Somaliland: Foreign and Economic Affairs in Review 2009
Ahmed Kheyre
December 31, 2009
Despite the political crises regarding the delay in the presidential election which come to an end in September, 2009 has been successful year for Somaliland in the foreign policy and economy arena. During the year there have been discussions about the presidential election and the reliability of the voter registration system. Many people both in Somaliland and abroad were pessimistic about future of Somaliland and believed, wrongly, that there will be a conflict.
Once again the people of Somaliland, the government and the political parties proved that the nation and its leadership are committed to having a dialogue, followed by discussion and consensus to solve political issues in a civilized and mature manner. During the year there have been diplomatic activities around the globe, I will mention some of the highlights.
Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin paid an official visit to the United Kingdom in March 2009. The President met with Britain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Miliband and other foreign ministry officials.
During the meeting,President Kahin conveyed to the British foreign minister the long-standing relations between Britain and Somaliland and how those relations could be deepened and strengthened. Mr.Kahin also emphasized the peace and security that prevails in Somaliland, and how the peace, as well as, Somalilandīs democratic credentials was achieved without much assistance from the international community.
The President and the Foreign minister, Mr. Abdillahi Mohamed Duale also addressed Chatham House, Britainīs premier foreign affairs think tank.
Mr. Abdirahman M. Abdillahi, Speaker of the House of representative in Somaliland visited Sweden in February 2009.
The Speaker was accompanied by the Party Chairman of Welfare Party, UCID Mr. Faisal Ali Waraabe. During the visit the delegation met MP Birgitta Ohlsson, Member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs and Spokesperson Foreign affairs, Liberal Party and Maria Leissner, Ambassador for democracy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sweden.
The Somaliland delegation discussed with their Swedish counterparts the forthcoming presidential election, election observers from Sweden, and the Swedish support for democracy and good governance in Somaliland.
The Somaliland Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Abdillahi Mohamed Duale, addressed an international gathering of government officials, diplomats, business people and academics taking part in the 'State of Sovereignty' conference held at the prestigious International Boundaries Research Unit (IBRU) at Durham University in the United Kingdom.
Somaliland's representative to Sweden, Mr. Eidarus Sh.Adan addressed, on April 30th, a conference at the European Parliament in Brussels. The conference was organized by Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations ( UNPO) and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. The conference gave Somaliland a platform to promote our efforts to become a recognized country.
Somaliland's liaison offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, Ethiopia, Sweden, Ireland, Kenya and Pakistan have all played a leading role in furthering Somaliland's co-operation with the international community.
2009 also saw the visit to Somaliland by high ranking delegations from the United Nations, the World Bank, IGAD, as well as, ministers , parliamentarians and diplomats from Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sweden, Kenya, Pakistan and many other nations.
In the economic arena, the people of Somaliland are well known as entrepreneurs and the economy is growing despite the dearth of functioning commercial and investment banks. The Somaliland Diaspora are playing an important part in terms of investments and capacity building.
Somaliland launched its first petroleum licensing round in February 2009, offering nearly 36,000 sq miles (90,000 sq km) of onshore and offshore blocks. In cooperation with the Republic of Somaliland, TGS of Norway has acquired approximately 5,300 kilometres of 2D seismic, gravity, magnetic data and approximately 34,600 kilometres of aeromagnetic data covering both onshore and offshore areas. Somaliland's first petroleum licensing round was closed at the end of December 2009.
The Somaliland government is currently in negotiations with Bollore SA of France to manage and upgrade the facilities at the port of Berbera. The port of Berbera is a main source of Somalilandīs revenue and serves as an entry point for Ethiopian goods and commerce.
Livestock is the backbone of Somaliland economy at the present time. The Saudi government and the Gulf States banned import of livestock from the horn of Africa in 2000 ostensibly to prevent the spread of Rift Valley Fever. The effect of the ban was devastating for countries, such as Somaliland and Somalia, which are heavily dependent on livestock exports to the Gulf States.
After a complete overhaul of the livestock processing and veterinary system in Somaliland, including the construction of a sophisticated and modern new livestock processing and treatment centre in Berbera funded by a private Saudi business concern, the Saudi ban was lifted in November 2009.
The decision was well received across Somaliland and Somalia as hundreds of thousands of farmers rely heavily on animal exports to Saudi Arabia and Gulf states. This creates job opportunities, revenue for the government and foreign currency coming to the country.
Dahabshiil Financial Services introduced the first ever credit card in the Horn of Africa in Hargeisa in October 2009. Dahabshiil a leader in the remittances services sector chose to introduce the new card in Somaliland mainly due to the stability and economic progress in the country.
We, Somalilanders should be proud of what we have achieved so far and should not rest on our laurels.
With limited help from the international community, we have built a democratic and peaceful nation. This shows that we are capable of doing far more.
The Somaliland Diaspora plays a key role in nation building. The struggle for recognition will continue in year 2010 at full strength. Our tireless work is like a marathon. One has to have to plan for the race well and show patience, endurance and focus to reach the ultimate target. There are no short cuts. We have to mobilize all of our efforts in order to reach our goal, which is a recognized, democratic and peaceful Somaliland. The destiny of Somaliland is in our hands.
Therefore it is our responsibility to be united (one for all and all for one). United we succeed. We have to avoid becoming a country divided against itself. We have to act as country and one people.
In 2010 there will be presidential election and the mandates for the House of Representatives, the District councils and the Guurti will all end. There are many tasks ahead. The Diaspora should take responsibility as they did before. This means that they should play a great role in the forthcoming democratic process by contributing in a positive manner.
As I mentioned above Somaliland is rich in tradition, blessed with creative and strong citizens, and I strongly believe there is a place for every body, so it is important that we come together and work for a better Somaliland.
Eidarus Sh Adan
Somaliland Representative in Sweden
Stockholm
Sweden
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