INTERVIEW-Somaliland president backs piracy prisons

[Siciid1986]

* Somaliland needs more training to help combat piracy

 

* Willing to have security, trade cooperation with Somalia

 

* Region has no interest in reunification

 

By Amran Abocar

 

ABU DHABI, April 20 (Reuters) - Somaliland will support a United Nations-backed plan to hold convicted pirates in its prisons, its president said on Wednesday, as the breakaway northern enclave bids to gain recognition for its independence.

 

Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo said Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been formally recognised internationally, was already doing its part to curb piracy in its waters and was prepared to do more.

 

Piracy in the Indian Ocean has turned busy shipping lanes off the coast of the conflict-wrecked state into some of the most perilous waters on Earth and costs the world billions of dollars.

 

Silanyo backed the plan to set up special courts and prisons for captured pirates in the Indian Ocean region, along with neighboring enclave Puntland.

 

"We'll imprison people captured in our seas ... that's what we can contribute. We are preparing to put out the force and we are preparing to provide the prison facilities as well," he told Reuters in the United Arab Emirates' capital, during a Gulf tour to drum up investment and aid.

 

The Russian-backed U.N. resolution supported the piracy courts but avoided the delicate issue of where exactly to hold those convicted.

 

Silanyo, elected in 2010, said Somaliland had already imprisoned pirates captured off its Red Sea coast but needed training assistance to combat the problem stemming from its chaotic neighbour to the south.

 

Somalia has not had an effective central government since the 1991 overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. First clan warlords and now Islamist insurgents active in Somalia mean the government controls little more than the capital Mogadishu.

 

The Somaliland leader reiterated his region had no interest in reunification with the rest of Somalia.

 

He said the independence of South Sudan after a January referendum bolstered the case for a similar move for Somaliland, a former British colony that joined with the rest of Italian-ruled Somalia after each gained independence in 1960.

 

"The recent developments in southern Sudan is a good example that the old idea that countries should remain as they were at the time of independence has changed," he said.

 

"Examples like that can help our cause, they should help our cause."

 

Political analysts have said the African Union would treat Sudan as an exception -- as it did Ethiopia and Eritrea's split in 1993 -- and would not tolerate a domino effect across the continent.

 

ut even if the AU were to entertain Somaliland's ambitions, it is stymied by the absence of a Somali partner to negotiate any potential referendum or terms of secession.

 

Silanyo said Somaliland was also not keen to put its independence at Somalia's discretion.

 

"The fact of the matter is, for all intents and purposes, there is no unity in Somalia. Who do you contact for negotiations? There are some people who come to us, who are in contact with us and understand our cause, but there is no unity, there is no entity to speak to as far as Somalia is concerned," he said.

 

"But we are prepared to seek their cooperation."

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

The fact of the matter is, for all intents and purposes, there is no unity in Somalia. Who do you contact for negotiations? There are some people who come to us, who are in contact with us and understand our cause, but there is no unity, there is no entity to speak to as far as Somalia is concerned," he said.

Well said Mr President You make me proud.

[Siciid1986]

Somaliland leader to visit in bid to secure aid in fight against ...‎

 

ABU DHABI // The president of Somaliland, Ahmed Silanyo, is to visit the UAE this week seeking aid to combat piracy in the region he rules in northern Somalia.

 

His visit coincides with a two-day high-level conference hosted by the federal Government in an effort to find solutions to regional piracy, with an emphasis on Somali issues.

 

The event was held to demonstrate the UAE's desire to play a bigger role in fighting piracy, and to urge others to do more.

 

Mr Silanyo's government, which has taken a tough stance against piracy, is seeking donors to help bolster its fledgling coastguard and gain broader economic support.

 

The Somaliland delegation has asked the UAE for support with counter-piracy training, hospitals and medicine, scholarships, water development and transport infrastructure. It is also looking for companies to invest in potential oil reserves and in its main port, in what is an autonomous and relatively stable region amid the volatility of northern Somalia.

 

"Our meetings were very fruitful," said Mr Silanyo. "There are general basic principles that we have agreed upon but we have not worked out the details yet."

 

Mr Silanyo secured promises from businessmen to send a delegation to Somaliland in coming weeks to look into possible investment opportunities, the Somaliland press reported.

 

Mr Silanyo said he and his delegation had met Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. They also met Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who arranged their meeting with members of the business community.

 

 

The UAE has shown willingness to donate to Somalia and to combat piracy. During the conference on Tuesday, the UAE committed US$1 million (Dh3.6m) to a UN counter-piracy trust fund. Other governments and private companies pledged a further $3.5m.

 

The UAE also delivers development aid to Somalia. The Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation recently sent three containers of medicine and medical equipment to the troubled country, the WAM state news agency said on Tuesday.

 

Dr Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stressed the need to help Somalia strengthen its economy, security forces and legal system.

 

"One of the important things is more effort in the Somali mainland," he said.

 

International efforts must be "part developmental, part security training and part increasing the capacity of the legal system," he said.

 

Mr Silanyo said his team will travel to Ras al Khaimah today and fly to Kuwait next Tuesday.

 

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/somaliland-leader-to-visit-in-bid-to-secure-aid-in-fight-against-pirates

[Che -Guevara]

Piracy has become good business but the secessionists are kind late in the game.

[Thankful]

"But we are prepared to seek their cooperation."

Wow never thought I see the day! He is finally realizign how hopeless his cause is!

[AfricaOwn]

Che -Guevara;713404 wrote:

Piracy has become good business but the secessionists are kind late in the game.

What did the pioneers of this game got from it?

[Jacaylbaro]

Eyes are on Somaliland .......