I was struck by the friendliness of the people and their dedication to ensure that the prevalent peace in Somaliland endures.

Somaliland Times editor in chief  Yusuf Abdi Gabobe and Ms Fiona Mangan having morning coffee in Hargeysa

Hargeysa, Somaliland, July 8, 2006 (SL Times) – Ms Fiona Mangan, a student at London’s Kings College, left Hargeysa on Mondays after spending about 3 weeks in Somaliland for research work concerning her MA degree.

Mr. Mangan who is from the Republic of Ireland has chosen the right of Somaliland for self-determination as the thesis of her MA degree in international law.

In the investigation of her piece, Fiona was also required to look at the broader picture of whether Somaliland has in it the ingredients of a viable state that can last, from social, political and economic point of view.

“My conclusion is that this is a real state, with a more advanced political system and greater amount of stability than found in many recognized African countries,” Fiona Mangan told the Somaliland Times.

She took issue with the idea that Somaliland was too small to be recognized in terms of territorial and population size. “There are 19 countries smaller by population and 18 by land size in comparison with Somaliland and yet they have been recognized internationally.”

Fiona stayed at the guest house of Edna Aden’s Maternity hospital in Hargeysa. But she also visited Berbera, Buroa and Borama.

During her visit she met with a lot of people from different walks of life including Somaliland president Dahir Rayale Kahin who granted her a 10 minute interview.

Fiona said she was struck by the friendliness of people and their dedication to ensure that the prevalent peace in Somaliland endures.

She also revealed that she intended to write about Somaliland in one of Ireland’s leading newspapers after returning home.

Source: Somaliland Times

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