A delegation from Somaliland met with foreign countries representatives in Nairobi, Kenya, the Horn newspaper can reveal. The delegation was led by minister of foreign affairs and International cooperation Mr.Sa’ad Ali Shire who was accompanied by minister of health Mr.SuleimanIssaAhmed, the chief justice Mr.Adan Ali Ahmed. They met with several diplomats on Friday in a marathon meeting that started last Monday.
There was no official communiqué from the meeting; however the Horn Newspaper got wind of what transpired from a reliable source. According to our informant this meeting was ranked most important of all meetings held before for Somaliland by members of international community. Somaliland delegation presented a prepared report to the diplomatic corps at the same time the ambassador asked the Somaliland delegation issues they were concerned about.
On their first meeting according to news reaching the Horn Newspaper they meet with envoys from Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland who were flanked by British diplomats. They also on the same day met with deputy secretary general of the UN who invited them at UN head office at Gigiri in Nairobi.
They also met with Ireland ambassador to Kenya and German, Japan, France, Holland representatives. The delegation engaged with UN monitoring group and held talks Britain’s DFID.
Somaliland representatives told member of global community the state of affairs in the country stressing the importance of increased funding for development programs which is vital to national security.
They held talks with World Bank and Africa Development Bank officials. According to our source the most important meeting was held on Friday and was at EU head office in Nairobi which was attended by 16 ambassadors. The donors’ representatives voiced their concern on many issues to be precise peace and security, economic development, PRESS freedom and holding of elections on time. They said these if not put into account may damage Somaliland standing in the eyes of international community.
On the other hand Somaliland representatives informed diplomats of the security situation of Somaliland presently which they termed as excellent. They told the envoys that Somaliland is ready to hold election on time and informed them that the government has set aside the money for the election and requested the donor countries to pay for the remainder which they had pledged.
The delegation also held a meeting of interest with America’s ambassador to Kenya where they discussed important issue pertaining Somaliland national security for instance the recent announcement by warmonger Mr. Ali Khalif Galayd who bragged that the United States government will be funding his tribal fiefdom of Khatumo, which did not augur well with Somaliland but the Americans denied the warlord sentiments as utter rubbish.
America envoy in Kenya refuted Mr. Khalif allegation confirming that the USA cannot work to wreck Somaliland peace and stability.
The US envoy voiced his concern about the recent move by Somaliland government to put off the air Voice of America Somali radio service as the meeting coincided with the same day the station went on black out in Hargeisa.
The US pledged to help Somaliland to modernize her judiciary as the country chief Justice Mr. Adam was present at the meeting. They requested the government of Somaliland to respect press freedom and stop hastily closing VOA without consulting with the embassy.
Hornnewspaper
