have the government of the United States recognize the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign and independent state.

In the early 1990's when a central authority in Somalia collapsed leaders in the northern part of the country formed the Republic of Somaliland. Since then the area has offered a remarkable degree of stability and calm for a country gripped in chaos. With the generally unreliable and ineffective government in Mogadishu still unable to control much of the country, the US should recognize Somaliland to provide stability to the Horn of Africa, and to encourage self determination.