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President Rayale’s UK visit
ISSUE 117
Front Page
Index

Headlines

- Somaliland's Election Observers Meet Mandela

- Somaliland Delegates attend ANC Victory Party In Johannesburg
ANC Secretary Invited To Visit Somaliland By An UDUB Official

- The Speaker Briefs Somaliland's Parliament

- Parliamentary Sub-Committee Report On Hargeisa Water Crisis

Health

- Chewing The Khat In Ethiopia

International News

- Attacks Commission Links 'Black Hawk Down' To Bin Laden

- Djibouti Floods Kill At Least 52 People

- Somali And Spanish-Speaking Immigrants Learn Lifesaving Skills

- Kenya To Deport Five Somalis For Alleged Terrorism Links

- Cholera On The Rise In Mogadishu

- U.S. Judge In Denver Overturns Terror Law In Somali's Cash Transfers To Middle East

- Cold Welcome For Anti-Terror Troops

- It won't be enough to declare victory and pull out of Iraq

Entertainment

- Taming Ethiopia's Hyenas

People

- Puntland Leader Denied Entry To UK

Editorial & Opinions

- President Rayale’s UK visit

- Will The Three Wise Men Stay?

- My Hero – Hassan Essa Jama

- What We Did Not Do Right


EDITORIAL

President Rayale’s visit to the UK is a turning point in Somaliland’s quest for recognition. Although it did not result in attaining recognition, it produced other substantial benefits, some of which are:

- It has shown the world that the United Kingdom (a major world power) is sympathetic to Somaliland’s cause and is seriously considering to recognize it.

- It has elevated Somaliland’s international profile.

- It was a chance for Somaliland’s leaders to establish direct contacts with British officials and to brief them on a host of issues ranging from foreign aid to security.

- It chipped away at the international isolation which Somaliland’s adversaries are trying to impose on it.

- It gave a chance for Somaliland’s leaders to meet and consult with Somaliland’s large diaspora in the United Kingdom.

Some people may have been disappointed by the fact that the delegation did not come back with diplomatic recognition. Somalilanders, however, should realize that this trip was a big part of the step-by-step incremental strategy to sovereignty and full recognition. By the grace of Allah we will get there. In the meantime, we should strengthen our internal cohesion as a nation. Good governance, as always, is the key.
 

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