Sheffield, February 05, 2007 – AN African official met dignitaries in Sheffield to discuss the plight of his homeland.

Mohammed Issa, chairman of Democracy Network for Somaliland, met Sheffield MP Richard Caborn and Burngreave ward Labor councilor Ibrar Hussain at the MP's office in the city.

They discussed the situation in Somalia and particularly the status of Somaliland - an unrecognized state in the north of the country - and its achievements in terms of peace, stability and democracy.

Many of the thousands of Somali refugees and asylum-seekers in Sheffield are from Somaliland.

Sports Minister Mr. Caborn promised to work closely with the Democracy Network for Somaliland and to make inquiries with the Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn.

Source: Sheffield Today