Since its unilateral declaration of independence on 18 May 1991; Somaliland did not manage to attain an international recognition from any country or inter-governmental organization, including the neighboring states. In this regard, no country has showed interest that involved de facto recognition with the exception of Ethiopia. The regional governments strongly advocated and supported united Somalia, particularly, the Arab countries, such as Djibouti and Sudan which are members both of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the League of the Arab States.
As it was observed from the previous discussion, although Somaliland did not acquire an international recognition from the international community, one can argue that Ethiopia offered de facto recognition to Somaliland. Ethiopia has been in a dilemma to de jure recognize Somaliland. In this regard, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi echoed that the recognition of Somaliland as a separate and independent state from the rest of Somalia remains in the hands of the Somalis by referring to the chaotic situation of Somalia and the challenges from ONLF which aspires for the Ogaden independence from the rest of Ethiopia. This is situation forced Ethiopia to work with Somaliland for its national interest. Regardless of these, Ethiopia did not take the first initiative as it affects its interest nationally and internationally if it recognizes Somaliland[i].
Interestingly, Ethiopian Prime Minister issued a decree from his office few years before persuading that all state-owned companies, such as Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC), and Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO), and so on so forth, to use their import activities through the port of Berbera. This is an indication of certain degree of recognition and implies Ethiopia’s inclination to recognize Somaliland indirectly. But, the major aspect of this decree was in essence to illustrate Ethiopia’s role and its willingness to support Somaliland in order to attain de jure recognition. Moreover, the issuance of this decree from the Office of the Prime Minister was intended to attract the attention of the international community to reconsider their stance towards Somaliland. In other words, when Ethiopia opted to get access to Berbera port; it implies the legitimacy of the accord between the two sides. This invited the private sector in Ethiopia to contact Somaliland officials and their counterparts to involve in conduct trade activities far beyond the transactions taking place in the eastern part of Ethiopia. In response to the call, for example Ethiopian Banks moved to the Ethiopian border close to Somaliland and established their branches in Togochale[ii].
Moreover, as one of Somaliland cabinet member indicated; in 2004, Somaliland delegation visited Ethiopia and met with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi; and discussed Ethiopia’s role in the recognition of Somaliland as a separate state from the rest of Somalia. But, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi emphasized that Ethiopia faced many condemnations from different sides when they allowed Eritrea to separate from the rest of Ethiopia. In this regard, the Ethiopian Prime Minister mentioned that Ethiopia is not going to be the first state to recognize Somaliland, and Ethiopia is not ready to take another accusation concerning the issue of Somaliland.
In the same way, since the ruling elites both in Ethiopia and Somaliland are former rebel groups of the two countries, they lack experiences and knowledge among each other, because they had lived in Somalia and Ethiopia respectively as a dissident groups. In relation to this, one of the SNM senior officials argues that the current leaders of Ethiopia are mostly engaged in southern Somalia politics, emphasizing that they know more about the southern part of Somalia and Mogadishu than the north and Hargeisa. Therefore, he elaborates that if Mengistu Hailemariam is on power with assurance he would recognize Somaliland as an independent state from the rest of Somalia.
Given Ethiopia’s position as the seat of the African Union (AU) it could have helped to convince the other countries or the international community in general not to force Somaliland to go back to the failed union of the 1960 with Somalia. Moreover, as frequently reiterated by Ethiopian officials, it is not ready to be the first state gives de jure recognition to Somaliland. In other words, Ethiopia is trying to give mush respect for the feelings of the African states since it is the Headquarters of the African Union[iii]. Despite the consequences of the previous discussion, Ethiopia is also attempting to pay close attention to its domestic policy and dynamics due to the existence of article 39 in the Federal Constitution, which advocates the secession of Ethiopia’s regional states if they fulfilled preconditions of secession[iv].
Regardless of the above-mentioned argument, it is possible to argue that Ethiopia hesitated to offer Somaliland de jure recognition. It seems that it wanted to kill two birds with one stone, it wants to extend respect to both Somalia and Somaliland; since it shares border with Somalia[v]. However, this is a kind of loose and weak recognition; it is severely unbalanced and unjust[vi].
As far as the issue of recognition concerned those in charge of Somaliland refer the case of Eritrea as a typical example. Eritrea has a clear advantage over Somaliland with regards to international recognition. In May 1993, Eritrea translated de facto into de jure statehood. In this regard, Eritrea’s and to a lesser extent Somaliland’s claims to self-determination is grounded on a historic consciousness of oppression, surviving military annihilation perpetuated by indigenous systems of oppression. Unlike Biafra and Katanga, Eritrea and Somaliland also have stronger juridical claims: each had existed for eighty years or more as a distinct colonial territory (Adam, 1994: 35-6).
Ethio-Somaliland Relations: General Perception of the Citizens
As many Ethiopian individuals and business communities indicate, there is the existence of good and brotherly relations between the two neighboring countries[vii]. Similarly, the Ethiopian society that inhabits the border area when they cross the border to buy goods inside Somaliland feels like they are in their own country. These shows there are no problems between the two societies; there is no phobia and hate between the two communities. The Ethiopian Birr is circulating in the Somaliland business centers along the border areas, where the two countries are currently interacting as a single state. Because of these and many other attachments, some Ethiopian people argue that the people in Somaliland are different from other Somalis in regards to treating and interacting with the Ethiopian people[viii].
It worth to mention that the Somaliland society in Togochale are the prime customers of the Ethiopian Banks, where the business activities are mostly taking place along the Somaliland part of the border. With the existence of strong and growing relations between the two sides, it is important to mention that it is difficult to differentiate them as Ethiopians or Somalilanders, having two different nationalities. Nonetheless, it deserves to respect the relations between the two sides and to appreciate such relations between the two communities and countries and expressed their happiness to see these growing relations between the two sides get solid[ix].
Furthermore, as widely repeated by the Ethiopian communities living in the border town of Togochale; the relations are basically brotherly and amicable. Likewise, Somaliland communities also use the services of the Ethiopian Banks, and they have opened their own accounts. In addition, they argued that if the border businesses were closed, no one is going to remain there; and mentioned that it will be a disaster to the communities living that area[x]. On the other hand, the smuggling of the Ethiopian currency to and from Somaliland creates confusion and makes it difficult to control as they are interdependent for many things.
Similarly, the communities living around the border areas were allowed to use their vehicles, both in the territories of Somaliland and Ethiopia in peaceful manner. Ethiopian citizens indicate that they export Chat, Vegetables, Potatoes, Wheat, Onion and Coffee to Somaliland, and need to exchange and buy from Somaliland the goods and commodities they need[xi]. Therefore, the openness of the border between the two sides and the activities going on are showing how far the relations between the two societies has been deepening, and mostly they argued that if there is no mutual understanding and interest between the two sides the border would not be open[xii].
Currently, the Federal Democratic Government of Ethiopia is going to finish the construction of the asphalt road which will connect Jijiga- the Capital of the Somali Regional State- to the border town of Togochale. The Transit, Shipping and Forwarding agencies of Ethiopia are waiting until the road was completed. This will increase the trading activities between the two sides, and will create opportunities both the communities of the two sides.
On the other hand, the view of the Somaliland citizens towards Ethio-Somaliland relations is not different from the Ethiopian nationals’ expression towards the relations between the two sides. Somaliland citizens argue that Somaliland in general and as a business community in particular needs to satisfy and supply the demands of Ethiopia in general and the eastern Hararghe in particular, since landlocked Ethiopia with above 73 million population needs sea outlet. In addition, business communities in Hararghe preferred sea outlet near to their business bases; where Somaliland both as administration and as business communities are eager to take that opportunity and responsibility to welcome their neighbors[xiii]. In this regard, they argue that they legally interact with Ethiopia using Letter of Credit (LC) and they not excluded the existence of contraband and illegal business activities, but they indicated that it is not equivalent the legal business activities taking place between the two societies, rather they argued that it is a minor issue[xiv]. Therefore, the only chance which Somaliland business communities have is both the public and the private banks which are open in the Ethiopian part of the town. These banks intensified interactions between the two societies and introduced each other, at the same time tightened the security of the town[xv].
Moreover, Somalilanders argued that they depend upon their Ethiopian fellows both as a business aspect and as a security matter, since Somaliland authority is fragile economically and cannot afford to carry out activities as Ethiopian government do. Hence, the two societies have mutual interest and when it comes to the issue of security, Ethiopia and Somaliland have common enemy, such as terrorist groups[xvi].
In spite of the above-mentioned discussion, most Ethiopians in the heart of the country cannot distinguish Somaliland people from those who came from Puntland[xvii], Somalia and even the Somalis living in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. These could be attributed to the failure of the government officials to disseminate their views regarding Somaliland to the Ethiopian society at the grassroots’ level, and that remains the major problem which caused the lack of Ethiopian community to have sufficient knowledge towards Somaliland facts. However, there is no hate and phobia between the two communities, rather than the failure of the state actors and leaders to introduce their two communities to each other[xviii].
Ethio-Somaliland Relations: General Perception of the Citizens
As many Ethiopian individuals and business communities indicate, there is the existence of good and brotherly relations between the two neighboring countries[i]. Similarly, the Ethiopian society that inhabits the border area when they cross the border to buy goods inside Somaliland feels like they are in their own country. These shows there are no problems between the two societies; there is no phobia and hate between the two communities. The Ethiopian Birr is circulating in the Somaliland business centers along the border areas, where the two countries are currently interacting as a single state. Because of these and many other attachments, some Ethiopian people argue that the people in Somaliland are different from other Somalis in regards to treating and interacting with the Ethiopian people[ii].
It worth to mention that the Somaliland society in Togochale are the prime customers of the Ethiopian Banks, where the business activities are mostly taking place along the Somaliland part of the border. With the existence of strong and growing relations between the two sides, it is important to mention that it is difficult to differentiate them as Ethiopians or Somalilanders, having two different nationalities. Nonetheless, it deserves to respect the relations between the two sides and to appreciate such relations between the two communities and countries and expressed their happiness to see these growing relations between the two sides get solid[iii].
Furthermore, as widely repeated by the Ethiopian communities living in the border town of Togochale; the relations are basically brotherly and amicable. Likewise, Somaliland communities also use the services of the Ethiopian Banks, and they have opened their own accounts. In addition, they argued that if the border businesses were closed, no one is going to remain there; and mentioned that it will be a disaster to the communities living that area[iv]. On the other hand, the smuggling of the Ethiopian currency to and from Somaliland creates confusion and makes it difficult to control as they are interdependent for many things.
Similarly, the communities living around the border areas were allowed to use their vehicles, both in the territories of Somaliland and Ethiopia in peaceful manner. Ethiopian citizens indicate that they export Chat, Vegetables, Potatoes, Wheat, Onion and Coffee to Somaliland, and need to exchange and buy from Somaliland the goods and commodities they need[v]. Therefore, the openness of the border between the two sides and the activities going on are showing how far the relations between the two societies has been deepening, and mostly they argued that if there is no mutual understanding and interest between the two sides the border would not be open[vi].
Currently, the Federal Democratic Government of Ethiopia is going to finish the construction of the asphalt road which will connect Jijiga- the Capital of the Somali Regional State- to the border town of Togochale. The Transit, Shipping and Forwarding agencies of Ethiopia are waiting until the road was completed. This will increase the trading activities between the two sides, and will create opportunities both the communities of the two sides.
On the other hand, the view of the Somaliland citizens towards Ethio-Somaliland relations is not different from the Ethiopian nationals’ expression towards the relations between the two sides. Somaliland citizens argue that Somaliland in general and as a business community in particular needs to satisfy and supply the demands of Ethiopia in general and the eastern Hararghe in particular, since landlocked Ethiopia with above 73 million population needs sea outlet. In addition, business communities in Hararghe preferred sea outlet near to their business bases; where Somaliland both as administration and as business communities are eager to take that opportunity and responsibility to welcome their neighbors[vii]. In this regard, they argue that they legally interact with Ethiopia using Letter of Credit (LC) and they not excluded the existence of contraband and illegal business activities, but they indicated that it is not equivalent the legal business activities taking place between the two societies, rather they argued that it is a minor issue[viii]. Therefore, the only chance which Somaliland business communities have is both the public and the private banks which are open in the Ethiopian part of the town. These banks intensified interactions between the two societies and introduced each other, at the same time tightened the security of the town[ix].
Moreover, Somalilanders argued that they depend upon their Ethiopian fellows both as a business aspect and as a security matter, since Somaliland authority is fragile economically and cannot afford to carry out activities as Ethiopian government do. Hence, the two societies have mutual interest and when it comes to the issue of security, Ethiopia and Somaliland have common enemy, such as terrorist groups[x].
In spite of the above-mentioned discussion, most Ethiopians in the heart of the country cannot distinguish Somaliland people from those who came from Puntland[xi], Somalia and even the Somalis living in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. These could be attributed to the failure of the government officials to disseminate their views regarding Somaliland to the Ethiopian society at the grassroots’ level, and that remains the major problem which caused the lack of Ethiopian community to have sufficient knowledge towards Somaliland facts. However, there is no hate and phobia between the two communities, rather than the failure of the state actors and leaders to introduce their two communities to each other[xii].
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