President Dehir Riyale Kahin won the 2003 presidential elections and his party won the 2002 single-party local polls. The majority of voters endorsed Somaliland's secession from the rest of Somalia in a 1999 referendum.

Ruling and opposition parties have pledged to push for international recognition of the republic, promote economic growth, strengthen Somaliland's security and protect human rights.

The former British colony of Somaliland and the Italian colony of Somalia merged in 1960 to form the independent republic of Somalia. Somaliland set up its own administration after it broke away from Somalia, which descended into anarchy as clan-based fighting swept the center and south of Somalia following the 1991 ouster of President Mohammed Siad Barre.

Its capital, Hargeisa, remained relatively peaceful, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and an economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian and U.S. military aid programs. The region has its own security and police forces, justice system and currency.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 17, 2005
(C) All rights reserved