The contemporary political history of Somaliland

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Guerissa Region sees combat
The Indian Ocean Newsletter, No. 657, 4 February 1995. Issa militia controlling the zone around Zeila and Guerissa in western Somaliland, close to the frontier with Djibouti, were attacked by Samerone (Gadaboursi) troops.
Surviving without the UN: Somaliland, a forgotten country
By GĂ©rard Prunier, Le Monde diplomatique, October 1997. Having broken away from Somalia and declared independence in 1991, the Republic of Somaliland has been denied recognition and aid. Poor and isolated, it is making an effort to achieve a peaceful blend of democracy and cultural tradition which is rarely found in the African countries that do receive international aid. It is a unique experiment and an example to the rest of the continent.
An Appeal To Respect The Will Of The People Of Somaliland
Somaliland Forum, press release, 29 December 2000. In May 1999, the president of the Republic of Djibouti, Mr. Ismail Omer Guelleh, announced he would host a peace conference for the Somalis, who have been without a government since 1991 when the Dictator Siad Barre fled the country. This is the 13th attempt to bring peace to Somalia. Mr. Guelleh, however, filled the conference hall with people that he had handpicked himself, including his staunch friends from the Barre dictatorship.
Sulayman Gaal Arrested for “Undermining” Somaliland
UN Integrated Regional Information Network, 25 May 2001. Sulayman Mahmud Adan—known as Sulayman Gaal—arrested on criminal and political charges. He was undermining Somaliland by holding a meeting in Djibouti with President Ismail Omar Guelleh. The interior minister said Gaal had also met in Djibouti with a representative of the Mogadishu-based Transitional National Government (TNG).
IRIN Interview With Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, President of Somaliland
UN Integrated Regional Information Network, interview, 28 May 2001. Somalis in Somaliland will be asked on 31 May to vote on a new constitution which includes an article on territorial independence. Somaliland independence was unilaterally declared in May 1991, but has never received international recognition.
National Commission Says Referendum ‘Ready to Go’
UN Integrated Regional Information Network, 30 May 2001. The National Referendum Commission has been preparing for the 31 May referendum on independence since 26 April, when Somaliland President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal nominated its members to carry out the difficult task. There has been little time for voter education and publicity.
A Question of Recognition
UN Integrated Regional Information Network, 10 July 2001. Somaliland is the second territory in the Horn of Africa in a decade to hold a referendum for full independence. Unlike Eritrea—which established internationally-recognised independence in 1993—the Somaliland bid has not only failed to meet with international approval.