Editorial: London Conference: A tale of two countries

Three weeks ago the Somaliland people were virulently against the London Conference for fear that Somaliland might become embroiled in Somalia’s roadmap and/or national  reconciliation process and, as a result, lose its status statehood as an independent and sovereign state.

This paper clearly spelled out in its editorial page that Somalilanders find detestable the idea of lumping Somaliland together with Somalia as though the two countries are one and the same. The paper also stated that the public are firmly against their democratically elected president rubbing shoulders with the nemesis of Somaliland and finally the paper called for that Somaliland president be given the opportunity to make the case for Somaliland and meet with prime minister David Cameron. The Somaliland government clarified that Britain had agreed to all these conditions and that the London conference is now a tale of two countries, Somalia and Somaliland, despite the fact that Somaliland still remains unrecognized diplomatically.

Had the British government not allowed these, it would have been impossible for president Silanyo to even contemplate leaving for London. The public’s implacable opposition towards the London Conference has now completely been turned around and one could hardly find a lonely voice protesting against the conference.

For this, the Somaliland public would like to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the British coalition government under the stewardship of the Conservative leader David Cameron for the golden opportunity given to our president to make the case for Somaliland.

There is now a clear distinction between Somaliland and Somalia at the London Conference.

The Somaliland government needs therefore to bring together all diplomatic experts and historians  so that they could put together a strong case starting from the moment when the Royal Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth II granted independence to the Protectorate at midnight on 25 June 1960, and the State of Somaliland came into being on 26 June to the indisputable fact that there was no legally binding Act of Union between Somalia and Somaliland and that Somaliland therefore remained a state within a state.

In conclusion, the success or failure of Somaliland’s participation in the London Conference will depend very much on how Somaliland presents its case to the 55 nations and international organizations that will attend the conference.