Jacaylbaro Posted June 5, 2007 Press conference Somaliland Heritage 2, rue de la Bastille 74004 Paris Tel : 01 44 59 39 23 www.somalilandheritage.org PRESS CONFERENCE INVITATION The Organisation Somaliland Heritage has just obtained the classification of one of the prehistoric sites of Somaliland as a world heritage in danger. With the participation of its scientific team, Somaliland Heritage will hold a press conference at the Centre of African studies , 9 rue Malher, 75004 Paris, France Thursday, June 7th 2007 at 2.45PM It will expose the general plan which it set up to safeguard, preserve and develop the cultural inheritance this country, thus nominated for the first time. With our best greetings, Somaliland Heritage Team Organisation contact Maryan Ibrahim 00 33 (0)6 69 34 17 19 Centre Malher Centre de Recherches Africaines- Panthéon Sorbonne 9, rue Malher 75004 Paris Metro Saint-Paul (ligne 1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted June 11, 2007 Interview with Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi, chair of Somaliland Heritage Somaliland Heritage is a non profiting making organisation created under the 1901 French law on associations. The headquarters of the organisation is based in Paris, France, but she has offices in London, UK and in Hargeisa in Somaliland. Before the Press conference organisation organised by the Paris based organisation, I spoke with the pioneer chair of Somaliland Heritage, Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi. What is the Somaliland Heritage? Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi: the primary objectives of the Somaliland Heritage ( SH) is to help in the promotion of Somaliland cultures and also help in the protection and conservation of the material and immaterial heritage of Somaliland. As you know, Somaliland is a de facto sovereign nation that is ironically not recognised by the international community. How can you then pretend to realise such a project for a country that is not recognise? Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi: it is certainly not going to be easy. But at the same time, the fact that Somaliland is not yet recognised by the international community, does not mean they hate us. They know what they are doing and also know what Somaliland has done and are still doing. However, I suspect that, the international community is overwhelmed with the situation in our neighbour to the south. I am talking about Somalia. Whenever the international community would have found out a solution in Somalia, they will then turn their attention to Somaliland. After all, we are much more democratic and at peace with ourselves than most of our neighbours. In other words, Somalilanders are happy with their state of non recognition? Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi: please don’t misinterpret me. Somaliland has well defined borders that were inherited from colonialism; they have their national currency (Somaliland shilling), national language and a clearly distinct history. Somaliland is stable and democratic with all the attributes of a sovereign state. But short of international recognition, what else does the international community want? You sound a little exasperated. Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi: why should I be? I will like to inform you that, Somaliland is a contradiction, a positive contradiction. This is perhaps the only country in the horn of Africa or even east Africa that has succeeded to blend local African tradition based on clan elders with western democratic values and it has been working well. The proof is that, for 16 years, we have not only regained all our borders, as they were when we got our independence from Britain, we are at peace and proudly democratic. Our elections were not only supervised by the European Union and the African Union, they were financed by the European Union. I brought in this to inform and also show you and others that, Somaliland is not at odd with the international community and in particular, the African Union. You seem confident, but also some how philosophical. Is there not some crisis somewhere? Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi: What crisis. Somalilanders are confident that, it is just a matter of time and the country will gain international recognition. Even though the international community has spent $ 4 billion in various peace talks in Somalia of which we have never been associated, is that an indication of our international acceptability? Somaliland is fine and strong. If not, Somaliland Heritage won’t launch what we are doing. Somaliland is solid and democratic and she is above all a sort of laboratory for Africa and the world. What do you make of those who say the African Union, instigated by some African nations do not want Somaliland to be recognised? Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi: Mr Smith, you are focusing on politics and you have ignored what brought you here, which is about culture. But, I will want to repeat that, Somaliland is enemy to nobody, countries or organisations. The EU has financed our elections; the African Union has send observers to monitor our elections. Does that sound as though things at that terrible as you seem to see them? Yes, we are aware that, African countries such as Egypt, Libya and recently Sudan are alleged to be the ring leaders against Somaliland’s recognition within the AU. But some of those countries did recognise Somaliland’s independence on the 26th June 1960 and this for six days. I see the process that Somaliland is in as a gradual process and there is no going back about it. The Somaliland Heritage will like Somaliland to be seen in a different light from the chaos of our neighbour to the south: Somalia. We need tourists to visit and discover Somaliland and Somaliland Heritage will be glad to help any tourist or group of tourists who want to visit. Elie B. Smith: thank you very much. Mrs Maryan Ibrahim Abdi: it was a pleasure and I will like you to visit Somaliland and see things for yourself. Source africanpath Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
