The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Somaliland, today, expressed its solidarity with the United Nations offices in Somaliland/Somalia, and, particular, with Mr. Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General who had been declared persona non grata by the Mogadishu administration Tuesday.

The Ministry statement said the government of Somaliland believed the SRSG executed his offices commendably since his appointment to the area.

“The government of Somaliland applauds Mr. Nicholas Haysom for the pacification efforts he put into Somalia, itself, and for trying to break the stalemate on the Somaliland-Somalia standoff during his stay in office,” the statement said.

“We make it clear to the United Nations secretary-general and the international community that the Republic of  Somaliland is dismayed by the decision Somalia has taken against the SRSG, Mr. Nicholas Haysom,” the Ministry stated.

The MFA statement went on to underline that Somaliland was fully cognizant and respectful of the humanitarian assistance the UN proffered and the cooperation the two sides share, and as such, the Somalia decision was confined to Somalia.

“We wish to make it clear that the Somalia decision in no way concerns Somaliland, and that we are fully committed to working with the United Nations and all its offices unreservedly,” the statement said.

In fact, Mr. Haysom had shown a knack and determination that was lacking in his predecessor for bringing core issues to the fore and, especially, as relating to reviving the Somalia-Somaliland talks, and for dousing down the raging, armed conflict between the two sides in the Sool region of Somaliland.

Somalilanders, by and large, supported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stand, expressing deep resentment to how disrespectfully and artlessly the weak Somalia administration in Mogadishu treated the UN diplomat.

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