somaliland;
1.1 The Republic of Somaliland is not secessionist; it is a de jure state that restored its independence on May 18, 1991.
2. There was no official act of union between the Republic of Somaliland and the former Italian Somalia in 1960, which was known as the federal government of Somalia at the time.
3. The case for international recognition of Somaliland is unique, as the African Union fact-finding mission report from May 2005 concluded that the union between the Republic of Somaliland and Somalia was never ratified.
4. The Republic of Somaliland is willing to bring its case to the international court for a fair judgment.
5. One of the crucial aspects for recognition is addressing the Isaac genocide and bringing justice to the victims. The people who suffered have now reclaimed their independence, while Somalia continues to threaten to commit genocide once again in an attempt to destroy Somaliland and occupy it forcefully.
6. The strategic location of the Republic of Somaliland, near the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and Bab El Mandeb, has piqued the interest of major powers. If Somaliland’s leaders engage in diplomatic efforts, it could expedite the process of recognition.
7. The Republic of Somaliland must prioritize good governance, justice, democracy, transparency, peace, and stability in the Horn of Africa.
8. The Republic of Somaliland must cease any unauthorized negotiations with Somalia, as Somalia holds no authority to grant recognition to Somaliland.
9. The Republic of Somaliland should discontinue social integration with Somalia, as Somalia and its people deny the existence of Somaliland and actively work towards its destruction.
Therefor, it is important to clarify that the Republic of Somaliland is not a de facto or secessionist movement, but rather possesses a de jure status.
Additionally, it should be noted that the Republic of Somaliland is not a part of north Somalia, as claimed by Somalia, which is an attempt to spread misinformation and present a wrong narrative about the Republic of Somaliland.
The Republic of Somaliland obtained its independence on June 26, 1960. The international community needs to be aware that Somalia utilized the credentials of Somaliland from June 26th to apply for a UN seat.
Furthermore, Somalia intentionally avoided ratifying the union because it utilized the documents of Somaliland and the treaties between the United Kingdom and the state of Somaliland to secure a UN seat under the name of the Somalia Republic.
This deliberate avoidance of ratifying the union is why Somalia pretends to be Somaliland. The Republic of Somaliland wants to inform the world that it has existed as an independent country since June 26th, while Somalia falsely claims to be Somaliland.
In conclusion, the world must acknowledge that the restoration of Somaliland’s independence is the direct result of the people’s decision, driven by acts of genocide, rape, arrests, torture, bombings, and discrimination committed by Somalia against the people of Somaliland.
The Author is one of Somaliland youths who is advocating Somaliland’s recognition and pursuing a master’s degree in procurements and logistics management from Burao University.
Email: Mocarab50@gmail.com