Somaliland foreign minister addresses the foreign affairs committee of the EU parliament

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Foreign Minister of Somaliland addresses the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament

 

Dr Omar declared that: “Somaliland has recently re-engaged with the international community, in order to play its part in solving the ongoing challenges

 

Brussels, 21 March 2012 – The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Somaliland, Dr Mohamed A. Omar, today had a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.

 

In his statement to the Committee, Dr Omar drew attention to the contrasting fortunes of Somaliland and Somalia since the former declared independence in 1991. He spoke of “the emergence of a peaceful and democratic Somaliland through a painstaking process of reconciliation at the local level. At the same time, governance collapsed in Somalia, leading directly to the problems confronting the Horn of Africa today, namely terrorism, piracy, and hunger.”

 

Dr Omar declared that: “Somaliland has recently re-engaged with the international community, in order to play its part in solving the ongoing challenges in neighbouring Somalia. Last month's London Conference represented an important milestone in Somaliland’s diplomacy.”

 

The Foreign Minister continued that: “the international community’s focus on an inflexible and unrealistic notion of Somalia’s so-called territorial unity endangers the very stability that we are all looking for. Focusing energy on the re-creation of a centralized state through a top-down approach ignores the realities on the ground, which are dictated by the decentralized nature of Somali politics.”

 

Dr Omar added: “We offer a compelling example of peaceful and democratic nation-building through a bottom-up approach, drawing on tried and tested African methods designed to defuse disputes between neighbouring communities.” Dr Omar continued: “We believe that a similar approach is needed in Somalia too, and we have offered to share our experience with our brothers and sisters in Somalia.”

 

Foreign Minister Omar made it clear that: “Somaliland would be in an even stronger position to contribute to a stable and peaceful Somalia if Somaliland is politically recognised internationally.” Aware that EU member states are significantly affected by Somali piracy, the foreign minister noted: “We are fully engaged with the international community in the fight against terrorism and piracy.”

 

The Foreign Minister drew attention to the Communiqué of the London Conference which supported “any dialogue that Somaliland and the TFG or its replacement may agree to establish in order to clarify their future relations.” This “reinforces Somaliland’s vision of a dialogue between two separate entities, Somalia and Somaliland, that can engage as equals, and marks a starting point for constructive discussions about the future relations between Somaliland and Somalia.”

 

Referring to the generous development and other assistance provided by Europe, Dr Omar stated: “Let me once again express the gratitude of the Government and people of Somaliland to the European Union and its member states for their continued support for my country.”

 

Dr Omar concluded by saying that: “political recognition of Somaliland’s independent statehood within the borders established by the European powers in the 19th century would reinforce Somaliland’s role as a beacon of peace and democracy in the Horn of Africa, and allow us to emerge as an even more effective partner for the region, for Europe, and the international community.”

[Carafaat]

Xaaji, do you think this will help in the talks with Somalia? I thought Somaliland was serieuz about these talks?

[Jacaylbaro]

Good on the Minister.

 

The talks were serious sxb .... there will be committees from both sides and TOR will be developed.

[Carafaat]

What will the TOR contain? Who can I contact for some suggestions. Will send you a PM.

[burahadeer]

everyone is aware the talks r only centered around separation as far as SL is concerned & mogadishu will refuse to negotiate that.The end result will be 2 states & SL will be recognized...anyone who interprets othawise simply is not objective.

[Jacaylbaro]

As long as there are talks between Somaliland and Somalia ,,, I really don't care about the outcome.

[burahadeer]

^^^^ nin wayne warku haya:D

[Carafaat]

Buradheer, adeer maxa kugu dhacay. Adiga iyo anigu isku xisbi ayaanu eheen(xisbiga dhexdehxaadka). Baryahan seef ayaa lasoo baxday.

[burahadeer]

^^^ waar yaan cidla waraabe kugu cunin:D

[Carafaat]

War qol yar oo qarmuun ha isku xidhin.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Arafat the international community will mediate between somaliland and somalia. The minister is just paving the road for that.

[The Hermet]

Seriously carafaat wax rajo...o an Somali ka gabo ma jirto...do you seriously think you can share a country with these pirates, clan federalism and uncivilised political dealings...firstly no one can build a state on the back of burundian soldiers and the so called somali army has not been able to take a village without the assistance of AU...the ethiopians are gonna leave soon the kenyans will leave by Oct 2012. The government itself expires as of august. And not only is sheriff protected by burundians, breat fed by burundians the guy get bombed in villa somali every night. Seriously....do you really think this sort of a political entity can achieve long term stability inshallah for the sake of our brothers in the south it does...but at this stage its not looking good and behind the scenes the pirates are still chasing hegemony. Something Somaliland will never except even if it means another war. So all in all one word comes to mind screwed. If somaliland wants to play smart I say we increase the influence in the south..create peace between mugdisho's population and help them build a stable state..let the pirates dance to african oil stock prices. Somali's in my view do not have the capacity to be a state because they haven't learned how to tame their society and merge it with the political process. Even if somaliland and somalia talk..all it has to say is I was an independent country before I united..let's see what you can offer..if it doesn like it goes it seperate way somalia is in no position to challenge it..because Somaliland is by far more advanced.

[Carafaat]

Nonsense why do you want Cadaan to mediate between Somali's. We can resolve our issue internal, we dont need any UN peacekeepers between us. We are not Kikuyu's, Darfurians or Tutsi's and Hutu's.

[Jacaylbaro]

Carafaat;808013 wrote:

Nonsense why do you want Cadaan to mediate between Somali's. We can resolve our issue internal, we dont need any UN peacekeepers between us. We are not Kikuyu's, Darfurians or Tutsi's and Hutu's.

I sometimes wonder which planet you're living niyow ,,,,, isn't all that you mentioned available in Somalia right now ???

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Loool@ jacaylbaro walaalkeen carafaat either he is naive ama kisku iska waalayaa. Beesha calaamka walo bahanyahay dhex dhexaanin hadi kale talks will fail and we are then where we were in 1991. Do you want that, Somalia wil not accept somaliland as its neighbor with out a good deal perhaps the international community can help with that. Carafaat this is 2012 not 1960 back than Somaliland wanted a union and the koonfurians were not so sure about it adan cade told cigaal to wait with the union atleast a few weeks. There was not a problem back than here is the problem today Somaliland already independent controling its territory. Somalia doesnt want to lose somaliland because somaliland is rich in resources oil gas gold. Here the ic comes in to help mediate talks can fail if one side is not happy