By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The Somaliland leadership will join other world leaders at the state burial of late Ethiopian Prime minister.
According to Somalilandsun sources the country’s delegation to the state burial of late Meles Zenawi will be led by the president, H.E Ahmed Mahmoud Silanyo who will have an encompassing membership in his delegation.
Among those to be in the president’s delegation to the burial in Addis Ababa include foreign minister Dr Mohamed A Omar, yet undisclosed senior ministers, members of the two houses of parliament as well as representatives of the official political parties of Kulmiye, UCID and UDUB.
Though the date of the burial is yet to be announced by the administration in Addis, the president Silanyo led delegation is all set for departure to the Ethiopian capital city most likely with Ethiopian airlines which runs daily flights from the Berbera international airport.
During the state burial president, Silanyo is expected to have sideline talks with the many leaders especially from Africa who will be in attendance as pertains the country’s intensified quest for recognition.
Somaliland and Ethiopia enjoy good bi-lateral relations especially during the tenure of the deceased Zenawi, with the neighbouring having been the first to establish a diplomatic mission manned by a full ambassador in the capital Hargeisa.
While conveying condolences to the Ethiopian government and people immediately the death of late PM Meles Zenawi was announced, president Silanyo informed that the Death has robbed the Horn of Africa a great and visionary leader.
“on my own behalf, that of the government and people of Somaliland, I extend condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia on the sad demise of Prime minister Meles Zenawi who died in Belgium. I also extend condolences to the entire Honr of Africa region where the late Meles Zenawi is credited with relentless efforts to establish peace and security”
The president also noted on the relationship between the two countries saying
Though the relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia started during the liberation struggle in the 1980’s, it is during the tenure of Meles Zenawi as prime minister that the prevailing partnership in Security, Commerce and development was cemented of which we are confident that they will be maintained.
The late Meles Zenawi 57, who is attributed with getting his country out of the doldrums of poverty, took power as the leader of rebels that ousted communist leader Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991.
He is to be replaced in an acting capacity by Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne, who is also Ethiopia’s foreign minister until 20165 when elections are slated for.
