By Goth Mohamed Goth
QUESTION 1: Start by introductions e.g. Name and brief background if necessary?
Answer I am the voice of the African communities within the West Midlands and fellow of the Birmingham Society. As an active citizen of the second largest city of the United Kingdom, I have been part of multiple Boards of organizations throughout the years, including the West Midlands Police and Crime Commission, Birmingham East Police IAG, the Neighborhood Boards across the seven local authorities and board member of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association and Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. I also have extensive experience in the public and voluntary sector, working among others for Birmingham and Coventry City Council. I was born in the UK and live in the West Midlands where I run my organization Allies Network.
QUESTION 2: On 8th July when the three main party political leaders from the Birmingham city Council signed a letter to be sent to the Prime Minister asking that the country be recognised as an independent sovereign state and, that further, it be allowed to join the Commonwealth whose idea it was and what motivated you do so?
Answer have been working on getting the recognition of Somaliland in Birmingham for many years. It was a lot of hard work and lobbying members I had to do. I had excellent support from cross party councilors such as the great Cllr Yvonne Mosquito, Cllr Diane Donaldson, leaders of the 3 parties Cllr Ian Ward, Cllr Robert Alden, and Cllr Jon Hunt. I would also like to say thank you to Somaliland Mission to the UK and Birmingham Somaliland Communities for coming out in numbers to support the historic day.
QUESTION 3: What were the main challenges and hurdles encountered along the way?
Answer Some challenges I can highlight would be lack of resources and lack of direct connection with the Somaliland government.
QUESTION 4: Birmingham City Council been the largest local authority in Europe, in terms of the population it covers with 101 councillors representing 77 wards, what’s is the significance of recognising Somaliland as independent sovereign state?
Answer The significance is very big, the second largest city in the United Kingdom recognising Somaliland will put significant weight on the UK government and also sends a positive message beyond the UK and Europe. And as the UK government has to listen to the voice of its citizens Birmingham city council recognising Somaliland means 2 million + citizens support that cause too.
QUESTION 5: As you know, Birmingham is the fourth British Council that recognizes Somaliland after Cardiff, Sheffield, and Tower Hamlets, and or the fourth local council in general when including Atlanta Georgia of the US, according to your view, what are they meant for the Case of Somaliland, or how are they important for the political goals of Somaliland?
Answer To get many cities and regions of a country to recognize us is very important as it shows that the country and its people are in support of the country looking for recognition.
QUESTION 6: Apart from Birmingham do you plan to include other UK cities or the UK government in recognising Somaliland as independent sovereign state and if so which?
Answer Of course I will continue to support Somaliland’s path to recognition. Without naming any cities as this project works with strict confidently due to the sensitives it carries I would just like to say that the work is continuing and I’m looking forward to more success for Somaliland.
QUESTION 7: The role of your partners? Future plans?
Answer My partners worked on this agenda in many ways weather it was lobbying members, setting up strategic meetings, introduction to other networks within this city just to name a few. My future plans would be to first come on a delegation visit to Somaliland with elected members of Birmingham City so they can see the needs of Somaliland and have meetings to discuss partnership working etc. I also plan to launch Allies Foundation in Somaliland so we can legally do work within areas of need in Somaliland.
‘’Somaliland is my heart and my pocket is the pound, of course we can get Somaliland international recognition with that combination’’ quote from Nura Ali F.Birm.Soc
