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SOMALILAND: President meets British Minister for Africa, Anglo-Lander Chamber established
November 24, 2010 · 33 Comments
LONDON (Somalilandpress) — Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo met with British Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Wednesday morning to discuss a wide range of issues.
According to a Government House release signed by Chief of Cabinet, Mr. Hersi Ali H. Hassan, the president was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, Planning Minister, Dr. Sa’ad Ali Shire and Somaliland representative to the UK, Mr. Ahmed Omar.
The two sides discussed democracy, security, development and trade including British investment in Somaliland and other bilateral issues.
President Silanyo briefed Mr. Bellingham on Somaliland’s progress in the areas of democracy, integrity, stability, services and human rights.
The minister on his behave congratulated the president on the historical June-elections that brought him to power and the peaceful transition of power in the country.
Mr. Bellingham was also pleased with Somaliland’s relationship with it’s neighbors in particular Djibouti and Ethiopia.
Minister Henry Bellingham and Somaliland delegation (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
Other issues discussed included how the government of Britain could assist Somaliland gain Commonwealth membership, help modernize and improve general elections and assist in the areas of development and security.
On another front, last night — President Silanyo and Minister Bellingham unveiled a new economic cooperation center dubbed Anglo-Somaliland Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber will promote trade and investment between the United Kingdom and Somaliland’s private sector and will help foster a cooperation between the two sides.
A number of British firms from large corporations to a host of small businesses are bound for Somaliland to study the country’s investment potentials in the coming months.
The opening ceremony was attended by the visiting Somaliland delegation, British Ministers, Members of the House of Lords and businesses delegations from some of Britain’s major corporations.
Somaliland born and British businessman, Mohamed Yusuf played a crucial role in making the Chamber possible.
Right: Mr Yusuf, Minister Bellingham, President Silanyo and first lady Amina Weris (Anglo-Somaliland)
“I welcome the newly elected President of Somaliland who is present for the unveiling of this economic center which will encourage and promote Somaliland-British trade,” Mr Yusuf said.
President Silanyo who also addressed the more than 100 attendees said he welcomed the Chamber and looked forward to working with the British investors.
Minister Bellingham praised Mr Yusuf’s efforts in helping the two countries forge close relations and said the British companies could help strengthen Somaliland’s private sectors and improve the living conditions.
Separtely, opposition vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Mohamed Rashid, who is traveling with the president held a number of meetings with Somaliland Diaspora community in London and Members of the House of Lords including Lord Eric Avebury.
Dr. Rashid was recently appointed by the president to head a Recognition Committee –whose job is to find ways to help Somaliland obtain international recognition.
Dr. Rashid also held important talks with British groups that advocate for the recognition of Somaliland called Friends of Somaliland.
While the meeting was underway, the Somaliland delegation ran into a delegation from South Sudan, who were also holding a similar event in the same hotel.
Dr Rashid with Members of House of Lords
The South Sudanese delegation said they were aware of Somaliland’s status and it was a role model in the region engulfed by years of unrests and civil wars.
The Somaliland delegation on their side told the South Sudanese, they look forward to birth of a new nation, South Sudan and working closely with them.
Southern Sudan will hold a referendum on whether or not it should remain as a part of Sudan on 9 January 2011. In 2001, Somaliland held a similar vote — 97.1% of them voted in favour of the constitutionthat affirmed Somaliland’s independence from Somalia as a separate state. Somaliland was a former British Protectorate that acquired it’s independence on June 26th 1960 and voluntarily unified it’s southern neighbor to form what was known as Somalia, a country that has since collapsed and registered number one for list of failed states, stateless and corruption.
The President and his delegation who were in the country for the past week will next visit the House of Lords after receiving an invitation from Lord St. John of Bletso.
On Friday, the President will be the guest speaker at the all important Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House and will discuss the topic of Somaliland prospect (see President Silaanyo expected to address Chatham House).
Somalilandpress | Thursday, 25 November 2010
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Tags: Anglo-Somaliland Chamber of Commerce, Britain, Henry Bellingham, John of Blets, Somaliland, UK, United Kingdom
Readers Comments (33)
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Good progress
Mr Qalinle, Somaliland retreated from the union to be a separate State. We did not seek Independence from Somalia. Somalia did not conquered Somaliland or colonized it, we voluntarily joined the union and voluntarily retreated from the union.
We were a Nation recognized by over 35 countries. So, please be careful when posting topics, news etc.
The Anglo-Somaliland Chamber is very important and a milestone. They need to open offices both in London and in Hargeisa.
A lot of British companies are already on their way to Hargeisa including Enex Energy. The new British corporate in engagement with Somaliland is called "economic recognition".
British railways should invest in a railway between Berbera and Addis Ababa and from Erigavo to Borama then to Djibouti.
We need railways. Movement of people is very crucial, the best way to connect Africa is through railways the others require cars, petrol etc, not everyone in Africa has a car and buses often break down, roads are too expensive, railway is the solution.
i welcome this crucial relationship , there are many issues that the two friendly countries collaborate including Energy exploration, Science & technology, Knowledge sharing and finally War on terror/pirates.
Asalamu Alaikum
I give the President my dua that he does what is in the best interest of Somaliland, not looking to sell our country short in order to speed up the recognition process. We must tread softly with any foriegn government when and if we make deals and agreements that affect our people. Inshallah the meetings go well though.
P.S. come to Canada, we have a very strong active Somaliland community here. I would be a shame if you missed us.
It's important to get some kind of investment from British companies, most of them are known for their fair reputation and equal treatment for their host nation and their employees unlike the Chinese and others.
What we need to get is investments for the Port of Berbera, commercial fishing, mining and minerals, oil and energy (Somaliland has proven deposits).
This is good progress by the new administration, I'm also aware another delegation led by the Resource minister is in Kenya where they talking to international community to help Hargeisa develop new water projects as well as other Somaliland cities.
The President and the administration has to distribute the projects and funds fairly and develop all Somaliland towns, communities and cities not just Hargeisa.
We have to remember Erigavo, Borama, Burao, Berbera (the most important city for us right now) and Las Anod.
We welcome the new development between Somaliland and Britain. The Conservative, Liberals, House of Lords are always friends of Somaliland.
We know its tough times for the people of UK in particular Ireland, our good wishes and prayers, every thing recovers and things go back to normal.
Ireland is not part of the UK.
I know Ireland isnt part of the UK but the UK is bailing them out with their tax payers money and its UK's number one trading partner.
tell him Ahmed IRLAND is par of the UK KKK
I welcome for the president visit to the UK and his delegate including the foreign minister, the fact the UK does not object of the sovereignty of the somaliland people but they always insisted that somali itself should recognised one another and also seek the recognition of African countries before us so basically we must confuse.
At long last the Somaliland with the right leadership is finding its way through
to the proper channels of Great Britain given that the S/Land was a British Protectorate for 84
years and gained honourable Independence on 26 June 1960. Without doubt the British a
Contemporary World major supreme power of the EU Bloc, Basin Countries is in the most
suitable position to develop the S/Land infrasturucture. Without doubt there's much win-win
for both Nations and one can only bless this S/land official trip to London could mean so much
progress including the green light for achieving the S/land much need recognition to become
a free Sovereign State joining the free Nations of UN. The question for S/land becoming a member
of the British Commonwealth Countries is another positive issue.
Cheers.
Correction: Much needed recognition.
Relax People recognition is not everything. We need work hard. We must work smart. We must work together.We must forget about this non-sense triblism stuff. Then and only then are we going to overcome all these challenges facing us day. Trust me we would be unbeatable.
Recognition is everything…make no mistake…without it …is like prison.
I just can't see how you can be free enterprise if recognition is missing.
Cheers.
It's warm news for both UK and Somaliland. It is a right step towards development and progress. I commend and appreciate Silanyo's delegation who reserved no effort in knocking every door possible. In the meantime, I am happy that finaly we understood what we are searching. We want development and not mere recognition. no one can recognise us straight forward but our people need investment. it's those companies from UK that will convince their country to recognise us, because they will witness their success in Somaliland. Well done and keep up the good work.
Buurta wagareed, can u differeciate for us between UNITED KINGDOM, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND AND NORTH-IRELAND…… IT'S REALLY COMPLICATED
Northern Ireland is integral part of United Kingdom but Republic of Ireland is an independent
country free from the UK. MR. Osman What kind of motive prompted you to to raise such irony
and what's so really complicated?.
Cheers.
That's the second attempt of my post that was deleted by the administrator as i questioned both the timing of the visit.
the queen is in the UAE and so are the top officials from the Foreign Office, so visit now couldn't it have awaited until the queens state visit to the UAE ended or is the President not feeling well and needs some treatment?
Abdisamad ..I see that's the second attempt of your post was deleted by the Administrator
as you questioned both the timing of the visit…you know why…Simply put the system is so
smart to have found out that you are not being realistically genuine with your comments..
that's why the admin rejects you with good backlash kicks exactly in the same fashion a prey
donkey tries desperate kicks!. Trust me it happens to me too. Peace.
Cheers.
Osman That is true it is very hard to tell the difference b/w alll these little lands. The whole place UK I-LAND IS SMALLER THEN NEW JERSY KKKK.
MR. B.W. what's your point. isn't N.Ireland integral part of the UK.Don't get confused between
Belfast and Dublin!.
Cheers.
Hell with you Somaliland people. You guys are not rationale, so I declare hence forward that Buurta Wagareed and its sorrounded areas to be seperate and independent nation. Its capital city will be Suuqsade, second capital city will be Gugux and third city will Gidhays. Roughly the country will be150 km square. it will have its own currency, flag, army, and national anthem. The reason why we want to be a seperate country is becuase the people of Somaliland think Somaliland only consist Hargeiysa and Boorame.
MR. B.W..Bon Voyage..am out.
Cheers.
No one even knows the villages your naming or this "buur" thus no one cares.
You see Keyse, Most people are clueless like you. I bet you don't know where Beer is? Or maybe Ceel afwayn or Garadag. I don't think you even know where hudisa is. So if you care to learn your land google SL-map son. You will see Wagar Mountaints son.
Warya Buurta Wagareed..hadaba halka ku jooji oo ummadda hareerta ka raac.
Did you read the good article in the opinion page (HWN) written by your Abwaan Deero.
That Article should make you a real Garadag Somalilander. Peace.
Cheers.
Cont'd
Btw if you B.W. Guban Garadag or OOGHudisa ..whichever ..W/Bari Sanaag Sool and
Togdheer Regions are as precious as the W/Galbeed Harg.Maroodi jeex Awdal and
(Central Saaxil like West-East EU blocs.). All S/land is precious and equally one Nation.Peace.
Cheers.
I dont need to know villages all I need to know is the main towns and there is a country called Somaliland. I dont care about villages or camping sights. I will call you when I need to camp out sxb. Btw they all weird names.
I have read as much as possible all the comments, the fact that they were all in one discussion which is the self rule but let me say that the recognition is still a long way off as far as we are concern, first the road path to achieve this is not yet found, secondly we are not speaking correctly and ask yourself who has given up its sovereignty first? when Somali democratic republic was set up in the 1960, it was the north before even the south was free by the Italian, I therefore see no reason why we do not talk to the south although in current climate situation in the south its mess up but however if we bilaterally help their cause to stabilize in vice diversity and try to bring a peace, while we are in aiding with puntland state or some small states in the centre and as far as southern region up to kismayo then we can come a long way to success of our mission or fail it completely but nevertheless we have done neither, so in my judgment I hope that the current administration of Somaliland start some sort of approach, and engagement not self reunion in the absence of mandate of Somaliland people but by smoothly moving in softly manner to support the TFG and I hope it will open up the doors for us. please remember sovereignty is not came an easy way, so its got steps to take it in order to achieve it and we must do that, forget of coming to see the British or Americans who are working their own interest. I know that if they want to accept us as sovereign nation they can do it in straight way, no problem but what comes first who are you? What are the interest and the advantage to gain for it?
No sir, the SL is just doing fine without unnecessary needless implications concerning
Somalia and Puntland.
Cheers.
No need to waste time talking to the South, they will follow whatever Somaliland does one by one. Everyone will abandon Mogadishu and that is the road we will push for and so far its working we already have Puntland, Hiiraanland, Waq and Wab land or something, Galmudug State, South West State (Baydhabo)…they might all claim to be part of "federal Somalia" but once Somaliland leaves them they will declare their own independence one by one and Somaliland can recognize those who serve our interest such as Galmudug State.
Is anybody listening..if the South wants real peace within themselves they must file behind Ina Bubba to become the President or the PM if he's really interested to form a political dir party against Darood Party thus the South has two main parties of Dir and Darod. This new arrangement will take off all the South political conflicts and mayhem. This will get rid of the worthless TFG and all the Islamic fighting forces. It will also get rid of the Amisom forces. Once again Somalia will be re-born and become strong. Forget about new Constitution that will come from future well grounded Govts. Meantime the S/land must be allowed to have its own inspiration goals of becoming fully independent Sovereignty free from Somalia. Cheers.