Somaliland - Daily Telegraph, July 21
By Paul Harris in Hargeisa
...
Certainly the achievements of Somaliland, whose borders are those of the old British colony and which is dominated by the Isaak clan, are impressive. It is an oasis of peace in an otherwise brutalised country.
In places such as Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, guns and brutal militiamen rule the streets; but in Somaliland carrying weapons in public is illegal and the ban is strictly enforced. White-shirted policemen in neat berets direct traffic on the busy streets of the capital, Hargeisa, using nothing more than a whistle and hand signals.
Indeed, all of Hargeisa bears no resemblance to the traditional chaotic image of Somalia. New buildings, some of them luxurious houses, are springing up, the airport is being modernised and cars bear Somaliland licence plates. "I love Somaliland" bumper stickers are a common sight.
The country prints its own currency, the Somaliland shilling, and has founded two universities. Since a civil war in 1995, it has maintained peace and runs radio and television stations and a weekly independent newspaper. The stability has kicked off a modest economic boom and businessmen from Dubai and the Gulf have flocked to Hargeisa.
Britain's colonial legacy is strong. Red postboxes dot the street corners and the country drives on the left while the rest of Somalia, which was colonised by Italy, drives on the right. English, not Italian, is the main second language taught in schools.
But government officials worry that the lack of international recognition is halting further development of their country. |
