Ms Gaydh (L) joins VP Sayli (R) for her first official trip abroadBy: Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The Vice president is to meet with Swedish Somalilanders in Stockholm and other Swedish cities.

The Vice President Hon Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail Sayli who left the country Tuesday afternoon is on his way to Sweden via Addis Abba, Ethiopia where he will stay for four days before departure to Stockholm.

During his four days stay in Addis Abba, VP Sayli who received a red carpet welcome from Somaliland diplomatic staff and Ethiopian officials at Bole international airport will hold various discussions pertinent to bi-lateral relations between the two neighbouring and brotherly countries.

After his Ethiopia sojourn VP Sayli will fly directly to Stockholm, Sweden for various meetings with Swedish-Somalilanders who extended an invitation to the Somaliland deputy head of state.

"Although my visit to Ethiopia is personal, I will hold bilateral discussions with a number of officials" Said the VP on arrival at Bole airport

On the agenda of his visit to Sweden, the VP said that while he will brief Somalilanders in the Diaspora on prevalent situation in the country in relation to security, democratization, economy, diplomacy etc., he will also lend an ear to his hosts as per their wishes on national development

The VP, who flew to Addis Ababa from a triumphant diplomatic mission in Djibouti where he led a high powered delegation, revealed that President Omar Gelle's recognition of Somaliland's passport is official and interested citizens can now start taking advantage of the new travel arrangements.

Said he "I will also pursue the possibility of similar travel arrangements with officials of all the countries I visit"

The VP who is accompanied by the deputy minister of public works and housing Ali Abdi Saaiq as well as president Silanyo's political advisor and Deputy Gabile mayor Ms. Kadra Haji Gaydh, had achieved various diplomatic coups while in Djibouti i.e.

• President Omar Gelle's commitment to solicit foreign investors for Somaliland.

• Acceptance of Somaliland passport

• Funding for Seyla port face-lifting which will be undertaken by an Algerian firm that is currently constructing a fishing port in Djibouti

• Exchange of Consular offices etc.

It is anticipated the VP who seems to have been delegated with increased foreign relations activities will achieve more of the same during this and other forthcoming trips abroad.

Ms Kadra Gaydh who is in the VP's entourage is the first woman to hold a mayor ship in the country. She was the mayor of Gabile for almost two before she relinquished the position she took over from former mayor who left office after he was implicated in misappropriation of council property.

During her two years reign at the Gabile mayor's parlor Kadra Gaydh is credited with various achievements especially the elimination of corruption and garbage in the town, many citizens were disappointed when 11 councilors campaigned to have her replaced.