Forgotten World (113): Somaliland

Following the collapse of the military regime of Siad Barre and of the Somali state, the 3 million people of the north-west region of Somaliland declared independence in 1991, but Somaliland remains unrecognised as a sovereign nation. However, in the eyes of at least some international observers, over the last decade and a half, the predominantly Muslim nation has made the transition from an autocratic clan-based society, notorious for its poor governance, conflict and human rights abuses, to a relatively peaceful and progressive democracy.
Somaliland is not yet a fully-fledged democracy and its unwavering observance of human rights is still a long way off. It has a multi-party system but only three political parties are allowed under the constitution. Islam is the state religion and, while non-Islamic faiths are tolerated, their promotion is prohibited. Muslims are not permitted to renounce Islam and the legal system is based on Sharia law which places substantial restrictions on the rights of women.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 at 7:43 am and is filed under World current affairs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

2 Comments

  • Rooble
    December 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm

    Correction:
    Somaliland’s legal system is not based on the Sharia law. It is based on the Binal code that has been used before the independence in 1960.
    There are no restrictions on women within the constitution as there are female MPs and many politicians.

  • Anonymous
    December 13th, 2007 at 11:11 pm

    Wonderfull Somaliland- The best kept secret of Africa
    by, Ali-Eid
    What so? Do you mean we Somalilanders are Muslims and therefore not eligible for Statehood ! What a nonnesense talk the talk you are suggesting.
    Let me make it clear as a proud and dieard Somalilander, you are omly tryig to delay a non-stop speed train.
    We are not begging Indeendence from any body, we already have it man, and nobody can even dream to come with hypothesis or mere halusinatios as Mr. Roger Darligton.
    He has shown an acute incompetnce when it matters the peoples choice for self determination. I have also been disappoited about his remarks on our whole-heartedly beloed and peacefull religion, it may also sound as making him somwhat like the master of hate, Sorry for heavy words but that is what i have frankly thought about you. Remember that under any circumstance that no one have the right to dictate his ideoloies upon us nor even dares to impose new religion in our part of the world. However we are among the most friendliest socies elsewhere in Universe as we have always been.
    Although we have laid down what everybody on earth calls Africa`s No.1 democracy and alreasy won international respect on realizing what many others were failed o reach without any outside help. that is also produced a geat deal of appreciation among nations accross the world.
    Somaliland is forever and Somalilaners are born to be Somalilanders.
    Ali Mohamod Noor Ali-Eid
    Oslo, Norway
    ali-sarhaye@hotmail.com