Self-declared independent Somaliland 'educates' UN for recognition

Somalia

In its quest to inform and support the electoral process in Somalia, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) stepped on the wrong foot of the people of self-declared independent Somaliland on Twitter and in press statements.

UNSOM’s offence was tweeting and releasing statements about Somaliland’s participation in Somalia’s election, which was indeed the case as some candidates “representing” Somaliland were voted into the parliament in Mogadishu.

Examples of the tweets are: “3 women elected today 2 seats in House of People from #Somaliland, 10 of 26 #Somaliland MPs-elect are female for 38% share of seats so far”, and “Elections for MPs representing Somaliland community to resume soon. delegates occupy their seats. #SIEIT on its final Pre #Doorashada2016”.

3 women elected today 2 seats in House of People from #Somaliland, 10 of 26 #Somaliland MPs-elect are female for 38% share of seats so far https://t.co/F4T03YcxNh

— UNSOM (@UNSomalia) December 19, 2016

Elections for MPs representing Somaliland community to resume soon. delegates occupy their seats. #SIEIT on its final Pre #Doorashada2016 pic.twitter.com/kTr3s4RPor

— Doorashada2016 (@doorashada2016) December 19, 2016

The people of Somaliland expressed their displeasure using the hashtag #educateUNSOM to tweet about the difference between Somalia and Somaliland as well as the achievements of the latter over the former.

The campaign started since December and it is trending in Somalia and other neighbouring countries.

Although not recognised as a sovereign state, Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991.

Somaliland, with a population of about 4 million, can boast of an army, its own currency and legal system and is appreciated for holding credible elections.

The territory has been experiencing stability and economic prosperity and has been influential in the fight against piracy and terrorism in the horn of Africa.

The territory had been under pressure to hold talks with Somalia which have so far been futile.

25 years of diplomatic isolation has made it difficult for Somaliland to have access to loans from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Below are some #educateUNSOM tweets that are making huge political statements.

This is the greatest investment to #somaliland new generations. Congratulations AbaarsoSchool #educateUNSOM we have such Schools. pic.twitter.com/kAWZ8fQPyM
— Ibrahim Sheik Ahmed (mwacays) January 3, 2017

No foreign funding used to finance the peace conferences in Somaliland - the process was entirely locally owned #educateUNSOM SRSGKeating

— Abdirashed Ibrahim (@cabdirashed) January 2, 2017

#educateUNSOM that somaliland has young educated girls with LLB and MA of IR the same time custodial officers Leutnant. (Stars) pic.twitter.com/6AVD05zZjy

— Farduz M Dheere (@Baxsan23) January 4, 2017

We r not represented in Mogadishu's so called indirect elections. In Somali we say Hafar. #EducateUNSOM

— Guleid Ahmed Jama (@GuleidJ) January 1, 2017

#Somaliland Gov Transfers Five Million USD Cash from #DPWorld to the Central Bank in front of the Media Presence .. #educateUNSOM pic.twitter.com/CioRIl46ql

— Rooble Mohamed (@Rooble2009) January 4, 2017

President Silanyo: “Somaliland isn’t Part of Somalia’s Elections Process & Will Never Ever Be” #educateUNSOM
— Fathi Bashe (Fathibashe) January 4, 2017

Rep.of #Somaliland's internat. boundaries were delineated by treaties with Djibouti in 1888 Ethiopia in 1887 & Somalia in 1894 #educateUNSOM pic.twitter.com/j0eVmQmWJD

— Somalilanders (@Somaalilanders) January 3, 2017

This is the Somaliland I love. Colorful kids enjoying at the evening and comedians entertaining them. #educateUNSOM #Somaliland pic.twitter.com/LN8IbDrTT9
— Jama Musse Jama (JamaMusse) January 2, 2017