Ref. SF/EC006-1999 Date. December 7th, 1999
We, the members of the Somaliland Forum, on behalf of the Somaliland people are writing to you, as one of the World Leaders, to request your assistance in our plea for political recognition and economic assistance for the Republic and people of Somaliland. Somaliland Forum, is particularly pleading with you as the Head of your State and is calling your attention to Article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which places, a duty on all states (parties to the Covenant) to “promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the UN.”
In the last eight years, Somaliland has survived with no International support and more alarmingly, contrary to Article 1 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the fundamental right of the Somaliland people to self-determination has been denied. Furthermore, the lack of recognition of the Republic of Somaliland, we believe, is a form of neo-colonialism and utter negligence of their duties by the International Community.
Despite these fundamental obstacles and more importantly, thanks to the people of Somaliland’s commitment to self-governance, we have managed to establish a Republic and sustained its governance. The Republic of Somaliland meets all the internationally accepted criteria for recognition. It has reclaimed its sovereignty and statehood. A State which now has full control of all the areas within its internationally defined boundaries and has independent branches of government–legislative, executive, judiciary system– and a free press.
Furthermore, Somaliland is not a region of a state that is seceding, thus the OAU doctrine of preserving colonial boundaries does not apply to it. At independence from Great Britain on June 26, 1960, Somaliland had clearly defined international boundaries. It appears, therefore, that the Somaliland people’s right to self-determination, and their repudiation of the union with Somalia, which was established in violation of proper legal procedures and which cost the Somaliland people dearly in life and limb, are being subjugated to other nations’ misguided desire to reconstitute the failed Somali State.
While the existence of Somaliland and all relevant factors of its being reflect the democratic process of a nation, yet as we approach the end of the 20th Century, and while the world is commemorating the 51st anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Somaliland people are dismayed that the international community, particularly the regional and international organizations, continue to deny the Somaliland people their basic fundamental right to self-determination.
The citizens of Somaliland have vowed “Never again will Somaliland people surrender their sovereignty!” The Somaliland people have also vowed to exercise their right to self-determination that has been afforded to them by the United Nations Charter, Article 1, and paragraph 2: “The purposes of the United Nations are to develop friendly Relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace.” It is, therefore, incumbent upon the UN and world states to assert their authority, not to only impose sanctions, but to also recognize new hopes and accord Somaliland its share of the peace dividend in the new world order.
We, therefore, respectfully call upon you to extend DE-jure recognition to the Republic of Somaliland, which is the only rightful response to the legitimate aspirations of the people of Somaliland. As the people of Somaliland strongly believe that, this step will contribute to the long-term stability and development of both Somaliland and other countries in the Horn of Africa. It will, undoubtedly, also serve as a positive first step to turn the political situation of the Horn of Africa around, which is one of the least known and yet most troubling regions in this world. A geographical region that still holds the world record for proportionally generating the highest number of refugees and civil strife at the dawn of the 21st century.