Ambassador Abdi Abdilahi Hirsi Dayah-weerar thanked the Liverpool council for the re-recognition of the Republic of Somaliland. He thanked the cross-party councilors who voted for the matter. read excerpts of his speech below;
“Hon Leader of the Liverpool Council, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“It is with immense gratitude and pride that I stand before you today on behalf of the Republic of Somaliland and as the Head of Somaliland UK Mission.
“First and foremost, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Liverpool members of the cross-party Council particularly Councilor Lucille Harvey, Councilor Tricia O’brien and the people of Liverpool for their unwavering support and the motion of recognition for Somaliland. Your solidarity and commitment have touched our hearts deeply and renewed our hope for a brighter future.
“I would also like to thank the support for this campaign by Liverpool MP’s Hon Kim Johnson and Hon Paula Barker for their support with the APPG, we are also grateful for the support from local MPs, the City Councils of Sheffield, Cardiff, Birmingham and London Borough of Tower Hamlet and would encourage other local MP’s and Cllrs to join this noble cause.
“Honourable Councilors, Liverpool was and is always in our hearts. As you all know, the earliest Somaliland immigrants arrived in this city in the 19th century who were lascars and merchants. A second group of seamen came during the second world war with the royal navy from British Somaliland.
“I am also grateful to Shukri Jama for her continuous campaign for Somaliland’s re-recognition”. End.