On 18th March,2004 the delegation of Somaliland led by H.E President Dahir Rayale Kahin met Mr. Hilary Benn Secretary of State for International Development. Matters of concern to both sides were discussed. The Somaliland delegation requested assistance inter alia health, water, education, infrastructure, radio/ communication and budgetary support to offset loss of revenue caused by ban on export of livestock.
H.E President Riyaale of Somaliland and his delegation today had talks with Ms Beverly Hughes, Minister of State of the Home Office. The delegation also had talks with Crown Agents on matters that concern their the two sides. President Riyaale addressed the House of Commons Committee on International Development. The President informed the Committee Somaliland's situation and demands. While the president was addressing the committee, thousands of Somalilanders from all parts of Europe were peacefully demonstrating outside the House of Commons to show their support. In the evening the President and his delegation attended a dinner given by the Somalilanders in London. The members of the Committee on International Development and a large number of the friends of Somaliland also attended the dinner.
H.E President Riyaale of Somaliland and his delegation today met the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons. The delegation also met the Minister of State of Department of Energy, Food and Rural Affairs Mr. Allun Michael at his office and discussed environmental issues. Later the Minister of State at the Foreign Office Mr.Chris Mullins gave lunch to the delegation at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. On both occassions matters of interest to both sides were discussed and points of views exchanged.
President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E Dahir Riyaale Kahin arrived in London on 14th March for a visit lasting several days and was welcomed by the representative of Somaliland in the United Kingdom and a large number of Somalilanders including the Chairman of UCID party, politicians and civilians. The President is leading a delegation which includes the Foreign,Finance, Information and Planning Ministers as well as the Speaker of the the House of representatives, his Second Deputy, the Chairman, Vice Chairman of the Guurti and Haji Abdi Hussein a member of the Guurti.
President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E Dahir Riyaale Kahin accompanied by several ministers and representatives from Somaliland parliament and guurti (upper house) will visit the United Kingdom for some days. During his stay the President is due to meet Ministers and some officials of the United Kingdom. The President will address a meeting of the people of Somaliland in UK on 19 March 2004.
A United Kingdom parliamentarian delegation arrived in Hargiesa on Saturday 24 January 2004 for a two day official visit. The 11 member delegation which includes 8 members of parliament, from the three main political parties of UK were warmly welcomed in to the capital Hargiesa by the foreign minister Dr. Edna Adan, other ministers and the residents of the city. The delegation held meetings with the President H.E Dahir Riyale Kahin and the cabinet of ministers on matters of mutual concern for the two countries. Amongest the areas in the city visited by the UK delegation included a Somaliland Red Crescent Centre which provides prosthetic limps to the needy. The delegation also held meetings with Somaliland parliament and the Guurti(Upper House).
Following recent developments in the eastern part of the country, in particular the Sool region, a meeting chaired by President Dahir Riyale Kahin was held on 17/01/2004. The meeting was attended by Ministers, the Chairmen of the GUURTI, the House of Representatives, the Chairmen of the three official political parties, ie Kulmiye, UCID, and UDUB. The President informed the participants that the purpose of the meeting was to take a unified position on matters relating to the defence of Somaliland and our boundaries based on the situation as it was on 26 June 1960. It was agreed that a committee, chaired by the vice-president and to meet on weekly basis be formed to follow up developments in the situation.
Today at 1200 hours a memorial service was held for Mr&Mrs. Eyeington at St.Martins in the field church in London. The gathering was addressed by Mick Delap formerly of the African Service BBC, Ian Mackenzie a friend, Robin Malan and Alan McGregor of the Watford School (the school they come from originally) Gemma Sieff and Dudu Dlamini of SOS Swaziland and on behalf of Somaliland by Ashcari Omer (who is on the board of SOS). All paid tributes to the couple and Ashcari added to the condolences from the people and Government of Somaliland. Louise and Mark Eyeington (son and daughter) of the couple added their feelings. A large number of friends and relatives of the couple as well as workmates attended the service. From Somaliland the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Commerce as well as the representative of Somaliland in the UK, there was a very large Somaliland contingent included the 2 ministers, Ahmed Mohamed Siilaanyo representing Kulmiye and Ahmed Muse Geedi "Sanjab" representing UCID, Somaliland community reprentatives from different parts of London attended. The family and SOS showed their appreciation.
The President , the government and the people of Somaliland regret the death of Dick and Enid Eyeington at Shiek. The Government wishes to convey to the family and friends of the two teachers their sincere condolences. The Government of Somaliland has started an investigation in to this heinous crime and will leave no stone unturned to apprehend and bring to justice the individual who committed this act. The people and government of Somaliland are united in ensuring the continuity of peace and tranquility in the country. The government will take the appropriate actions to ensure the safety of all in Somaliland.
The President H.E Dahir Riyaale Kahin paid a visit to neighbouring Djibouti for 3 days. The President was accompanied by a delegation of Members of Parliament and Ministers. They were received by the President of Djibouti and his Government. There were amicable discussions of mutual interest and agreements reached.
The Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Adna Adan Ismail,
in a radio interview at Los Angeles radio KFKP's weekly program
" Spotlight on Africa" on October 9, 2003, highlighted
Somaliland's stability and political development of democratically
elected president, vice president and municipal councils. The minister
informed the listeners, that Somaliland's achievement came from
the hard work and dedication of it's citizens to achieve stability
and reestablish law and order after the civil war. The minister
added, "Since liberation, Somaliland is the only nation in
Africa where its people are coming from the outside world to build
their country".
When the foreign minister was asked what passport she is using in
her travels, she replied " Somaliland passport". She said during
her short tenure as foreign minister she traveled to many African
and European countries as well as United States with Somaliland
passport.
The interviewer’s reaction was " that constitutes tacit recognition.
Right?"
The foreign minister is touring the United States with the minister of commerce and industry, Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi. Their tour was sponsored by the Somaliland policy and Reconstruction Institute in collaboration with the Somaliland Communities in United States.
The Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs, DR Adna Adan Ismail,
addressed the 25th anniversary of Black American Political Association
of California ( BAPAC) held at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los
Angeles on Saturday evening, October 4, 2003. The gathering was
attended by prominent national, state and local leaders including
California Lt-Governer Mr. Cruz Bustamante,former governor of California
and current mayor of Oakland, Jerry Brown,Los Angeles City Major,
Mr. Jim Kahn,Jessie Jackson, Congresswomen Diane Watts and former
Speaker of the California State Assembly, and current mayor of city
of San Francisco, Mr. Willie L. Brown, Jr. The minister reiterated
Somaliland's commitment to peace, justice and the rule of law.The
minister will be attending meetings in Atlanta , Washington and
New York to highlight Somaliland's achievements and to meet with
the Somaliland communities in the U.S .
H.E.Edna Adan Ismail Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland with
H.E.Mohamed Hashi Elmi Minister of commerce and Industry of Somaliland
Visited London on 1.10.2003.
On 2/10/2003 the delegation was received by Mr. Charles Cummins
Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at his office in
London. The meeting was attended by officials from the British Foreign
Office.
This was the first time a Minister of Somaliland was received by a
Minister of the United Kingdom Government.
On Friday 3/10/2003 the delegation met officers of the Foreign Minister
notably Head of the African Department (Equatorial)his Deputy and other
officers were present..
Matters of interest to Somaliland and others were discussed.
The representative of Somaliland in the United Kingdom attended the
meetings.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Saed Mohamed Gees sent a letter to U.N Security Council president. Read body of letter
The first elected president and vice president of the Republic of Somaliland were sworn in yesterday in Hargiesa. The president H.E. Dahir Riyale Kahin and the vice president H.E. Ahmed Yusuf Yasin will hold their respective posts for five years.
Somaliland Supreme Court confirms the decision of the Electoral Commission. The court officially declared UDUB party the winner of the presidential election of the Republic of Somaliland.
The presedential election for the Republic of Somaliland have peacefully concluded. According to the Electoral Commission the UDUB party of the present government has won by 80 votes from the nearest rival the KULMIYE party.
The local district elections in Somaliland have peacefully been concluded last night. The president of Somaliland, Dahir Rayale Kahin was among the first to vote soon after the polls opened. The president was accompanied the vice-president Ahmed Yusuf Yassin, and the first lady Huda Barkhad.
Throughout the six regions of Somaliland, people cast their votes at 800 polling stations from 7AM till late in the evening. The authorities at the polling stations credited the voters for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves while casting their votes. The head of the Electoral Commission, Ahmed Ali Adami, in a press conference held at the commission's office, said the elections were conducted peacefully. Although he also said polling at Ceel La Helay in Lughaya district was postponed due to problems and will be opened today instead.
Six political parties that were contesting in these elections are ASAD, HORMOOD, KULMIYE, SAHAN, UCID and UDUB.
The head of the electoral commission, Mr. Adami confirmed that counting has started last night and will continue. The final results are expected to be announced six days later.