That this House congratulates Somaliland on 16 years of democratic
development which has included local government elections, parliamentary
elections and presidential elections, including a close-fought election in which
the narrowly-defeated presidential candidate accepted the result `because we are
a democracy'; considers this to be a model example of successful democracy in
one small corner of Africa; calls on the international community not to overlook
the thriving democracy of Somaliland in its understandable enthusiasm to see
peace and an effective administration in the South; believes that it is for
Somalis to decide their own future and that the international community must not
ride roughshod over Somaliland in search of a tidy solution; welcomes the
demonstration on 22nd February 2007 as a way of celebrating democratic success;
further welcomes the solidarity and loyalty of the Somaliland community in the
UK to their homeland; further welcomes the interest and engagement of successive
UK Ministers in the emerging democracy of Somaliland; considers this to be right
and fair given the contribution of Somalilanders to the UK's economy and defence
in three centuries, two world wars and numerous other conflicts; and applauds
the patience with which Somaliland, while working hard at its own capacity for
self determination and democratic development, has awaited peace in the South so
that Somalis can sit down and work out their future together.
British Parliament Debate about Somaliland on 26th February 2007
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
how often (a) she and (b) her officials are in contact with the Somaliland
authorities. [120799]
26 Feb 2007 : Column 1140W
Margaret Beckett (Secretary of State): I have not met any representatives of
the Somaliland authorities. However, my noble Friend the Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of
Tottenham, has met Mr. Dahir Rayale, the ‘President' of the Somaliland
authorities on several occasions, most recently in August 2006. Officials,
including our ambassador in Addis Ababa, are also in regular contact with
representatives of the Somaliland authorities.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
when (a) she and (b) her officials last met her counterpart in Somaliland.
[120800]
Margaret Beckett: I have not met any representatives of the Somaliland
authorities. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, last met Mr.
Abdillahi Duale, the ‘Foreign Minister' of the Somaliland authorities, on 26
January in the margins of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Our
ambassador in Addis Ababa and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Africa
Director also met with Mr. Abdillahi Duale in Addis Ababa on 9 February.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
what assessment she has made of the discussions on Somaliland at the recent
African Union summit in Addis Ababa. [120801]
Margaret Beckett: The UK attended the recent African Union summit as an
observer and did not have any formal status or participate in the discussions.
We understand that the question of Somaliland was raised at Foreign Minister
level but that there was little detailed discussion.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
which (a) Minister and (b) official represented the UK at the recent African
Union summit in Addis Ababa which discussed Somaliland; in what discussions on
Somalia the Minister or official took part; and what the outcome was of these
discussions. [120802]
Margaret Beckett: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and our
ambassador in Addis Ababa, who is our Permanent Representative to the African
Union (AU), attended the recent AU summit in Addis Ababa as observers. Lord
Triesman had meetings in the margins of the summit with President Yusuf of the
Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia,
during which Somalia was discussed. They agreed there was currently a window of
opportunity for Somalia which should be maximised through pursuing an inclusive
political dialogue, the early deployment of the AU Mission to Somalia and
increased assistance for reconstruction. Lord Triesman also met Mr. Abdillahi
Duale, ‘Foreign Minister' of the Somaliland authorities, to discuss the
situation in Somalia and areas of co-operation with the UK.
26 Feb 2007 : Column 1141W
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
what assessment she has made of the state of democracy in Somaliland; and if she
will make a statement. [120803]
Margaret Beckett: We welcome the progress that has been made in Somaliland
towards stability and democracy. The elections last year were another positive
step forward in the democratisation process. We continue to support the
development of democratic institutions in Somaliland
___
Source: Jamhuuriya
