US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI834

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000834 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2014 
TAGS: PREL, SO, PGOV, DJ 
SUBJECT: PERSPECTIVES ON SOMALILAND 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Erinn C. Reed for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: Pol/Econ met at Embassy Djibouti June 9 with 
Dr. Omar Duhod, Somaliland national, based in London, and a 
premier advocate for recognition.  Dr. Duhod requested a 
courtesy call with Embassy Djibouti on his way to Hargeisa. 
Pol/Econ and Dr. Duhod discussed the current situation and 
future of Somaliland.  Duhod also put forth several arguments 
for bringing in aid and investment to Somaliland. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) Dr. Omar Duhod is a legally blind psychiatrist, of 
Somaliland origin, who lives in London and works part time at 
universities while working towards Somaliland recognition. 
He travels to Hargeisa about every three months to coordinate 
and meet with Somaliland officials.  Duhod, a former military 
doctor, was one of the first to start the Somaliland 
independence movement twenty years ago.  His demeanor was 
somewhat self-promotional but his opinions appeared very 
informed and positive for the future of Somaliland.  Duhod's 
main argument for U.S. recognition of Somaliland was the 
strategic position of the territory's coastline bordering the 
Arabian peninsula and the added advantage Somaliland could 
give to U.S. efforts in the war on terrorism. 
 
3. (C) When asked if Somaliland was aggressively seeking 
recognition from African neighbors, Duhod replied 
rhetorically "how could it gain recognition from 
non-democratically elected governments that don't understand 
Somali problems and don't want to fix them?"  Duhod commented 
that Djibouti has been more supportive, recently, of the 
Somaliland government.  He cited President Guelleh's March 
2004 interview with BBC Somalia in which Guelleh commented 
that Somaliland is a state built from nothing, and without 
foreign support.  "There is no reason to ignore it."  Duhod 
also cited Djibouti's decision to accept Somaliland passports 
as positive. 
 
4. (C) On the Somali Peace Talks in Nairobi, Duhod stated 
that if Somaliland is forced to go back to Somalia, there 
will be civil war.  Somalis in Nairobi are those that 
committed atrocities, he added.  He also said that the union 
of Somaliland and Somalia after colonial independence was not 
legal because there was no formal act of unification. 
 
5. (C) Duhod was upbeat about the governing capability and 
democratic character of the elected government of Somaliland. 
 He asked Pol/Econ to consider whether economic assistance to 
Somaliland civil society would be possible in order to 
bolster the economy in Somaliland.  Duhod said the economy 
has been growing steadily but still needs much work, 
especially outside interest.  Pol/Econ said she would look 
into forms of assistance that might be available to community 
organizations, as well as other forms of commercial 
assistance and share that information with Duhod. 
RAGSDALE