There is also bewilderment at the reluctance of the international community to officially recognize these [Somaliland] successes. Indeed, it is an anomaly that Somaliland is still denied recognition by the international community."

Glenys Kinnock

Cardiff, Wales, January 29, 2007 – EURO-MP Glenys Kinnock today called for Somalilanders to have the right to determine their country's future.

At a high-level meeting in Brussels, organized by Somaliland Societies in Europe (SSE) and Somaliland Community in Belgium (SBC), the Labor MEP said Somalilanders' pleas for international recognition for their country must be heard.

Glenys Kinnock said: "The right to self-determination for all peoples is a fundamental principle enshrined in the UN Charter. Somaliland has enjoyed stability for more than 10 years and, in contrast to the rest of Somalia, has achieved an enormous amount for its people.

"Somalilanders are rightly proud of their achievements and I know that pride is shared by the Somaliland community in my constituency in Cardiff. However, there is also bewilderment at the reluctance of the international community to officially recognize these successes. Indeed, it is an anomaly that Somaliland is still denied recognition by the international community."

Somaliland has successfully managed to overcome the destruction carried out under the Siyad Barre dictatorship that ruled the country until 1991.

Since then, Somaliland has been a de-facto independent sovereign state with a democratically elected president, parliament and local government, yet the international community has so far failed to officially recognize the country.

Among the topics discussed was ensuring Somaliland's sustained stability in relation to the rest of the Horn of Africa region, the role of international institutions in building upon Somaliland's successes and international recognition of Somaliland.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Former British Somaliland became independent on June 26 1960 and four days later gave up its freedom to merge with neighboring Italian Somaliland to become Somalia.

2. Under the dictatorial regime of Siyad Barre between 1969 and 1991 thousands of Somalilanders fled into the bush and into refugee camps. Eventually the country fragmented and Barre was deposed in 1991.

3. There has been a Somali presence in Cardiff as far back as the tail end of the 19th century when sailors from the former British Somaliland stayed in lodging houses between voyage.

4. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Somaliland Parliament attended the opening of the new Welsh Assembly Building.

Source: News From Labor

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