By Goth Mohamed Goth
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi, held a video conference with the Hon. Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister of State for Development and African Affairs, and discussed the situation in Las And and Somaliland elections.
Firstly, the President briefed the UK Minister on the overall situation in Las Anod and the SL government’s position and means of forging a last peace. The President further informed the UK Minister that his government is ready for an unconditional ceasefire, and the residents of Las Anod who are citizens of Somaliland will embrace peace when the right time comes. But what is important is that the international community should order the Puntland-Somalia administration to withdraw its forces from Las Anod and within the Somaliland border, which the President explained to the UK Minister their presence was the main obstacle to efforts in finding a lasting solution to Las Anod issue.
The Head of State also informed the UK Minister on the presence of the Puntland Administration of Federal Somalia forces in Las Anod to seize the Eastern Sool Region of Somaliland Republic on the basis of tribal lineage claim to change the unchangeable colonial borders between Somaliland and Somalia in order to undermine Somaliland Republic sovereignty by dividing its territory, a move which will affect other countries in Africa, He added that Somaliland is committed to protecting its territorial sovereignty and its borders, just like other countries in the world has the duty to protect their borders.
On the other hand, the President informed the UK Minister of the upcoming Presidential Elections, in which he said that the government has already allocated the expenses for holding the upcoming elections, and has already put aside the expenses required for the distribution of voter cards which will be distributed by the National Elections Commission in early June; And that his government is ready to hold both the national political organizations for the next ten years and the Presidential elections.
On his part, Hon. Andrew Mitchel, the UK Minister of State for International Development and Africa, noted that the British government is ready to work with Somaliland on the elections and finding a solution to the Las Anod issues.
Finally, the two sides discussed the importance of enhancing closer investment cooperation between Somaliland and the British governments.
The President was during the meeting flanked by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Essa Keyd Mohamud.