By any objective criteria, President Dahir Rayale Kahin’s visit to France is a major diplomatic breakthrough for Somaliland. First there was the meeting with President Sarkozy’s advisor Mr Andre Parant at the French presidency’s Elysee Palace. Then the meeting with the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner at the Quai d’orsay. The fact that Somaliland’s delegation was met at both the presidency and the foreign ministry is by itself a good indication of the importance that France attaches to Somaliland. There are also signs that France’s warm embrace of Somaliland reflects the thinking of a number of European capitals who now see Somaliland as an entity that contributes to their own security and therefore must be dealt with in its own right.
When this visit is put in the context of the recent visit to Washington by a Somaliland delegation and Somaliland’s traditional ties with Britain, the picture gets even clearer. Somaliland now has good and direct relations with the U.S, Britain and France. This is no mean achievement for a small, impoverished and diplomatically unrecognized country. It also means Somaliland’s diplomacy has its work cut out for it. Somaliland must work on persuading these countries that it is in their interests to take the next step and formally recognize Somaliland as an independent country, for only a stable and recognized Somaliland can contribute to their long-term security.



























 

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