Tag: sovereignty
Unlocking Somaliland
Somaliland Sees Rise in E-Money Services
Hyperinflation and economic isolation have pushed the internationally-unrecognized republic of Somaliland closer to a cashless economy. Mobile-money services have taken off, over the past decade in Africa; with 1 in 10 adults across the continent using them. CGTN’s Alexandria Majalla tells us how e-money services have become more convenient in Somaliland.
Somaliland: Key to Winning America’s Longest War
On February 7, 2019, Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, AFRICOM commander, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that U.S. airstrikes alone would not defeat Al-Shabaab, the Al Qaeda-affiliated militant group with deep roots in Somalia. Instead, he said, local forces need to “step up.” He is right, so it is especially unfortunate that when local forces step up to rebuff Al-Shabaab, AFRICOM ignores them. Continue reading “Somaliland: Key to Winning America’s Longest War”
Somaliland: A Success Story Without the Billions and Bombs
Somaliland is a success story in a part of the world where those are rare. For 27 years, the self-declared state—with little outside assistance—has defied the odds. In contrast with Somalia, from which it declared its independence in 1991, Somaliland has enjoyed years of relative stability and democratic governance. Continue reading “Somaliland: A Success Story Without the Billions and Bombs”
Somaliland President Turned Down Farmaajo’s Visit
In his annual constitutional speech before a joint session of the two houses of Somaliland parliament, President Muse Bihi Abdi gave a lengthy account of his recent official visit to Addis Abba where has met the Continue reading “Somaliland President Turned Down Farmaajo’s Visit”
Ethiopia’s Naive Peacemaking Could Lead to War
Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy is on a high. In October 2019, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize “for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea.” The committee also cited Abiy’s work more broadly — helping restore Djibouti-Eritrea ties, mediate a maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia, and facilitate the peaceful transition in Sudan. Continue reading “Ethiopia’s Naive Peacemaking Could Lead to War”
Unlocking Somaliland
On the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, sits Somaliland’s Berbera port. It occupies a strategic position in the Horn of Africa and lies on a busy shipping route for traffic to and from the Middle East and eastern Africa. Continue reading “Unlocking Somaliland”
Is Somaliland an Independent Nation?
It is my understanding that Somaliland receives around five hundred tourists a year. We were three. But within a single day, street assaults over tattoos meant we were two. Continue reading “Is Somaliland an Independent Nation?”
Somaliland and Somalia Presidents Meet
In what could spell better times for the horn of Africa nemesis Somalia and Somaliland, the presidents of the two erstwhile United Nations met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for the first time. Continue reading “Somaliland and Somalia Presidents Meet”