Somaliland
New Somaliland leader to fight for international recognition
July 2, 2010 · 17 Comments
HARGEISA (Somalilandpress) — The newly-elected president of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo, vowed Friday to campaign “vigorously” for international recognition of his breakaway republic in the Horn of Africa.
“During my tenure as president I will vigorously fight for the recognition of Somaliland. The world must recognise our democracy,” Silaanyo told AFP a day after the announcement of his election victory.
“The first part of recognition of our independence is acquired as our people recognise themselves as a free country. What we are seeking is recognition by the outside world,” he said in an interview.
Silaanyo, a member of the dominant Issak clan, studied economics in Britain and served in the government of former Somali president Mohamed Siad Barre.
A former British colony tacked on to Somalia when the latter gained independence from Italy in 1960, Somaliland has remained reasonably stable, spared the clan warfare that has dogged Somalia thanks to the domination of the Issaks.
It broke away from Somalia in 1991, after the overthrow of Siad Barre plunged the country into chaos and anarchy.
An official of the hardline Shebab militia that controls much of southern Somalia said: “The election is a sham and a dictation of anti-Islamic forces.”
“Silaanyo must denounce secession and implement Sharia (Islamic law). As far as the Shebab are concerned… Somalia is united and we won’t succumb to division,” said the official who did not want to be named.
Silaanyo, elected for a five-year term, said his government will “concentrate on development and rehabilitation of public services”.
He expressed gratitude to outgoing president Dahir Riyale Kahin, from the Gaddabursi clan, “for his services to the nation, including the holding of democratic elections”.
On Friday evening Kahin accepted defeat gracefully.
“This was a friendly match and at the end somebody had to emerge as a winner. I congratulate President Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo and his Kulmiye party for winning the presidential election,” Kahin told journalists.
“I will remain in the country as an opposition leader and I will hand over my responsibilities immediately, in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that as “the founder of democratic pillars in Somaliland” he did not want to undermine that achievement.
Silaanyo said he would maintain close links with Ethiopia and called on Somalia to sort out its problems.
“Our neighbour Somalia needs peace more than anyone and it is the Somalis themselves who can achieve that. We are praying for peace in their country,” he said.
“The Ethiopians are our neighbours. They have always been friends of Somaliland,” said Silaanyo, who takes over from his predecessor who came to power in 2002.
Silaanyo’s election marks the second democratic transfer of power in Somaliland since 1991.
Source: AFP | Saturday, 3 July 2010
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Tags: Election, June 26, President, Somaliland, Vote
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This is why pro-Union groups are dangerous they have same views and ideologies as the dangerous Al shebab. Somaliland, Kenya, Ethiopia and the West must never accept or welcome fanatic groups who hide behind Union because denying Somaliland and its democracy is the core value of al shabeb and al qaeda. No liberty no freedom and want to take every thing by force.
We say no to al shabeb (union group) and other fake groups and terrorism.
President Siilaanyo and PM Meles have to clean up all border towns including Buhodle, Haud region and focus their attention to Puntland region, they should end haboring terrorist groups and pirates.
I, as many mentioned before do not congratulating this president because there is nothing he accomplished yet. Many people doubt a lot if promises taken by kulmiye will be delivered, but we closely monitoring his first 100 days and actions taken, whichwill have a significant impact for upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections as well.
god bless Somaliland
President Silaayo has a huge responsibility and huge challenges ahead. He had to plan, prioritize and tackle one things one a time. Besides, he should surround himself with competent staff who could deliver.
My best wishes for the new leader.
“Our neighbour Somalia needs peace more than anyone and it is the Somalis themselves who can achieve that. We are praying for peace in their country,” he said.
Sad that Silanyo doesn't want to help ''Somalia''.
Well done Silaanyo and welcome onboard
The majority of the people of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn regions did not even vote in the recent elections, maybe a tiny few. The people of that region are united in their endeavour to unite Somalis as one nation, not weak canton states, emerging everyday from the orders of Meles Zenawi.
Yes they did actually. In both Sanaag and Sool (and in my opinion what you Pundlanders call 'Cayn' is far too small a 'region' on your map to be even considered that). Only the extreme most villages, neighbouring Puntland did the votes not take places to maintain local peace.
Abdi. What’s even more sadder is the fact the Somalis don’t want to help their own country Somalia. The UN, EU, USA, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djebouti will not fix you problems for you it’s is unto you to clean you mess not owe job.
M.A. Salah
Ma ogi goboladaad ka sheekaynayso Sool Sanaag iyo Cayn anigaa iska leh waana laga codeeyay lagana codayn doonaa hadii aad sidaa jeceshay may dhicin ee Somaliland oodhan ayay ka dhacday waxaa sidaa sheegay malaha waad hurudaaye dhamaan dadkii observerska ahaa ee ka yimi dibada iyo gudahaba every where in the wold there is some problems which is fit to ignore ha weyneyn waxaas Sool iyo Sanaagna dadka reer somaliland ayaa leh wada dega cidna si gaar ah uma sheegan karto adigu maxaad ahayd? anagaa iska leh dhulkayaga cidaan doono ayaan wax ku darsanayaaye adigu naftaada u tali intaadan afkaaga ku durin somaliland riyo haday dub leeyihiin dabadooday ku qarin lahaayeen caruurtaada u tasho kuwaygii waan u tashaday Somaliland way socotee wadno xanuun ha udhiman iskana daa xaasidnimada waxaasi waa waxa godka idinku riday ee aad uga soo bixi kari la'dihiine
M.A. Saleh
Dont tell about Sool,Sanaag or Hergiesa Somaliland moved forward and is now a democratic country where are you try to re-stablish your country riyo haday dub leeyihiin dabadooday ku qarin lahaayeene dont waste your time about a unity and hadal aabihii la aasay beri hore.
That does it— we have proven a point!!
Indeed, you've proven to Ethiopia how expendable our people really are for foreign interests, indeed.
Agree with my bro Somali-way-Ogaden. These people do not know how to debate in a rational way. They jump on the 'tribal bandwagon' immediately when one opposes the division of our Motherland.
Mr MA SALAH
what 'tribal bandwagon'? you're the only one who uttered the word tribe in the above discussion. Those people who appose Somaliland such as yourself are deaf blind and hysterical and you're hate towards the people of somaliland has caused you these symptoms and I really dont mean that as an insult but its an observation. Rather than working towards peace for the 'motherland', you're more worried about what Somaliland may or may not achieve,will or will not do and who it has ties with etc. Now I admit that Somaliland politics are not free from Ethio/western influence but then who is?? is the TFG? is Puntland? is Shebab? the answer is no, but the difference between YOU and Somalilanders is that we're willing and determined to move forward and you're not because you're deaf blind and hysterical so go and be petrified in your contumacy.
SOMALILAND4EVER
long live united Somaliya, i hope press silanyo dont became just another slave for the habasha, i hope Somaliland region sends army to fight the shabab, its time to rule the nation from Hargaisa
It is sad how most discussions here end up. It is one thing not to agree with the decisions Somalilanders made to stand on their own and mind their own business, but another to be driven by pure hatred and belittle the globally accredited efforts and achievements of Somaliland. Only few sad individuals who are misled and misinformed by their own reer representatives (caaqil/suldan) do so.
President Silaanyo is right to say that the Somalis in Somalia should solve their problems. After all, Somaliland did so on their own, so why can’t they? They should fellow example, it is not rock science; just care enough about your people and country and show patriotism. If they really want our help in doing so, they don’t need to beg or act victim to get sympathy from us. No, just be happy for us and we will happily work with you to achieve peace, to say the least :)