Cardiff, Wales, UK, Friday, 10th November 2006 – The Chair and the Director of Somali Advice & Information Centre announced the outcome of a landmark visit of the Rt. Hon. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, Speaker and Rt. Hon. Abdiaziz Mohamed Samale, 1st Deputy Speaker of Somaliland House of Representatives to Wales.

This was a follow-up visit to cement a relationship that germinated from the attendance of the Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdirahman at the inauguration ceremony of the Welsh Assembly Chamber, last spring. Both visits were sponsored by Somali Progressive Association on behalf of Somaliland Community in Wales.

The delegation accompanied by the Chair, Ahmed Arwo; The Director Abdi Aden, and Mr. Abdifatah Saed, Coordinator of Somaliland Communities Abroad, spent the whole day of Tuesday 7th Nov. with the Speaker of Welsh Assembly and his staff going through the daily activities of the Assembly as well as guided tour to the entire buildings of the Assembly. At a tightly packed house and at its most valuable hour of the week, the weekly First Minister Question Time, The Speaker of the Assembly welcomed and announced attendance of the delegation; suddenly an energetic warm welcome filled the Chamber. A mark of respect and a moment of admiration and honor for Somaliland electrified the chamber and its surroundings. It was heart touching and moment of truth. A nation is born in Wales. Somaliland as a state and a nation was announced over the speakers of the chamber.

Earlier the delegation met the Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon Lord Dyfid Elis Thomas and his senior officials. After warm and friendly welcome, both the delegation and Assembly Speaker underlined importance of the historical link between Somaliland and Wales. The relationship that extends a century and quarter makes Somalilanders in Wales the oldest African community in Wales. Recently, it developed to the largest black community in Wales. The significance of this rapidly growing community cannot be overlooked in Wales. It was confirmed by the Assembly Speaker. Based on these facts, it is imperative to establish a partnership between the two governments. On that principle, both parties explored ideas to build a bond that lasts and reflects the immense significance of Somaliland community in Wales, the bridge that links the two nations.

After series of discussions in which issues of cooperation and partnership were navigated, it was agreed that the Welsh Assembly will contribute to the development of this enfant democracy in Somaliland. The Speaker instructed his officials to engage with the delegation in search of a tangible project to enhance and improve performance of Somaliland Parliament as the guardian of democracy and a pillar of good governance. A package of in-housing training and bilateral visits were tabled, including inviting Somaliland Parliament Committee Leaders to shadow their counterparties in Wales.

At the midday the delegation was hosted by all party Assembly select members at a business lunch. After a friendly exchange of information on various aspects, all agreed to establish all party assembly members as friends of Somaliland within Welsh Assembly. This will be enlisted by members who were present in coordination with the Chair and the Director of Somali Progressive Association in the near future. Equally, the same community officers will be the link between the two Assemblies at the initial stage as confirmed with the delegation and officials of both the Assembly and the Executive Branch of Welsh Government.

Finally the delegation met First Minister Rt. Hon Rhodri Morgan and officials of Welsh Assembly Government, The Executive branch of government. This meeting cantered on finding a way to institute a sustainable partnership between the two nations. This development is in line with recently launched international programme” Wales for Africa” a part of Welsh Assembly Government Action on International Sustainable Development. The Somaliland Speaker Hon. Abdirahman was lucky to be present when this scheme was an idea, last spring and to witness today, its embodying process. After brainstorming session, several projects were raised, mostly related to health and education. One of these projects is a potential link between Hargeysa Health Board and Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, where Ahmed Arwo was a Non-Executive Director when the idea was tabled to the Trust Board Chair and Chief Executive. Equally the Assembly expressed their desire to commission a TB awareness programme both in Somaliland and in Somaliland Community in Wales. Other feasible projects will be coordinated with local community members.

At the conclusion of their day long tour of the Welsh Assembly, The Speaker of Somaliland Parliament and First Deputy Speaker signed with honor the Assembly Guest book, leaving and for the second time a long lasting finger print of Somaliland in Wales.

Finally, the delegation attended a reception ceremony held on their honor by the Somaliland Community in Wales. With a captive audience of hundreds, the Speaker and his deputy were welcomed by the Chair, Ahmed Arwo in presence of the Director Abdi Aden, and Coordinator of Somaliland Communities Abroad, Mr. Abdifatah Saed. The delegation gave long and touching speeches in which they pinpointed the successful

tasks they realized, the failures and the problems ahead for the year they were in the office. They were frank, sharp, and soul-searching in their words, and yet polite and diplomatic in their tones. It was an evening of solidarity and burning nationalism that opened the eyes and the hearts of Somalilanders in Wales. This visit ended with achievement beyond our expectation. It not only benefited the delegation but handed us an opportunity to partake the noble duty of building our young democracy. On the other hand it raised our reputation within Welsh government. As Somaliland Community in Wales, we thank the delegation, Welsh Assembly and everyone who have hand in making this visit a sparkling success.

Long live Friendship between Wales and Somaliland.

Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Chair

Somaliland Community

Cardiff , Wales

Ahmed_arwo@yahoo.co.uk

Mr. Abdikarim Abdi Adan

Director

Somaliland Community Cardiff/UK Representative

Somaliland Chamber of Commerce

Email:- abdikarim@somalilandchamberofcommerce.com

OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF SOMALILAND PARLIAMENTARY TOUR OF UK 2006 SOMALI ADVICE & INFORMATION CENTRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH UK REPRESENTATIVE OF SOMALILAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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