He stated that the agreement indicates that Ethiopia will be the first country to recognize Somaliland as a state
By M.A. Egge
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi and the delegation he led, returned to the country to a rousing reception whereby a multitude of thousands of people in the city came out to welcome him following a deal he struck with neighbouring Ethiopian government at the beginning of the year. Enthusiastic and elated people lined up along the several kilometres of road that snaked from the Egal International Airport all the way to the Presidency.
Amid ululations and chants of ‘triumph…triumph’, the multitude of people led by members of the cabinet, parliamentarians, traditional and contemporary leaders of Maaroodi-Jeeh region, the leadership of Hargeisa local city council, the service commanders of the various arms of the and eminent personalities joined together in the tumultuous reception while most carrying miniature flags of the nation while others adorning clothes that bore the colours of the national flag.
The Head of State addressed a large gathering at around a gate near the entrance of the airport whereby he elaborated on the historic MoU deal that was struck with Ethiopia that has at its gist the aspirations of the country as concerns the long sought justified international recognition.
He noted that the agreements made had in its core the Federal government of Ethiopia acknowledging Somaliland as a dejure state, thus according it the deserved international recognition.
The President likewise scoffed at the hullabaloos that emanated from the Mogadishu government that went berserk with chagrin when they got wind of the deal struck with Ethiopia.
He at the same time dispelled rumours and allegations of insincerity on the part of the nation saying that the agreements will have to be subjected to legalities at par with both the local and international laws as applicable.
The president first spoke about the type of agreement that the two governments have entered into, which is one seen to be in the interests of both parties, and which is in accordance with the rules and the constitution of Somaliland and the international rules.
He stated that the agreement indicates that Ethiopia will be the first country to recognize Somaliland as a state, and Ethiopia will in return get lease of Somaliland with specified size, in accordance with the internationally recognized rules.
The President dismissed the false statements that the enemies of Somaliland are spreading that Somaliland’s land has been sold to Ethiopia, “Somaliland’s land cannot be sold, the president cannot sell arbitrarily for he has no such powers nor can a future president dispose of the nation’s land whimsically”, he said.
He sent a strong message to the leaders of Somalia to refrain from disrupting the development of Somaliland and its achievements, and to stop the propaganda as concerns the agreement that Somaliland is striking with Ethiopia.
President Muse Bihi Abdi has called on the people of Somaliland to stand by their nation, work together to implement the important historical country’s agreement, and unite for the common good of the nation.
On the other hand, a brief ceremony was held in the presidential palace to pay tribute to the president and his delegation that saw the top national leaders led by the Vice President H.E. Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismael Seyli’and and bothe Speakers of the Upper and Lower Houses of the Parliament the Honourables Suleiman Mohamoud Adan and Prof. Yasin Faratoon profusely hail the President in his achievement of taking the nation forward with the bold step taken for the good of the nation and the people of Somaliland.
The President in turn thanked all who turn out to brave the sun to welcome him back home and appealed to the populaces for solidarity, unity, brethrenship and concerted efforts in a harmonious way to move the nation towards a positive direction, reiterating that the main aspirations of the country was to be accorded the deserved dejure status as any other country amongst the international community.