TO: US SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFAIRS:
Chair: Bob Menendez {D}
Ranking member: Jim Risch {R}
Senate Subcommittee on Africa
Chair: Chris Van Hollen {D}.
Ranking member: Mike Rounds {R}
I have the honor to address this letter to you, US Congress behalf of the Citizens of Somaliland. Somaliland Advocacy Group is an activist Organization established in 1995 in Washington dc. Somaliland Advocacy group is to promote the interest of our infant Country. Its main mission is to find ways in which we can alleviate the misery and suffering of our fellow brothers and sisters back home in Somaliland.
On May 18, 1991, the People of Somaliland declared the formation of the independent Republic of Somaliland; and while world’s focus was on Somalia at that time and since, the people of Somaliland managed, through a unique and democratic process, to establish peace and stability in their country. Unfortunately, instead of supporting the achievements of the people of Somaliland, the US, UN and international community has not yet recognized the Republic of Somaliland, and continue to hold it hostage to the conflict between the warring warlords in the neighboring Somalia.
The People of Somaliland urge the US and UN member states to grant international recognition to the Republic of Somaliland, and request US and UN to accept it as a full-fledged member of the body. Such step by the UN and its members is long overdue, and would be the proper course of action for the following reasons.
Somaliland has a history of existing as a state. First, when it was the British Somaliland Protectorate {1880-1960}; and the Second time during the brief between its independence on June 26, 1960 and its union with Somalia on July 1, 1960. During the latter period, it was known as the Somaliland State. The Union between Somaliland and Somalia in 1960 was unfair and lacked proper legal foundation.
During the ill-fated union {1960-1991}, the Mogadishu-based government of late Dictator Mohamed Siyad Barre engaged in torture, aerial bombardment, and artillery shelling of Somaliland’s civilian population, which resulted in the death over 100,000 people, and the destruction of Somaliland’s cities, towns, and villages. These were not isolated acts, but part of a systematic and well-documented policy of genocide on the part of Somalia toward the people of Somaliland, and it went on for years.
Somaliland meets the international requirements for recognizing new states. It is a de-facto State which controls a definite territory, and has internationally recognizable border {these borders coincide with those of the former British Protectorate of Somaliland}. It also has an elected government, a free press, a parliament, and has engaged in international relations with other states for the last thirty years.
We have to realize that we are not different from the former Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Sudan and Ethiopia, who break up into different independent countries. If Southern Sudan, Eritrea, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia and Bosnia can be a Sovereign Countries, why not in Somaliland? We have to have the will, the political will and collective will. We have a right to get self-determination and get recognition from the world.
The Government of Somaliland Republic is the effective and unchallenged authority of Somaliland. The dramatic changes of the political map of Europe and Africa set presidents that support our case. Our unilateral declaration of independent is not secession; it is a restoration of past status Que. The political map of the Horn of Africa with the rise of Eritrea, Southern Sudan and Somaliland has also change “The New World Order”, favors the downfall of African Dictators that is being swept by the current wind of change in Africa.
Our independence and separate statehood is not subject of negotiations. Our unilateral declaration of the sovereign state of Somaliland is IRREVERSIBLE. The warring factions of Somalia are not likely to entertain at the moment a peaceful settlement of their problems. Political solution in the absence of a Somaliland partner is a remote possibility.
The recognition of our newly born Republic is helping up for the fact that Somalia not as an entity non-existent. Our case for recognition should be not suffered for factors beyond our control. The International community and WE should view our case on its own merit.
We should therefore be considered for immediate recognition and development aid in order to help us cope with the tremendous problems we face.
ANIIS A. ESSA. HEAD
SOMALILAND ADVOCACY GROUP
WASHINGTON DC. USA
aniis@yahoo.com
