BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 25, 2004
SOMALILAND: PRESIDENT KAHIN HOLDS TALKS WITH BELGIAN OFFICIALS
The president of the republic of Somaliland, HE Dahir Riyale Kahin, who is currently in Belguim, and a delegation he is leading today met high-ranking officials from the European Parliament in Brussels.
The president briefed the officials on the situation in Somaliland and conveyed a memorandum on development in the country.
The delegation was accompanied by Somaliland's representative in Belguim Mahmud Abdi Da'aro.
The delegation also held talks with officials from the Belgian Foreign Ministry.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 25 Mar 04
http://www.systranbox.com/systran/box?systran_lp=nl_en&systran_id=SystranSoft-en&systran_url=http://www.reisomdewereld.nl/naf
rika/somaliev1.html&systran_f=1080185655
Hortend and bumping to Somaliland
Somalië's only success tale
Hortend and bumping take off we the last hundred kilometres as from Jijiga in Ethiopia to the border of Somaliland. The way is unpaved and this way bad that our busjes can speed scarcely than 20 kilometres per hour.
It hot and dusty and the landscape dor and vast nobody country, have been only inhabited by Somali nomads. Their typical nomad huts, with rags and pieces sail against substance and wind, forms protected coloured bolletjes in the insipid landscape.
By Josine of of the rampart
Old, rusted tanks quiet witnesses of the war in 1978, have been then helped, the Ethiopian army, by no less than 13,000 cuban and 4000 jemenitische allies, the Somali troops drove off the those Ogadenwoestijn occupies and tried join the province at Somalie. The tanks are there always continue lie and nobody feels apparently the need them, take away so that they serve now as a toy for the children and the violent past will remain always visible.
A camel approaches our trudged, an enormous cargo of branches balances on its back. A nomad runs a couple meter, pulses losjes concerning the stick has been beaten which he has laid in his ring. I met an astonished can if I my hand puts up. He continues stand and follows me. Just after a couple seconden its hand goes omhoog in a hesitating groet as if he can not yet understand what he has seen. How long already no more westerlingen will have seen themselves this man, question I finished. I remind myself the owner of our cosy hotelletje in Jijiga, who told that there since 1995 no more blanken in its hotel are were!
aid organisations
In Jijiga, the important border - and handelsplaats, we can get hold of exitstempel in our passport. It swarms there not only of the somaliërs, but also of all possible aid organisations which you can consider but; the UNHCR, MSF Holland, the World Food Programme, the UN, Save the Children, the red cross. It means the exitstempel green slightly for Somaliland, because as
the Ethiopiers concerning the security at the Somali neighbours had doubted, we Somaliland on our abdomens could have written for us. On the fly field of Addis we speak with a woman of MSF Holland who warns us for violence and the disorder in Somalia is not and also in the east of Somaliland, therefore entirely certain of our somaliland adventure we.
Peace and stability
Whereas we voorthobbelen are shaken and by each other, I try form itself a picture of this country, but I have no insipid idea what we will find to. travel guides are not there simply of this republic which broke away from himself in 1991, of Somalia, then the dictator Siad was dissipated severe and the country at under went to the madness of its inhabitants. The
warlords who had the dictator dissipated, started a war since then against each other and violence have been stopped there never more. Only on Internet was what information to find and always Somaliland were depicted as ' the only success tale of Somalia ', a country of peace and stability in this part of Africa, where the streets are not made unsafe by competing
warlords and armed gangs, like in the Somalia torn by civil war.
Already twelve years are Somaliland now independent, but the country has still no international recognition. The problem is that the African countries have agreed change that if they recognise Somaliland in 1963, the borders never more and international organisations are frightened soon still much more African countries from each other will fall. I sit throb to make knowledge with particular and eigenzinnige country that Somaliland must be.
Exitstempel
The complete border area is one large, flown open gang. Everywhere detritus swing in around and in the prickly shrubs along the side of the way fly hundreds yellow, blue, white and roze plastic small pockets, blown by hard wind which seems be here ongoing present.
We exchange the busjes for jeeps and leave behind Dereje, our sympathetic Ethiopian guide, at the border. Already summon he has charge of a tough abcess in the buurt of its zitvlak and the last kilometres must a verschrikking for him have been. We bind him on the heart to the hospital to go in Jijiga and he tries weak smiles on its of pain face tevoorschijn to work magic left.
' Yes yes, I will do, I will do, don't worry.'
And gone he is, solved in the mob of men which meanwhile has poured in these take aliens tacitly and has extended.
Ahmed collect our passports, disappear in kantoortje along the side of the way. Ten minutes later there a vague stamp in everybody's passport shines: ' Entery ' with an original extra ' e ' and the date of today, but the name ' Somaliland ' are lacking.
Copyright© 1995-2004 ' travel for the world ', The Hague. All rights reserve.
From BBC News, 24/10/2003, AUDIO VIDEO
Somaliland killings 'terror acts':
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/39486000/rm/_39486995_net42257__.ram
The recent killings of three Europeans were committed by global terror networks, the president says.
Source: afrol News, 24 March, 2004
New Murder Of Aid Workers Frustrates Somalilanders
afrol News, 22 March - A new assassination of two international aid workers in Somaliland raises fears of a "concerted effort" with a motive to "destabilise" the not-yet-recognised country. Five Somali citizens have already been detained by Somaliland police in connection with the murder of two aid workers working for Germany's GTZ development agency.
Somalilander journalist Ali Gulaid yesterday informed afrol News about the killing of two aid workers working for the German development agency (GTZ) this weekend. Ms Cheriyote, presumably a Kenyan citizen, and a Somali national were killed while the
German citizen Mr Helken was wounded in the ambush, which is to have taken place on Friday on the road between the capital Hargeisa, and the port town of Berbera. The victims of the attack were driving their own car.
According to reports from local media, Somaliland police this weekend has detained five Somali citizens. The five men were trying to cross from Somaliland into Ethiopia, Somaliland's Interior Minister, Ismaaciil Aadan Osman, told the press in Hargeisa.
No further details of the suspected ambushers or their motives were given, but much weight was given to their Somali nationality. Most speculations in Hargeisa support a theory of "destabilisation" attacks on Somaliland ordered from neighbouring Somalia, which is heavily opposing the independence of Somaliland.
Friday's attack on the GTZ workers marks the third attack on foreign aid workers in Somaliland in a little more than half a year. In October last year, Italian aid worker Annalena Tonelli and the wedded British Eyeington couple, both teachers, were
assassinated. These attacks come in a sharp contrast to the warm welcome given foreigners by the Hargeisa government and by Somalilanders at large, all desiring a normalisation of foreign relations.
Police sources in Hargeisa indicate their working theory is that the attack on the GTZ workers is connected to last year's unresolved assassinations of the Eyeington couple and Ms Tonelli. Somaliland police are still interrogating the suspected killers.
For Somaliland, an assassination of foreign aid workers is the most devastating attack possible on the country's slow progress in winning international recognition. During the twelve years of de facto independence, one of the Hargeisa government's principal arguments for seeking recognition is its ability to provide peace, stability and economic development in the otherwise war-ravaged region.
While no country so far has recognised Somaliland, more and more international agencies and governments deal openly with the Hargeisa government. The UN and its agencies coordinate most of its Somalia activities from Hargeisa in cooperation with the Somaliland government. Somaliland has entered bilateral cooperation treaties with several European and African governments.
The visible sign of these successes is the increased number of international aid workers in Somaliland.
According to Mr Gulaid, the new acts of "terrorism and sabotage" therefore probably have been orchestrated by Somaliland's foreign enemies, namely Somalia's transitional government in Mogadishu and the rival self-declared republic of Puntland, currently occupying parts of eastern Somaliland.
- The phenomenal success Somaliland has achieved has drawn antipathy, animosity and resentment from many sources, Somaliland analyst Gulaid claims. These, he says, were "sources determined to interrupt, and defeat Somaliland's imminent recognition."
He adds that the mechanisms used to "undermine and sabotage Somaliland" are now ranging from "discrediting campaign, economic
sanctions, political exclusion and outright terrorism."
If the suspicions of Mr Gulaid - which are the central part of one of the Somaliland police's working theories - are correct, the "terrorists" may be about to gain a first victory. Unconfirmed reports from Hargeisa say that the UN is now to evacuate
most its international staff from the region as a consequence of the killings.
The killing has prompted the UN to reduce its staff in Somaliland to "essential" international staffers and Somalis only, Pippa Alston, the acting head of the Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB), told the news agency AP today. The SACB is a group for aid organisations working in the country, including the UN and GTZ.
- The SACB sees this most recent tragedy as a continuing serious deterioration in security focused on international aid workers in Somalia, the organisation said in a statement released today, condemning the attack. "The safety of humanitarian
aid workers is imperative and such incidents cannot be tolerated. The SACB expects the Somaliland administration to do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice."
Source: afrol News — 24 March, 2004
Somaliland President On Semi-official Visit To UK
afrol News, 15 March - Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin has left for a semi-official visit to London, where he hopes to "make a short speech to the Parliament" and meet one or several British Ministers. The leader of the non-recognised state has no official invitation from the UK government but is invited by a group of British Parliamentarians that recently visited Hargeisa.
President Riyale and many Somalilanders have expressed hope of achieving progresses in the attempt to have the former colonial power of Somaliland to recognise the country, but critics claim that the visit only "is a hype." Mr Riyale, after arriving London tomorrow, is only meeting with low level officials and MPs that already are favourable to Somaliland's bid
for recognition, the critics say.
The Somalilander President told the local 'Awdal News Network' in an interview that his visit to the UK could not be termed official "because an official [visit] is when you are recognised but [the British government] accepted us to go to their country and meet us."
Travelling to London together with his Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Planning, Finance and Information, President Riyale said he had a long official programme in the capital of Somaliland's former colonial power. He was going to make "a short speech to the Parliament" following an invitation to do so and was to meet officials of the UK Foreign Office and maybe with the International Development Minister.
- I am very glad, President Riyale told 'Awdal News Network'. "I see this as a step forward - something that we didn’t have before. No one accepted to meet us before ... but now I see it as a step forward."
Also parts of the Somalilander opposition welcomed the President's trip to London. Faisal Ali Waraabe, Chairman of the Justice and Welfare Party (UCID), in a statement from Helsinki, Finland, called the visit a "golden opportunity" to seek British recognition of Somaliland's independence.
Mr Waraabe said the President should take advantage of the visit to establish direct diplomatic ties between the UK and Somaliland. "At this stage, at the very least, there must be an official diplomatic liaison's office in London for Somaliland," the opposition leader said, commenting on what he called "an official visit to the United Kingdom."
Critics however claim Mr Riyale is exaggerating the importance of his visit to London. Somalilander analyst Ali Gulaid says the visit "is a hype" and that a British recognition of Somaliland is not on the agenda. Rather, British ambitions were to intensify the "set up detention centres for the rejected Somalis as well as the hopeful asylum seekers" in Somaliland,
comments Mr Gulaid. Therefore the many meetings with British Home Office officials and immigration officers.
Somaliland, which was a British colony that united with former Italian Somalia shortly after independence in 1960, unilaterally declared its return to independence from Somalia in 1992. Since then, the Hargeisa government has achieved to secure peace, stability and economic growth in sharp contrast to Somalia, but it has not achieved international recognition.
One of the principal hopes regarding recognition is directed towards the ex-colonial power. This was emphasised when a delegation of seven British MPs were given a warm and heartfelt reception in Hargeisa in January this year. Returning to London, the MPs initiated a parliamentary debate on UK-Somaliland ties, recommending a British recognition.
The British Foreign Ministry however finds it difficult to take the first step, which could strongly provoke the African Union. Also President Riyale emphasises on the importance on first deepening the economic ties between the two countries and
does not expect any promises of recognition during his London visit.
In particular, he expects enhanced British support for development projects in Somaliland and funding for the upcoming legislative elections. According to the President, the British government has pressured for such elections and has already pledged to pay part of the expenses to organise the poll.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 24, 2004
SOMALILAND PRESIDENT REPORTEDLY LEAVES FOR BELGIUM
A delegation led by the president of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, Dahir Riyale Kahin, that has been on a visit to Britain for the last couple of days, left yesterday afternoon for Belgium.
The president's delegation will hold talks with some Belgian MPs and other government officials. The delegation, which includes ministers for foreign affairs, planning, information and finance, among others, will discuss Somaliland's recognition with Belgian MPs.
According to Somaliland net web site, the delegation, that is expected to stay in Belgium for two days, will leave for Germany on 25 March.
Due to the international community's rejection to recognize the self-declared state, the visit to the European countries is aimed to lobby for recognition.
Source: Qaran, Mogadishu, in Somali 24 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 24, 2004
SOMALI OFFICIAL TO LEAVE FOR UK OVER SOMALILAND'S "RECOGNITION"
A minister with a message from the (Somali) Interim President Abdiqasim Salad Hasan is expected to leave for Britain today to convey the message to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Well informed sources close to the TNG (Transitional National Government) presidential place told Qaran press that the TNG minister of fisheries and natural resources, Abdirahman Haji Adan Ibbi, who is carrying the message from the interim president, is about to leave for Britain to convey the message to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The aim of the message is not yet clear, but it is said that the interim president is asking the British government not to pave way for the self-declared Republic Somaliland to get recognition. The message has come at a time when the Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin, accompanied by high-level delegation, has just concluded visit to Britain. The Somaliland delegation is said to
have been seeking recognition.
Source: Qaran, Mogadishu, in Somali 24 Mar 04
BBC Worldwide Monitoring, March 24, 2004
Somaliland president arrives in Belgium
SOURCE: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 24 Mar 04
The president of the republic of Somaliland, HE Dahir Riyale Kahin, and a delegation he is leading, yesterday arrived in Brussels, Belgium at 5 p.m. local time. The president had completed an official visit to the United Kingdom where he held talks with high-ranking government officials and asked for international recognition and development aid. The president and his delegation will hold talks with Belgian officials on the situation in Somaliland, recognition and development aid. The delegation will also hold talks with EU officials and some members of the European Parliament.
M2 PRESSWIRE, March 24, 2004
UN Emergency relief coordinator condemns killing of aid worker in Somalia
DATELINE: NEW YORK, (OCHA)
The international humanitarian community is condemning an attack in Somaliland which has left one aid worker dead and two others injured. On 19 March, staff of the German Agency for Technical Assistance were ambushed outside Berabera in Somaliland.
"This killing of one of our colleagues is a tragic reminder of the risks humanitarian workers face every day." "Such attacks cannot be tolerated", said Jan Egeland, The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator. "I extend my sincere condolences to
the victim's family and wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery."
In a statement on 19 March, The Somalia Aid Coordination Body comprising donors, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations expressed its deep shock and sorrow over the attack. The Coordination Body sees this most recent tragedy as a
continuing serious deterioration in security focused on international aid workers in Somalia. The Coordination Body added that it expects the Somaliland Administration to do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Source: ITV.COM — London,UK — 23 March, 2004
Five Men Have Been Arrested In Connection With The Murders Of Four Aid Workers, Including Two Britons, In The Breakaway
Republic Of Somalil
Five men have been arrested in connection with the murders of four aid workers, including two Britons, in the breakaway Republic of Somaliland.
The suspects were held in a village near the Somaliland-Ethiopia border after a gun battle with police on Saturday, said Somaliland's country's information minister, Abdillahi Duale.
They are being questioned over the murders of British headteacher Richard Eyeington, 62, and his wife Enid, 61, who were shot through the window of their flat in Sheikh Secondary School, 500 miles north of Mogadishu, last October.
The suspects were initially arrested in connection with last Friday's killings of a man and a woman who worked for German aid agency GTZ.
Mr Duale said: "Five men have been arrested in connection with the latest killings.
"The investigation is still going on but we do understand that there is a high probability that these people are connected with the previous killings of Richard and Enid Eyeington."
The minister said it was believed the suspects were intending to flee Somaliland and were found to be in possession of large amounts of cash.
Mr and Mrs Eyeington were working for Austrian aid agency SOS Children's Villages and had moved to Somaliland in September 2002.
Somaliland police have previously made a number of arrests in connection with the couple's murder. No-one has yet been formally charged.
In last week's attack, a Kenyan woman and a Somali man were killed and their German colleague was injured when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle between Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa and the Gulf of Aden port town of Berbera.
Somaliland declared its independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991 as civil war raged across much of the southern part of the East African country following the ousting of long-time dictator Mohammed Siad Barre.
It is not internationally recognised as an independent state.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 23, 2004
SOMALILAND ACCUSES PUNTLAND, INTERIM GOVERNMENT OVER KILLING OF AID WORKER
The self-declared republic of Somaliland has accused both the neighbouring semi-autonomous region of Puntland (northeastern Somalia) and the Transitional National Government of Somalia (TNG) and of being behind the recent murder of a foreign aide worker in Somaliland.
The TNG has strongly denied the entire allegations. An umbrella of aid groups working in Horn of Africa nation said on Saturday (20 March) that Kenyan employee was killed and a German national wounded in incident. The unidentified victims, who worked for the German Agency for Technical Assistance, or GTZ, were shot dead outside the port of Barbara on Friday (19
March), the Somalia Aid Coordination Body said in a statement. The statement gave no further details about the victims or the assailants.
Somaliland said it had arrested five people in connection with the murder of the aid workers.
Source: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in English 22 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring International Reports,March 23, 2004
SOMALILAND PRESIDENT KAHIN SAYS STATE "SOVEREIGN" WITH OR WITHOUT RECOGNITION
President is committed to 'his republic's' sovereignty: reconciliation conference in Kenya does not concern us. Confirmed to Al-Hayat the 'arrest of five terrorists' and the exchange of information with the Americans" and published by London-based
newspaper Al-Hayat on 22 March
President of the "Somaliland Republic", Dahir Riyale Kahin, has stated that he would continue to exercise sovereignty over "his republic" that seceded from Somalia and declared its independence in 1991 "even without international recognition of it".
In statements he made to Al-Hayat in London yesterday, he confirmed the arrest of "five terrorists who carried out a terrorist operation on Somaliland territory" last Friday (19 March) and referred to the possibility of them having ties with the "Al-Qa'idah" organization. He also confirmed his government's control of the disputed Sool and Sanaag regions in northern Somalia. He said that the Somali reconciliation conference being held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, "does not concern us" and reiterated his commitment to the independence of Somaliland and said: "I created the union in 1991 and I confirm today
the withdrawal from it (sentence as published). I am fully confident and determined to continue with our sovereign state. We have all the conditions needed for an independent and sovereign state. Even if no-one recognizes us for the next 10 years or more, we will continue to survive alone. This is the will of the people. They do not want the union (with southern Somalia) because they suffered deeply from the killings and torture at the hands of their brothers who rendered this union a failure during 30 years."
It will be recalled that "Somaliland", the former British protectorate in northwestern Somalia, became independent of Britain on 26 June 1960 and then united with the former Italian colony (Italian Somaliland) on 1 July of the same year and together they established the Republic of Somalia. "Somaliland" seceded unilaterally in 1991 after the overthrow of President Mohammad Siyad Barre early that year.
Kahin expressed his belief that the international community has not recognized "his republic" so far for political reasons only and not for legal ones and said: "I hope that we will get this recognition, especially as the situations have started to change and the international community has started to change its view of us."
He revealed "that Ethiopia asserted to us that it would be the second country to recognize us and justified its non-recognition by referring to the presence of the African Union headquarters in its capital, Addis Ababa, and said that being the first to recognize us would probably causes it embarrassment with several African countries." He added: "Other
countries besides Ethiopia have also asserted to us their willingness to recognize us once one country has done so. We are still looking for the first country that will recognize us and we will find it."
After pointing out that "Somaliland" has good relations with Ethiopia and Djibouti, he said: "We have border security arrangements with the two countries." He added: "Some US diplomats visit us from time to time, even though we do not have diplomatic relations, to ask for information in the fight against terrorism and we cooperate with them."
The "Somaliland" president went on to say: "Five terrorist elements infiltrated our border from Somalia two days ago (Friday) and carried out an operation between Hargeysa and Berbera. We arrested these persons who had come directly from Mogadishu and
who are probably from "Al-Qa'idah", but we cannot confirm this before the investigations are complete. We are concentrating on building democracy and a stable government in our region while Somalia is open to all kinds of terrorism."
Source: Al-Hayat, London, in Arabic 22 Mar 04
The Guardian (London) March 23, 2004
Five held over killing of British teachers
BYLINE: Matthew Taylor
Five men have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of two British teachers in north-western Somalia last year.
Richard and Enid Eyeington, 62 and 61, were shot through the window of their flat in a school compound about 550 miles north of Mogadishu in October.
The pair from Durham had retired from teaching after working in Swaziland for 32 years. But 12 months before the attack they had moved to the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland in an attempt to safeguard a secondary school which was due to be
reopened.
Last night the country's information minister, Abdillahi Duale, who was on a visit to London, said that the five men were being held in a village near the Somaliland-Ethiopia border after a gun battle with police on Saturday.
The suspects had initially been arrested in connection with the killings last week of a man and woman who worked for a German aid agency.
But last night Mr Duale said: "The investigation is still going on, but we do understand that there is a high probability that these people are connected with the previous killings of Richard and Enid Eyeington."
The film-maker Richard Attenborough, who knew the Eyeingtons for three decades, called them "the most inspirational couple I have ever met".
The day after the shootings, students across Somaliland took to the streets to express their outrage.
The Somaliland police have previously made a number of arrests in connection with the murders, but no charges have been brought.
United Press International, March 23, 2004
U.N. condemns killing of Somali aid worker
DATELINE: UNITED NATIONS, March 23 (UPI)
U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland Tuesday condemned the killing last week of an aid worker following an ambush in Somalia's northwest.
The worker, who was not named, was killed and two others were injured after an ambush of staff from the German Agency for Technical Assistance near the town of Berabera in the Somaliland region. "The killing of one of our colleagues is a tragic reminder of the risks humanitarian workers face every day," said Egeland, a U.N. undersecretary-general.
The Somalia Aid Coordination Body, comprising U.N. agencies, donors and non-governmental organizations, also expressed its shock and sorrow in a statement after the killing. The SACB said the killing highlighted the deteriorating security situation
for international aid workers operating in Somalia. A U.N. field security officer was kidnapped Jan. 29 in Somalia's south by armed militiamen, but was released more than a week later.
Africa News,March 22, 2004
Two Aid Workers Killed in Somaliland
BYLINE: UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
Two aid workers working for the German development agency (GTZ) in the self-declared republic of Somaliland were killed when their car was ambushed on the road between the capital Hargeysa, and the port town of Berbera, a local journalist in Hargeysa
told IRIN on Monday.
The two, a Kenyan and a Somali, were killed on Friday by unknown gunmen, who also wounded a German colleague and a policeman travelling with them as their security escort, said the journalist. Police, he added, said they had apprehended five men, "who are now in a Hargeysa prison where they are being interrogated". They were arrested in the village of Dhokhoshey, some
430 km east of Hargeysa, he added.
It was not yet clear what the motive for the killings was, "but police investigations are in high gear", said the journalist.
"There is a suspicion that this group may have had a hand in the killings of other expatriates last year, but we will know for sure after the police release their report," he added.
Last year, two British teachers and a well-known Italian aid worker, Dr Annalena Tonelli, were also killed in Somaliland by attackers yet to be identified.
The Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB) comprising donors, UN agencies and NGOs working in Somalia said in a statement that it was "deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of two GTZ employees". It said the SACB "condemns these murders in the strongest possible terms and expresses deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims' family and friends".
"The SACB sees this most recent tragedy as a continuing serious deterioration in security focused on international aid workers in Somalia. The safety of humanitarian aid workers is imperative and such incidents cannot be tolerated.
Associated Press, March 22, 2004
Authorities in northwestern Somalia arrest five men suspected of killing aid worker
BYLINE: TOM MALITI; Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: NAIROBI, Kenya
Authorities in northwestern Somalia arrested five men suspected of killing an aid worker, a senior official from the self-declared republic of Somaliland said, as the United Nations began evacuating most of its international staff from the region.
Somaliland police picked up the five suspects Saturday as they were trying to cross from Somaliland into Ethiopia, said the region's interior minister, Ismaaciil Aadan Osman.
The men, all Somalis, were being held in Hargesia, Somaliland's capital, but have not yet been charged in connection with the killing of Flora Cheruiyot, a Kenyan who worked for the German Agency for Technical Cooperation, Osman said late Sunday. He did not say if authorities had any indication of the motive for the killing.
Cheruiyot, the fourth aid worker killed in the region since October, was shot Friday in a roadside ambush outside the Red Sea port of Berbera, which is in Somaliland.
The Somalia Aid Coordination Body, an umbrella group for aid organizations working in the Horn of Africa country, originally reported that a Somali bodyguard working for the German agency was also killed. But Monday, the group said the bodyguard, who was not identified, was only wounded in the attack.
The killing has prompted the United Nations to reduce its staff in Somaliland to "essential" international staffers and Somalis only, Pippa Alston, the acting head of the Somalia Aid Coordination Body, said Monday.
She could not say how many workers had been evacuated from the region, and U.N. officials were not immediately available for comment. It was not clear if the German agency and other international aid groups planned to withdraw their staff from Somaliland.
Somaliland broke away from the rest of Somalia and set up its own government when that nation descended into chaos in January 1991 following the ouster of President Mohammed Siad Barre. The region has remained relatively peaceful, while clan-based fighting has swept the center and south of Somalia.
Last October, two British teachers and an Italian aid worker will killed by unidentified assailants in Somaliland.
Agence France Presse, March 21, 2004
Somaliland blames militant Islamic group for murder of aid workers
DATELINE: NAIROBI, March 21
Authorities in Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland on Sunday blamed the murder of a Kenyan woman and her Somali colleague, both of who worked for a German aid agency, on the Islamic group known as Al Ittihad al-Islamia.
Assailants opened fire on a vehicle carrying three staff of the German Agency for Technical Assistance (GTZ) on Friday, killing the Kenyan woman on the spot and wounding two men, a Somali and a German. The Somali later succumbed to his injuries.
"The Mogadishu-based Al Ittihad al-Islamia organisation is responsible for the killings," Somaliland's Interior Minister Ismail Aden told AFP by telephone from Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital.
Police said they had arrested five people in connection with the attack.
"The team leader of these assassins was most of time in Mogadishu and he admitted being a member of that extremist Islamic organisation, and is allied to the Transitional National Government (TNG)," he added.
"The attackers bought a vehicle at Hargeisa for 18,000 dollars before the incident took place. It was a prepared attack financed by the group (Al Ittihad)," Aden added.
The militant Al-Ittihad is listed by the United States as a terrorist organisation with links to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.
The Mogadishu-based TNG dismissed Somaliland's claims that it had links to suspects arrested in connection with the murder of the aid workers.
"The regional administration in north Somalia (Somaliland) came with accusations before investigating the incident," TNG's
Information Minister AbdulKadir Abdulle said, adding that his administration had no intention to destabilise any part of Somalia.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, became independent on June 26, 1960, but days later united with the Italian colony in the south to form the republic of Somalia.
It seceded from Somalia in May 1991, five months after late Somali strongman Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown. The region has remained relatively calm even as the rest of the country was plunged into anarchy.
Agence France Presse, March 20, 2004
Humanitarian agencies condemn murder of two aid workers in Somaliland
DATELINE: NAIROBI, March 20
Aid agencies working in Somalia on Saturday condemned the killing of two people who worked for the German Agency for Technical Assistance (GTZ) in the self-declared republic of Somaliland.
Assailants opened fire on a vehicle carrying three GTZ staff on Friday, killing a Kenyan woman on the spot and wounding two men, a Somali and a German. The Somali later succumbed to his injuries.
The attack happened on the road between Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa and the Gulf of Aden port town of Berbera.
"The members of the Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB) condemn these murders in the strongest possible terms and express deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims' family and friends," said the statement issued by SACB, which is made up of non-governmental organisations and UN agencies.
The statement said the killing was part of "continuing serious deterioration in security focused on international aid workers in Somalia".
"The safety of humanitarian aid workers is imperative and such incidents cannot be tolerated," said.
"SACB expects the Somaliland administration to do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice," it added.
Somaliland police on Friday said they had arrested five people in connection with the attack.
Last October gunmen in Somaliand shot dead two British aid workers, Richard Eyeington, 63, and his wife Enid, 61, who worked in the Sheikh secondary school, situated in a small town of the same name south of Berbera.
Their murders followed the killing of Italian aid worker, 60-year-old Annalena Tonelli, who had lived in Somaliland for several years and ran a hospital there.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, became independent on June 26, 1960, but days later united with the Italian colony in the south to form the republic of Somalia.
It seceded from Somalia in May 1991, five months after late Somali strongman Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown and has remained relatively calm even as the rest of the country was plunged into anarchy.
Africa News, March 19, 2004
Ethiopia;Situation of IDPs in Somali Region Deteriorating
BYLINE: UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
Fears are mounting for the welfare of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in eastern Ethiopia, the United Nations warned on Friday. Disease, lack of food and dwindling water supplies are hitting the IDPs, the UN said in a special alert.
"There is a need to respond with timely assistance in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further," said the joint statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the government of the Somali National Regional State (SNRS). "It is necessary to speed up reintegration efforts from these areas and to secure the return of the IDPs to their areas of origin."
The UN aims to quickly "reintegrate" the IDP families into their original communities and provide transport and medical support to get them home. It is appealing for an immediate sum of US $180,000 to provide support for the IDPs, many of whom are Ethiopians who have come in from neighbouring Djibouti and Somaliland.
The statement issued on Thursday, said conditions in Fafen and Hartishek, the two man camps where the IDPs are gathering, were worsening as food and water were running out. In one area, 7,000 people who had not received water for three months were "placing an additional burden on the limited existing resources", it noted.
"Food allocations to the camps are resented by the local population, who are no longer included in general food distribution," it said of Fafen camp. In Hartishek, the statement added, the town had been hit by a "serious economic decline" affecting local people, and the arrival of thousands of IDPs was fuelling tension. A total of 15,000 IDPs in the
camps were facing a "deteriorating situation" and the UN and the SNRS intended to "return and reintegrate" 6,000 of them immediately, the statement said.
"In both these camps the only viable alternative is to move the IDPs back to their areas of origin where they can be incorporated within wider processes of regional development within their home communities," it added. "The current situation necessitates a timely and well-coordinated response from concerned partners."
In Ethiopia there are about 200,000 IDPs displaced by war, famine and drought, many of them women and children. Along the disputed 1,000-km border with Eritrea, some 76,000 IDPs have for various reasons remained unable to go home, often because their areas of origin are contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Agence France Presse, March 19, 2004
Gunmen kill Kenyan woman, wound German, Somali in attack in Somaliland
DATELINE: MOGADISHU, March 19
A Kenyan woman working for a German aid agency was killed and two of her colleagues, a German and a Somali, were wounded Friday when assailants opened fire on their vehicle in Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland, police said.
The Somali man was earlier reported to have been killed in the attack, but police later found him in some bushes, wounded but alive.
The attack in which Flora Chepkemoi Cheruiyot of the aid agency GTZ was killed happened on the road between Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa and the Gulf of Aden port town of Berbera.
Police said they had arrested five people in connection with the attack.
"Five people who were behind the killing were arrested after a gun battle with Somaliland police," Interior Minister Ismail Aden told AFP by telephone from Hargeisa.
Three of those arrested were wounded during the shootout in the Togdher area of eastern Somaliland, he added. Police also seized guns believed to have been used in the crime.
Somaliland's Vice President Ahmed Yusuf Yasin sent his government's condolences to the family of the victim and the people of Kenya.
"We condemn this heinous act and any further developments regarding this case will be conveyed to you," Yasin said in his condolence message.
All expatriates working for humanitarian organisations were evacuated from Somaliland following the attack, aid workers in the region said.
Last October gunmen in Somaliand shot dead two British aid workers, Richard Eyeington, 63, and his wife Enid, 61, who worked in the Sheikh secondary school, situated in a small town of the same name south of Berbera.
Their murder followed that of Italian aid worker, 60-year-old Annalena Tonelli, who had lived in Somaliland for several years and ran a hospital there.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 18, 2004
SOMALILAND PRESIDENT ADDRESSES BRITAIN'S HOUSE OF COMMONS
The president of the Republic of Somaliland, HE Dahir Riyale Kahin, who is in the UK, last night gave a long speech to the House of Commons highlighting the various stages that Somaliland had gone through.
President Kahin called for the recognition of his country in the historic speech saying it had fulfilled all conditions for statehood. President Kahin gave examples of countries including Eritrea, Georgia, East Timor and Serbia that had seceded and had been recognized in the last 13 years.
The president of the Republic of Somaliland spoke about the level of democracy attained in Somaliland and gave examples of the presidential elections and the local authorities' elections which were quite successful in the country.
The speech by President Kahin was applauded by British MPs who were impressed by Somaliland's transition since it attained independence from Britain.
Reports say members of President Kahin's delegation are still holding separate meetings with British ministers.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 18 Mar 04
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 18, 2004
SOMALILAND PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS IN LONDON WITH BRITISH MINISTERS, MPS
The president of the Republic of Somaliland, HE Dahir Riyale Kahin, along with the delegation he is leading, this afternoon met Hon Andy Mitchell, (the British) Secretary of State for Rural Development. Their talks dealt with matters related to the environment and how the two countries could cooperate in this regard. The president and his delegation yesterday at 9.30 a.m.
held talks with the British parliamentary committee in charge of foreign affairs, chaired by Mr Donald Anderson. The meeting lasted for an hour. The delegation gave a detailed report on Somaliland's situation in general and the improvement of
democracy in Somaliland in particular.
The delegation explained the various stages which Somaliland had gone through since its declaration of independence (in 1991). The delegation urged the committee to do something about Somaliland's sovereignty and to promote the interest of Somaliland.
The British foreign affairs committee promised to do everything possible and work with the Republic of Somaliland. The committee was impressed with the report by the (members of the) House of Commons following their recent visit to Hargeysa, Somaliland.
The Foreign Office yesterday held a special luncheon for the delegation, which was attended by Chris Mullin, minister of state for foreign affairs (responsible for Africa), and other officials from the British Foreign Office. They agreed to strengthen relations between the two countries.
The Somaliland president will soon give a lengthy speech to the House of Commons.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 17 Mar 04
Radio Somaliland, 17th March 2004
Speech of Somaliland's President to Members of British House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, Members of the House of Commons.
I feel very privileged to be standing here. I thank you for the honour and the privilege.
This great House was the seat of governance for my country, Somaliland, until the year 1960.
Like all Somalilanders in that year I was given international recognition and statehood by Great Britain. I seek it again for reasons you know.
In 1960, thirty-five countries recognised Somaliland's statehood. They included Egypt, Ghana and Libya.
They had good reason then to do so. They have as good a reason to do so to-day.
The definition of a STATE is that it should have:
1. A permanent population;
2. A defined territory;
3. A Government;
4. A capacity to enter into relations with other states.
My country qualifies for statehood in all these respects.
Members of the House of Commons Select Committee on International Development visited us in Somaliland last January.
It was our great pleasure to meet and greet our long lost brothers.
The debate in Westminster Hall that followed their return to Britain was initiated, I understand, by the honourable Mr.
Tony Worthington MP. Thank you Mr. Worthington.
Members may not realise that computer buffs in Somaliland were able to see and hear, through a satellite connection, the debate on their computers.
The unanimous expressions of support for Somaliland is deep desire for recognition was a recurring theme of the debate.
It resonated with profound gratitude among all Somalilanders wherever they were in the world.
One person, a Somali General Manager of a British firm, commented: "I am speechless with admiration. Our visitors left nothing out.."¨
We too were pleased that the Secretary of State for International Development, Mr Hilary Benn, attended the debate.
In the most respectful terms, I cannot refrain, however, from inviting attention to the Secretary of state is honourably held feelings of sympathy for the peoples of southern Somalia.
"They have just as much of a right¡¨, he said, ¡§to a better life as the people of Somaliland"¨.
Surely, no-one in the right mind would wish to quarrel with that sentiment. It does, however, omit to mention a caveat to this sentiment of equality.
All is NOT equal in the eyes of the UN Security Council. Take for instance, and there are many other examples, the seat in the UN General Assembly that was given unilaterally, without consultation with Somaliland, to the Mogadishu-based, ill-fated Transitional National Government.
The reason for it is that Somalia has consistently baulked at every attempt by the United Nations and others to promote governing institutions for Somalia. This is not fair on Somaliland.
We have waited patiently for a representative government of Somalia to be formed with whom we can engage in a dialogue. That does not mean we are lukewarm about pursuing our legal right to self-determination and international recognition.
your former, and if I may say so, illustrious, Prime Minster, Margaret Thatcher, once said the lady is not for turning¡¨.
May I reassure Members of this House that The President, Dahir Rayale and People of Somaliland are likewise 'not for turning'.
We have trust in your house and in your government and we expect, as then prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, told this house shortly before our independence in 1960 is that it is Her Majesty's Government¡¦s hope that whatever may be the constitutional future of the Protectorate, the friendship which has been built up between its people and
those of the United Kingdom for so many years will continue and indeed flourish.
On our part, that friendship continued and will continue in the future, and on your part, we see the visit by the Honorable Members of Parliament to Somaliland as an honest attempt to revive that old friendship between our two nations.
Let me say something about our views towards Somalia. There are those who believe that the recognition issue of Somaliland may adversely affect or undermine the reconciliation efforts underway in Kenya. I would argue that the opposite is true. If Somaliland is recognized, our brothers in Somalia would concentrate and expend all their energies in finding a solution to their conflict since the deck of cards with regards to the Somaliland issue is no longer on the table, so to
speak. In addition, we believe that a sovereign Somaliland, better than anyone else, if called upon, can play a positive role in mediating the differences among our Somali brothers and to bring about a lasting peace in Somalia.
Having seen the tremendous strides Somaliland has made despite enormous odds, in the past 13 years, the world community padded Somalilanders on the back, and told us time and again that we are in the right track, and that we should continue on this course. The people of Somaliland have decided in their 2001 referendum to affirm their sovereignty thus challenging the
world community as to how long to stay the course without recognition? For another 13 years or perhaps 23 years!
If East-Timor, Eritrea, Serbia, Georgia to name a few were recognized as sovereign nations, in the last 13 years, why not Somaliland. The fact of the matter is that Somaliland is more populated than approximately 63 sovereign countries including Luxemburg, the republic of Congo and Jamaica. Somaliland is also larger in area than 85 sovereign nations including
Belgium, Jordan, and El-Salvador.
On a more serious not, -- For the sake of rather difficult history that my people share with Great Britain,-- let me take you back, --- that Sunday morning of June 26 1960 when your last governor,-- to what was then British Somaliland Sir Douglas Hall, departed our land. He left people with full of hope and dreams.--He left people with an immeasurable desire to run their affairs as a free society.--- He left our land, British Somaliland, -- only reassuring us that Great Britain will always be our best friend.
A lot has happened since. --- We celebrated that day throughout Somaliland with anticipation for the realization of our independence, then, ---- Premature and thoughtless merger into Italian Somalia without knowing what the future may hold for us, ----and The cold war that brought misery to our region, not to mention a Ruthless dictator who unleashed his deadly
might, to massacre his own people on the watch of all-powerful nations ---- including yours. ---All and all, resulted a failed union, and the death and devastation of our country and people.
Somaliland is at present building a society founded on peace, democracy, justice and the rule of law. Our commitment to the peace and stability of the region included unreserved respect of the unity and territorial integrity of all our neighboring states.
We expect from our neighbors a reciprocal treatment.
We stand neither for secession, nor for the revision of Africa's borders. The people of Somaliland have made their choice loud and clear, independence is an inalienable right.
It is iron clad no longer a hope, but a reality. There is no turning back. The only way is forward. What remains for the international community and her majesty's government, is to come to grips with that reality and accept Somaliland as member of the world community of nations and member of the common wealth of nations.
No pressure on the part of the international community can alter these basic facts or bend the will of the people. We want the country that ruled us for 76 years to renew their trust in us, and take the lead and reconfirm Somaliland's sovereignty and independence.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Somaliland should be granted a full diplomatic recognition, and should not be punished for the success that it has achieved by its own efforts.
Fundamentals of democratic society base upon freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, multiparty democracy, different layers of fair and free elections are some of our prime achievements.
It is ironic that these achievements are alien to many of the countries whom we are asking to decide the destiny of our nation. This is the stark truth of Somaliland, a country that has built all constitutional institutions, has fulfilled all
democratic legalities to the letter and instilled the culture of peace and stability.
Although our democracy is only 13 years old we have assigned the two most important ministries to women including the foreign ministry portfolio, and we plan to add more portfolios to women in the future.
We also plan to assign significant candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections so that the voice of women is abundantly heard, though we know that women's empowerment is a lot more than increasing their numbers in parliament.
Realizing that, we are determined to continue to change the mindset that has slowed progress towards genuine empowerment of women in political decision-making and in all spheres of life.
Honorable members of parliament, Ladies and gentlemen,
In the wake of September 11th, many citizens of this city and in this great nation saw the world as radically altered.
Understandably, there is alarm here in London and elsewhere and around the globe about the issue of failed states in these troubling times, and a desire to limit any dangers they might pose to our collective security.
Trust me, we know all about failed states. But we in Somaliland do not believe ours is a failed one, but a capable, responsible and democratic state. However, we share the same fears with you about failed states, and the threat they could pose to us all. In a global village like ours, the problems, miseries, and frustrations of others can easily spillover on
other nations.
Likewise, the well-being and the success of other nations can equally have a profound positive effect on all of us.
The reality on the ground today is, in our global village, what is good for one country is good for the other. The surest and the most effective way of fighting terrorism is not by trying to cure the symptom of the disease but the root cause of the
malady by eradicating poverty, which manifests itself in misery and frustration. It is easy to assume that a neglected poverty-ridden society will be a congenial breeding ground for terrorists. The rich and the poor countries must have a common agreement to fight and cooperate in the interest of all mankind to eliminate poverty at the global level. Fighting human
misery and degradation of human life must be a common concern for everybody, if we aspire a more peaceful life in this fast shrinking world of ours.
Our challenge is then to create a state in which peace and security are guaranteed over a sustained period, because we believe, there can be no long-term economic development without peace.
My Lords, Distinguished Members of House of Commons, Ladies and Gentlemen. ----- It is cruel and uncommon for this great institution -- to ignore and not grant a political recognition to a former British protectorate that chose peace and self-determination after all that significant past. -- And I'll tell you why it is cruel and inhumane. ------ For lack of
political recognition;
- My people cannot trade and travel in the proper means of business for lack of internationally recognized documents.
- We cannot become a member and participate the international trade organizations
- We cannot rejuvenate our economy and attract international investments.
- We cannot organize internationally credible banking institutions
- We cannot strongly assist the war on terror since we do not share data with the free world.
- Our children cannot take advantage of educational scholarships.
- We are virtually in prison for reasons unknown to us ladies and gentlemen
The pervasive poverty, that afflicts our society; -- the despair of millions who are without jobs and without hope; because of poverty; the darkness that engulfs millions because they are both illiterate and innumerate; --- the many who will be victims of violent crimes -- because hunger, want and brutality have warped and condemned many in our region.
I come out of a country with whose travails and suffering -- for lack of international relationship, you are very familiar. You will therefore understand it easily why I stand up to say that for such a powerful country, as yours, -- democracy, peace and prosperity in our region are as much in your national interest -- as ours.
I'll say this to you, ladies and gentlemen, -- for this state of our affairs to change; we wait no United Nations bureaucratic system -- or African Union -- or pan Arab organization to take the lead. Because they will not, and they never did. -- It demands of you enlightened and great leaders of Great Britain, that you should assist us, and therefore yourselves
as well, to rediscover for ourselves, -- as a nation, the practice of democracy we envisioned and established for our people -- and strengthen the institutional foundations we already initiated.
This new century will surely demand that democracy must also mean a life of plenty. -- As the images of life lived anywhere on our globe become available to all, -- in television and the internet, so will the contrast between the rich and the poor within and across frontiers and within and across the continents, become a motive force impelling the deprived to
demand a better life from the powers that be, -- wherever their location. And it is a great opportunity for warlord, tyrants and evil dictators to rise -- and also heaven for terror networks and religious fanatics to recruit in our part of the world.
To sum up what we have achieved so far in the last few years, --- I'll use the very words of your great statesman Winston Churchill¡¨ -- who once said, and I quote; "We must never cease to proclaim in fearless tones the great principles of freedom and the rights of man which are the joint inheritance of the English-speaking world --- and which through Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, --- the Habeas Corpus, trial by jury, --- and the English common law, find their most famous expression in the American Declaration of Independence.
----- All this means that the people of any country -- have the right, -- and should have the power by constitutional action,
-- by free unfettered elections, with secret ballot, -- to choose or change the character or form of government -- under which they dwell; Here is the message of the British and American peoples send to mankind. ----- Let us preach what we practice - let us practice - what we preach¡¨ ---------and he continued, -----.
Ladies and gentleman
Our economy and livelihood now depends entirely on the livestock sector, a sector that is subject to extreme fluctuations depending on the domestic weather conditions and external market situations, two vital
variables not under our control. We are working hard to diversify the economy, by exploiting our vast untapped resources, like oil and gas, precious stones and the vast sea resources over the coming years. We have already taken steps in that direction, but our efforts are being hamstrung by the refusal of the international community to invest in our country or deal with us bilaterally.
Ladies and gentlemen, -- therefore, -- I do firmly believe - that the people of this country, -- who have done so much to write the history of the world, -- have the vision, the wisdom and the daring to strive ¡V and should not let the suffering of our people go on, -- so that what is good shines over the cities and the villages of my country because of your actions.
Thank you.
Copyright © Radio Somaliland, 2003.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 17, 2004
SOMALILAND PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH BRITISH MINISTERS
The president of Somaliland, HE Dahir Riyale (Kahin), and a large delegation he was leading today held talks with British ministers.
We have received reports that the president met the British minister in charge of African development and the secretary of state for environment and rural affairs. The outcome of the talks have not been disclosed. The president has also not commented on the outcome of the meeting. However, I have learnt favourable decisions were made in the meeting.
Somalilandnet reporter Mahmud Abukar who had accompanied the president, spoke to us on phone and said the meeting was quite successful and the ministers were impressed by Somaliland's achievements.
The president had a special dinner with businessmen in the United Kingdom. matters related to Somaliland's interests were discussed (passage omitted).
Many people are preparing themselves to take part in a demonstration that will be held in London tomorrow. You will be impressed by the exquisite manner in which the people of Somaliland living in the UK and other countries are preparing themselves to take part in the demonstration.
Tomorrow, God willing, many people are expected to stage a demonstration on the secession of Somaliland and to seek recognition for Somaliland.
Source: Somaliland Net web site in Somali 16 Mar 04
http://somalilandweb.blogdrive.com/comments?id=485484
12:32 - 17 March 2004
SPEAKING OUT FOR SOMALILAND
Hundreds of Somalilanders from Bristol visited Whitehall today to lobby for international recognition of their country. After the civil war in Somalia in 1990, people in the north-west of the country split away to form Somaliland.
Since then they have worked hard to establish a democracy, while Somalia to the south continues to be governed by tribal warlords in a state of semi-anarchy.
A recent report by MPs who visited the country has given hope to its cause of gaining international recognition, and now local Somalilanders, who fled to Britain during the wars, are travelling to London to pile on the pressure.
Today Somaliland's first elected president, Dahir Rayaale Kahin, will be a guest at 10 Downing Street, along with ministers from the country's new parliament.
Mohamed Abdi, on behalf of Bristol's Somalilander community, said: "We would like to express our gratitude to these MPs.
"We believe their report has made a huge contribution to the recognition of Somaliland sovereignty and would help secure financial assistance to nurse the newborn democracy in the entire region ravaged by dictatorial regimes for more than half a century."
The Bristol Somalilanders, some 900, will be around 25,000 people expected to attend today.
From BBC Radio,
I HAVE A RIGHT TO
Mohamed Mohamed - Somali
Reporter's Story
I had never looked into Somali culture microscopically; people there struggle every day.
For this radio series, I wanted to know whether it's possible to speak about human rights in an interesting way.
Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
A Poem and a Song on Human Rights
In Kenya, where there is a large Somali community, I met Ahmed Hussein, a poet. I asked him if he could write a poem based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It is seven minutes long because he wanted to cover every article. His words are very moving. This is an excerpt:
The thirty articles on human rights have been agreed to all over the world; I will explain each and every one to you; hold on to it tight and do not let it slip.
The freedom of a person and the right to live in peace has been described as an inherent right to every human being and you should consider it. I am talking to those who are armed in Somalia...
In the Medina area in Mogadishu, I commissioned some musicians to write a signature tune for my series. I printed out the UDHR in Somali and read it out to them. I told Sahal Moalin Isse, the songwriter, to convey the message and he wrote a very beautiful song. It says: "Everyone has his/her own rights... Rights and wrongs do not go hand in hand, as sleep and noise do not go hand in hand... You ought to know that there are lawyers in this world..."
Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his
family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Dignity
The people I met in Somaliland, a 10-year-old breakaway republic, have left me with memories that will stay with me forever.
I went to the city of Hargeisa, in the administration of Somaliland. It's very different to other parts of Somalia. It's peaceful and you can talk to people openly.
In the town of Buro, Amina Abdi Sirad, lost one of her legs. She was extremely unlucky. Two brothers were fighting and they had guns. One ran away and hid behind her and she was shot. She was taken to the hospital, where her leg had to be amputated.
Making a Difference
There are two NGOs, in Hargeisa, which help landmine survivors. They are the Somaliland Red Crescent Society and Handicap International France.
Amina Aw-Muhummad, another young lady, lost both her legs on a landmine. She was crippled and couldn't walk. The Red Crescent gave her artificial limbs. She was able to stand on her own legs and walk about and do things.
When I asked Amina how she felt with her new legs, tears welled up in her eyes. She said, "people here have been very kind to me. I got these legs. Before, I could only sit and I was relying on people to help me." I saw her standing up, after the interview, and she looked like everybody else. She looked comfortable and she was proud.
She compared her situation with her life today, she said, "Although my legs are artificial, when I stand, I have dignity. I am at the level of other people."
Article 17: Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Women Treated as Property
In the Baydhabo region, I met Abukar Shiikh Yusuf an activist who worked for Isha Human Rights. He said the violations are of such an extent that people do not know how to get help. Women are largely abused, he said, so much so that they are treated like a man's property.
Shiikh Yusuf documented a case which he shared with me. A woman was married to a man. He mistreated her. Eventually, she was only able to obtain a divorce when she gave him her house, her car and all her property. She was left with nothing.
Also, a young couple got married and the family of the girl wanted her to abort the child she was carrying. Her husband did not want her to lose the child. But against her will and that of her husband, she was forced to have an abortion.
Making a Difference
Isha Human Rights is a small group, which has its own office. It aims to safeguard the rights of people in Baydhabo, an area where there are many factions and where there was famine in 1992.
Shiikh Yusuf says it's very difficult to convince women that they have rights and the attitudes of men are entrenched. At the moment, he documents the violations and tries to be vocal about who is committing them. He hopes that one day this
information will be used in court.
© BBC World Service, Bush House, Strand, London WC2B 4PH, UK.