International recognition
Somaliland’s most pressing issue moving forward is its need to gain international recognition. As a self-declared ‘independent state’, the government of Somaliland is ineligible to receive international aid or participate in transnational organizations such as the African Union (AU) or United Nations (UN). Investors are hesitant to commit significantly to the region due to the instability in Somalia. Statehood is also a matter of significant pride to Somalilanders and was among one of the primary reasons why the country’s constitution was overwhelmingly approved in 2001. While the country has yet to receive any formal recognition, covert diplomatic support for Somaliland has increased in recent years. In 2005, the AU released a special report on Somaliland, explaining that “Somaliland’s search for recognition [is] historically unique and self-justified in African political history…the AU should find a special method of dealing with this outstanding case” (African Union 2005 reprinted in ICG 2006:i) The African Union Commission Chairperson, Jean Ping, recently called “to broaden consultations with Somaliland and Puntland as part of the overall efforts to promote stability and further peace and reconciliation in Somalia” (African Union 2010 reprinted in Pham 2011:147).
President Sillanyo and Foreign Minister Dr Mohamed Omar have recently boosted the country’s diplomatic profile by hosting delegations from Djibouti, Kuwait, Norway, Pakistan, the UN, and the World Bank. Ethiopia, Kenya, and Israel have all declared support for Somaliland’s quest for recognition, and lobbied the AU to admit the country as a member of the transnational organization. The EU has committed over EUR 63 million to development projects throughout the region while the United Kingdom plans to triple its aid to Somalia over the next three years, with 40 percent of that budget earmarked specifically for projects in Somaliland (UKAid 2011). Ethiopia has also entered into trade agreements with Somaliland to formalize their access to the Port of Berbera and establish customs offices at the border of the two countries. On 14 August 2011, President Sillanyo met with representatives from Ethiopia and China in Beijing to negotiate economic and trade cooperation between the three countries, with the intention of signing trilateral agreements over gas, oil, and logistical cooperation in the near future. The ultimate goal of the project, according to Somaliland’s government, is to expand the Berbera Port to the point where it can serve all of East Africa, while China becomes Somaliland’s main exporter of natural gas and oil (SomalilandPress 2011e). It seems that international political will is perhaps the most important ingredient missing from Somaliland’s search for recognition.
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