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Editorial: Somaliland president's visit to Europe.

By Mustafe Adam Jirde --Somaliland

On 12 June, Somaliland President Dahir Rayale  paid a state visit to certain

European countries. The delegation headed by the president was accompanied by foreign

Minister A/lahi Ali Duale, presidential spokesman Said Adaniand special secretary

for the president Ahmed Mahamed Iise and the first lady.

 

His first visit started in Norway, where he met with senior officials from the Norwegian

Ministry for foreign affairs, and members of the parliament.

 

This was a golden opportunity for the president to pass Somaliland's message to the

Norwegian officials to respect our sovereignty as an independent state that has nothing to

do with the rest of Somalia where there is no central government that can maintain

the law and order and also sustain the stability and the well being of their citizens.

 

The president also visited Italy where he was received and welcomed by the

Somaliland Diaspora in Rome. He met the Italian Deputy Minister for African

Affairs Patrizia Sentenelli and other senior officials from the Italian government and

discussed the bilateral relationships between Italy and Somaliland.

 

The international community must tell the southern politicians to put their house in order

and leave alone Somaliland's efforts to secede.

 

Rayale's visit is a well-coordinated effort that is being launched at home and abroad to

reinforce diplomatic leverage in persuading the European Union to change their mind and see the reality in Somaliland. The president also told the Norwegian officials to provide

international aid and deal with Somaliland in a different way.

 

On the other hand the president also met with Somaliland Diaspora who are united and spoke with same voice about Somaliland's destination, and that no one can hijack and

reverse the decision of the people, which they took sixteen years ago.

Somaliland has taken many significant steps in the right direction, including the holding of referendum where 97 percent of Somaliland people voted for secession  from the rest of Somalia.

 

In the year 2002, Somaliland held successful local municipal elections. Presidential elections were held in the same year and President Rayale as flag bearer of this political party

(UDUB) was elected. He was  the first who came to the power through the process of

democracy.

 

In September 2005, Somaliland has completed the cycle of democratization

where 80 members of the house of representatives were elected through voting.

It is ironical that Somaliland took genuine steps towards a democratic nation state , but failed to get an international recognition.

Last but not least, Somaliland has managed to build its institutions from scratch.

 

My country has a flag, currency, an army and house  senate and representatives. defined

population and international borders.

 

I appeal to the international community to make a closer look at my country and

recognize us .