Another example of “if it isn’t a colored nation-box on the world map, it doesn’t exist” syndrome: a breakaway republic that’s much less a basket case than the mother country. And some former refugees who are indeed making something of that corner of the world
Slightly larger than England and Wales, Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace and prosperity and has held democratic elections, with a presidential vote scheduled for next year
In a move to lure refugees home, the administration has introduced tax waivers on new investments to fuel more growth Despite its poverty, Somaliland and the region offer investment opportunities for those brave enough to return Half of Somaliland’s cabinet and lawmakers are former refugees who came back mainly from Europe and America. Former refugees have also become small-factory owners or created businesses, for example, in telecommunications Ibrahim has even bigger dreams: he wants to fashion future leaders. “We don’t have leaders in our country but we have managers. Our aim is to produce visionary leaders in future who can bring back hope and amalgamate our people. There is a huge appetite for such leadership and we hope to be the source,” he said
from “Former refugees launch university in Somaliland,” by Hussein Ali Nur and Guled Mohamed, Reuters :: via csmonitor.com