SLF...(SNN):
On 7th of December, 2002, the President of the Republic of Somaliland Hon. Dahir Rayale Kahin arrived on an official state visit in Laasanod, Sool, one of the six regions of Somaliland. Approximately about 1400pm noon as the President and his entourage were resting in their Guest houses, an army of terrorists sent by the warlord presiding over the neighbouring Puntland of Somalia; Col. Abdilaahi Yusuf, attacked the President and his delegation in their guest houses.
The militia that attacked the Somaliland President and his delegation were met with fierce resistance from the local police and military stations. The alleged reason for these unprovoked attacks on Somaliland cities and, Somaliland President was Warlord Abdillahi yusuf's absurd claim that Sool is part of his Puntland administration when, in fact, Sool is one of the six regions of Somaliland, historically and legally.
The Somaliland Forum, which is an independent-international organisation that represents the Somaliland Diaspora, condemns and deplores these terrorist attacks on Somaliland by Abdillahi Yussuf's administration in the strongest possible terms. We beleive that Col. Yusuf is a dangerous and genocidal personality that is a threat to both regional and international peace.
This is not the first time he has played with fire, however, this time he has gone one step furhter and decided to provoke Somaliland into a war, which will further destabilise the war stricken horn of africa and the entire African continent, as a whole.
We would like to inform the international Community that the Republic of Somaliland is a peace-loving country, which will strive for peaceful ends to any disputes and/or conflicts. Moreover, the republic of Somaliland, as demonstrated by the achievements in the past 11 years, is a democratic country which is preparing for its first-ever local and national elections since it reclaimed its independence from Somalia in 1991.
Hence, the last thing it wants or wishes for is a war. Never the less, we affirm that as an indepent-sovereign country with a clearly demarcated borders and, a democratically elected government, we will not and cannot tolerate any acts of external aggression that may undermine Somaliland's territorial integrity. Therefore, the Republic of Somaliland will do and take any action necessary to preserve its territorial integrity, including military ones.
The people of Somaliland fought a long and bloody war with the tyrant dictatorial regime of Siyad Barre of Somalia and, finally liberated their country in 1991. Immediately afterwards, they declared the withdrawal from the voluntary union, which Somalilaland entered with Somalia in 1960 when it gained its independence from Britain and, the reintroduction of its sovereign status.
In the 11 years that passed, Somaliland built a successful vibrant democratic country that is today a shining example to the rest of the countries in the region. Somaliland will not hesitate to defend these achievements and to preserve its sovereignty and territorial intergrity, once again, by military means, if required.
At this present moment while his officials are waging war, destabilising the region and causing mayhem, Abdillahi Yussuf's officials are taking part in the Somali reconciliation conference in Elderot, Kenya, receiving VIP treatment from reginal leaders. We urge the international Community, IGAD and the African Union leaders to hold this warlord personally responsible for these terrorist attacks.
We request from these bodies to send a loud and clear message to the warlords gathered in Elderot and inform them in the strongest possible terms that Somaliland's territorial integrity must be respected and, that all destabilising and provocative acts shall cease immediately. Such a message, alone, from these regional and world leaders to Col. Abdillahi Yusuf, is the only hope of averting a war in an already war-femine stricken part of the world.
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The Somaliland Forum.
Background: The Somaliland Forum (SLF) is an international organization that brings together Somalilanders from all parts of the world mainly, through the medium of the Internet. The primary objective of the Forum is to work with the Somaliland communities around the world in order to provide some lasting solutions to the needs of the Republic of Somaliland and its people.
For more information, Please visit forum's web site at:
www.somalilandforum.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING SPOKESPERSONS:
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