Somaliland visit raises eyebrows

Straight from an unresolved controversy on the decision to open a mission in Jerusalem, experts have questioned government’s interest in Somaliland where a Malawi delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Eisenhower Mkaka, held undisclosed bilateral talks.

According to experts, Malawi’s visit to the self-declared State creates the impression that the country recognises Somaliland amid ongoing discussions between that country and Somalia aimed at resolving their differences.

Somaliland Foreign Affairs Department, in a post on Twitter, indicated that Mkaka arrived in Somaliland on December 19 2020 and met President Muse Bihi Abdi.

Reads part of the tweet: “The President of Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi, had a productive meeting with Malawi Foreign Affairs Minister H.E Eisenhower Mkaka, MP. The President and Malawi’s delegation held wide-range discussions on matters of mutual interest.”

Another tweet for the same office further stated that Mkaka held another “amicable and fruitful discussion” with Somaliland Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Liban Yousuf Osman on mutual interests of both nations.

An online publication Somaliland Sun reported that Mkaka was accompanied by an adviser to President Lazarus Chakwera, Martin Tom and William Bambi from the Department of Foreign Affairs for Africa and the Middle East.

When contacted, Minister of Information Gospel Kazako, who is also government spokesperson, asked for more time to respond while Mkaka had not responded to our questionnaire as we went to press.

But Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Lucky Sikwese said Mkaka was in Somaliland at the invitation of the Somaliland Government and there was nothing wrong with that.

He said it is normal that Somaliland is meeting with different countries seeking recognition, adding that the Malawi delegation’s visit does not in any way mean that the country recognises Somaliland or that diplomatic relations have been established.

Said Sikwese: “We still abide by the AU [African Union] and UN [United Nations] positions but even these institutions are engaging with Somaliland. Engaging is a normal procedure in international relations. What is key is the decision that Malawi makes after this engagement.”

He stressed that 35 countries have recognised Somaliland and the countries continue to engage more nations for support; hence, Malawi’s undertaking is nothing extraordinary.

In 1960, British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland became independent and merged into the Somali Republic. But in 1991, the former British Somaliland declared itself an independent State following the ousting of Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre, a decision which plunged the rest of Somalia into anarchy.

Most countries, worldwide, are yet to recognise Somaliland as an independent State despite having its own President, Parliament, police and currency, among other features. There are global efforts to have the two States resolve their differences such that in June this year, they held peace talks in Djibouti.

Meanwhile, Institute for Policy Interaction executive director Rafik Hajat has questioned Malawi’s interest in Somaliland, saying the minister’s visit could be understood as a way of recognising Somaliland as a State.

In an interview yesterday, Hajat appealed to government to avoid unnecessary controversy when it comes to implementing foreign policy.

He said: “I do not think Somaliland is recognised by the UN. Remember that economically we are at the mercy of the powers that be—the West. The Bretton Woods Institutions are controlled by the West, so we must always look at the broader picture when making decisions such as who to relate with so that we do not antagonise those that support us.”

Weighing in on the matter, a former diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the trip to Somaliland as “a diplomatic blunder”, urging government to withdraw any plan or intention to establish a diplomatic relationship with Somaliland until such a time when it is fully recognised as a State.

Argued the diplomat: “Discussions between Somalia and Somaliland are ongoing and we must not be seen to side with one for the sake of the future. Matters of international relations require some in-depth analysis and understanding before executing them. I doubt, with due respect, this is a well-thought out decision.”

The diplomat further observed that in the interest of transparency government should have issued a statement prior to the visit to appraise the nation on the assignment.

Chakwera, during his maiden State Of the Nation Address in Parliament, announced plans to establish a foreign mission in Jerusalem, Israel a decision which has sparked controversy, with some commentators saying it violates UN resolutions. Palestine has also protested Malawi’s decision.