By M.A. Egge
The President of the republic of Somaliland H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi delivered the annual Address to the Nation that dwelt on a comprehensively wide range of topics that touch on every sector of the nation’s programmes and aspirations hence detailed the developmental projects so far undertaken by his administration.
Of note the Head of State was categorical that the national borders of the country will not at any one time be dismembered or changed to satisfy clannish or tribal whims.
The Presidential address to the Nation I usually held at the Parliament in a bicameral session of both the Lower and Upper Houses.
This year’s address however has happened at the backdrop of the state battling instigated insurgency by foreign invaders perpetrating terror and terrorism acts.
The President meticulously gave a chronology of subsequent developmental aspects and events in Las Anod and Sool region hence detailed the origins and aspirations of the perpetrators of insecurity in the region.
He also touched on major undertakings and progress made during his tenure and underpinned the fact that the forthcoming elections ought to be held duly.
The whole speech of the President, loosely translated, generally went as follows:-
Speaker and Members of Parliament;
The President of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General;
Members of the Council of Ministers;
Commanders of Armed Forces;
JSL people wherever they are;
Asalaam Aleykum,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is great honor, humbleness and privilege for me to address the national Parliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Somaliland to the Annual Constitutional Address for the year 2023.
Introduction
The government, while continuing the Political Program of the KULMIYE Party which was started by the Government of President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, has put a lot of effort into the fruition of the Political Program of the KULMIYE Party towards the development of the country.
During the period that this government ruled the country, our country has achieved great achievements in many areas, such as;
Internal Security and Defense of the Nation in General, Improvement of Government Institutions, Development of Culture and Economic Infrastructure, Social Affairs, Development of Social Services, Judiciary, Adaptation to Climate Change, and Development of Foreign Policy.
The great achievements that we have achieved are due to the peace and unity of the people and the government.
However, there has always been an enemy of Somaliland who was have been trying to undermine the peace, unity and development of nation.
Among those enemies are the terrorists and Puntland who have since instigated conflict in Las Anod, putting Somaliland citizens living in Las Anod in a state of war.
The people of Sool are citizens of the nation of Somaliland in terms of security and the development of various social services (and lived in such a manner).
- THE WAR OF LAS ANOD
Before I move on to the current situation in Las Anod City, I would like to inform you that during the time my government held this position, it has made a lot of efforts to develop the Sool Region, and a lot has been done in the areas of water, education, health and other services provided to the citizens.
Wells; During the tenure of the government, 28 long wells were dug in the Sool region.
WELLS DRILLED IN SOOL REGION 2018 – 2022
Location –Contractor- State Year- Type of Project
1 Qoriley Well drilled by the Ministry of Water Sool region in 2019 -deep well (Rig)
2 Dumey Well drilled by the Ministry of Water Sool region in 2019- deep well (Rig)
3 Hidhid Well drilled by the Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
4 Saahdheer Well -Ministry of Water, Sool Year 2018 Long Well (Rig)
5 Kalabaidh Well- Ministry of Water, Sool In 2022 Long Well (Rig)
6 Bali Hada’ well – Ministry of Water, Sool in 2022 deep well (Rig)
7 Bali Hadhad (2) -Ministry of Water, Sool In 2022 deep Well (Rig)
8 Dhabansar well Ministry of Water, Sool in 2022 deep well (well)
9 Shulux well Ministry of Water, Sool in 2022 deep well (Rig)
10 Goljano well Ministry of Water, Sool in 2022 deep well (Rig)
11 Gumeys Well Ministry of Water, Sool in 2022 deep well (Rig)
12 Gumeys Well Ministry of Water, Sool in 2022 deep Well (Rig)
13 Yagoori well 1- Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
14 Yagoori well 2 -Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
15 Yagoori well 3 -Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
16 Yagoori well 4- Ministry of Water G. Sool in 2018 deep well (Rig)
17 ‘Anjid Well – Ministry of Water, Sool in 2020 deep well (Rig)
18 Tuulo Samakab Well – Ministry of Water Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
19 El Lafaweyne -Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
20 Awr Boogays well 1 -Ministry of Water, Sool in 2018 deep well (Rig)
21 Awr bogays Well 2- Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
22 Sarmanyo well 2- Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
23 Hudun well 1- Ministry of Water, Sool in 2020 deep well (Rig)
24 Hudun well 2- Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 Deep well (Rig)
25 Adiadeeye Well for the Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
26 Geel’aseeye well Ministry of Water, Sool in 2018 deep well (Rig)
27 Dharkayngeeyo well – Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
28 Ka’aaya well -Ministry of Water, Sool in 2019 deep well (Rig)
Health;
During the government’s tenure, a Mental Hospital was built, and the expansion of the Las Anod Hospital was undertaken. Similarly 56 health centers have also been built and 6 ambulances have been distributed, namely:
Place -implementers- number
1 Regional Hospital -Ministry of Health -Sool Region- 1
2 Mental Hospital – Ministry of Health -Sool Region -1
3 District Hospitals- Ministry of Health – Sool Region -3
4 Health Centers -Ministry of Health – Sool Region -36
5 Basic Health dispensaries -Ministry of Health of Sool Region -17
6 Ambulances- Ministry of Health -Sool Region -6
Education;
During the said period, this same government built educational institutions in the Sool region and repaired existing buildings.
There are 19 new and renovated buildings in total.
School- District- New schools/buildings
1 Yaheel -Lasaanod -New School- 3 Classrooms and 2 Offices
2 Aaroole -Taleh -New School- 2 Classrooms and 2 Offices
3 Horyaal KG- Las Anod- New School -3 Classrooms and 1 Office
4 Goljano Primary -LasAnod -New girls’ amenity rooms 2
5 ‘Aroley –las Anod-Furnished Halls 4 toilet 1
6 Tukaraq- Las Anod-Furnished Halls 4 toilets 2
7 God-aale –las Anod- Furnished Halls 4 toilet 1
8 Las Anod – Las Anod -New Schools 9
9 Abyan –Las anod -Extension 2
10 Manhal –Lasanod- Extension 2
11 Godaalo-Taleeh- Extension 4
12 Karin-dabeylweyn – additional building 2
13 Lafweyne- Extensions 2
14 Las Anod boarding -addition 2
15 Maalim Jama Las Anod -addition 2
16 hudun-Hudun- Expansion 2
17 Kalabayd –conference Hall 1
18 Hargaga -Extension 2
19 Sarmanyo -Additions 2
Implemented Road Projects
Details- Tarmacked roads
1 Airport Road Las Anod 5Km
2 Main Hospital Road to Control 4Km
3 Fayo Road to Dahabshiil 1.5 Km
4 Telesom Road to Ex-Control 3 Km
5 Argada Royal Road to Qudahda 400 M
6 Las Anod Masjid Jama 3 Km
7 Yagoori Adhootay Road to Hospital 500 M
8 Manhal Junction Road to Musa Yusuf School
9 Hargaga Road
10 The gravel road connecting Las Anod to Kalabaidh – 32 km long.
11 Repairing the road from Adhi-Adeyo to Samakab Village
12 Repairing the Road through the City of Las Anod
Buildings;
During the tenure of the government, various government buildings were built in the Sool region, totaling 31 buildings.
Buildings
1 Building of the Sool Regional Administration Headquaters
2 Las Anod State Lodge
3 Building of the Bank of Las Anod.
4 Construction of the National Fire Force Headquarters in Las Anod
5 Military Base in Las Anod
6 Master Plan Project
7 Completion and Repair of Abdi Bile Abdi Stadium
8 Widh Widh Dam Project
9 Las Anod University Extension Building
10 Farhaskule Station Building
11 Construction of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Development builgings in Las Anod
12 Building of the Institute of Religious Training in Lasanod
13 Implementation of the JPLG Project in Las Anod Municipality.
14 Lasanod Boarding Buildings
15 Construction of Lasanod Abbatoir
16 Construction of the Lasanod Garbage Pit.
17 Las Anod tree nursery Center
18 Samakab District Solar Project
19 Construction of (5) Five water ponds at Dumay and daba-taaag.
20 Rehabilitation of polices station and Municipal Government buildings of Yagoori District.
21 Oxygen Storage Machines for Las Anod
22 Medical Storage Building
23 Construction of Livestock Fodder House in Dalyare, Sindhob and Oda-gooye
24 Ganbadha Dry Port Office Building.
25 Tax waivers Made for 655 Vehicles in Sool Region
26 Taleeh Station Building
27 Taleeh Regional Office Building
28 Taleeh District Office Building
29 Taleex Dam Building
30 Adhi Adeye Technical School
31 Saramayo Police Station Building
What caused the Battle of Las Anod?
Prior to 1884, most African setting did not have defined national borders separating them.
The first and second world wars changed a lot of the existing borders, especially in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. However, in Africa, the boundaries set by the colonialist are in place and are recognized by the League of Nations (now the UNO) and the African Union.
Somaliland is the country that used to be called Somaliland Protectorate (Somaliland Protectorate) whose borders are based on international laws.
Disputes can arise within any country, and the Las Anod war is based on the international border of the Republic of Somaliland.
The troops that invaded Las Anod, foremost is; Puntland army.
The President of Puntland said in a public speech that his army is fighting in Las Anod.
This is based on the plan of the Puntland administration since the beginning of its inception which intended to establish a tribal border.
There has also been a trajectory of bolstering Extremist Terrorists in the Puntland plan that have been planning for a long time to find shelter in the Las Anod area.
Terrorism acts has been rife in the area for the past 10 years, whereby have been killing the leaders of the governmental departments and the citizens of Somaliland in the region, especially Las anod who worked for the peace and development of Sool Region. The terrorist leaders involved in the plan blended within the people of Lasaanood.
The terrorists have planned how to instigate confrontation between the area residents and the government, by portraying that every act they carry out is the fault of the government of Somaliland.
The plan of the terrorists has had a negative impact on the emotions of the youth of Las Anod.
There were also diaspora people who supported the Puntland Regional Government and wanted the borders to be based on the tribal system.
So, what is questionable is that, if the colonialists who divided the Somalis into 5 parts (in 5 different countries) and given that it stands so today, why do the Puntland administration want to create a tribal caucus to the detriment of Somaliland’s territorial integrity?
The answer to that question lies with Puntland.
The shocking fact is that the Puntland administration has the notion they believe in that if one of their own (clan) does not become either the president or the premier at Mogadishu (Somalia) then they refuse to accept the status quo.
Today, the situation in Puntland and the bullets it is firing in all directions is the anger that resulted from the losing either of the plum posts of Somalia leadership.
I am telling the Puntland Administration that it is better for them to withdraw their forces from the Las Anod area.
The Somaliland government forces have never attacked Las Anod City except for defense, and Somaliland is still calling for peace to this day. The one who started the war was carrying out the terrorism policy which was to create insecurity in getting a place for them to hide.
I say we are committed to fighting terrorism. I call on the people of Las Anod to participate in the peace so that the city can be returned to normalcy and the life that existed before the war can be restored; such as security, administration, health services and education.
- STRENGTHENING THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
In order to have a good and efficient administration for our development, emphasis has been placed on improving the administration of Public Institutions.
- a) Improving Public Administration
In order to have an efficient public administration, the Government has taken a great responsibility to develop good governance, and it has done so;
- Improving the Office of Good Governance, with the completion of the National Good Governance Policy, which covers the entire process of good governance of all Ministries and Government Agencies.
- Basic Guidelines for the Evaluation of Good Governance that facilitate the evaluation of how Ministries and Government Agencies perform their work.
- The National Transfer Guide, so that they do not lose track of details (memory), while accompanying every official who is new to the system to get complete information and an eye-opening training for the work he is doing.
- The National Good Governance Guide which is further from the Good Governance Policy has been completed based on the needs and efforts of Government Offices.
- Based on the importance of the regulations and their implementation, the Decentralization Act has been implemented.
The internal government system for each office to fulfill its duties.
- b) Rules created by the Government in the years 2018 to 2023
Ladies and gentlemen,
Laws play an important role in nation-building, and define the conduct and responsibilities of national institutions that is related to Economic Growth, Development of Social Affairs Services, Strengthening Security and Securing the Basic Rights of Citizens.
Therefore, the Government, based on Article 74, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, which enables the preparation and presentation of legislative projects, has created 42 laws in the years 2018 to 2023, including 34 in force and 8 in the House of Parliament.
These regulations are involved in Economic Development, such as;
Tax Free Zone Act
Commercial Code
Ports Act
Investment Act
Insurance Act.
Regulations that contribute to the maintenance of security and stability include;
The Anti-Drug Act,
Smuggling Prevention and Control Act.
Also, it includes the Laws on Democracy and Elections, including the General Law on Elections and Voter Registration, which is integrated with all the National Elections and Voter Registration Laws.
The Government has also established and the Council of Ministers has approved important policies for the development of the country, which include; Land Administration Policy and Zakat Registration Policy.
- c) Awareness and Study of the Constitution
The constitution if we look at our culture; it is the structures and strands tethering a load to a camel (or any transporting vehicle for that matter). Also, the Constitution binds the people and the country, and it is the basis of the laws of the country.
Our constitution excludes what is prohibited by Islamic law.
Therefore, the government emphasizes that the society should be taught about the Constitution and the Laws of descent, while the different sections of the society were given 42 trainings in different regions of the country.
Also, these trainings have benefited from the students attending the National Services Career College, the various National Forces and Government Employees. It also benefited some University Students numbering 1,680 Students.
The government broadcaster has been running for years the program “It’s in Your Interest to Learn the Constitution”.
There is also a program to raise awareness of the Constitution on social media, in which videos and texts about the constitution are disseminated to the public, with the videos and clips viewed in the social media clocking over 2.5 views.
- d) Justice and Judiciary
During the tenure of this government, the knowledge levels of all judicial officials have been greatly increased, and the judicial service has been extended to 30 districts that did not have it before.
In 2022, 21,068 cases were filed in the country’s courts, including civil and criminal cases.
17,680 cases were dispensed with, with the remainder completed too.
The number and types of crimes committed in the country from 2018 to 2022
Year -Number of Murders- Number of Rapes -Accidents -Terrorism Alcohol- Liters- Marijuana KGs –Skirmishes leading to Deaths
2018: 61- 53- 3457- Nil- 7895- 2600
2019: 65 -40- 3232- Nil -4211- 28.25
2020: 53 -161- 4789 -21- 5589- 270
2021: 89- 232- 5581- 21- 41000- 2110 -1
2022: 60- 266- 5829 -16- 7066 -75.5- 4
Total 328 -752- 22888 -58- 65761- 5083.75- 5
- e) Civil Service Organization
The civil service reform program was successful, with all the civil servants being reappointed, to clarify what was unclear, and the official government staff were secured.
Based on the fact that citizens have equal opportunities, it is ruled out not to employ workers who have not passed the national employment program.
Employee Growth in the Years 2017-2023
2017 2023 Difference % 14,854 -26,800 =11,946- 80
- f) Contracts
The Government Procurement Process has been modernized and made transparent, with the National Tenders Committee having been empowered to carry out the duties.
During that time that I was in charge of this country, the National Procurement System was awarded 1,166 contracts with a total cost of $103,605,101.6. The contracts awarded during that period were:
418 contracts for new buildings and some repairs, costing $60,857,636.07.
395 contracts for Equipment, Machines, Medicines and Supplies, amounting to $34,925,971.74.
353 transportation contracts, costing $7,821,493.83.
- SOCIAL ISSUES
- a) Education
During this Government’s tenure, the Education Budget has been increased by:
Increase in Education Budget for 2017 – 2022
2017 2022 Difference % 102,615,623,952 200,626,411,498 98,010,787,546 96
Therefore, there has been a rapid increase in the growth of education in the country, both quantitatively and qualitatively; The number of school students has increased as well as the number of schools in the country:
The number of students in the country for the years 2018 and 2022
Education Level 2018 -2022 Growth Rate
Education 13,434 -20,152= 50%
Low/Middle 257,340- 384,230 =49%
Secondary Schools 54,702 -77,862 =42%
Crafts 3,346 -2,400 =28%
Indirect Education 1,228 -11,258 =817%
Educators’ Career Skills Enhanced
Year 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Trained teachers 400- 400 -400 -530-981
New Teachers Trained at the National Pre-service Teachers Training College
Year 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Trained teachers – – 229 -215
Number of New Schools Built (2018-2022)
New Schools Built Reading Rooms Offices Girls Rest Areas
2018 39 1 6
2019 27 1 3
2020 100 2 6 5
2021 75 1 2 3
2022 15 3 0
Total 256 5 10 17
- b) Health
During the Government’s tenure, the Health Budget increased:
Increase in Health Budget 2017 – 2022
2017 2022 Difference %
62,249,529,774 123,834,203,231 61,584,673,457 99
Therefore, there has been a significant increase in medical services, buildings and emergency transport in the country, which include:
- According to the studies conducted between 2016 and 2020, the number of maternal deaths (deaths) has decreased during childbirth) in 2016, 736 out of 100k mothers who gave birth died while by 2020, only 396 out of 100 women died.
- A new modern building with equipment has been added to the maternity ward of Hargeisa Hospital.
- A new building was added to the kidney department of Hargeisa Hospital, at the same time new, modern kidney filtration machines were brought.
- There are new buildings added and others rehabilitated at the psychiatric department of the Hargeisa Hospital, and at the same time, the services provided to people with mental disorders were improved.
- A cancer screening center was implemented at Hargeisa General Hospital.
- Two modern mental hospitals have been built in the cities of Lasanod and Eerigabo.
- New hospitals have been built in Arabsiyo, Gar-adag, Garba-dadar, Oog, Yagoori, Burao and Berbera.
- The building of Borama General Hospital was expanded, and a modern Laboratory (PCR), Oxygen Generating Machine, Kidney Filtering Machines were installed, and the kidney dialysis service was started in Awdal Region.
- There are also three new hospitals built in the city of Hargeisa, namely; Nasa-Hablot Hospital in Hargeisa East, Hargeisa North Hospital and Koodbur District Hospital in Hargeisa City.
- A two-story building was added to the Mohamed Adan Sheikh Children’s Hospital in Hargeisa.
- The National General Laboratory was established in Hargeisa.
- The National Emergency Medical Center was established in Hargeisa.
- State-of-the-art PCR machines and oxygen generators have been delivered to the regions.
- 61 emergency vehicles were also acquired.
- Maternal and Child Health Centers (MCH) have been greatly increased from 110 Centers to 285 Health Centers. It is increased by 175 which is equal to 159%.
- c) Water
During the tenure of my government in this position, it focused on ensuring that the people of Somaliland have access to sufficient clean water. A lot has been done for us, and it has worked for us:
Wells and Wells
In total, there were 304 wells in the country. During the tenure of this government, 241 wells were dug, which means that the number of wells increased by 80%.
Also, during the period mentioned above, 55 water dams were dug, and the government changed the system of digging dams and now it has been changed to (Haffir Dhams) which are large dams that can hold up to 500 to 600 thousand barrels, while previously small ponds were dug which were of little or no use in dry periods.
This plan is intended so that if there is one or two rainy seasons, the dam will not dry out faster.
Piped waters in Cities
Water supply has been increased in Borama, Gebilay, Burco, Berbera, Aynaba, Eerigabo and Zayla. New piped water supplies will also be started in many cities.
Capital Water Expansion
During the tenure of this government, a lot of efforts were made to ensure that some parts of the capital get enough water.
At the beginning of 2018, the water that the capital received per day was 6,500 m3, while today it receives 18,000 m3, it has been increased by 11,500 m3, which is equivalent to one hundred and seventy percent (177%).
In the period between October 2022 and April 2023, more than 10,000 households were provided with tap water from Geed-Deeble.
The project of water expansion in the capital was not an easy task, and the large increase that was made came from new wells that were dug, old ones that were repaired, and new pipes that were laid, including the big pipe that connects the Geed-Deeble and Hargeisa, underground water dams.
Kalgoray Dam
This dam was started in the Kalgoray valley, which is about 4 km east of Geed-deeble area. The purpose of the dam is to capture rainwater so that we can adapt to global climate change.
After filtering the water from this dam, the water will be piped to Hargeisa.
This dam is 658m long, 10 meters high and 4 meters deep, the area it will sit on is 40 hectares, and it is estimated that it can hold more than 1 million m3.
This dam was funded by Somaliland citizens and the Hargeisa Water Agency.
- ECONOMICS
During my tenure as the President, we were faced with difficult circumstances, but we as a government worked hard to develop our economy. In 2019, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) was 2.346 billion dollars, while in 2022 it was 2.583 billion dollars. The growth of the country’s production came as a result of the government’s policy towards opening up the economy, encouraging business and investment and the efforts of our people and businessmen.
Our unity and cooperation will lead us to a better future, God willing.
Also, during the tenure of this government, the State Budget has increased significantly.
Increase in the Government Budget for 2017 – 2022
2017 2022 Difference %
1,553,204,022,280 2,497,612,595,220 944,408,572,940 61
This large increase came as a result of the Government’s efforts to collect revenue and fight against corruption, and it has enabled us to increase Social Services.
Extensive reforms have been made in the financial system of the country, with the accounts of ministries and all agencies being made based on the modern PFM system, and we have improved the process of self-accounting.
Modernization and regulation of the payment system for public servants has been made
Direct withdrawals from their accounts, eliminating financial manipulation.
Since January 2018, the government has accelerated the PFM Reform, to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the use of limited resources entrusted to the government. by developing the local economy, which will lead to improving and improving the services provided by the government.
Improving Fiscal Administration helps to reduce waste, negligence, and prevent corruption in the limited tax collected by the government from the citizens and to ensure that these resources are used in the areas of special priority for the nation.
The Somaliland Financial Management Information System (SLFMIS) has been fully implemented, the following parts of which have been fully implemented in the central government and local governments:
- a) Payment Section;
- b) Payroll Division;
- c) Department of Budget Preparation;
- d) Real Estate Registration Unit (pilot scheme) by the Ministry of Finance;
- e) The Goods and Services Tax Department will be charged with the sales tax for services and products;
- f) The delivery section of the sales process;
- g) Local government sector;
- h) The sector of companies in which the government has a stake;
- i) And the sector of organizations that generate their income and expenses such as Water Agencies, Port, etc. which are expected to enter this year;
Reforms have been made to the system of the Auditor General, who previously investigated financial matters, but now has the power to conduct investigations related to:
- a) Compliance Audit
- b) Performance Audit
- c) Fraud Investigation
- d) Value for Money Audit
This audit, which is in accordance with the Audit Act, has been made for the guidelines to be followed, and all employees of the Audit Office have been trained.
Livestock Export Growth in the Years 2018 – 2022
2018 2022 Difference %
1,397,466 2,235,470 838,004 60
Production
The government has worked hard to increase the production of the country, so that we can ensure that we get enough crops to benefit us. In order to increase the production of the country, new crops were tried. Excavation of government farms in Wajale, Haahi and Beer has been accelerated.
There was also something done about soil and water management, to increase production. A great deal of work has also been done to save the fields and fight against locusts.
The government has been providing assistance to the country’s farmers, with the help of hours of digging and bees in the fields in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. 41,000 families have been aided with 134,000 tractor-hours of ploughing.
Also, 128 water machines and other agricultural equipment were given various hand tools such as hoes and spades and shovels.
Infrastructure:
In the past five years and several months, major projects have been implemented in the country, including;
The expansion and modernization of the main port of Berbera, which is now capable of handling 500,000 containers per year, has been completed; the Berbera – Wajaale Corridor, part of Berbera-Halaya road, and started the construction of the remaining road from Hargeisa to Kalabaydh.
The Hargeisa Bypass Road, a new 22.5 km long road connected to the Berbera Corridor, was also completed, and is designed to relieve traffic congestion in the capital.
Berbera Airport has been made international, which can serve all the needs of the landlocked African countries, and is one of the most modern airports in the world today, in terms of the size of the planes that can land.
The construction of the first phase of the Somaliland Economic Zone (Somaliland Economic Zone) of 54 hectares has been officially completed, with 34 hectares being built.
The construction of Mayd Fishing Port, jetty, has been completed.
Other Road Projects:
The construction of the Erigavo road is in the last stages and have costed more than $61 million.
Roads rehabilitation
Sheikh and Burao completed 40 Km and Kalajab bridge.
Major roads that are being studied feasibly are such as the Hargeisa-Burao and the Lawyo-Ado-Boroma road.
The government has also contributed to the construction of other roads that communities in different areas have taken responsibility for their construction.
Challenges we faced:
In the last five years and a few months, our country has been faced with major challenges that we have mostly managed. Among them were:
- Lack of recognition
Although we have put a lot of effort in seeking recognition, our country has not yet been recognized by the international community. Recognition is our goal, and we continue our efforts. Lack of recognition is a challenge that we will overcome with our efforts and abilities.
- Climate Change
Climate change is a indeed a reality, we can see its effects, and its problems are not limited to Somaliland alone, but it has affected the whole world. Our country’s recurring droughts, less rain, and land degradation are signs of climate change. And in some places you can see that they get heavy rains that cause big problems.
The only way to survive climate change is to adapt and be resilient. We know that climate change in our country has the greatest impact on nomads and farmers. Therefore, it is imperative that we change our lifestyle. Most of our livelihoods depended on livestock and pastoralism and is declining.
We also know that thousands of our herdsmen have become destitute and displaced in camps. The organizations feed the people in the camps where they live. What the Institutions give them is not worthy of their honor and cannot meet their needs. Camps are created, when a person depends on alms, and the self-confidence and struggle for life diminishes.
In order to make our young people who are displaced from the rural areas and those living in the cities become skilled workers, we plan to make our education reflect the job needs in our country, we are focusing on increasing the learning of technical skills, while we will increase places to learn handicrafts.
We are working hard to provide technical skills opportunities for young people who are displaced from rural life, so that they can get out of the difficult life they live in and have the knowledge and skills to go to work.
As you know, our country is full of foreign workers who work in manual jobs that our citizens can do if they strive to learn manual skills.
In order to reduce the negative effects of climate change, it is necessary to take advantage of other resources in our country such as fishing and the economy based on the sea (blue economy). The government is determined to establish a plan for our society that would be directed towards the utilization of our marine resources. Special importance and priority has been given to fishing in the Third National Plan Program (2023-2027) which we have recently launched.
The fire in Waaheen Market
The burning of the market was one of the biggest disasters we faced during my tenure. The Waaheen market fire has resulted in property and economic damage that has affected our economy.
In that fire, 3,216 businesses were registered.
There were 211 public houses that were damaged by the fire, while the government houses that were burnt in Waaheen Market were 245 rooms.
In order to deal with the losses caused by the fire, the Government has taken many measures including:
Registration of houses and businesses.
Closing the entrance roads to the market to protect the security of the property that is still in the market.
Cleaning up the remains of burnt goods in Waaheen Market.
The number of beneficiaries was 2,935 businesses.
The total amount of money paid to the entrepreneurs who lost their property was $10,650,035. The highest value of the assets lost through the fire by a single trader are over $480,000 dollars, and compensation was given at Ten Percent (10%), while the businessmen with the least amount of assets lost was 73 dollars and compensation was given to 500 dollars, adopting a policy that whatever perished whose value was less than 500 usd were to be given the 500 usd flatly.
It has been decided that 45% of the cost of rebuilding the house will be paid as compensation.
The modern design of government and public houses has been prepared so that the beauty and quality of market houses are consistent (standard).
The affected public houses consisting of 24 blocks of buildings (211 houses) have all started construction work, with the 45% compensation having been made (which is equivalent to about 4 million dollars); while the government is in the process of preparing the construction and is currently going through the final phase of contraction bidding.
- ELECTIONS
Somaliland is based on democracy and free and fair elections, and this requires us to complete the basic pillars, foremost being:
That the elections should be held in the period stipulated by the law, although sometimes they are delayed due to difficult circumstances including (Economic setbacks, drought, societal factors).
That the National Parties, which are the means by which the citizens go through to realize their political aspirations, should be based on the law, and should never exceed the tenure, and that there should be a real democracy based on the principles and a clear policy that defines the plan for the country to develop.
That the Partys’ finances should come from the supporters of the political Party in each region, and avoid foreign interference. If foreign interference comes into the Party, it is a threat to the National integrity of our country.
During the tenure of the government, we have achieved success in terms of democracy and elections.
We have had two simultaneous elections for the House of Representatives and Local Councils, the result of which are the members of the House of Representatives who are sitting here today and the members of the Local Councils of the country.
During this period, we also implemented two voter registrations, the first one was for the House of Representatives and Local Councils Elections and the one that took place from December 28, 2022 to January 26, 2023 which greatly benefited our youth who had reached the mandatory age of majority though some of the citizenry did not have the opportunity to register.
The two concurrent Elections held then and the two Registrations of election voters costed $25,995,619.
Note: There will also be a payment for the remaining balance of the Post-Registration card activity processes amounting to $2,506,744.
Considering the constitutional rights of the citizens of Somaliland to be able to exercise their political rights and be able to choose or be chosen, on 15 January 2022 the constitutional court decided to allow new political organizations to join the fray.
Therefore, implementing the decision of the Constitutional Court, I appointed the members of the Committee for the Registration of Political Organizations and the Approval of National Parties. The House of Representatives, while fulfilling its constitutional obligations, approved the Committee by a majority.
15 political organizations had since been registered and after screening, 10 political organizations have emerged to compete for the national official political parties together with the former three official national parties as per constitution with a tenure of the next ten years.
I also appointed the 7 members of the National Elections Commission, and the House of Representatives approved it with a majority vote.
We have two forthcoming elections coming up, which are for the new incoming national official political parties and that for the presidency.
The functions of conducting the elections belong to the National Electoral Commission.
In order to ensure the implementation of the Elections, we all need to work together and join hands to ensure that the Elections are held expeditiously.
- FOREIGN AFFAIRS POLICY
In the past five years and a few months, priority has been given to gaining international recognition. As we all know, there have been many political changes and uprisings with conflicts in the region, which have had a great impact on the general security of the region.
The government has dealt with the negative changes in the region and most of the world in a calm and careful manner.
We as a country have survived all these changes.
On the other hand, the achievements of the foreign policy are mainly the establishment of new diplomatic relations that has greatly contributed to the cause of independence and economic development of the Republic of Somaliland.
The government has taken a great responsibility to establish good relations with anyone who can help us grow the country’s economy, ensure security and continue the efforts to gain international recognition.
For example;
- Our cause has been reported in detail to many countries on the African continent have been delivered to many countries in Europe, Asia and North America.
- Great achievements have been made in establishing new diplomatic relations with many countries.
- Somaliland has opened diplomatic offices in several countries including Taiwan, Turkey and Norway. Also, several embassies were opened in the country, all of which were appointed as diplomats and representatives of foreign affairs, during my tenure.
These countries include the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and Kenya.
- More than 100 MPs from 15 countries came to the country, most of them were leading a fact-finding committee that was looking into the matter of Independence of the Republic of Somaliland. More than 16 ministers from around the world also came to the country.
Four Foreign Ministers from African countries have since arrived in Somaliland. Two of the Ministers were Acting Ministers of Foreign Affairs. The other two were full ministers.
- I went on successful business trips to the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Guinea Conakary, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
- During my trip to the United States, I had meetings with the US heads of state for Foreign Affairs, the Defense Committee of the Parliament.
I spoke at the Heritage Foundation, which is one of the major centers of American political thought.
The result of that trip was that the two Houses of the United States made rules that clearly define Somaliland and the United States to have official relations. In the end, Somaliland incorporated directly into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the first time in history.
- After an official invitation, I went on a business trip to Kenya and met with the President of Kenya. The meeting resulted in the two countries officially establishing diplomatic relations. Kenya opened a diplomatic office in Somaliland after that trip, and Somaliland appointed a representative and diplomatic staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya.
Discussions between Somaliland and Somalia
The talks between Somaliland and Somalia started in 2012. We did enter the talks following national consultations which concertedly paved the way forward.
During the eleven year period that has since elapsed, there were 9 rounds of dialogues.
The last one that took place in Djibouti in 2019 was in an international forum attended by the United States, the European Union, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the IGAD regional organization, where we clearly presented our cause and the right we have to have our aspirations, the Right to Self-determination.
We are ready to continue the dialogue, but in order for the dialogue to be fruitful, Somaliland insists that:
- That the talks take place in a two-state model, and end up with a solution of two independent states.
- To respect and quickly implement all agreements previously reached by both parties.
- There must be an International Mediation Mechanism that can guarantee the implementation of what is agreed upon.
- That there should be an honest and impartial Global Information System.
- There must be general principles and behavior to facilitate discussions.
- Discussions should have a clear agenda to lead the meetings and clearly define the Core Issues of the Dispute.
- Discussions should have a specific time span (to conclude).
We are ready to continue the discussions and participate in them significantly, and present our cause and position.
- Conclusion
32 years ago, when we did not have the palatial buildings prevalent today hence our city was in ruins, when we had no schools, universities or hospitals, when we were without jobs and salaries the community of the nation decided to aspire to re-asserting their independence and rebuild the country from scratch.
The people who witnessed and were subjected to these circumstances saw that the future generations will enjoy a better life than the one at that time, freedom and a promising future.
In our society today, especially the youth, are lucky. They are here at a time when the country is established, the government is strong, our economy is good, our army is sufficient to defend the country, and Somaliland is a country with international standards, and it is our duty to do our best for our country and our security.
On the other hand, there are problems surrounding us such as unemployment, tribalism, addictions, social crimes and political immaturity.
Unemployment is the biggest problem in the country today. The government has already taken measures to reduce unemployment and is planning other measures to reduce unemployment.
Therefore, the government manages 10% of the country’s economy, but the government has increased the number of civil servants by 80% and implemented a Youth Development Fund. It has also made everything easier for domestic and foreign investment, to increase employment.
Government and citizens, as a nation, we have an economy that we can invest in and create jobs in our country.
The government has implemented laws and policies that facilitate investment and job creation.
Therefore, the Government is holding a meeting this year to bring together all the stakeholders of the country’s economy and present the agenda of job opportunities.
When the job creation starts for us, we expect that the problems we mentioned above will decrease.
In order to eradicate other problems such as tribalism, addictions, social crimes and political immaturity, the government will raise awareness in many areas (religious, legal and literary). .
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