The Sage

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  1. As we all know Turkey has emerged to be a close partner for Somalis across the horn with it's generous aid, strong political backing and lucrative investment deals. This relationship has mainly been forged as a result of the current Turkish government's moderate Islamist policies that call for greater reach to the Muslim world. It's GDP and family income has tripled, since the AKP and Erdogan has come to power. It has become an economic powerhouse and true leader in the world stage and it's effects have been felt throughout the region.

     

    This progress and development seems to be at stake with the recent riots and protests by leftists, kemalists, and malcontents. If Erdogan resigns or is forced out, or worse if armed clashes break out in Turkey it could have a significant impact on the horn's future and the middle east/europe. What does SOL have to say?


  2. Somaliland: President Silanyo Engages Diverse Stakeholders in the USA

     

    WASHINGTON DC (Somalilandsun) – After a period of neglect, the international community has taken preliminary steps to restore political stability in the Horn of Africa region which has endured decades of violent repression, civil war, terrorism, and piracy.

     

    This is per the Somaliland president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo who is currently visiting the USA who adds that "Ironically, Just north of Somalia the world has paid much less attention to a nearby model of success, the Republic of Somaliland enjoys starkly different circumstances

     

    The president who is in his first official visit to the US as president of the yet unrecognized republic of Somaliland he heads has achieved within a short period of time an immeasurable success as pertains to putting his country's agenda firmly in the world agenda.

     

    The head of state who is leading a broad-based delegation that consists of senior government officials and political leaders is set to round up his US tour with a briefing meeting with his countrymen and women living in North America in at Chantilly, Virginia.

     

    In the course of his official tour president Silanyo has so far held consultative talks with the US under Secretary of state, Business Council for International Understanding, USAID, and Chair of the Senate committee on Africa Affairs ad presented a paper at the prestigious Atlantic council.

     

    State Dept.

     

    At the meeting with state department's Under Secretary for Political Affairs Ms Wendy Sherman discussions revolved around issues of mutual concern, including stability, democracy and governance, and the need to combat al-Shabaab. The United States expressed support for continued dialogue between the Government of Somalia and Somaliland authorities, as took place in Turkey on April 13. The United States reiterated its strong support for a peaceful and united Somalia.

     

    President Silanyo also urged the US government to support the bid by Somaliland to secure observer status at various organizations like IGAD, AU, UN and others.

     

    Both Ms Sherman and her head of the African desk Don Yamamoto revealed that the recent recognition of the Mogadishu government by the Obama administration does not impinge in anyway existing relations between the US and Somaliland.

     

    The undersecretary who commended Somaliland on various achievements garnered despite its unrecognized status as a sovereign country, promised her government's continued development aid in addition to significant support to forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

     

    According to the Somaliland diplomatic representative in the USA Mr Rashid Nuur Gaaruf the covenants of the meeting between the Somaliland delegation and the US team led by Undersecretary Wendy Sherman were cemented at a sumptuous lunch in the state department Washington DC.

    Business Council for International Understanding

     

    On the economic front president Silanyo urged Americans to benefit both their companies and citizens of Somaliland by Luncheon discussions with BCIU investing in the yet untapped and lucrative natural resource sector that has so far only attracted European and Middle East multi-nationals.

     

    The president urged this during a luncheon meeting hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding-BCIU at the Willard hotel where top honchos of the council promised to solicit American investments for Somaliland.

     

    President Silanyo who concurred with BCIU on the imperative need for enhanced economic and financial partnership with US based investors, said that his country which is endowed with a lot of natural resources and other investments opportunities is a sure profitable bet for any investor.

     

    With members from more than 150 world-leading companies, BCIU provides an on-going forum for senior business executives to interact with heads of state/government, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials.

     

    USAID

     

    The United States Agency for International Development-USAID has informed that its interventions in Somaliland have not been affected by the US government's recognition of the Mogadishu government.

     

    This was informed during a meeting the head of state president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo held with senior USAID officials in Washington DC where the agency not only promised to sustain its partnership with various stakeholders in Somaliland but enhance on them as well during the forthcoming years.

     

    USAID is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. It was created USAID in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

     

    Though its mandate is to implement development assistance programs in the areas authorized by the Congress in the Foreign Assistance Act which it undertakes in the guise of a technically independent federal agency its operations are subject to the foreign policy guidance of the President, Secretary of State, and the National Security Council. USAID's Administrator works under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State

     

    Senate committee on Africa Affairs

     

    The Somaliland political scenario as pertains to the wider horn Africa region were presented by President Silanyo to the US Senate committee on Africa Affairs during a honour luncheon hosted in his delegations honour by the committee's chair Senator Jeff Flake at Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

     

    While urging concerted US support for his country President Silanyo told Senator Jeff Flake that "it was the primary responsibility of the authorities and people of Somaliland to make efforts to acquire political recognition from the international community

     

    In support of his bosses comments the foreign minister Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar, told Senator Jeff Flake that Somaliland deserves recognition as sovereign nation having demonstrated the characteristics and fulfilled all prerequisites of a strong democratic state since it reasserted its independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991.

     

    Somaliland has demonstrated the characteristics of a strong democratic state",

     

    Senator Jeff Flake a ranking member and senior member representing of the minority party (Republican) in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for African Affairs hosted President Silanyo and members of his delegation in his office.

     

    "Somaliland is a functioning, stable and democratic state, which has a constitution which entrenches, among other aspects, the separation of power between the three arms of government the existence of active opposition political parties with some capacity to influence public policy; and a budding independent press" President Silanyo told Senator Jeff Flakes

     

    On his part the Senator from Arizona Jeff Flake who is a senior member of the

     

    minority party (Republican) Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for African Affairs promised President Silanyo concerted support for his country following the briefing which he termed as enlightening and a revelations of matters pertinent to the Somalia –Somaliland situation.

     

    Members of his delegation in his office.

     

    PENTAGON

     

    In the course of the hectic schedule of his USA tour president Silanyo and his delegation parleyed the pentagon on security and other issues as relates to Somaliland and the Horn Africa region's war on terror and piracy.

     

    At a closed door luncheon meeting hosted at the Pentagon president Silanyo informed senior US military chiefs the prevailing security situation in Somaliland especially as pertains to the war on terror and anti-piracy.

     

    Said he "My country that remains unrecognized as a sovereign state has managed to secure its borders from marauding terrorists and pirates thus a significant contributor to international efforts in the horn of Africa region"

     

    While brushing aside recent reports that Al-shabaab terrorists escaping from the AMISOM onslaught in Somalia are creating bases in Somaliland, president Silanyo who said that national security forces remain vigilant of this scourge though encumbered by insufficient equipment thus urging the Pentagon to facilitate availability of modern weapons and training.

     

    According to foreign minister Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar the meeting and discussions with Senior US defence officers at the Pentagon that encompassed various aspects within Somaliland and the wider horn region ended in concurrence on establishing sustainable relationships in the areas Security as well as matters related to Somalia-Somaliland.

     

    Atlantic council Address Somaliland's Achievement in a fragile region

     

    The Somaliland Team

     

    President Silanyo who is leading a high powered delegation to the US is accompanied by the first lady Ms Amina Mohamed ShPresident Silanyo and team in the USAPresident Silanyo and team in the USA Jirdeh 'Amina Weris'

     

    Others who have accompanied him to the various meetings include

     

    Mr Hirsi Ali H Hassan, Minister of Presidential Affairs

     

    Dr Mohamed A. Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation

     

    Dr Saad Shire, Minister of Planning & Development

     

    Eng. Hussein A. Duale, Minister of Mining, Energy & Water Resources

     

    Mr Osman Abdilahi Sahardid, State Minister of Finance

     

    Mr Rashid Gaaruf, US-Somaliland Ambassador

     

    http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/politics/government/2795-somaliland-president-silanyo-engages-diverse-stakeholders-in-the-usa


  3. Silanyo's whirlwind tour of the Capital has put Somaliland's interests and case into newfound territory. Among the highlights of his offical visit:

     

    • Briefs the US under Secretary of state for political affairs Ms Wendy Sherman

     

    IOwsS5X.jpg

     

    • Concurs with Business Council For International Understanding –BCIU on imperative need to facilitate US investments in various sectors in Somaliland (With members from more than 150 world-leading companies, BCIU provides an on-going forum for senior business executives to interact with heads of state/government, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials.)

     

    U8Br0QH.jpg

     

    • Meets USAID Chief who informs that the US government shall increase direct development aid to Somaliland

     

    bCJqRUT.jpg

     

    • Discusses Horn of Africa regional security issues and needs with the Pentagon

     

    JSmYcEc.jpg (en route to the Pentagon)

     

    • Briefs Senate committee on Africa Affairs on prevalent status in Somaliland (On his part the Senator from Arizona Jeff Flake who is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for African Affairs promised President Silanyo concerted support for his country following the briefing which he termed as enlightening and a revelations of matters pertinent to the Somalia –Somaliland situation.)

     

    uRQnPqz.jpg

     

    • Meets prominent members of the Congressional black caucus

     

    bboV5hO.jpg

     

    • Presents a paper titled "Somaliland's Achievements in a Fragile Region" at the Atlantic Council

     

    dLX2rLD.jpg

     

    xy11xSW.jpg


  4. Aaliyyah;943165 wrote:
    It is the last nail to the coffin

    Lol If I had a dollar for every time that has been posted on this forum I would easily be a millionaire...

     

    These "Holiday Inn States" are about as representative and out of touch as these clowns:

     

    eS4ms9X.jpg


  5. Despite the nay-sayers, doubters, plotters and contemptuous foes Somaliland still stands firm in its unwavering right of sovereignty and self-determination. With more engagement from the international community than ever including direct relations with heads of state and major powers, booming business and investment from manufacturing to natural resources, strong national defense and expanding control over its rightful territory and burgeoning government finances that are literally in the hundreds of millions and exponentially expanding year after year.

     

    ...where is that final nail in the coffin now? ;)


  6. In all seriousness I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves when it comes to coming to conclusions based on a handful of facts. What we do know is that due to the democratic nature of the country, Silanyo is beholden to the electorate in Somaliland and we know that attend the conference isn't even a conceivable notion for them. If he wants to ensure his future political career and maintain social and political stability in the country its best that he stands firm on the non-engagement position.

    Even though the Brits might be dangling carrots and holding sticks in front of Silanyo, we know that even if he brushes off their advances the Brits will have to engage with SL as they realize it is too strategic and in their best interest to engage with them.

    I guess time will tell but be in for a big surprise when it comes


  7. I don't think we can make comparisons to the Scottish model just yet since they haven't gone ahead with the referendum yet.

     

    The Quebec separatist model in Canada is most intriguing perhaps. In 1995 the province of Quebec held a referendum to secede from their union with Canada with only citizens of Quebec voting. There was even a law that set out even how the language of the referendum question should be worded.

     

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarity_Act


  8. Although all of us are attempting to look into their crystal balls as to what future lies ahead for Somaliland-Somalia relations, it can definitely be said that the events in Ankara are just another step to significant machinations that are taking place. Not only does it emphasize that the Somalia FG and and Somaliland gov are the sole negotiating actors in this process but it further pushes to the margins the opportunistic leaders of the Taleex project and the constituents of Somalia's federalist model.

    The union was between to equal and separate entities and the future negotiations will be between two separate and equal entities, much to the chagrin of the bit players in the horn.


  9. Well considering that Egal Int;l just finished their $10 million USD expansion of the airport, I would say that it is light years ahead of the airstrip in Garowe:

     

    http://somalilandpress.com/vp-saylici-opens-a-new-passenger-terminal-at-hargeisa-international-airport-27985

     

    "VP opened the new terminal hargeisa airport today; the project began in 2010 and involved lengthening the existing runway constructing a taxiway, apron and new terminal that can now handle more passengers than before.

    This new phase will include the construction of a 1 KM and 700m parallel taxiway"

     

    “The largest type of passenger and cargo aircraft will now be able to land at this Airport. This presents enormous opportunities for trade and investments,” VP Saylici said, encouraging business to attract international cargo carriers"

     

    Construction of new runway:

    b76qErC.jpg

    5pKBS5N.jpg

    zFalyqb.jpg

     

    New/expanded terminal:

    qISD5x0.jpg


  10. malistar2012;935554 wrote:
    So that lets me to believe somalilander are part of problem and the solution. Why don't somaliland leaders not take direct policy and give up the hope for secession . and lead Somalia

    Don't even pretend that premise is even remotely believeable. It'll be a cold day in hell before anyone lets leaders from Somaliland take control over Somalia's transition...I can almost hear the outcry.

     

    Now with that ridculous suggestion aside, why isn't anyone here shaming Bangladesh for seceeding from Pakistan or Egypt and Syria breaking up the UAR, or better yet calling on Djbouti to unite with Somalia. Pure hypocrisy and using hadith as convenient reason to exert hopeless political control is a weak argument.


  11. For those wondering, this is exactly the kind of engagement Somaliland should partake in (i.e. something that actually concerns SL) as opposed to a pointless London conference that holds little to no importance for the affairs of the country

     

    We'll see where it goes, and close scrutiny should be paid to the role of Turkey, and how the talks affect the interests of the Turks in the region