In an exclusive interview with The Advocate Post, Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, highlighted Somaliland’s remarkable stability as a beacon of hope in the turbulent Horn of Africa, contrasting it with Somalia’s ongoing governance crisis and reliance on foreign aid.
Cools emphasized that lasting stability in the Horn of Africa region hinges on credible, locally-driven governance. “Foreign support is only ever a form of support. It is primarily up to the Somalis to take control of their own destiny,” he stated, noting that Somalia’s challenges — including Al-Shabaab’s insurgency and regional divisions in Jubbaland and Puntland — underscore the need for a government with public trust and determination. Somalia’s dependence on international military and financial aid has yet to yield national cohesion, he observed.
In contrast, Somaliland, a self-governing nation since 1991, has maintained peace, democratic elections, and regular power transitions for over three decades without significant external intervention. While stopping short of endorsing recognition, Cools acknowledged, “Somaliland’s territory is currently more stable than the rest of Somalia,” a statement that highlights its governance success in a region plagued by instability.
Cools stressed that stability in the Horn of Africa, particularly around the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, serves Europe’s economic and security interests. He advocated for deeper EU engagement with stable regional actors, including Somaliland, alongside partners like Ethiopia, Kenya, the UAE, and the United States. Such cooperation could involve development partnerships, municipal collaboration, and academic exchanges to bolster regional peace.
Analysts see Cools’ remarks as a subtle call for a pragmatic European approach, recognizing entities like Somaliland that demonstrate effective governance and democratic resilience. As Somalia struggles, Somaliland’s model of self-reliant stability positions it as a potential partner for Europe in fostering peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
Source: The Advocate Post