Self-sufficient country in the Horn of Africa

Somaliland wrote a success story, which is however more and more at risk. Because the small country international is not recognized, it doesn't hardly help - even in the current drought crisis. 

 Isabel Pfaff, Hargeisa             Translated. View original report here

Livestock is one of the two major sources of income of Somaliland - in addition to the money, which sends the diaspora back home. The animals are mainly the Arab Gulf States. (Photo: Robin Hammond / visa)

No security checks, no bag check. You want to the Minister, one must overcome a few levels, already it is located inside the Government building. The Minister still dispenses with a few other symbols of power, which are often common in Africa - hours wait despite an appointment for example. With only ten minutes late rushes Shukri Bandaré, a little woman about 50, by the gate of their Ministry, apologizes and takes place on a bench in the green courtyard. She wears a head scarf tied around the face closely, her English is fluent Somali accent is strong and proud.

Shukri Bandaré is of Somaliland Minister of the environment. A State that officially did not exist and therefore lack of international support. However, Somaliland coped compared with its neighbors quite well in recent years - the current drought crisis could threaten the small success story in the Horn of Africa, however.

This story began 1991years ago 26 in may, when explained to the Somaliländer independent. For the rest of the world, their country remains however a part of Somalia. The small State and its Government can make use of any form of publicity — probably also why it is relatively straightforward to get a visa or an appointment with the Minister. "It's unfair!", says Bandaré. "We have built really this country from scratch. And still we are seen only through the eyes of the South."
The South, which is the remainder of Somalia capital Mogadishu. The two parts of the country have not always mutually heard: until in the 1960s Italian colony, Somaliland, Somalia was British protectorate. After the independence of the two regions joined - a decision that regret many Somaliländer. Because it is the South that shapes the image of Somalia since then: a failed State, know in which whole generations only war and violence. That in the North many things completely different run usually goes down. This prove the nearly four million Somaliländer for years: your country, although recognized by any other country in the world, operates in comparison to the many problem cases in the Horn of Africa with the best.

Somaliland is a democracy, elections several times, there was a peaceful change of power 2010 . The Government works relatively well, police and army to keep the monopoly of power in much of the country. This is not a little for a region that borders one of the world's worst crisis areas.

"At least we feel in our hearts, that we are free", said the Minister. It sounds like a mantra of closes. Because at the moment, the Somaliländer feel that the lack of recognition can be life-threatening: the country is suffering from a severe drought. Three quarters of the population live stock-breeding, as now the rain remains out and their livestock dying of thirst, they have nothing. But the Government is not supported by other States and organizations - because it is in their eyes just not Government. Help comes only indirectly, such as when local NGOs to get money from abroad. But also the running slow, so Bandaré.

And so the Somaliländer do what they do for more than two decades: you help yourself. Wealthy businessmen from the capital Hargeisa send water and food in the province, also the large diaspora sends money home to alleviate the suffering.
Something like that happened to Somaliland, what it is today. When they reneged the people during Somalia civil war South, their country was a shambles. Today, not much of the war is to see. The country is still poor, but the Somaliländer have rebuilt their cities. There is a peaceful activity, increasing the number of hotels, restaurants and company building. It is especially the diaspora in Somaliland, invested and founded a company, it is still the economic engine of the country. The livestock industry is in second place. Somaliland exported more than three million sheep, goats, cattle and camels, mainly in the States of the Arab peninsula in good years. This trade is important for the Government, their budget is fed almost three-quarters of taxes on livestock export. In contrast to recognised States Somaliland no money can be rented at international institutions or elsewhere, must conserve so disciplined. And as Somaliland, unlike many developing countries, has an effective control system. Basically, it meets more criteria for statehood as the other countries in the region. So why is the recognition anyway?
There is the rule that is once even gave the African Governments to: keep the newly independent States of the continent as their colonial borders, believed divestitures would otherwise take no end. The African Union has remained even in the case of Somaliland with the attitude, even though total Somalia in its present borders was created only after independence.
The second, perhaps more important reason has to do with the fragile situation in the region. In addition to Somaliland, Somalia autonomy efforts encourage in other parts: in Puntland, which borders on Somaliland, or in Jubaland in the South. The international community fears that a recognition of Somaliland could reinforce this bias of secession. In addition, that in neighbouring Ethiopia and Kenya Somali minorities. A split in Somalia, so the fear would ignite secessionist fighting in the entire region.

Somaliland has a relatively democratic system - but the citizens lose interest

The Somaliländer on recognition prospects remain so dark. The tragic fact: The inhabitants of patience slowly lose. Despite their discipline, despite their construction will have to waive further support and investment. Meanwhile, the democratic system will first cracks. Government and Parliament have recently repeatedly postponed elections, now they should take place end of 2017 . However, people lose interest: far fewer voters than in the past originally registered for the elections scheduled for March.
The country is now all hope on a deal last September: the Dubai company, DP World, one of the largest port operators in the world, was granted the license for a deep-sea port at Berbera. A modern port and thus a new trading hub between East Africa and the rest of the world is to be in the city on the Gulf of Aden. Somaliland Government hopes the project of not only jobs and economic recovery. She also believes that a signal to other investors comes from the investment of Dubai. It could continue of Somaliland with the development - even without international recognition.
Shukri Bandaré, the Minister, in any case, refuses to be pessimistic. "Of course we live here with restrictions. But I don't want to focus on me. I want to work better with the, what I've got." And the recognition? As Bandaré seeks a mantra again. "We hope that one day we will be a free nation. And God willing, it will be soon."