By M.A. Egge
The director of the Institute for Democracy and Multi-Parties (NIMD) in the Netherlands together with the representative of the Institute for Democracy (NIMD) in Somaliland, Abdijaliil Aw Dahir Afqarshe, held a crucial meeting on Tuesday with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland Hon Yasin Mohamoud Hiir Faratoon.
The Speaker received in his office the Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) Thijs Berman, project coordinator Kristina Miletec, the representative of the organization in Somaliland, Abdijaliil Aw Dahir Afqarshe, Head of Programs Dr. Abdirahman Gas, and negotiation and conflict resolution expert Shaun MacKay.
The bSpeaker was flanked by both his first and second deputies the honourables Syed Mire Farah ‘Girre’, and the Ali Hamud Jibril respectively, together with legislative advisor of Institutions and Development Programs, Hassan Mohamed Jama ‘Hiis’.
Director Berman praised the House of Representatives and the people of Somaliland for the mature democratic process that has become an example for the region.
For his part, the first deputy speaker warmly welcomed the delegation to the House of Representatives; and urged that NIMD programs depend on the factual and real needs of the country.
He praised NIMD for the trainings they started for political organizations and parties, and he expected that the efforts would be fruitful.
Both parties agreed on a cooperation program that will start soon in relation to trainings for the development of democracy.
They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in raising awareness of the democratic process, monitoring, electoral representation and promoting political participation, especially among women and youth.
Finally, the meeting was closed by the Speaker Hon. Yassin Mohamud (Faratoon) who expressed how important it is to develop and promote the democratic process in every appropriate manner possible.