ABU DHABI, Dec. 23, 2005 (ANN) – Somaliland's opposition leader Faisal Ali Waraabe today said that Somaliland was a sovereign country in 1960 when it gained its independence from Britain and would continue to consolidate its independence which it had reclaimed in 1991 after 30 years of unfruitful union with Somalia.

Scoffing at a statement by Ismail Mohammed Hurre Buubaa, Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia 's Federal Transitional Government, TFG, that Somaliland was part and parcel of Somalia , Waraabe said that Buubaa, who hails from Somaliland , had made the enmity of his homeland as part of his job seeking proposals.

In an extensive interview with the London-based Saudi pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat published on 21st December 2005, Buubaa affirmed that Somaliland was part and parcel of Somalia and that Somaliland's separatist groups couldn't so far obtain regional, international or even local support for their secessionist project.

"He uses Somaliland enmity is part of his curriculum vitae when seeking employment from the current and previous Somali transitional governments," Waraabe said, noting that he had nothing but sympathy for the man.

Talking to Awdalnews Network after a dinner hosted in his honor by members of the Somaliland community, Waraabe, Chairman of the Justice and Welfare Party (UCID), said that he was on his way to Finland and other European countries to brief Somaliland communities on the situation of the country after the successful parliamentary elections.

He added that he would also seek to meet with European officials to brief them about the achievements of Somaliland and to seek funds for the new parliament and for education and infrastructure projects.

Waraabe said that he would also tour several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE after his return from Europe .

"It is time for Somaliland to knock on Arab doors and educate them about the situation of Somaliland and how it is different from Somalia," he added.

Somaliland 's membership of the Arab League

Commenting on the Arab League's rejection of Somaliland 's membership in the Arab organization, Waraabe said that the request itself was premature.

"It is impossible to ask for membership when you don't even have a dialogue with them. First we have to open dialogue with them and teach them about our country," he said.

An Arab online site recently published a statement by Amr Mousa, Secretary General of the Arab League, in which he said the League rejected a request by Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin for allowing Somaliland 's membership in the league. Mousa said that the League considered Somaliland to be part of Somalia.

Waraabe, however, said that his party wanted the whole idea of Somaliland's membership in the Arab League to be decided by the people in a national referendum.

"There are many people who are against the idea and many who want Somaliland to join the Arab club," he said.

Role of the new parliament

Waraabe whose party holds the speaker post of Somaliland's new parliament said that the house was working to form strong parliamentary committees to monitor and control the work of the various ministries. He added that all appointments of ministers and senior government posts had to be approved by the parliament.

He pointed out that that the parliament was also working on writing the house's by-laws and completing the pending issues of the country's constitution.

"The opposition dominated parliament is keen to usher in a new era of cooperation with the government. This is a new dawn for Somaliland and we hope the president will take advantage of this new attitude and form a new cabinet as he promised many times in the past," Waraabe said.

Time to recognize Somaliland

Waraabe called upon the international community to support Somaliland to consolidate its democratic process and its government institutions.

"It is now time to extend assistance to Somaliland, recognize its achievements and its statehood," he concluded, noting that a recognized Somaliland will help Somalis in the south to settle their feud and establish their own government.

"Once we are recognized we can invite wise people in Somalia, open a dialogue for them and help them resolve their problems," he concluded.