Somaliland aims for recognition
2008-06-29 22:08
Hargeisa - The breakaway state
of Somaliland hopes next year's presidential elections will
lead to international recognition of the northern Somali enclave
as an independent country, officials said on Sunday.
The polls were seen by many as an acid test for the former
British protectorate which broke away from Somalia in 1991 when
the ouster of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre plunged the
Horn-of-Africa country into anarchy.
Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace and prosperity and has
held previous democratic elections, but analysts say it is not
recognised globally because of concerns that rewriting colonial
borders would open a Pandora's box of other secession claims.
Test for recognition bid
"The election is a test for Somaliland's recognition bid,"
electoral commission chairperson Mohamed Ismail Mohamed said.
"So
many countries are waiting to see how we will conduct our
election. It will be transparent, free and fair."
Presidential elections were postponed in 2007 and again this
year due to what officials called technical problems, including
inadequate voter registration and planning time.
The polls were due to be held before April 6 2009, following
a civil registration process.
Somaliland's system of government consists of a house of
representatives elected directly by the people and an upper
chamber, or Guurti, consisting of traditional elders
representing the different clans and sub-clans.
"We will do everything to make sure the elections are held.
"We have a unique infant democracy combining a traditional
chamber and a Parliamentary system. We can not afford to fail,"
Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullahi Mohamed Duale told Reuters.
According to a European Union study seen by Reuters, the
region has substantial untapped resources of oil, coal and
metals such as gold, platinum, copper, nickel and zinc.
Somaliland's 850km of coastline on the Gulf of
Aden also offers potential for a fishing industry.
