Postby avowedly-agnostic » Wed May 03, 2006 3:50 am
The decision of self-determination doesn't lie with any other than the people whom it primarily concerns- least of all the UN. The UN's official acceptance of new states that declare autonomy is often hindered by other countries that are opposed to it thus vetoing any such moves for recognition.
Take the republic of Chechnya for example. The UN till this very day refuses to officially recognise and acknowledge Chechnya as a European republic independent from Russia even though Chechnya has long declared independece, and even fought off an invasion by Russia.
SomaliLand is, and has for quite a while now been independent. It is independent because its inhabitants seek to to break free from chaos anarchy and war, to a state of peace, stability and prosperity. And if that is the democratic wishes of the people of SomaliLand, then so be it.
Finally, people often speak of whether or not Somalia should let go of the reigns and set Somaliland free; what they fail to recognise however, is that Somalia has nothing in its possession which it is to free. Somaliland doesn't belong to Somalia, but the people that reside in it. It is soley their decision, and their decision only, as to whether they want to be self governed, or whether they'd rather be governed from Mogadishu.