The general manager of Dahabshiil Group Mr. Abdirashid Mohamed Duale held a worthwhile meeting with a delegation of Dutch diplomats that focused on the role that Somali businessmen take in development projects.
They pondered on similar important issues that can be realized by working together now and in the future in concerted efforts by the entrepreneurs, governments and international organizations that would go down well in creating job employments, development and thus alleviate poverty.
They parleyed on the role of Somali businessmen in development and what can be supported.
The Dahabshiil Company has close cooperation with some international countries to support Somali development programs, especially in renewable energy projects.
MP Gavin Williamson, one of the members of the House of Commons of the UK Parliament, congratulated the people of Somaliland on the commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the National Day of Somaliland on 18 May.
Mr. Gavin Williamson, who published a brief message of congratulations and congratulations on his Facebook page, promised to continue his support for the cause of Somaliland’s recognition in his capacity as a member of UK MPS who are steadfast in seeing to it that Somaliland gets recognition.
“I congratulate all the people of Somaliland on the 33rd anniversary of the day they reverted to their independence. I stand with you in your struggle, and I welcome the progress that has been made in the efforts to recognize your nation,” said MP Williamson, adding, “I will do everything possible to see to it that the Republic of Somaliland becomes an independent nation”.
The Somaliland National Intelligence Agency has in recent times been a formidable institution with its performance fledgling following the stewardship of the incumbent Commander of the outfit Mustafa Mohamed Hassan alias Ba’lul.
Reportedly, he has brought positive tangible changes for the better in all aspects of the institution’s general modus operandi during his leadership of the agency.
The National Intelligence agency of Somaliland, which is in charge of the overall security intelligence and protection of Somaliland’s national interests inside and outside the country, has recently had its services being greatly welcomed by the members of the public for the measures they have taken to strengthen security.
As witnessed, the major campaign to educate the public and inform them on the security agencies’ efforts and the imperativeness of the concerted ways of means that the members of the public would supplement on bolstering the services, various hotlines were established that are manned full time.
Of note is the number 9000 dial calls that are provided by both Telesom and Somtel services.
Equally provided is a security threat prevention center that is open 24 hours a day.
Improvements have been made in the proficiency and skills of the security officers and general staffers of the agency.
He strengthened foreign relations and worked to make many friends to help Somaliland in its associated aspirations.
All regional offices have been revamped and equipped with a lot of equipment such as quality vehicles, specialized facilities, and the improvement of strategic services.
The most appropriate means of public rapport has been established just as the human resource sector of the agency now deals with the welfare of the staffers more apt.
Given the positive development steps the commander has been steering the agency, it is believed that the sky is the limit in their performances just as the members of the public has become very contented with the services they render.
The new president of Taiwan, William Lai, has vouched that his administration will continue its relations with the Republic of Somaliland.
President William Lai who held a meeting with the delegation from the Republic of Somaliland last Monday who attended his inauguration led by the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate Hon. Saeed Jama Ali said that his administration gives importance to Africa.
He promised at the meeting to continue the cooperation and relations between the Republic of Somaliland and Taiwan.
Hon. Saeed Jama Ali highlighted that there are many aspects of cooperation in Taiwan hence they are committed to strengthening their relations.
He congratulated the new President of Taiwan William Lai and his vice president Hsiao Bi-khim for their election and pointed out that the relations between Somaliland and Taiwan have improved immensely in recent years.
The Somaliland delegation graced the occasion with their presence as part of the 51 international delegations that is attending the inauguration of the 16th elected president of Taiwan
The Somaliland delegation included the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rooda Jama Ilmi, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives Hon. Mohamed Hassan Saeed and MP Omar Jama Farah from the same Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Representatives.
Ready to devise amicable foreign policy towards Addis
The second largest and leading opposition party in Somaliland welcomed the recently inked Addis Ababa, Hargeisa sea access deal while calling for more work for its effectuation.
Waddani National Party which reportedly stood second in the last poll with approximately 42% of the votes also cherished the all-round ties between the neighboring peoples.
The national party which is bracing for the upcoming election also pledges to come up with a policy that heightens the bilateral cooperation between Addis and Hargeisa.
“Our party’s position is that we welcome any agreement that elevates cooperation and cultivates trust between the two brotherly peoples,” said Party Shadow Minister of Information Mahmoud Adam Jama speaking to The Ethiopian Herald.
“Our party is confident that Ethiopia is genuine in its relationship with Somaliland,” the spokesperson added.
The party is also optimistic that the partnership between Ethiopia and Somaliland will witness elevation under its leadership should the party win a national poll.
Adam said his party encourages the Ethiopian government to access Somaliland’s sea and build infrastructure. Peaceful border and security are in the best interest of both sides.
Somaliland has the right to reach an agreement with any country. What matters is to make sure any agreement is beneficial to all the parties.
That is what Somaliland did and continues to do, the spokesperson added.
Better known as Waddani, the party also seeks elevated ties with Ethiopia with or without power. “We welcome any agreement which enhances the two countries standing and mutual benefits,”
If the Waddani party gets elected in the next election, it plans to give a fresh boost to relations between the two neighbors in terms of economic engagement, security cooperation and people-to-people relations. Ethiopia has been by our side during Somalilanders’ turbulent years.
“The two sides have much room for cooperation with complementary interests.
Somaliland can export fish while Ethiopia can utilize the sea access. Berbera can be a good area of collaboration. We hope the country will get a preferential rate in the port.”
The inaugural session of a stakeholder dialogue series on leveraging the economic development and migration nexus in cities and towns along the Berbera Corridor will take place on 26 May 2024 in Jigjiga, Ethiopia.
The Berbera Corridor is a strategic investment in cross-border trade and infrastructure development. The initiative aims to construct a modern infrastructure and logistics line stretching from the port town of Berbera, Somaliland, to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
With the World Bank projecting a six-fold increase in trade volume by 2050, the Berbera Corridor will become a vital hub for regional trade and logistics. It will facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people and catalyse economic growth.
This development also brings to light the complex dynamics of migration. The Berbera Corridor overlaps an informal migration route from Ethiopia to Yemen, and its cities and small towns are likely to experience a surge of inward migration driven by the prospect of economic opportunities.
The influx of migrants is a dilemma, presenting both the potential for a vibrant economic zone and the risks of uncontrolled informal settlements, proliferation of slums, and social and political unrest.
To address these complex challenges, Cities Alliance is fostering critical discussions among stakeholders on leveraging the migration dynamics in the region, including through a project in the Berbera Corridor. In partnership with Jigjiga City, the capital of the Ethiopian Somali region, and Jigjiga University, it has initiated a series of stakeholder dialogues on ‘Managing Migration Dynamics along the Berbera Corridor.’
The inaugural Dialogue will take place on 26 May 2024, in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, marking a significant step forward in tackling the issues. It is expected to convene diverse participants, including Cities Alliance partner cities within the Berbera Corridor’s zone of influence, regional and national governments, and key stakeholders in mobility, human security, and economic development.
The Dialogue aims to deepen the collective understanding of the region’s migration patterns, spotlighting the opportunities and challenges ahead. It is envisioned as a strategic move to harness migration dynamics for the betterment of the region, enhancing job creation and service provision. It also serves as a platform for cities, and regional, and national governments to foresee potential risks and strategise on risk aversion and mitigation measures.
The Welsh Somalilanders have commemorated the 33rd National Day of the Republic of Somaliland with a series of events in Cardiff this weekend.
Wales is home to one of the largest and most established Somaliland communities in the UK, with a history dating back to the 1800s.
This weekend’s celebrations commenced on Saturday (18 May) with the ceremonial raising of the Somaliland flag at Cardiff Castle on the corner bastion.
Subsequently, the Welsh Somaliland community convened for a Family Fun Day and Celebration at the Grange Pavilion for an afternoon of guest speakers and local leaders sharing messages of solidarity and praise for Somaliland’s achievements as a beacon of peace.
The Welsh Somaliland community has commemorated the National Day of the Republic of Somaliland this weekend
National colors
This was followed by the illumination of the castle walls in green, white, and red, the national colors of the Republic of Somaliland.
The Wales Millennium Centre also joined the celebrations by lighting its inscription lights in the colors of the Somaliland flag.
In Somaliland, the capital city, Hargeisa, was at the center of festivities, with the streets adorned with the Somaliland flag’s red, white, and green, and public squares filled with music, traditional dances, and speeches.
President Muse Bihi Abdi addressed the nation, emphasizing the progress made over the past three decades and the aspirations for future development.
“Today, we celebrate not just our independence but our unwavering spirit and collective achievements. Despite the challenges, we have shown the world that Somaliland is a beacon of peace and democracy in the Horn of Africa,” he said.
Memorandum of Understanding
Somaliland recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ethiopia, which has intensified calls for the United Kingdom and other countries to follow suit and formally recognize the nation.
Mr. Ali Abdi BEM, Executive Member of the 18 May Preparation Committee with the Wales Somaliland Community, said: “Wales has for a long time welcomed Somalilanders, and we have contributed much to the landscape.
“This year’s celebrations have raised the bar with such remarkable events and displays, which send a strong message to Somaliland that Wales recognizes how far they’ve come and supports their pursuit of recognition
As he adds that implementation process of the Somaliland-Ethiopia MoU is at an advanced stage
By M.A. Egge
Somaliland government has once again reiterated that the implementation of the Somaliland-Ethiopia MoU that was signed between the two countries on the first day of the first month of this year by the leaders of both nations is on course and at an advanced stage.
The state at the same time has confirmed the upgrading of Ethiopian consular office in Hargeisa, Somaliland as a full embassy as first disclosed by the Head of State H.E. President Musa Bihi Abdi in his address to the nation in the occasion of the national 18th May celebrations.
The elaborative sentiments were made by the Information, Culture and National Guidance minister Hon. Ali Hassan Mohamed, alias Ali-Marehaan on Saturday during an interview with BBC Somali Service monitored by the THT.
The minister emphasized that the upgrading of the Ethiopian representative office in Somaliland to a fully fledged one was officially a bonafide information since it was revealed by none other than the President himself in his speech to the nation during the most important date of the government calendar.
He similarly reiterated that the agreement of the crucial bilateral relations in the said MoU between both countries was right on course and would be implemented duly and in due cause as per procedural international treaties, a fact that he said the Head of State himself addressed in his speech.
Hon. Ali made it clear that the latest development in Somaliland-Ethiopia relations is not a new chapter of policies, but indeed, it is the apex of a three-decade old of multi-prong bilateral relations that fledge and bolster even more as time goes hence has concretely solidified.
In responding to prods of queries by the interviewer, the minister was vivid that the government of Mogadishu does not hold any sway over Somaliland and that the charting of the future of the country was not in any way the concern of Somalia at all.
He made it clear that the nation of the Republic of Somaliland had a healthy relation with Ethiopia long before the Mogadishu government built a semblance of governance institutions in their own back-yard.
He similarly pointed out that the Somaliland-Ethiopia border was far much longer than that shared with Somalia hence its bulk of economical, social and security relations has been for eons.
He assured the listeners that Somaliland aspirations were on course as envisioned
Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) announced on Saturday that they seized illegal weapons and dismantled a network of suspected operating from the coastal city of Bosaso,
Security officials intercepted a truck laden with illegal weapons in the Bosaso region, arresting the driver and four individuals believed to be involved in weapons smuggling, according to a Puntland Police statement.
The Police confirmed that the arrested suspects are set to face legal action, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to uphold the law and ensure maritime security. The operation is a part of Puntland’s broader initiative to combat piracy and illegal arms trafficking, underscoring the persistent threat along Somalia’s coastline.
Puntland has meanwhile seen an increased apprehension of arms smugglers and confiscated numerous caches of arms with the lifting of the UN Security Council Arms embargo to non-state actors, allowing arms supplies to Somali government forces.
The weapons are reportedly illegally trafficked to terrorist and organized criminal groups in Somalia and the Sool region in Somaliland, increasing the possibility of violence against civilians, and funding further illicit activity, in the wider Horn region.
TheSomaliland National Party “WADDANI” helda commemoration event marking the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of Somaliland’s Independence from the failed Somali Republic government led by the late Dictator Mohamed Siyad Barre government.
Hon. Hersi Haji Ali, the Chairman of the Somaliland National Party “WADDANI” speakingto party supporters attending the event marking the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of Somaliland Independence said, “I would like to use this opportunity to express my congratulations to fellow Somalilanders, members of the various Somaliland Armed Forces and party followers on the occasion marking the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of Somaliland Independence.
Hon. Hersi Haji Ali, further added that The Somaliland National Party “WADDANI” will improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families. “Our service members represent the best our nation has to offer and our central to our national security, and we shall prioritize funding for military quality of life improvements as stated in our party manifesto. He promised to work towards releasing the members of the Somaliland Armed Forces currently held as prisoners by the SSC tribal militias in the Sool region.
“Once upon elected the Somaliland National Party “WADDANI” shall improve the living conditions of the members of the armed force by providing them with a pay rise, free housing and accommodations, and access to medical care, including health services for family members”, he said.
Hon. Hersi Haji Ali further went on to say that the Somaliland National Party “WADDANI” upon elected shall also review the structure of the armed forces and the methods used to award ranks and they shall abolish all tribal armed militias by incorporating them into the various establishments of the national armed forces
He added the President of the Republic of Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi today in his speech pledged to ensure a level playing field in the upcoming Presidential elections, and also echoed former President Dahir Rayale’s words of wisdom that cautioned against virulent words by politicians during the electioneering campaigns period.
Hon. Hersi Haji Ali, the Chairman of the Somaliland National Party “WADDANI” urged party members and followers against hate speeches, malicious and mockery in public utterances that may fan seeds of discord among the communities and tarnish the party. He urged party members to ready themselves for the upcoming Presidential elections slated for the end of the year.
