Sigurd Illing Visits Somaliland

[Jacaylbaro]

 

Hargeisa (SomalilandPress, Jan 21st 2009) Sigurd Illing, the director of Independent Diplomat - Addis Ababa head office has arrived in Hargeisa yesterday (Tuesday), on a three-day visit to Somaliland to offer an independent and confidential source of advice and assistance on diplomatic technique and strategy to the government.

 

Independent Diplomat (ID) is a unique new non-profit venture in the world of international relations, diplomacy and conflict prevention. In recent times, Independent Diplomat has been engaged directly with Somaliland to help her achieve their international objective (recognition) and improving human rights and democratisation.

 

Sources close to the government have informed SomalilandPress that Mr. Illing has met with Somaliland Finance Minister Mr Hussein Ali Duale (Awil) at Ambassador Hotel - he is expected to meet with President Dahir Rayale at his office later tonight.

 

Mr. Sigurd Illing has extensive experience in African affairs, having served in seven African countries during three decades. He worked there for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the German Technical Cooperation and, since 1985, for the European Commission. Among other postings he served such as Special Envoy of the EC to Somalia from 1993 to 1997 and as Ambassador/Head of Delegation for Uganda from 2001 to 2006.

 

While serving as Special Envoy of the EC to Somalia, Mr. Sigurd Illing helped Somaliland rehabilitate the Berbera port and also managed to build an office for the EU in Berbera which now has been turned into a guesthouse.

 

It is said that Mr. Illing and late President of Somaliland, Mr Ibrahim Haji Egal, often did not get along well. We shall wait and see, how things go with him and President Rayale.

 

Sigurd Illing holds a Master’s degree in Political Science/International Relations from the University of Florida and has also worked as foreign policy advisor to a parliamentary party in Germany.

[Suldaanka]

ID's Addis Abeba office was just opened last week and Mr. Sigurd has already arrived in Hargeisa for breifing. Looks like they want to get started straight away with the Diplo-work.

 

Also Carne Ross published this article today on The New Statesman