I need all your help- Make a difference in the world!

[simcha_6]

Somaliland was once an internationally recognized independent state. It gave up sovereignty in a political experiment that failed, and pulled out of the experiment in 1991, without gaining international recognition. Since then, it has stabilized the turmoil that once raged within, pacified the country, established democratic institutions, held free and fair elections, operated smoothly under rule of law, and rebuilt itself, all while being ignored by the international community at best and opposed by it at the worst. Many international government officials traveling to Somaliland come back impressed and determined to support their independence. I would like to encourage all of you to research Somaliland yourself (just google it) and decide whether you think it is worthy of independence. If you think it is, tell people about it, write to your congressmen, join groups seeking recognition, and make a difference in the world, based on the will of people, not national and international governments.

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, use 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.

[simcha_6]

1. Oh, yeah

Do you have any ideas about what we could do to get interest in this? Letter writing campaigns, local radio, newspapers, etc.?

[applegrove]

2. I'd love to read up on this stuff but I have too much on my plate n/t