Kenya Legislators To Push For Recognition Of Somaliland

By Judie Kaberia

Nairobi, 1 March 2007 - A Kenyan Parliamentary delegation to Somaliland on Tuesday said it would push for a motion in parliament to have Somaliland recognized as a sovereign country by the government.

Chairman of the delegation Paul Muite said Somaliland now has ample security and wants it supported to achieve a peaceful government.

He called on the international and regional community to understand the Somaliland people as they have been subjected to hostility for many years.

He said they visited many mass graves with large numbers of humans.

“These people who have been subjected to such intensity of atrocity. How can you ask them to continue being part of their oppressors?” he asked.

Muite also said peace in Somaliland will enhance trade between the two countries as well as bring calmness in East Africa.

He said if Somaliland is peaceful miraa traders will have an opportunity to continue trading with Somalia.

“There are many benefits. Somalia and Kenya sell and buy miraa from each other, when there is peace, the environment is conducive enough for the business,” he said.

The five-member delegation, which arrived yesterday from a four-day visit to Hargeysa, said it would invite Somaliland leaders to visit Kenya to see how parliament works.

Source: Nation