Statement on Somaliland's Progress Towards Consolidation of
Democracy
Made at the European Parliament on December 4,2008
In a conference he has
participated “ The Future of Democracy in Zimbabwe- European
Assistance under African Leadership” held at the EU Parliament on
December 4th, under the auspices of the Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats for Europe ( ALDE ), Mohamoud Abdi Daar, made the
following points on the situation in Somaliland .
After congratulating the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for
Europe (ALDE) in organising this conference in which highly
distinguished delegates are participating, I would like to join
other speakers in expressing support and solidarity with the people
of Zimbabwe in their struggle for human rights and justice.
Respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms are indispensable
for the political, economic and social development of any
society.And efforts to promote and support such
democratic rights are commendable and praiseworthy.
Participatory democracy plays an important role in nation-building
in Somaliland and especially since 1991, after she seperated from
Somalia.
This enabled her to make remarkable achievements and to re-
establish peace and stability in this region, in the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland has successfully established democratic institutions,
based on the rule of law. Hundreds of thousands of refugees and
displaced persons were repartiated.
Towns, roads, schools and hospitals, destroyed by the former
dictatorial regime, were re-builf by the hardworking people of
Somaliland, on self-reliant basis.To date, primary school enrollment
is more than 90 % . Health service has tremendously improved
following return of Somaliland medical doctors from abroad. Safe and
piped water is also available to almost 50 % of the urban
population, ( Mark Bradbury, On Becoming Somaliland, 1997 ).
In Somaliland, economic growth is mainly based on the private sector
which contributes by and large to employment and to the raising of
the standard of living in the country. More efforts are also being
put in place to strengthen this important sector, as well as to
encourage foreign investment and accelerate livestock and fishery
exports.
With regard to its transition to full- fledged democracy, Somaliland
is making a great deal of progress. Voter-registration is now under
way, with the cooperation of the European Union. The second direct
presidential election is scheduled to take place at the end of March
2009.
Such success and achievements put Somaliland in an envious position.
These are main reasons why she was subjected to a massive and brutal
suicidal attacks on October 29, 2008 in which more than 25 people
were killed and more than 31 were injured.
In their futile and wicked efforts, the terrorists targeted the
Presidential Palace, the Ethiopian trade center and the UNDP office.
The resolute people of Somaliland expressed anger and condemned
those unprovoked and cowardly acts of evil aggression and hatred..
The government and people expressed thier strong determination to
defend their freedom and hard-won indepedence against criminal
terrorist organizations, failed states and enemies of freedom and
human progress.
Somalilanders and their government express their appreciation to all
governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations
for their solidarity and support in this difficult hour.
Furthermore, they request urgent, concrete moral and material
assistance from the international community to meet the development
and security needs of the counrty.
Somaliland's strong faith in international cooperation and
solidarity impel her to meet its international obligations, as a
mature and responsible state. For these reasons Somaliland and its
hardworking people have great confidence that the international
community would reconsider the status of the country and accord her
diplomatic recogntion at this juncture, more than ever before, since
she fulfils all indispensable requirements and conditions for
statehood as stipulated in international law.
Submitted by Mohamoud Abdi Daar
Somaliland Representative in Brussels
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