Mogadishu (PP Editorial) — The letter from Somaliland “Foreign Ministry” on the Laascaanood conflict provides a timely insight into the decision-making process of Somaliland administration. It is a piece of incriminating evidence against Somaliland President and his cabinet. “However, those who provoked this conflict have rejected all these efforts. Instead, they have continued to engage in incitement, violence, and misinformation to further destabilize the region and challenge the Republic of Somaliland’s sovereignty” reads the letter.
Somaliland administration is waging a war against Laascaanood on the basis of the deluded self-belief that Somaliland is a sovereign republic. It is not only President Muse Bihi Abdi who will be held accountable for shelling Laascaanood and causing massive displacement. Any politician in the breakaway republic who backed the “Somaliland army” to attack Laascaanood will equally face accusations for promoting civil war in politically fragile Somalia.
The Foreign Ministry of Somaliland views recognition of Somaliland as the “long-term Somalia”. Why is an entity — Somaliland — that looks upon itself as a sovereign republic seek diplomatic recognition? Political lunacy can plausibly explain why Somaliland in the letter claimed to be a republic, but in the same breath demanded diplomatic recognition.
Somaliland raised the stakes in conflict raging in Northern Somalia by making it clear that diplomatic recognition is the goal of its secession war. The United States of America reminded Somaliland administration that “Continued violence will increase the potential for extremist groups to sow broader instability and further exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis” and called on Somaliland to pull back its security forces as a demonstration of its commitment to these principles.”
The sovereignty of Somalia is vested in the Federal Government of Somalia. No other entity can claim a separate sovereignty in the Federal Republic of Somalia whose territorial integrity is protected under the International Law. The deluded Somaliland administration leaders misinterpret the silence of the International Community as an evidence that political impunity pays off in the absence of political accountability.
© Puntland Post, 2023
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