While the Obamas, Osamas and the Strauss – Kahns of this world were stealing the limelight by crowding the headlines during the past weeks, the world failed to notice a little nation called Somaliland bordered by Ethiopia in the south and west, Djibouti in the northwest, the Gulf of Aden in the north, and the autonomous Puntland in the east celebrating its 20th year of its birth and demanding for its rights to be recognized as a separate nation by the international community.
In Hargiesa, as reported by somalilandpress.com “Thousands watched a parade staged to commemorate the occasion during which colourful groups from civil society marched, walked, or danced along Independence Avenue, followed by a full military parade.” It also reports that Somaliland’s president Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo watched the procession from under a huge banner which read: “The international community is obligated to accept the will of the people.”
The Formation of the Republic of Somaliland, May 1991 :
A breakaway, semi-desert territory on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland declared independence after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre in 1991.The move followed a secessionist struggle during which Siad Barre's forces pursued rebel guerrillas in the territory. Tens of thousands of people were killed and towns were flattened.
Though not internationally recognised, Somaliland has a working political system, government institutions, a police force and its own currency. The territory has lobbied hard to win support for its claim to be a sovereign state.
Facts (BBC)
•Territory: Somaliland
•Status: Self-declared republic. Not recognised internationally.
•Population: 3.5 million (Somaliland government estimate)
•Capital: Hargeisa
•Major languages: Somali, Arabic, English
•Major religion: Islam
•Life expectancy: n/a
•Monetary unit: Somaliland shilling
•Main exports: Livestock
•GNI per capita: n/a
•Internet domain: n/a
•International dialling code: +252
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| The Flag of Somaliland |
In Hargiesa, as reported by somalilandpress.com “Thousands watched a parade staged to commemorate the occasion during which colourful groups from civil society marched, walked, or danced along Independence Avenue, followed by a full military parade.” It also reports that Somaliland’s president Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo watched the procession from under a huge banner which read: “The international community is obligated to accept the will of the people.”
The Formation of the Republic of Somaliland, May 1991 :
A breakaway, semi-desert territory on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland declared independence after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre in 1991.The move followed a secessionist struggle during which Siad Barre's forces pursued rebel guerrillas in the territory. Tens of thousands of people were killed and towns were flattened.
Though not internationally recognised, Somaliland has a working political system, government institutions, a police force and its own currency. The territory has lobbied hard to win support for its claim to be a sovereign state.
Facts (BBC)
•Territory: Somaliland
•Status: Self-declared republic. Not recognised internationally.
•Population: 3.5 million (Somaliland government estimate)
•Capital: Hargeisa
•Major languages: Somali, Arabic, English
•Major religion: Islam
•Life expectancy: n/a
•Monetary unit: Somaliland shilling
•Main exports: Livestock
•GNI per capita: n/a
•Internet domain: n/a
•International dialling code: +252
Good,
ReplyDeleteI came to know many thing about somaliland from ur Diary.Well done dear.
R u doing some research work on somaliland & on somalians ??