Africa
Egypt extends a hand even in these troubled times
December 3, 2011 · 48 Comments
HARGEISA(Somalilandpress)-The Government of Egypt announced today that it will support Somaliland on number of key areas, such as economic development and the improvement of basic social services.The Egyptian Ambassador to Somalia Mr Aiman Magi told reporters at a joint press conference held at Ambassador Hotel, Hargeisa and was accompanied by Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Dr. Mohamed Abdilahi Omar. Mr. Aiman Magdi reiterated that his government is about to embark on renovating the cultural library that Egyptians built in Hargeisa.
First, he briefed representative of local press his about his five day trip to Somaliland and he said, “I want to extend to the Government of Somaliland for the cordial welcome and the hospitality that they have extended to me during my five day stay in Somaliland. Second, I came here for number of things and the first is to develop bi-lateral trade and cultural ties.”.
Mr Aiman reported that he had held extensive discussions with Somaliland’s Foreign Minister and had a common stance on many issues. The Ambassador went on to mention that he believed that it was time for Egyptian industrialists to start investing in Somaliland. He also extended an off of assistance in the field of health care related projects. A formal invitation was made to Dr Omar to visit Cairo to meet senior officials and figures from the world of commerce.
No mention was made of the current political uncertainty in Egypt or whether Egypt would push for the African Union to be more sympathetic on the issue of re-recognition.
Somalilandpress | 3 December 2011
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Tags: bi-lateral relations, Dr. Mohamed Omar, Government of Egypt, Somaliland
Readers Comments (48)
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Never trust any Egyptian statements before they are not completely fulfilled. Amir Musa would be the forecoming President and he is the most anti-Somaliland rethoric that the world has ever seen.
Egyptian will never be a friend of Somaliland anyway, in terms of their political stance against us.
Musa
This is good news to hear.Hosni Mubarak regime was ones that was against the Somaliland recognition.So eypgtians can assist us and help Somaliland voice be heard on a larger scale.We need new allies the more help we receive the more we can give back to international community.Egypt is dominatly A Islamic country that can help Somaliland a great deal.
We definitly should engage every nation in the world even if its useless to our cause because the more world knows our problem the sooner recognition can be obtained through intermediary.
@Musa Mohamud
Listen buddy.. You are talking of the past Egptian Authoritarian Military rule since overthrowing the
Kingdom rules in the 1950s!. Now that the Arab Spring revolts/revolutions have given Egypt to get rid
of the Military rule and getting ready to substitute by a civic society franchised peoples popularly electorate
power rule, I see that there's a new Egypt in the making which will have more Worldly powers to help Egypt
and AL/OIC and the friendly allies all around the Global Village. A strong Egypt will not be good only for Somaliland but in fact will have a major role to play like Turkey etc. I doubt Amir Musa will be the new
President. He belongs to the Past Regimes. Egypt needs new leaderships.
Cheers.
New beginning with new Egypt. Those who don't know, Egypt always claimed Somaliland to be part of their nation. Weird right? Well when the British arrived, Cairo argued that Somaliland be returned to them because the Ottomans drove them out.
The idea to claim Somaliland as part of Egypt all began with Ismail Basha (aka Ismail the Magnificent). Ismail dreamt of expanding his realm over the whole Nile including its diverse sources and over the whole African coast of the Red Sea. He argued Berbera and the Somaliland coast including Zeila were part and partial of Egypt just as he claimed parts of Ethiopia and Sudan.
Kayse what do you know about the Zahraawi beraber..do you know if they have some old linkage with
Berbera? Darfur maybe Somalian too? What about Rwanda TUTSI they have the same features of the
Somaliland.
Cheers.
Most countries when it comes to recognition will sadly say to first speak with Somalia TFG and if that is the condition even though there is no need for Somaliland to speak with anyone as we were a seperate entity and co-equal with that of Somalia. But what is soooo bad about speaking with Somalia even weak TFG and working together with Somalia in mutual understandings, forgiving, working together, helping them to establish peace and government. is this impossible because due to arrogance? or something else.
I know many of u disagree or will give me thumbs down but talking to Somalia is not acknowledging defeat or weakness but it shows that we are willing to explore all avenues. Somalia too is arrogantly holding tight to Somaliland for no reason and has next level issues against Somaliland but hadayy labaduba (Somaliland and Somalia) aay kala dudaan and each sees their own believes as the only right one, how would they ever understand one another.Somalia and Somaliland need to have peace talks to build bridges and understanding that was lost especially knowing that Somaliland will never come back to the union. I would prefer if recognition comes from Somalia itself so that in the future we can say our brothers accepted and respected our choice
I am lost! "…..talk to Sh. Sharif …." and say what ?
The international community may seem intransigent on Somaliland's recognition. I am afraid, they are not. The blame lies squarely with/on ourselves. We have miserably failed to articulate our case – no more, no less.
The issue of somaliland recognition will be dealt with as somaliland-somalia issue and not just somaliland issue by the international world. I think our case is well known. i failed to understand the difference between the negotiation of somaliland -somalia and that of eriteria-ethiopia or south/north sudan. Not saying Somalia will decide our future, dnt get me wrong but is more of we demanding it just like south sudan demanded when egypt, libya, the arab world and khartoom was calling for union which left no choice with khartom but to accept referendum and let the south choose their path. we too need to demand referendum and the south has no choice but to accept it but with negotiation and maybe through a mediator. You see somaliland will be recognised sooner or later because the world and Somalia will not be able to force somaliland into union by any chance what so ever not now and not ever but it might take a while because now might not be the right time. Unless otherwise a different tactic or avenue is known to us and our government.
I agree, we need to move with time there are alot can be done in that directionand it is in the intrest of Somalia and the current TFG to show that they have done something to help settleing one of many obstecules to the road of settled and secure Somalia. Somaliland meanwhile willbe the support element that Somalila need to get a partner in building the future of Southren Somalia.
@amal
I believe there are movements in that direction already initiated by the Govt. of Somaliland thru their
Foreign Minister DR. Omar. These International meetings of some sort are good hints that something
is brewing. Dr. Omar is not naive and I don't doubt that he's engaged to stay clear of the anarchy of
Somalia but yet he's committed to undo the embargo shackles of his country. Sooner or later some
break through along your lines will be obvious. My guess that whatever happens Somaliland will have
the upper hand. Amal, have you seen the Emails Qaran printed on its site regarding Dr. Omar and
a Somalia confidante corresponding with one another? I read them all and you know what, my respect
increased for DR. Omar cuz he was actually using that confidante to gather him you know what!.
It just showed how smart DR. Omar was/is.
Cheers.
No, I haven't seen it because I hardly go to Qaran.news; that website is not so appealing to me some how, and there are a lot of good articles written in Somali even in oodwayne news but struggle to read it fluently or speedily. Dr. Omar is very intelligent man even thought he doesn't have that aggressive look. He is calm and smart and I believe he knows what he is doing but may Allah help him get through and accomplish his goal which is not an easy one. I think our government is heading for the right direction and they are willing to not leave a stone unturned It is important to make and strengthen diplomatic relationship with our southern brothers.
I hope the new administration of Egypt will understand the writing on the wall, that Somaliland will never again be part of greater Somalia and, it's time for this new administration to come to its sense and recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state.
we don't need there books ,they are the force driving somaliweyn agenda ,both the Arab league and AU
I think it is good that the Egyptians came to town not once but twice. We need to use each and every opportunity in our favour. I hope Mr. Abdillahi is pressing the right Egyptian buttons and not using the disgraceful diplomacy he applied in his last ill fitted interview with SLPress, where he could not say that the President was in good health, but instead alluded the inverse, which was to least misleading.
I hate to say this, but I am feed-up of ministers who are slow-thinking and do not care even to prepare themselves before meeting with foreign dignitaries, giving interviews or when giving talks in front of foreign based Think Tanks.
Let these ministers know that we, the people of Somaliland are watching and we will stripe them naked politically if they do not serve this country well. The option of resignation is always open.
There is a sea of changes coming from the mother of earth (Egypt) but recognition for Somaliland is not one of them, let us not be naive and face the music boldly. Let us began looking other ways and avenues to take advantage of Egypt's numerous resources in terms of education, commerce and industries.
We need to look Egypt in particular, with new blazing eyes and appeal to their levelheadedness and friendship; they will understand our predicament very well by now after Tahrir (little terror) square.
Make no mistake, real change in Egypt has a tremendous effect to the Arab and Muslim world and also the international landscape, it is foolish on our part not to take advantage of such substantial long waited change.
.
Throw them out. Egytians are one of the worst people to deal with.
The only thing Egypt is interested is EGYPT, EGYPT< EGYPT at the expense of everything and anything.
Let's not discount in advance the new Egyptian peoples civil society political changes being brought about by the Arab Spring revolutions. The new Egypt will beyond all reasonable doubts be more responsive to many World issues and expected to be more helpful to the AL/OIC oppressed World. Let's look forwards to the future
more than looking backwards to the past. The global village is changing into a new world order and that's what matters most in future geopolitics of the human races on the entire Earthly planet.
Cheers.
wen somaliland declared independence, i wasnt even born, now i'm happily married to a beautiful girl from Hargeisa, thats rite, she issaq btw. kk the point is me missus is proud of somalia & she hates separation.
she even mentions bout somaliweyn, uniting all somalis under one tree (somalia)
oh & i love my wife!!!
you liar if that's the case you are a kid all isaaqs and most non isaaqs support somaliland to be free don't hate appreciate loool
you're probably not even married because of your hideous pirate look.
married?! the little daqan celis pirate kid, stop begging it.
I don't see anything unusual in what you just said. This livelihood love affair between two spouses is their
human rights issues between men and women. The point is if you are not releasing as usual balloons of bad air(dhuusooyin) then you are really lucky to have a wonderful Issaq partner to take care of your geezer madness! BTW Somaliland and Somalia are under different authorities who will take care of their political
problems and differences with the least bother about your puntlandgeezer wishful thinking! Take a hike and get lost buddy.
Cheers.
I am confident she will bring some sanity to your sorry life.
Egypt's Nile issue with Ethiopia is front and center of it's main connection to the horn. Egypt at point issued a warning to the AU member states that it will walk away from being a member if the issue of Somaliland is brought in for discussion. Egypt is not a friend of Somaliland, and I believe that reason they want to get involved in talks with us is they realized that we are standing our ground of becoming a sovereign nation, and that regardless of the pressure by the Arabs on Somaliland, we are not giving up and going away. Part of my disgust with politicians is that they think that it is tactful to engage with everyone including the snake (i.e. Egypt). We, without an iota of a doubt DO NOT need to engage with this snake.
@Raage
Wake up brothda you talking about the past. Let's talk about the new Egypt and how it will address
the new Egypt in the World arenas. It's yet too early to criticize the new Egypt in the processes of
transforming itself from Military to Civil rules.
Cheers.
Raage says…
Brother where have u been for last 9 months? Egypt is now willing to work with Ethiopia on sharing the Nile since Mubarak was ousted. They have also revoked their cosy relationship with Israel. So why is it so hard for you to believe that they have also changed their stance on S/land?
And please do not call them snakes. Their previous leaders were snakes but the Egyptian nation will now take centre stage in forming a new democratic free middle east. Inshallah We may even stop saying to each other: ‘Iska warran? Waa bariga dhexe!’ Wa billahi tawfiiq…
Somalilanders need to demand a referendum. We must learn from the uprisings by demanding our right for a referundum within Somaliland. The International world cannot ignore the current invasions into Somalia causing the people of Somaliland voice to be suppressed.
We should look into gaining soverignty for Isaaq regions first by calling on a referendum their and if we succed we then allow the remaining regions to cast votes to determine their own destiny. UAE had gone through the same process where by each region called for recognition beginning with Dubai. They then estabilished each area later.
I truly believe this is the time the people of Somaliland can set a firm date for a referundum which will call for each region within Somaliland to vote with international observers.
This is will be the only way for our voices to be heard not by lobying abroad but by first determining democratic vote which will ensure each regions voice is heard on wether they support a their own regions right to handle their own affairs.
regarding UAE if u check ur history mate they were emirates/sheikhdoms before they joined up to form the UAE
they were different sheikhdoms that had special agreement with the british through the Trucial Treaties and got there independence in 1971.
what regions are inhabited by isaaqs………………………the only region i know is toghdeeer.
check your facts before talking m8
and i thought 'Somaliland' was for all the clans that inhabit the former British Somaliland Region i.e The Dhulbahante, Gadaburis and The Warsangeli
@hudaifa,
Isaaq are not just in togdheer. You should check your own info mate.
Somalilanders wether Isaaq or Gadbuursi or Issa or Darood have each got the right to make their voices heard for or against self determination were by an agreement can be reached to support one another on matters of security etc.
EU have already supported Somaliland on their election in 2010. We need to demand the same from IGAD, AU, OIC and the UN. We have not made our rights heard fully. The international community cannot continue supporting the silencing of many who do not wish to be part of the former Somalia especially when it is clear a large part of that region is not in agreement with it nor does it wish to be dragged down with it. Its time for uprising that demands Somalilanders democractic right to self determination. Even if it means break up of Somaliland into several soverign states.
Somaliland's Independence of 1960 and 1991 are both functioning as good as any nation on
the planet and the international community knows fully well. What's your point and problem buddy.
If you are not with reality and reasoning..then keep on panicking or be more realistic in your thinking mode.
Cheers.
I think its evident you aren't seeing outside the box. Also you seem to imply the 1960 Independence is the same as the 1991 which has yet to be recognised. Now that is unrealistic if you ask me.
If you are content with being strung along another 20 years then that's you. Whilst other countries take serious committment and action to realise their rights I don't think we should take ours for granted. I am a conformist and advise from others points towards a call for a referendum being a requirement.
Why are you panicking? Peacefull demonstrations calling for a referendum should be the least we can do. buddy
Listen buddy..we are still too far apart in our views. My view is, the liberation of Somaliland in 1991
is contingent on the permanent Somaliland Independence of 1960. And btw the referendum you
are talking about was already constitutionally exercised and 97+% was in favour pro Somaliland
going away from Somalia partnership Unification which died and burried in 1991 and where since there's no replacing peoples democratic constitutional Govts. are absent upto now.Do I make any
sense to you buddy?
Cheers.
The 2001 referundum you mentioned was followed by a TFG being formed in Somalia by the UN. 10 years later we find they are still there. Without recognising our government. Instead we were appeased with dual track policy, developmental and security aid from the International world. If we are looking for recognition as an Independent soverign country this isn't going towards that but you should find this is decentralized federal system being formed right under you're noses. We need to call a spade a spade mate. Somalilanders shouldn't have to settle for this.
If we are a democracy then we should be able to protest any policy our government is entertaining that isn't doing what we wished for? By being side lined and/or appeased with partial grant of our requests this calls for a protest. Capishe. mate
The 2001 Referendum of Somaliland is permanent. The TFG(Arte) formed in Djibouti and
TFG formed in Kenya under the auspicious sponsorship of the UN and IC donors were
basically for Somalia and Somaliland did not participate in the affairs of Somalia. Since 1991
Somaliland has been seperately functioning on the Independence of 1960. Therefore you see
Somaliland cares a damn about the TFG and their donors.
Cheers.
I really have no trust of the new Egyptians contacts with Somaliland because.The Islam brotherhood has had the most votes on recent polls and the would-be coming Egyptians government
will be predominately Islamic Party, who is completely against the division of Islamic countries and
never will accept Somaliland secession whatsoever. Therefore,. look before you leap and make insure whether helping hand is truely a friendly one or a foe.
really have no trust of the new Egyptians contacts with Somaliland because.The Islam brotherhood has had the most votes on recent polls and the would-be coming Egyptians government
will be predominately Islamic Party, who is completely against the division of Islamic countries and
never will accept Somaliland secession whatsoever. Therefore,. look before you leap and make sure whether this helping hand is truely a friendly one or a foe.
@Musa Mohamud
Brothda the Islamic brotherhood never ruled Egypt and you just can't blame them for their Islamic Religion and being true muslims if they won the election. Egypt is so fed up of Military dictatorship and changing
into civilty is Godly sent blessings. All Somalis should support the new changes in Egypt.
Cheers.
i believe it is too early to engage talks with the military ruled government of Egypt,, Somaliland should wait till a Democratic elected administration is coming into Cairo.
First of all for those that say Egypt is not our friend there is a saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer!
But I think that with all the arab spring goings on that Egypt is no longer the Egypt we knew, this still has to be seen. But we do have an opportunity to make our case with a new democratically elected government form Egypt.
Think about it these people had their own uprising it was bloodly perhaps not like our fighting with Siyaad but they know what its like to struggle against tyraants. Lets hope they remember that when they meet with us and that our minister reminds them that we are not as different nor do our objectives have to be in contradiction. Somaliland is a muslim nation and also strategically placed. We have a democratically elected government.
I think the world is coming to the slow realization that Somalilanders have already held a referendum and are sticking to their guns.
For amal and cheers,
About whether we should negotiate with the sheikh bala ka chini etc. is basically useless. If the minister believes he can change their minds with regards to Somaliland by all means go ahead and try that.
But walalyaal lets be honest these are men that are willing to let their people starve and are building mansions in the west with the aid money. Do you think they have the best interest of Somalis in general and Somalilandes in particular in mind?
No all they know is how to consume ill gotten gains. I dont think anything will come out of those people, if they did it would be because of outside pressure.
To be honest I think that is happening already. People are getting sick and tired of seeing starving somalis on cnn. The rest of the world as well as the arab world and the muslim world and even Africa is starting to ask its self why not Somaliland? Why is this place different.
Even Iman wrote about that in the Huffington Post! Minds are changing!
@ComeAgain.
Amal is a smart lady and I will not speak on her behalf. But speaking for myself, I fully disagree with
your biased twists of understanding the importance of the new Egypt not only for Somaliland but the
entire Global geopolitics. I don't know and care much about the Huffington Post same as I don't care
much about your funny ideas!.
Cheers.
Asalma alaikum To all Somaliland People and Commentators
Before seeking an international recognition and getting rejected everytime, why dont you start locally.
In accordance to the union that was formed between Former British Somaliland(BS) and Italian Somaliland in 1960, both parties signed the agreement to unite and form somalia.
Granted that the residents of the BS feel victimised under the Barre regime and isolated interms of political, social and econimc stuff, but calling for independence without the presence of an established Somali Goverment is total wrong and doesnt comply with the international laws.
Take the case of South Sudan, they achieved their nationhood through dialogue and mediation with the legitimate Sudanese goverment.only then did then come to un understanding and hence their success.
My advice the people of Somaliland is focus in helping building a legitimate somali goverment( i no its a long shot due to different ideologies due to clan politics and fanatics). you dont have to participate in matter regarding somalia but help with reconciliation process and when there is a govverment introduce your succession and independence brief.
then is when you will gain not only the recognition you want but be seen by (those western powers you yern recognition from )as truely as a candidate for being a new country.
thats my two cents
macsalamah
A good example is when two people are filling for a divorce in a court. By law both parties are meant to be present in order to continue the process the divorce and formalise separation.
Apply thihs to the Somaliland issue, how can the representative of British Somaliland file for separation from the union without legitimate Italian Somaliland goverment that is wiedly accepted.
contemplate on this. is it justified to seek recognition from western powers without first talking to the somali goverment.
Your assuming that Somaliland holds somalia as sovergn over it which it doesnt so we cant talk about recognition when we dont acknowledge you as our overlords! Get it! Sometimes a spouse has to leave a troubled marriage even if the other party throws a hissy fit