Recognition of Somaliland is overdue

President of Somaliland Republic

The African Union is proving exactly as far-sighted as its architects hoped; it is a tremendous force for good for our continent. Year by year, its authority and influence grow as it provides an indispensable platform for Africa to come together to address our many opportunities and challenges.
As we look around our continent today, the need for the AU’s intervention – both in response to terrible emergencies (as we have seen in Nigeria) and to accelerate wider progress – has rarely been greater. So I am genuinely reluctant, on behalf of my country, to add to an already packed agenda. But I believe the AU should no longer put off recognizing Somaliland as an independent country and full member.
It is not the first time, of course, that our young country has asked the AU to take this momentous step. President Dahir Rayale Kahin, my predecessor, first applied in 2005. The result was an AU mission that looked at what our leaders and citizens had built together since we declared independence in 1991. It found that our progress was “unique” in African political history and recommended that the AU “should find a special method of dealing with this outstanding case”. Read Full Article

Berbera Revenue Goes into State Treasury, says Finance Minister

Somaliland’s Finance Minister, Hon Abdiaziz Mohamed Samale said that the revenue of Berbera port directly goes into the state treasury and dismissed the reports in the media claiming that it is being diverted by the Office of the President. The finance minister who spoke with some local media in Hargeisa - the seat of Somaliland Republic - on Monday May 12, 2014 explained in details on this matter and said:

“Lot of improvements have been done on Berbera port. Except a tiny amount, all of its revenue ends up into the state treasury. That small amount which does not reach the finance ministry is set aside to fund the port operations and services.” Read Full Article

Somaliland: Winning Hearts in Buhodle

As seen both on Universal and Horn Cable TVs, the Somaliland Health Minister, Suleiman Essa Ahmed, paid an official visit to Buhodle town on Monday May 4, 2014.It will be his first home coming since switching positions and laying down his armed resistance to embrace the Reinstatement of Somaliland Sovereignty in mid 2012 after a long talk with the Somaliland government. Though his visit has not been officially disclosed, it was pleasantly blessed by the Office of the President with many development projects for the region. On the other hand, Ali Khalif Galayr, the founder of the deceased Khatumo Administration and a member of the Somali Parliament, who has been recently active in campaigning and convening the so called Khatumo III Congress in the region.  
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Obsolete Laws Used to Persecute Two Detained journalists

Reporters Without Borders condemns the unfairness of the proceedings to which Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, the owner and founder of the newspaper Haatuf, and Ahmed Ali Egeh, the editor of its Somali-language version, are being subjected in Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway northwestern territory of Somaliland.

Gabobe and Egeh have been held since 10 May, when they were arrested and appeared in court for allegedly libelling two government ministers, while the newspaper has been closed since 7 April. Read Full Article