Urges Ethiopia to take the lead

By Yemane Nagish

Hargeysa, Somaliland, May 28, 2011 – On the 20th anniversary of independence of Somaliland, its self-proclaimed government says it is pursuing a new and persistent foreign policy to get itself global recognition. The government has asked the Ethiopian government to take the lead by recognizing the state.

During the completion of a colorful celebration of Somaliland’s secession from the mainland Somalia on May 18 twenty years ago, top government officials told reporters that the government is following an assertive foreign policy to urge  the world the it recognize the country officially.

The foreign minister of Somaliland, Mohamed Abdillahi Omar, noted that his country has come up with new domestic political developments, including a “peaceful transfer of power from the losing to the winning party”, which he said happens only rarely even in some of the well-known African countries. According to the minister, the government is enhancing democratic governance, security and peace in Somaliland and the region as well. “Somaliland has been succeeding in a peaceful transfer of power recently. It is also expanding trade, security, political and economic relationships with very important countries, including Ethiopia”. He stressed the view that the benefits of securing Somaliland has direct positive effects on the peace and security situation of the region as a whole.

According to the official, the outcome of the democratic election that causes a change of government peacefully in the country has attracted the attention of the world, including the United Nations and the African Union Commission (AUC). Accordingly, his government is holding serious discussions with AU and UN officials working on the front of pursuing an international recognition. “We are in full engagements pursuing an aggressive foreign policy particularly with the AU and African countries on the basis of the experience of peace and security, to get their full support for recognition,” Mohamed Abdillahi Omar told The Reporter.

He noted that the Ethiopian government is part of the developments witnessed in the South Sudan referendum and urged the Ethiopian government to take the lead in recognizing his country. Appreciating the trade and security cooperation taking place between his country and Ethiopia, the minister added that his country is doing its best to provide best services on the port of Berbera

The chief of cabinet, Hirsi Ali Hassan, and the interior minister, Dr Mohammed Abdi Gabose, also said that Somaliland has no security threat. “It has security worries. With regard to Al-Shabaab, we manage to maintain our peace; we are confident,” they interior minister said. We are expecting Ethiopia to recognize our country, he added.

Source: The Ethiopian Reporter

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