THE self-declared Somaliland Republic has pardoned the people jailed for taking part in a recent conference to form a new government in Somalia. At least six people jailed for defying a Somaliland government order to boycott the August conference in neighbouring Djibouti have been freed. Another 51 people, jailed for demonstrating against the arrests, have also been freed. Somaliland declared itself independent in 1991 when Somalia descended into chaos after the ousting of president Mohamed Barre. But its independent status has not been recognised internationally. – Reuters