Whether Somalia should recognize Somaliland's independence is a contentious issue. While Somalia is unwilling to negotiate with the region, lawmakers in the United States and elsewhere want to deepen their ties with the area. Other countries have also expressed support for the region's independence.
Ethiopia prefers the status quo
The African Union has ruled out changing the status quo in Somaliland. In general, it is afraid of provoking further instability on the continent by changing Somaliland's borders. The exceptions to this rule are Eritrea and South Sudan. These countries have special political arrangements, and their legal status is less relevant to the question of recognition.
Somaliland has an interesting political economy that challenges the mainstream discourses about democracy and development. Its political economy is defined by its bottom-up statebuilding and the strength of social institutions. It is considered to be one of the best-functioning entities in the Horn of Africa. However, this depiction downplays complex crises and internal political dynamics.
The Isaaq clan-family dominates the government in Somaliland. Although there are other clans in the country, the Darood clan, whose members fought against secession in eastern Somaliland, did not participate in the constitutional referendum. Because of this, Somaliland has become a mono-clan state with the Isaaq holding all of the country's important positions.
Somalia refuses to negotiate
The dispute over the ownership of the Horn of Africa region has strained relations between Kenya and Somalia for years. Kenya has even gone so far as to upgrade its naval base near the Recognize Somaliland. However, Somalia's refusal to negotiate may lead to war. It is not clear if this is the preferred option of either party. Kenya also refused to participate in the March hearings of the ICJ, objecting to the appointment of a Somali judge to the panel.
While Somali pirates have become popular on land, the Somalis view them as Robin Hoods. Each year, $300 to $400 million worth of fish is stolen off the Somali coast. As a result, Somalis have seen their livelihoods go up in smoke. Additionally, the 2005 tsunami washed toxic waste onto the shores of the country.
Politicians in Somalia are less concerned about talks with al-Shabaab than with internal conflict. Meanwhile, military forces continue to fight the group. The government has also deployed special police forces known as Haramaad and Gorgoor, trained by Turkey. These forces are used to consolidate central government power and fight against al-Shabaab.
U.S. lawmakers want to deepen ties with Somaliland
The visit is part of a larger push by U.S lawmakers to deepen ties with Somaliland, a country that is recognized as an independent state but whose government is largely independent of the United States. The Somaliland delegation will meet with lawmakers from the US Congress and President Bihi is expected to speak to them. Representatives from Somaliland's embassy in Washington confirmed the meeting.
The trip to the United States is part of an ongoing push by Somaliland's President, Muse Bihi Abdi. He has met with senior US government officials and held talks with lawmakers on several topics, including environmental protection and business promotion. In addition, the US delegation has expressed concern about the growing influence of China in the Horn of Africa region and urged Secretary of State John Blinken to intensify diplomatic ties with the country.
Despite the lack of progress in negotiations, there is still a lot of work to be done to improve Somaliland's situation. One way to do this is to establish an American Institute of Somaliland in the capital city, Hargeisa. This would give American officials a direct line of communication with the Somaliland government. It would be similar to the diplomatic arrangement between the United States and Taiwan.
Other countries have expressed support for recognizing Somaliland's independence
Despite the fact that Somaliland has an economy that resembles that of a third-world country, international aid and foreign investment are limited to the region. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is about $2 billion, and most of its foreign income is from Somalilanders living abroad. Its main export is livestock, which is shipped to neighboring countries and the Gulf States.
While women and clans have political rights, large clans still hold sway over political offices and leadership posts. In addition, women's political participation is limited by cultural barriers. A recent report from the Centre for Policy Analysis in Hargeisa found that only 12 of President Bihi's appointments were made to women. Nonetheless, elections are set for 2021, giving newly-elected representatives a legislative mandate. Elections will be held in the territory claimed by Somaliland.
The claim for independence was made by the Somali National Movement, which was part of the coalition of guerrilla armies that overthrew President Siad Barre in 1991. The northern Somalilanders had hoped for a government of national unity, but the southerner guerrilla movements named a southerner president and intensified inter-clan conflict. This ripped apart the fabric of the north-south political compact, and Somalilanders wanted independence.
