The Somaliland community in the UK will on, 18th May 2011, hold a rally to mark the 20th anniversary of the birth of the Republic of Somaliland. The rally will be held on the said date at Old Palace Yard Westminster (opposite the houses of Parliament) between 1:00-5:00PM.
The Republic of Somaliland, formerly a British Protectorate, gained independence on 26th June 1960 which it inadvertently lost four days after it went into a merger with the Italian Trusteeship of Somalia to form the Somali Republic. Somaliland withdrew from the union on 18th May 1991 after it proved unjust, unsuccessful and dangerous to the aspirations of her people.
Somaliland embarked on a new path to decide on its own destiny as a sovereign state and against all odds successfully managed to overcome the aftermath of brutal war and the seeds sown by a brutal regime to build an enviable young thriving democracy dubbed by some as beacon of stability and a model for Africa. Unfortunately, despite fulfilling all legal requirements for statehood, its search for sovereignty is yet to materialise.
With this rally we, the Somaliland community in the UK, want to draw the attention of the British Government to the aspirations of the people of Somaliland. We want to add our voices to theirs and strengthen their legitimate demands for an international recognition. We want to join them in their call on the rest of the international community to extent political recognition to Somaliland and to continue assisting this young nations’s achievements by supporting the consolidation of peace, stability, economic development and democratic governance.
We want to remind the world that the prolonged negligence of the democratic will and self determination of the people of Somaliland jeopardises achievements secured in the areas of security, development and democracy. We also want to remind the world that continued indifference to the Republic of Somaliland’s demands for sovereignty will make an already turbulent region even more dangerous to both regional and international security.
The rally is also a way of expressing our gratitude to the British Government for increasing its financial assistance to Somaliland. While the much needed financial assistance is thankfully accepted and welcomed, Somalilanders in the UK are calling on the British government to also extend greater political support and spearhead to help Somaliland achieve the long overdue international recognition.
Note to editors:
1. For further information please contact:
Quman - Mobile: 07854781960 or email: somaliland2011@gmail.com
2. Contrary to the unfortunate loss of lives in many African and developing countries, elections in Somaliland have always been peaceful. Somaliland people have a deep-rooted tradition of tolerance, fairness, equality and freedom.
3. According to Rt Hon Chris Mullen, British Foreign Minister for Africa, who visited Somaliland in October 2004, Somaliland is:
“In a region torn by war and chaos Somaliland stands out as beacon of stability and progress…In the long term, however, sustainable development and prosperity in Somaliland will only be possible if there is peace and stability throughout the region…Let me assure you, however, that the British government will never be party to an agreement that pushes you – against your will – into a forced marriage with the South.”
4. The success story of Somaliland and its unparalleled achievements were vigorously debated in British Parliament on 4th February 2004. In this debate the Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for International Development, said:
“I concur completely with what we have heard today about governance and the progress that Somaliland has made. Indeed, it provides some important lessons, and in some respects acts as a beacon to other parts of Africa because of the relative stability that it has enjoyed for 10 years. It has held democratic elections—municipal and presidential—and aims to hold parliamentary elections in, we all hope, the not too distant future. It has a traditional bicameral Parliament...It has a police force, a defence force, its own currency and a relatively free and lively press. Undoubtedly, in contrast to the rest of Somalia, it has achieved an enormous amount for its people.”
For the complete debate visit: www.publications.parliament.uk
