Somaliland Asks SA to Hasten It’s AU Recognition

Explaining the history of his country, Somaliland’s interior minister and chairperson of the Kulmiye party, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, said his country was a de facto country that got its independence after many years of struggle.

“We are the only secure country in the region. We enjoy peace and stability with a full democratic system of governance. We have a one-man, one-vote system. Many European countries would have ridiculed us as many are still not recognizing us.

“Our people are in support of our constitution and they live a better life now because Somaliland is maintaining the international values that make up democracy. We also have a local government system and elected leadership that is governed by International standards,” Kahin Ahmed said.

Kahin Ahmed further said that terrorist organizations were operating in other countries such as Somalia in the Horn of Africa, however, his country did not have such a challenge.

“We ask that South Africa resume talks about the international recognition of Somaliland. Since we defected from Somalia, more than two referendums with an overwhelming majority demonstrated that the people of this country needed self-determination.

“As you all know, we have no aid from the international community, and no security support from outside but rely on our own. Our security is well defended by our national security,” he said.

Kahin Ahmed promised that a delegation from his country would be coming to South Africa to work on strengthening relations between the two countries .

Somaliland was trying very hard to strengthen its political system, but he conceded, his party had inherited many challenges like the ruling party in South Africa

“We understand that South Africa is the most developed country in Africa and we wish to learn from your country. We know you also inherited problems but we are aware that your country has done a lot to develop the lives of the people.

“We need to learn a lot from the liberation movement and we want to take lessons from your party and have political schools. We have the wealth, we have resources, we have petroleum; all we need is for South Africa to come and invest in Somaliland. We will provide you with our petroleum exploration.

“We request that on behalf of Somaliland, we work with your security agencies of South Africa to defend Somaliland from terrorists. I propose that South Africa and Somaliland create a security system where our people will be trained in South Africa. We request that our officers be trained in your country to defend our small coast,” he said.

The minister called on South Africa, as an industrial country, to help his country improve its logistical systems to improve the transportation of good