Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hargeisa (Agenzia Fides) - The violent confrontations carried out between the police and demonstrators last week in Hargeisa, capital city of Somaliland - a Somali region that declared itself independent in 1991 - has international analysts on edge.
The fighting that broke out on April 27, has caused two deaths and several wounded. The motive of the protest came from the local government’s decision to rename and divide the district of Ahmed Dagah without consulting the local public. However, this motive is really just a mask that hides the situation of tension whose roots go deeper and that comes from two other problems. The first of these has to do with the economy, as Somaland is also facing the dramatic impact of the soaring food and fuel prices on its population’s living conditions, already suffering the effects of a severe drought in the region. The local press recognizes that the situation of the country is not unique, but rather that it is situated within a global context that threatens the survival of entire nations. However, they also criticize the government for not taking measures to halt the rising prices and instead, increasing the costs of food and fuel.
The second motive of the general dissatisfaction, has to do with politics. According to local government analysts in Somaliland, although there is still respect for democracy, it has converted into a totalitarian country since the Parliament’s decision to extend the term for President Riyale one year (it was scheduled to end May 15). The opposition leaders contend that Riyale's legal term in office ends on May 15, after which point the opposition has threatened not to recognize his presidency.
The local press has also denounced a series of violent episodes and the arrest of the former head of the Department of Transportation, who accuses President Riyale’s wife of corruption. In mid-April, several hundred soldiers were deployed to Hargesisa from various border zones, among them the region of Sool which is under dispute between Somaliland and Puntland, in a prevention effort against violence and attacks. On April 14, a bomb was placed at the Parliament headquarters, as they prepared to vote for the extension of the presidential term. The local police arrested a representative of the opposition party named Kulmiye, on accusations of this attempt.
According to the opposition, the authoritarian policies of the President are the most serious obstacle in Somaliland’s recognition on the part of several countries who would otherwise be willing to do so. In recent months, the United States and Great Britain have made some diplomatic motions that constitute a recognition of the country (see Fides 22/1/2008 and 13/2/2008). In addition, France (that maintains strong ties to neighboring Djibouti) has also sent a diplomatic delegation to Hargeisa in order to begin cultural relations, a hopeful sign for establishing stronger relations.
Somaliland has become a support for Western countries in Somalia, both for its relative stability as well as for its potential gas and petroleum reserves. However, the recent events threaten to undermine these strategies. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 5/5/2008; righe 38, parole 502)
