Press release-London -UK

19.05.2006

On the occasion of the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the rebirth of the state of Somaliland, the Somaliland community in the United Kingdom calls on the British government to support the newly formed democratic institutions in Somaliland and recognize the state of Somaliland to promote democracy, peace and stability in the region.

Somaliland, a former British Protectorate, became independent on June 26, 1960, and was the first Somali country to become a member of the United Nations. A week later, Somaliland and the former Somalia Italiana united to form the Somali Republic – a union that was never ratified by the respective parliaments. A 31-year partnership with no legal binding ended in disaster and culminated in a brutal civil war between Somali government led by the Somali dictator, General Mohamed Siyad Barre and the people of Somaliland until they separated on 18 May 1991.

Somaliland is by no means the first state to have entered into a voluntary union with another country and subsequently withdrawn from the union intact. Egypt and Syria, Senegal and Gambia, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau, and Senegal and Mali have all done likewise.

Since the separation, Somaliland is a country of hope and determination. Its independence has been ratified by a referendum; it has a democratically elected president, Members of Parliament, and Local Assemblies. It has its own currency, flag, army, police, civil servants, freely elected parliament and president. It has also contributed to the global war on terrorism and maintains trade agreements with other countries and enjoys good relations with its neighbors. A prolonged absence of a political recognition may undermine these efforts and would destroy the hard-won stability and peace.

Britain is already making note of the democratic and peaceful process Somaliland has embarked on. This was reflected through exchange of visits by Somaliland and Britain representatives. Somaliland Parliament Speaker was recently invited for the opening of the Welsh Assembly. In 2003, a British parliamentary delegation led by Mr Tony Worthington paid an official visit to Somaliland and later presented a positive report to the foreign affairs select committee at The Commons. Subsequently, Somaliland’s president, Mr. Dahir Rayale Kahin came to Britain and spoke at The Commons on March 2004. And the former British Minister for Africa, Mr. Chris Mullin has also visited Somaliland.

But what Somaliland needs now is British commitments towards recognizing the government of Somaliland and supporting its development as promised by Rt. Hon. Secretary of State for DFID.