Overthe last two years the situation in Somalia has deteriorated into one of theworld?s worst humanitarian and security crises. But a report by the Internationalcrisis Group says the international community is preoccupied with the piracy phenomenon ? instead of concentratingon the core of the crisis, the need for a political settlement.
Meanwhile, therecent withdrawal of Ethiopian troops has opened up a new period of uncertaintyand risk. In contrast, in the separatist republic of Somaliland, things areheating up toward a presidential election on March 29th.
PaulaRoque is a researcher for the South Africa-based African security Analysisprogram. She told Nightline?s AkweiThompson the upcoming election is part of the consolidation of democracy in Somaliland.
?Well, the election is very significantbecause it?s part of the consolidation and stability as well?she said.? And the election she said ?stands in contrast at the statehoodof a non-functioning government in south-central Somalia, comparatively twonorthern states.?
Roque said that in votingfor a government, Somalia is re-affirming that it?s got a constituency andidentity that is consolidated by a popular mandate.
The South African analystsaid that a successful election in Somaliland would provide a lot of lessonsfor peace making at the grassroots level and at the consensus level in Somalia.
Roque said Somalia is at acritical point. The success of the Djibouti process is instrumental to peaceand stability of Somalia and Djibouti and needs to continue being implemented,she said.