INDEX OF SOMALIA
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The Double standards of Somalia political ellitesThis article discusses the historical and political relationship between Somaliland and Somalia. It explains that Somaliland was an independent state before joining Somalia in 1960, but later withdrew from the union due to tensions and lack of fair resource sharing. Since then, Somaliland has been seeking international recognition, which has been repeatedly denied. The document also highlights the reasons behind Somaliland's quest for recognition, including historical background, lack of unity in Somalia, governance achievements, economic potential, and regional support. It argues that the recent Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland should be seen as a positive step towards regional cooperation and development. It also addresses the double standards of 2the political elites in Southern Somalia and calls for the divorce of the Somaliweyn narrative. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for the international community to acknowledge Somaliland's independence.
The Effect of Foreign Intervention on Domestic Politics in SomaliaThis research attempts to answer the question, "What is the long-term impact of international intervention on the political stability of post-conflict countries?" Somalia is used as a case study, and it is expected that the findings can be generalized to other post-conflict countries. This is a critical issue in the international relations and foreign policy fields; the 1990s alone saw an enormous increase in international intervention in post-conflict countries. Intervention began in Somalia with a humanitarian mission but soon transformed into nation-building and peace-enforcement operations. These operations were massive: 30 countries were involved at some point, and there were significant material and personnel costs. Intervention did not cease after the US-UN mission ended in 1995, but instead took on a new face with the involvement of neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya. Oftentimes the justifications for intervention, as well as the successes and failures of the missions, are tied to the intervening countries' interests, or the interests of the international organizations involved, and are thus far removed from the welfare of the intervened-upon country. Given the prevalence and wide range of these operations, it is of utmost importance to understand their long-term effects. The world has not reached a consensus on the value of such interventions, and they are likely to continue in the foreseeable future. An understanding of their long-term effects can be used to shape future policy and increase the efficacy of intervention operations.
Why Has Somaliland Not Been Recognised as A Sovereign State?After the collapse of the Somali state, civil war followed, leading people to turn to their ancestral homeland. Consequently, rudimental local administrations were formed with a provision of becoming part of a decentralised governance system in Somalia. However, one region stood differently by declaring itself a separate state, Somaliland, within the boundaries of the former British Somaliland Protectorate. To overcome the objections of African countries about the session, Somaliland claimed that its declaration of independence in 1991 was supposed to be a dissolution of the union rather than a declaration of separation. This idea follows in the footsteps of other failed federations, such as the United Arab Republic, which included Egypt and Syria from 1958 to 1961, or the Senegambia Confederation, which existed between Senegal and the Gambia from 1981 to 1989. These failed political unions symbolized the breakup of that union and the restoration of the protectorate's original, pre-1960 borders. (Gordon, 2023) Britain granted Somaliland independence on June 26 1960, and after four days, it joined with the former UN Italian Somaliland Trusteeship Territory to form the Republic of Somalia. Thus, Somaliland's case differed markedly from the other regions as it wanted to stand as a separate nation-state within Africa. Yet, over thirty years have passed, and Somaliland has not been recognised as a sovereign entity. To answer why it happened, we have to look at the historical factors on state formation in Africa and how newly independent countries treated colonially inherited boundaries.
How the Somali government works with the traditional clanbased systems: literature reviewSomalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has a complex history influenced by tribalism, colonialism, and internal conflict. During the colonial era, European powers collaborated with clan leaders, resulting in Somalia's division along clan and tribal lines. This division led to the creation of artificial borders, which fragmented the land and fostered regional and clan-based identities. After gaining independence in 1960, Somalia initially aimed to establish a strong, centralized state. The Siad Barre regime, which came to power through a military coup in 1969, tried to suppress clan and regional identities in favor of a communist ideology. However, the regime's downfall in 1991 plunged Somalia into a prolonged period of violence and state collapse. Warlords and clan-based factions fought for power, leading to a protracted civil war. This paper analyzes the intricate relationship between Somalia's traditional and modern governance systems. It examines the potential for collaboration, the challenges faced in nation-building efforts, and the lasting impact of clan-based structures. The study begins by exploring traditional governance, highlighting the important role of customary law, elders, and religious clerics in consensus-building mechanisms and maintaining social harmony. It emphasizes the historical significance and contemporary relevance of these institutions. The paper then delves into the challenges involved in establishing a modern state in Somalia. It examines the obstacles that hinder the realization of democratic ideals and the establishment of a centralized administration. A key focus is evaluating the potential synergies and conflicts between traditional and modern systems.
Somaliland: Dynamics of internal legitimacy and (lack of) external sovereigntyDespite its strong legal and historical claims to sovereignty, the Republic of Somaliland remains entirely unrecognized by the international community more than 20 years after it proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991. Paradoxically, Somaliland’s lack of external legitimacy has, in some ways, facilitated the growth and development of its internal legitimacy. In contrast, Somalia enjoys widespread external recognition from the international community but has very little domestic legitimacy and largely fails to govern effectively the territory it claims. Somaliland’s high degree of domestic legitimacy and its strong desire for external recognition increasingly come into conflict with one another both in the eastern parts of Somaliland and in the continued democratic development of its hybrid domestic political institutions. The safest prediction for Somaliland is continued de facto statehood where its strong internal legitimacy enables it to survive in a hostile external environment but fails to translate into widespread sovereign recognition of its significant domestic accomplishments. Ultimately, though, Somaliland’s ability to deliver the ‘‘goods’’ on economic development and poverty reduction for its citizens will be significantly hampered without external recognition of its domestic achievements.
Legal Basis for Unilateral Secession of Somaliland from SomaliaThis article explores the legal basis for Somaliland’s unilateral secession from Somalia and whether it violates Somalia’s territorial integrity under international law. The article provides a brief history of Somaliland’s original independence and its subsequent union with Somalia. Following the collapse of the Somali government, Somaliland declared its secession from Somalia in 1991, while the southern region plunged into anarchy. The article examines the criteria for state recognition, with Somaliland fulfilling three of the four requirements. The article delves into the principles of self-determination, sovereignty, and territorial integrity under international law. Although the right to self-determination is fundamental, some experts argue that it does not apply to unilateral secession, as it is in conflict with territorial integrity. Conversely, others argue that self-determination promotes decolonisation and allows individuals to take part in local decision-making, including secession. The article also discusses the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which considers customary law, and the principle of territorial integrity, which only prohibits foreign interference. Besides, this article provides an overview of the concept of recognition in relation to unilateral secession. It discusses the two main perspectives on recognition, constitutive and declaratory. The article examines several cases of state formation, including Eritrea, South Sudan, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union, and emphasises the importance of mutual consent in the creation of new states. In conclusion, the article provides an overview of the legal basis for Somaliland’s unilateral secession and the principles of self-determination, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It examines the criteria for state recognition and the role of the ICJ, human rights advocates, and the Security Council in interventions. Ultimately, the recognition of a new state depends on political will, which can have a significant impact on the decision-making process.
Somali Irredentism - The Pursuit of a "Greater Somalia"We shall take up arms. Let all perish! We shall take up arms. Let all perish! We shall not delay in recovering our missing parts. We are filled with discontent and fury and shall take up arms. A person robbed of his property wastes no time recovering it. He never enjoys conversation or social entertainments. We shall have no time for gossip and luxurious conversation, but shall take up arms to restore our missing property.