The Organization of African Unity was formed in 1963 as African nations all over the continent were celebrating independence from European colonial rule. Faced with the prospect of approximately 50 independent nations being created that had been formed by colonial powers with little thought for ethnic or linguistic boundaries, the OAU took what was a reasonable but not always popular step of declaring that new nations would maintain their colonial boundaries.
Somaliland initially gained independence from Britain in 1960. But Somali General Mohammed Siad Barre didn't see it that way and in 1969 he took over Somaliland. The move probably made sense linguistically, but not given colonial history or the OAU charter.
Under that Charter, the takeover by Somalia should not have been allowed to stand. But the OAU was hardly memorable for sticking to principle and the African continent was undergoing numerous coups and separatist movements all over. Somaliland just didn't have the international importance of countries like South Africa, Nigeria, or Zaire/Congo, where ethnic divisions, geopolitical considerations and natural resources gained international attention that Somalia and Somaliland did not.
The OAU was replaced in 2002 by the African Union. It remain to be seen if the AU will be more successful than the OAU.
I didn't know where Somaliland was as a kid, but opened my dad's stamp collection from the early 1920's and lo and behold! There were half a dozen old Somaliland stamps with Queen Elizabeth(?) on them and some other vaguely looking British gentlemen. Didn't give it much thought until the early 90's when our regrettable attempt to help these folk ended poorly.
I wish the people of Somaliland and Israel peace in the coming New Year - but I'm under no illusion it will be easy.
I had never heard of Somaliland until I read this excellent and informative piece of real journalism. I do wish the people of Somaliland and Israel a successful and productive future together as they continue to work to enrich their land and maintain a safe community. I think the world’s a little safer having Israelis located very close to the deadly and dangerous Houthis who will no longer be able to easily control areas of the Red Sea.
I had a friend, back in the late '70s, whose journalist husband had been murdered by the Shah. The old one, who got kicked out but unfortunately replaced by equally wretched people.
Anyway my friend's life was destroyed. She merely existed in a state of endless unresolved loss. I could see glimpses of what she must once have been, the life they'd had together, so briefly.
I remember too what another friend said about her own Iranian husband and everyone he knew in NY, how they were all terrified SAVAK had infiltrated CUNY and it wasn't prudent to speak one's mind to anyone about anything, because even if one was safe in NY one's family back in Iran wasn't.
Oh well, different times. I'm sure a restored monarchy would be much better this time around.
Oh, yes, the SAVAK--not to be confused with the Little Sisters of the Poor. Iranian intelligence was everywhere then and is now under the Ayatollah. I had bumps with it myself when running PJ Media in Los Angeles (aka Tehrangeles). Some are clever, others are obvious. I agree we can only hope the monarchy is better this time around. My Iranian-American friends assure me that it is.
It's a privileged exile fantasy that the Iranian people are going to overthrow the mullahs and welcome back a fake royal dynasty.
It would be great if the country could attain some sort of normalcy but Shia Islam is a pretty crazy mindset at the best of times.
And it was pretty unhelpful, Netanyahu with those "Israel is with you, rise up!" etc. etc. appeals. Truly dunderheaded arrogant stupidity.
Meanwhile the ordinary people just want a normal life. I know a young professional couple legally resettled up here; the wife told me the terror she couldn't help feeling whenever she saw a cop in uniform because of how bad everyone's experiences are back home.
There's no energy for counter-revolution. Hard enough to survive day to day.
There is still some Good left in this world. iran need a regime change if anywhere needs it, along with cnina, north korea, and russia. Those countries do not deserve capital letters in their names!
I know this won't quite fit your beliefs Roger but I think we, America really need send care packages to the poor starving Somalians (Not Somalilandans) and others of their persuasion.
Nice nourishing care packages each including plentiful amounts of protein, plentiful amounts of pork.
I think we should just continue to pray for the rapture. The world is coming apart at the seams and absolutely no one seems to want to do anything about it, except to let the Muslims take over everything. Nothing points to any government choosing to protect us.
The crucial import of this news, strategically, is that Somaliland may become the Ukraine of North Africa. Israeli forces stationed there can use classic pincer strategies, applied to a modern situation, to further rout the Houthies.
Progress and prosperity may finally come to Iran, again, if the royal family can regain control of the government. People, even generations of sheep, may finally have had enough.
The Organization of African Unity was formed in 1963 as African nations all over the continent were celebrating independence from European colonial rule. Faced with the prospect of approximately 50 independent nations being created that had been formed by colonial powers with little thought for ethnic or linguistic boundaries, the OAU took what was a reasonable but not always popular step of declaring that new nations would maintain their colonial boundaries.
Somaliland initially gained independence from Britain in 1960. But Somali General Mohammed Siad Barre didn't see it that way and in 1969 he took over Somaliland. The move probably made sense linguistically, but not given colonial history or the OAU charter.
Under that Charter, the takeover by Somalia should not have been allowed to stand. But the OAU was hardly memorable for sticking to principle and the African continent was undergoing numerous coups and separatist movements all over. Somaliland just didn't have the international importance of countries like South Africa, Nigeria, or Zaire/Congo, where ethnic divisions, geopolitical considerations and natural resources gained international attention that Somalia and Somaliland did not.
The OAU was replaced in 2002 by the African Union. It remain to be seen if the AU will be more successful than the OAU.
Shrewd cookies those Israelis! We all need to be uniting to repulse the lefties and islamists!
I didn't know where Somaliland was as a kid, but opened my dad's stamp collection from the early 1920's and lo and behold! There were half a dozen old Somaliland stamps with Queen Elizabeth(?) on them and some other vaguely looking British gentlemen. Didn't give it much thought until the early 90's when our regrettable attempt to help these folk ended poorly.
I wish the people of Somaliland and Israel peace in the coming New Year - but I'm under no illusion it will be easy.
Very good, informative piece,
Roger. And the image of the map is helpful too. Now we know.
I had never heard of Somaliland until I read this excellent and informative piece of real journalism. I do wish the people of Somaliland and Israel a successful and productive future together as they continue to work to enrich their land and maintain a safe community. I think the world’s a little safer having Israelis located very close to the deadly and dangerous Houthis who will no longer be able to easily control areas of the Red Sea.
Good and informative article. MAGA!
I had a friend, back in the late '70s, whose journalist husband had been murdered by the Shah. The old one, who got kicked out but unfortunately replaced by equally wretched people.
Anyway my friend's life was destroyed. She merely existed in a state of endless unresolved loss. I could see glimpses of what she must once have been, the life they'd had together, so briefly.
I remember too what another friend said about her own Iranian husband and everyone he knew in NY, how they were all terrified SAVAK had infiltrated CUNY and it wasn't prudent to speak one's mind to anyone about anything, because even if one was safe in NY one's family back in Iran wasn't.
Oh well, different times. I'm sure a restored monarchy would be much better this time around.
Oh, yes, the SAVAK--not to be confused with the Little Sisters of the Poor. Iranian intelligence was everywhere then and is now under the Ayatollah. I had bumps with it myself when running PJ Media in Los Angeles (aka Tehrangeles). Some are clever, others are obvious. I agree we can only hope the monarchy is better this time around. My Iranian-American friends assure me that it is.
It's a privileged exile fantasy that the Iranian people are going to overthrow the mullahs and welcome back a fake royal dynasty.
It would be great if the country could attain some sort of normalcy but Shia Islam is a pretty crazy mindset at the best of times.
And it was pretty unhelpful, Netanyahu with those "Israel is with you, rise up!" etc. etc. appeals. Truly dunderheaded arrogant stupidity.
Meanwhile the ordinary people just want a normal life. I know a young professional couple legally resettled up here; the wife told me the terror she couldn't help feeling whenever she saw a cop in uniform because of how bad everyone's experiences are back home.
There's no energy for counter-revolution. Hard enough to survive day to day.
Amen to that!!
Thanks for this informative post. I knew nothing about Somaliland until I read it. One more reason to be hopeful in the coming year. Happy New Year!
There is still some Good left in this world. iran need a regime change if anywhere needs it, along with cnina, north korea, and russia. Those countries do not deserve capital letters in their names!
Mr Pahlavi is living a very nice life in LA (?). If he does end up returning to Iran, he takes his position seriously and will be a very brave man.
I know this won't quite fit your beliefs Roger but I think we, America really need send care packages to the poor starving Somalians (Not Somalilandans) and others of their persuasion.
Nice nourishing care packages each including plentiful amounts of protein, plentiful amounts of pork.
I think we should just continue to pray for the rapture. The world is coming apart at the seams and absolutely no one seems to want to do anything about it, except to let the Muslims take over everything. Nothing points to any government choosing to protect us.
Be careful what you wish (pray) for.
As Arte Johnson would say..."Very interesting !"
The crucial import of this news, strategically, is that Somaliland may become the Ukraine of North Africa. Israeli forces stationed there can use classic pincer strategies, applied to a modern situation, to further rout the Houthies.
Progress and prosperity may finally come to Iran, again, if the royal family can regain control of the government. People, even generations of sheep, may finally have had enough.