By Abdirahman Ahmed Ali

The visit of Somaliland President to London and Washington was successful and productive for three main reasons. First, the trip was the president’s maiden official visit to U.S. and dwelt upon many issues including immigration, security, and development of democracy in Somaliland.

Second, the president traveled with aid agencies and businessmen from Somaliland, who signed many projects with their US counterparts including USAID that handles many projects in Somaliland. Defiantly, this will attract US investment in the country including aid supplies and Washington administration will not mind of such projects in the stable and democratic Somaliland. The Pentagon was another target for Somaliland delegation as high-ranking military officials exhibited interest in dealing with Somaliland during US Defense Secretary Robert Gates visit to U.S Forces in Djibouti. The president met with U.S. President Advisor for African Affairs during his visit.

Third, the United States is home to an overseas Somaliland Community of over 500,000 or close to half of Somaliland Diaspora. The president met the community and demanded their support to the country and he discourse the current situation home back. Also, Somaliland Minister of Health met with his U.S. counterpart. He discussed several projects to enhance the health services in Somaliland, which is free to all citizens equally.

During the visit that took the president from Hargiesa to London and Washington via Addis Ababa, he dwelt upon health, security and aid issues. The outcome and gains of the visit has allayed the fears and misgivings of the skeptics of Somaliland enemies.

In 2005, the president visited London and he made the historical speech at House of Commons. At this time, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown personally welcomed and he praised the Somaliland democracy and described it “The unique model of democracy in Africa”, during Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Also, the outcry of Somaliland enemies “the Faqash” was another symbol of the success of the trip. They “the Faqash” stonewall the development and democracy in Somaliland, which become nightmare that disturbs their lives and leads them to sleepless nights. They feared that Washington administration will announced the recognition of Somaliland.

In London, UK Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Brown officially welcomed Somaliland delegation. This was second Riyale’s visit to UK and building of the House of Commons. The Somaliland Friend and MP Mr. Allan Michael brought Somaliland issue in the parliament discussions during Prime Minister’s Question Time. The Prime Minister Brown completely agreed the idea of Michael and entire MPs welcomed the answer of the Mr. Brown with “Yeah”…. Mr. Brown also offered his government support to Somaliland and promised to support Somaliland cause internationally.

Mr. Brown clearly highlighted his government’s eagerness to support Somaliland in many ways including financial aid and to encourage the democratic progress in Somaliland. Reliable Source highlighted that UK government promised to sponsor the financial needs of next Somaliland Election. Today, every English statesman knows about Somaliland development and democracy as Somaliland delegation were received with red carpet and full diplomatic reception at Heathrow International Airport.

The visit demonstrated the strong traditional ties between the two countries. The Somaliland delegate met with UK Minister for African Affairs and Commonwealth Mr. Malloch Brown at House of Lords, UK Minister for Foreign Affairs and other high-ranking officials in the government. The visit was one of the most successful visits by Somaliland Head of State in our history.

The UK Foreign Office statement at end of the visit highlighted the importance of building strong ties with Somaliland. UK Government described Somaliland as an important ally in horn of Africa in war on terror.

In Washington, the US policymakers realized that their failure in Horn of African would not undermine Somaliland only, but all Somalis who have shown goodwill toward the United States and the democracy.

Washington administration received the Somaliland delegation with full diplomatic reception of State head level. Everyone could see the diplomatic security and bulletproof cars with Somaliland President everywhere.

United States of America clearly understood that Somaliland – if recognized – can play vital role in easing the violence that flared in Mogadishu as result of Islamist fighters and difficulties of the central government to maintain control in Somalia especially Mogadishu.

About AFRICOM, U.S. Administration one year ago formed forces to help easing the conflicts in Africa and to uproot terrorist in African. AFRICOM stationed temporarily in U.S. Military Base in Germany, also AFRICOM has unit in Djibouti. It is sure that Washington administration is looking for permanent military base in Africa for AFRICOM. Djibouti is hosting French Forces that minimizes U.S. Force involvement in Djibouti. Reliable sources say that Pentagon is considering Somaliland as future base of AFRICOM and substitute for Djibouti

Recently, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Djibouti to meet U.S. Forces in this tiny country. The high-ranking military officials supported Somaliland and advised Washington to recognize Somaliland that can offer a permanent base for AFRICOM. The Somaliland has strategic geographic location that will enable U.S Forces to control the Red Sea and stop Al-Qaeda fugitives from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Washington policy in Somalia failed, particularly at a time the Islamist insurgency are battling with U.S. backed shaky transitional government and Ethiopian Forces.

During the President’s visit, the delegation had lunch with Assistant Undersecretary for African Affairs Ms. Frazer who is engaged in Somali politics. The delegation explained their eager to disintegrate from Somalia. She expressed support to Somaliland democracy and development and promised more U.S. aid and support to new democracy in Somaliland. She insisted that U.S. Policy towards recognizing Somaliland remains unchanged. However, Washington administration look divided over Somaliland issue, where Pentagon is calling for Somaliland recognition and State Department remains unchanged.

Today, War on terror is on top priority of the agenda of U.S. President George W. Bush and his government. This gives Somaliland fair chance to win the support of Bush Administration after failure to stabilize Somalia. Knowingly, that current transitional government in Somalia cannot provide Military Base for U.S. in Somalis – as it doesn’t control 90% of the country – and even doen’t has military ability to stop Al-Qaeda fugitives. In other hand Somaliland controls its territory and has strong army that killed and jailed tens of Al-Qaeda wanted fugitives in last years.

After his return to Hargiesa, President Riyale rejected the statement of State Department Spokesman, insisting that the Spokesman wasn’t aware of discussions behind the closed doors with high-ranking officials from the department. Riyale’s denial to the first statement was supported by another US State Department statement supporting Somaliland developments but did not announce recognition.

My final word

I strongly believe that the gains and outcome of the visit will be a success and will normalize the relation between Somaliland and Washington Administration. The trip will usher of cooperation between the two countries and lead joint operation against terrorism in horn of Africa.

Proudly, I admire the recent lecture of Chairman of Kulimye Political Party Ahmed Siilaanyo that supported the government trip to London and Washington. At same time, UCID Chairman Faisal Ali who is on also in trip to Scandinavian countries supported the trip and even congratulated the president on the successful trip.

This demonstrates that out differences in ideologies and political stance does not reflect on our common national interest. This is sign of good future.

By Abdirahman Ahmed Ali

Email: an.ahmed@somaliland.net