London, UK, July 10, 2010 (SL Times) – Now that Somaliland has successfully conducted its presidential elections, calls to consolidate Somaliland's democratic gains by providing it with international development assistance are beginning to be heard. One such call came in the form of a written question by the United Kingdom Parliament member Michael Crockart to the Secretary of State for International Development.

Michael Crockart (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat):

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect of the outcome of the recent elections in Somaliland on development matters in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen O'Brien (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, International Development; Eddisbury, Conservative):

The UK welcomes the presidential elections in Somaliland. President-elect Silanyo has indicated that he will put development matters at the centre of his new Government's agenda. Once he is sworn in, the Department for International Development (DFID) will discuss development priorities and plans with the new Government, as well as with the private sector, civil society and other development agencies, in order to identify clearly and understand Somaliland's priority development needs.

Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 8 July 2010, c421W)

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