Announcement: Expert Discussion On The Future Of Somaliland

A Press Release: PROGRESSIO

To mark the launch of Horn of Africa expert Mark Bradbury’s new book, ‘Becoming Somaliland’.

WHEN: Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 6pm.

WHERE: The Brunei Suite, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG.

WHO: Mark Bradbury (Author), Prof. Iqbal Jhazbhay ( University of South Africa), Professor Ioan Lewis (LSE), Su’aad Odowa-Nielsen (Somaliland Focus UK). Chaired by Dr. Steve Kibble (Progressio).

WHAT: A panel of experts discuss the future of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland after its emergence from collapsed Somalia in 1991.

WHY: This event is being held to mark the launch of Mark Bradbury’s new book ‘Becoming Somaliland’. The first of its kind, the book explores how Somaliland has been able to achieve democratization in a politically volatile region. Since independence, internationally unrecognized Somaliland has successfully restored law and order to become one of the most democratic governments of any Muslim country, in stark contrast to Somalia where international intervention has repeatedly failed to restore peace.

Notes to Editors:

*Panel members will be available for comment after the event. To arrange an interview, please contact Jo Barrett on 020 7288 8619 or email: jo@progressio.org.uk

*Mark Bradbury is a development consultant who has worked extensively in North East Africa. He has also worked with ACORD, ActionAid, OXFAM, the Overseas Development Institute, UNICEF, UNDP and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

*Iqbal Jhazbhay is Associate Professor at the University of South Africa's Department of Religious Studies and Arabic. He is currently a Visiting Academic at London University's School of Oriental of African Studies (SOAS).

*Dr. Ioan Lewis is the Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics where he wrote prolifically on Somalia. He is the author of Modern History of the Somali: Nation and State in the Horn of Africa among other works.

*Su’aad Odowa-Nielsen is founder of the Institute for Female Education and Development and currently works for Voluntary Action Camden on mental health issues. Whilst at the Ealing Primary Care Trust she set up the ‘African Well Women Centre’ for women and girls who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation.

*Dr Steve Kibble is Progressio’s advocacy coordinator for Africa, Middle East and Asia. He has written extensively on African politics, particularly Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola and Somaliland.

*This event is being hosted by the Royal African Society and The Centre of African Studies in association with James Currey Publishers, Progressio and Somaliland Focus UK. It is being funded by Comic Relief.

*Progressio is international organization working for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty.