Many Somali politicians, scholars, and commentators misrepresent how states break apart, often portraying separation as entirely peaceful or voluntary. History tells a different story. Since 1971, many countries have split under various circumstances. Some splits occurred peacefully and without outside pressure, such as those in Ethiopia and Eritrea, Czechoslovakia, and the former Soviet Union. Others were violent, like Yugoslavia and Pakistan's breakup, which led to Bangladesh's independence.
In some cases, separation involved pressure from superpowers, especially in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as Indonesia and East Timor.
In every case, the outcome of state separation was ultimately shaped by geopolitics and the interests of major powers. Ignoring these historical facts will not change the direction of the Somaliland independence issue.
After 34 years of repeated refusals by Somalia to accept Somaliland’s demands or to engage in serious negotiations, Somaliland has now gained recognition from a influential country, Israel. In my opinion, the Somaliland case has reached a point of no return, and it is time for Somalia’s political leaders to abandon outdated assumptions and adopt a practical approach to find a workable, sustainable solution.
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