The month of April began with good omen, an indicator of a change in a current that has been so far turbulent for Somaliland’s recognition.
The passing of a motion by the Local Council of Sheffield on Somaliland’s right for recognition and calling on the UK government; to recognize Somaliland as an independent country and encourage the rest of the world to do the same is a good omen for the quest of recognition.
Somalilanders everywhere welcomed the passing of the motion by the Sheffield Council as courageous. It might seem to be a drop in an ocean, but it is seen as a milestone in the fight for recognition of the reclaiming of their independence 2 decades ago.
Such news which has great prominence, for more than 5 million Somalilanders in the country and abroad, has been totally neglected and not given the prominence, it deserved by the BBC and VOA.
The motion and lack of coverage by The BBC Somali Service and VOA brings to the limelight, the credibility of the services and whom they really serve.
The question is does the UK government have the concise and moral obligation and responsibility, to forget Somaliland’s refusal to join the Commonwealth more than half a century ago? If it has such a concise and isn’t in pact with the Somali Service of the BBC; would it open a new chapter in its relation with Somaliland, a nascent democracy as Great Britain did after the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Wouldn’t refusal to accept the reality on the ground- as a former colonial power and the chaos and anarchy in Somalia spill out to Somaliland; weaken its peace, security, stability and democracy which is repeatedly hailed by UK and the west? Wouldn’t this negligence bring greater calamity to the Horn region? History will be witness, but have your say?