By Koigi Wa Wamwere
On May 18, I was invited to Somaliland to participate in celebrations of her independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991, after entering into a legally non-binding union with Somalia in 1960.
The celebration displayed incredible colour, joy, pomp and patriotism that totally lacks in Kenyan celebrations.
On the eve of the great celebration, the government of Somaliland organised a conference, in which her leaders, intellectuals and well-wishers like Gerard Prunier, the author of The Rwanda Crisis, decried lack of recognition for her independence and sovereignty by the international community, 25 years since her second declaration of independence in 1991.
After five days, I left Hargeisa feeling that like South Sudan, Eritrea and members of former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia that are now independent, Somaliland is also entitled to independence and sovereignty despite her break up with Somalia.
First, international community is wrong to deny independence to Somaliland in defense of a union that broke up 25 years ago.
Second, Somalia’s dead union with Somaliland can only be resurrected and consummated voluntarily never by military or diplomatic intervention.
Third, when Senegal and Gambia formed the union of Senegambia in 1982 and later split in 1989, the international community did not deny either Gambia or Senegal diplomatic recognition as it is now denying Somaliland.
Fourth, though entered with the best of intentions, Somaliland’s union with Somalia was without freedom, democracy and equity and was therefore self-negating.
As for Kenya, there are many reasons why she should recognise Somaliland diplomatically. One, because Somaliland and Somalia entered their union in pursuit of the dream of Greater Somalia that is a great danger to the peace and territorial integrity of both Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenya should support independence of Somaliland as a strong statement against the danger of Greater Somalia.
HOUSE AT PEACE
Two, while Somaliland has renounced Greater Somalia with the black star on its flag, Somalia still cherishes the dream of Greater Somalia as symbolised by the white five-point star on her blue flag. Kenya would therefore be excused to believe that if Somalia succeeds in vanquishing the al-Shabaab, she could turn her attention to Kenya and Ethiopia, the only obstacles to the dream of Greater Somalia.
Three, as Somaliland recently opened an office of representation in Nairobi, Kenya should reciprocate by opening her embassy in Hargeisa.
Four, that there are more Kenyans working in Somaliland than people from any other African country means Kenya acknowledges the logic of recognising and working with Somaliland.
Five, a Kenyan proverb says “what is born cannot be unborn.” Having been born out of the union with Somalia in 1991, Somaliland cannot be unborn and forced back into the womb of Somalia, not at the age of 25 years.
Six, Somaliland is a house that is in peace with itself and her neighbours. On the other hand, Somalia is a country that is in the fire of war. In the interests of humanity, international community should continue to help Somalia end the war that has engulfed her before forcing her to embrace and set Somaliland on fire too.
Seven, the union in whose name Somalia denies Somaliland independence and sovereignty is not legally binding since charters establishing that union were never signed by either country.
Eight, unlike Somalia, Somaliland has managed to eradicate terrorism of al-Shabaab and unlike South Sudan she has also managed to maintain internal cohesion and contain the ideology of clannism. Yet both Somalia and South Sudan are recognised.
Nine, Kenya can recognise Somaliland, keep her diplomatic relations with Somalia and work with both against al-Shabaab terrorism.
Ten, burying the dream of Greater Somalia by recognising Somaliland will kill emergence of greater ethnic republics like Greater Maasai nation or Greater Luo nation whose people span across East African countries.
Eleven, denying Somaliland recognition is injustice that denies her people trade with other countries, inflates prices of daily necessities, denies Somaliland youth opportunities to study abroad and denies Somaliland economic support from donors and international organisations. Kenya should say no to this injustice by recognising Somaliland.
Koigi wa Wamwere is a Kenyan politician, human rights activist, journalist and writer. Koigi became famous for opposing both the Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi regimes, both of which sent him to detention