A synopsis of my editorial post- Create a new country, for real!

[simcha_6]

I wrote out a longer version, but for those pressed for time, I have a short version.

The British Colony in Somalia, British Somaliland, unified with Somalia in 1960 and redeclared independence in 1991. Since then, the Republic of Somaliland has created a secular tribal/Muslim society with a traditional form of democracy. Travel there is safe, and they have rebuilt while the world ignored them, trying instead to rebuild Somalia.

Somaliland has a democratically elected government and has done amazingly well without outside help. They want us (the world) to recognize their independence. I think we probably should, since they've basically earned their independence. Check out the following links and let me know if you want to get involved in working for their recognition. You can also check out my editorial post.

Links
For a history of Somaliland, more on its current situation, its conflicts with Puntland, and much, much more check out an article from the global policy forum at <http://www.globalpolicy.org/nations/sovereign/sover/emerg/2002/1129littlecountry.htm>.

For a list of articles on Somaliland and other de facto states, also by Global Policy Forum, go to <http://www.globalpolicy.org/nations/sovereign/sover/emerg.htm#som>.

For the webpage of SONYO, the Somaliland National Youth Organization, go to <http://www.sonyoumbrella.blogspot.com/>

For the Somaliland government website, go to <http://www.somalilandgov.com/>

For a full copy of the constitution and more resources provided by the Somali Diaspora, go to <http://www.somalilandforum.com/>.

For the Somaliland Policy and Reconstruction Institute, go to <http://www.sopri.org/archive.aspx?doc=visiting_ministers>.

Then, of course, search "Somaliland" on Google. A lot of good links are on the fourth and fifth page of search results. Good luck! Let me know if any of you are interested in helping seek out recognition.