By Moha Dahir Farah Jire

HARGEISA, Somaliland, September 7, 2007 – A delegation from the British parliament came to Somaliland together with Bob Dewar, the British Ambassador to Ethiopia and spent two days of evaluations in Somaliland.

This delegation led by Mr. Allan Michael who is member of the British parliament and also the chairperson of Special Interest Group (SIG) of the parliament who campaigns a for Somaliland’s international recognition in exclusive interview with SSI said he and his team were expecting such a trip to evaluate ongoing activities in their Somaliland in regards to its governmental and NGos.

“We came to Somaliland to see with our own eyes Somaliland, one of the best kept secret countries and see first hand the progress made in this country which has a more democratic system than European countries”, said Mr. Michael.

“We support Somaliland as members of British parliament and look forward to see Somaliland who is getting much more international investments and development projects implementing by the AU, EU and other international donors. Because what we truly cant hide is that Somaliland made possible and held free elections. The speaker and deputy speakers of the parliament are both elected from opposition parties, which couldn’t happen in European countries for seven hundred years and in only sixteen years time it happened in Somaliland”

Mr. Michael also promised in the British parliament that he would do his best to continue his support to Somaliland in areas of parliament, health, education and other capacity building projects. The British Ambassador to Ethiopia ambassador Bob Dewar mentioned that the British government is doing its best to support Somaliland and commended Somaliland’s preparation for presidential elections “We were amazed when we noticed that seven members of election committee were totally approved by the parliament which shows the commitment of Somaliland to have free and democratic elections, and we will do everything in our power to encourage Somaliland to continue its democratic system of governance”, said ambassador Dewar.

Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Siilaanyo, chairman of Kulmiye party, which is an opposition party in Somaliland told SSI that his party discussed and debated with the British delegation to convey to the international community Somaliland’s ongoing democracy, which is unique and better than many African countries. In addition members of the Kulmiye party met the British MPs and encouraged them to continue the good relations they have with the young government of Somaliland.

Eng. Faysal Ali Warabe, chairman of Ucid party which is the second opposition party told SSI that he had informed the parliamentarians and ambassador that his party would not be participating in the coming elections if the registrations of voters do not end before polling day.

Later Dahir Rayaale Kahin, president of Somaliland hosted the delegation to dinner in the presidency with the ministers of foreign affairs, finance, cabinet, education, health, and national planning. Mr. Abdilahi Mohamed Duale, the minister for foreign affairs minister at the event stated that the president of Somaliland had given a written document that explains fully the history of Somaliland and thanked the delegation for their campaign towards Somaliland’s recognition.

Mr. Duale also added that relations of Somaliland with other nations had improved since last year with strengthening of relation with the Arab League sending doctors and health workers to Somaliland to help in the health sector. The delegation left Somaliland for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Wednesday. •

Source: The Sub-Saharan Informer

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