The Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs successfully concluded on Thursday an international forum that brought together of 250 delegates from 28 countries.
The theme of the forum revolved around the Republic of Somaliland’s achievements over the past 27 years, what had gone wrong, why the world kept turning a deaf ear on the country’s calls for a place alongside the rest of the world and what challenges lay ahead that needed to be prepared for.
A great deal of discussion over the critical issues, drawing upon well-researched papers presented during the two-day conference, ensued.
To honor the event and express the country’s gratitude of support shown at the event, and in the resulting communique’, His Excellency the President, Musa Bihi Abdi, threw a dinner for participating delegates at the Presidency on Thursday.
The Communique’ read as follows:
Communique of the High Level International Conference ‘Somaliland’s Achievements and Challenges Ahead 27 Years Later’ ************************************************************** 11 October, 2018Preamble1. On 10-11 October 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Somaliland hosted a high-level international conference on the theme ‘Somaliland’s Achievements and Challenges Ahead 27 Years Later.’ 2. The conference, the first of its kind to be held in Somaliland, aimed to take stock of how far Somaliland has come in translating its domestic successes in peacebuilding, democracy, development and responsible regional cooperation into momentum for the countries quest for recognition and international economic cooperation, while also debating and discussing the challenges that the country continues to face in reaching its foreign policy ambitions. 3. The conference brought together an impressive array of over 250 distinguished guests from 28 countries around the world, alongside members of Somaliland society ranging from government officials, members of all political parties, businesspeople, intellectuals, academicians, journalists and representatives of civil society. Among the countries from which these international friends of Somaliland hailed included Senegal, Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, the US, Finland, the UK, Kenya, Algeria, Brussels, Guinea-Bissau, France, Holland, Uganda, Djibouti and IGAD. This included diplomats, members of parliament, officials from regional bodies, well-known businessmen and businesswomen, founders of international organisations, academics and others. 4. The event was opened by H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi, President of the Republic of Somaliland, who praised the role of Somaliland’s international friends and partners in building the strong relations Somaliland shares with nations in the region, Africa and the rest of the world. Echoing a theme that would pervade the conference, he highlighted the historic opportunity that the redevelopment of the Berbera Port can bring to Somaliland’s economic transformation and strategic geopolitical importance in a more integrated and prosperous Horn of Africa region. 5. The conference also heard from representatives from all political parties, who both praised past successes in building diplomatic support for Somaliland’s cause in the past, especially through the 2005 AU fact-finding mission on the country’s unique case, but also lamented missed opportunities to build on these successes. However, they shared the common view that Somaliland’s recognition and international standing was an issue that transcends any social differences, and that all sectors and stakeholders must be united in taking these international efforts forward. 6. Four separate panels were organised across the two days, which covered topics extending from the impact of non-recognition on Somaliland and the challenges and prospects for attaining recognition, to ongoing regional changes and maritime competition, and the economic foundations necessary to further elevate Somaliland’s global stature. Speakers included Somaliland ministers, academics and civil society actors, as well as international participants from the business community, international development agencies, global think tanks, African regional governance bodies, academic institutions and the diplomatic community. Communique 7. At the conclusion of the conference, the participants agreed to a number of resolutions, to be championed in both the individual capacities and collective cooperation of everyone involved. The conference firmly agreed: 1. That Somaliland fulfils all the international legal, political and moral conditions for statehood, and that it is the duty of the international community to honour Somaliland’s right to self-determination. |
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