Failure to satisfy Somaliland’s desire for peace, security, stability and peaceful co-existence with Somalia which are the tenets of Westphalian statehood, resulted in the collapse of the ambitious project designed to merge Northern Somalia (Somaliland) and Southern Somalia (Somalia) into Republic of Somalia. Since the inception of the Republic, elites from Northern Somaliland complained about Southern Somalia’s dominance in governance where the national flag, national anthem, capital city, Presidency and Prime Minister’s position have been contributed by the Southerners. To rub salt into the wounds of the Northerners, Siad Barre assumed power by means of a coup and installed draconian, discriminative and oppressive laws against the Northern clans generally and the Isaac clan in particular. These appalling conditions experienced by the Northerners cajoled them to hold the bull by its horns and confront the situation. They formed the Somali National Movement (SMN) which protected the Northerners against Barre’s oppressive machinery. Subsequently Somaliland declared unilateral independence because it satisfied Article I of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States (1933) which explains that: [t]he State as a person of international law should possess: Permanent population; Defined territory; Government and Capacity to enter into foreign relations.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Voluntary Fusion of Somalia and Somaliland: A Poisoned Chalice
3. Somaliland Secedes from Somalia: Quest for self-determination and statehood
4. International Situations Emboldening Somaliland
4.1. The Case of Kosovo: Success Facilitated by International Intervention
4.2. The Case of South Sudan: Negotiated Settlement and a Pandora Box for Future Quest for Secession
4.3. The Case of Nigeria: African Protection of Hard Fought Territorial Integrity
4.4. Democratic Republic of Congo: Wishy-washy Continental Intervention
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the historical context, the collapse of the union between Somaliland and Somalia, and the validity of Somaliland's claim to self-determination. It aims to determine whether Somaliland's unilateral secession aligns with international principles of statehood by contrasting its experience with other global cases of state secession and conflict resolution.
- Historical evolution of the failed union between Northern and Southern Somalia.
- The impact of oppressive governance and civil conflict on regional stability.
- Comparative analysis of secessionist movements in Kosovo, South Sudan, Nigeria, and the DRC.
- Evaluation of statehood requirements under the Montevideo Convention.
- Diplomatic challenges regarding international recognition and the role of the African Union.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Somaliland Secedes from Somalia: Quest for self-determination and statehood
Somaliland’s return to its previous arrangement as an independent state has been encouraged by state of the nature existing in the Republic of Somalia. Hobbes in Lacewing (2013) defines state of the nature as “a war of all against all, in which human beings constantly seek to destroy each other for the pursuit of power. Life in state of the nature is nasty, short and brutish”. In this regard, Barre seized power and exercised it over other people to destroy them for the benefit his clan. Natural law of the Republic rendered people unequal and Barre’s associates held the executive power of natural law and used it to suppress others. During his reign of terror, Barre executed perpetual atrocities such as: summary executions, arbitrary arrests, targeted assassinations, expulsions, freezing of commercial activities, as well as bulk starvation of millions of nomads whose livestock and water points have been destroyed by Barre’s forces
Locke (2013) adds that a state is established by people who relinquished their sovereignty and gave to the state to execute in on their behalf. In such a situation the state is empowered to make laws for the protection and regulation of property and these laws are backed by the community for public good. Statehood allows its occupants to harmonise their interests and work towards establishing a just and equal society, however these aspirations have been nonexistent in the Republic of Somalia where one group became a dominant force.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical context of conflicts in the Horn of Africa and introduces the research focus on Somaliland's secession from the Republic of Somalia.
2. Voluntary Fusion of Somalia and Somaliland: A Poisoned Chalice: Details the historical union of 1960 and the subsequent political and economic marginalization of the North, which laid the foundation for future instability.
3. Somaliland Secedes from Somalia: Quest for self-determination and statehood: Explores the philosophical and legal justifications for Somaliland's declaration of independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Barre regime.
4. International Situations Emboldening Somaliland: Provides a comparative analysis of international precedents, including Kosovo, South Sudan, Nigeria, and the DRC, to assess their influence on Somaliland’s status.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the validity of Somaliland's claims while acknowledging the diplomatic hurdles and the risks of regional conflict posed by the lack of international recognition.
Keywords
Somaliland, Somalia, Secession, Self-determination, Statehood, Siad Barre, Somali National Movement, Montevideo Convention, African Union, Conflict resolution, Sovereignty, Political marginalization, Peacebuilding, Horn of Africa, International recognition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper explores the historical and political factors behind the formation and subsequent collapse of the union between Somaliland and Somalia, focusing on Somaliland's pursuit of sovereignty.
What are the core themes addressed in the analysis?
The core themes include state-building, the failure of centralized government under oppressive regimes, the legal right to self-determination, and the complexities of international diplomatic recognition.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks whether Somaliland's unilateral secession from Somalia is valid under international law and how historical global precedents influence the quest for its recognition.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, drawing upon political philosophy (Hobbes, Locke, Kant) and historical comparative case studies to evaluate state-building processes.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the initial 1960 union, the period of authoritarian rule under Siad Barre, the formation of the Somali National Movement, and a comparative study of international cases like Kosovo and South Sudan.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Somaliland, secession, self-determination, statehood, political marginalization, conflict resolution, and the Montevideo Convention.
How does the author interpret the concept of 'state of nature' in the context of Somalia?
The author applies Hobbesian theory to describe the lawless, violent, and oppressive conditions under the Barre regime, which necessitated the Northerners to seek independence for survival.
Does the paper consider the potential risks of Somaliland's independence?
Yes, the author warns that while Somaliland's case is valid, the declaration could potentially spark a "Pandora's Box" of further secessionist movements within Somalia, leading to regional instability.
- Quote paper
- Ignatius Mabula (Author), 2007, Secession of Somaliland from Somalia. Conundrum to Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/377466
