Suldaanka Posted July 5, 2006 South Africa says Somaliland's issue should be treated differently AwdalNews.com ANN, 4 July 2006 South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad re-iterated that the case of Somaliland was special and not one secession. He made the remarks during Pahad's breifing of the press on South Africa's foreign policy. Answering a question on South Africa's position on the recognition of Somaliland, During a press briefing on South Africa's foreign policy, Pahad, who is a close ally of President Mbeki, said that the African Union's mission to Somaliland in 2005 recommended that Somaliland's should be treated differently to other situations of cessation. Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, what is the South African government's position on the recognition of the government of Somaliland? Will you recognise it? Are you in negotiations with them? Answer: The African Union sent a high level team to Somaliland to assess the situation. Their report indicated that Somaliland should be treated differently to other situations of cessation. This report is now being discussed by other countries to determine how to proceed on the matter. It is important to note however that the recognition of Somalialnd is one part of a bigger situation with regard to Somalia. South Africa Depart of Foreign Affairs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites