Thanks to the Somaliland247 blog [1] for bringing the following bit of information to my attention.

A plane from South Africa bringing illegal military supplies for the Puntland regime ran out of gas and was forced to land in Hargesia, the capital of Puntland.  Presumably, as the plane was carrying military uniforms and other supplies, according to the report, the plane was impounded and its presence in Somaliland is taken as a threat.  After all, there has been an arms embargo on all Somali areas since the early 1990’s, and Somaliland itself has struggled to modernize and train its military in an international climate that does not recognize its independence, though it has succeeded in developing a powerful anti-pirate naval force, something that Puntland is apparently trying to develop through the help of the mercenary force Saracen International.

As Puntland is a rival regime with territorial claims over some of Somaliland’s eastern territories, its illegal development of a well-trained military force is clearly something that Somaliland is not pleased about.  Likewise, as the international community is concerned (as it ought to be) about the lack of transparency involved in this particular arrangement.  However, it appears as if most of the international community does not appear willing to examine the long-term ramifications of its failure to recognize legitimate institutions in Somalia and to keep the “idea” of Somalia in a coma rather than letting it divide in peace into its natural constituent parts and govern as wisely as it can.  Somaliland desires international recognition and seeks to obey international law, and is ignored for it.  Puntland desires the freedom to act as a sovereign de facto state without having the responsibility of being subject to international law (as its current illegal arms purchasing makes plain) or the interest in being recognized as independent.

How long will the international community turn a blind eye to the need for a timetable in Somalia for its dissolution into its natural parts if no legitimate and consensual government can be found?  In 20 years, none has been found over all of the former Somalia, while during that entire time a legitimate and unrecognized government has ruled over Somaliland with the rule of law as well as democratic elections.  One cannot expect people whose legitimate claims to statehood have been ignored to suffer their neighbors and rivals to develop a powerful military with designs on their territory.  After all, Puntland is the base of piracy in Somalia, and when you combine the threats to international trade and security as well as the threats to Somaliland coming from Puntland, one can easily understand how serious of a problem exists.

It is unsure what sort of enforcement will be provided from the international community to Puntland given its violation of the arms embargo, perhaps there will be none.  Nonetheless, the growing threat of pirates to shipping and the threat of a stronger Puntland to the peace and security of Somaliland will probably prompt Somaliland itself to increase its security by whatever means possible.  An international solution that recognizes the reality on the ground and allows for Somaliland to do so openly and legitimately would help solve multiple problems in the Horn of Africa and allow for the development of a strong and democratic nation rising like a phoenix from the chaos of Somalia’s past.  The alternative is the threat of more conflict and continued anarchy, and no one ought to want that.

[1] http://somaliland247.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/somaliland-holds-plane-taking-illegal-military-supplies-to-puntland-in-violation-of-the-international-arms-embargo-on-somalia/