BY Hallelujah Lulie Informer

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, October 21, 2006 – Somaliland’s Minster of Foreign Affairs Mr. Abdillahi M.Duale called Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) a dangerous threat to democracy and urged Ethiopia and other ‘friendly’ countries for recognition.

At the press conference held yesterday at the Sheraton Addis Hotel, Duale who has been in Addis Ababa for the past few days said that his country which has been carefully engaged in a process of nation building which included reconciliation, demobilization, institutional building, and formation of a secular constitution, multiple political party system and encouragement of free market economy for the past fifteen years is facing a great threat.

“I would like to note that the situation in Somalia which is driven by the Islamic courts is something of concern to all of us. Especially for those of us in Somaliland, it is even greater threat. The situation is a dangerous threat to our democracy, peace and stability, which we have built in the past fifteen years and our people.” Duale said.

Duale stated that his country adheres to the international rules and regulations and seeks recognition from Ethiopia and other friendly member states of the African Union (AU). He also called on the Commonwealth, particularly African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP) to recognize Somaliland while promoting the case of Somaliland in International Organizations such as EU, UN, Security Council and the Commonwealth.
The Foreign Minster expressed his deep concern over the military gains and political popularity achieved recently by the Islamic Fundamentalists, the Islamic Union Courts. “Somaliland has been a target of terrorism and it could be recalled that in the past several terrorist killings have been exerted Somaliland territory by slaying humanitarian expatriates.”

Regarding the relationship with the transitional government in Somalia, Duale said that his government wouldn’t go for talks with any parties in the Somalia till they sort out their own problems. And about a possible military support from the US in their counter terrorism campaign he said that Somaliland is capable of handling the case and there is no need for the American troops in their land while confirming that the US is and will be a ‘good friend” of his government

The Minister also stated that during the past fifteen years Somaliland has relatively enjoyed peace, stability and incremental development added that his government has played a significant role in the regional geopolitical stability and sustained peace and tranquility within. Somaliland did everything that is expected from a nation. “We also maintained close cooperation and collaboration with our neighbors, particularly with Ethiopia whose relationship is based on a strategic partnership.”

Duale said that he came to Addis Ababa upon the invitation of the African Union to consult on issues that concern the republic of Somaliland and the horn of Africa at large met with AU commission Prof. Alfa Omar Konare and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mr. Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, EU representative and ambassadors of Britain, Kenya, Zambia in his stay in Addis.

Source: Sub-Saharan Informer