Monday June 6, 2022
Hargeisa (HOL) - Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi said that peace and social cohesion in Somaliland have attracted the attention of investors, and improving the interior would lead to international recognition.
Speaking at the Brenthurst Foundation African Security Dialogue conference in Hargeisa on Sunday, President Bihi underlined that the people of Somaliland believe that peace is their top priority, which has attracted many governments and institutions to trust and invest in Somaliland.
He added that the Berbera project exemplifies peace and trust among Somaliland's people.
"We believe that recognition can be achieved through improving our interiors, not externally. We don't anticipate a government to recognize Somaliland as an independent. We believed in cleaning up our homes first to show the world that Somaliland can be trusted and worked with." President Bihi is quoted as saying.
"In terms of politics, culture, economy, and peace, we aspire to be an example to most African countries, not only Somalis." He added.
During the question and answers session, the President answers questions related to peace, economics, and democracy. Ugandan opposition leader and singer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, who is among the delegates invited to the conference, has asked the President why the SNM returned power to the people. Still, most other freedom fighters, such as Yoweri Museveni in Uganda, did not?
The President responded, "As SNM leaders, our first rule was to fight for independence and remove the stubborn leader, then we asked ourselves why are we fighting? Should the people decide their future, or should we, as leaders, make the decisions?
On May 18, 1991, Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia but has not received legal recognition from the international community.
Somaliland elections
The Somaliland Electoral Commission has completely disbanded following a dispute ahead of the controversial presidential election scheduled for November 13.
The three remaining commission members, including the newly elected chairman Kaltuun Sheikh Hassan Abdi, have submitted their resignation letters to the President of Somaliland on Saturday.
The chairman of the opposition UCID party said it is unfortunate the disbandment of the commission, and they will hold a meeting to save Somaliland and its security.