East Africa: Somaliland At 25 – Time for the World Community to Support Peace in the Horn of Africa

Hargeisa This week, Somaliland celebrated 25 years of independence – an independence that the international community does not recognise. President of the self-declared republic AHMED MM SILANYO argues that international recognition is long overdue.

 

Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo was elected as President of Somaliland in elections in 2010. He was a pivotal figure in the peace processes which brought peace to the conflict-ravaged region following the collapse of the Siyad Barre Regime and led to the creation of the Republic of Somaliland in 1991.

 

Last week Somaliland marked 25 years as an independent state. Wherever we are in the world, you will find Somalilanders decked out in red, white and green and dancing, singing and celebrating.

 

And we have good reason to celebrate. Somalilanders have overcome terrible adversity to build peace and democracy in a region scarred by conflict. After the remarkable achievement of bringing a quarter-century of stability to a volatile region it’s now time for Somaliland to be formally recognised and have its voice heard on the international stage.

 

Somaliland is a state of 3.5-million people in the Horn of Africa adjacent to the Gulf of Aden. A former British Protectorate which won its independence on 26 June 1960,…CLIC AND READ MORE THIS ARTICUL