Apr 18, 2014

Somaliland: Relations With UK Further Strengthened


The British and Somaliland Governments, which share historic and fruitful relations, have agreed to enhance existing cooperation during a visit by the UK Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds. The UK has agreed to lift its travel advisory ban on Somaliland with immediate effect and host a trade and investment conference in London, while the Government of Somaliland urged that in lieu of the improvements in security, democratization and the rule of law, the UK should recognize its statehood.

 

Below is an article published by the Somaliland Sun:

 

The British and Somaliland Governments, which share lengthily and fruitful relations have agreed to enhance existing cooperation at all fronts.

This concurrence was as a result of a meeting between the visiting United Kingdom Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds and President Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo at the Hargeisa presidency where diverse issues were discussed and agreed upon.

Following conclusion of the meeting a joint press briefing by Mr. Simmonds and the Somaliland minister of foreign affairs Mohamed Bihi Younis, announcement was made that the UK travel advisory ban on Somaliland has been lifted with immediate effect.

Queried by SomalilandSun on whether the lifting of the travel ban was related to personal experiences of having the British team had to be escorted by a heavily armed multinational force from Aden Ade international airport to villa somalia in Mogadishu while only his personal minders were in-charge of his security in Hargeisa Mr. Simmonds had this to say, "We take the travel advisory we provide very seriously indeed and the travel advice is provided for the benefit of United Kingdom citizens but it has been clear for some time that there is some anxiety in the Somaliland government about the overarching travel advisory that has been provided for the whole of what we perceive as Somalia. What we informed President Silanyo and his Ministers this morning is that we have undertaken comprehensive analysis looking at the facts, this is not a political decision, it is a factual decision, and we are downgrading our travel advice to Hargeisa and Berbera Specifically and we are making that very clear in our advisory when it is reposted either today or tomorrow, meaning that we, the UK, sees Hargeisa and Berbera as safer than the rest of Somaliland and Somalia".

Foreign Minister Mohamed Bihi Younis, who was first to address the joint press briefing started by extending the gratitude of the people, President and Government of Somaliland for the visit by Mark Simmonds, as he stressed on the importance of the UK minister's visit in lieu of and as proof of lengthily, fruitful and historic relations existing between Britain and Somaliland.

On the support received from the government of the United Kingdom Minister Bihi who reveled the appreciation of Somalilanders said that various sectors like Security, multi-sectored capacity building and development has played an important part in alleviating livelihood standards country.

Somaliland diaspora in Britain, which is very keen to promote the economic development of their motherland through investment and Minister Bihi said that the meeting with Mark Simmonds agreed on the imperative of a trade and investment conference for the facilitation of information exchange between Somaliland and its citizens in the diaspora as well as interested British concerns.

While reiterating the commitment towards the internationally sanctioned two state negotiations with neighbouring Somalia, Bihi Younis upon casually touching on the ongoing border disputes in the east of the country said that though Somaliland is a peace loving country, but it shall not compromise on its territorial integrity as it pertains to its internationally recognized boundaries.

Without mincing words, the Foreign Minister informed his British colleague that Somaliland having been independent for 23 years now without recognition and in respect to the unanimous wishes of its citizens who are adamant on the irrevocability of their Sovereign state, and in lieu of the strides made in security, democratization and the rule of law among others, urged Britain and the international community to finally end the impasse of two decades and embrace the country as a full and equal member among other of nations of the world.

On taking the floor, the UK's Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds thanked the President, Government and people of Somaliland for the warm welcome accorded him and his team during his maiden visit.

Despite being a first time visitor, Mr. Simmonds revealed that he has always been keen to facilitate relations between the United Kingdom and Somaliland to make sure that ways can be found to strengthen and deepen what is an historic and important relationship for his country.

On his meeting with the Somaliland President Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo and a number of ministers Mark Simmonds had this to say, "Our meeting has been extremely positive and constructive, having discussed a whole range of issues pertinent to our two countries including reducing and lowering the travel advice which am pleased to announce that we will be able to do so, specifically related o Hargeisa and Berbera”.

The UK Minister for Africa who added that other issues discussed included the importance and ways to strengthen relations between Somaliland and Somalilanders who live in the United Kingdom, using the expertise and skills the diaspora have to continue the development that is happening in Somaliland.

Mr. Simmonds also revealed that the Government of the United Kingdom shall facilitate a trade and investment conference in London to showcase existing opportunities in the country and for the Diaspora and Britons with commercial interests to make informed investment decisions.

"The planned trade and investment conference in London is geared towards making sure that British businesses are aware of opportunities existing here in Somaliland" said Simmonds

While informing that his government is also keen on encouraging continued development in the ongoing discussions taking place between Somaliland and Somalia, the Minister responsible for the UK's African desk said it was imperative to reduce escalating tensions between Somaliland and Puntland an administrative region of Somalia.

Urging restrain at this particular challenging time, Mark Simmonds promised that the UK will play its role in a constructive way to ensure that everybody is focused on the priorities, which are: economic development and economic growth and job creation

In confirming the commitment of the UK towards constructive engagement, Minister Simmonds revealed that his Government shall contribute to Somaliland €95m annually through its Department for International Development (DFID) for support to various sectors.

Accordingly, DFID shall expend the annual €95m UK contribution particularly in line with priorities of the Government of Somaliland in order to ensure that everybody in the country can benefit from accrued economic growth and development.

In conclusion, Mark Simmonds the UK Minister for Africa said that he has had a very fruitful visit and was hopeful that the existing historic relations between Somaliland and the United Kingdom shall row from strength to strength.