By: Omar Mohamed Farah
NAIROBI (Somalilandsun) – The European Union is properly versed on the impacts of severe drought in Somaliland as well as status of the democratization process.
This follows a meeting between EU diplomats and a Somaliland delegation led by ruling party KULMIYE chairman and presidential candidate Muse Behi Abdi that includes the Foreign and presidency ministers Dr Saad Ali Shire and Mahmoud Abdi Hashi respectively as well Somaliland’s representative to Kenya Abdillahi Dakhar
At the meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday the EU diplomats and Somaliland delegation discussed in depth about the country’s democratization process as pertains to status of voter registration and subsequent preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 28 March next year.
According to a press statement released from the presidency in Hargeisa Muse Behi who thanked the EU for continued humanitarian and development support is reported to have urged the diplomats to facilitate implementation of large scale projects thence enhance creation of employment opportunities imperative to sustainable livelihoods in Somaliland.
“With enhanced ability to create jobs stakeholders in Somaliland shall b in a better position to deter illegal immigration which is a scourge not only locally but within EU member countries as well” the two sides concurred
The delegation also gave a detailed report on the impact of the severe drought that has hit all regions of Somaliland particularly the western regions where famine has resulted in huge loss of livestock and farm produce as well as to some lives.
At the Nairobi meeting with the Musa Behi led team the EU was represented by
1. Mette Knudsen, Ambassador, Denmark
2. Kira Smith, deputy head of mission, Denmark
3. Tijmen Rooseboom, deputy ambassador, Netherlands
4. Anne Marinussen, Deputy Ambassador to Somalia, Netherlands
5. Pauline Sean, Head of Economic Humanitarian section, DFID and
6. Angus Miller, Adviser, DFID.”
The diplomats who commended the country for managing to attain sustainable peaceful co-existence and security as well as progress made in the democratization progress in which the EU is a major donor also pledged to continued participation in supporting Somaliland’s development strategy.
Edited by Yusuf M Hasan
