British Ambassador to Ethiopia Visits Somaliland
December 7, 2006 

Hageisa, Somaliland, the Ambassador of Great Britain H.E. Bob Dewar  has paid three days visit to the Capital of the Rpublic of Somaliland, H.E. has been received at the Egal International airport by the Minister of State for foreign Affairs Mr. Saiid Mohamed Nur. The Ambassador and his delegation had an extensive discussion with President Dahir Rayaale Kahin. The president and the Ambassador had discussed the actual Situation occurring in the Horn of Africa right now, as well as consolidation of relations between Britain and Somaliland in general, and Great Britain’s role in providing assistance in the fields of education, Health as well as in development.

President Reyaale has put emphases on the importance of recognition of Somaliland as an independent country in this complex and unpredictable time traversing by Horn of Africa sub-region, and appealed to Britain and the rest of the International Community to recognize Somaliland by saying that recognized Somaliland he would greatly contribute to the peace and stability of the region as a whole. President Rayaale has also requested from her Majesty’s government to speed up the assistance promised by Great Britain during his visit to UK as regards to education, health and developmental areas.

The Ambassador has praised and acclaimed for the peace, stability and democratization that Somaliland has achieved, which he said has contributed in the making of peace and stability in the whole region, and hoped for the sustainment of endeavors for further achievements. H. E. the Ambassador had lengthy discussions with four ministries: the Planning, Foreign, Interior and Rehabilitation & Reconstruction.  President Rayaale gave denier in H.E honor in the presidency, palace.

Somaliland had been a British Protectorate almost a century, gained its independence from Great Britain in 1960^th , voluntarily united with the ex- Italian colony of Somalia in 1960, and reclaimed its independence in 1991 following the collapse of Siyad Barre regime.

Unlike Somalia (ex-Italian colony) Somaliland has achieved peace and stability, through reconciliation, reconstructed a devastated country and was able to carryout   democratization process, through internationally accepted free and fair elections.

By Adam M. Jibril